“Me either,” Duncan said.
“How long will it take to uncloak him?”
“Less than half an hour,” Duncan said. “We’ve got what we need, here.”
Paul and I are going to head over to his hotel,” Ed said.
“Be careful,” Faith said.
“I will. Love you.”
As they drove, Ed said, “There was no money there.”
“No, just about a hundred dollars in his wallet,” Paul said.
“Maybe his partner took it, and we don’t have any idea who that is. Duncan told me that the deal went down at Back Bay Garage. We’ll need to look at that CCTV.”
“Or it could have been cousin Aaron. Didn’t you tell me that your friend tried to talk him out of this? Maybe he came over to call off the deal but decided to kill the guy and get his money, that way.”
“I don’t think he’s got the guts for that,” Ed said.
“But you don’t know that, and I say that we go get him, first,” Paul said.
“All right, let’s go see my cuz,” Ed said.
Arriving at Aaron’s motel, they got his room number and went to arrest him.
On the way up, Paul said, “Let’s not let him know that you’re here until he opens the door.”
Ed knew that was easier said than done since Aaron would sense the presence of another Buidseach. In fact, since he, himself, couldn’t sense Aaron, Ed wondered if Aaron was still cloaked.
They could see that the door was ajar but not enough to see inside. Paul knocked on it, and said, “Police, open up,” and stepped aside to avoid being shot.
There was no response, and so, once again, Paul called out to him. “Aaron Sinclair, this is the police.”
Once again, no response. Entering slowly, with guns drawn they walked into the darkened space, but even without opening the curtains, they could see a still figure, lying on the bed. While Paul swept the bathroom and opened the closet door, Ed pulled open the drapes. He was surprised to see that the deceased was not Aaron.
“This isn’t Aaron,” Ed said. “He may have more guts than I thought.”
“You think he did this?” Paul asked.
“Who else? This is his room.”
“If this was the other gunman. I hope they come up with some prints in East Boston. And, your right, we need to get the CCTV and see if this was the other guy Aaron hired?”
“It has to be,” Ed said. “I don’t think he’s been in town long. How much trouble could he have gotten himself into?”
“Well,” Paul said with a small chuckle, “he did manage to hire a couple of hitmen to kill a cop. That’s kind of a lot.”
“It is, and the upside is, now, at least, we think we’re just looking for him. I’m going outside to make a call,” Ed said.
Paul furrowed his brow and watched Ed as he left the room but said nothing.
Ed made his call, and Duncan simply could not believe what he was being told, and asked, “If he could shoot like that, why did he hire hitmen, off the web, no less.”
“Hoping not to get caught, I guess,” Ed said.
“Maybe something else is going on. Now that he’s not cloaked, we’ll be able to locate him.”
“That would be great. Let me know what you find but don’t go after him. Much as I hate to sound like you, remember you’re not a cop, here, and you don’t have a gun.”
“But unlike you, when you were in Scotland, I have my powers.”
“True enough. Call me though, all right?”
Duncan agreed and ending the call, asked if Faith had a map of the state.
“They can’t find him?” Finn asked.
Finn had delayed going into work because he’d been concerned about Faith. He, like Ed, knew that she was not bulletproof and that she was also new to her expanded powers.
“Why are you still here?” Faith asked Finn, as she rummaged in her desk for an old paper map.
“Because you are powerful but inexperienced and you don’t even half know what you have. For example, put that stupid map down. You’re just looking for one man. Sit yourself down on that couch, focus on him and find him.”
“How do you know that I can do that?” Faith asked.
“Because I can, and from what I’ve read, we’re not all that different. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
“All right, but you used a dowsing spell last summer,” Faith said.
“I was trying to stay under the radar.”
“Anything I need to do?” Faith asked.
“I imagine it’s just like your powers lassie,” Duncan said. “Just own it.”
“Exactly,” Finn said.
“I see him. He’s tied up,” Faith said.
“Where?” Duncan asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Leave the house, and have a look around,” Finn said. “Your power comes from God. God has no limits.”
“Oh, right. This I’ve actually done – I’m still in the city. I see the airport. I’m in East Boston.”
“Faith,” Finn said. “Look at a fucking street sign.”
“Don’t be so impatient and don’t be rude to me. Yes, here it is, Concord Street, he’s at 96 Concord Street.”
Duncan passed that along to Ed, who wondered how he was going to explain that bit of intelligence.
“Just tell them that I was trailing him and give me some time to find my way there.”
“I will, but don’t go in,” Ed said.
“I, unlike you, don’t have a death wish. I’ll be waiting for you in my rental car, a white Volvo.”
Faith gave him directions to East Boston, and Duncan arrived there just ahead of the police.
Faith was using her new-found talents to good use and was watching the whole scene from her living room with Finn, who had tuned in, as well.
“Isn’t this fun,” he said.
“No, people could get killed.”
“True, I usually just use it for my business. I drop in on my restaurants all the time. It’s fun.”
“It’s an invasion of privacy,” Faith said.
“No privacy at work.”
Faith just sighed and, with her gaze on Ed, said, “He’s brave isn’t he.”
“Yes,” Finn said without a snarky comment. “They all are. They have no idea what’s waiting for them, but they’ll go in anyway.”
“I know, right,” Faith said.
They watched as the police quietly approached the house with precision, and without a shot fired, snuck inside and overtook the two, armed men within.
“Well, that’s good,” Faith said.
“Shh, I want to hear what Aaron has to say,” Finn said.
“What’s going on here?” Ed asked.
“I hired two guys to kill you.”
“I know, Duncan told me. Then what happened?”
“All I know is these guys, plus one other, showed up at my hotel, with one of the guys I’d hired. They shot the guy I hired and kidnapped me.”
“They must have wanted something,” Paul said.
“Oh, they did, more money. Not to shoot anybody; they just figured that I had more money.”
“I told them that I did, but that I wouldn’t be able to get it until the morning. Told them I had a safety deposit box.”
“That was smart,” Ed said.
“I figured that I might be able to get myself out of this,” he said looking at Ed, “but then I couldn’t.”
“No, you couldn’t,” Ed said.
“Right.”
“So, where’s the other guy?”
“He went to get food.”
“Can I find him?” Faith asked Finn.
“No,” Finn replied, “you don’t know him, and I don’t have a clue where he’d be. We have to be connected in some way, even if it’s just by being Buidseach. If there’s no connection, we can’t find them. Otherwise, I’d be hunting for every lost kid in the world.
“The police will get him. You should go to work. Crisis avert
ed, I think,” Faith said.
“I think you’re right. You guys should come over. I like having you there.”
“I’m up for it. I’ll let you know what the boys want to do,” Faith said.
“You know, you don’t need a phone anymore.”
“Will that creep you out?” Faith asked.
“No, it used to be just your mother and me. Now you can join our party line.”
******
Olivia Abernethy had been quite taken by Finn. His being dia aside, and she had no idea about that, physically he had the look of a Nordic god. Coupled, of course, with a very appealing Scottish accent, which she found quite charming, as it was not unlike her grandfather’s. Her family had emigrated to the United States, and she was in every way, other than her unique talents, American.
She’d written a lengthy and glowing review of Finley’s, and while every word was true, Olivia had also hoped that it might ingratiate her to him, as well.
It was not her way to be passive, and looking stunning in one of her signature cream dresses, Olivia sauntered into Finley’s without a reservation for dinner or any reservations about what she wanted on the menu.
When Finn looked over at the host station and saw her, he couldn’t help but be impressed. Her beauty had not escaped him when they’d met, but this evening her sleek dress, and simply styled hair, were set off by the vibrant red of her lips and nails. She was not only a beauty, but everything about her said vixen.
He walked over and greeted her with a broad smile. Then becoming more serious, he dealt with the professional matter at hand.
“Thank you for that review, Olivia. It was more than generous.”
“It was well deserved. But you didn’t cook that night, did you?”
“No. The reality of having three restaurants is that you can’t also be a fulltime cook. I do cook at my other two places, two nights a week. That way, I can keep a good eye on the kitchen staff and keep my hand in, as well. Did you come for dinner?” he asked.
“Yes, I noticed that you had a few small tables along the window. I thought it would be okay if I came alone.”
“Of course, but you don’t have to sit over there.”
“No, I like them. They’re nice and private, and there’s a lovely view of the gardens.”
Finn walked her over, held out her chair and Olivia gracefully took her seat.
“Something to drink?” he asked.
“I’d love a glass of white wine. Any recommendations?”
Finn called over one of his waiters, and in very short order his sommelier appeared wine in hand. He was an older, Scottish gentleman with a full beard and wearing a kilt. He was also Buidseach, a fact, of which, Olivia immediately became aware.
“Fergus,” Finn said, “I heard you’d arrived today.”
“Aye, a long flight but I’m happy to be with ye.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re here. I think you’ll like it,” Finn said.
“And, I’ve already heard from your grand cousin, Faith,” Fergus said. “She’s offered to show me around.”
“She’ll take good care of you,” Finn said.
Olivia was quite taken with Fergus, as well. It was immediately apparent to her that he was one of their own and that he posed no threat.
She stood and put her hand out to him out of respect for a senior member of the clan, and because she thought he was cute.
He blushed slightly, and Finn was very pleased that his friend was being treated with both kindness and respect.
“Now,” Olivia said, sitting back down, “what have you brought us?”
“Aye, it’s Montrachet Chardonnay.”
He opened the bottle and poured it, not knowing, for a moment, if he should pour one glass or two.
“Just the one,” Finn said anticipating his question. “Ms. Ross gave us a grand review, so I’m rewarding her with you and this wine.”
“Please, join me at least for at least one glass,” Olivia said.
Finn looked around. The restaurant was full, but things seemed to be running smoothly, so he sat down and said, “I’d love to, but I can only stay a few minutes. It’s important that I keep on top of it all. When people come into my restaurants, they get what they pay for.”
Fergus smiled because having worked with Finn for years, he knew the love and care that was put into every place.
Olivia took a sip of her wine and said, “Oh, Fergus, thank you. This is exceptional.”
Finn took a sip of his own and said, “Good man, good choice.”
Fergus left them, and Oliva said, “Now what do I eat with this?”
A twinkle came into Finn’s eye, and he said, “Trust me?”
Olivia nodded, and Finn said, “I’ll cook you something, myself.”
“Really?” Olivia said in an almost gleeful voice. Sophistication was her stock and trade, but she was genuinely delighted. His reputation as a chef was international, and she couldn’t wait to taste his cooking.
“Do you really have time?”
“Oh, I’ll keep an eye on everything; don’t worry about that.”
A quick trip to his office, and Finn, wearing his chef’s whites, arrived in the kitchen.
First, he looked over everything that was going on there. Then, after several obscenity-laced critiques, he said, “I’m cooking.” The head chef stepped out of his way, and Finn took over demanding the ingredients for Scottish salmon with herb butter.
His next command was to add that to the specials for the rest of the night, and, after he finished, his head chef took over the reins, once again.
Feeling like the superstar that he truly was, Finn reappeared on the floor, in his whites, to gasps of appreciation from a number of the diners.
“What’s that?” one customer asked, looking at the perfectly displayed meal.
“Scottish Salmon. It’s just been added to the menu.”
He placed his masterpiece in front of Olivia and waited for her to take a bite.
She first took in the presentation, and said, “Beautiful.”
Then, she touched the tender entree with her fork, and it flaked off onto her plate. Finally, Olivia took one bite, and then a second.
“Oh, Finn, I could try and say something clever, but it’s just flat out delicious. Your reputation is well deserved.”
Finn was pleased. He nodded and went back into the kitchen. This was his first love, and he decided to indulge himself and cook for the rest of the evening.
******
Olivia had finished her meal and adjourned to the bar, when her phone rang. It was Braden Druce. He was ready to make his move, and Olivia was not happy about it.
“Olivia, tonight’s the night,” Braden said.
“You’re a fool, and this is not going to work, but I’ll take care of it.”
“Why? We’re not taking them head-on.”
“I get a whole lot of power here.”
“You’re Buidseach and so am I.”
“I’m the only one on the line.”
“True and there’s more of them, but we’re not fighting a battle. And they won’t know we’re coming for them. It’s too late to back out now.”
“Is it?” Olivia asked. “I don’t want to die, and from what I hear, every single member of An Dubh at the Battle of Unst did.
“Gavin had me tucked away in London, as a backup for him, but he never expected them to kill him. He said that they didn’t have the balls. Unfortunately, they did. But this will work, and your family agrees with me.”
Olivia’s family were An Dubh, but she was not, and she had long ago cut ties with them. She did, however, fear them.
“I’ll do what you say but get yourself over here. This won’t be like Unst. If I go down, you’ll go down with me.”
******
As the long hours of cooking wound to a close, a disheveled but satisfied Finn Bell finally emerged from the kitchen. He looked over the room and was pleased to see the last few diners enjoying their me
als and the restaurant in perfect order.
“Everything went really well,” Olivia said.
“Yes,” Finn said. “It seems all right. Long way to go, though.”
He looked at his watch and said, “You’ve been here for hours.”
“Hope that’s all right?”
“Of course. Can I buy you a drink?”
“Yes, I was hoping you would.”
“How about some champagne?”
Olivia nodded and overhearing his boss, the bartender saw to their request.
As they sipped their drinks, Olivia asked, “How often will you be here?”
“It’s not firm yet, but I plan to be here every few months. I’m sending my best manager over from London to manage the place. I tried someone local, but …”
“Not working out.”
“No. I’ll keep him on, he’s a decent lad, but these restaurants are my children. I want to give them the best.”
“No human children, then?”
“No,” Finn answered with a small smile.
It was a somewhat touchy subject for him. He knew that that wasn’t in the cards for him, and while he’d adjusted to it, it did make him sad.
“Well,” she said, “I actually do have a day job, so I’m heading out.”
She was not clairvoyant, but she got the message that he wasn’t into her. Olivia was disappointed, but she liked him, so she said, “Here’s my card. Call me if you want to get together.”
“I’d like that,” Finn said.
Olivia left feeling torn. She had no desire to do Finn any harm, in fact, quite the opposite, but by virtue of their families, they were now at odds.
Finn was not clairvoyant, either, but he’d just sensed something off with Olivia, and he was concerned.
Chapter Ten
Even with his part-time job as an investigator, Duncan had been thoroughly enjoying his vacation. He’d gone out the previous night with the woman he’d met at Finley’s, and he was feeling quite at home in his luxurious hotel suite. Today, however, he had a thought about the case.
They’d not yet caught the third gunman. Aaron had told them that he’d gone to get them something to eat. It was Duncan’s bet that he’d been heading back to the house, seen the police and taken off. If that had been the case, and, if, as Aaron had told them, it was the gunman’s house, Duncan figured he’d go back, at some point. Duncan decided to take a drive over and do a bit of a stakeout. He didn’t tell Ed about it, figuring that he’d just stay there for as long as he felt like it, and if their suspect turned up, great, if not, nothing lost, except some time.
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