Page 60 of Dublin Debacle

The joy on Emily’s face warmed Jack’s heart. He was glad her family was together and safe, for the moment.

“Jack,” Ace’s voice sounded from the cell phone Jack held in his hand. “What’s going on?”

“This.” Jack brought the phone up and turned it so that Ace and Lucie could see who’d come through the door. “Ace Hammerson, this is Seamus O’Brien, his son Finn and his friend Ciara Thomas.”

“Pleased to meet you, Mr. O’Brien,” Ace said. “Peter Atkins has nothing but good things to say about you and the work you’ve done as an informant for J2.”

“Pete and I go back a ways. We met in a pub in Dingle during our younger days and bonded over a few pints and a fist fight. Kept in touch ever since. I don’t know what I would’ve done if he hadn’t answered his cell phone in the middle of the night a week ago. At that point, I wasn’t sure who I could trust with the information I’d discovered. Thank you and the Brotherhood Protectors for your help.”

“That’s what we do,” Ace said.

“So Pete told me.” Seamus nodded toward Emily and Finn. “I’d hoped that my death would protect my family, and it did, for a while. I was able to move about the city in the shadows, gathering information. I knew something wasn’t right with the attacks, but it took my boy, Finn, taking out one of them to learn they were hired killers. That’s when everything started falling into place, and I was able to locate the warehouse, the weapons movement and more.”

“What now?” Emily said. “We know the attacks were made by mercenaries. How do we tell both sides the truth? They’re so angry and out for blood. They won’t listen.”

Her father nodded, his mouth set in a firm line. “We need access to the microphones and speakers.”

“Just because you tell them the truth, doesn’t mean they’ll believe you,” Emily argued. “We have to get Cormac to admit to everything he’s done to start this war. He needs to do it in public—at the rally.”

Seamus’s brow dipped. “We’d have to get to him before the rally to let him know we have proof.”

“Even if you show him the proof, why would he get up in front of all those people and confess to being behind all this?” Emily shook her head. “And that might only appease the Radical Nationals. The Travellers owe Faherty nothing. As far as they’re concerned, Cormac is a Nationalist. He’s the same to them as the Radicals.”

“Then we confront Faherty on stage with the proof. We take the leader of the Travellers with us to address his people at the same time,” Seamus said.

Emily shook her head. “The mercenaries murdered the leader of the Travellers last night.”

Seamus’s eyes widened. “They killed Tristan Doyle? Mary, mother of god.” His eyes filled. He brushed away a single tear and straightened. “If not Tristan, then who?”

“What about Rory Gallagher?” Finn asked.

Emily frowned. “He’s a hothead, ready to jump into a fight.”

“He’s been recruiting young Travellers to fight, yes, but only because they’ve pushed all the Travellers into a corner.” Finn stood taller. “I’ve been working with him on the wharf. Rory’s not a bad guy. He’s just defending his people and way of life.”

“Actually, that might work,” Jack said. “His recruits will listen to him. We just have to convince him that the Nationals didn’t start this fight. If they start killing each other, it’s only going to make things worse and play right into Faherty’s plan. So far, the attacks and murders have been at the hands of the mercenaries. We want to keep it that way. And if possible, catch them in the act of sabotage.” Jack met Finn’s gaze. “Do you know where we can find Rory before they gather for the rally?”

Finn nodded. “I have a good idea where he might be.”

“What about the explosives?” Emily asked. “They could have set them around the site where the rally will take place.”

Seamus’s lips spread in a grin. “While I was in the warehouse taking photos, I disabled the detonators.” His grin faded. “I didn’t want them using explosives on anyone. I saw what it did to my car. If I’d been in it at the time...”

Emily touched her father’s arm. “I’m glad you weren’t.”

“It’s good to be back home with the people I love. I hear your Uncle Paddy is doing well. I was worried when I heard about the attack.”

“He’s alive, kicking and cranky,” Emily said with a smile.

Her father laughed. “Sounds like a normal day with Paddy.” He looked around at the people gathered. “I’ll touch base with my contact at J2 and let them know what’s coming. They might want to have agents in place or need to coordinate with the Garda’s efforts.”

“Jack,” Ace’s voice drew Jack’s attention away from Emily’s family reunion.

“Yes, sir.” Jack stepped away from the family gathering and stared down at Ace’s image on his cell phone.

“I’ve already got backups in the air from Zurich and London. They should arrive at least two hours before the rally begins. Since the Night Shades’ efforts seem to have been concentrated on stirring up hatred among the opposing parties, they will likely be attending the rally, ready to initiate the fighting. I can pull Atkins from guard duty on Paddy O’Brien, as well. You can expect Fearghas, Dax, Giva and two of the newer members of the team, Dane Ryan, former Navy SEAL, and Callum McCall, Scottish SAS. They have your contact information and will let you know as soon as they touch down.”

“Roger. Good to know we have help heading our way,” Jack said. “Hopefully, we can stop the aggression before it gets started, and the backups won’t be needed.”

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