Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
Jack wished he’d stayed awake throughout the night rather than endure a fitful sleep, filled with flashbacks of an empty tent with a box of personal effects positioned on an army cot. He’d recognized that tent, the box and effects as all that had been left of a once-blossoming love, now lost to a senseless war.
An overwhelming feeling of loss had pressed on his chest with the weight of a bull elephant, making it so hard to breathe. He’d told his dream self it was a nightmare and the only way to escape was to wake.
In the gray light of predawn, he sat up, stiff from lying on the hardwood floor, but ready to shake off the memories and get on with the day and life in general. He hadn’t had that dream for years. Why now?
As he pushed to his feet, his gaze swept across Emily, curled on her side, her hand tucked beneath her cheek and her forehead smooth of the worry from the night before. Her chin had a light purple bruise and mild road burn where it must have hit the pavement when her attacker had landed on top of her.
Jack’s fists clenched, and anger pushed through his veins. He wished he could have slammed the bastard on the ground like he’d done Emily. He deserved to feel as helpless as she must have felt, crushed beneath his body that weighed more than twice hers.
Quietly, he gathered the blanket and pillow, carried them down the hallway and folded and placed them in the closet where they’d found them. Then he went in search of coffee.
He had a pot brewing when Dr. Kelly padded into the kitchen, her dark hair in disarray as if she’d just tumbled out of bed. “Oh, good,” she murmured softly. “Coffee.” She pulled mugs out of a cabinet and set them on the counter. “Mr. O’Brien is sleeping peacefully. Steady heartbeat, breathing is normal, and no other signs of distress.”
“Is he well enough to go home?” Emily entered the kitchen behind the doctor.
“I wouldn’t advise it. I’m not due back at hospital for a couple of days. He can stay here under my care during that time.”
Emily’s smooth forehead creased. “We don’t want to burden you for too long.”
“It’s not a problem,” the doctor said. “I had a rough week and had planned on relaxing, reading a book and hanging out here anyway.”
Emily gave the woman a relieved smile and then frowned again. “I can’t stay with you all day. I have to run errands and open the pub later.”
“I’m sure we’ll be fine,” Dr. Kelly said. “Surely, whoever attacked your uncle wouldn’t do it again in broad daylight.”
Jack wasn’t sure about that. “We were careful not to lead anyone here last night, but we can’t be certain they won’t find him.”
Dr. Kelly’s brow wrinkled. “You think that’s a possibility?”
“Maybe,” Jack said. When the coffee finished dripping into the carafe, Jack poured three cups full and handed the first to Dr. Kelly and another to Emily. “I contacted a friend of mine,” he said, his gaze connecting with Emily’s. “He’s in the security business. He should be here this morning to watch out for you and Mr. O’Brien.”
“Is it really necessary?” Dr. Kelly said.
Emily snorted. “The men who attacked my uncle didn’t care that he’s an old man.”
“They attacked Emily as well, so they aren’t opposed to preying on women,” Jack added. “We think it best to have someone trained to protect here with you as long as Emily’s uncle is here.”
Dr. Kelly wrapped her hands around the mug of hot coffee as if to warm them and nodded. “Okay, then.”
“Or, we can move him to his own place and have Jack’s friend keep watch on him there,” Emily suggested.
Dr. Kelly shook her head. “No, he’s fine where he is, and it gives him more time to recover and me a longer timeframe to observe him.”
Emily’s frown eased. “Thank you, Aoife.”
The doctor touched her arm. “Don’t worry. This isn’t the first time I’ve helped a patient who didn’t want to go to the hospital. At least Paddy isn’t suffering a gunshot wound.”
“You’ve helped someone with a gunshot wound?” Emily asked, her eyes widening. “Here, in our home?”
Dr. Kelly dipped her head toward her coffee mug, refusing to make eye contact with Emily or Jack. “Some injuries are best left unreported,” she murmured. “And so-called accidents seem to be on the rise.”
Emily’s hand froze with her mug on its way to her mouth.
Dr. Kelly glanced up, her gaze connecting with Emily’s.
Emily lifted her chin. “Like my father’s?”
The doctor nodded. “Yes.”
“What do you know about the accidents?” Emily demanded.
“Not enough, that’s for certain,” Dr. Kelly said. “Just that they began several months ago.”
Two months. The approximate amount of time since the propaganda started showing up online.
“Any of your patients talk about what happened to them?” Jack asked.
Dr. Kelly shook her head. “That’s the problem. Other than telling me about their injuries, they didn’t want to talk about how they’d received them or who delivered them. They appeared to be afraid to talk.”
“Men in black ski masks attacked my uncle,” Emily said. “I have no idea who they were. I’m not certain my uncle would know either.”
Jack had seen the posted messages. Some appeared to have come from the Radical Nationalists, a call to arms to those who believe Ireland would never be free until it united and expelled non-Irish, foreign nationals from its shores—to take back what had been stolen, by force if necessary. They’d also posted that Dublin had become overrun with traitors who couldn’t be trusted. “Could the victims be afraid to bring their attacks to the police because they’ve been threatened with further violence if they do?”
The doctor turned her gaze to Jack, her eyes narrowing. “It’s possible.”
“How do they know they can come to you for treatment?” Emily asked.
“Most of those who’ve come are family, friends or…” Dr. Kelly tipped her head toward Emily, “in your case, friends of family.”
Jack’s jaw tightened. “You could be targeted if the people performing the violence find out about what you’re doing in your own home.”
Dr. Kelly’s brow dipped low. “I can’t turn my family and friends away. They refuse to go to a hospital.”
Though Jack respected the doctor’s dedication to her profession, he knew it could lead to her being next on the list for attacks. His cell phone vibrated in his pocket. Setting his coffee mug on the counter, he dug out his phone and read the text. “That’s our relief.” He pocketed his cell phone and looked at the doctor. “Do you mind if I let him in?”
“Not at all,” she said. “I’ll see what I can come up with for a proper breakfast.”
Jack hurried toward the front door of the townhouse.
He leaned to the side and peered through a window before throwing the bolt and opening the door.
The man who stood before him had salt-and-pepper gray hair, was a few inches shorter than Jack and wore dark slacks, a gray trench coat and a fedora hat.
Jack grinned. Trust a Brit to dress appropriately for an assignment. He stuck out his hand to the former MI6 agent. “Hey, Atkins, I’m glad you made it. Come in. The others are in the kitchen.”
Peter Atkins entered, wiped his feet on the welcome mat and removed his hat. “I took the early morning flight and came straight here.”
Jack secured the deadbolt, then led the way down the hall to the kitchen. “Did Hammerson brief you on the assignment?”
Atkins nodded. “He did.”
When they entered the kitchen, Jack stepped aside and waved his hand toward Emily and then the doctor. “Emily O’Brien, Dr. Aoife Kelly, this is Peter Atkins, he works for Brotherhood Protectors, a security firm comprised of agents with experience in special operations, established by a US Navy SEAL. Atkins has prior experience with MI6.”
Emily shook the man’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Dr. Kelly held out a hand to Atkins, an eyebrow raised. “Bringing in the big guns to protect a lone doctor and an old man?”
Atkins nodded, his lips twisting. “It’s what we do,” he said with his proper British accent. “We protect those who can’t necessarily protect themselves. Or need someone to have their six. Pleasure to meet you.”
The doctor’s cheeks flushed with color. “Thank you for coming to our aid.” She released his hand and turned toward the stove. “We were about to prepare a proper breakfast. You can help yourself to coffee. It won’t take long.”
“Can I help you cook?” Atkins offered. “I’m not completely hopeless in the kitchen. My daughter and I learned to prepare meals together after we lost her mother.”
Dr. Kelly’s brow wrinkled. “A widower, then. I’m sorry for your loss. If you’d like, you can open the can of beans while I fry the eggs.”
Emily stood beside Jack as Dr. Kelly and Atkins went to work cooking breakfast as if they’d done it a million times together.
“I’ve been replaced,” Emily murmured.
“I see that. Perhaps we should leave them to meal prep and check on your uncle.” Jack waved a hand toward the door.
Emily stepped through and led the way to the bedroom at the rear of the home.
Her uncle Paddy was stirring when they entered his room. The old man’s eyes rounded in sudden panic as if he had no idea where he was. When he spotted Emily, he let go a relieved breath, coughed and winced. “Emily, my darlin’, where am I?”
“You’re in Dr. Aoife Kelly’s home,” she said. “We brought you here last night after the attack. Don’t you remember?”
The old man shook his head. “What attack?”
Emily frowned. “You were attacked behind the pub last night.” She touched her fingers to his forehead. “You don’t remember the three men in ski masks?”
Her uncle shook his head, though his gaze didn’t connect with Emily’s.
Jack’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t remember the attack or us bringing you here?”
The old man shook his head.
“What is the last thing you do remember?” Emily asked.
Paddy O’Brien squeezed his eyes closed. “I was on my way to the pub. You’d called to tell me one of the waitresses couldn’t make it in.” He opened his eyes, his gaze going somewhere between Emily and Jack, not meeting either of theirs. “Then I woke up here.”
Jack couldn’t understand why the old man would lie about what happened. But his body language was telling what his words weren’t.
“Don’t you remember telling us not to take you to the hospital?” Emily persisted.
Her uncle pinched the bridge of his nose. “No.”
“You told me to warn Finn.” Emily shook her head. “Do you remember that?”
For the first time, Paddy O’Brien met Emily’s gaze. “Did you?”
“I tried, but he didn’t respond to my call or text.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Uncle Paddy, what was I supposed to warn him about?”
Paddy looked away. “I can’t remember, but it must have been important if I asked you to warn your brother.”
Jack’s eyes narrowed. “Perhaps we should take your uncle to the hospital and have them run a CT scan. His injuries could be much worse than we thought.”
“No, no.” Paddy held up a hand. “I’m sure I’ll be quite all right, given a day or two to recover. Memory loss is a daily challenge in this old mind.” He faced his niece. “But if I told you to warn Finn, you should. He might know why I would ask you to do it.” He closed his eyes again. “Now, leave me to rest. I have a devilish headache.”
Emily glanced up at Jack, a frown creasing her brow. Then she shrugged and walked out of the room.
Jack followed.
Back in the kitchen, Dr. Kelly slid fried eggs and slices of fried tomatoes out of the skillet onto plates as Atkins stirred the pot full of what Jack would call baked beans.
“Uncle Paddy was awake,” Emily said.
Dr. Kelly set the pan on the stovetop. “I’ll check on him.”
Emily shook her head. “He wanted to rest.”
“Did he seem coherent?” Dr. Kelly asked. “Were his words slurred?”
“No slurring,” Emily said. “He did say that his head hurt.”
“I’ll give him something for pain shortly.” The doctor stepped back, allowing Atkins to drop the requisite scoop of beans on each plate.
“We might as well eat while it’s hot.” Dr. Kelly fished a pitcher of orange juice out of the refrigerator, calling over her shoulder, “Have a seat.”
Jack held out a chair for Emily at the little dinette table.
She sank onto it and scooted forward.
He helped Atkins carry plates full of food to the table and waited for the doctor to take her seat before he sat beside Emily.
After everyone was seated, Atkins placed his hands on the table and looked around at everyone, his gaze coming to rest on Dr. Kelly.
She gave him a hint of a nod.
“Aoife and I agree,” Atkins said without preamble, “that, whatever is happening, we need to keep each other informed of anything that even remotely might pertain to the escalating violence.” He met Jack’s glance. “Yes, she’s fully aware of the propaganda spreading like wildfire. Though we’ve seen signs of the propaganda in the UK, the violence appears concentrated in Dublin.”
Emily nodded. “I asked Uncle Paddy about what happened last night. He claims he doesn’t remember the attack.”
Dr. Kelly nodded. “It isn’t unusual for someone to have temporary amnesia after a head injury.”
Emily shot a glance toward Jack. “Actually, I think he was lying. He wouldn’t look me in the eye when he said it.”
Jack’s lips quirked on the corners. So, she’d read his body language as well.
“Peter and I will work with him today,” Dr. Kelly said.
Jack raised an eyebrow toward his colleague. For having just met the good doctor, he was already on a first-name basis with the woman. They must have hit it off over sharing their cooking skills.
Jack smothered a grin. He was glad for the former MI6 operator. Providing protection for the attractive doctor wouldn’t be a hardship for the widower and now empty nester. His daughter would be graduating from university soon and forge her own path in life.
Peter had admitted his trepidation over the path she’d hinted at. He was afraid she’d follow in her old man’s footsteps and find a way to join the elite MI6. After nearly losing her to a rogue agent within his own organization, Peter wasn’t confident she’d be safe. Not that being an MI6 agent had been in any way safe to begin with. He’d left the organization and joined the Brotherhood Protectors after they’d helped rescue his daughter. He’d trusted them not only with his life, but with that of his daughter’s.
“Have you heard anything from Lucie?” Peter asked Jack.
“Not yet. I expect it won’t be long. She’s amazingly adept at...data mining,” Jack said.
Peter laughed. “Is that what they’re calling hacking these days?”
Jack’s lips twisted. “I don’t care what they call it as long as it helps us save lives.”
“Agreed.” Peter’s mouth formed a grim line. “I’m not sure Madison would be alive today without Lucie’s help.”
“I’m glad Ace hired her on,” Jack said. “I’d rather have her working for us than against us.”
Peter nodded. “With her computer skills and Dmytro’s connections across Europe, they’re a formidable team, making all our missions successful.”
Jack gave Emily a crooked smile. “I think you’d like Lucie and Dmytro. And of course, Ace Hammerson, the leader of the Brotherhood Protectors International. They’re good people who only want to help.”
“I, for one, will take all the help I can get to stop this madness,” Emily said. “I’ve lost my father, whether he’s dead or in hiding, almost lost my uncle last night and, if my uncle’s request to warn my brother is any indication, I could lose Finn.”
“Don’t forget, you’re at risk as well,” Jack added.
“I’m the least of my worries,” she said. “Without my family, what’s left?”
“Who would run the pub?”
She shrugged. “Who would care?”
“Daphne,” Dr. Kelly said. “Jobs can be scarce in Dublin. She’s happy that you two stayed in touch all the years you were in the States. And since you returned, you two have been inseparable.” The doctor smiled. “Because of you, she’s registered for classes at the university. She wants to get a degree in marketing so she can help you make the pub even more profitable.”
“I love Daphne,” Emily said with a smile that lit her face.
That heartfelt smile punched Jack in the gut, and his first thought was what it would feel like if she aimed one like that at him. He physically shook himself in an attempt to dislodge that thought from taking root in his mind.
“Daphne is the sister I always wished I’d had.” Emily laughed. “After we left Ireland, we kept in touch by letters and then through phone calls and texts.” Her smile faded. “She helped me through the loss of my mother and talked me into giving my father another chance.” Emily looked across the table at Dr. Kelly.
“And you helped plant her feet firmly on the ground.” The doctor smiled. “She has purpose and direction now.”
Jack finished his food and drank the last of his coffee.
When Emily laid down her fork, he gathered her plate and his and carried them to the sink.
Emily collected Dr. Kelly’s and Atkins’s dishes and followed Jack.
“Leave the cleaning to me,” Dr. Kelly said. “Besides checking on your uncle, I have nothing else to do today.”
“It won’t take us long to wash and dry,” Emily assured her. “You two cooked, the least we can do is clean.”
“I insist,” Dr. Kelly said. “Have you spoken to your brother yet?”
Emily shook her head. “I’ve left messages on his voicemail and sent him texts. He hasn’t responded.”
“Perhaps you need to pay him a visit in person,” the doctor said.
“Exactly what I was thinking,” Emily chewed on her bottom lip. “I haven’t seen much of him since our father’s accident. He moved out of the flat not long after and barely communicates with me.”
The unshed tears in Emily’s eyes nearly undid Jack. He would rather take a beating from a prize fighter than watch a woman cry. It made him want to find her brother and shake some sense into him.
He took the plates from Emily’s hand and placed them in the sink. “You heard the doctor. Leave the dishes. We need to find your brother.” He shot a glance over his shoulder at Atkins and the doctor, where they sat slowly sipping their coffee. “Let us know if you need anything or if there’s any change in Mr. O’Brien’s condition. Atkins has my number. Don’t forget to lock the door behind us.”
Jack led Emily out of the kitchen and the house. “I’ll drive,” he said as he helped her into the Mercedes and climbed behind the steering wheel.
What had started as a fact-finding mission was becoming so much more. He hoped they found Finn quickly and that he hadn’t had a similar experience to his uncle’s.
As Jack started the engine and pulled away from the curb, he cast a glance toward Emily.
“I’m worried about Finn,” she said softly.
Jack almost said, me too , but he didn’t want to add to her worry by voicing his own thoughts.
Rather than worry, he preferred action.
The first order of business for the day was to find Emily’s younger brother and pass on his Uncle Paddy’s warning.
And maybe find out what exactly it meant.