Waking Broken Read Online Free PDF

Conversations broke out as chairs were pushed back, papers shuffled and briefcases snapped shut.
    The doors to the chamber swung open a minute later and the members of the authority began to filter back out. Harrison was one of the last. He held back, apparently sorting some papers and scribbling a couple of notes in order to time his departure.
    Just as the only other man left in the room headed for the door, Harrison scooped up his papers, reaching it only a few paces behind.
    ‘Isaiah! How are you?’
    Harrison caught the man in the doorway. He reached up and slapped one hand heartily on the other’s shoulder and squeezed firmly.
    A sharp look of pain crossed Isaiah Van Hulle’s heavy features. His eyes closed and the big man seemed to wince. But he pulled his mouth into a smile as he twisted out of Harrison’s greeting and turned to face the councillor. ‘Mr Harrison. I am well, thank you.’
    Harrison grinned. He tucked his sheaf of papers under one arm. ‘Good, glad to hear it. A satisfying meeting, don’t you think?’
    Van Hulle’s heavy brows knotted. ‘A bit of routine administration, Mr Harrison, I wouldn’t go any further than that. I do not feel we have really achieved anything tonight that will have a major impact on law and order in the city.’
    ‘Hey, call me John, please.’ Harrison shook his head. ‘But I guess you’re right: until the last lot of policies we implemented have time to take effect, we shouldn’t get too excited. We need to see what they achieve, eh?’
    Van Hulle pursed his lips. ‘And still, it is only the beginning. There is too much lawlessness in all areas of society, from parking regulations to prostitution. People need to learn respect again. Forcing a few individuals to moderate their behaviour is just tinkering. We have to bring about more deep-seated changes, Mr Harrison.’
    The big man lowered his eyes. ‘As the book says: “And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk”.’
    The councillor made a pretence of looking thoughtful as he studied Van Hulle. The Dutchman was an odd fish in many ways and not the most attractive of people. When Van Hulle pressed his fleshy lips together in that disapproving face, Harrison was struck by a peculiar notion. The Dutchman’s prim expression turned his flabby, androgynous features into those of a sanctimonious middle-aged woman.
    Harrison tried not to smile as he pictured Van Hulle as a menopausal housewife whose nose had been put out of joint by society not conforming to how she thought the world should be run. He frowned and gave a nod as if seriously weighing the other man’s comments. ‘Maybe. I do know what you mean but sadly I’m not sure the issues you’re talking about are really within the remit of the police authority.’
    ‘Of course not.’ Van Hulle looked disdainful. ‘The police can only put into practice the laws that are made. They need to be given the necessary powers by those that make the laws. It’s the politicians that need to take the lead, Mr Harrison. Politicians like yourself.’
    Harrison held up his hands. ‘Hey, not me. I’m only a city councillor. We don’t have any power to make laws.’
    ‘But I hear you are ambitious, Mr Harrison.’
    Harrison chuckled. ‘Perhaps, but there’s ambition and ambition. I like it here. I’m not sure I’ve got any intention of running for higher office.’
    ‘No?’ Van Hulle looked at his watch. Harrison could not help but notice the other man’s forearms. There might be something womanly about his face but his build was more akin to an Eastern European shot-putter from the Soviet era.
    ‘Now, if you will excuse me, I must get going. I have a meeting to attend.’
    ‘Sure.’ Harrison nodded. ‘Still, good to talk to you, Isaiah.’ He patted Van Hulle on the shoulder again as the other man turned and began to stride towards the stairs. Van Hulle closed his eyes with another wince but did not