“I’m going to find out,” she promised. “One way or another, with your help or without it.”
“That’s no answer.”
“A guy I know taught me how not to answer questions.”
It was his turn to smile. “I love you, darling,” he said. “There’s not much I’d not do for you. But if we start down this road, it could well lead to a funeral, or more than one. Is it worth it?”
“I need to trust you,” she said, without thinking. And just like that, there it was. The heart of the matter.
He sat back. “Ah,” he said quietly.
“If I can’t, this is never going to work,” she said.
“We’ve fought side by side,” he reminded her.
“But we’re not on the same side.”
“I’m no copper,” he said. “But I’m not like the rest of them, either.”
“Prove it.”
“Erin, if you take O’Malley lads down for this, I’m not sure I can square it with Evan.”
“I’m not scared of him,” she said, almost truthfully.
“Oh, he’ll not likely move directly against you,” Carlyle said. “That’s not my concern. But if this tells him you’re outside my control, he’ll see no use in you. Then, if I keep seeing you, he’ll know you’re a liability, which means I am, too.”
“So he won’t trust you?”
He gave her a wry smile. “You think he trusts me now? Evan O’Malley doesn’t trust anyone, Erin. But he finds me useful. The moment he doesn’t, I’m done.”
“Done, as in…”
“Done,” he repeated.
“If Evan does decide you’re a liability,” she said, “how will you know?”
“I’ll know when the bullet goes into the back of my head. He’ll use someone close to me, so I’ll not see it coming.”
“Someone like Corky or Ian?”
“Anyone but them,” he said. “Corky’s the one lad who’d never betray me, and Ian’s… well, he’s a special case. He’s not, precisely, in the Life.”
“You can’t be a part-time gangster,” Erin said.
Carlyle laughed quietly. “Ian always wanted to be one of the lads, but I wouldn’t let him. I helped him through school, kept him out of trouble with the coppers. You’ve seen his file, I’m sure.”
She nodded.
“Then you know the lad’s been clean for better than ten years. I’d like to think I put him on a better path.”
“Then why’s he still here? Why’s he working for you?”
“The poor lad had some rough experiences overseas, with the Marines. I fear combat left him with a particular set of skills and a mindset not well-suited to most employment.”
“In other words, he’s a professional killer,” she said.
“If he is, it’s your government made him one,” Carlyle said sharply. “He’d kill for me if he had to, but he’s never done it.”
“He’s another one of yours,” Erin said softly, understanding.
He raised an eyebrow. “Would you care to elaborate?”
“Siobhan’s like a daughter to you,” she said. “Ian’s like a son.”
“Maybe.”
“You really want a family, don’t you,” she said. It was more statement than question.
“Erin, you’re from a stable home,” he said. “I’ll wager you’ve always wanted to impress your da, but you never really worried about losing your parents’ love, did you?”
“Of course not,” she said. “Dad might’ve kicked my ass if I screwed up, but he’d never stop loving me.”
“The British killed my da when I was just a lad. And my mum always preferred Norbert.”
Erin knew Carlyle was talking about his brother. They hadn’t spoken since Carlyle had left Ireland nineteen years earlier.
“When I found Rose, I thought maybe I’d a chance at my own family,” he went on. “But those UVF bastards got her, and there was an end to it. Family? You take it for granted, Erin. You with your warmhearted mum, and your da who’s so proud of you. I know how the world can strip away everything a man loves, so he’s got to fight for it. I’ll not be letting anyone take the ones I love from me, not while I’m standing. Do you understand?”
Erin nodded. “I do.” She felt a sudden tenderness toward this complicated, careful man. Without thought or plan, she reached out and took his hand.
“It’s a weakness, in my line of work,” he said. “Caring about anyone. And I’ve no doubt it’ll get me, in the end. But I’ve no regrets.”
“I do love you,” she blurted out.
He blinked and smiled sadly. “Aye, darling. I know it. That’s what makes this so bloody hard on the both of us.”
“So what happens now?”
Carlyle sighed. “Let me see the picture again.”
Erin wordlessly opened the image and handed her phone to him.
“Pat Maginty, Lonnie Burke, and Twitchy Newton.”
“Twitchy?” she echoed.
“I don’t know his right name. Everyone calls him that.”
“Thanks,” she said. “I mean it.”
“Don’t thank me, Erin.” His face was grim. “This will likely mean trouble for the both of us down the road.”
“Can you tell me anything else about them?”
“Nothing you’ll not find in your files.” He stood up. “I’d best be getting back. Ian’s got the car out front.”
She got up and laid a hand on his arm. “Be careful, okay?”
“I’m always careful.”
“Extra careful, then. Watch everybody. Especially the people you trust.”
“Erin?” he said. “Do you know something?”
“Nothing certain. Just watch your back, okay? And your front, while you’re at it.”
“You do the same, darling.”
“My people aren’t as likely to murder me.”
“All the same.”
“Carlyle?”
“Aye?”
“Are we good?”
He smiled then, and for a moment the worry left his face. “Aye, we’re grand, you and I. No fear, we’ll figure something. I’ll be seeing you, darling.”
He bent down, aiming a kiss at her cheek. On an impulse, she turned so she met him with her lips on his. He let the kiss linger a moment before he drew back, surprised but pleased.
When the door closed behind him, she went to her window and looked out. Two floors down, Carlyle’s dark gray Mercedes idled on the street. She saw Ian Thompson get out of the driver’s seat. The former Marine looked both ways, then opened the car door for his boss. Carlyle got in. Ian climbed back behind the wheel and drove away. She watched them go and wondered.
Chapter 11
“I’ve
