28. Murray
Iwalked out of Leth Sholas Police Station in a bit of a daze, trying to wrap my head around what the hell I’d just agreed to.
DI Paul had asked me into the station at the crack of dawn, in the hopes that no one would see me coming and going from the building.
They were keeping tabs on Joshua Hughes, and he had returned to Edinburgh for the time being.
Despite precautions, our conversation had gone on much longer than I’d anticipated.
Fraser met me there, and we were greeted by DI Paul and a Detective Inspector Jock Smith and Detective Constable Gemma McCubbins.
They worked for Police Scotland within the Specialist Crime Division, focused on eliminating drug trafficking, dealing, and drug use in the Highlands and Islands.
Fraser and I played the footage and recording of my conversation with Joshua Hughes, while I explained about the situation with Dorian Walsh and my ex-wife.
“It’s the Walsh’s MO,” DC McCubbins had explained grimly.
“When they lock in on a target, they find ways to infiltrate their lives and use threat and intimidation to get vulnerable people to work for them. You … however, this is a big move for them. Usually, they target individuals to take over their homes so they can deal out of them. Targeting a business … they’re attempting to expand. ”
“By however means necessary. I need to protect my family and the people who work for me. Tell me what I need to do.”
What I hadn’t expected the officers to suggest was that my company work with them.
With a crew of their undercover officers, to be precise.
They wanted me to hand-select two fishermen I trusted to work a boat with a crew of undercover police officers and go through with the shipment but only to entrap the Walshes and their associates.
The officers needed me to meet with Hughes to get the exact details of the pickup and delivery plan.
For now, they asked us to add their officers to my roster immediately, backdated on the system, so if or when the Walshes investigated the chosen crew, it would look like they’d worked for me for ages.
Fraser had left with the list of officers to get started on that right away.
I’d wanted to refuse their plans, and I’d tried, but the officers had bluntly explained to me how the Walsh brothers dealt with their enemies. It was gruesome to say the least.
DI Smith had shaken his head impatiently. “This isn’t an impossible operation. Dorian and his brother Aaron are a drop in the bucket compared to some of these gangs working out of London and Manchester. This is our opportunity to end their operation before it becomes a monster.”
Therefore, I’d agreed. Before I did, I asked them to investigate this Connor bloke Kelly had mentioned to London. I wanted that wannabe pedophile found and locked up. The police agreed to look into him.
I sucked in a deep breath of sea air as I stood on the steps of the police station, trying to shake off the rage I felt every time I mentally replayed Kelly’s words from Monday. As grateful as I was that she’d confided in London, I hated that she’d needed to.
The sound of Leth Sholas alive and awake shattered through my thoughts—boat horns and traffic, the shouts of the harbor master and his staff in the near distance.
It occurred to me I shouldn’t linger outside the station just as a familiar blond strode out of the homeware boutique next to it.
Cameron McQuarrie abruptly halted at the sight of me, her bagged purchase swinging into her thigh with the movement with an unpleasant rattle.
“Shit.” She peeked into the bag and sighed in relief.
“It’s fine. Glass lamp.” She explained. Then her eyes moved to the police station before returning to me. “Everything all right?”
“Fine.” I moved toward my Discovery that was parked behind her old Defender. “You all right?”
Cammie sauntered over, cocking her head in thought. “Seriously, is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine, Cammie.”
She didn’t appear to believe me. “Have you told London?”
“Told her what?”
Cammie made a face, gesturing to where we were. “I mean, you don’t have to tell me, but maybe you should tell your wife.”
“Tell her what?” I repeated.
She rolled her eyes. “Murray, you’re a terrible liar. I don’t know how you and London have gotten away with this fake sham of a marriage. But … maybe if you were more honest with her, it could be something real.” She shrugged like she hadn’t dropped a bomb.
My heart thudded in my chest. I’d spent the last few days avoiding the one person I wanted to be around the most. Especially after I witnessed the way she was with Kelly. But I was trying to be good. Not give in to temptation.
However, if Cammie was telling me … had London mentioned something? That she was open to a real relationship?
Fuck, it was the worst timing ever, if so.
“London’s stronger than some people think.
” Cammie continued, “It would do London a world of good to feel like she was needed, that she was relied upon, trusted. She thinks so poorly of her own judgment that I think the people who care about her need to let her know they trust her judgment. They trust her to be able to take care of them. A relationship is give and take, you know. Each partner’s shoulders are metaphorically able to withstand equal burdens. ”
Hadn’t I been the one to tell London that, if only through a song?
Was I failing to show her that through my actions?
But before I could question Cammie any further, my phone rang. I pulled it out of my back pocket: Ramsay. Thinking he was calling about the Walsh brothers, I gestured with it to Cammie apologetically. “I need to take this. It was nice to see you, Cam. And thanks.” I think.
“See you. Remember what I said.” She waved before turning to her vehicle.
I answered my phone as I jumped into mine. “McRae?”
“Look, it’s nothing to worry about because Nick and the rest of the Hustons are about to be fucked in almost every way a person can be, but he texted London again.
His texts were vile and if I ever see him, I’m going to slice his wee dick right off.
She had a panic attack in the car park at the B and B.
She’s okay. But thought you’d want to know. ”
Fury and concern had my heart pumping fast and hard. “I’m on my way.”
“Thought you’d say that. I’ll let you go. You can tell me what happened with the police later.”
“Right.” All at once, the worry about the brothers and my business was on the back burner as I headed toward the B and B.
When I stepped inside the Victorian guest house, the sound of the old-fashioned bell over the door was lost in the cacophony coming from the dining room.
It seemed the B and B was busy with breakfast. Heading past the empty reception, I strode down the hall toward the kitchen, the noise of the dining room fading until I could hear London and Tierney talking.
The sound of London’s voice released some of my tension and I was almost at the doorway when I heard my name.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I paused to eavesdrop. Not exactly my finest moment, but that’s how in knots I was over this woman.
“Do you think I need to tell him? According to Ramsay, the Nick thing isn’t a worry.”
“I think Murray would still like to know Nick upset you this morning,” Tierney replied.
“I’m not sure.”
At that, I scowled, wondering if London didn’t fully trust me.
But then I heard her explain, “I think there’s something going on at work that has him super stressed. That, on top of this whole situation with Kelly and Jill … I just don’t want to add to his problems.”
Frustration almost had me revealing myself, but Tierney spoke again, “I don’t think Murray sees you as a problem. He cares about you.”
“Murray cares about everyone. That’s just who he is.”
“I think he cares a little more about you than most. He looks at you like you’re something special.”
Blood rushed in my ears. I hadn’t known I was so obvious.
London’s next words shocked the hell out of me.
“Murray doesn’t … he’s not interested in me for real.
Every time I think there might be something between us, he pulls back.
The first time I knew he wasn’t into me was at New Year’s when I danced with him and then he backed off right away.
Then I thought maybe he was just being careful with me because he’d guessed what I’d been through.
He’s very perceptive. But now I know it’s not that.
He made it very clear these past few days that I shouldn’t confuse what’s happening in our relationship. ”
What? My thoughts reeled as I tried to replay our recent interactions.
“How so?” Tierney sounded as confused as I felt.
“He pretty much ignored me after we kissed at the Lantern. Severe back-off vibes.” Her laugh sounded hollow and hurt.
And that fucking hurt me.
She thought I was perceptive?
Well apparently, I was not. At all.
I’d been so busy trying to make London feel safe around me … I’d gone too far.
Deciding now was not the moment to confront her about this, I hurried quietly away and slipped out of the B and B.
Through my frustration, I felt my blood heat as I jumped into my SUV. Anticipation started to build, cutting through all my worries and stress.
London Wetherspoon wanted me.
I wanted it to be real between us.
Of course I did.
However, I planned to take Cammie’s advice and trust London with all the information. Once she had it, it was up to her to decide if she wanted to stay in my life. I hoped she did. And if she did … I wouldn’t hold back how I really felt any longer.