Part 13 (1/2)

I was shocked. aRussell Devine is a client of yours?a When she said nothing, I continued, aYou can at least tell me. I can find that out on my own.a She shot an angry look my way. aYour tactics might work back in Chicago, but donat try to threaten me.a She turned and opened her car door and stopped. aHe is not my client. Thatas all I can tell ya.a aThank you, Iam sorry if I offended you,a I said and she turned and put on her sungla.s.ses.

aYa didnat, itas my temper. Iall be in touch.a I went back into the library. aHeas not her client, but she knows something.a I sighed and plopped myself back into the chair. aDammit, everybody knows something around here but me! We need to go back to cave with better lighting.a I looked at Mac who agreed, as did Charlie.

aNot today. The tideas comina in, so youall have to wait until tomorrow.a We all agreed, even Maggie and Teri, that the next day would be better. I looked at Charlie. aIs your girl finding out about Mr. Devine?a aYes, she is. She said shead be calling back later this evening.a aSomeone has to know about Mr. Devine,a I said absently.

I sat there thinking, Russell Devine is from Dublin and so is Peter; that in itself is no great concern. However, given the circ.u.mstances, it might be. I looked at Mac. aWhat did Peter have to tell you last night?a aOh, I nearly forgot. Heas gone to Dublin to see Deirdre, said head be back later tonight. He did look worried, though he wouldnat say why.a aHeas up to his a.s.s in this. If heas an archaeologist, heas got to be digging in that cave for something. What does it have to do with the mill? What is Russell Devineas reason for being here?a I got up and paced. aAnd why is The Omega Group offering so much money?a aI thought you and I were going to take a ride to Donegal today,a Mac said.

aI nearly forgot. Itas only four oaclock. We can be there and back by dinner,a I offered, but Teri stood.

aMac, remember, Rory Nolan is stopping by to see you,a she said.

aNo problem, Iall go myself.a I shrugged and picked up the car keys. Maggie followed me into the foyer.

aWant some company?a she asked as she grabbed her sweater and walked out the door.

aNo.a She was already in the car.

Chapter 19.

The Donegal Inn was very crowded. We walked up to the desk and the young girl smiled.

aBack again? Iam afraid weare completely booked.a aNo, no. Is Mr. Collins still here?a I tried to get a glimpse of the registry book. Maggie noticed and tried to do the same. The young girl skimmed the page and looked up. aYes, heall be here for another day. Heas in the lounge right now,a she offered and pointed in the right direction. Maggie, G.o.d love her, seized the opportunity.

aMy, what a lovely ring. May I see it?a she asked and the girl offered her hand, smiling.

aMy boyfriend gave it to me,a she said.

aMay I look at it in the light?a Maggie asked and took her away from the desk and straight to the window. I quickly turned the book around and scanned the pages. I found Russell Devineas name and dates, as well as Mr. Collins. Then I hastily turned the book back as Maggie and the girl returned to the desk.

aThat is a beautiful stone. Thank you,a Maggie was saying as the girl stood behind the desk.

As we walked to the bar, I took her by the arm. aVery clever, Doctor,a I whispered.

aI had a Sherlock moment.a We sat at a small table in the lounge. The room was crowded, but I saw Mr. Collins at the end of the bar. I asked our waitress to tell him who I was and ask if I could speak with him. We watched as she talked to him. He looked our way and smiled slightly.

aHere goes nothing,a I said, and Maggie patted my knee as he walked toward our table.

aMiss Ryan? We meet again,a he said and looked at Maggie. I made the introductions.

aYou wanted to speak to me?a he asked politely and sat down.

aYes, I did. Mac was telling me about your offer. I was curious as to the amount. Itas seems very generous,a I said as the waitress set down our drinks.

aWeave been interested in Mr. McAuliffeas property for quite some time now,a he said.

aWhy would a mega company like yours want a small woolen mill?a Maggie blurted out and I cringed.

Jarred Collins raised his eyebrows and smiled. aA mega company? Seems youave been doing a little research, Dr. Winfield. Iam not privy to the companyas plan. I am here merely to present the offer. Now if youall excuse me. It was very interesting meeting you.a He stood and bowed slightly and made his way through the busy lounge.

I sat there for a moment not saying anything. Glancing at Maggie, she avoided my look completely. After another moment of silence, I picked up my drink.

aOkay, okay. I shouldnat have blurted that out,a she admitted, completely dejected.

aItas time for a couple of questions, Doctor,a I said firmly, hiding my grin. aWhoas the private investigator here?a aYou are.a She sighed unhappily.

aAnd who is the doctor?a aI am,a she answered. I saw the forlorn look.

aAnd who has helped me more than she will ever know?a I asked. Whatas getting into me? It must be this country air.

Maggie quickly looked up and grinned. aI sincerely hope itas me.a aIt is,a I said and took her hand.

aI thought I could help,a she said, looking at our hands.

aI know, and I appreciate it, truly I do,a I said.

aKate,a she said slowly.

aWait, let me say something. About the other night. I was wrong when I said it didnat mean anything. Iam so out of touch here. I have to be honest. I donat know what the h.e.l.l Iam doing. And Iam not sure itas fair to you.a aDonat you think Iam a better judge of whatas fair for me?a she asked and sat back.

aMaybe. I know I care for you. G.o.d knows, youave been the best friend Iave ever had. I donat want to lose thata”a aNeither do I.a I sat there and tiredly rubbed my forehead. Maggie was watching me with a grin. aAre you all right?a aNo,a I said childishly. aI have a headache.a aAw,a she said, and to my surprise, she leaned forward and kissed my brow. aBetter?a aNo. I-Itas a little sore right here,a I said and pointed to my cheek.

She raised an eyebrow and gently kissed my cheek. Some dope in the crowded bar let out a deep groan. I think it was me.

My heart raced as I tried to find some moisture in my mouth. aW-Wead better get back before something else starts aching.a Maggie let out a healthy laugh and I joined her. I tossed some money down on the table as we quickly exited the crowded bar.

Maggie and I went for a walk before dinner. We strolled down the path toward the cottage and Maggie stopped to look at it.

aIt is a pretty cottage. All it needs is a little paint and touchup on the thatching,a she said, smiling.

I knew she would like the cottage. aI agree. I stayed there the other night, before you got here. With the fire going, itas warm and cozy.a aYou and your fires again.a We sat on the stone wall looking out at the Atlantic. The sun was descending, and the clouds seemed to engulf the sky once again, but it was still warm, almost summer-like weather.

aI certainly hope this weather holds up for a couple more days. I feel close to getting to the bottom of this. I do.a I rubbed my neck.

aYouare going down there again tomorrow, arenat you?a she said.

I heard the worried tone in her voice. aYes, we need better lighting. I think we should go earlier in the morning when the tide is completely out, as Tim suggested.a I glanced at Maggie as she looked out at the ocean. aI know you have to. However, you canat ask me not to worry about you.a aWeall be fine. Really,a I said, trying to convince myself, as well. We continued walking farther from the cottage and the house.

aSo it seems like your anxiety attacks are less frequent. You do feel better about talking, donat you?a she asked.

aI do. You know me pretty well. Talking about myself is not one of my strong points. However, you do have a way of getting me to open up. Aggravating as it is at times.a I heard her chuckle as we strolled down the path. aI do appreciate you listening. It was a horrible time in my life. Probably the worst. I canat believe how foolish I was. Howaa I ran my fingers through my hair and started thinking about it. Maggie watched me, waiting for the wave of anxiety to start, Iam sure. It did, but not nearly as bad as it usually does.

aItas getting better,a she said.

I nodded, although I was perspiring and I wiped my forehead.

aYouave kept it bottled up for so long. Thatas not good for you. Iam your friend and Iall listen, but you need to get certain things said out loud. It makes it easier to deal with,a she said.