Over lunch Commander Murphy, his lead investigator, Molly Lynch, and even Foley were laughing when I shared with them some of Fin's exploits back in Manhattan since they had, unfortunately, seen her on the international news the day Tanya McKnight tried to escape the city when the entire NYPD was out looking for her. Fin and that damn Broken Leash she had called out over the dog-walking network had caused utter chaos in Manhattan by causing traffic gridlock on the island.
Molly, the British transplant was saying about another story, “No, you're pulling our legs right? No bloody way.”
I nodded and pulled up my cell to show my wallpaper. “I'm dead serious, I have two sets of her mugshots on our bedside table. Here's the latest, see the defiant but embarrassed look on her face? That's the look I get every time she calls me on my bullshit.”
She chuckled and said, “That little thing? She's adorable.”
I showed the guys and they nodded appreciatively.
The commander said, “If I ever arrested my wife, I'd be tossed out in tha gutter on my fat arse faster than you could blink. Or more likely she'd kill me in my sleep. She still lets ya sleep in tha bed after that?”
I defended, “She's never really been arrested... technically, well except this one time I had to bring her in for stomping a kidnapper's toe.”
They cracked up, laughing wholeheartedly. Molly gasping out, “You didn't?”
I smirked and nodded. “I did. That's where I got the first set of mugshots. I may or may not have gotten the cold shoulder after that for a bit.”
They snorted and sniggered as my grin grew.
Rodney said as he held his coffee cup up in salute, “You've a huge pair of brass balls on ya detective. She sounds like a keeper.”
We all saluted with our cups, and I sighed out, “I seriously don't know how I got so lucky. Now here we are across the ocean adopting a daughter.”
They all raised their cups again, and the conversation shifted to each of our most embarrassing moments as rookies. If it weren't for all the interesting accents, it was just like hanging out back in the precinct back home, shooting the shit to decompress from tough cases.
I learned that Rodney had just finished his year of probation as a rookie and was assigned as the driver and assistant to the commander.
And his shining moment was apparently picking up two shitfaced men brawling at a pub one night, and realizing he had locked them into the cruiser with the keys still in the vehicle.
He had to wash out the vomit and piss covering the back seat the next morning when the carpool called him out to do it. It had taken him almost an hour of indecision before he left the car unattended to go back into the pub to use the phone to get the carpool guys out to unlock the car for him. Unfortunately, they were all in bed so it took almost another hour before they arrived.
Much spewage had occurred in that time and he had almost added to the vomit from the smell as he drove the drunks to the station to sleep it off. He still finds car air fresheners on his desk on a regular basis.
I did a quick ride-along with Inspector Lynch, as she went to get a statement from a business owner in an embezzlement case she was working on. I found the whole process, almost polite and accommodating, compared to the almost open hostility our officers receive even from those we are sworn to serve and protect. It was like a different world over here for some aspects of the job.
Later that afternoon we were in a good mood as we went to prep for my lecture in the bullpen. As we were passing the radio room I slid to a stop in the hall as a call came in. Apparently, a petite woman had stepped into traffic and stopped a bus, preventing a large dog from getting hit. The woman ran off with two girls and another dog in tow between some houses.
I blinked. No, it couldn't be. Not here.
The Commander had joined us and asked, “What is it, McLeary? You look like you've seen a ghost.”
I opened my mouth when another call came over the radio, about dogs and girls running through people's back yards and private property. I slapped my forehead and dragged my fingers down my face as I almost whined, “Oh, Fin! What have you done now?”
I looked at the three faces looking at me expectantly, I asked sheepishly, “Care to take a ride? I know who's behind all these disturbances being called in.”
Molly's eyes widened in amusement when she got there, then the Commander chuckled. “No? Are you sure?”
“Girls and dogs running through traffic and people's yards? I'll eat Rodney's hat if it isn't her.” As they exchanged thoroughly amused looks I muttered as I pulled out my cell, “You're going to have a story to talk about in the bullpen for months now.”
The woman in dispatch was listening from the radio room and she poked her head out. “Should I dispatch cars and animal control, sir?”
She held up a finger and listened in her headset for a moment before repeating, “A near-miss of a large dog in traffic heading to the edge of town sir.”
I felt a familiar pang of panic, that Fin might be hurt running through traffic like that in her single-minded pursuit of a dog. But it was magnified exponentially knowing the girls were with her and they might get hurt too. God, was this what being a mother felt like? It was almost irrational.
I hung up my cell, and growled, “Of course, she and the girls turned their cells off so that there were no distractions on their day out together, since it's all about bonding.”
The Commander said to dispatch, an eye on me, “No, actually, send a cruiser, not animal control, an' sign Foley an' me out on tha call with our visiting detective here. It seems her wife has shenanigans afoot.”
I gave him a sardonic look. “Gee thanks, Commander.”
He chuckled and slapped my back. “Let's go see if we can't find yer errant wife, shall we?”
I rolled my eyes and followed him and Rodney out to a large SUV that was the Commander's car... Rodney drove.
We spent the next hour following the sightings, but they had been cutting through neighborhoods on a zigzag course through Sydenham and weren't predictable. As they got near the edge of town where the houses started to bleed into more farming and agricultural areas, we lost them.
I took a deep breath and exhaled. I checked the time for the hundredth time. Fin had to have the girls back at the home by five. And we were just an hour and a half a from that now. We couldn't afford to break the rules, or it could jeopardize our adoption. I didn't want to be the one to tell Doyle and Johnston that Fin and the girls were lost out there somewhere chasing a dog.
Commander Murphy looked at me for a moment then suggested, “Rodney, why don't'cha bring us ta where tha first sightin' was reported?”
“On it, Commander.”
I nodded and sighed in thanks. This we could do, in any investigation, starting at the beginning is the first step. I appreciated his attempt to put me at ease by reintroducing some structure and familiarity in the chaos of the search.
To my surprise, we pulled up to a butcher's shop near the orphanage. I stayed in the background as the commander and Rodney stepped into the shop. Rodney stayed back with me when the Commander held a hand back. He stepped up to the counter after a customer left with a white paper wrapped package. The butcher straightened and asked, “How can I be helpin' tha police taday?”
Commander Murphy asked as he looked at his phone, “I'm lookin' fer a Gael Kane.”
“That'd be me. Is this about the lady an' the dog?”
The tall police commander nodded. “It is. Can ya tell us what ya saw?”
The man nodded as he removed his disposable plastic gloves and wiped his hands on a paper towel while he stepped around the counter to walk toward the windows. He pointed at the street, which had a light flow of traffic. Well, it would be light flow in Manhattan, I didn't know how busy the streets were here on a Sunday.
The man said, in Celtic Irish with a heavy brogue, “Bhí sé ina ifreann de rud.”
In my head, the little devil on my shoulder whispered to me that Fin wo
uld probably understand what the man said. She had spent hour upon hours non stop learning as much Irish as she could before we flew over. That wouldn't mean much with most people, but my girl was something... special. I almost smiled when I added, “Like Luce.”
The commander nodded and said, “English please if you would, we've a guest from tha States.” He indicated me.
The butcher tipped an imaginary hat to me as he said, “Sorry, beggin' yer pardon. I was just sayin' Buttons had just left with her daily pork knucklebone.”
“Buttons?”
“Aye, tha wolfhound who comes every day fer a bone. Least that's what the big tag on her collar calls her.” He scratched his silver-streaked, reddish-brown beard. “Tha dog dropped tha bone in tha middle of the road an' as it stopped ta pick it back up, a wee lass in a bonny dress stepped inta traffic, in front of a bus of all things, an' she closed her eyes an' held a stoppin' hand up... tha bus stopped just short of smearin' her from here ta there. That daft woman saved poor Buttons from steppin' off from this life.”
The commander looked over at me as I covered my face with a hand and just nodded. That was my girl. Afraid of nothing when it came to helping dogs. I suppose I just needed to be afraid for her since as Luce would say, she's no sense of her own.
He asked, “What happened then?”
The butcher went back behind the counter and shrugged. “Then Buttons was off between tha houses just there, through old lady Walsh's prize flowerbed. That wee lass an' two younger girls ran off after her, with another dog. An' I called you lot, I was afraid the woman might get hurt, steppin' inta traffic like that.”
“Thank ya, Mr. Kane. You've been a big help.”
“Not at all, happy ta help. If'n ya ever need fresh meat, we've the best veal in all'a Belfast.”
Ian gave the man a nod, and Rodney tipped his cap to the man and I just inclined my head in thanks before we all turned and headed back out. We all looked across the way to where an elderly lady looked to be working on a trampled flowerbed.
Murphy nodded thoughtfully as he informed us, “Well that was no help.”
Rodney was shaking his head as he said, “Not a lick.”
I snorted and said, “But we do know that it is Finnegan now.”
They furrowed their brows and the commander asked, “Because of tha two girls an' tha other dog chasin' tha hound?”
Shaking my head I shared, “Stopping traffic that way... it's sort of my wife's signature move. Well, that and stomping suspects toes.” I added at their questioning looks before they could ask. “She'd do pretty much anything to help out a dog, at the expense of her own safety. It's sort of one of the things that won me over about her.”
They nodded and then Murphy said, “I don't have any other suggestions since the calls stopped coming in, and the other car has come up empty. The next couple calls weren't far from here and we picked up just after that.”
I looked at the time, we had been burning daylight on our quest and I was worried sick about Fin and the girls. I was hoping that Bri would be the voice of reason, if not, Calvin was the only one who had any sense in their group.
I had to do the right thing as five o'clock was rapidly approaching. I could see it now. “Oh hi ladies, you know how my wife has two of the girls from the home with her? Yeah, they're lost in the city somewhere chasing a dog the size of a pony so... I wouldn't wait up. Against the rules of an unsupervised visit? A black mark on our record and we can't adopt from here now? I see.”
It felt like someone was squeezing my heart. In my mind, Luce was already my daughter, so I know how devastating it would be to Finny if this prevented it. She's always thinking with her heart, not her head and it might cost us this time.
I sighed and asked, “Could I get you to drop me at the girls home. I'm going to have to somehow explain this to them.”
Commander Murphy nodded. “Of course. We'll keep a couple cars out searchin' an' I'll have Rodney here drive yer car ta tha' home for ya if ya give him yer keys.”
I nodded absently, my mind on the consequences of Fin's latest misadventure.
We pulled up to the steps and sat there a moment, the commander looked back to me. “Want me ta come in with ya?” I could see empathy in his eyes.
I prompted, “Do you have children, Ian?”
He nodded. “Two beautiful daughters, five an' eight, an' a son who is drivin' me 'round tha bend with his teen rebellion.” His smile told me everything, he loved his kids with a passion. That is the passion I wanted to feel, and I think it had already started to take anchor in my heart.
I just gave him a single nod and Murphy told Foley, “Why don't'cha call in ta tha station we need another car fer the search and have the other cars keep a lookout, and go retrieve tha detective's car. I'm sure there's going ta be a lot of explaining ta be done here.”
Rodney gave a lazy two-finger salute off the brim of his cap and inclined his head at me as I handed him the keys to the rental. As soon as we stepped out and the SUV drove off, I sighed and turned to the doors.
The commander clasped my shoulder with one of his big hands and gave a reassuring squeeze. “Chin up, McLeary. I'm sure they'll be understandin'. From the sounds of it, the girls were never in any danger, just yer impulsive wife, steppin' out inta traffic like that. Sound's like she saved tha hound in doin' so.”
I nodded and gave him a weak grin as I shrugged. “She does that.” Then I glanced at my cell. Four fifty-five. We'd be breaking the home's rules in just five minutes, and I hoped to hell it didn't all fall apart. I really liked Mrs. Johnston and Mrs. Doyle, they were firm yet lenient with all the girls in the home and they seemed well respected and loved by all of them. I was hoping that same leniency would be extended to my misadventure prone wife.
We rang the bell and one of the other workers answered. I smiled as her face bloomed in recognition and a smile of her own. “Mrs. McLeary-May. Come in, come in. Your wife and the children... aren't... back...” She trailed off when she saw the commander with me.
I inhaled and centered myself and said with a reassuring smile, “Could we please speak with Mrs. Johnston and Mrs. Doyle? We've something to share with them.”
She looked almost on the verge of a curtsy as she turned and scurried off. “Of course.”
I noted all the little heads popping out from various rooms and the stairwell. Curiosity is the mainstay of all children. I gave them a wan smile. Then the women entered the main corridor from the nursery wing a minute later. They both hesitated at the sight of Commander Murphy again and came hustling up to us, worry painting their faces.
Mrs. Doyle spoke before I could as they reached us, “Has somethin' happened? Are tha girls ok?”
I started. “As far as we...”
Then we all turned around at giggling at the door as it swung open, Finnegan telling the girls, “I swear that's how it happened.”
I just blinked as Finnegan sashayed in, the girls and Calvin following and they had a small woolly horse in tow. The hound was immense. Bri was holding its leash and she said excitedly, “I can't wait to show tha wee ones.”
They went scurrying past us and I dumbly fist-bumped the girls as they moved along, the dogs' tails swishing. Fin practically skipped past and stole a quick peck on my lips, saying, “Something looks serious here, we'll leave you to it. The girls want to show Buttons off to the others. Come find us when you're done.”
I just blinked, a million questions on my mind, I opened my mouth to call out after her but Mrs. Doyle asked in concern, “What did ya need ta tell us?” My eyes narrowed when the commander stated chuckling, covering his mouth to stifle it and hide the huge smile on his lips.
I punched his shoulder and assured him, “It's not funny in the least, buster.”
Hs shrugged and assured me, “I beg ta differ.” Then he looked at the old worn watch on his wrist and pointed at it as he said, “If anythin', yer wife is punctual.”
Ok, the asswipe was funny. I chuckled as the two wom
en looked at us expectantly. I exhaled and told them, “It's a long story.” We heard squealing and giggling upstairs and I said, “First we better rescue the girls up there from that pony Finnegan brought with them.” They nodded, catching the jubilant spirit of the sounds of celebration on the second level.
Fin had a lot of explaining to do.
Chapter 12 – Quarry Road
Bri informed me as we rode the bus back to Sydenham, “Finnegan, we don't need to go back to the home. The little runt can suffer with a stain on her sleeve. Accidents happen and Luce knows it.”
I squinted an eye at the teen. I understood Luce's anxiety about it but knew it was a little more intense with her, being a little farther along the spectrum. I informed her, “The whole point of today is for us all to have as much fun as we can. And if she fixates on something else then she'll be distracted from the fun. I understand the anxiety, and it won't hurt for us to get her a change of clothes before going back out.”
Luce kept wiping at the tomato sauce stain on her sleeve from our lunch. She hadn't stopped wiping it since it occurred and it was spiking my own anxiety, not to mention I was starting to fixate on it too since Luce kept bringing attention to it. She grumped out to us, “'She' is right here, you louts. Stop talkin' like I'm not.”
I squinted an eye in apology to her and countered with a nose crinkle and it was adorable when she mimicked me. I told her, “Sorry.”
She sighed but then brightened and leaned in close and said, “It's ok. I do the same thing with Calvin sometimes.”
I reached out and stroked her hair. I had learned that it doesn't spike her anxiety like touching her skin did. I think she saw her hair like an insulating layer like clothing. I had realized it earlier when I observed she never shied away whenever I kissed the top of her head.
Unleashed- Case of the Hound About Town Page 11