Hello My Angel - Sue Brown Page 0,70
way as the man grunted. The crowd oohed and gasped like blood-thirsty spectators. Man Mountain staggered back, shook his head as if to clear it, and charged at the two of them again.
The interference moved out of the way at the last moment and watched as the display behind collapsed under the weight of two hundred and fifty pounds of a man who couldn’t stop in time. The man collapsed to his knees and fell to the floor surrounded by fragile seventeenth century embroidery.
Josh’s new friend stood over the man, ready to deal if he moved. But there was not a twitch. He was well and truly out.
The crowd, who’d been watching with fascinated glee, dispersed, disappointed. They’d obviously been hoping for more action.
Josh joined him and looked down at the man sprawled on the floor. “Is that it? That’s disappointing.”
The man turned to look at him, his eyebrow raised. “You wanted a fight?”
“Well, yeah.”
“So when you said your boss would kill you?”
“That was you getting involved. Now I’ve got to tell him I was rescued by a handsome stranger. He’s gonna be jealous.” Josh smirked at him. Cal would pound him into the mattress when he got back.
The man gave him a pointed look. “I’m not going to have to deal with a jealous boyfriend, am I?”
“Not today,” Josh said. “Cal’s on the other side of the world.”
“Great, because one rampaging male is enough. Wait, Cal? You called him Charlie before.”
“Long story.”
His new friend didn’t seem to care that much. “What am I going to do with him?” He pointed at the unconscious man.
“He’s mine.” Josh beamed at him. “You’re free now.”
“Thanks,” he said dryly.
“You’re welcome. What’s your name?”
“Liam Quick. No comments about my name.”
Josh wouldn’t dream of it. On the other hand he was interested in Mr. Quick. “You’re in the business?”
“I am,” Liam said, sounding reluctant.
Josh plucked a business card out of the top pocket of his suit and handed it to Liam. “I’m Josh Cooper.”
Liam looked at the card.
Angel Enterprises.
Nothing more than that and a phone number. The company didn’t advertise itself.
Liam pocketed the card. “It’s been interesting to meet you, Josh.”
“And you. I’d make yourself scarce if you don’t want to be tied up with the police all afternoon.”
Liam turned to leave.
“Enjoy the rest of your day off,” Josh called after him.
He heard a “Smartarse,” as Liam pushed his way through the door to the walkway by the Thames.
Josh grinned. Liam Quick could prove useful. He’d do some investigating.
Gil sighed as he looked at the huge man still out cold in the midst of the devastation. “Should I ask?”
Josh smirked at him. “I don’t think so.”
“How much is this going to cost us?”
“Us? Nothing. His employers on the other hand are facing a hefty bill. Some of this embroidery is priceless. I hope they have insurance,” Josh said smugly.
He had to do some fast talking, but he really didn’t want to be this guy when he woke up.
Gil grunted. Josh turned to look at him.
“Did you get it?”
“Yeah. Rick’s gone back to the office.”
Gil didn’t sound as happy as he should and Josh raised an eyebrow.
“Okay, what’s wrong?”
“I should have been down here and you retrieving the data. Rick told me I was an old fool.”
“Oh?”
Gil pressed his lips together. “You were right. I was trying to prove an old dog could learn new tricks.”
Josh kept his eyes on muscleman. He was proud of himself for not laughing out loud. Gil couldn’t have looked more hangdog if he’d tried.
“Don’t bust a gut trying not to laugh,” Gil muttered sourly.
Josh patted his back. “Hey, you did it. That’s all that mattered.”
Gil grunted again. “How the hell did you knock him out?”
“I had help.”
“Oh yeah?” Gil looked around. The crowd had dispersed, and no one was paying them any attention. “From who?”
“A guy in the business. He was good,” Josh said absently, his attention on two police officers pushing their way into the gallery. “Let me do the talking. Max hasn’t trained you not to get us thrown in the cells.”
He yelped as Gil shoved him hard.
Josh recovered his balance and glared at Gil. “What did you do that for?”
Gil scowled at him. “Because you’re an asshole.”
Like that was ever going to change.
“Mr. Cooper?”
Josh pasted a professional smile on his face. “That’s me.”
The police officer, middle-aged with a resigned expression which said he’d seen it all and nothing would surprise him, looked between the two of them. “Is there a problem here, fellas?”
“No,” Josh said promptly. “He’s