Guarding the Treasure (18 page)

“Who's the new guy?” she heard Professor Smith ask the waitress.

Sophie didn't catch the name.

“He's only been with us a couple of days, but already he's a big hit with the locals. And if the locals like him, then—” the waitress lapsed into Irish Gaelic, laughing as she left to wait on people standing near the door.

Sophie looked across the table at the professor He wore his usual expression; eyes fixed ahead, lips pressed tightly together. Sophie realized he was staring at the singer who was now seated and flashing a perfect smile as he interacted with the crowd. The professor's eyes began to dart back and forth, the fingers of his left hand drumming the table. What was he thinking, and why did he seem so unsettled?

“Do you recognize the man on the stage, Professor?”

The Professor turned to her. “I told you to call me Kian,” he said sharply but tempered his tone with a turn of the corners of his mouth. “And no, I don't recognize him.”

Kian looked away as a man entered the pub. Sophie followed his glance.

He stood. “Excuse me.”

She watched him walk quickly over to greet the man, placing one hand on his shoulder and shaking his hand solidly with the other. They obviously knew each other, she realized, smiling as the two walked toward the table.

“Sophie, this is a friend of mine from Limerick. We haven't seen each other in awhile, so I've asked him to join us. You don't mind, do you?”

Two men, of all things
, she thought. “No, of course not,” she said, feeling uneasiness in the pit of her stomach.

“Let me introduce the two of you,” Kian said, putting his hand on Sophie's arm. “Sophie, this is Gipson, a friend and associate of mine. And Gipson, this is Sophie Hanes. She's a history professor from the United States. Do you recall me mentioning a short time ago about interpreting a diary written in Gaelic? That diary belongs to Ms. Hanes.”

She was more beautiful than Gates had described. Long dark hair, dark brown eyes with flecks of green.
No wonder he wanted her for himself
, he thought. He held out his hand to her and stared deeply into her eyes as she put her hand in his.

“Nice to meet you, Sophie,” he said, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. “Have you enjoyed your stay in Ireland so far?” he asked, deepening his stare.

She pulled her hand from his, noticing a grin on his face as she did. “Yes, the past few days have been incredible, and Professor Smith has helped in introducing me to the area,” she said, wanting to change the topic of conversation.

“Kian, do you mean to tell me you've had Sophie for a week and haven't told me?” Gipson smiled easily at his friend.

“He hasn't had me,” she said quickly. Sophie shifted nervously, surprised at what she'd just blurted out. She looked toward the stage. The singer was looking her way, actually right at her, as he sang. She smiled and then reluctantly turned her attention back to the men at her table. What was she doing here? Her stomach was churning.

“Gipson, we were going to order lunch. Would you join us?” Kian asked, his eyes moving to Sophie for her response.

She hesitated, looking down at her sweaty palms. She didn't want to be in the company of either of them, let alone endure lunch. She glanced up to a sickening smile and a demanding look on Kian's face, reminding her of her host's Jekyll and Hyde demeanor. He was thoroughly enjoying her discomfort. “Yes, I'm starving,” she said, trying to convince herself of that.

Sophie listened to the conversation between Kian and Gipson as she picked at her sandwich. The music stopped, causing her attention to shift to the other side of the room. The singer put his guitar down for intermission and headed to the bar. He looked in Sophie's direction and motioned for her to join him. Should she? She was curious about the musician. Kian told her it was common for performers to move from pub to pub, singing traditional Irish music that this particular town was famous for. He also said the singers were usually college students trying to make a little money between courses. “I'm going to talk to the singer,” she said, not looking at either as she excused herself. “I'll be back in a moment.”

Gipson and Professor Smith stared at her.

“There's something about that guy,” Kian said, drumming his fingers erratically against the table.

“Come on Kian. He's just a pretty boy who can sing. You've got to stop suspecting that everyone knows something about you. We have more important things to talk about than a new starving performer in town,” Gipson said, taking another drink.

“Yeah, maybe you're right.” Kian drew a deep breath. “Is everything ready for tonight, Gipson?” he asked, taking another drink of draft.

“Yeah, the others have been moved to the outer living quarters temporarily. Does she know that you're taking her to the Castle Regal yet?”

“No, I haven't told her about it, but I'll spring the idea on her at Goregoo and see how it goes.”

Gipson frowned, his eyebrows becoming one dark crease. “It will go as planned, Kian,” he said, low and direct. “It was a risk to even go through with this after I found out Hanes was Kevin Gates' girlfriend.” Gipson stopped talking, deep in thought. “Gates always seemed to get the breaks when we worked together. The good stuff never failed to flow his way.” An unkind smile flashed across his face. “I've always wanted to take something that belonged to him. One of his promotions, one of his breaks when it came to a case we were working on.” He set the glass down hard, his smile faltering. “After his call, well, I just couldn't resist.” He glanced over at Sophie. “And she's more than I could have expected,” he said, lifting his glass for another large mouthful of liquor. “This one's going to be different from the others, Kian. That diary poses a much more exciting backdrop for Ms. Hanes than those of the other women,” he said, continuing to watch Sophie as she conversed with the singer.

He put his drink down and leaned onto the table, his eyes focused. “You've got to remember, Kian, to search her purse before you leave Goregoo and take anything that looks like a cell phone or communication device. But Gates called me again and will probably be expecting to hear from Ms. Hanes, so be sure she has her phone until you leave Goregoo. Is that clear?”

Kian nodded, blotting the perspiration from his forehead with a napkin.

Gipson looked again at Sophie. “If he suspects there's something wrong, he'll pull strings, and things could get ugly in a hurry.” Gipson called for another drink. “I've finally fallen into the luck of the Irish, Kian. I can't believe I get Gates' girlfriend.” He laughed under his breath. “Gates is a good detective, compulsive to his disadvantage, but really good. I put nothing past him, even planting something on Ms. Hanes without her knowing it. You need to be cautious about everything, Kian. And I mean everything. This revenge may not come as easily as the other three.”

Gipson bent across the table, closer to Smith than before. He lowered his voice to a whisper as he glanced over to the bar, making sure Sophie's back was still turned away from them. “Within twenty-four hours, we will have added another history buff to your collection, and an object of delight to mine.” His look deepened, becoming stern and direct. “Play the game nice and neat like you have in the past, Kian. It will be well worth your time. Remember how sweet revenge is?” he asked, grinning as he slowly leaned back in his chair. He turned to admire his future catch sitting at the bar. He lifted his drink to her.
Gates, old boy, old friend, thanks for sharing
.

“Is everyone here?” A. J. asked, checking his watch, wanting to get the briefing underway.

“Sir, we're waiting on Detective Gates. He was on the phone with—”

“Here, sir,” Kevin said in a strained voice. He quickly put the large bag he carried over his shoulder on the floor. “I had to get some last minute equipment before heading out.” He looked from right to left at those around the table. Some shook their heads and looked down at the folders in front of them, and others hid grins behind their hands.

Gates had a way of being late for some things and too far ahead on others. Unpredictable was the word most used to describe him, but all enjoyed working with him and knew he was at the top of his division. No matter what his current undercover position, he could be trusted.

“Good, now we can begin. Gates, you'll be heading to the airport when we're finished this morning. I trust you have your surveillance equipment and your camera, and you made a stop at the lab for chemicals that may be of use?”

“Yes, sir.”

A. J. stood to address the team of men and women around the table. “About thirty minutes ago, we had a report come in from Taylor, our man in Dool, Ireland. He's had the pleasure of talking with Ms. Hanes, so we know she's safe.”

Kevin's ears perked up. “Sir, I thought his job was surveillance, not contact.”

“It seems Ms. Hanes was the one who made the initial contact, Gates, with a little help from our Irish friend. She was at a pub called O'Neill's with both of our suspects, probably got bored with their conversation, and decided to check out the good-looking guy who, among other things, can sing.” A. J. gave Gates a friendly smile.

Kevin was skeptical.
That's not Sophie's personality. She's not that forward
. “Did Taylor say if she got sick or had to use the restroom?”

A. J. stopped his briefing, a wrinkle forming across his forehead. “Excuse me, Detective? Taylor said she was fidgety and quiet. What does getting sick have to do with anything?”

“Sir, Ms. Hanes wouldn't just go up to meet a strange man at a bar. She's a bundle of nerves and gets sick when she's under pressure. That would definitely spell pressure for her. There's got to be a reason she left to talk to him.”

A. J. turned to the man on his right. “Burns get on that. Contact Taylor and see if there's anything he didn't mention about his meeting with Hanes. Report back to me. Is there anything else we need to know before I continue, Gates?”

“No, sir,” Gates said, joining the rest at the table.

“All right then. Hanes left with Professor Smith about twenty minutes after Gipson left the pub. Each of you at this table will be in different communication divisions assisting the good folks in Ireland. As you know, we've reopened the missing persons' case of three years ago. The search for those women took place in the same region of Ireland in which Ms. Hanes is currently staying. Please refer to your folders. There was an American woman whose body was never found, along with two foreign women. We suspect all three may still be alive, perhaps being held captive. That's why we've been asked to be a part of this case. We have a vested interest, one of our own. The American woman's family has been notified, now we need to keep the media away from them and out of the loop until this case is solved. Each of you must be ready at a moment's notice to depart for Ireland if the need arises. Everyone understand?”

A. J. turned to Kevin, a concerned look in his eyes. “Gates, I know you have a personal interest in this case, not only because you worked on it three years ago but—” he looked at the others around the table then back toward his detective. “Ms. Hanes is someone special to you. She may have unknowingly gotten herself into an extremely dangerous situation. We hope to capitalize on her situation and go with a few new leads on the missing persons' case to see that she, along with the other American, is returned to the United States safe and sound.” He didn't take his eyes from his detective. “You are to follow Taylor's instructions. We have an entire team of people on the ground in Dool. You'll be briefed when you arrive. I can't stress this enough—you must be careful. You could be recognized by some of the locals who might talk a little too much to the wrong people. I want to remind you that it's to Ms. Hanes advantage that you remain as invisible as possible.” He moved in close to Kevin. “One last thing, Gates. Under no circumstances are you to act alone, do you understand me?”

Kevin looked hard into A. J.'s steely eyes. His commander's words were gospel. There would be no talking him out of his decision. It would be difficult for him to allow agents he didn't know to call the shots as it pertained to Sophie's safety, but he had no choice and no say in the matter.

“Yes, sir,” he said, his hands fisted and his knuckles white at his side. He was glad A. J. couldn't read his mind or he'd be off the case, headed back to Washington faster than he could spit.

“Theresa, you and Gates have gone over the diary, correct?”

Theresa nodded.

“Good, I want you to start going through it again. If you come up with anything new, notify me immediately and then Gates.” A. J. held up a copy of the interpreted document. “People, this diary in my hand is a key player in the impending case. We suspect that some of its contents and tactics may be used by the abductors against Ms. Hanes. That is,
if
she is taken against her will.” A. J. shot Gates a glance. “As a matter of fact, Theresa, see to it that each agent around this table has a copy of the document. I want each of you to read it thoroughly,” he said, eyeing each individual. “Open your minds and see if there are any clues hidden in the pages that may have been overlooked, anything that strikes you as significant to the case. We must have answers.”

The agents remained seated, some taking notes and others just waiting to be dismissed.

“All right folks, it's only seven a.m. so get out of here, get some coffee, and have a productive day.”

Kevin hoisted his equipment onto his back, making his way to the door. Theresa stepped in front of him.

“Gates, I'll go over that diary with a fine tooth comb starting this afternoon,” she said, putting her hand on his arm. “A. J.'s right, you know. There's something in the diary that we're missing. It's strange, but I can feel it.” She turned to walk out the door. “Oh, and Gates? Sophie's going to be okay,” she said, calm assurance in her voice. Although he heard her words, Kevin wasn't convinced Theresa believed what she had just said.