Scriostóir - 9

“Hey, man, you alright?”

Godric looked up and nodded. “Better than alright, dude. Got what I went after. Just needed to take a breather for a sec.”

Manny stayed where he was, watching Godric. “Sounds like maybe you didn’t come by whatever it was legit.”

“Maybe, maybe not. What’s it to you?”

“Nothing,” Manny replied with a shrug. “Just that I’ve been keeping an eye on you for the last couple of days, whenever you were around. You’re sorta in my territory.”

Godric grinned. “Yeah, I know. Gonna do something about it?”

“Depends what you’re going after, and where.”

“Mostly whatever cash I can get my hands on. A guy’s gotta eat you know.”

Manny moved closer to the loading dock. “From hotel rooms? Cause I saw you going into a couple. Those are off limits.”

“Says who?”

“Says me. Like I said, my territory.”

“You seen me, you know I don’t go in alone.”

“Yeah, noticed that too. They pay, or you just steal from them? Or both?”

“With luck, and stupidity on their part, I make it out of the room with their cash and cards, and my ‘innocence’ intact. Sometimes I gotta put out.  Either way I got lunch money.”

“Ever get caught?” Manny was now within touching distance of Godric.

“Nope, not by the cops, not by someone thinking of jacking me off either.” Godric balled his fists, ready to fight if necessary.

“Hey, relax, I’m not interested in what you got on you. I probably pick up twice what you do on any given day, and I don’t have to fuck someone to do it.”

Dropping his hands, but keeping an eye on Manny just in case, Godric nodded. “You just break in? How the hell you manage that?”

“That’s my skill, just like yours is seducing your target.”

Leaning back on his hands now, Godric studied Manny. “Ever find anything real interesting, since you don’t have to worry bout someone being in there with you?”

“Interesting how?”

“Don’t know. Was just thinking. I found some pics once. Coulda used them for blackmail I bet.”

“You keep them?”

“Naw. Like what would I do? Say ‘Hey, bring me cash to the third dumpster on the left down such and such alley.’?” He laughed. “All what woulda got me was a visit from the cops at my classy domicile.”

Manny nodded, quite obviously thinking about something. When he stayed silent, Godric jumped down from the loading dock. “It’s been fun,” he said, a bit caustically, “but I gotta get moving. Got some cash, got an empty stomach. Gonna use A to fill B.”

“Hang on. I got a proposition for you. Maybe.”

Godric paused. “Like?”

“I gotta talk to someone first. You gonna be in the neighborhood for a while longer?”

“Eh, I was thinking of going downtown, getting dinner at Delmonicos.” Godric laughed at his own joke. “Yeah, I’ll be around and about.”

“Good. I’ll be back, one way or the other.” Manny turned on his heel and walked out of the alley.

“Hope so,” Godric muttered softly. “You’re my in.”

Scriostóir - 8

Ealdgyđ looked at the man standing at attention in front of her. As she did, she tapped one black nail against her lips pensively, eventually breaking the silence by saying, “You are aware of what you are asking?”

Godric nodded. “I am. It is time for me to face my demon and deal with him. When he slew his family in his bid for power he also murdered my sister. It has taken me this long to find him. I have no intention of letting him wander free any longer.”

Shaking her head so that her thick black hair spread for a moment like the wings of the raven she was in her other form, she said, “He is quite powerful, a formidable Scriostóir.”

“I am not without power of my own, as I am certain min campealdor, excuse me, mo ceannasaí has told you.”

“Either one works, I speak Old English as well as Gaelic,” Ealdgyđ told him with a smile. “And yes, you come quite highly recommended. I suppose the question is how you will ingratiate yourself into his life. He must know who you are and may recognize you even after thirteen centuries.”

Godric shook his head. “When we last saw each other I was a mere boy of fourteen years.”

“I see. You don’t look all that much older now. What on earth was your sin?” Ealdgyđ knew the answer but wanted to hear it from the young man’s lips.

“A lying tongue,” Godric admitted. “I was young, a callow youth of three and twenty then , and allowed myself to be influenced by those who were bent on using me to entrap their enemies. One of the enemies caught me in a lie that would have been the cause of his death had he believed it. He slew me even as I persisted in saying it was the truth. Therefore,” he smiled, “I was given the choice all of us are. I had no interest in suffering eternally for my stupidity.”

“A wise choice, in my estimation, but then I am prejudiced.” Pointing to the chair on the other side of her desk, Ealdgyđ waited for Godric to be seated before saying, “The question still remains as to what trick you are going to use to get close to Cerdic. The man is no fool. He has no friends and few weaknesses. He’s asexual or at least has no known sexual contacts, lives in a private home in the West Village in New York City, travels often, always alone, is extremely manipulative, and has, believe it or not, never killed anyone by his own hand that we are aware of.”

“He does have one weakness, young people. He uses them for much of his information gathering and they are always kids who are throwaways.”

“I’m not quite certain if that would be considered a weakness or an asset. Everyone of them that we know of, both past and present, adores him and would do anything for him despite the fact that he can be very severe in his punishments should they foul up in any way.”

“As it should be. A boy does not become a man by being coddled.”

Ealdgyđ lifted an eyebrow at that comment but refrained from saying anything. “Are you thinking of trying to become one of his boys?”

Godric nodded. “That’s my intention. He has lost, well not lost but sent one of his boys off for the long term, and presumably might need someone to replace him. I have skills that he could use, and I can pass for sixteen if necessary, one of the perks as they say of being smaller in height than most men of today.”

“You have given this some thought I see.”

“I’ve had many centuries to do that.”

“Very well, I shall give you whatever help is necessary. I would presume you will not be using your given name. It is a bit distinctive.”

“No. I will become Rick Ward. I sincerely doubt he will associate that with Godric Aylward.”

Scriostóir - 7

As Cerdic walked into the room the two men sitting in deep discussion at a table looked up. One of them nodded slightly before returning to what he had been talking about with his companion.

“Trouble in paradise?” Cerdic asked, lifting an eyebrow as he joined them.

“We have the plans in place, however my esteemed colleague here seems to be having second thoughts on the wisdom of implementing them at this time,” the man who had nodded when Cerdic arrived explained, his accent thickening as he spoke.

Cerdic turned to the other man, letting a trace of an Irish brogue color his speech. “If we are to accomplish our aims we must strike while the iron is hot. To put it off, even for a week, will weaken what we are trying to accomplish.”

“Aye, that’s the truth, I know, but my people—“

“Need your strong hand at the helm to make them move. If you waver they will know you are not the man they think you are. Is that what you want? Think of the power you will have once this has been done.”

The man nodded pensively, fingering the lapel of his well-cut suit. Finally he said, “I must leave, now. There is a flight out soon that I need to be on.” He smiled tightly as he stood, raising his hand in salute. “Watch the news tomorrow,” he stated firmly before walking quickly from the room.

Once he’d left, the other man shook his head. “I don’t know how you managed that, Donall. I have been arguing with him for the last hour to no avail.”

Cerdic gave him a knowing smile. “It’s all in the tone of voice I think. I brook no argument when it comes to accomplishing our aims. Now,” his voice hardened, “you are to go after him to be certain he makes his flight. If he does not you are to eliminate him and if possible make it seem as if the Brits are responsible.”

“Then what, if that happens?” the man asked even as he headed to the door.

“You will meet with his people and make quite certain things move forward as planned.”

The man nodded sharply before leaving. Cerdic’s smile was vicious as he stepped across the room to the window, arriving just in time to see the first man step into a car that was sitting at the curb. As it pulled away, the second man came into view. He got into a car parked a few yards from the front door of the building. Seconds later he was skillfully following the other car.

“Perfect,” Cerdic murmured to himself as he made a phone call that would send the first man off on a wild goose chase, thus setting into motion Cerdic’s secondary plan, the killing, apparently by British Intelligent forces, of a known RIRA agent in the country on a peaceful mission. “And that should keep the pot boiling,” he remarked as he hung up and strode purposefully from the room.

Out on Nov. 17th

A Time to Gain, A Time to Lose

https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/coming-soon-c-2/products_id/1305/

Blurb:

When PI Zane Turner needs help tracking down a stalker he turns to Axel Hayward, a blind profiler. Axel agrees, in exchange for Zane helping to protect him against the man who was the cause of his blindness, a man who has suddenly reappeared in his life.

As the two men, plus Rex Turner, Zane's cousin and business partner, work to find the person stalking several of the Turners' new clients Axel and Zane find themselves drawn together in more than the case.

Then Axel is targeted and they must decide is it the stalker or the man from his past who is responsible?

Excerpt:

"Get that animal out of here!"

Axel tilted his head to locate the person speaking and then turned to face him. "What part of 'service animals allowed' don't you understand?" he replied scathingly.

"This is a restaurant. I don't want no dirty animal around my food."

"The feeling's mutual, so why don't you leave?"

"Fuck you. You're the one impeding on my rights to sit here and enjoy my meal. Bet you ain't even blind."

"It's 'infringing', and you'd lose the bet." Axel tightened his grip on the harness when Jazz growled softly. "It's okay, boy, some people 'ain't got no couth', to quote Betty."

At that point, the hostess came over, hugging Axel. "Did I hear my name used in vain?"

"Always," he replied with a smile. "Do you have any empty tables, preferably on the other side of the room from the animal lover here?"

"For you, you bet." She placed his hand on her arm as he'd taught her, leading him across the half-filled restaurant to a table set for one. After he sat down with Jazz lying beside his chair, Betty beckoned one of the waiters over.

"Axel, this is Brandon, he's new but he's trained up pretty good, for a male." She winked at the young man.

He chuckled in response. "I even know how to say, Good evening, Sir. I'll be your waiter for tonight. The specials are..."

Axel laughed. "I probably know the menu better than even Betty here. I'll start with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. I think, for the entrée, blackened swordfish, and crème brûlée with fresh berries for dessert."

"And for your companion? Perhaps a bowl of sparkling water?"

"Plain water," Axel told him with a chuckle. "Jazz is a plebeian when it comes to his tastes in liquids, water or occasionally beer, that's his limits."

"Beer?" Brandon's voice was full of surprise.

"He's developed a taste for it so I sometimes let him share mine when we're at home--watered down, of course. An inebriated guide dog is not something I really want."

Brandon nodded, realized Axel couldn't see that, and said, "I understand. That does give me an umm, interesting mental image."

"Does, doesn't it? A potentially catastrophic one at that." Axel grinned, reaching down to pat Jazz's head.

With a laugh, Brandon went to get Axel's wine and place his dinner order.

"Trying to set me up again, Bets?" Axel asked with a chuckle after Brandon had left.

"Now would I do that?"

"In a heartbeat. You've done it before."

Betty glanced around to make certain no one needed her attention at the moment and then sat down. "Axel, I've known you forever. You can't go through life living like a hermit except for work."

"Hey, I'm here, aren't I?"

"That's not what I meant and you know it," she huffed in response.

He gave her a tense smile. "I know. I just... I'm not ready for a relationship. You know how badly the last one ended."

"He was an idiot!" she declared adamantly, "Worse than an idiot. He should have ended up in jail if you want my opinion."

"Yes, and no, and most men are idiots according to you." Axel grinned then. "Maybe you and I should hook up."

Betty swatted his arm. "I have a feeling Nell might have something to say about that, and not something positive." Patting his arm now, she said, "I'm not giving up on you, not yet."

"If you did I'd think you didn't love me anymore." He paused when he heard the sound of his glass of wine being set on the table, reaching for it just as Brandon told him where it was. He thanked him and took a sip. "Excellent," he declared.

"Of course it is," Betty replied and the sound of her chair moving told him she was getting up.

"That, my dear friend, is why I continue to frequent this fine establishment." His face was quite serious until a small grin quirked his lips. "That and your pseudo-matchmaking skills."

"Axel Hayward, I swear, what am I going to do with you?"

He laughed. "Not a damned thing except love me for what I am."

Kissing his cheek, she told him seriously, "Always."

Scriostóir - 6

By the end of his week in London Cerdic had narrowed down his plans to the point that he only had to make the decision on which person he would manipulate into augmenting them. To that end, his next instructions to Hamlin were to continue what he had been doing, using all of his contacts in the city to his best advantage, but concentrating only on the two people in question.

Now, as he finished packing for his return flight back to New York, he watched Hamlin who was sitting at the table going over the notes he’d given him. Eventually the young man looked up with a taut smile on his face.

“It won’t be easy, but I’ll get what you need.”

“Of course you will. I wouldn’t have chosen you for the job if I didn’t have implicit faith in your abilities. I shall expect daily reports from you, whether you find anything or not. I want to be kept appraised.” Cerdic handed Hamlin a cell phone. “Keep this in a very safe place, but not on your person, perhaps somewhere here in the hotel.”

“I know just the place. I’m assuming this is a safe phone?”

“Extremely.” Cerdic spent a few minutes showing him exactly how to use it and then Hamlin stood, gathering up the papers he’d been studying. Cerdic stopped him, putting one hand on his shoulder. “Be safe, stay safe. There are few in this world I care about, you are one of them.”

Hamlin nodded, surprised that Cerdic had let down his walls enough to say that. “I’ll be careful. I’d really like to be around to see you accomplish your agenda.”

Cerdic smiled in reply, for a brief second wishing he could explain everything to Hamlin. That however was not an option; it never had been in all his long life, it never would be. Scriostóir were by the very description of their responsibilities, loners. The fact that Hamlin had even figured out as much as he had was somewhat worrying, but Cerdic hadn’t lied when he said he trusted him. If ever the young man betrayed him, Cerdic would personally put the knife to his heart and plunge it in.

Reverting now to his duties as an employee of the hotel, Hamlin picked up Cerdic’s bags, standing by the door as his mentor made one final check of the room to be certain he’d forgotten nothing. Then the two men left, walking down the hall to the elevator. When they reached the lobby, Cerdic stopped at the front desk to sign out while Hamlin went to get him a cab.

“Sir,” the desk clerk said, “this message came for you just moments ago.” The desk clerk handed Cerdic a slip of paper.

After reading it, a frown deeply creasing his forehead, Cerdic thanked her. Taking a deep breath to regain his composure, Cerdic went to join Hamlin. “I shall expect to hear from you tomorrow,” he told the young man quietly.

“And every day thereafter, I won’t forget.” Hamlin held the cab door open for Cerdic. “Have a safe trip home, sir”

“Thank, I shall,” Cerdic replied, not telling him that his plans had suddenly changed. After Hamlin closed the cab door, Cerdic gave the driver the address of his new destination.