by Matt Lincoln
“It’s not fair,” Fiona huffed. “Wallace hasn’t sent me on an international mission since Japan. I want to get out there and have an adventure, too!”
“You should talk to him about it,” I suggested as I got up to fill the small electric kettle on the tv stand with water from the bathroom.
“I keep meaning to,” Fiona sighed. “But it seems like every time I’m about to, there’s a new case or some new disaster for him to handle, and I don’t want to bug him with my whining.”
“It’s not whining,” I admonished as I plugged the kettle into the wall outlet beside the TV to make some coffee. “You’re trying to take a more active role in the cases. He’d probably be happy to hear that.”
“I guess,” she muttered. She could still be so shy and hesitant when it came to asserting herself or making requests.
“Do you have any plans for today?” I asked in an attempt to change the subject. “Since our party plans got canceled, I mean.”
“Naomi and I were going to watch horror movies at my place after work,” she replied. I was glad to hear that just the mention of it seemed to brighten her mood. “Miranda said she might come too, but Naomi thinks that she’s probably going to go out partying.”
“That sounds fun,” I replied as I waited for the water to boil. “Watching movies, I mean.”
“Yeah,” Fiona responded. “It’s nice to have a girls’ night. I’m bringing a bowl of chocolates in for us to share. Naomi said they were planning to start their patrol a little later since most people will be going out to party later in the evening, so we’ll probably just be sitting around in my office until then. Is there anything fun happening over there?”
“Yes, actually,” I replied. “Apparently, there’s this massive parade and festival in Dublin. The guy we’re after is planning on using the ruckus from the parade as a cover while he smuggles some illegal goods into the country, so we’ll probably get to see some of it tonight when we begin our mission.”
“Oh, that sounds cool,” Fiona remarked. “Take some pictures to show me when you get back, okay?”
“I’ll try.” I smiled into the phone. Our jobs were unpredictable, and I didn’t want to make any promises I couldn’t keep. “You should try to get some sleep. You’ll feel groggy at work tomorrow if you don’t.”
“Yeah, I know,” Fiona huffed. “I’ll talk to you later, ok, Junior? Call me as soon as you’re finished with your mission, even if it’s late here.”
“Will do,” I assured her before saying goodbye and ending the call.
I took my cup of coffee and fell into the soft, green leather chair at the end of the room. Hearing Fiona’s voice always made me feel more at ease, and, coupled with the twelve hours of sleep I’d gotten the previous night, I felt refreshed and full of energy.
I glanced around the room as I slowly sipped my coffee. The room wasn’t very different from any other hotel room I’d stayed in during any of my travels. Against the wall was a large oak television stand that held the TV and the coffee maker, as well as a basket that contained brochures and advertisements for businesses and restaurants in the area. Taking up most of the room was a queen-sized bed with green sheets and a thick, floral comforter, and at one end, right in front of the windows, was a small table and the overstuffed green chair I was currently sitting in.
The only discernible difference was the main view through the large floor-to-ceiling windows. Through them, I could see rust-red brick houses with arched windows set along cobbled streets. It was a sight that made me feel as though I’d been transported back in time.
After I finished my coffee, I went into the bathroom to have a shower and get changed. My shoulder twitched painfully as I pulled my shirt up over my head to get it off, and I sighed in frustration. I’d have to talk to Wallace when we got back and probably see a specialist, but I needed my arm to hold out for just a bit longer. We were so close to finding the leader of the organization, and I couldn’t have it giving out on me now.
It was noon by the time I finished showering and getting dressed, and I felt a little embarrassed at how I’d slept through so much of the day. It was ultimately time well-spent, though. My nerves had been wearing thin, and I was making too many sloppy mistakes. I hadn’t even noticed Charlie was gone yesterday until I saw the commotion from the crowd outside and realized that he was grappling with a suspect on the roof of the building. I couldn’t let my focus drain like that again.
There were still several hours until we were supposed to meet with Seamus at the police station, and I wondered what I should do until then. I picked my phone up from the bedside table where I’d left it after my call with Fiona and realized I had a couple of missed texts from Charlie.
Hey, you up? (8:16)
I’m going to go get a souvenir for Amber. Call me if something happens. (8:57)
I frowned in disappointment that I’d missed his texts. Even though he’d come around and started hanging out with the other agents and me more in the past year we’d all been working together, he still wasn’t a very social person. I was a little upset that I’d missed an opportunity to hang out with him doing something not work-related.
I liked the idea of getting a souvenir, too. I knew that it wasn’t the same as actually getting to go on a mission in person, but maybe getting something for Fiona would cheer her up and give her the courage to talk to Wallace about it again.
I went to put on my jacket but stopped short when I remembered that I didn’t have it anymore. I’d used it to apply pressure to Callahan’s injuries back when we’d been ambushed at the castle. I glanced out the window and sighed sadly when I saw that droplets of rain were still tapping gently against the window. It wasn’t an intense downpour or anything, but still enough that it would make walking around unenjoyable.
I threw on the only other thing I had, a thin gray hoodie, and headed out of my hotel room. If I was going to go shopping anyway, then maybe I should just buy a new jacket, too. It would make a nice souvenir, and if the rain kept up, it would be a wise investment for the rest of my time in Ireland.
The streets were filled with people bustling about as they got ready for that evening’s celebrations. Even though it was the middle of the day, there were already children in costumes running up and down the street knocking on doors and demanding candy. I guessed that made sense. If there was going to be a big parade later, it probably wouldn’t be safe or feasible for children to walk around freely then.
I smiled as I watched a boy in a bright blue dinosaur costume waddle past, clutching his older sister’s hand. She was dressed as some kind of futuristic fairy. She was wearing giant pink wings and had a shiny, reflective jumpsuit on. I really couldn’t tell what it was, and I wondered if it was a character on some kids’ show I’d never heard of.
Seamus had mentioned that northern Dublin was a high-crime area, but it seemed safe enough considering children were roaming around unsupervised. There was no way that would happen in Las Vegas or even the suburban neighborhood in Phoenix, Arizona that I’d grown up in.
There were so many shops and restaurants around me that I felt overwhelmed by the choices immediately. I spotted a small storefront decorated with bright green t-shirts with “Dublin” printed across the front and ducked into it on a whim. If they had t-shirts, then maybe they would have jackets, too.
They did have jackets, along with every other kitschy, touristy thing imaginable. Bright green coffee mugs covered in four-leaf clovers, every article of clothing you could think of with either “Dublin” or “Ireland” or both printed somewhere on it, and shelves upon shelves full of little sheep and leprechaun figurines.
“Good morning!” the woman behind the register called out cheerfully as soon as she noticed me. “How can I help you?”
I actually wasn’t sure that I wanted anything so tacky and obviously touristy, but the woman’s smile was so broad and genuine that I didn’t have the heart to turn her down directly.
“I was just lo
oking,” I smiled sheepishly.
“Of course,” the stout woman beamed. “Was there something in particular that you wanted? Don’t be shy, now. Old Myrtle’s got everything you need.”
“Oh, well, something for my girlfriend, I guess,” I replied. Now that I thought about it, Fiona was really into cutesy stuff. She might actually like one of the little sheep figures.
“Oh, well, I’m afraid I haven’t got any diamond rings or things of that nature,” the woman laughed. My shock at her words must have shown clearly on my face because she burst out laughing even harder.
“I’m just pulling your leg, lad,” she chuckled. “You young people are so fun to tease. Now let me see, what kind of girl is she, your lass?”
“Oh, well…” I stuttered. Myrtle was clearly a good saleswoman. I’d just told her a few seconds ago that I was just looking, and now, somehow, she was helping me pick out a gift. “She likes computer games.”
“Computer games?” Myrtle repeated with a huff. “Well, I haven’t got anything like that in my shop. Though I do think I have some mouse pads. Just a moment, love.”
I watched as she turned away from me and cupped her hands over her mouth.
“Billy!” she screamed toward the back of the store. “Have we got any more of those mouse pads?”
“Which ones?” a muffled male voice called back. I stood, transfixed and a little embarrassed by what was happening.
“The ones with the shamrocks on them!” Myrtle called back just as loudly.
“The what?” the voice from before screamed back.
I was about to insist that it was alright and that I could just choose something else, but she screamed again before I could open my mouth.
“The. Sham. Rocks!” She enunciated every syllable as she called out to whoever was in the back of the store.
“Oh,” the voice responded. “Nah, we’ve only got the leprechaun ones left!”
“Oh, now that won’t do,” Myrtle sighed, suddenly speaking at an appropriate volume again. “Those ugly things aren’t suitable for a lady.”
“It’s okay,” I insisted before she could start screaming again. “I can just get one of these.” I gestured toward the sheep figurines right in front of us. I wasn’t sure if she would actually like it, but I just wanted to get out of the store.
“Nonsense,” Myrtle chirped. “I have something much better if it’s sheep she likes. Come over here.”
She took off through the small shop without another word, and I followed behind her, careful not to bump any of the displays or racks of clothes as I went.
“Now, have a look at that!” Myrtle proclaimed proudly as she handed me a stuffed sheep doll. The white cloth it was made of was fuzzy and soft to the touch, and it was sticking its tongue out. Best of all, it was wearing an emerald green top hat half its own size that had “Dublin” written across it in glittery silver letters. Honestly, it was precisely the type of thing she would like.
“It’s perfect,” I admitted.
“Excellent,” Myrtle grinned as she walked me back to the register. “You said it’s for your girl, eh? I’ll wrap it up nice and pretty for you then, no extra charge.”
“Thank you.” I smiled as she placed the sheep into a green paper bag before stuffing it with pink tissue and tying the top closed with a pink bow.
“Will you be needing anything else, then?” She asked as she swiped my card through the reader.
“No,” I answered quickly. As cute as the sheep was, I didn’t want to wear any of the tacky jackets in the store, and if I stayed any longer, I was genuinely worried Myrtle would talk me into buying one.
“Alright, then,” she beamed as she handed me the bag. “Have a lovely Halloween. Stay safe out there!”
“You too,” I replied before heading out the door. I let out a small sigh of relief once I was outside. I felt a little pathetic after that interaction. What kind of federal agent could go head to head with hardened criminals but completely dissolve in the face of a rosy-cheeked woman selling overpriced trinkets?
Still, it had been a pretty memorable experience, and I was sure that Fiona would get a kick out of it when I got back home and told her about it.
The rain had let up for now, but it was sure to come back, so I refocused on my current mission to acquire a new jacket and set off again into the streets of Dublin.
29
Charlie
I finished my soda and set the glass back down on the metal patio table. I was sitting on the terrace of a bar just a few steps away from our hotel room and having an early dinner. Junior and I would be meeting with the police in about an hour, and I’d decided to stop for a bite to eat before heading back to the hotel after getting Amber’s souvenir.
I’d been tempted to order a beer or even another one of those Irish Coffees that Junior had given me the previous day. It had become glaringly obvious to me that drinking was a big part of Irish culture, and it was impossible to go more than a few steps without running into a bar. Right now, especially, every bar and restaurant seemed to be advertising drink specials for Halloween.
I knew it was a stupid idea to drink right before a major mission, though, so that would just have to wait until after we were finished.
I watched as a group of children ran by, giggling and joking around as they competed to see who had gotten the most candy that day. I wondered if Eliza had taken Amber out trick-or-treating this year. She’d been jumpy ever since what had happened during our last case, and with everything going on with the spiked cough syrup, I seriously doubted she had.
When I was a kid, people used to tell urban legends about candies spiked with LSD and chocolate-covered razor blades. Of course, none of it was true. They had all just been rumors and hoaxes. The fact that someone had spiked medicine with a dangerous drug was just as terrifying, except this time, it was all real.
I sighed as I stood from my seat, lifted the paper bag containing Amber’s gift off the table, and walked off the patio. I figured I should probably go meet up with Junior before we headed over to the police station.
It had rained most of the morning, and although it wasn’t anymore, the sky was dark and threatening, and looming gray clouds threatened to burst at any moment. I walked the short distance back to the hotel and then decided to take the stairs to our rooms on the third floor. It wasn’t very high up, and the anticipation of the mission had me buzzing with nervous energy.
“Oh, hey!” Junior called as he stepped out of his room just as I turned the corner into our hallway. “I was just about to ask if you were ready to go.”
“Just about,” I replied as I approached him. “Nice jacket.”
“Thanks.” He grinned at the compliment. He was wearing a dark bomber jacket with the word “Dublin” written across one of the sleeves in black lettering. “I never did get my other one back. Though, considering the circumstances, I don’t really want it anymore.”
I frowned as I remembered what he was referring to. I hadn’t asked Seamus about Callahan since he told us that he was stable, and he hadn’t mentioned it. Realistically, it had only been a couple of days, but it felt like so much time had passed in those few hours. I made a mental note to ask Seamus about him when we saw him later.
“Oh, what did you get for Amber?” Junior asked as his eyes drifted down to the bag in my hand.
“A music box,” I replied. “It plays traditional Irish melodies.”
“Wow.” Junior smiled. “That’s so nice. She’s going to love it.”
“I hope so,” I said as I lifted up the bag. “Anyway, just let me put this away, and I’ll get ready to go.”
I walked past him and into my room and then set the bag down carefully on the floor at the foot of the bed. The music box was made of carved wood and had a little figurine inside that would pop out and spin when it was opened. It looked delicate, and I didn’t want it to break accidentally.
I walked into the bathroom and splashed some water on my face before looking a
t myself in the mirror. The thin, white scar running from just beneath my eye down to my chin had long since stopped hurting. It was barely visible anymore, but it served as a stark reminder of how dangerous this job could be. I hadn’t even been doing anything dangerous when I’d gotten the injury that left it, either. It just went to show that I could never let my guard down on this job.
I double-checked to make sure my gun, handcuffs, and spare ammo were all in place before heading back out of my room.
Junior was still in the hallway, smiling at something on his phone.
“Oh, ready to go?” he asked as I stepped out of my room.
“Yeah, let’s head out.” I nodded as I led the way toward the stairs.
We didn’t know exactly when Finnian Gallagher would be at the docks to receive the shipment, but the parade would be starting in just about an hour as soon as the sun began to go down, so we needed to be ready to move.
As we stepped out of the hotel, I noticed that it wasn’t quite as overcast as it had been for the past few days. The sky was still gray, which was typical for Ireland, but a few beams of sunlight were breaking through the clouds and casting a warm glow over the buildings.
The street was more packed with people wearing costumes, most likely gathering in preparation for the parade. I noticed that most of the children were gone, though. Seamus had said that the partying tended to involve a lot of drinking and mayhem, so that much made sense.
By now, the way from our hotel down to the Garda station was familiar, and we were able to make it there without getting lost, even among the dense crowd.
“Hello, agents.” He beamed as he caught sight of us. He was standing by the reception desk speaking to the female officer seated there, but he straightened up as I approached him.
“Hello, Seamus,” I greeted. He was wearing a bright orange jack-o’-lantern badge over the chest pocket of his uniform. It looked comically out of place on his tall and hulking form.