by Anne Barwell
Ethan took a deep breath. “The inmates are already running the asylum,” he murmured. “Oh shit. Sorry, I didn’t say that aloud, did I?”
“Yeah, you did.” Donovan laughed. “Don’t worry.” He leaned in and lowered his voice when Mikey turned his back. “I’ve been wondering that myself since all this started. Stuff is kind of crazy around here since Cat was taken.”
“Taken?” Ethan asked. No one had mentioned Cathal being taken. “You mean like kidnapped or something? And you still haven’t explained the connection between the two sketches. They look like the same person, but that’s impossible.” He glanced at the sketches again. “Alice Finlay Edmonds. Is Cathal’s last name Edmonds?” It was the only explanation that made sense. After all, names were often passed down generations, and if he were related to Alice in some way….
“Of course it’s not,” Mikey said before Donovan could answer. “Edmonds is my granddad’s last name. Cat’s last name is Emerys.” He sat back at the table, a steaming mug of what smelled like hot chocolate in one hand. “Like my middle name. I told you we were cousins. Alice Finlay was my great-grandmother. My great-grandfather, Christian, is Cat’s cousin, so that means we’re family.”
“Shit,” Ethan said. Emerys was the name of the guy who had written In Hidden Places—a book Tomas was obsessed about. Another coincidence? He doubted it.
“We think it’s Emerys,” Donovan corrected him. “See, this is where it gets really crazy.”
“You mean it’s not already?” Ethan hadn’t missed the fact that Mikey hadn’t said he was Cathal’s cousin. He’d said his great-grandfather—who would have known the guy in the hundred-year-old sketch—was. Surely he didn’t think the two sketches were both of Cathal…. Donovan was going to have to work hard to beat that on the crazy scale.
Donovan grimaced. “It gets worse. Way worse. Tomas said when Cat was taken….” He held up a hand when Ethan started to speak. “It’s probably better to wait until I’m done. Then you can swear. And believe me you’ll want to.”
Ethan nodded. And waited. Surely this story wasn’t going to get even more unbelievable?
“Tomas said when Cat was taken, the guys who took him called him Lord Emerys.”
“They were soldiers, and they wore buttons on their uniforms with falcons on them,” Mikey added.
“Tomas told you that?” Ethan didn’t know what to believe. “Fuck.” The swear word was out of his mouth before he could stop himself.
“Told you you’d want to swear,” Donovan said.
“And these soldiers, or whatever they were, took Cathal and just left Tomas?” Ethan shook his head. “That seems… unlikely. Why would they leave a witness?” Who was he trying to kid? The whole thing sounded like fiction, not fact. “Did Tomas hit his head at all during all of this?”
“The Falcons hit him, and he got knocked out,” Mikey said. “Alice talked about the Falcons in her letters. Tomas and I found a trunk of letters in the attic, that she’d written to her husband. She mentioned Cat in them too.”
Ethan took a gulp of tea. “Stop right there,” he said. “How much of an idiot do you take me for?” He banged down his cup and pushed his chair back from the table. “You guys are crazy, and this sounds more like the plot of one of Tomas’s books than something that actually happened.” He glared at both of them. “If you’re responsible for whatever’s happened to Tomas and you’re covering it up, I swear to God….”
“They’re telling the truth,” Heidi said quietly from the doorway behind him.
Ethan stood, then spun around. He hadn’t heard her return. “Seriously?” he asked, although her expression suggested she believed what she said. “Where’s your proof?”
“We’re working on that,” Donovan said. He put a warning hand on Mikey’s shoulder when he started to stand. Mikey shrugged but stayed where he was. “I know this is unbelievable, and a lot to take in. Believe me, I know. I struggled with it too. So did Tomas, but the truth of the matter is he’s gone, they’re both gone, and this is all we’ve got to go on.”
“Neither of us would make something up like that,” Heidi said.
“We had nothing to do with his disappearance,” Donovan said. “Hell, I liked the guy.”
“This is Tomas we’re talking about,” Ethan reminded him. He found it difficult to believe Tomas would have let someone in that fast, even if they had found some common ground. It had taken Ethan at least a couple of semesters to get more than two words out of the guy. Tomas had brushing people off down to an art form.
“Yeah, well, I figured telling you your friend could be a dick at times wasn’t the way to go.” Donovan cracked a smile. “He was working through stuff, but aren’t we all? It just takes longer for some people to lower their defenses than others, I guess.”
“Cat liked him,” Mikey said. “Cat was—is—a good guy. If he’s in trouble, I still think we need to find a way to find him and help him.”
“So let me make sure I’ve got this right,” Ethan said. “You guys met this Cathal how many times, and you’re already convinced he’s one of the good guys?” Just how naïve were they? “If these soldiers—”
“Falcons,” Mikey corrected helpfully. “Granddad let it slip when I was talking to him yesterday that they’re some kind of police force.”
“Falcons, police force, or whatever, then.” So much for coming to Oakwood to get some answers. Ethan should have known it wouldn’t be that easy. “That bit of information doesn’t help Cathal’s case, you know. Why would some kind of law enforcement come after him if he’s done nothing wrong?”
“He could be Robin Hood, and the Falcons could be the bad guys.” Mikey glared at Ethan. “We met him. You didn’t. Besides, he believed me about the dragons. There’s a clue right there.”
Ethan sat down again. “Bloody hell.” He buried his face in his hands, unsure whether to swear again or laugh. “Dragons?” He took a deep breath. “Look, kid—Mikey—I know you’re trying to help, and you’re probably defending this bloke because he’s family, but there are no such things as dragons. This is the twenty-first century. If we have any chance in hell of finding Tomas, we need to focus on the facts, not flights of fancy.”
“I agree.” Heidi walked over to the window and peered outside. “The police are doing everything they can, and we need to keep reminding ourselves of that. Doug told me he’s on his way, so he should be here soon.”
“Everything okay, Heidi?” Donovan asked. He joined her at the window. “You’re jumpy all of a sudden.” He placed one hand on her shoulder.
“He told me to be careful,” she said, frowning.
“He’s always telling you to take care,” Donovan said. “What was different about this time?”
“Not to take care, but to be careful,” Heidi corrected him. She leaned briefly into Donovan’s touch before pulling away at the sound of a car engine in the distance. “This must be him now. I’ll go meet him outside. You boys behave while I’m gone.”
“Don’t we always?” Donovan said as soon as she was out of earshot.
“Doug?” Ethan asked.
“Officer Doug Greene,” Donovan told him. “He’s one of the local coppers and Heidi’s boyfriend. Decent guy and he’s done everything he can to help find Tomas.” He paused before continuing. “Including all that scientific stuff we do in the twenty-first century.”
“Boyfriend?” The question was out of Ethan’s mouth before he could stop it. “Fuck. But I thought…. Never mind.”
“Thought what?” Donovan asked.
“You called her your partner, so I thought….” Ethan mentally kicked himself for making assumptions.
Donovan shrugged. “We bought the inn together, so we are partners in that sense. We’ve known each other a long time, and I swear she thinks she’s my long-lost sister or something.” He smiled. “She’s family in all the ways that count, but no, we’re not together together.”
“Donovan’s gay,” Mikey said, “like Tomas.”
He met Ethan’s gaze for a moment, his intense expression making him seem a lot older. His voice hardened. “You don’t have an issue with that, do you?”
“Sorry. I had a run-in with an as—idiot a while ago,” Donovan told Ethan, “and unfortunately Mikey witnessed it. I’ve already told him he doesn’t need to protect me. I can look after myself.”
“Friends are supposed to stick together,” Mikey said, scowling. “Whatever happens.”
“Yeah, that’s right.” Donovan gave Mikey a smile. “And it’s good to know my friends are looking out for me.”
“Don’t worry about it, and I’m hardly likely to have an issue with either of them being gay,” Ethan said. Both Mikey and Donovan looked puzzled at his answer, so he expanded on it. “I didn’t mean to swear. It wasn’t because…. I was surprised that’s all.” Apparently it wasn’t just his ability to judge character that was well and truly fucked. He took a deep breath. “I guess today’s one for surprises. Tomas never told me he was, but then it wasn’t something that came up. He’s a friend,” he added quickly, not wanting to go there either. “I mean… a friend, friend, not my boyfriend. He’s not my type,” he finished lamely.
“I never thought he was,” Donovan said. He eyed Ethan up and down but didn’t say anything else.
Mikey looked smug and helped himself to another scone. “I knew it!” he murmured.
“Knew what?” Ethan asked at the same time Donovan did. If it was that Ethan was gay, he wasn’t too bothered. He’d never been one for announcing it to the world, but he hadn’t hidden it either.
But before Mikey could answer—presuming he was actually going to—the front door slammed shut.
“Sorry,” Heidi called. “Wind got it.” A few moments later, she entered the room, followed by a man with curly brown hair and gray eyes. He stood about an inch shorter than Donovan, and wore a police constable’s uniform.
He held out his hand to Ethan. “Good afternoon. I’m Constable Doug Greene. You must be Ethan Leavitt. Heidi told me you were coming to Oakwood today.” His grip was firm, his smile warm, but despite his casual tone, Ethan got the feeling this was a man who wouldn’t stand for any nonsense.
“Nice to meet you, Constable,” Ethan said. “Tomas’s sister, Kathleen, would have come to Oakwood herself, but she’s suffering from severe morning sickness. We’d both appreciate it if we could be kept in the loop if you find any more information about Tomas’s disappearance.”
“Of course,” Doug said. He pulled out a chair and sat down, then placed his peaked cap on the table. He wore a stab vest over his jumper and carried a Taser as well as his baton.
“Expecting some trouble, Doug?” Donovan asked as he poured Doug some coffee. He indicated the Taser.
“Hopefully not,” Doug said. “This isn’t just a social call.”
“You’ve found something about Tomas?” Ethan asked. It was about time.
Doug shook his head. “Sorry, nothing new on that front. He and this Cathal seem to have vanished off the face of the earth, which is a remarkable feat in this day and age.” He shrugged. “Although I’m more concerned that Cathal doesn’t exist in any database either. It’s like the guy never existed in the first place.”
“Do you think he’s deliberately erased his identity?” Ethan asked. He wasn’t sure whether he should be impressed or terrified for Tomas’s safety. “If he has, he’s bound to have made a mistake. Everyone slips up somewhere, no matter how clever they are.”
“Well, he hasn’t yet, or if he has, we haven’t found it.” Doug took a sip of coffee. “Don’t worry,” he said. “He will eventually, and then we’ll have him. Have both of them.” He didn’t sound convinced.
“There will be some clue out there.” Ethan had read enough detective novels to know that. “There always is.”
“Not always,” Doug said mildly. “I know you’re concerned about your friend, Mr. Leavitt, but remember this is still an ongoing police investigation.”
“Right,” muttered Ethan. He’d planned to hear what the police had to say and report back to Kathleen, knowing he’d done what he could. Now he realized it wasn’t enough. Tomas was his best friend, and if the police had hit a dead end, he’d have to try another angle. Something that wouldn’t interfere with their investigation. Or at least not directly.
“You said this wasn’t just a social call?” Donovan reminded Doug. He shot Ethan a warning glare, although it was unnecessary. Ethan wasn’t stupid enough to upset one of the local boys in blue on his first day in Oakwood.
“Yes, that’s right.” Doug took another drink of his coffee before answering. “You remember the news reports about the bank robbery in central London a couple of days ago?”
Heidi nodded. “It was all over the news,” she said.
“Nasty business,” Ethan added. It wasn’t far from where he lived, and he’d almost been in the bank that day. There but for the grace of God and all that.
“Have they caught the guys who did it?” Mikey asked.
“Not yet,” Doug said. “That’s the reason I’m late. There’s been an update, and Sergeant Beveridge wants us to call in on everyone in the area, especially those who live a bit off the beaten track like yourselves.”
“You think they’re headed this way?” Donovan asked.
“In this direction, yes,” Doug confirmed. “We can’t be certain, but given the information we’ve received from the Yard, it’s likely.” He studied each of them in turn, as though making sure he had their full attention. “There are at least three of them, as far as we know, two male and one female. Not sure they’re working alone, but they were the ones caught on camera, so that’s all we’ve got to go on. If you see anyone you don’t know in the area, contact us immediately. Remember, they’re armed and dangerous, so don’t approach them. There are already two victims in hospital in critical condition. I don’t want any of you to put yourself at risk.”
“Don’t worry, Doug. We’ll be careful.” Heidi turned to Mikey. “I don’t think cycling out here from home is a good idea until these people are caught, do you?”
“I only do that on the weekends,” Mikey said. “I got off the bus on my way home from school today.”
“I’ll run you home later,” Heidi said. “Let one of us know if you’re coming over so we know to expect you, okay?”
“I know better than to talk to strangers,” Mikey said. “I’m not a kid anymore, Heidi. I don’t have to stop riding my bike out here, do I, Doug?”
“While Heidi has a point, Mikey,” Doug said, “I think as long as you’re careful, it will be fine. Don’t stop for or approach anyone you don’t know, and make sure you’re carrying your mobile so you can call for help if you get a puncture or something.”
“Okay.” Mikey seemed pleased with Doug’s answer.
“Do you have anyone else staying here besides Mr. Leavitt?” Doug asked.
“We’re expecting a Mr. Smith to check in tomorrow evening,” Donovan said. “I can give you his contact details if you want, but he made his booking a couple of weeks ago, before the robbery took place.”
“Thanks, I’d appreciate that.” Doug grinned at Ethan. “I’ve already checked you out, and you are who you say you are.”
“If I was going to assume an identity, it wouldn’t be mine,” Ethan told him. With the way the conversation was going, he’d half expected Doug to ask him for some ID. He would have, if their positions had been reversed.
“That’s the whole point of an assumed identity, isn’t it?” Doug deadpanned. “If you’d be good enough to show me the information you have on this Mr. Smith, Heidi, I’ll be on my way.”
“Of course,” Heidi said. She wrapped a couple of hot scones in a paper towel. “Take these for the road. It’s still a while until dinner.”
“Thanks.” Doug took them from her and followed her from the room.
“They’ve got a date for tonight,” Donovan told Ethan, “so you’ll have to put up with my cooking.”
&n
bsp; “I like your cooking,” Mikey said. “What are we having?”
“You’re going home for dinner,” Donovan said. “We’re having curried sausages.”
“I thought you were going to help me with my homework,” Mikey told Donovan.
“Before dinner, not afterward, and yes, I am,” Donovan said, starting to clear the table. As he collected Ethan’s cup, their fingers brushed. Ethan pulled his hand away quickly, hoping he didn’t look as flushed as he felt.
“If you need any more help with the homework, feel free to ask,” Ethan said to Mikey quickly. As Donovan and Heidi had insisted on putting him up at the inn without charging him, he’d help out where he could. He didn’t like taking something for nothing, even if Tomas had already paid for a room he wasn’t using. “I’m not going anywhere until I’ve finished reading what’s in this folder.”
“It’s maths,” Mikey said, pulling a face. “No one likes maths.”
Ethan smiled. “Actually,” he said, “I do. Maths is important, as is science. They both help us understand the world we live in.”
Mikey eyed him suspiciously. “You sound like my teacher,” he said.
“I’ll take that as a compliment to both of us.” Ethan couldn’t help but laugh at the confused expression on Mikey’s face. “Didn’t Tomas tell you? The reason I sound like a teacher is because I am one.”
Chapter 3
“THANK YOU for the lovely meal.” Ethan placed his knife and fork on his empty plate. “You’re a good cook.”
“It’s Heidi’s recipe and foolproof, or so she tells me.” Donovan took both plates, rinsed them, and put them in the sink.
“Do you want some help stacking the dishwasher?” Ethan asked. He’d offered to help with dinner too, but Donovan had refused, preferring to let Ethan continue working with Mikey on his math homework. Ethan seemed like a decent guy now he’d calmed down.
“The dishwasher’s broken,” Donovan told him. “Again. I’m waiting on a part, but the machine’s so old they’re not sure they can source one.”