Objects of Virtue

Chapter 01

Punctual as always, Harry walked into the Police station at sharp 8.30 am and to his surprise – the usual bustle of people getting on with their civic duties came to an abrupt halt. Instead of the shuffling of feet and complaints – Harry was met with a loud, rowdy round of applause and a number of hard and quite frankly painful slaps on the back – as the entire Crimes department welcomed their newest Detective – Harry Edward Styles. Harry couldn't help but laugh out as he saw the swarm of people gather around him, waiting to shake his hand and wish him well. It was like family. There was Daisy their receptionist – blonde and always dressed in something flowery, smelling of roses – shoes and handbag to match, adding that much needed splash of color to the dull interior of the station, Detective Robin Twist, the kindest soul Harry ever knew – even though he liked to pretend that he was a right tough cookie, a ball of a man, uniformed in a white shirt and brown suit sans tie, (says it made his face look fat), his eyes lost in the crinkles when he smiles – which was a constant phenomenon. Then were the bunch of rookies that sat straight and eager to learn, silently whispering and laughing guardedly – but always there.

However, above all there was Niall James Horan. The very light of the station. Anywhere that Niall went light followed him and laughter was not far behind. He was Harry's best friend and now fellow detective. Niall was a year older than Harry, not that he ever acted his age. Looking at the pair it was very evident which one of the two wore the sensible shoes in this partnership. Niall spent his days playing pranks on everyone in the department. No one was safe from the likes of Detective Niall Horan. He was the yin to Harry's yang if you will. His blue eyes made the ladies swoon and his very Irish accent just added to the charm. He was the complete package – really. Just as Harry was about to turn around and head to his desk, he felt two arms wrap around his waist and lift him off his feet. Niall.

"Think you're a big shot now huh Mr. Detective," Niall asked as he continued to squeeze the air out of Harry's lungs. "Forgetting your old pal and all." Harry could hear laughter in Niall's voice as he struggled to break free from Niall's iron grip. When Niall finally let him down with a loud thud, Harry was pleased to notice that his friend had broken out in a sweat, his forehead just beginning to shine from the exertion of carrying Harry's weight. He was red as a beet but still smiling from ear to ear. Harry often wondered if it never hurt, all that constant smiling. Niall's brown hair was swept back in a fashionable quiff and sat prettily on his head – not a hair out of place.

As the celebrations died down and the wishes dwindled to a few random members of the staff approaching on and off, the station returned to its usual business. Robbie had bought in druggie trying to sell him some coke – he was so out of it he didn't realize that he was offering drugs to a copper. A wave of laughter swept across the department as Robbie retold the story and Harry and Niall settled down at the desk that they shared. Harry noticed the shiny new name plate embossed with his new designation under his name.

"He'd be proud of you Harold," Niall said, his voice breaking through his silent reveries. "Your old man," His voice was filled with emotion as he watched Harry catch his breath hearing the words that he longed so much to hear. Niall knew that look well enough to know when Harry was thinking of him, it happened often enough. Not that anyone else could tell. It was the littlest of things that told the biggest stories. Those little out of place sighs, those small crooked smiles that masked the pain beneath whenever he heard an Elvis Presley song on the radio or like now – when tears welled up in the corner of his eyes so sneakily that even Harry was unaware of them until they threatened to fall. Only Niall knew when. And only Niall knew what to say in those fragile moments. Underneath all the fun and pranks, Niall really had become Harry's stronghold – his comfort. Niall bore those duties with pride. An unspoken treaty that never needed words to be understood.

"Styles, Horan – ready for some actions boys?" Dt. Twist bellowed from across the floor. The boys looked each other in the eyes, were they ever! "Yes Sir!" replied Harry quickly scurrying across the floor to grab the file from Dt. Twist hand, closely followed by Niall.

"High profile death. Must've heard of him, goes by the name of Tomlinson. Owns a number of art galleries around London. Thinks he's a real big shot in the art circle. We've always suspected it to be more than what he was putting on to be honest. Never got anything to stick, but we must've been right about something. Found his body a little while back at the back of his gallery. Good case to start off eh, Styles?" Dt. Twist said eyeing Harry with a smirk on his face. He was secretly proud of Styles, though he liked to pretend otherwise. A hard time never hurt no one, he'd always thought – might toughen the boy up! And now here he was with a case that could literally make his career or send him home – here he was - handing it over to a newbie. But he knew it in his bones that Harry was ready for it.

Niall had been a detective for just over a year now – and not once had he been offered a case of this magnitude. Styles – as he liked to address his best mate – always had a way of making people trust him – his quiet confidence and his humble air doubtlessly attracted people to him, specially people that needed fixing. Although he never acknowledged it, Niall had a sneaky feeling that Harry enjoyed playing the role of problem solver. And this was indeed the biggest problem that had been handed to the duo and probably one that would change the course of their lives. Niall had never been this excited about anything in his life – and it showed through the immense smile that spread across his face – reminiscent of the Cheshire cat. He'd do a little Irish jig if it weren't for Twist's obvious stare that just dared him to do it, just do it Horan and see me throw your pretty arse out the door.

Harry was flabbergasted to say the least! When he looked in the mirror this morning and told himself it was going to be a good day, Harry would never have been able to fathom just how good the day would turn out to be! And it was barely 10 am! He stared in stunned silence as he watched Niall turn red in the face with the laughter that he was trying so hard to suppress. His first case and such a big one, he could hardly believe his luck!

"So, you two goons just going to stand there staring or are you going to get to it?" Dt. Twist boomed at the two boys, utterly satisfied with the expressions on their faces.

"No Sir – I mean yes, Sir, we're definitely on it Sir," even the words coming out his mouth made no sense to Harry – it was all too good to be true.

"Better not mess this one up Harold. It's my arse on the line too."

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Hope everyone enjoys this! Got our first meeting in the next chapter, so keep on the look out for it!! 

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All my love.