With him to elbow the crowd aside, they soon reached the door. She broke into a run and he jogged beside her. “Get your car going fast. Drive around back.”
They climbed in the car and Brendan started the engine. The two scary guys came to the door. Deirdre wiggled her fingers in a wave. They sent her a glare and went back inside.
“Pull around back. Please hurry.”
Brendan did. Michelle was waiting. She clutched her purse and peered around, a terrified look on her face.
“The waitress?” Brendan asked.
“Yes. She’s Mick.”
As soon as the car slowed, Michelle opened the car’s back door and crawled in. Brendan accelerated. Deirdre looked behind them, but no one followed.
Deirdre gestured to the back seat. “May I introduce Michelle? Or Mick, as her father Frank called her.”
“Father? Son of a gun.” Brendan looked in the rear view mirror. “Glad to formally meet you, Michelle. I had no idea you and Frank were related.”
“No one did. He wanted it that way. H-He liked you. You were the only one who called him by his name instead of that horrid nickname. Oily. Ugh.” She shuddered.
“Brendan, those two men are probably the ones who killed Frank and they’re after Michelle. You’ll help her get away, won’t you?”
He glanced at in the rear view mirror. “Yeah, tell me where you live. Pack the stuff you can’t leave and I’ll take you to DFW airport.”
She gave him an address. He made a U-turn and drove to an apartment.
“If they know where you live, it won’t take those two long to get here. Take only what you can’t abandon.”
“Right.” She opened the car door.
He opened the glove compartment and took out a gun. “Deirdre and I had better come with you. She can help you while I stand guard.”
When Deirdre saw the inside of the tiny apartment, she thought of the little cottage she’d had in Ireland. This one had two rooms like hers, but also a tiny bathroom. A folded blanket lay atop a pillow at one end of the sofa, so she supposed that’s where Michelle’s Da had slept. She followed her into the tiny bedroom. Michelle pulled a suitcase from under the bed.
Deirdre opened a top drawer from the lone chest and emptied the contents into the case. “Hurry.”
Michelle took things from the closet, hangers and all. “Would you get the stuff from the bathroom?”
Deirdre raced to the tiny space and scooped everything into her arms. She returned and dropped it into the bag.
Brendan called, “Take anything with an address from family and friends on it. Those two will come looking for clues to where you’ve gone.”
“Oh, no, my family.” Michelle opened the chest’s bottom drawer and emptied envelopes and photos into the rapidly filling case. She snatched the photograph of a smiling man, woman, little boy, and young girl from her bedside table then closed the bulging bag. “That’s all I care about.”
Deirdre had to help her fasten it. “We’re ready, Brendan, but you’ll have to carry this for us.”
He dashed into the room and picked up the case. “Let me go first, and then you two run after me if you see no one’s waiting.”
Michelle cried, “My landlady. She’s been good to me. I’ll have to tell her.”
He shook his head. “Not a chance. We’ll come back and explain to her once you’re safe.”
They piled into the car and Brendan drove away.
When they pulled onto the interstate, he glanced into the rear view mirror. “So far, so good. Now, Michelle, tell me all you know about those men and who the hell’s trying to kill both of us.”
Chapter Twenty Five
Michelle started crying again. “I don’t know who’s behind this. I’m sure the two men you saw murdered Frank. I know they would have killed me too if you hadn’t helped.”
“Are they the ones who asked Frank to lure me there the other day?”
She nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry, and so was Frank, but we were both so scared. We didn’t know why they wanted you there, but figured it couldn’t be for any good reason. They threatened to kill him unless he did what they said. All we could think of was get you there then warn you.”
“How’d they know to come after you?”
“I’m not sure. I thought I was safe enough because no one knew I was related to Frank. Unless they followed him to my place they wouldn’t have known there was a connection. We were careful not to leave or arrive at the bar together or act like friends while Frank was there.” She hung her head in her hands and sobbed.
Deirdre held out her hand and Brendan gave her his handkerchief. She passed it to Michelle.
The woman sniffed and dabbed at her eyes and face. “When I saw them come into the bar, they looked right at me and I knew. I just knew I was next.” She took a deep breath. “Lucky for me, you were between us. When you proposed that toast, people crowded around you and I ran to the ladies room. I didn’t know what to do or where to go. The window has bars on it, so I couldn’t climb out.”
Deirdre turned sideways to look into the back seat and smiled. “Where do you want to go?”
Michelle opened her purse. “Won’t be far. I think I have about a hundred dollars.”
Brendan said, “I’ll buy you a ticket wherever you want to go. Unless you have a passport in there, it’ll have to be in the U.S.”
She appeared incredulous. “Anywhere? You’d do that?”
“Yeah, make it somewhere you aren’t likely to run into those two or whoever paid them.”
“I don’t know what they made Frank tell them before they killed him. They might know where we used to live.”
Brendan nodded. “Better assume they did. Believe Frank told them where you grew up, that sort of thing. Where do you know someone that Frank wouldn’t have mentioned? Some small town where a stranger will stand out if anyone comes looking for you?”
“My aunt’s in Washington, my mom’s sister. She lives in a small town about thirty minutes from Seattle. I’ve never been there, but she’s invited me lots of times.”
Brendan handed Michelle his phone. “Call her, see if she’s home and up for visitors.”
Michelle took the phone but hesitated. “You’re sure?”
Deirdre nodded at her. “Brendan’s a very kind man who does a lot of nice things for people. Go ahead and call.”
He sent a glare Deirdre’s way. She didn’t care and smiled at him. He could pretend to be gruff all he wanted but she’d discovered he possessed a heart soft as pudding. And sweeter by far.
Michelle dug a tiny book out of her purse and dialed a number. “Aunt Doris, this is Michelle.”
Leaving the airport two hours later, Deirdre tried to take in everything. She’d been comforting Michelle when they arrived and hadn’t seen much then.
“I’m glad we’re away from the roar of those planes. They’re larger than I’d imagined.”
“We’re in Fort Worth. Mom will be wondering what’s keeping us. Let’s give her a call and let her know we’re stopping here for dinner.”
“Oh, yes, we mustn’t cause her worry.”
He pulled out his phone and punched a number, then handed it to her. “You talk to her. I have to keep my eyes on the road.”
“Me?” She took the instrument and put it to her ear as she’d seen him do. How exciting.
After buzzing sounds, Blossom’s voice said, “Hello.”
“H—Hello, Blossom? It’s Deirdre. After the funeral, we had to help a young woman and took her to a big airport.”
“All the way to DFW?” Blossom asked.
“Yes, that’s the place. Now Brendan says we’re in Fort Worth and we’ll stop for dinner before we come home.”
“Thank you for calling, dear. You make sure he takes you someplace nice now, you hear? When you come home you can tell me all about your day.”
“It was very exciting.” She glanced at Brendan. She’d probably talked long enough. He never spoke long. “Well, goodb
ye,” she said, as she’d heard others end a call.
Brendan took the phone then folded it and returned it to the holder. “So, now you’ve used a cell phone.” He turned off the highway.
“I’ve seen lots of the shop’s customers with them and I know Blossom has one. I didn’t know people sounded just like you were talking to them in person.”
He pulled into a parking lot and stopped. “This okay?”
She looked at the well-landscaped building with a brightly-lit sign. “It looks pretty. Would I know if it wasn’t all right?”
He laughed. “You have a point. I can see I’ve not been a very good host. This place specializes in Italian food but they have other entrees. If you don’t think you’ll like it once we’re inside, we’ll try somewhere else.”
“I’m sure I’ll love it.” She had no idea what Italian food involved, but she’d love anyplace Brendan took her. Couples went in as they were doing. The thought pleased her that others would think she and Brendan belonged together. She believed Brendan and she were meant to be with one another. He didn’t know it yet, but mayhap he’d soon come to believe so.
After they were seated at a table, Deirdre tried to look around without appearing to stare. “I hope I don’t make a mistake eating in such a fancy place.” She touched the table cloth. “Isn’t this odd? They covered the tables in paper.”
He smiled. “Makes them easy to change. Italian food’s messy.” He opened the cardboard the waitress had given them. “Do you know what you’d like?”
“No. What are you having?”
“The grilled teriyaki salmon with orzo and spinach.” He pointed to her cardboard. “Here it is on your menu.”
She sighed with relief. “I’ll have that.”
“Do you mind if I drink coffee instead of wine. It’s been such a hectic day I’d never make it home if I had alcohol.” He flexed his shoulders. “I figure one glass and I’d nod off.”
“Do you think they have iced tea like Blossom’s?”
“I can guarantee they do.”
The waitress came. “Hi, I’m Maggie.” She wrote her name on the paper table covering. “I’ll be your server.”
Deirdre stuck out her hand. “Hi, I’m Deirdre. I’ll be eating.”
Maggie looked surprised. Brendan chuckled and gave their order. After Maggie dashed off, he covered Deirdre’s hand with his. “You were great in the bar and at Michelle’s apartment. How’d you figure out she was Mick?”
She curled her hand into his to link their fingers. Didn’t that feel lovely? Should she risk spoiling his happy mood?
She took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. “You won’t like my answer. Mayhap we should talk of something else.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Ah, I see. Another of your visions?” But this time he didn’t sound angry.
“Shhh.” She looked around. “When I saw her nametag, it came to me that not only was she Mick but also Frank’s daughter. She was that terrified, the poor girl was sobbing her heart out.”
He squeezed her hand. “You were very clever in getting Michelle out of there. That was quick thinking.”
Her heart pounded so loud she thought he might hear. “Thank you. You were kind to pay her way on the airplane and give her the extra money as well.”
“I hope she’ll be happy.” His thumb caressed her hand.
Her heart did little skips. Sure and it would burst unless he ceased his gentle strokes. “She would have left long ago except her father wouldn’t go with her. While you were getting her a drink and sandwich, she explained Frank was driving the car that crashed and killed her mother and younger brother. That’s when her Da started drinking. Michelle took the job in the bar to stay near him.”
Their food arrived and Deirdre dug into the feast. “This is wonderful. I haven’t had salmon since a poacher brought it to Ma for delivering his son.”
He frowned. “Your mother accepted stolen fish?”
She slid her hand from his. “The salmon was already dead. Refusing the gift wouldn’t have spared the salmon’s life, and we were sore hungry for more than our root vegetables.”
He raised an eyebrow then dug into his food. “I see.” His two words spoke a volume of judgement.
Her temper flared at his condemnation. “You don’t mean you understand, but that you’re criticizing Ma for taking a fish that had been stolen from a man so wealthy he lived in England and never even visited his estate in Ireland. If Ma had had half your money, we wouldn’t have had to worry about where a fish or our next meal came from, would we?”
He stared at her, anger taking hold of him.
What was she doing, repaying his kindness with her sharp tongue? She laid down her fork and took a breath. “No, that was unkind. You haven’t always had money, and now that you do you’re that generous with it. As you were with Michelle.”
His frown disappeared, but he didn’t smile. “No, you’re right. Sometimes I forget how different things are with others. And even when I had no money myself, I knew my grandparents would be leaving it to me. That’s very different from scraping for food with no hope of money ever coming your way as you and your mother did.”
“Aye, but it’s best not to dredge up old pain.” She shrugged. “That was then, this is now.”
“Right, I’m too tired to argue. We should talk of other things. How’s your food?”
She stuck her fork into the white stuff. “Is this rice?”
Apparently over his disapproval, he smiled. “No, orzo is a pasta shaped like rice. Try it.” He took a bite from his own food.
She forked the pasta mixture into her mouth. “Mmm. Nice.” Anything she shared with Brendan would be, now wouldn’t it?
She wanted the dinner in this lovely place to last forever. But it couldn’t, and half an hour later they were in the car and driving on the broad highway.
Back in Radford Crossing, Brendan drove to Michelle’s apartment. Michelle had given him her key.
“Let me go first, in case those two goons are there.” Gun drawn, he moved silent as a wraith.
The door opened when he raised his hand to knock without him turning the knob. He stepped in. “Damn, just what I was afraid of. We’re too late.”
The apartment was in upheaval. Furniture was broken and drawers in the tiny kitchen were open or tossed onto the floor. Broken dishes and food littered the room. The small television’s glass had been broken.
“Who’d do such a thing?” Deirdre crossed herself. “Thank the saints Michelle is away and safe.”
“Right.” He kicked at the debris. “Don’t think we’ll find anything here. Looks like mostly kitchen stuff.”
Deirdre peeked into the bedroom. “Not as bad in here where she’d packed everything but her Da’s clothes. Why did they shred the bedding?”
He came up behind her. “Anger, or maybe they thought she or Frank had hidden something in there.” He took her arm. “Let’s go. Who knows if they’ll come back?”
They stopped at the landlady’s apartment. The woman eyed them suspiciously.
Brendan handed her the key and his card. “Michelle’s been called away on a family emergency and won’t be back. Will you see her mail’s forwarded to me?”
The woman stared at the card. “Sad, so soon after her friend died. Never could see why she let that old man hang around.”
Deirdre said, “Because she’s a nice person.”
“True, but I ain’t holding her apartment for her. Bet she’s running from them two what came a few hours ago. Rough characters they were and they trashed the place. I heard ‘em but I was afraid to show my face. Didn’t want ‘em to notice me.”
Brendan said, “You should have called the police.”
“Wasn’t my stuff they were breakin’. Didn’t want to spend half a day answering questions when I didn’t do nothing wrong.” She peered at Brendan. “Who’s gonna clean up that mess?”
He took out his wallet. “Here’s fifty dollars. Hire someone.”
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The money disappeared into the woman’s pocket. “I’ll see you get her mail.” She closed the door.
Deirdre looked at the door then at Brendan. “What an unpleasant woman. Isn’t it sad Michelle thought of that person as a friend?”
Brendan took her arm. “Let’s go home.”
Deirdre mulled over the word. Home. She almost stumbled, but Brendan steadied her. She’d come to think of Blossom’s house as her own home.
When had she stopped looking forward to the day she could escape to her own wee place? She shook her head to clear it, smiling at the picture that remained imbedded firmly in her mind. They were headed home.
He glanced her way as they rode away. “Something wrong?”
She smiled at him. “No, everything’s perfect.”
Chapter Twenty Six
Brendan couldn’t sleep. He was sure the two men who’d tried to get Michelle were the same ones who’d run him off the road, but he didn’t think he’d come across them before. Were they the same men who had gunned down Larry and him? There are no coincidences, he reminded himself.
He shoved his feet into his jeans and padded toward the kitchen. As he passed Deirdre’s room he heard a cry. Adrenaline pumped through him. What if someone had bypassed the alarm and broken into her room? He wrenched open the door and stepped inside.
Thrashing in bed, Deirdre was obviously in the throes of a nightmare. Badcat sat on the corner of the bed staring at his mistress. He meowed and hopped down to glare at Brendan, as if to say, “Do something.”
Deirdre sobbed in her sleep, flailing her hands against some imagined foe. “No, leave him alone!”
Brendan moved quietly to the side of the bed and touched her shoulder. “Deirdre?”
She opened her mouth to scream and he clamped a hand across her lips.
“Deirdre, it’s just me. You were having a nightmare.” He removed his hand from her face and sat on the bed beside her.
She collapsed against the sheets, still sobbing.
He handed her his handkerchief. “You’re all right. It was just a bad dream.”
Grabbing his hand instead of the proffered hanky, she gulped in deep breaths. “It seemed so real. They were after us.” She clasped his hand to her, apparently heedless that she pressed the back of his hand to her breast.
OUT OF THE BLUE Page 18
