Waking Broken by Huw Thomas Read Free Book Online

room. ‘How did you get in here?’
    Cole shrugged. He gestured with a flick of one manicured hand. ‘The door.’
    Harrison scowled and stood where he was.
    ‘Oh relax, John.’ Cole gave a short, high-pitched laugh: an incongruous sound that was more of a giggle. ‘It’s okay, I got the key from your young assistant. Had a chat with him in the car park, found out where you were. Persuaded him to let me borrow the key. I told the doorman down there you’d arranged to see me.’
    He grinned. ‘It’s all legit. I signed in and everythin’.’
    Harrison shook his head. He did not like this one bit. He had no idea why Cole was here or what he wanted: not a comfortable position for a man who liked to be in control. He frowned. ‘You “persuaded” him? Would you mind telling me what this is about, Mr Cole?’
    The smaller man smiled. ‘Why don’t you come in an’ close the door, John. We’ve got business to discuss. I reckon it’d probably be better for both of us to keep it private.’
    Harrison shrugged. He moved out of the doorway and closed the door behind him, trying to work out what was going on. He’d met Nelson Cole in the past but his knowledge of the man was limited. Cole was an ex-dancer who ran a string of fitness studios and gyms across the city. He was known to be homosexual and open about it, having also launched the city’s original and still most popular gay nightclub. Rumour had it Cole was involved in a few other, more shady ventures but Harrison had never heard anything definite to connect him with criminal activities. The fit of Cole’s shirt also emphasised the fact he clearly spent plenty of time using his own gyms.
    Harrison decided to ignore the fact Cole was sitting behind his desk and try the easy-going, approachable councillor act. ‘Well, Mr Cole, it’s hardly conventional office hours but if there’s something I can do to help…’ He held up one finger in playful warning. ‘Although if it’s to do with licensing, I should warn you I’m not on that committee anymore.’
    Cole gave another short giggle. ‘Come off it, councillor. Cut the act. I know it’s “hardly conventional office hours” but then you’re hardly a conventional businessman are you?’
    Harrison felt a little buzz of adrenaline run through his body. He kept his face still and looked Cole in the eye. ‘What do you mean by that… Nelson?’
    Cole took a sip of whisky and rolled the malt appreciatively round his mouth. ‘Well, John. You’re bent, aren’t you? I know you’ve got a lot of dealin’s in the property business. The kind of jobs where bein’ on the plannin’ committee can be a great help. Plus you’ve got some involvement in a few other games: prostitution to name one.’
    A chill slipped down the back of Harrison’s neck. ‘What’s this about?’ He kept his voice cold and calm. ‘Money? Are you trying to blackmail me?’
    Cole sighed. ‘Oh John, no need to act silly. It’s not exactly a sensational revelation, is it? Most people have got a fair idea even if they wouldn’t come out an’ say it in public. You’ve sued enough people in the past to put the others off tryin’. Or maybe it’s the legs you’ve had broken that have put them off.’ He giggled again. ‘Nah. I’m not interested in your money, not unless you’re undergoin’ a conversion an’ wanna give it away.’ Cole shook his head. ‘Information, that’s what I want.’
    Harrison was silent for a moment. He watched Cole then gestured to the whisky bottle. The other man smiled and reached for a clean glass.
    ‘What information?’
    Cole poured a healthy slug of spirit into the glass and slid it over. Then he pulled a card and flipped it across. ‘Recognise the name?’
    Harrison nodded.
    ‘Yeah.’ Cole took a drink. ‘That’s my sister. Runs a nice little business, just her an’ a couple of friends. All very high class, sophisticated sort of stuff.’
    ‘And?’
    ‘You run girls. That’s one of your