“Then why is he interested in having me defend him?”
“I don’t exactly know, Colleen.”
“Then find out. Before I cut my trip short, I want to know why a client, any client, would ask for me personally. Do they like a challenge? My career has probably crashed and burned. This doesn’t make any sense, Carl. What aren’t you telling me?”
Carl remained silent for a few minutes and Colleen was convinced the call had been dropped. He finally spoke again. “He’s the son of one of our biggest clients.”
“Which means he’s been in a lot of trouble.”
“Yes, but he’s been under the radar, I guess.”
“Who is he and what has he been accused of?”
“Holden O’Shannon.”
Colleen heard a gasp. It might have come from her. Being a defense attorney, she shouldn’t be so easily shocked. The O’Shannons were the head of the Irish Mafia in Philadelphia. It was rumored they controlled the majority of the illegal activity in a large chunk of the East Coast. What was it about the mafia that they wanted her to defend them?
“O’Shannon?”
“Yes, Colleen.”
“I know sometimes we have ties to some risky people, but why does it keep having to be known criminals? Can’t a guy who is accused of killing his wife, but didn’t, be our client?”
“In case you don’t know the cost of an hour with one of our firm, let me put it to you bluntly. Most average guys can’t afford us.”
Carl had a point. And she had a penthouse that overlooked the river to prove that she was paid well for her services. She’d risen in the firm quicker than any of the lawyers who had been hired at the same time.
She’d wished it so. That was the only explanation. “True. I wasn’t thinking. What has he been accused of?”
“Murder.”
“Of course.”
It was either murder or tax evasion. Or conspiracy to commit murder. The cops never seemed to be able to pin any other charges on them. “Did he say why he wanted me?”
“No, but we’re trying to discern that, but he isn’t talking. His father has waved around some big money and the partners are jumping and then asking how high.”
“So not only am I expected to do this because of his last name, I’m expected to do this because politically, within the firm, it would be good for my career.”
Guess she was going to say goodbye to Ireland before she was even on this time zone.
“Yes.”
“Can I have time to think about it?” She adjusted the seat belt that right now seemed to choke her.
“No.”
Colleen laughed. “I’ve always appreciated your candor.”
“I am what I am, Colleen. I’ve gotten this far for a reason.”
“Yeah, I get it. I guess I’m coming home. I’ll change my ticket and bill the company.”
“Bill them for all of your expense, Colleen. This case will more than cover it. I’ll approve it all.”
“Thanks, Carl.”
“No problem. Glad to have you back.”
“I have to win the case first.”
Carl chuckled. “I’m not worried about that.”
Colleen disconnected and looked out over the ocean. What was going on? This was all so odd and the conversation with her boss had left her a little off-kilter. Maybe it was just jet lag, but nothing about this seemed right.
Nothing at all.
Chapter Four
Colleen didn’t relish getting back on the plane before she saw more of Ireland, but she’d agreed. She still couldn’t understand why someone had asked for her specifically. Why would anyone want her to defend them? She’d crashed and burned.
And the video of it went viral.
She decided to drive to the church. The gargoyles had seemed like good listeners. What else did they have to do? As much as she loved the ocean, she didn’t think she could stare at it for a long time. Even if she had no choice in the matter.
She parked by the beach. Walking across the road to the church, her hair blew around her face. She fastened it back in a band, but some of the unruly curls slipped out. The two gargoyles were there. Where would they go? Did she really expect them to come alive and fly away?
Wouldn’t that be a sight? The size of large stone monkeys, their grotesque faces were not friendly, but they didn’t scare her. No, she felt a strange, welcoming comfort from them. And, oddly enough, she’d been more at home here in Ireland than she’d ever felt anywhere else.
She settled herself on the wall in front of the old stone church. Her gaze took in the dilapidated structure. There was no sign here for a tourist. No history recounting on an impersonal board in front of the structure. That made her curious as to what was the church’s story. Why were there two gargoyles sitting on a shelf above the entrance?
“Hey, fellas, what is your story?” Colleen gazed at the statues intently. “How have you stayed untouched by the harsh weather, but the church has fallen down around you?”
She’d have to look up the history on the Internet. When she’d mentioned the church to the man at the hotel desk, he’d given her a strange look. He hadn’t known what she was talking about. He insisted there was no church here.
If she were staying she would take a picture of it for him, but now it didn’t matter.
“I’m going back, guys. Tomorrow morning.”
The gargoyles just stared out into the Atlantic. Colleen laughed at herself. “I’m not given to flights of fancy. I’m a lawyer. I’m risk averse and I’m walking back into what will probably be a career-ending situation. What am I thinking?”
Still the gargoyles remained stone-faced. What else could they be?
“Something is compelling me to do go. I don’t have any idea what. That’s the oddest thing. I don’t know much about my client and I don’t know if I can actually turn this down if I decide I can’t defend the person. This case just doesn’t sit right with me.”
She glanced over her shoulder at the ocean, wishing she had more time to explore the coast. She promised herself that she would be back. Returning her gaze to the church, she sighed. “Boys, I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I have to go back.”
She sat in silence, her thoughts jumbled in her head.
***
“Shite. She’s leaving,” Sean said.
“Guess you’re going to have to do what Donal did and rock yourself off of this shelf.”
“If he could then I can,” Sean said.
“Just do it Sean. Before she leaves.”
“She doesn’t have a big bag like Meg did. What if I crash land and break into pieces. Not only will I die, but my fairy will be in danger.”
Sean didn’t know what would happen if he failed, but as a gargoyle, sworn to protect fairies, he had to try. He started moving back and forth. Colleen looked up at him, but she didn’t seem to register what she was seeing.
He didn’t have any guarantees she’d bring him home, but the uncertainty of it couldn’t stop him. He was a brave and fierce warrior. Well, he wasn’t, but most gargoyles were. He had a fairy to protect.
Rocking some more he knew it was only a matter of time.
“Go Sean.”
“You’re rooting me on even if it means I leave you here, Declan?”
“Aye. It is your fate. We can’t deny that. There will be a fairy for me. Godspeed brother.”
Buoyed by his brother’s acceptance of the situation, Sean rocked even harder. He knew the moment Colleen realized what was going to happen. Her mouth opened and she jumped from her seat on the wall. With her arms outstretched, she raced to where he was about to fall off of the wall.
Suddenly he was in freefall. He saw Colleen underneath him and her hands caught him.
“What was that all about?” she whispered.
She held him, her gaze scanning over him. She’d caught him. His fairy had caught him before he crashed and died. Now he just had to hope she was going to bring him home with her.
She studied him. “You are cute in an ugly sort of way. I don’t feel right taking you, but you fell into my hands. There must be some meaning in all of this.”
She looked up at the shelf. “I can’t reach that. It’s way too high. And I can’t see putting you down into the dirt. The sheep grazing here will step on you.”
She nodded as if she’d made up her mind. “I’ll just have to take you home. Give you to Meg who lost her gargoyle somewhere.”
He didn’t want to go to Meg, but maybe that wouldn’t happen. If he was with Colleen long enough he’d transform back to his live form. All he needed was 24 hours with her. He’d be there to protect Colleen, but first of all he’d find Donal. His older brother would know what to do.
“Goodbye, Sean.” Sadness tinged his voice.
“Slan, brother.”
Colleen carried him to the car, setting him on the passenger seat. She climbed into the other side and looked at him warmly one more time.
Sean couldn’t have been happier.
He was going home with his fairy.
***
So, this was America.
As Colleen slept in her own bed, Sean felt the beginnings of life in his limbs. She’d taken him out of her bag, but she’d put him on the floor. He couldn’t complain, but now he was standing in her bedroom all flesh and blood human and not crusted, stone-scaly.
Naked as the day he was born.
He didn’t think naked would work, but where was he going to find some clothing? His wings wanted to come out as much as he wanted them to, but as large as her bedroom was, he’d still break something.
Wandering out onto an open area outside of her bedroom, he sniffed the air. Too many scents and too many lights. He’d never seen a place so lit up in the middle of the night. Of course there had only been torches when he’d been alive. Now moving cars had lights. Everything had lights.
“Sean?”
Sean spun around, but the voice had been in his head. He let his wings loose just for a moment so they could stretch. “Donal?”
“Aye. You’re alive.”
“Aye,” Sean said. “I need clothing.”
Donal chuckled. “I wore pink sweatpants with the word juicy on the back of them.”
“I don’t think that is going to work.”
“You’ve found your fairy?”
“Aye, deartháir.” Sean was happy to make contact with his brother. If they kept talking he could find him. “You are in this city with all of the lights and scents and noise?”
“Uimh. No, I live in something called the suburbs. There is a large Irish population here. I feel at home in some ways.”
“Sounds lovely, Donal.”
“Fly west.”
“With not a stitch of clothing on?”
“You have no choice if your fairy does not have clothing to provide you,” Donal said.
“Aye. I don’t want to wake her.”
“Come here and I will give you clothes then you can fly back to her.”
Sean took off toward the west, away from the river that flowed past the city. He couldn’t help himself. He soared high then low, swooping over the next river he came to. Hopefully no one would see him.
He landed in the back yard of a house. There was a fence and a dog barked in the distance. Donal crept out of the back door of the house. The two men hugged. Sean had never been so glad to see his brother. Donal handed him some clothing.
“We’ll have to meet at some point, but I can’t get away tonight,” Donal said. “What is your fairy’s name?”
“Colleen.”
“Colleen? She was just in Ireland?”
“Aye, you sound like you know her?”
“If it is the Colleen I know, then it is Meg’s friend.”
“Will she already know she’s a fairy?”
“No. Colleen doesn’t even know that Meg is a fairy. Or that I’m a gargoyle. She’s a lawyer?”
“Aye. She is. She had to come back for a case,” Sean said as he tugged on the clothing his brother had given him.
“I’m still unpacking so I better get back in before Meg realized I’ve gone,” Donal said. “Wait a minute and I can get you some food.”
Sean’s stomach chose that moment to rumble. “I guess I am hungry.”
“You’ll need a place to stay, but not here yet. I’ll break it to Meg slowly that I’m not the only gargoyle.”
“How will I protect Colleen if I am here?”
“I don’t know brother, but we’ll figure it out.”
“I can spend the night on the roof of her apartment building. She has the top apartment so I’ll see her when she goes.”
Donal seemed to consider his brother’s situation in silence. “I’ll ask Meg about Colleen’s habits so you can follow her, but you’ll find it easier if you make contact. Get to know her. I can get you a job with my agency and a place to live with a friend in her building. Colleen should be safe in her law firm during the day.”
“Aye. I hope so. This is so much more complicated than when we just had to worry about the fairies playing tricks on us and disappearing.”
“I won’t argue that. You’ll find this world very different.”
“Where are we?”
“Colleen lives in Philadelphia. This house is in a place called Havertown,” Donal said.
Sean took it all in. Out here it was a little quieter, but there were still lights everywhere. “Does it ever get dark here?”
Donal shook his head. “No, sadly.”
Sean grinned. “I have a lot to learn.”
“You do.” Donal disappeared into the house then came back with a bag. “Food. Don’t fly too high or something called radar will pick you up. Don’t fly too low or people will see you.”
“Aye. Got it.” Sean let his wings flutter out to his sides. He was hungry, but he felt strong and invincible. “I better get back.”
“I’ll get you a phone and anything else you might need another day.”
He thought to ask what a phone was, but knew he had to be off. His wings flapped. “Until I see you again, brother. Thanks for the food.”
Donal stayed in the yard until Sean could no longer see him. His wings were as happy as he was to be flying, but he adhered to his brother’s advice in flying back to Colleen’s apartment. He landed on the roof. Crouching on the edge, he ate the food that Donal had given him.
Ships moved on the river and Sean could hear animals scurrying about on the ground. A couple fought in an apartment below while Colleen murmured in her sleep. He hadn’t awakened her, but he fought the urge to go see her again.
She was beautiful and ethereal the way a fairy should be, but the air about her didn’t vibrate the way it did for most fairies. This world was different and maybe it had changed the fairies. When he finished his meal he settled into the light sleep of a gargoyle on patrol. He didn’t dream, but somewhere in the night he awoke because his fairy was awake.
She stood on the outdoor area, in her nightgown, looking up at the stars. Her meadow scent came to him on the breeze.
She was the most beautiful fairy he’d ever seen.
Chapter Five
Colleen woke from strange dreams of a man standing in her bedroom. She hadn’t sensed any danger so remained asleep, but in the light of day the dreams were odd. She wasn’t given to dream very often and rarely remembered them the next day. This one had the quality of a waking dream, but she doubted a winged man was in her bedroom during the night.
She didn’t have a security system, but unless the person flew, they couldn’t get to her apartment.
Today she would meet her potential new client. Holden O’Shannon. His last name was only whispered in the many bars and pubs in the city. Rumors were that he was poised to take over the family business. Now he was accused of murder.
The little she did know of him might mean, he truly may not have committed the murder, but he most likely ordered it. He was known as a hothead in some circles so maybe
he let his temper get the best of him.
She dressed then rode a SEPTA bus to work. Pausing before the door to her law firm, she steeled herself for what may come. Since she cut her vacation short, this better be a good case in the sense that it should work in her favor. Help her get back into the good graces of the partners.
She didn’t relish being back nor did she truly want to defend this person. This could too easily be another setup.
Otherwise it would be a waste of time.
What she hadn’t asked, but would today, is why O’Shannon didn’t use his father’s lawyers. Something was fishy. She was going to determine what it was before she agreed to anything. If this was a no go she’d head back to Ireland.
Yanking open the door to the building where her law firm occupied the whole fifth floor, she almost ran into a large man. He smiled down at her, a lock of his impossibly black hair, falling across his forehead. Eyes the color of the sky right before a storm stared down at her as a smirk creased his face.
“Sorry,” he said in the sweetest Irish lilt.
She swallowed then realized he was waiting for her to say something. “I’m sorry also.”
He stepped back, holding the door open for her. “Good day, lass.”
She entered the building then watched him as he walked down the sidewalk. Her heart raced in her chest before she could shake herself. He might have been the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. Clearing her throat, she strode to the bank of elevators, but she had a feeling this man would appear prominently in her thoughts for a few days. Something she clearly needed since she rarely let a man affect her this way.
The elevator took her to the proper floor. She strode out of it heading to her boss’ office where she was to meet her new client.
Holden O’Shannon lounged in the chair opposite her boss when she walked into the office. His fiery red hair was slicked back from his face. His dark brown eyes twinkled as he looked her over.
“Colleen,” Carl said. “Holden O’Shannon.”
The man in question rose, his pale and freckled hand extending to her. She shook it and looked into brown eyes. “The pleasure is mine.”
When Garogyles Love Trilogy Page 10
