Or the Bull Kills You by Jason Webster Read Free Book Online Page A

either. If anything, colleagues had put him down as an ambitious sort, relatively young in his late forties, and keen to get promoted to the national court in Madrid, where the big cases were handled.
    â€˜We’ll soon be getting the whole story from Blanco’s little chapero , his rent-boy,’ Pardo continued. ‘You heard about the bracelet, Cámara. I would have thought you’d worked it out for yourself.’
    Pardo shared a smirk with Caballero.
    â€˜A.A.,’ Cámara said.
    â€˜Antonio Aguado. Don’t you read the prensa rosa , the gossip magazines?’
    Cámara said nothing.
    â€˜You should, you know. Just because it’s not in El País doesn’t mean it’s not news – or important. Anyway, those fingerprints are almost certainly going to be his. You heard it here first.’
    He raised a finger as though to emphasise the point. The lift pinged again and the doors opened. They stepped out into a long white corridor, views of the city stretching across through the smoked glass on the far side of a row of offices. The squat octagonal Gothic tower of the Cathedral – the Miguelete – was just visible over the rooftops. Caballero spoke for the first time.
    â€˜It’s all pointing at Aguado.’
    â€˜Might even have it wrapped up for the nine o’clock news,’ Pardo said with a grin. He rubbed his hands together. ‘Quintero’s happy to release the body to the family. They’re insisting on a quick burial. Later this afternoon, in fact. No point extending the whole thing for days. Not like they do in those cold northern countries. Keep them in the fridge for weeks, apparently.’
    â€˜Perhaps I’ll get my holiday after all,’ Cámara mumbled to himself.
    â€˜What was that?’ Pardo said. ‘I can’t begin to tell you how sensitive this case is,’ he said, not waiting for a reply, ‘what with the elections and everything.’
    A policewoman in uniform walked past carrying a sheaf of papers, turning sideways to shuffle past them. With his back to the wall, Cámara watched as their eyes lingered on the woman’s buttocks for a couple of seconds as she walked away, before Pardo turned his attention back to the conversation and fixed his eyes on his subordinate.
    â€˜Aguado will be here screaming for forgiveness in a minute or two. I’ve impressed your strengths on Judge Caballero. We’re both convinced you’re the man for the job.’
    He’d already moved into PR speak, Cámara thought. Already with half a mind on the words he’d be using to brief journalists over another long lunch at Torrijos . Never had he received such praise from Pardo in all the years he’d known him.
    He saw Caballero stretching his arm out towards him.
    â€˜We’ll be in touch,’ he said, shaking Cámara’s hand.
    He patted Pardo on the shoulder and turned to walk away down the corridor.
    Cámara waited until he’d moved out of earshot.
    â€˜He seems to know his way around.’
    â€˜He’s very good friends with the inspector de servicio ,’ Pardo said. ‘I suspect he’s come to pay a visit.’
    â€˜You mean he’s actually come here to see your boss.’
    â€˜You should have your lip looked at,’ Pardo said.
    â€˜I’ve had worse.’
    â€˜I know; I’ve seen them. Should I be worried about the other guy?’
    â€˜How’s your daughter?’ Cámara said.
    â€˜Fine. False alarm, thank God. You don’t have kids, Cámara. But when you do – if you do – you don’t ever want to have to go through what we did last night. Believe me.’
    â€˜You should have been there at the bullring,’ Cámara said. ‘This should be your case.’
    â€˜I heard Blanco fought quite well. Awarded him four ears, right?’ Pardo shuffled as though to leave. ‘Probably a little over-generous, but