A Nice Clean Murder Part 15

aYes, Iam sorry. She goes by Bridget Donnelly now, not Devine,a I said, and my four companions on this merry chase gave me a collective incredulous look.

aI understand,a the woman said. aShe did graduate, with honors, it looks like. She took a course in Irish ancient history. Professor Carroll taught the cla.s.s. Unfortunately, he pa.s.sed on a few months ago. Professor Sullivan now teaches the cla.s.ses. Did you want to register Miss Donnelly?a she asked nicely.

aNo, Iall let her know and Iam sure sheall be contacting you. Youave been a great help. Thank you,a I said.

We all stood there in the hallway stupefied. aIall be d.a.m.ned,a I said. aShe was married to Russell Devine. I think that was the name I saw on her license that hung on her wall.a Charlie took the phone out of my hand. aWeall soon know for sure,a he said and dialed. aJess. Charlie. One more person. Bridget Donnelly-Devine. Graduated TrinityCollege. Sheas an attorney in Donegal. Goes by Bridget Donnelly now. Need to know if she was married to this Russell Devine creature or has any connection to him at all. Soon? Thanks. Iaa Charlie gave us a pleading glance.

We gave him some privacy and headed to the kitchen; Maggie checked on Peter.

aWhatas next?a I asked, shaking my head. I put the kettle on the stove.

aWhat in the world made you think of this?a Mac asked.

aI donat know. I was talking to Maggie, and all of the sudden, it popped into my head. I remembered looking at her diploma, seeing her and Peter stealing glances at each other. I pa.s.sed it off.a I shrugged.

Charlie came into the kitchen. aJess said it shouldnat take too long. If Kate found out that much in ten minutes, she can find out the rest in an hour or so.a He looked at me. aItas a challenge thing with Jess.a aDating you, I can see the challenge,a I said with a sweet smile as I finished making the tea.

aWell,a Maggie said as she joined us, aPeter is breathing normally and his body temperature is much warmer. We got him out of there in time. He needs to rest now.a She wearily rubbed her forehead.

I took the pot of hot tea and a small mug. aFollow me, Doctor.a Once in the living room, I motioned to the chair by the fire. aMaggie, you look p.o.o.ped. Sit for a while.a aIam fine.a I gave her an unwavering look. aSit down, please.a She sat in the chair by the fire while I poured a cup of tea. aLet someone take care of you for a change,a I said and handed her the steamy cup. I slid the ottoman under her feet.

aThanks, Kate,a she sighed.

aHey, wheread Tim run off to?a I asked and looked around the room. With all that had happened, I completely forgot about him.

aI think he went to see Sean and Mary. Said head be back later.a aWe need to get our information organized here,a I said. aNow the newest wrinkle is Bridget. Sheas involved in this, as well, which I truly suspected anyway. She took a cla.s.s from Professor Carroll that somehow links her to Peter, maybe. I thought he knew her because of Brian, but it appears he knew her long before. Why would she lie about that?a I asked absently. aWeall know soon enough. Peter is going to have to spill his guts now.

aWhat the Christ is going on and who in the h.e.l.l killed Brian?a I looked out at the fog, as if it were going to answer me.

For the next few hours, we took turns looking in on Peter. He slept peacefully and Maggie was sure head be fine.

As Maggie and I sat by the fire, I heard the phone ring. Teri rushed back into the library. aKate, itas Bridget, she needs to talk to you. She sounds terrified.a aNow what?a I ran to the phone.

Bridget was terrified. aKate, Iad never ask ya for a favor, but if ya could, would ya come get me? Iam at my office. Things are gettina a mite out of hand and honestly Iam scared to death.a I heard the panic in her voice. aStay where you are. Iall be there in twenty minutes,a I said and hung up and went back into the library. aSomethingas wrong, sheas afraid to leave her office. I told her Iad pick her up.a I looked over at Mac.

aIall go with you.a Charlie offered to go, as well. aWould you mind staying here with Maggie and Teri? Iad feel better.a Mac drove too fast once again. We said very little until we got into Donegal. I looked around; the town was quiet, not many tourists in this damp foggy weather.

We pulled up to Bridgetas office. Mac honked and she came running out and got into the backseat, out of breath.

aThanks. Iaa she started crying. Mac pulled away and drove out of town back toward Duncorrib.

I turned in my seat to face Bridget. aWhat the h.e.l.l is going on?a aPeteras missing. I was supposed to see him this morning at eight. He never showed. Then I saw Russell Devine, and I got scared. Iave had four phone calls with no one on the other end. Then this b.l.o.o.d.y fog rolled in, and I got spooked. Iam sorry to do this to you,a she said and took a deep breath.

aBridget, Peter is at the house,a I said.

Her eyes widened. aThank G.o.d, I thoughtaa she let out a sob and covered her face with her hands.

aHe was dead?a Mac finished for her. He was getting fed up, I could tell. Mac is a very easygoing man with a high boiling point. However, once his kettle startsa Bridget shot a look up at him. aWhy would you say something like that?a aBecause we found him in the cave knocked unconscious and almost drowned,a he said, not hiding his anger.

I put my hand on his leg in a warning gesture. He took a deep breath and continued driving through the fog. We drove slowly through town and onto the private road leading to the house.

aChrist, this is thick fog,a Mac said.

Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw hima"a man stumbled out of the dense fog and onto the road. aMac, look out!a I yelled.

Mac skillfully swerved and missed him. The man now lying on the road was Tim. There was blood all over his face from the gash on his forehead.

Mac and I dashed out to help him into the car.

aSonsab.i.t.c.hes,a Tim whispered thickly and put his head back. Bridget took a hanky and placed it on his forehead.

Mac pulled away quickly. aWhat next?a he asked loudly and banged his hand on the steering wheel.

Iam sure he didnat expect an answer. aEasy, Mac,a I said, but I agreed with him completely.

We helped Tim into the house and Maggie came running over. aWhat in the worldaa she said.

Once in the kitchen, we eased Tim into a chair.

aI got my licks in before they got me,a he flexed his hand, his knuckles bloodied. Maggie looked at me, and once again, I was running for her doctor bag.

aWhat happened?a I asked when I came back. I handed Maggie the bag.

aI was walking back in this blasted fog. I thought I was being followed, but with the fog, I thought it was my imagination. Then all at once, they were on me, two young b.a.s.t.a.r.ds. Pardon me, ladies.a aA redhead and a bald kid,a I said.

aThatas the ones.a He winced as Maggie cleaned his forehead.

aSt.i.tches?a I asked.

aNo, I can fix this,a she said confidently and continued.

aGood, n.o.body leaves this house. n.o.body.a I looked at Bridget. aPeter is upstairs.a aIall go to him,a she said and started to leave.

aHeas sleeping, you can see him later,a Maggie said firmly without looking up. Bridget glared at her. Maggie glanced up at her and continued mending Timas forehead. aSit down before you collapse. Youare as white as a ghost,a she ordered soundly.

Bridget looked angry. aLook. I donat have toa"a Maggie interrupted her and said harshly, aYes, you do. I think between you and Peter, enough has been accomplished for one morning. Now sit down and keep quiet until Iam finished.a I gave Bridget a pleading look. aYouad better sit.a She grudgingly sat down. Maggie, without a word, finished Timas forehead and started on his bruised knuckles.

Mac reached over and grabbed Timas arm. aIam so sorry.a aDonat be. I say we go find them young b.a.s.t.a.r.ds and show them a thing or two,a he said angrily.

aYouare not going anywhere, Tim,a Maggie said and looked at Mac and me. aNo one is.a Mac and I looked at each other like scolded children. Bridget sat there glaring at Maggie.

I watched as Maggie finished with Tim. She was far too calm for my liking. She closed her doctor bag, walked over to the sink, and washed her hands. She grabbed a towel and dried them, looking at Bridget the entire time. aKate, why donat you and Mac take Tim in the library?a This was not a request.

As we helped Tim up and walked to the door, Bridget stood and Maggie said, aIad like to speak with you for a moment, Bridget.a I gave a curious look at Maggie while Mac guided Tim out of the kitchen. Maggie was frowning, still drying her hands and avoiding me completely. What was this now?

aMaggie...a I started to say and she gave me a look I had never seen before. It stopped me dead in my tracks. I stood there for a second just blinking.

aIall be out in a moment,a she said clearly and succinctly. There was such resolution in her voice that it sent a slight shiver up my spine. For future reference, I made a mental note of that tone. I had no idea what she wanted with Bridget.

aItas been nice,a I mumbled to Bridget and walked out.

In a few minutes, Teri came out of Peteras room as I had my ear to the kitchen door.

aKate,a Teri called down to me.

I jumped and whirled around. aWhat? Iam not doing anything,a I replied in guilty fashion, just as the nuns taught us.

Teri gave me an odd look. aWhat were you doing? Never mind. I donat want to know. Peteras awake, get Maggie.a As I walked into the kitchen, I heard Maggie say, aI hope we understand each other, Bridget.a I stepped into the kitchen and looked at Maggie. aPeteras awake,a I said. aAnd Teri needs you.a Bridget quickly walked out.

I opened my mouth to say something, but by the challenging look on Maggieas face, I closed it quickly. aGood idea,a she said evenly.

She grabbed her doctoras bag and walked out of the kitchen with a purposeful gait. aMaggieaa I started and let out a grunt as the swinging kitchen door greeted me. I rubbed my forehead. aThatas gonna leave a mark.a

Chapter 22.

I walked into Peteras room, still rubbing my forehead, to find Maggie sitting on the edge of Peteras bed. aWelcome back again.a She checked his pulse and his eyes and his neck.

aYouare a pretty lucky man, Peter. If we hadnat been in that cave, youad certainly be dead,a Mac said as Peter sat up and looked at Bridget.

aPeter, thatas where they found you.a aI donat remember,a he rubbed his forehead.

aWhatas the last thing you remember?a I asked.

He glanced at Bridget. aI donat remember exactly.a aOkay,a I said. aWeall talk to you later.a He gave me a suspicious look as did everyone else.

aKateas right. Enough, you need rest,a Maggie ordered.

aWould it be all right if I stayed?a Bridget asked sarcastically.

aYes, for a few minutes,a Maggie said with authority.

aOkay, what was that about?a Teri asked me as we walked into the library.

aLook, those two know whatas going on,a I said. aMy guess is theyare both in over their heads. Let them talk and mull it over. I think Bridget is scared to death. Teri, you heard her voice. Sheall talk before Peter. Trust me, sheall talk.a Tim was sitting with Charlie, playing cards. aPenny a point, young man,a Tim said with a wink.

aYouare on,a Charlie said in a confident tone.

The day was still foggy and damp. Mac and Teri sat on the couch talking. I sat in the chair by the fire. Maggie came up and sat on the ottoman facing me.

Teri came up to us. aLooks like weare going to have houseguests tonight.a I put my hand in my pockets and felt the small key. I took it out and looked at it. aWhere, oh where, do you belong?a I asked absently. I thought for a moment. aEvery key has a label on it. Why not this little b.u.g.g.e.r?a I looked at Maggie. aCamon, letas do some investigating.a She smiled enthusiastically. aAfter you.a We double-checked every door in the house. I glanced at her while she concentrated. aUm, so what did you say to Bridget?a aWhen?a she asked as she looked up at me.

aYou know when, Dr. Winfield. In the kitchen.a Maggieas blue eyes searched my face. She then raised one eyebrow. aWe discussed her business in Duncorrib as compared to Donegal.a She smiled sweetly and walked down the hall.

As we checked the bookcase in the hall, I noticed Maggieas odd look. aWhatas wrong?a I asked.

Maggie took the key from me and looked at it thoughtfully. aYou knowaa she started and stopped as Bridget came down the stairs. I saw Maggie stiffen as she watched Bridget walk by and into the library.

I leaned into Maggie. aHold that thought,a I said and we followed Bridget.

aHowas Peter?a I asked casually.

aHeas asleep,a she said thankfully. aHe looks awful.a She sighed and put her hand to her forehead.

aBridget, heas in way over his head, isnat he?a I asked and she looked up quickly.

aN-No, heasa"a aYou might as well tell us,a Mac said. She looked at her hands and said nothing.

aOkay, let me take a stab at it. You tell me when Iam wrong,a I offered.

aKate, ya donat know.a She sighed tiredly.

aWell, let me try,a I suggested. aYou, Peter, and Russell Devine all went to TrinityCollege, and at some point were in Professor Carrollas ancient Irish history cla.s.s. Iam guessing thatas where you all met. Iam also guessing thatas when you fell for Russell and married him.a She shot an incredulous look at me and turned a nice ashen color, and I knew I was right. Bridget looked like someone hit her in the solar plexus. aPeter is working on something,a I continued. aWe know heas a professor at Trinity, taking over for Professor Carroll. We know that Russell Devine is an ill-tempered man who, for some reason, is behind all these aaccidents.a What I donat know is what Peter is digging for...a My voice trailed off as I looked toward the kitchen and back at Bridget. I had that anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach. I felt pieces of the puzzle coming together. I went into the kitchen and picked up the brochure that Mac had gotten several days before and brought it back into the living room.

I showed it to Bridget and said curiously, aThe west of Ireland. Full of history, tales of piracy. Monks, hiding their forbidden works. All sorts of things. The Book of Cells found after centuries.a She sat there looking at the brochures. aYa have no idea.a I was getting so impatient. aIad like to have some idea, if someone would level with me,a I said harshly.

A voice called out from the hallway, aIf someone would get me some clothes, Iall level with all of ya.a We all looked up and there stood Peter, wearing nothing but his gla.s.ses and a blanket.

Charlie gave Peter some clothes and he sat drinking tea in front of the fire. He looked at Bridget and gave her a sick smile and sipped his tea.

My patience was wearing very thin. Itas a virtue. I donat have it. I said nothing but stood by the fire warming my hands. They were perfectly warm. I needed something to do with them, instead of shaking the words out of Peter. I was about to scream when he started.

aWhere should I start?a he asked thoughtfully.

I rolled my eyes and groaned, aOh, good grief.a Maggie, standing beside me, rudely nudged my ribs. I sighed and said, aWhy donat you try the beginning?a aWell,a he started. aI was twenty-one or was it twenty-two?a Bridget said, aTwenty-two, I think.a Oh, good Christ. I sat in the huge chair by the fire. Maggie sat next to me on the hearth.

aI was twenty-two, a graduate from Trinity, working on my professorship, or thesis, whichever you prefer. Anyway, thatas when Professor Carroll came to me. It was in the spring almost six years ago. Wea"a Bridget interrupted him. aI think it was in the fall, Peter. Remember, we were celebrating me becomina an attorney.a aOh, youare right, it was,a Peter said, nodding.

My leg was bouncing nervously; they were driving me nuts. Maggie very subtly, and without looking at me, put her hand on my knee and squeezed firmly.

aAre you nervous?a she asked in a hissed whisper.

aJust in that leg,a I whispered back in kind and winced as I felt her nails.

aProfessor Carroll came to me with a fantastic story,a he said and leaned forward in his chair. aWhen he was younger during World War II, he came across an old book from the eighteenth century. His professor, who had it for sixty years, gave it to him.

aIt told the story of a ship from the Spanish Armada that was sunk along the Atlantic coast of Ireland. Now if ya know history, the Spaniards were a plundering lot. Queen Elizabeth was at constant odds with King Phillip of Spain for decades. According to this story, what was aboard this Spanish ship was originally plundered from an English vessel. The trail of this treasure, as it were, has been hot and cold for almost two hundred years.

aWe investigated the possibility. I thought it might be a hoax. However, between me, Brig, and Russell, we helped Professor Carroll, and after four years of studying every text, every map of Ireland from beginning to end, staying up till all hours of the mornina, we felt it was no hoax, it had to be real. Professor Carroll went to the NationalMuseum with all our data. It took months before they decided to give us a grant to continue looking.a aLooking for what?a I asked.

He looked at Bridget who said, aMight as well tell them, theyall find out. They found out about me and Russell.a Peter gave me a shocked look. aIt wasnat her fault. He was different back then, kind and good. Money does strange things to people, so does love.a Remembering my own mistakes, I said, aI couldnat agree more.a aLook, Peter, someone killed Brian and is terrorizing my family. Letas get this solved once and for all,a Mac said firmly.

aYouare right, Mac,a he said and looked at us. aBack in the seventeenth century, there was an Irishwoman who captained a small group of pirate ships.a aGrace OaMalley,a Mac and I said at the same time and looked at each other.