by Kate Sweeney
“I don’t think I’m tellin’ ya anything you couldn’t find out on your own. I have a feeling you’re a persistent woman. Deirdre had a gift, I think. She was able to help the farmers with their planting. She helped many villagers with…” She hesitated, seeming to find the right word. “Troubles, I suppose is the word for it.”
“Troubles? What kind of troubles?”
“Anything they might need help with. Compassion and kindness can take many forms.”
“Why do I have the feeling you’re being vague?” Megan asked. When Rose did not answer, she went on, “I’m not trying to harm Grayson if that worries you.”
Rose looked at Megan then, which caused the hair on the back of her neck to bristle. “Ya can’t harm Grayson. I would not allow it. And neither would anyone in Dungarin. It’s just the way of it.”
“That’s what Liam O’Toole said. Just the way of what?” Megan took a sip of her tea, realizing she hadn’t touched it. It was ice cold as she set it back on the table.
“You’re a smart woman. Have you talked to Grayson at all?”
“Yes. I saw her in Dublin earlier today. She’s as vague as everyone else,” she said irritably. “I’m not trying to hurt Grayson. I’m trying to do my job.”
“Grayson was a policewoman in America. I’m sure you know that.”
“Yes. From what I can get out of the Chicago police, she was a decorated officer and made detective sergeant very early. They had said she was injured and her partner was killed.”
“Yes, when Maeve called and told me, I cried for days. I don’t understand the lesbian part of Grayson. But I understand Grayson. She was deeply in love with this woman, who was pregnant, as well. I met Vicky only once. They came back here for a vacation along with Maeve and Dermott. Grayson was so happy and so content. Now with Vicky and Maeve gone…” She stared at nothing in particular.
Megan sat in silence, absorbing all this information. She had the report on Grayson MacCarthaigh. She did not know the personal side of her life, however.
Her thoughts wandered back to her relationship with Anne. After five years of living in fear, wondering if Megan would come home in one piece after her shift, Anne couldn’t take it anymore and Megan couldn’t blame her. Being in a relationship with a police officer was not an easy task. It took more than Anne had, though she tried. It was a sad realization for both of them. Now Anne lived in Cork in a nice, comfortable, safe relationship with a woman who was a lawyer. She and Anne had called and e-mailed for a while, but then the communication became less and less. She heard from Anne two years earlier. Just a line to say she was doing well and happy. That was enough for Megan.
“Grayson held that woman in her arms when she died,” Rose was saying.
Megan blinked, shaken from her reverie. “What?”
“Vicky was a hostage negotiator, I believe is the term. Grayson had already been shot and two other policemen killed. When the man started firing in Grayson’s direction again, Vicky leapt in front of him, taking all bullets meant for Grayson.” Rose stopped and put her head back as she rocked. “She was going to give it up when she found out she was pregnant. Grayson said she had a law degree and wanted to be a judge. They had it all planned.”
“That’s horrible,” Megan whispered.
“Yes, it was.”
“Then to have your mother die the way she did,” Megan said, almost to herself. She wasn’t sure how she would handle something like that.
“It’s a tragic thing, that’s for sure.” She looked at Megan then. “So ya see, Inspector, why we keep Grayson close to our hearts?”
“Yes, I do. But I still have to do my job.”
“Ah, you’re a stubborn one. But I suppose I understand.”
“I’ll know more when the lab results come back. We’ll see if it’s a wolf or dog or something or someone else.”
She stood and held out her hand. Rose smiled and shook it. “You’re a grand gal. Are ya single?”
Megan laughed. “Yes, I am.”
Rose beamed. “And are ya a lesbian?”
Megan, clearly caught off-guard, stared at Rose for a moment, then she nervously laughed and held up her hands. “Scotland Yard could use you, Rose Barry. Good day. Thank you for the tea and the insight.”
As she walked back to the bed and breakfast, Megan realized she indeed had great insight to Grayson MacCarthaigh. However, despite Grayson’s losses, Megan was bound to her duty. She took comfort in believing Detective MacCarthaigh would do the same. It was little comfort.
Chapter 17
“This is as good as it will get,” Corky said, examining the stone.
Neala agreed. “I’ll take it and call Dr. Norman.”
“What will you tell him?” Grayson asked. The stone did indeed look like the original, but she wondered if the professionals at the museum would believe it.
“I’ll tell him I picked up the stone from Phelan, who decided it was in better hands with Dr. Norman. That will give Dr. Norman an ego boost, which hopefully won’t make him concentrate on examining the stone. Maybe I can get it in the glass case in the exhibit before he can do that.”
“That’s a good idea,” Corky said. “Ya know, I’ve been thinking about Sebastian’s letter. The second stanza. I might have it figured out.”
“Can you remember it?” Neala asked.
Grayson laughed. “I’m sure he’s got it memorized.”
“I do. So here it is.” He cleared his throat first. “One emerges from the night, at the behest of ancient call, a star falls from a distant realm, uniting and revealing all.”
“Okay. Give us your idea,” Neala said, carefully wrapping the stone in a linen cloth.
“I think it’s Sebastian from the night, and Tatiana is the ancient call. Elinora is the star that perhaps Danu, being the distant realm, sent here. That’s my thought.”
Grayson pondered this for a moment, as did Neala. “That sounds very plausible.” She looked at Neala, who didn’t seem convinced. “Neala?”
“I’d feel better if we knew who Elinora really was. She seems to talk in vague innuendoes. I understand Grayson needs a good deal of faith to go on with this, but someone could cut her some slack.” She looked at Grayson then and whispered, “You’ve been through so much. I just don’t want you to be hurt anymore.”
Grayson smiled and took her hand. “I’ll be all right, but I like the way you think.”
Neala laughed and picked up the stone. “Well, I should be going. Wish me luck.”
“I think it’ll be fine. You’ll be fine,” Grayson said. She placed her hands on Neala’s shoulders.
Neala grinned. “I believe you.”
For a moment, they looked into each other’s eyes. Grayson leaned in and lightly kissed her on the lips. She heard a small gasp from Neala, who seemed to melt into the kiss. Grayson pulled back.
“All right then,” Corky said, clearing his throat.
“I’ll talk to you in the morning,” Grayson said.
Neala nodded. “Good night.” She backed up. “Good night, Corky.”
“Good night, Neala. It’ll work. No worries.”
Neala left, leaving Grayson and Corky standing in silence.
“Well then, let’s go. It’s a long ride back,” Corky finally said.
After promising Corky to meet him at the monastery in the morning, Grayson slipped into bed. She let out a deep satisfying groan as she stretched.
“Don’t fall asleep yet.”
Grayson flew out of bed so fast, she forgot she was naked. It was Elinora, sitting on top of the dresser.
“Damn it. What the hell is the matter with you?” Grayson yelled. She scrambled for her jeans and shirt. “What are you doing here?”
“I have been waiting for you. We need to talk.”
Grayson balanced on one foot as she struggled into her jeans. “About what?” She tried to ignore the fact she nearly had a heart attack.
“Your reaction just now. I have told you to embrace
this gift and you are not trying. You should have been able to sense my presence. You cannot be caught off-guard so much. Use your abilities.”
“It’s nearly midnight.”
“Time is of no importance to an immortal.”
Grayson sat on the bed. “Well, at least my heart rate is back to normal.” She looked back at the dresser, and Elinora was gone. Then the tingling sensation started in her left hand and traveled up her arm.
Concentrate.
She heard Elinora’s voice in her mind; she closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. She felt it then, or more accurately, she sensed it. She knew exactly where Elinora was. Walking to the closet, she opened it and there stood Elinora, a big grin spreading across her face.
“Very good.”
“Get out of the closet.” Grayson laughed and stopped when Elinora cocked her head in confusion. “It’s a gay joke. Skip it.”
“Ah, humor again. Were you funny in your previous life?”
Grayson glared at her. “I always thought so.”
“You did well. You must practice and concentrate. It will be slow going, as I have said, due to your being a mortal, as well. However, it will come. Now,” Elinora walked out of the room, “tell me of this police officer.”
“What for?” Grayson followed her into the living room. She flipped on the small lamp on the desk.
Elinora stretched out on the couch, raising her hands above her head. Grayson had to admit, she was a beautiful woman.
Not woman—immortal.
Whatever.
“So what about Megan?”
“First names? Yes, I sense duplicity in this woman.”
“You’ve met?”
“No, but I saw her earlier today. She was at the house of Rose Barry after she visited a public house.”
“What did she want with Rose?”
“To find out about you, of course. She is not what she seems.”
“How do you mean?”
“I know all about Maeve and your woman visiting your friends in their dreams. Liar’s moon.”
“What do you know about it?” Grayson asked. “Tell me what you know.”
“I am not here to answer questions. It will be as it is written.”
“Written by whom? Why is it such a secret? You know, but you won’t tell me.”
“It is not why I am here. I am here to teach you and help you with your powers.”
“If I knew what the fuck was going on, I might be able to handle my powers better.”
Elinora smiled. “A valiant attempt, but you are to do this on your own. I cannot hold your hand. You must travel this road on your own, but not alone. It’s who you choose to travel with you that will define you.”
“And Megan Gaffney is not someone I should choose?”
“I cannot say.”
“Shit. You’re driving me nuts.” Grayson ran her fingers through her hair and sat down. “I’m just asking for a little help. And if you knew me at all, you’d know that’s not an easy thing for me to do.”
She looked up when she felt Elinora’s hand on her head. “Nothing will be easy. However, once you truly embrace who you are, it will ease the burden. Call upon the instincts you had when you were a police officer. You were confident and true. You will be again.” She ran her fingers through Grayson’s hair. “You must believe that. No one can do this for you for your strength and sense of righteousness will see you through.”
“You make me sound like Gandhi.”
“No one is like Gandhi,” Elinora told her. “Not even Gandhi.”
Grayson did find that amusing. “See, you have a sense of humor. So why tell me about Megan? Is there anyone else?”
Elinora knelt in front of her. Grayson looked into her brown eyes and waited. “Someone is lying to me. I know it.”
“Grayson,” Elinora nearly pleaded. “Stop thinking with your head. Everyone has mendacity in their heart. Even the holy ones.”
“So I was right about Sister Gabriel?” For the first time, Grayson felt like she was getting somewhere with this convoluted mess. “Fine, a nun. I’ll go to hell.”
Elinora chuckled; Grayson thought it sounded purely childlike and chuckled along. “You will be praying for forgiveness for centuries.”
Grayson continued to laugh. “The rosary will get a workout.”
Elinora then placed her hand on Grayson’s knee. “The vampire is the key.”
“Sebastian?”
“And I have said too much. I will compromise your destiny if I say anything further.”
“Okay. Sebastian’s the key, eh? Tatiana told her that we’re connected. The prophecy from this ancient vampire has reference to the crescent moon. If she’s correct, then Tatiana knew Sebastian and I would meet.”
“It is written, you will see in the coming months how correct Tatiana is. Now you must rest.” Elinora walked to the window and peered into the night. “The moon is nearly full.” She turned back to Grayson. “The liar’s moon is at hand.”
“There’s not much time, and all we know is there’s a liar and they’re marked.” Grayson looked down at her palm. “Like me.”
“No. Not at all like you. Their mark is evil. Remember that, no matter who it is, remember that.”
Grayson watched Elinora as she gazed out the window. The soft moonlight drifted across her face as the clouds shrouded the moon. “You’re telling me something here. I can feel it.”
“Good.” Elinora then faded and was gone.
Remember.
Chapter 18
“I need to rent your boat,” Grayson said as a blast of cold Atlantic air nearly swept her off the dock.
“Do ya know how to handle one?” the old man asked as he puffed on his pipe.
“I need to rent your boat and you.” Grayson pulled her collar up around her neck.
The old man smiled slightly. “I’m not cheap.”
“No doubt. How much?”
“Where is it that you want to go?”
“Aran Islands, Innishmore.” Grayson waited for his reaction.
He showed no sign of surprise as he banged his pipe on the heel of his hand. “Now why would a beautiful woman want to cross the Atlantic on this blustery spring day to go to Innishmore?”
Grayson pulled out her wallet with a sigh. “How much?”
He watched as she sifted through the bills. He reached over and grabbed three. “This will do ya, lass. Get in.”
Grayson stepped down into the hull of the sailboat. “Is this thing going to make it?”
“It’ll get ya there.” He reached out his hand. “Seamus Malone.”
Grayson took the offering. “Grayson MacCarthaigh.”
For an instant, he frowned. “And your father?”
“Dermott MacCarthaigh.”
He smiled then. “I knew him. I knew your mother, too. So they gave ya her name?”
Grayson sat on the narrow bench and leaned back. “Yep.”
“Hmm,” he said with a grunt and untied the boat from the dock. He pushed off the dock and started the small engine. “Better than a sail. The Atlantic is a wee bit restless today. I suppose you’re not going to tell me what your business is on Innishmore.”
“Nope.”
“Hmm. And do you have people on the island?”
“I do not.”
“Well then, how will you find your way around?”
“I’ll manage.” Grayson closed her eyes and lifted her head toward the afternoon sun. After a moment, Grayson could feel him watching her. “What would you like to know, Mr. Malone?” She stretched her legs out in front of her.
“Just Malone if you please. And nothin’.” He cleared his throat. “It’s none of my concern. I just wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”
Grayson opened her eyes and grinned. Corky felt the same way that morning when she told him where she was going. He thought she was crazy for going all the way to the islands.
“I appreciate that.” She sat forward and brushed
the hair off her face as the wind tossed the sailboat. She looked over the side, sincerely hoping they made it to the island. “I need to find a convent.”
For an instant, Malone looked stunned. Then he let out a hearty laugh. “And you want me to believe a woman as yourself wants to be a nun?”
Grayson chuckled along. “No. There is a cloistered convent on the island. One of the nuns just came to St. Brigid’s Monastery. I’m just curious.”
“And your curiosity has you sailing across on a windy day?” He reached his hand inside his breast pocket and pulled out a small flask. With one hand on the helm, he deftly opened the flask, taking a healthy drink. He then offered it to Grayson, who declined. “I think it’s more than curiosity,” he said and took another swig. “But then, it’s none of my business.”
“This is true.” Grayson turned her head to avoid laughing. She knew the old man was itching to know what she wanted on Innishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands.
They were desolate places, with some villagers only speaking Gaelic. It was as if time had forgotten them, and they couldn’t care less. Innishmore had a bigger population and was better for the tourists than the other smaller islands. And it was here that Sister Gabriel spent her life since she was seventeen. Grayson wanted to know how she came to be there and why. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was something odd and secretive about Sister Gabriel. It unnerved Grayson, and with everyone dreaming about a liar’s moon, she wanted to know. When Grayson held her hand, she saw flashes of a young woman standing in what looked like a field surrounded by rocks and a small church. If her hunch was right, that vision she had was the convent on the island.
“I know of this convent. Not many from the mainland know if it.”
Grayson looked at Malone, who smiled. “And I suppose you’d take me there for a price.”
“Well, there is an expense for petrol and all.”
Grayson shook her head and dug into her pocket while Malone puffed on his pipe. “It’ll be an adventure, so to speak,” he said, blowing out a stream of pipe smoke.
It took the better part of an hour to sail to the islands. As they motored up to the dock, there was no one around—anywhere. A light fog had settled on the island, shrouding the village of Innishmore. “This figures.”
