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After a round of handshakes, Patrick and the other lawyers escorted John and the other officer out, and they were back to being a confidential quorum.
“That went fine until they wanted Liam to dish about Veritas,” Linc said, kicking back in his chair and crossing his ankles. “If the Irish government wants to waste resources trying to find Veritas because Malcolm’s knickers are in a knot, then more power to them.”
“It’s all for show.” Patrick smoothed his blue silk tie. “Malcolm’s government friends are placating his ego by offering to have Irish resources look into finding Veritas.”
“Good luck with that,” Donal ground out. “He’ll be long gone from here.”
“I still don’t understand what they would charge Veritas with if I gave permission,” Liam said, resting his elbows on the table, his face showing unusual worry. “We agreed I would only show the email if pressed, but I don’t want to answer any questions about Veritas that involve some sort of manhunt.”
“The whole thing is ludicrous.” Linc waved his hand. “Don’t give it another thought.”
“We’ll see what kinds of questions Officer Hart sends us.” Patrick gave Liam a measuring look before turning to Linc. “Don’t worry. This line of questioning is only a bunch of official idiots running around trying to make it look like they’re doing something. It happens all the time in this country.”
“Yes, it does,” Bets said, tapping the table, “but I don’t like them questioning my son any further.”
“Mum—”
“No, Liam, this is just more harassment from Malcolm via proxy,” she snarled, her cheeks turning bright red. “Dammit, I thought John was supposed to be different.”
Bets’ voice must have reached Taylor and Ghislaine through the glass because they both looked over with concern. Linc shot them a smile of encouragement, something he didn’t feel right now.
“John Hart is removed from personal influence and the like here in Caisleán,” Donal said, “but that doesn’t mean other people won’t try and pull his strings. Including his superiors and those above them. Malcolm has ties all the way to Dublin. Don’t forget that. Any further word on Mary Kincaid?”
“Other than that she was released and someone paid her trespassing fine?” Patrick gathered together his notes and put them in his briefcase. “The lowest fine possible—one hundred and forty euros.”
“That’s all?” Bets’ outrage carried across the room. “I thought trespassing was a serious crime in this country. Every farmer posts signs for their fields—”
“All show,” Donal growled. “Nothing ever gets done if you find someone in your field harassing your animals.”
“I have worse news,” Patrick continued.
“Great!” Linc scratched his chin. “Just lay it all out.”
“They decided against charging Mrs. Kincaid for malicious intent.” His mouth twisted. “She’s an old woman—”
“She’s adangerouswoman,” Bets emphasized. “One who keeps striking at us.”
“So we’ll keep vigilant.” Linc took her hand under the table, knowing they all needed to settle down. “Wilt’s increased security procedures are in effect, and with the news of her arrest spreading around the village, I feel a lot better. We should keep reminding people around here to keep the morale up.”
He glanced at Liam and inclined his chin toward Taylor, whom Ghislaine was doing her best to distract with some spreadsheet. It made Linc sleep easier at night knowing Liam was with her. Even with the alarm and the procedures, everyone should have a partner right now.
“Liam, we do have a meeting about the museum,” Linc said, “but before we get to it, do you have any other concerns you want to express? I’m sorry they surprised us like that.”
“It won’t happen again,” Patrick reiterated, frowning savagely. “I’ll talk with some sources in the Irish government. I want to see how serious this Veritas thing is.”
“That’s what I want to know too.” Liam looked around the room, the old soul that he was clear in his serious gaze. “I don’t plan on giving them any information about Veritas. The mural was a gift from an artist whose whole nature is anonymous, and we should respect that. Not cooperate with the Irish government on a wild goose chase.”
“Agreed!” Bets cried out. “Next time we’ll tell them what they can do with their questions.”
Linc snorted out a laugh. How he loved it when she talked like that. “If Malcolm thinks catching and unmasking Veritas is going to help him look like some big bad man, then he’s delusional. Public opinion around the world is onourside, and we’ll use the press conference tomorrow to drive that home. I hear Ghislaine’s even agreed to give Keegan O’Malley’s sheep some face time to do their thing for the press, since they’re so beloved.”
“Who knew sheep could become famous?” Donal groaned like only a long-suffering sheep farmer could. “I still can’t believe it.”
“We also have Arthur Hale coming to do research for his story tomorrow,” Linc reminded everyone. “I know these little bumps are a pain, but Malcolm is on the defensive. So is Mary.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Bets said harshly. “Twenty bucks says the fire under her cauldron is all the bigger after her arrest and humiliation.”
“I wouldn’t take that bet,” Linc told her with a smile, “and I’ve been known to gamble. Everyone stick to the program. We’re in the home stretch.” God, he sure as hell hoped so.
