Learning the Truth
1076 Words
Saoirse woke the next morning to the smell of bacon and coffee. She stretched her limbs, then threw back the covers and padded to the bathroom. After taking care of business and brushing her teeth with the new tooth brush Damian provided for her she went to the kitchen, to look for him.
He was standing at the stove making some scrambled eggs. His broard naked back to her. His pajama bottoms hung low on his hips, and his feet bare. "Hey, good morning!" He smiled over his shoulder. "I have coffee over there." He indicated the opposite counter.
She went over to where he was and slipped her arms around his waist in a hug. He put down his spatula and moved the pan of eggs off the burner then turned and pulled her closer. He lowered his head and kissed her slowly. "Mmmm, that's what I call a wake up." She smiled into his face.
He pushed hair away from her eyes. "You sleep okay?"
Her green eyes pinched with her smile. "I did. Like a baby." She whispered.
"Hungry? It's all done." He nodded to the pan of eggs and platter of bacon.
"Yes, please. I am working on a new routine today and could use the added protein." She sat at the kitchen bar and her served her a plate and one for himself.
After he saw that she was nearly finished he decided that now was a good time to discuss the little he knew and see if she knew anything about her uncle. He stood to refill both their coffee cups and she put the dishes in the dishwasher. He went into his office real quick while she did that , then returned with the stack of mug shots. He indicated for her sit and she took her chair at the bar again.
"What do you have there?' She noticed the stack of papers in his hand.
"These are mug shots of some men that Dominic got from the police. First..." He slid the one of her uncle across to her. His name at the bottom of the paper.
She picked it up and looked totally confused. "My uncle?"
"How much do you know about your uncle Liam?' He sipped his coffee and studied her body language.
"Not much. He and Da had a problem a few years back. Some disagreement. After Ma died. Uncle Liam moved from Seattle then to here in Chicago. They didn't even talk much at first, then slowly Da started reaching out at Christmas or his birthday. I never knew what the original argument was about. I think something about Ma, but not for sure. Uncle Liam has disappointed Da many times over the years. Standing me up at the bus station is only the newest. Da was furious! He knows I'm safe, but angry his brother didn't help like he said he would. I haven't spoken to Da about the threat to Silver though." She wrapped her hands around her coffee cup.
"I'm going to tell you a few things that I know." He smiled at her. "Have you ever heard of the Irish Saints?" She shook her head. "Well they are a group of Irish men here in town that have grouped together to do business. Some is legal, some is not. Not all things are black and white if you understand. I work for a family here in Chicago that has been here for a very long time. My work is mostly reserved to the club now, but there was a time, that both Dominic and I did things for the family that we aren't very proud of, but it was necessary at the time. We try and stay legit now, for the most part, but on occasion we are called upon to do things in the family that might not be exactly legal. Anyway..." He swallowed some coffee. "The Irish Saints are the competition. I learned that your uncle is now the new president. The shot caller, so to speak. He has a brother in law, A Shaun O'Rourke that recently came from Dublin, who Liam has brought in. Shaun got here around the same time that you got here. I don't know if that has anything to do with why he didn't pick you up, but he has been staying with your uncle and aunt. He was also involved with Lena, the girl in the alley. We don't have a picture of him, but we know in some ways he fits your description of the man you saw. Just no scar o his face that anyone has noticed." She looked as though she had been punched.
"Okay, so...my uncle may or may not have something to do with the murder of that girl?" Her green eyes had tears.
"I don't know. I have men out trying to find out. We don't have a lot of information on this Shaun yet. Not even a photo, but I thought I'd have you look through these and see if you recognize anyone." He pushed the stack towards her. "I did learn that there was an incident a couple nights before the murder . Two of the Saints tried to break into a warehouse and steal from us, not me in particular, but the family. There was a shoot out and the two thieves were killed. I still don't know how Lena figures into all this, but the fact that she was killed this close to the club can't be a coincidence. I also have a man going to Seattle to speak to your father." At that she sat up straighter. Worry on her face. "I promise not to cause him too much concern." He tried to reassure.
"That won't help! He's my Da! Of coarse he's going to worry!" She hopped off her chair. "Damian! You can't just send some strange person to talk to my Da! He won't talk to him. He'll ...he'll get angry! Please don't do that! Let...me..try. Let me ask my Da about my uncle." Her eyes were pleading.
He moved to her and put his arms around her. "Okay baby. I won't make a move on you dad right now, but we need as much information as we can get." She leaned into his hug and nodded her head.
"How did things get so messed up?" She asked quietly. "All I've ever wanted in life was to dance."
- Writer
