Part 15 (1/2)

aYes, Iam sorry. She goes by Bridget Donnelly now, not Devine,a I said, and my four companions on this merry chase gave me a collective incredulous look.

aI understand,a the woman said. aShe did graduate, with honors, it looks like. She took a course in Irish ancient history. Professor Carroll taught the cla.s.s. Unfortunately, he pa.s.sed on a few months ago. Professor Sullivan now teaches the cla.s.ses. Did you want to register Miss Donnelly?a she asked nicely.

aNo, Iall let her know and Iam sure sheall be contacting you. Youave been a great help. Thank you,a I said.

We all stood there in the hallway stupefied. aIall be d.a.m.ned,a I said. aShe was married to Russell Devine. I think that was the name I saw on her license that hung on her wall.a Charlie took the phone out of my hand. aWeall soon know for sure,a he said and dialed. aJess. Charlie. One more person. Bridget Donnelly-Devine. Graduated TrinityCollege. Sheas an attorney in Donegal. Goes by Bridget Donnelly now. Need to know if she was married to this Russell Devine creature or has any connection to him at all. Soon? Thanks. Iaa Charlie gave us a pleading glance.

We gave him some privacy and headed to the kitchen; Maggie checked on Peter.

aWhatas next?a I asked, shaking my head. I put the kettle on the stove.

aWhat in the world made you think of this?a Mac asked.

aI donat know. I was talking to Maggie, and all of the sudden, it popped into my head. I remembered looking at her diploma, seeing her and Peter stealing glances at each other. I pa.s.sed it off.a I shrugged.

Charlie came into the kitchen. aJess said it shouldnat take too long. If Kate found out that much in ten minutes, she can find out the rest in an hour or so.a He looked at me. aItas a challenge thing with Jess.a aDating you, I can see the challenge,a I said with a sweet smile as I finished making the tea.

aWell,a Maggie said as she joined us, aPeter is breathing normally and his body temperature is much warmer. We got him out of there in time. He needs to rest now.a She wearily rubbed her forehead.

I took the pot of hot tea and a small mug. aFollow me, Doctor.a Once in the living room, I motioned to the chair by the fire. aMaggie, you look p.o.o.ped. Sit for a while.a aIam fine.a I gave her an unwavering look. aSit down, please.a She sat in the chair by the fire while I poured a cup of tea. aLet someone take care of you for a change,a I said and handed her the steamy cup. I slid the ottoman under her feet.

aThanks, Kate,a she sighed.

aHey, wheread Tim run off to?a I asked and looked around the room. With all that had happened, I completely forgot about him.

aI think he went to see Sean and Mary. Said head be back later.a aWe need to get our information organized here,a I said. aNow the newest wrinkle is Bridget. Sheas involved in this, as well, which I truly suspected anyway. She took a cla.s.s from Professor Carroll that somehow links her to Peter, maybe. I thought he knew her because of Brian, but it appears he knew her long before. Why would she lie about that?a I asked absently. aWeall know soon enough. Peter is going to have to spill his guts now.

aWhat the Christ is going on and who in the h.e.l.l killed Brian?a I looked out at the fog, as if it were going to answer me.

For the next few hours, we took turns looking in on Peter. He slept peacefully and Maggie was sure head be fine.

As Maggie and I sat by the fire, I heard the phone ring. Teri rushed back into the library. aKate, itas Bridget, she needs to talk to you. She sounds terrified.a aNow what?a I ran to the phone.

Bridget was terrified. aKate, Iad never ask ya for a favor, but if ya could, would ya come get me? Iam at my office. Things are gettina a mite out of hand and honestly Iam scared to death.a I heard the panic in her voice. aStay where you are. Iall be there in twenty minutes,a I said and hung up and went back into the library. aSomethingas wrong, sheas afraid to leave her office. I told her Iad pick her up.a I looked over at Mac.

aIall go with you.a Charlie offered to go, as well. aWould you mind staying here with Maggie and Teri? Iad feel better.a Mac drove too fast once again. We said very little until we got into Donegal. I looked around; the town was quiet, not many tourists in this damp foggy weather.

We pulled up to Bridgetas office. Mac honked and she came running out and got into the backseat, out of breath.

aThanks. Iaa she started crying. Mac pulled away and drove out of town back toward Duncorrib.

I turned in my seat to face Bridget. aWhat the h.e.l.l is going on?a aPeteras missing. I was supposed to see him this morning at eight. He never showed. Then I saw Russell Devine, and I got scared. Iave had four phone calls with no one on the other end. Then this b.l.o.o.d.y fog rolled in, and I got spooked. Iam sorry to do this to you,a she said and took a deep breath.

aBridget, Peter is at the house,a I said.

Her eyes widened. aThank G.o.d, I thoughtaa she let out a sob and covered her face with her hands.

aHe was dead?a Mac finished for her. He was getting fed up, I could tell. Mac is a very easygoing man with a high boiling point. However, once his kettle startsa Bridget shot a look up at him. aWhy would you say something like that?a aBecause we found him in the cave knocked unconscious and almost drowned,a he said, not hiding his anger.

I put my hand on his leg in a warning gesture. He took a deep breath and continued driving through the fog. We drove slowly through town and onto the private road leading to the house.

aChrist, this is thick fog,a Mac said.

Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw hima”a man stumbled out of the dense fog and onto the road. aMac, look out!a I yelled.

Mac skillfully swerved and missed him. The man now lying on the road was Tim. There was blood all over his face from the gash on his forehead.

Mac and I dashed out to help him into the car.

aSonsab.i.t.c.hes,a Tim whispered thickly and put his head back. Bridget took a hanky and placed it on his forehead.

Mac pulled away quickly. aWhat next?a he asked loudly and banged his hand on the steering wheel.

Iam sure he didnat expect an answer. aEasy, Mac,a I said, but I agreed with him completely.

We helped Tim into the house and Maggie came running over. aWhat in the worldaa she said.

Once in the kitchen, we eased Tim into a chair.

aI got my licks in before they got me,a he flexed his hand, his knuckles bloodied. Maggie looked at me, and once again, I was running for her doctor bag.

aWhat happened?a I asked when I came back. I handed Maggie the bag.

aI was walking back in this blasted fog. I thought I was being followed, but with the fog, I thought it was my imagination. Then all at once, they were on me, two young b.a.s.t.a.r.ds. Pardon me, ladies.a aA redhead and a bald kid,a I said.

aThatas the ones.a He winced as Maggie cleaned his forehead.

aSt.i.tches?a I asked.

aNo, I can fix this,a she said confidently and continued.

aGood, n.o.body leaves this house. n.o.body.a I looked at Bridget. aPeter is upstairs.a aIall go to him,a she said and started to leave.

aHeas sleeping, you can see him later,a Maggie said firmly without looking up. Bridget glared at her. Maggie glanced up at her and continued mending Timas forehead. aSit down before you collapse. Youare as white as a ghost,a she ordered soundly.

Bridget looked angry. aLook. I donat have toa”a Maggie interrupted her and said harshly, aYes, you do. I think between you and Peter, enough has been accomplished for one morning. Now sit down and keep quiet until Iam finished.a I gave Bridget a pleading look. aYouad better sit.a She grudgingly sat down. Maggie, without a word, finished Timas forehead and started on his bruised knuckles.

Mac reached over and grabbed Timas arm. aIam so sorry.a aDonat be. I say we go find them young b.a.s.t.a.r.ds and show them a thing or two,a he said angrily.

aYouare not going anywhere, Tim,a Maggie said and looked at Mac and me. aNo one is.a Mac and I looked at each other like scolded children. Bridget sat there glaring at Maggie.

I watched as Maggie finished with Tim. She was far too calm for my liking. She closed her doctor bag, walked over to the sink, and washed her hands. She grabbed a towel and dried them, looking at Bridget the entire time. aKate, why donat you and Mac take Tim in the library?a This was not a request.

As we helped Tim up and walked to the door, Bridget stood and Maggie said, aIad like to speak with you for a moment, Bridget.a I gave a curious look at Maggie while Mac guided Tim out of the kitchen. Maggie was frowning, still drying her hands and avoiding me completely. What was this now?

aMaggie...a I started to say and she gave me a look I had never seen before. It stopped me dead in my tracks. I stood there for a second just blinking.