Chapter One

I have no idea why I chose to live in Riverview when I wanted to become part of the police squad, it was a known fact that Riverview had one of the lowest rates of crime ever so whatever drew me to the idea is unknown to be honest. I had brought a cheap shack of a house that had looked better over the internet, but I didn’t intend to spend much time there. 

A few minutes later I had booked the taxi and was heading down to the police station to enrol.

It was after I had applied for the job that I saw him. He was standing outside the police station smugly, I assumed automatically that he too was part of the force (if I could class myself as that as I was only a snitch). 

“Are you George Dean?” I asked smiling politely.

For a second he glared at me as if I was out of my mind before grinning in reply: “No, why would I want to be him?” His response was sarcastic and stung.

“Erm, oh I’m sorry, it’s just, that, George Dean is my boss, and I’m new and I’ve joined...” I babbled. “Do you work here?”

As if nothing could be funnier he began to chuckle, it was menacing in a way. “Work here? Are you kidding me? I have better things to do than fritter my time away with a useless squad of police!”

My face crumpled; perhaps the law enforcers around here didn’t receive much respect, what if they were all corrupt? Did I really want to involve myself in that?

Seeing the look of distress on my face he quickly added, “You might not mind though.”

“Thanks, I think. I’m Emma Littler, like I said new here.”

He smirked, “You’re telling me this why?”

I frowned, wasn’t it obvious? “To be polite and in hope that you’ll tell me yours?”

“I’m Dan.”

Dan, it was a cute name that had a ring to it. Not too long but short enough to sound edgy which certainly suited him. With an exaggerated smile I said: “Nice to meet you Dan!”

“So cheesy.” He stated with a childlike smirk on his face, “You’ll fit in here just fine.”

I certainly hoped I would, I had never really fitted in anywhere apart from my old home and I guess that was only because I was what my parents wanted me to be. Acceptance was something I craved.

“Thank you, look it was nice to meet you Dan but I really have to...“ I couldn’t finish that sentence because seconds into it Dan’s lips were massaging mine. I was shocked. When he finally pulled away his expression said it all. “Wow. Well really nice to meet you now.” I blushed.

“Are you always so happy? Look, give me your number and I’ll call you yeah?”  I should’ve said no, I should have pushed him off me when we were kissing and gave him an earful to match. But I didn’t. Numb and excited by his mysterious appearance I scribbled down my number for him. “Great, got to go but I’ll call you yeah?”

I just nodded because it was all I could manage.

***

I was a week in to my job and I felt like I was just treading water, I wasn’t getting anywhere. Being a snitch was great but I had always imagined myself as the type who would go out interviewing to solve a case.

That’s why I called George; even though he was my boss I hadn’t had chance in my week to introduce myself properly. Perhaps a full introduction was all it would take for a promotion? I certainly hoped so.

Two bleeps, his voice message, I sighed. “Erm hi, I’m Emma Littler, your new employee I guess.” I stuttered nervously. “Look I was just thinking that I should perhaps introduce myself, I don’t know how, perhaps we could go out for a meal I mean—“ At that moment George chose to pick up the phone.

“Hello?” came his gruff voice. It startled me. “Hello are you there Emma Littler?”

“So you were there!” I accused. He just laughed in reply. “Look I was kind of thinking you might want to meet me, since I’m your new employee and all.”

“Sure, sounds great Emma. Meet me in ten minutes at the bistro?”

I looked around, I had only just figured out where the bistro was but it wasn’t far if I didn’t get lost. “Okay.”

***

I arrived twenty minutes later but there was no sign of my new boss. 

He should’ve been there, I was late and everything so why wasn’t he here?

My questions were answered when a handsome man approached me: “Emma Littler? Oh my goodness, I’m George Dean!”

I grinned, “Hey, I’m Emma.”

“Wow they don’t normally employ pretty females like you.”

“Thanks,” I blushed, although the compliment was cheesy and inappropriate. “Look I just wanted to tell you about how much potential I have; I mean I’ll take on anything!”

“Anything?”

“Yeah, why? Do you have something I could do? Like find a criminal or something?”
“Or something,” he said, handing me a picture that made my heart stop and my blood boil. “This is Daniel Freeman, he’s a wanted cons man who the police have failed to catch, he is worth a lot to this small community, if you were to find him say I would be happy to promote you.”

On the picture was Dan, as in Dan who kissed me. It couldn’t be true; Dan couldn’t be a criminal could he? I could hardly take in what George was saying because my head was spinning. “You listening?”

“Mhmm,” I replied, although I wasn’t, I was still focussing on Dan the con man. I could’ve cried.