Page 40 of Thy Kingdom Come
“Ack, yer a smart-arse. Away now, I’ll take care of this.”
I’m suddenly reminded there is a cooling corpse behind me.
Taking one last look at Nolen, I push aside the guilt at seeing his lifeless body slumped in a chair because I could have helped him. I’ll never know what he was going to share with me, but that’s the least of my worries when I think of Orla.
He’ll never share anything with her ever again.
Swallowing down my regret, I slap Uncle Sean on the back and make my way out the door. I don’t know what’s going to happen to Nolen, but I do know his body will never be found.
When I’m far enough away from Uncle Sean, I dig into my back pocket for my phone and call Rory.
“What’s the craic with Babydoll?” I ask when he answers.
“Ack, nothin’ excitin’. I’ll keep lookin’ and askin’ around.”
“Grand, I need ya to look into somethin’ else for me.”
“What is it then?”
Ensuring no one is within earshot, I reply, “Real estate. My ma’s bungalow is in Moville.”
Rory’s silence hints that he’s shook. This is one question which has baffled me for years, but now that I have the answer, it almost doesn’t feel real. I never knew her bungalow was located in the Republic.
I just assumed it was here in the North. But this changes everything.
“Are ye all right?” he asks with concern.
“Aye, I’m fine. But I’d be even better if you can find me an address.” When the silence continues, I add, “Out with it, Rory.”
Rory isn’t one to sugarcoat anything, so his silence leaves me awful restless.
“Yer not gonna like it, but ya know who’d have all the answers?”
Digging into my pocket for my car keys, I reply, “Who’s that then?”
“Patrick Duffy.”
I freeze from unlocking my car, needing a minute. “Yer right, but how do I manage that? I can’t exactly ask him to show me what I need.”
When Rory sighs, I clue in that he wasn’t suggesting I ask Patrick.
“Oh, fuck,” I mutter under my breath. “I’m sorry, Rory, I know ya like Darcy, but I gotta—”
He doesn’t let me finish. “It would fit ya better if ya did this with Darcy. I understand that.”
Just because he understands, doesn’t mean he likes the idea, but this shows what a true mate he is.
“I promise no funny business. As soon as I get what I need, I’ll go. I’ll put in a good word for ya,” I add, wanting to do something for him.
But we both know it doesn’t matter how many words are said, Darcy isn’t interested in him.
“I’ll call ya if I find anythin’ on Babydoll.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate everythin’ youse are doing for me.”
“We’re family. Ya don’t have to thank me.”
I don’t know where I would be without these lads. They are more of a family to me than my own flesh and blood. We understand one another and what it means to be who we are. I would die for these boys and I know the feeling is mutual.
“I’ll talk to ya later.” Hanging up, I take a moment to process what I need to do.
Every part of my body is rebelling at the thought, but Rory is right. Patrick Duffy is my way in and I’m prepared to do what I must to get what I want; which is why I scroll through my contacts and stop on the letter D.
As I dial Darcy’s number, I peer into the starless sky—there’s no hope of ever making a wish and it coming true.
Luckily, however, I don’t believe in fairy tales.