Compromise
James Hayden pulled the zip of his jumper higher and put up his hood. It was only half seven but it was pitch black except for the streetlamps glowing in the distance and the moon, illuminating the dark alley. It had been a good day at the office today. They had almost enough evidence to put away a big gang leader they had been trying to get something on for months. They were just counting on one last raid that would be happening in a week or so if things went to plan. James smiled at the thought. If this investigation worked out he was bound to get a promotion, along with raise and an extra few figures in his pay check. He could always use the extra money with Ella and Maddie around. And now that he and Matilda were trying for a baby the money would help with that too.
His phone beeped and he took it out. It was from Matilda. Dinner at nine. He grinned. His life was finally starting to work out. Matilda was the perfect wife and she treated Ella like her own. Ella was happy at school and his parents were finally starting to get along again. They had separated four years ago on bad terms and his mother, Clare, had moved to Tipperary to start a new life. But Tom and Clare were actually speaking now. It seemed a tiny, insignificant step. But it was a start at least.
He got another text, this time from his friend, Jason. Already had 2 drinks. Where are you? Jason Scott was a fellow garda in the Freshwater police station and Jason and James had worked together for five years now. They were meeting up to celebrate James success with his case so far, and for the excuse for a boy’s night and some beer. James was working on the case alone with a new sergeant, Ross Moore, but James had filled Jason in on most of it.
That’s when James heard the footsteps. At first he thought he was imagining it but as he tucked his hands deep into his pockets and started to move faster they speeded up with him. And it was more than just one set of footsteps, but three or four. He could hear heavy breathing behind him but he dare not look back. He kept his head down and walked as fast as he could without running through the alley. He could see the pub at the end of the street and he breathed a sigh of relief. That’s when strong hands grabbed his hoodie and yanked him into another alley.
James tried to turn round but his attacker was strong and he held him still with his hands behind his back. As he opened his mouth to shout for help another set of hands covered his mouth. James bit down hard on the attackers hand and suddenly two more figures, their hoods pulled up to conceal their faces appeared. Using his feet James lashed out at them but in response two of the clothed figures started punching and kicking him while another kept him still and his jaw firmly locked. When they stopped the person holding James let him fall to the ground. James lay on the floor, coughing and winded. He spat a red glob onto the ground and wiped the blood off his split lip. The four men were standing in a circle around him as he looked up. Who looked like the leader addressed him.
“You’re James Hayden?” he asked, nudging James with his boot. James kept his head down. Suddenly one of the men grabbed his jacket and threw him across the alley where he collided with the wall of an old run down shop and slid to the ground. The leader grabbed him by the throat and pushed him against the wall. “You’re James Hayden,” he said again in a more menacing tone. James nodded and the leader let go and let him fall to the alley floor at their feet.
“We know what you’re up too,” he said. “And whatever you know forget it. Because our people have power and we can ruin your life if you don’t forget this case with Paul Stokes.” James looked up at him in horror. This was all about the case he was working on with Sergeant Moore. Moore had meant it when he said they were dodgy. He had filled James in on their very first day, described the seriousness of the case, what the criminals were willing to do. James should have taken it more seriously. He had been so calm and layed back about the whole thing. And now he was paying for it.
“You got a cute kid and wife,” another said and James whirled around at him, stricken. “Yes, we’ve been watching you. And if you still want a wife and kid you play by our rules. Forget about the case. Got it?”
With that the four of them walked away, disappearing as fast as they had appeared. James waited until they rounded the corner and were out of sight before he slowly got to his feet. He was breathing heavily, each breath coming in short gasps. He could taste blood in his mouth and he spat on the alley floor. A lump was forming where he’d been punched in the jaw. He had a pounding headache from where he’d connected with the stone wall and what felt like a broken rib. He fingered his stomach gingerly. Definitely a broken rib. And he knew what decision he was going to have to make. He picked up his phone where it had fallen out after the beating and dialled the number he thought he never would have to.
“Yes, this is him. I might just have to take you up on that favour.”
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James Hayden pulled the zip of his jumper higher and put up his hood. It was only half seven but it was pitch black except for the streetlamps glowing in the distance and the moon, illuminating the dark alley. It had been a good day at the office today. They had almost enough evidence to put away a big gang leader they had been trying to get something on for months. They were just counting on one last raid that would be happening in a week or so if things went to plan. James smiled at the thought. If this investigation worked out he was bound to get a promotion, along with raise and an extra few figures in his pay check. He could always use the extra money with Ella and Maddie around. And now that he and Matilda were trying for a baby the money would help with that too.
His phone beeped and he took it out. It was from Matilda. Dinner at nine. He grinned. His life was finally starting to work out. Matilda was the perfect wife and she treated Ella like her own. Ella was happy at school and his parents were finally starting to get along again. They had separated four years ago on bad terms and his mother, Clare, had moved to Tipperary to start a new life. But Tom and Clare were actually speaking now. It seemed a tiny, insignificant step. But it was a start at least.
He got another text, this time from his friend, Jason. Already had 2 drinks. Where are you? Jason Scott was a fellow garda in the Freshwater police station and Jason and James had worked together for five years now. They were meeting up to celebrate James success with his case so far, and for the excuse for a boy’s night and some beer. James was working on the case alone with a new sergeant, Ross Moore, but James had filled Jason in on most of it.
That’s when James heard the footsteps. At first he thought he was imagining it but as he tucked his hands deep into his pockets and started to move faster they speeded up with him. And it was more than just one set of footsteps, but three or four. He could hear heavy breathing behind him but he dare not look back. He kept his head down and walked as fast as he could without running through the alley. He could see the pub at the end of the street and he breathed a sigh of relief. That’s when strong hands grabbed his hoodie and yanked him into another alley.
James tried to turn round but his attacker was strong and he held him still with his hands behind his back. As he opened his mouth to shout for help another set of hands covered his mouth. James bit down hard on the attackers hand and suddenly two more figures, their hoods pulled up to conceal their faces appeared. Using his feet James lashed out at them but in response two of the clothed figures started punching and kicking him while another kept him still and his jaw firmly locked. When they stopped the person holding James let him fall to the ground. James lay on the floor, coughing and winded. He spat a red glob onto the ground and wiped the blood off his split lip. The four men were standing in a circle around him as he looked up. Who looked like the leader addressed him.
“You’re James Hayden?” he asked, nudging James with his boot. James kept his head down. Suddenly one of the men grabbed his jacket and threw him across the alley where he collided with the wall of an old run down shop and slid to the ground. The leader grabbed him by the throat and pushed him against the wall. “You’re James Hayden,” he said again in a more menacing tone. James nodded and the leader let go and let him fall to the alley floor at their feet.
“We know what you’re up too,” he said. “And whatever you know forget it. Because our people have power and we can ruin your life if you don’t forget this case with Paul Stokes.” James looked up at him in horror. This was all about the case he was working on with Sergeant Moore. Moore had meant it when he said they were dodgy. He had filled James in on their very first day, described the seriousness of the case, what the criminals were willing to do. James should have taken it more seriously. He had been so calm and layed back about the whole thing. And now he was paying for it.
“You got a cute kid and wife,” another said and James whirled around at him, stricken. “Yes, we’ve been watching you. And if you still want a wife and kid you play by our rules. Forget about the case. Got it?”
With that the four of them walked away, disappearing as fast as they had appeared. James waited until they rounded the corner and were out of sight before he slowly got to his feet. He was breathing heavily, each breath coming in short gasps. He could taste blood in his mouth and he spat on the alley floor. A lump was forming where he’d been punched in the jaw. He had a pounding headache from where he’d connected with the stone wall and what felt like a broken rib. He fingered his stomach gingerly. Definitely a broken rib. And he knew what decision he was going to have to make. He picked up his phone where it had fallen out after the beating and dialled the number he thought he never would have to.
“Yes, this is him. I might just have to take you up on that favour.”
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