Sockpuppet: Book One in the Martingale Cycle Read Free

the phone away.’
    )) brick echo ((
    To her surprise, she offs the phone and puts it back in the arse pocket of her jeans. The men shift their feet. Seems the moment of danger has passed. If these guys say they’re police, OK, let’s say they’re police – but not because they showed Dani some hazy photo and a tin badge. It’s 30% the way they act and 70% the atmosphere they’ve brought into the room.
    Plus, Racist has a notebook out. And an actual pen.
    ‘Your name?’ he says.
    Time was Dani would have kicked off big-time at this whole thing but ever since she sort-of-punched a colleague last year she’s been working on a project of being accepting of authority. So she sets herself a goal: answer their questions then shut the fuck up.
    ‘Farr,’ she says. ‘Danielle Farr.’
    What’s with the Danielle ?Only her mum calls her Danielle. And her boss, Jonquil. Oh, shit: Jonquil. She needs to message Jonquil, asap. She puts her hands in her back pockets, casual like, and touches the phone with her fingers. Racist is giving her this who are you trying to kid? look.
    ‘And that’s your only name?’ he says.
    ‘Sorry what?’
    Goon Two – Acne – for some reason flips out.
    ‘ Do you have an online alias? ’ he barks.
    ‘All right, all right, Jesus! I go by Nightshade. No secret.’
    She pulls out her hands to make a calm down gesture, palming her phone in the process. Racist writes in his notebook while Acne smirks at her.
    ‘ Nightshade ,’ he says. ‘Is that what you’d call emo?’
    ‘It’s what I’d call why is this your business?’
    Acne flares red but Racist puts out his hand, shutting the guy down. Or this is just some good cop/bad cop routine.
    ‘Only Nightshade?’ says Racist.
    ‘How do you mean, only ?’
    What does this guy know? She’s sure as hell not telling him her other online identities. The cop’s eyes bore into her.
    ‘And is there anybody else in this building at this time?’ he says.
    ‘Oh, I don’t know. I think maybe six guys just muscled in and pushed me about and tried to smash up my phone. But other than that – no.’
    There’s a long silence then Racist slowly closes his notebook and pockets it. Murmurs to Acne, who starts to chivvy the other four police, all whispers. Acne turns to Dani.
    ‘Can my men access the rest of the building from there?’ he asks, pointing to the stairwell and lift.
    ‘They – yes, but they’ll need a swipe,’ she says.
    She wiggles her card out of its lanyard and passes it to Acne, who sends the men off with it. Why is she helping them? Acne and Racist look down on her like proud parents.
    ‘Your cooperation is appreciated, Miss Farr,’ says Racist.
    He walks over to perch beside her on the reception desk, shedding his big-guy swagger like he’s shucking off a coat. The change betrays a subtlety Dani hadn’t guessed at. So far anger has kept her fuelled. Kindness could paralyse. She stands up again, folding her arms and tucking her phone by her side. Even standing, she’s only eye-to-eye with the seated cop.
    ‘OK?’ she says. ‘So?’
    ‘So. Are my colleagues going to find anyone upstairs? A woman perhaps?’
    His voice is soft, north-western. She stares him out until he shrugs and tries another tack.
    ‘I’m right in saying the social network called Partly is operated from these premises?’
    Dani wants to keep up the silence but she needs to correct him. People ought to name things correctly. She nods at the Parley logo on the wall behind him.
    ‘Par ley ,’ she reads to him. ‘Not Partly . As in talking peace.’
    Off to her side Acne flexes his fingers. He’s working out seven different ways to kill her with his hands.
    ‘Par ley ,then.’ Racist is unflustered. ‘It is controlled from here?’
    Dani screws up her face. Controlled ?How to answer such a noobie question without swearing or taking the piss? Racist draws a long breath and exchanges a look with Acne.
    ‘Look. Miss Farr.’ Ms. ‘There’s a