AllFreeNovel
Share Us
MacDonald waved a hand. “It was necessary, since you haven’t fully proved yourself yet. We need you to go to England tomorrow night.”
Cal scowled. “Tomorrow night? Are you daft, man? I have a business to run.”
“So you do and good men to run it for you in your absence. Your wife will be safe enough with Aoife. Your country needs you now.”
Or at least Sean MacDonald did, and MacDonald wanted to make certain Cal couldn’t say no. This was no voluntary trip to England, else he wouldn’t have all but kidnapped Cal and imprisoned Bridget. Cal couldn’t say no, and if he left and didn’t return, Bridget would suffer the consequences.
Obviously, MacDonald was not quite as observant as he thought. Perhaps he’d taken this route because something about Cal—his association with Donnelly, most likely—made him distrust the man, but he would never send Cal to England on an important mission if he truly doubted Cal was who he said he was.
“And what does me country need me to do?”
“I’ll tell you the details tomorrow, but the general idea is you blow something up to get the government’s attention. Have you ever dealt with explosives before?”
“No,” he lied.
“That’s no problem. Liam here will show you what to do, won’t you, Liam?”
“Aye,” Liam, a man of about forty with curly blond hair, nodded from across the table. “Easy as pie, lad.”
“And after I destroy the target, how do I manage to find me way back to Ireland? If the act is tied to Innishfree—”
“That’s the point, lad.”
“Then I imagine half the British army and citizens will be looking to hang every Irishman within ten miles.”
Sean MacDonald smiled. “I won’t argue.” He crossed his arms. “But that’s why I’m sending you. I have a feeling deep down here”—he pointed to his belly—“that you’re the kind of man who can, shall we say, negotiate his way out of a difficult situation.”
Perhaps MacDonald saw more than Cal wanted to admit.
Sean MacDonald rose, and the other men followed. “We’ll talk more tomorrow, lad. You’ll receive specific instructions then.”
Cal rose. “Then I can return home tonight.”
“I think it’s best you stay here. I don’t want you distracted by that pretty wife of yours.”
“Here?” Cal looked about then followed the direction of MacDonald’s gaze. In a dark corner was a small cot with a rolled blanket on top.
“Sleep well, Kelly.”
Cal watched as Sean MacDonald led the other men up the stairs. He heard the door close and the padlock thud against it. He was locked in. He walked to the cot and sat. It wasn’t the most uncomfortable bed he’d ever had. He’d slept on the cold ground too many times to count. But it couldn’t hold a candle to how he’d thought the night would turn out—sleeping beside Bridget’s soft, warm body.
And now she was locked in herself. Bridget had given Aoife reason to suspect her, but Cal didn’t think Aoife would act until Sean gave the order. But what would happen to Bridget if she couldn’t escape Aoife and Cal didn’t return? Sean MacDonald was no fool. He’d give Cal just enough time to reach the target, execute the mission, and return. There would be no extra time for a trip to The Farm. Cal didn’t know what MacDonald had in mind, but he didn’t like the idea of destroying a building or landmark. What if people were hurt or killed? He’d joined the Royal Saboteurs to escape his problems and earn a bit of blunt. He didn’t want to become the man most wanted by the British government. Even Baron couldn’t help him if he carried out MacDonald’s plans.
And Cal couldn’t help Bridget if he didn’t.
***
“DO YOU WANT SOME TEA?” Bridget asked for perhaps the fifth time that hour. Callahan had been gone only a little while, and shortly after he’d been taken, Aoife had seated herself at the table, arms crossed. Surely the woman didn’t intend to sit there for several days, keeping watch over Bridget.
Unless she was not the only one who would keep watch.
Callahan had told her to escape to the docks when Aoife fell asleep, but what if Aoife was replaced by someone fresh and rested? Bridget would never have a chance to escape. Unless...
Aoife would have to use the privy at some point. She wouldn’t want to go to an outhouse, which would have been the perfect opportunity for escape. That left the chamber pot. Aoife couldn’t relieve herself and stop Bridget from running at the same time. Thus, the frequent offers for tea.
“I told you I’m not thirsty.”
“I thought it might warm you on a cold night like this one. We’re out of kindling and coal.”
