Saving Sharkey

by Felicity Nisbet

  “Definitely a set up,” Charlie said softly.

  “Aye. Instead of booting her out, make the woman want to leave him.”

  “You don’t know how good you had it!” Another poor fuchsia spiraled through the air.

  Sharkey just stood there, dodging pots. If he was too convincing of his innocence, she wouldn’t leave. If he wasn’t convincing enough, she would throw something bigger than a pot.

  “I know how good I had it, Aileen,” he said. “I do know.”

  “Well, you’ve ruined it, haven’t you? You went and cheated on me! As if it’s the first time. Do you think I came up the Lagan in a bubble? I’m not stupid you know. I’m smart enough to listen in on your conversations.”

  There was no correct response to any of that.

  Sharkey stood there as she stormed off into the house. A minute later she was tossing clothes into the backseat of her Mercedes which he had undoubtedly paid for.

  When she finished, she stiffened her back and turned to look at the man who stood helplessly watching. “You’ll regret this! I promise you that!”

  “It’s not as if you’re an innocent, Aileen. I know you had a fling with that rugby player from Donegal.”

  “That was only one fockin’ night! You know that. Three years ago! Is that what this is about, is it? You trying to get revenge on me?”

  “You misunderstood what you heard.”

  “Right. And I’m sure I misunderstand every time you letch over a woman at the pub.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You know perfectly well. When Sherry leans over the bar to serve you, you can’t keep your fockin’ eyes out of her fockin’ cleavage! As if this isn’t enough for you!” She grabbed her own breasts and jiggled them, causing Charlie and me to both turn away for an embarrassing moment.

  “And that new waitress. You’re always lusting after her and them legs of hers. And for fock sake, you can’t take your eyes off Sarai! That’s when this all started, isn’t it! You looking for action elsewhere! When Sarai arrived. She’s the one you want! But how would that look? The millionaire and the maid? So you get it from your ex-wife! The ex-wife you detest!”

  “This has nothing to do with Sarai. Or Moira. It’s us, Aileen.” I detected a flicker of honesty in his words. “We’ve not been getting along for a while now.”

  Her head fell forward as if in assent. When she raised it again, she took a step toward him. “Yes, it does have to do with Sarai. You haven’t stopped gawking at her since the first day she came to work here. You make every excuse to be in the room where she’s cleaning or cooking. I’m not stupid. I see it.”

  “You see wrong.” It was said quietly, unconvincingly. “I’ve been kind to her, that’s all.”

  “Kinder to her than you are to me, your girlfriend of five years.”

  “That’s not true. We’ve just not been getting along. The fighting is wearing on me. You keep asking me for something I can’t give you.”

  Her voice softened, the hard edge gone. “I just wanted some security.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Right. Sorry. You’re a rotten bastard, that’s what you are. You care more about taking care of your illegal alien housekeeper than you do about your girlfriend’s security.”

  “That’s bullshit and you know it.”

  “Who are you fockin’ kidding? I don’t know it. You’ve forbidden me to talk about her illegal status. You do everything to protect her. You worry more about that than about what I want. I wanted you to ask me to marry you is all. I want to be married and have children. But you—”

  “I’ve already had my children. And I’m done with marriage. You know that. You’ve always known that.”

  She shook her head. “I thought after all I’ve given you— I should have known better.”

  “I never told you otherwise, Aileen. You’re right to leave. You’re better off without me. You’ll find someone younger who wants to get married, have children, someone . . . who will appreciate you. And deserves you.”

  “Damned straight I will!” she said, slamming closed the back door of her car and climbing behind the wheel. But before starting the engine, she yelled out the window. “Say good-bye to Moira for me. The two of youse deserve each other!” She shook her head and yelled. “Unless it’s Sarai you’re really after!”

  Charlie and I looked at each other. “I think that’s our cue to leave,” I said.

  He nodded. “Why risk being run over?”

  I exhaled as we turned and headed back down the street toward the peace of home.

  “Well, that’s done,” Charlie muttered.

  If only it really were, I thought to myself.

  When Charlie echoed my ill feelings with, “Let’s hope,” I knew poor Sharkey had not yet seen the last of his Belfast lassie . . . or her vigilante brothers.

  * * *

  Neither Charlie nor I had heard anything from Sharkey by Tuesday. We figured he would let us know at soccer practice when we would be setting sail for Tara Island. When we arrived at the field, he trotted over to greet us.

  “Sorry I haven’t called you, but I’ve been busy,” he said, slightly breathless from running.

  “Not a problem,” Charlie said. “Do we leave tomorrow? Or Thursday?”

  When he exhaled and looked down at his soccer boots, I knew the trip was canceled. “I’m afraid it will have to be postponed. I’m leaving for Thailand in the morning.”

  “Thailand?” Charlie and I chorused.

  “Not on the Innisfree, I hope,” Charlie said.

  Sharkey chuckled. “I’ve business that needs to be attended to. As soon as possible.”

  “It must be important,” I said.

  “Does it have to do with Sarai then?” Charlie, always the detective, asked.

  “Aye, it does that,” Sharkey said. He looked from one of us to the other as if sizing us up in that one moment. Then he nudged us in the direction that would put us out of earshot of the others. “Can I trust you gentlemen with confidential information?”

  As far as I was concerned, the moment he had spoken those words, he had decided to trust us.

  “I assume this is about Sarai’s illegal status,” Charlie said.

  “Aye, I’m afraid so. How did you know about—?”

  “We overheard Aileen’s exit.”

  “Ah, so you did prepare yourselves to run interference.”

  “We did,” I said, still embarrassed for having basically eavesdropped on a private, although publicly displayed, conversation.

  “Why the sudden urgency?” Charlie, with his usual direct approach, brought the conversation back to the subject at hand.

  Sharkey sighed, nodding a greeting to a couple of lads who had arrived for the warm up. “I fear Sarai is in jeopardy.”

  “From Aileen?” I asked.

  “Aye. The lassie is angry enough to take out revenge on someone. If not me, then Sarai. She believes I am infatuated with the beautiful Thai lass.”

  Judging from the look in his eyes at that moment, I had to agree with Aileen’s assessment. Charlie must have caught it as well because he smiled and said, “And she would not be far off now, would she?”

  “I’m afraid not. There is something about her. She’s a gentle, kind soul—” He hesitated a moment and released a heavy sigh. “And the sadness in her eyes as if life has dealt her a difficult and unfair hand—”

  “And when she smiles, she lights the room so brightly your heart melts,” Charlie offered.

  “You noticed?” Sharkey said.

  “Aye. Both her smile and your reaction to it.” Not much escaped Charlie McNair’s notice.

  “So, no, Aileen was not far off,” Sharkey said. “No matter if she’s right or wrong. What matters is that if she suspects it, it is so. And what simpler revenge than to point out Sarai’s illegal status to the authorities?”

  “So, you’re off to Thailand to attempt to create a legal trail,” I said.

  “T
hat’s exactly correct.”

  “Did you learn how she got into this country?” Charlie asked.

  “I only know she was caring for an elderly gentleman when she first arrived, but he died shortly after. She won’t give me any details. She’s terribly frightened. But I’ll do my best to help her establish legal status.”

  “Just tell us how we can be of assistance,” Charlie offered.

  “Thank you both. If you could keep an eye out for Sarai, I would be most appreciative.”

  More appreciative than a man who was simply the woman’s employer would be, I could not help thinking.

  “No problem,” Charlie said, “But I do have a question for you. Was your phone conversation with Maureen about Moira just a set up to get Aileen riled up so she would leave?”

  “You are a perceptive man, Charlie McNair. Actually, it was Malcolm’s suggestion.”

  I offered them a look of innocence.

  “You did suggest I bring Maureen and Moira into it and that they’d be sure to chase her out of the house.”

  I simply shook my head. “You are excellent at extrapolating creative ideas from those offered, I see.”

  Sharkey chuckled. “It worked, did it not? Come then, lads, let’s play some football!”

  * * *

  I easily kept busy the rest of the week with ideas for a new series of lectures, some long overdue research, and playing at one of my hobbies—photography. Since the sailing trip had been postponed, Charlie spent more time trying to resolve his insurance fraud case and he contributed his expertise to the possible unfaithful spouse case of Andy Currie. We felt it was important to pursue that as Maureen had not yet called us off the job which she would undoubtedly do once she discovered that Aileen was out of the picture.

  We also kept an eye on Sarai, per Sharkey’s request. She was a timid wee lassie, but I could easily see the reason for our friend’s attraction to her. She was very different from the other women in his life, including his ex-wife, his ex-girlfriend, and his daughter. And she was beautiful. And if Sharkey did succeed in making her status legal, she would be very grateful.

  What, are you a cynic now, MacGregor? I asked myself. Could the man not have a real relationship that wasn’t based on intrigue, lust, or gratitude?

  Sarai was always courteous when Charlie and I stopped over. She served us whatever we requested, usually beer. She had learned how to operate Sharkey’s prized taps. But never once did we see the veil of fear and caution fade from her eyes.

  “She is hiding something,” Charlie said as we left the house on the Monday.

  “Clearly,” I said.

  “But it is serious. I wish she would trust us more. It would certainly make it easier to look out for her.”

  “She doesn’t even trust Eddie completely and he’s flown off to Thailand for her.”

  “Something must have her very frightened,” Charlie said.

  “I would think so. Maybe Eddie will have learned more.”

  “Aye, but you noticed she was not even forthcoming with information of his schedule and return?”

  “I thought that was my imagination.”

  Charlie shook his head. “Then it was both of ours. I will be glad when this is over.”

  “What is it, Charlie?”

  “I dinna ken, laddie. But something about this situation is giving me the chills, the kind that tell me something is soon to happen and it is not a good thing.”

  Chapter 7

  “It’s still a mystery to me.” Sharkey spoke quietly so that Sarai would not hear. “I did make some progress, but it appears that this will take some time. At this point, short of marrying the woman, there’s no way to protect her in the interim.”

  “Are you considering doing that?” I asked.

  He shook his head with little conviction, and I knew immediately that he and Sarai now had more than an employer-employee relationship. It must have happened on his one night home. I hoped it was not purely motivated by gratitude.

  “Well, you’ll be glad to know there’s been no sign of Aileen or anyone else coming around,” Charlie said.

  “You kept watch the entire time I was away?” Sharkey asked.

  “There’s been no need for that. We have kept a tail on Aileen for those periods of time when she’s not in class or at soccer practice, now that we know her schedule. And of course, we’ve still been tailing your son-in-law.”

  “Have you now? Despite our deal being off since Aileen is out of my life?”

  “Maureen has not called us off the job yet, and we assumed you wouldn’t object,” Charlie said.

  Sharkey shook his head vehemently in response. “Not at all.”

  “We thought we would continue watching him for a wee bit longer, at least until Maureen protests. I assume she doesn’t know that your Irish lass has moved out,” I said.

  Sharkey raised a single eyebrow. “Why tell her before she finds out for herself. The more we know about Andy Currie the better.”

  “I take it you’re not fond of the lad,” I said.

  Sharkey shook his head. “Not my favorite son-in-law. So, have you found anything there?”

  “Nothing beyond his normal flirtation.”

  “Which I suspect is not normal by any stretch of the imagination. At least from what I’ve observed.”

  I had to agree with that. “He did make another trip down to the waterfront. Stopped to have a drink at a bar—alone. Then our man followed him enough to see him walk out on the pier where he joined someone on a boat. He did get the impression that they were negotiating something. Maybe he is planning to purchase that boat.”

  “The male ego. I wish the man would spend his time and energy on his wife instead of trying to one-up his father-in-law.” Sharkey groaned.

  “He also made a trip to Vashon, to an attorney’s office but he was carrying his briefcase so it was likely it was a client.”

  “A divorce attorney?” Sharkey almost appeared hopeful.

  “No, I believe it was a corporate law firm.”

  “A shame. So back to Sarai. You have kept an eye on her?”

  Charlie nodded. “I did install a wee camera on the exterior of your house near the front door. We would know if Aileen—or anyone for that matter—had approached the house.”

  Sharkey laughed. “I should have thought of that. I never even considered that I would need a security camera in this area.”

  Or in his car. I considered suggesting it. “You did not account for the wrath of a woman scorned,” I reminded him.

  “No, I did not. Send me the bill, Charlie. I don’t want these expenses on you.”

  “Already done,” Charlie responded.

  We laughed as we tipped back our glasses of beer. I wondered for a moment if it was my imagination or if I had seen a shadow pass by the doorway from the kitchen. Since there was only one person living in the house with Sharkey now, there was only one person who could be eavesdropping on our conversation.

  “Walk us out then?” I suggested. “I’ve an early morning and need to get going. We can show you the camera.”

  Once outside, Charlie showed Sharkey the set up. I made certain the front door was closed before pointing out what I had noticed.

  “Sarai wouldn’t be spying on us, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Sharkey said. “At least not for some malevolent reason. If anything it would be fear driven. She might be concerned that I’ll ship her back to Thailand.”

  “You’re certain of that?” Charlie asked.

  “I am. She’s a kind person, and very loyal.”

  “How do you know this?” I asked, disliking playing devil’s advocate.

  Sharkey thumped his chest with his fist, directly over his heart. “I know it. That’s all. I know it.”

  Ah, the man was indeed a goner. I recognized it easily. “Well, then, we will have to do all we can to put the poor wee lassie’s mind at ease.”

  Charlie concurred with a nod.

  “Thank you, both. I
appreciate all you’re doing.”

  “We’re happy to help,” Charlie said.

  “Is there more we can do?” I asked.

  “No more than what you are.”

  “And you did not learn anymore about her entry into the country?”

  “Nothing I haven’t already told you. She says she saved up money so she could come here. Someone helped her, but she would not say who. Once here and with an established job, she has kept a low profile so she would not be forced to leave. I didn’t pursue how she achieved that feat while I was in Thailand. I spent what time I had, apart from dealing with bureaucracy, trying to find out why she wants to stay in America so desperately.”

  “What she is fleeing from, in other words?” Charlie asked.

  “Exactly.”

  “Did you find answers?”

  “I only know that her life was very difficult. She lived in poverty in a wee village and later in the city where I suspect she was”—he choked back the anger of his words—“taken advantage of.”

  Charlie looked as uncomfortable as I felt. “Well, then, we will do all we can to help her.”

  “And to protect her,” I said. And you, I thought, still very aware of that deep sense that for some reason, Sharkey needed saving.

  * * *

  The minute I walked in the door of The Shamrock and Thistle, I regretted it. Charlie’s band wasn’t playing tonight. I didn’t know why I’d even come, except that I was thirsty for a pint. Considering that my bar refrigerator was well stocked, I could have had one at home. Of course, next to Sharkey’s full-sized bar, it looked a wee bit pathetic. But it did the job. It always had so it needn’t pale by comparison now.

  For that matter, I could have walked across the street to Charlie’s and joined him for a pint. But not tonight, not when all I could think of was Jenny and whether or not I’d said enough. She would be home now, safely tucked away on her little island. If I was a more courageous man, I would drive directly to the Anacortes ferry and follow the bread crumbs across the Strait to her door. That courageous I was not. I wasn’t even able to spend the evening with my closest friend, her father.

  Ruling out that option, I had considered making my way down the street to Sharkey’s to have a pint with him. But something kept me away. A sense that there was something going on there? A visit from Moira or from Maureen perhaps? Or simply that he wanted to spend some time alone with the lovely housekeeper. Whatever it was, it had created a strong enough sensation in my gut to keep me from interfering.