Saving Sharkey

by Felicity Nisbet

  “Coffee?”

  “That sounds lovely.” But she glanced at the clock on the wall and shook her head. “Another time? I think I’d best be going.”

  “I’ll walk you out,” I said. Before she could protest, I handed my pint to Charlie, and placed a hand on the middle of her back.

  She kissed Charlie on the cheek, whispered good-bye, and we slipped from the pub. Her car was parked on the corner, way too close. A mile long walk would have met my fancy.

  “You really didn’t need to walk me,” she said.

  “I know,” I said back. “You’re perfectly capable of making it to your car on your own.”

  “Is that a bad thing?”

  “You know better than to ask that, lass.”

  She smiled, reached up and gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek. “I guess I do. See you, MacGregor.”

  “See you, McNair,” I said as I watched her open her own car door and slide into the driver’s seat.

  “Soon,” I whispered into the night air as I made my way back to the noisy pub that smelled all too much of spilled beer and sweaty soccer players.

  There was a smile on my face as Jenny filled my memory. But just as I reached the door to the pub, my smile turned to a frown. There sitting outside the pub was Sharkey’s Lincoln Navigator which was leaning noticeably toward the curb. My eyes moved downwards toward the street to take in two slashed tires.

  Someone was very angry, I thought as I recalled the husband who had escorted his wife away from the wealthy Irishman on our visit to O’Connell’s. And tonight, although my attention had been on Jenny, I had noticed more than one woman eyeing the charmer, despite Aileen’s glares of warning. And then there was the bartender who was less than subtle when she leaned over the bar to serve him a beer. Nor was his enjoyment of her revealed cleavage restrained.

  “A word,” I said when I found Sharkey amongst a group of women, Aileen by his side.

  Recognizing the solemnity in my tone, he followed me out the door where I showed him the damage that his car had endured.

  “Damn. Not again.”

  “This has happened before?”

  He shrugged. “Once or twice.” He made every effort to act as if it were an insignificant occurrence. “Not so bad really,” he mumbled.

  “Not so bad? You’ve just had two tires slashed!”

  He exhaled before reaching into his pocket for his phone and calling the automobile club. Then he looked up at me and shrugged. “Usually it’s all four tires that are done in.”

  I shook my head as I stood on the curb listening to him tell the automobile club the situation. Then he hung up, turned and smiled at me, patted me on the back, and said, “No worries,” as if we were talking about a quarter that had fallen into a gutter. When he walked back inside the pub, I was certain it was no longer even on his mind.

  That was all very well and good, but as for me, I did not take this so lightly. I was certain Charlie would hold a similar perspective as mine once he was apprised of the circumstances.

  I squeezed through the crowd to the barstool beside Sharkey.

  “Brace yourselves,” he said as Charlie joined us at the bar. “You will get to meet Aileen’s brothers tonight.”

  “Ah, the Shannon brothers of whom you have spoken,” Charlie said. “How long have they been over here?”

  “They arrived only a few months ago from Ireland. Being staunch nationalists, they’ve both been arrested in Ireland more than once. Aileen wanted them to make a fresh start.” Sharkey groaned. “But according to Malcolm’s observations, it doesn’t sound as if the relocation has had a great deal of success. In fact, it sounds as if the influence has been the other way around.” He raised a hand to wave at two young men sitting further down the bar. Recognizing them from the campus meeting, I knew immediately that they were the subjects of our conversation.

  When they’d made their way along the bar, Sharkey introduced us. Learning we were from Scotland, Liam and Dougal Shannon raised their glasses to us.

  “Jocks? Youse Catholics or Prods?” asked Dougal.

  “What difference does it make?” Charlie asked. “Ye’re in America now. You can be judged by what kind of man ye are, not whit yer religion is.” Charlie’s accent always did get stronger when he was riled up.

  “Well, we Irish and Scots all dislike England and we’ve some bad history there,” said Liam.

  “Let me buy the first round,” Father O’Malley interrupted. “I don’t know about the rest of you but I came for the beer, not a history lesson. Behave yourselves Shannon One and Two.”

  “Right, Father,” they chorused.

  The beers arrived and the atmosphere was more convivial, thanks to Father O’Malley being a calming influence on the rebel rousers. But we were subjected to their tales of fights both on and off the soccer field. Both had earned their share of red cards and been suspended from many a game, including the one they had played earlier that day. The pride in their eyes was a strong indication that they were spoiling for trouble wherever they could find it.

  Sure enough, before the evening was over, they had found trouble in the form of a group of English rugby players. It took both Aileen and Father O’Malley and a strong threat of being permanently banned from the pub to calm them down.

  Aileen babysat them in the next room where the music was playing Clancy Brothers’ tunes. But as Sharkey walked Charlie and me outside to see us off and to check on the progress of the tow truck company, we noticed the music had segued into militant Irish songs.

  “You have your hands full with those two lads,” Charlie said.

  “I avoid them as much as possible,” Sharkey confessed. “They stayed at the house when they first arrived but my tolerance was tested, I fear, and they’ve been living with some soccer friends since.”

  Another cause for friction between Aileen and him, I suspected.

  More outspoken than I, Charlie asked, “How did Aileen take to your kicking them out?”

  Sharkey laughed. “Let’s just say I was frozen out of my own bed for two weeks running.”

  “What put an end to that?” Charlie asked.

  Sharkey’s smile revealed his Peter Pan youthfulness. “Aside from my Irish charm? That was when Sarai came to work for me and moved into the downstairs bedroom.”

  Charlie raised a knowing eyebrow. “Ah, jealousy can work miracles, can it not?”

  Sharkey nodded but then his expression turned serious. “Only temporarily, I fear.”

  Charlie and I had assessed the situation well. Aileen Shannon was soon to be moving out of the mansion down the street. I only wondered how strident her reaction was going to be when she discovered that fact.

  And it did occur to me that Sharkey might soon have a lot more to worry about than a couple of slashed tires.

  Chapter 6

  I was startled the following morning when I opened the door to see our new friend Sharkey standing on my front porch. I had assumed it was Charlie, wanting to share a scone and a cup of tea.

  “Have you a minute?” Sharkey asked.

  I opened the door wider. “Of course. I was just reading the Sunday newspaper and enjoying a cup of Scottish breakfast tea. Would you care for some?”

  Sharkey nodded, but the gleam that was usually in his eyes was diminished. I left the door slightly ajar behind him in case Charlie came by which he was inclined to do on a Sunday morning.

  “Thanks, Malcolm. That would be grand.”

  “Not more trouble with your tires, I hope.”

  “No, no more trouble. I was just wondering if you have discovered anything more about Aileen.”

  “No indication of her being unfaithful if that’s what you mean.”

  “Aye, that’s exactly what I mean. Damn.”

  “Is something wrong?” I was surprised that he sounded disappointed rather than elated, also surprised that his suspicions were focused on Aileen and not Andy.

  “Aye. You could say that. I’m just not certain how to
deal with it.”

  “It concerns Aileen, I assume?”

  His laugh was anything but mirthful. “You have a keen insight.”

  In other words I wasn’t blind or deaf?

  “She’s a lovely lassie, really, when she chooses to be.”

  “But that doesn’t make for a sound relationship?”

  “I was very attracted to her at one time, but now it seems that we are fighting more often than not. I assume you’ve noticed?”

  I smiled. “A wee bit difficult to miss.”

  He nodded. “It doesn’t help that Maureen has been at the house so often lately. I don’t know if things are rocky in her relationship with young Andy or if she’s trying to aggravate Aileen. If anyone could do that, it’s Maureen. I suppose you’ve noticed that as well?”

  “Aye. I have. Now all you need is the ex-wife to stir up things.”

  Sharkey glanced up at me. “You’ve observed quite a bit then, haven’t you? Maureen is tame compared to Moira, but the two of them together? And to add insult to injury Moira has been stopping by more often lately as well.”

  “Do you think Maureen has put her up to that?”

  Sharkey took the cup of tea I handed him and we sat down at the dining room table. “You may have something there. Maureen detests Aileen and if anyone could drive her out—”

  “It sounds as if you’re considering asking her to leave anyway.”

  “The thought has occurred to me a few times recently.”

  More than a few times I suspected. “But you fear the ramifications?”

  Sharkey nodded. “I may be courageous in some areas of my life, but where women are concerned, you might say I’m a coward.”

  “I suspect it will not be a graceful departure.”

  “No, she will put up a good fight, Aileen will.”

  Ah, the picture was becoming clearer. “So that’s why you’re disappointed that she’s not cheating on you. It would have provided the perfect excuse to boot her out.”

  Sharkey’s cheeks flushed in admission. “Since that’s not the case, have you any suggestions?”

  This was certainly not my specialty. “You could always move Maureen and Moira in for a bit. That might chase her out.”

  “True, but then how do I get rid of them?”

  “Excellent point. We should bring in Charlie for this conversation. He’s far more knowledgeable about relationships with the feminine side of the species than I. But whatever you do, tread carefully.”

  “That sounds ominous. Where’s it coming from?”

  “I dinna ken.” I’d just felt the need to say it, but being the physicist, I answered. “Logic, I suppose. ‘Heav’n has no rage, like love to hatred turn’d, Nor Hell a fury, like a woman scorn’d.’”

  “What? Not, ‘Frailty, thy name is woman?’” He laughed heartily. “Whoever said that, has never met Aileen Shannon.”

  “Shakespeare, I believe.”

  “Ah, you are a literary man.”

  “He is indeed.” We both looked up as Charlie walked into the room. “‘Man has his will,—but woman has her way,’” Charlie quoted.

  “Ach, frightfully true. A wiser poet there ne’re was than Oliver Wendell Holmes.” He stood up to shake Charlie’s hand. “Another aficionado of literature, I see. I do believe the three of us shall be great friends.”

  “We seem to have plenty in common,” Charlie said.

  “Except women,” Sharkey muttered. “I seem to be less discerning than the two of you.”

  “Och, I haven’t done so well in that regard myself. MacGregor is the cautious one. Too cautious,” he said, glaring at me before looking back at Sharkey. “You are having women troubles, I glean.”

  “Aye, you could say that. Or, to quote a wiser man than I, ‘There is no other purgatory but a woman.’”

  “A wee bit cynical, isn’t that?” I said.

  “As I said, you seem to make better choices than I. If ever there was a woman with a temper, she is Aileen Shannon.”

  “After meeting her brothers, I’d say it must be in the genes,” I said.

  Sharkey’s eyebrows furrowed. “An excellent point. I will be gentle. I have had enough threats in my young lifetime. I do not wish to incur more.”

  Charlie seemed to come to attention at the word, “threats.” Not a word he took lightly in his profession. “You are serious?” he asked. “You’ve received threats?”

  Sharkey chuckled. “Unfortunately, yes. Being attractive to the ladies is not always a good thing.”

  While I could concur with that, having been at the mercy of many a coed, Charlie on the other hand inquired, “No?”

  “Not when they have a very jealous boyfriend or husband lurking in the background.”

  “Oh, aye,” Charlie said. “I catch your drift. And I assume you have been the recipient of a black eye for that reason?”

  Sharkey groaned. “More than one, I must admit. Even when I’ve had my own woman on my arm, I’ve been attacked for so much as admiring a lady’s figure. Or when she has been the one to flirt with me.”

  “The burden of being a handsome and charming young lad,” Charlie said.

  “I think it’s as often the Irish accent, which I must admit I have been known to embellish in the company of attractive young women.”

  “You’d think you’d have learned your lesson, after receiving a punch or two,” I said. And a few slashed tires along the way.

  “Oh, trust me, I have. Especially after receiving more than a few threats over the years.”

  “In what form were these threats?” Charlie asked.

  Sharkey shrugged and took a swallow of his tea. “It’s not a big deal. Just a few letters threatening to do me bodily harm for lusting after the wrong woman.”

  “Care to show them to us?” Charlie asked.

  “Another time perhaps. I’m not even certain where they are. It’s nothing to concern yourselves with. Just from jealous men whose women have roaming eyes.”

  ”Nothing of concern?” I said, “such as the slashed tires?”

  “What slashed tires?” Charlie asked.

  I filled him in on the incident from the previous evening. His reaction was similar to mine. Sharkey’s was similar to his own, as he again dismissed it as if there were no cause for concern.

  He took another sip of his tea and smiled. “Dinna fash yerselves, lads, I promise I shall be gentle, if not for the lady’s sake, then for my own. And then I shall disappear for a wee while.”

  “Not a bad plan. Where will you go?”

  “I was thinking you both would like to take a boat ride with me up to Tara Island.”

  “A boat ride?” Charlie asked. “On your cabin cruiser?”

  “Aye, we’ll take out the Innisfree. That’s why I’m here, besides wanting to get out of the house for a wee while. I thought the three of us could take a trip up to Tara Island later on this week.”

  “That does sound lovely,” Charlie said. “When were you thinking?”

  “It will be after Aileen has left the building.”

  “And is that date marked on your calendar?” Charlie asked.

  “It shall be soon. I do not enjoy living with the stress of anticipation.”

  “If you don’t mind my men taking over all the surveillance of your son-in-law, I will be able to free up Malcolm’s and my schedule. Malcolm, have you anything else?”

  “Aye, I’ve two lectures on Tuesday, but no conflict later in the week,” I said.

  “We can stay through the weekend. There’s no soccer game scheduled. I want to stop in at Waterloo Island en route to check out their field. We’ve a game scheduled against an island team in a few weeks.” He finished off his cup of tea and stood up. “Maybe it’s best to get this over with.”

  “There’s no time like the present,” I offered, my only remorse being that Jenny would not have yet returned from her trip and would not be able to join us.

  “‘No time like the present.’ From ‘Love Lost,�
�� is it not?” he asked.

  “I believe so. If you need someone to run interference, give us a call.”

  “Thanks, Malcolm. If you hear screams, do come running—assuming they’re from me.” He shook both of our hands. “I’m glad we’ve met. You’re good men.”

  I didn’t know about that. If I truly had been a good man, wouldn’t I have gone with him then, considering the chills that had settled into my spine?

  It wasn’t but an hour after Charlie and I had enjoyed another cup of tea and the raspberry scones he had brought with him and he had departed for home, that I heard a loud shriek.

  I opened my front door to see Charlie doing the same from across the street.

  “What the hell was that?” I called out to him.

  Charlie pointed in the direction of Sharkey’s. “I think our friend has given his girlfriend news of her departure. She’s in the driveway, throwing things.”

  “What kind of things?” I asked, crossing the street to get a better view.

  Charlie came down his porch stairs and we walked down the street as surreptitiously as possible. “Potted plants. Directed at Eddie’s head.”

  “He wasn’t kidding when he said the girl had a temper.”

  “I thought I heard him say he’d be gentle.”

  “Apparently not gentle enough,” I said.

  “You fockin’ bastard! How could you! Your ex-wife?”

  Charlie and I glanced at each other. “Ex-wife? Sounds like a set up,” I said to his smile.

  “It’s not true,” Sharkey said. “I never laid a hand on Moira.”

  “I heard your own daughter say it! Are you saying Maureen’s lying?”

  “What exactly did you hear?”

  “This is bollocks! You know very well what I heard. She was talking to you, you eejit! On the phone!”

  “Ah, you were listening in on a private conversation . . . again.”

  “And it’s a good thing I was! You are a lyin’ fockin’ bastard, Edward Sharkey! Cheating on your girlfriend with your ex-wife, the one you supposedly hate! That’s lower than low! You’re a yellow bellied snake in the grass! That’s what you are!”