Caomhnóir - 38

“Is there any city in Ireland that doesn’t have a castle?” Thom asked, looking across the river at one as they drove into Cork.

“I suppose there must be some,” Keegan replied with an amused glace at him. “Perhaps next time we come here we’ll make it a point to check out all of them. I believe there are well over three hundred.”

“That would, umm, keep us busy for a long while.”

“Indeed. For now however we need to find somewhere to put up for the night, and not in that castle.”

Thom laughed. “Please, not. Once was more than enough.” He watched the road ahead of them, wishing he still had his cell. It would have made finding a decent hotel or B&B easier. “There,” he said suddenly, seeing a B&B sign on a side street.

Keegan turned sharply, rolling his eyes. “A bit more warning please.”

“Sorry.”

Pulling to a stop in front of the building, Keegan parked and they went inside where they were greeted by a very pleasant woman who, as she checked the reservation book, told them she was the owner. When Keegan told her they’d like a room away from the street for the night she smiled, not seeming the least perturbed that he’d asked for only one. Once he’d paid, she gave him the keys, told him that there was parking in back and informed them that breakfast was provided as part of the services.

“But supper’s not,” Thom pointed out as they returned to the car. “I’m hungry and, quite frankly, we need to do a bit of shopping too for something to wear. I for one am tired of these jeans and shirt after more than twenty-four hours in them.”

“Then let’s take care of both problems before we go to the room.”

Two hours later they returned to the B&B after a swift spree of clothes buying and a very good dinner at a small bar and grill. Carrying their purchases to their room, they unpacked the various bags, hanging up the clothes.

“Be right back,” Thom said suddenly, picking up the keys when he realized he’d left one bag in the car.

“Just don’t get lost,” Keegan quipped as he watched his lover hurry from the room.

Ten minutes later he was wondering if his words had been prophetic when Thom still hadn’t returned. After another five had passed he was getting worried. Snagging the room key from where he’d tossed it on the dresser, he headed to the door. The sudden ringing of the phone stopped him and he hurried to answer.

“I have something that belongs to you,” a rough voice said. “A mutual friend suggests, and I quote, ‘If you want it back you return to the place where you bought it’.”

“That makes no sense,” Keegan exclaimed, to a dead phone. However as he thought about it he realized it did. The caller obviously worked for Darius, and being no fool, he couldn’t have the man say ‘the place where you died’. “Just what game are you playing now?” Keegan growled as moved quickly out of the room. “Damn it, Thom has the car keys,” were his next words to himself, as he took the stairs down two steps at a time. When he got to the car he found it sitting with the driver’s side door open, the keys in the ignition.

On the seat was an envelope. Tearing it open he found a message from Darius.

‘I have your boy. You know where to find him. It’s a trade off, you for him. I suggest you hurry if he means anything to you. I intend to have a great deal of fun with him until you turn up. – D.’

“Touch one hair on his head and you will die,” Keegan snarled as he slid into the car. Seconds later he was racing down the streets of Cork, heedless of his speed as he pointed the nose of the car towards Galway and violating of his Geis.