Fairytale of Headley Cross Read Online Free PDF Page A

want to press charges?”
    He nodded. “I’m sure.”
    “Well, if you change your mind let us know.” The officer handed him a card.
    Maggie rose to her feet. “I’ll see you out.”
    Carson watched them go and closed his eyes. Lord, don’t let me refusing to press charges be a mistake. But I’ve seen enough of courtrooms to last me a lifetime. And interview rooms and police officers come to that. And with my record…why would they believe me over someone else? He rubbed his jaw and adjusted the pack of peas.
    Maggie came back into the room. “You know, you can take turning the other cheek too far.”
    He grinned lopsidedly at her. “I did, remember?”
    She picked up the cloth. “Let me.” She gently dabbed at the cuts on his face.
    He winced and caught his breath.
    “I’m sorry.” Her face creased in concern. “You’re going to look a right sight at the toddler group tomorrow morning. Perhaps you’d better give it a miss. You don’t want to scare them.”
    “Don’t forget the senior’s lunch on Wednesday, prayer meeting on Thursday and two services on Sunday. Oh, and I’m preaching tonight.” Just the thought of all that left him exhausted, but he had responsibilities to uphold, no matter how bad he felt.
    “No, you’re not.”
    He gave her a look that in the past had terrified people and gotten him his own way. “Yes, I am. And you’ll never guess what the sermon title is.”
    “No idea.”
    “Turning the other cheek.”
    She pointed a finger at him. “That is not remotely funny and you are not doing it. Surely there is someone else who can preach at short notice.”
    The doorbell rang. Pilot jumped to his feet and barked. Carson started to get up.
    Maggie pushed him back down. “Sit. I’ll get it.”
    Pilot immediately sat at his heels and Carson snorted. “She meant me not you.”
    “I meant both of you.” Maggie rolled her eyes and left the room.
    Voices came from the hall and Carson sighed. The one person he really didn’t want to see. Nate Holmes, church elder—and detective sergeant—who no doubt would ask the questions the other cops hadn’t. He glanced warily at the door as they came back in. “Afternoon, Nate.”
    “I just heard. Are you OK?” Nate didn’t bother with the pleasantries. He was obviously in work mode.
    “I’m fine. Who told you?”
    “Police grapevine. The custody sergeant is a friend of mine and when he booked a bloke for assaulting my pastor, I got a phone call.” Nate sat opposite him.
    Carson shrugged, trying to act blasé. “It’s not so bad. You should see the other guy.”
    Maggie glared at him. “You didn’t touch him.”
    “So I heard,” Nate said dryly.
    Maggie continued unabated. “He just stood there and took it, and now he intends to preach tonight.”
    “I don’t think so.” Nate held out a hand. “Give me your sermon notes and I’ll do it.”
    Carson shook his head, ignoring the wave of dizziness that shot through him as a result. “Like I told Maggie, I’m fine to preach. I can start a new trend and preach sitting down.”
    “Have you seen yourself?” Nate asked.
    “No.” He tried to stand and sat back down, his legs refusing to support him. His head spun. He rubbed the back of his neck, fighting the desire to close his eyes for a moment. Any show of weakness and they’d pack him off to bed or something.
    “For crying out loud.” Maggie raised her hands in a gesture of despair. “Is there a shaving mirror in the bathroom?”
    “Yes.”
    “I’ll go get it.”
    Once Maggie was out of the room, Nate turned to Carson. “I hate to ask, but as you’re not pressing charges…”
    “It was Maggie’s ex-boyfriend. He took exception to us having lunch. That’s all. It’s not gang related, I promise.”
    “OK. You understand I had to ask.”
    “As a cop or an elder?” Carson asked bluntly.
    “Both. And as a friend,” Nate said, his tone softening.
    Maggie came back with the mirror and held it in front of his