Page 98 of Beneath the Quiet

Colin pushes off the bookshelf he so comfortably leaned on and takes a few steps towards me. I don’t want him within two metres of me, but I don’t back down. He buttons his blazer, eyes speculative as he stops in front of me. I raise my chin and force my face to remain blank.

I can’t let him see that his visit has rattled me. I won’t give him the satisfaction.

“We haven’t caught him yet, I’m afraid. But some leads showed up, telling us that he left Dublin a couple of weeks ago.”

I narrow my eyes. “So? That little nugget of information warrants a visit to Cloonmara?”

He smirks, his eyes the same cold, detached blue they always are when he’s in police mode. “Not exactly. They say he’s in Cork, and since that isn’t that far from your new home, we needed to take a trip down here.”

I look back at my boss. “Do you think I need to be worried?”

He shakes his head. “Not yet, no, but I think it’s smart of Fitzpatrick to come here to investigate.”

I drum my fingers on my arm, nodding slowly.

It makes sense. I bloody well wish it didn’t, but had our roles been reversed, I’d have done the same. I breathe deeply and throw him a quick glance.

“You’re not staying here, are you?” I ask.

Colin chuckles and puts his hands in his pockets, shaking his head.

“God, no. I’m heading back to Cork tonight. I only wanted to tell you the news in person. I…” He glances at my boss, then back at me. “I still care about your safety. That won’t change.”

This time, I have no choice but to bite down on my lip to prevent my laughter spilling out.

“Right. Well. Have a safe trip back.” I turn to my boss, and he gives me an almost imperceptible nod. “I’ll just go get back to work on the graffiti case, Sir.”

Please take the hint. Let me get out of here.

He narrows his eyes, and I do my best not to let him rattle me.

“Some kids at it again?”

“I think so, but I don’t know yet.”

He waves a hand at the door and then picks up a pen as he sits up straighter in his chair. “Let me know your findings when you get somewhere.”

“Will do.”

Without a glance in Colin’s direction, I turn and escape the tension in the office. All I want is to find a quiet room, preferably cloaked in darkness, without anyone interrupting me with their burning questions.

I should’ve known I wouldn’t be that lucky, because Colin’s right on my heels.

“Maeve, wait a minute.”

“I don’t have time to chat.”

“Come on, honey.”

“No!” I whirl around to face him, trembling so much that my finger shakes as I jab it into his chest. “You do not get to call me that anymore, Colin. You don’t have the right!”

He holds up his hands. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“Run back to Helena and leave me the hell alone. I don’t want to see you or hear from you ever again. Is that understood?”

He straightens his tie, eyes darting everywhere instead of doing the exact thing I need him to.

To look me in the eye and apologise for what he did.