Page 22 of Dublin Debacle

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.

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