Page 153 of Dirty Eoin

I stand, stagger, and she holds me upright until I find my balance.

“What now?” I ask.

“Before we contact your family, I need to make a quick call.”

She rummages through Molly’s jacket and pulls out her phone. She then uses Molly’s thumb to unlock the screen before going through the phone. A few minutes later, she makes a call.

“It’s me.”

I can hear a mumble, but I’ve no idea who it is.

She faces away from me as she talks in hushed whispers, and while she’s speaking, I use the opportunity to stretch my legs. It’s then I see it on the floor behind me. I know what it is even before I pick it up.

“Fifteen minutes and no longer.”

Putting the phone in her pocket, she turns around to take me in, and I hold up my finding with a smile on my face.

“I shared my secret with you, daughter. Is there anything you’d care to share with me?” Silence as she takes in the engraved bullet that I’m holding between my finger and thumb. “Are you not going to try to deny it?”

It all adds up now. Her coming back to New York ahead of time. Her being at our Paddy’s wedding. Her abilities on the shooting range.

“It goes no further.”

“So, you’re admitting it. That you’re The Exterminator.”

“You’re holding the goddamn proof in your hand, Roisin. What do you expect me to say?”

She saved Eoin’s life in Nevada. Our whole family in this very building.

The infamous sniper is a female.

The infamous sniper is Jaine Jones.

In fact, not Jaine Jones. Jaine O’Connell. The infamous sniper is an O’Connell.

“Your word, Roisin.”

I stare at her.

“Give me your fucking word that this goes no further. Not even Fergal. My secret. My reveal. It’s the only goddamn way.”

“I give you my word.” I pause. “Who were you speaking to?”

“Delaney.”

“Why?”

“To come pick up my rifle.”

* * *

“Jaine, what the fuck?”

Paul Delaney stares at her. I can see the biker’s rage trying to take over as he witnesses the mess she’s in.

He stops in his tracks when he notices me. Obviously, Jaine has told him as little as possible. Just the location it would seem.

“Roisin.” He stares at me, the mother-in-law of his sister, Sarah.

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