Page 69 (1/2)

THIRTY-ONE

River

"Any news on your brother?" Duffy asks, setting a stea cup of coffee down on the table

I don’t have to ask which one He wouldn’t be asking about Aengus, unless it was to gauge how long before he could throw cuffs on him "They re and his liver"

"His leg?"

I grit my teeth "Gone froedy for a young fella"

I can’t tell if he actually cares or if he says it because it’s the proper thing to say "It is He never did anything to deserve it"

"Did you?"

"No"

"Did Aengus?"

We stare at each other from across the table "Look at ustwo hard-headed bastards"

That earns a genuine sht there for hih this stack of photos" He flips open the top of a thick binder, twonext to it

"A bit archaic, don’t ya think?"

"Sos the old-fashioned way," hein an interrogation roo shot database from a computer screen

"Where’s A chat" He lets his words hang in silence for a moment "I don’t take her for the criood bird"

"I wouldn’t want to see this all turn out badly for her I don’t think you would, either"

"You’re right Which is why I’d like you to get the information that you need"

"Uhwhat do you" He falters over his words, surprise splashing across his face "Go on"

"I’ll give you the name of the asshole who blew up my family’s pub and I’ll tell you who attacked the Green But only if you let A she ever did wrong was give the likes of ers stru in front of hinore The chance to s? It’s any officer’s wet dream come true

If I were bold--and stupid--I’d also tell hius is responsible for the Green, and that you were there to see it happen Your girlfriend told ry in the least, I realize Yes, Ah to know that she didn’t do it to protect herself; she did it to protectto do

"Then I guess you know I’ you’d be a witness on the stand against your own brother?" There’s doubt in Duffy’s voice

I take a deep breath Never in a million years did I think these words would ever leave my mouth "If he doesn’t confess to it hius, confess to the boet knocked in the head?"

"You’re a persuasive bastard Tell him he has no choice Paint him a pretty picture about what could happen to ether and then nods

Honestly, I have no clue what Aengus is going to aduilty and that he’ll do anything to protect his fa for once?

Duffy’s fingers flip a page in the binder, then another "You ca of your bar"

"Jackie Hanegan"