Generation Lost (Gray Wolf Security #17)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“So, Conor, how do you know all of these people?” asked Annie. They were sifting through all the information for Rose at the Sugar Lodge, seated beside one another, their knees touching beneath the table.

“I knew Kat when she was just a wee lass. Me father loved her, and when she needed help, I was there to help. We’ve remained friends.” Annie nodded at him, not saying anything else. Conor took her hand and led her to a small table near the windows.

“Annie, I wasn’t always a good man. I mean, I was, but I did things I wasn’t always proud of. I think it’s why I decided to start fightin’. It kept me away from some of what my father did. I think I’ve atoned for those sins, but I wanted to be honest with you.”

“Thank you,” she smiled. “I wasn’t always an angel in my youth. I did some pretty stupid things as well.” He could only smile at her, shaking his head. It would be hard to compare his youth to her own. Crime worlds versus the real world just didn’t compare.

“Why did you tell me?” she whispered.

“Because. Because outside of me own late wife, yer the first woman that’s caught my eye, and that’s no lie. Yer beautiful, smart, and tryin’ to help all these folks only makes you more attractive to me.”

“That’s very nice of you, Conor,” she blushed. “You’re incredibly handsome and still rugged and strong. It’s a good thing when you get to our age, isn’t it?”

“It ‘tis,” he grinned. “So, when this is done, could I convince you to accompany me to Ireland for a wee visit?”

“A wee visit?” she said in her best Irish accent. “How long is a ‘wee’ visit?”

“Oh, maybe fifteen or twenty years, give or take. That should give me time to convince you to stay.”

Annie laughed, shaking her head at his boyish charm. His once carroty-red hair was now more of a silver red, but the shining blue eyes and freckles were still present between the lines and wrinkles.

“I think I might like to see Ireland,” she smiled. “For fifteen or twenty years. To start with.” She stood, kissing him on the cheek, and walked back toward the others. It took a few minutes for Conor to collect himself and then finally noticed his grandson smiling at him.

“If it makes a difference, Grandda’, she’s lovely, and I think she’d fit right in with us in Ireland.”

“Seamus, me boy, it makes all the difference in the world to me. Your opinion matters. Now, what have we learned that might help these fine people?”

“I’m baffled. So is James. The families aren’t saying anything. They’re refusing to take credit for anything that’s been done, but they’re progressing with the builds on the new casinos. We were right. They’re all near the docks. But not all were built where homes once stood. Some were businesses that were closed or bought out.”

Conor frowned at his grandson, shaking his head. They could build these casinos anywhere. There was plenty of waterfront land they could have acquired legally without suspicion. Why do this?

“They want us to focus on the casinos,” whispered Conor.

“What did you say?” asked Ghost, walking toward the two men. Conor looked up at his old friend.

“They want you to focus on the casinos. But it’s not about the casinos. It’s about something else.”

“We know that, Conor. It’s about the weapons manufacturing, the women, drugs, money, all of it.”

“I don’t think so,” said Conor. “I mean, I think they’re doin’ all them things to cover for something else. I just don’t know what.”

“Why does this shit get more and more difficult?” said Ghost. “Are we just getting so fucking old we can’t see past the obvious?” Conor laughed, shaking his head.

“That’s just it, old friend. I don’t think there is an obvious any longer. I agree with some of the other lads. We’re missing something. I’m just not sure what it is.”

“Well, that’s helpful,” frowned Ghost.

“I’m not the man to figure all this out,” he laughed. “But me and mine will be here to help for as long as you need. I might suggest we look at the past casinos to see what they all had in common other than being built near the docks.”

“We’re working on that now,” said Ghost, slapping his back. He saw Conor’s eyes on the woman across the room and smiled at him. “How is that going?”

“I believe it’s goin’ well, lad. She agreed to come with me to Ireland. That’s success, aye?”

“Aye,” nodded Ghost. “We might have another issue. The Rizzoli brothers showed up at the bike shop. One of them actually was able to slice Trak. Got him a few stitches. First time in years that bastard has shed any blood. He’s pissed.”

“Did he kill the man?” smirked Conor.

“He didn’t have to. Alvin took care of all three of them. Marie Rizzoli is going to be looking for her sons and eventually her son’s killer. They came around trying to find Irene. We convinced Matthew to keep her out on the island for a bit.”

“She took a big risk. Confrontin’ that woman exposed her and may have made her more than just a target, but a player in this game they’re playin’.”

“We’d better hope not. If I know anything about the Robicheauxs, they fucking stick together, and no one, I mean no one, touches their mother.”