Page 70 of Death at Inishmore Castle

“It’s me,” Kieran whispered in my ear. “I’m going to take my hand away, do not scream.”

He let go, and I leaned down to pick up my phone where I’d dropped it on the stone. Thankfully, it was in a protective case, so it wasn’t broken.

“You scared me to death,” I whispered.

“Not here,” he said. Then he half dragged me back to Lizzie and my room.

When the door creaked open, Lizzie and Mr. Poe were sitting on her bed with pensive looks on their faces. Well, I knew who’d told him to search for me.

I shook my head.

She wagged a finger at me. “Don’t even,” she said. “I’ve been waiting on you for half an hour. Rob and Scott are scouring the castle for you. When we couldn’t find you, I texted Kieran. I was worried the killer had you.”

I sighed. “I’m fine,” I said.

“Well, I didn’t know that, did I? You couldn’t be bothered to tell me you were going snooping.” She picked up Mr. Poe and hugged him. “Or at the very least, leave me a note. I thought youmight be dead.” She sniffed, and it was obvious how upset she was.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I never meant to worry you. But I knew you’d try to stop me if I told you what I’d planned.”

“With good reason,” Kieran interjected. “We’re dealing with a killer who has murdered two people. It isn’t safe for you to go traipsing off alone. I believe we’ve had this conversation before. You can’t scare us like that.”

It was obvious he was worried about me. That moment when he held me close flashed through my brain, and my cheeks heated.

“Fine. I’m sorry that I worried you both. I thought since dinner was going on that I could use that time to do a bit of searching. Do you want to know what I’ve found out or not?”

His eyebrows went up.

Lizzie rolled her eyes. “First, promise me you won’t do something dumb like that again.”

I made the cross-my-heart sign that we used to do as kids. For us, it was sacred. “Promise.”

“Okay. Now, tell us what you found,” she said.

Kieran flipped open his notebook.

“I’ll text you the pictures I took in the accountant’s room. I don’t know much about spreadsheets, but I do understand enough that I could see he had two sets of books for the O’Sullivans. What was on his computer is different than the printouts. Like, maybe they aren’t having the money troubles they think they are.”

“And maybe he’s embezzling?” Lizzie asked, as she looked over my shoulder. She was great with numbers. She pointed to the printout. “That’s what it looks like to me. He’s skimming, a lot from what I can see.” Then she pointed to a row of numbers on the computer. “Like at least a hundred thousand off this account alone.

“I knew there was something about that guy,” she said. “He has beady eyes, and he’s always glancing around like someone is trying to attack him at any moment.”

“He feels guilty,” Kieran said. “When I was interviewing him, he kept saying he wanted his lawyer. I had to convince him it wasn’t that kind of chat we were having. But you’ve gained access illegally to this proof,” he said. “There is no way I can use it.”

“Yes, but you’re trying to find a killer. What’s adding one more room to your request for a warrant?” I said. “You were going to do that anyway. And if you happened upon this information that you know is there—you could save the O’Sullivans a lot of grief.”

“You make it all sound so easy.”

“Isn’t it, though? You play golf with the judge, and you went to school together. I’m betting since it is pouring down raining, that he’s no longer fishing. I’m sure you can get your warrants soon.”

“How do you know I went to school with him?”

I laughed. “Your very proud grandmother, plus I spend a lot of time in the bookstore. It’s as big a gossip hub as the Crown and Clover pub is some days.”

He chuckled but it wasn’t a happy sound. “Nothing is sacred in Shamrock Cove,” he mumbled. “Sometimes I miss the anonymity of working in a bigger city.”

“Well, you should get a warrant for everyone’s rooms, and that way no one can say anything,” I said. “There is also a suitcase full of stolen items in the Airendales’ room.

“Oh, and while you’re at it, get one for the staff quarters as well. We should go over everything and recheck things.”

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