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I glanced back at her with a hard swallow and held the paper out in front of her. Her face slowly paled, and I knew without a doubt that there was some truth to the letter.
Reaching for her, I slowly untied the gag and pulled it free from her mouth.
“I can explain…”
CHAPTER1
KELSEY
My heart pounded in my chest as I approached Murphy’s Pub, my footsteps echoing in the quiet of night. As soon as I opened the door, the scent of whiskey assailed my senses, and the sounds of rancorous laughter mixed with the lively tunes of Irish jigs spilled out onto the streets.
I adjusted the collar of my brown leather jacket, quieting my nerves. The neon glow of the pub sign flickered overhead as I pushed through the heavy wooden door. The warmth of the crowded pub enveloped me, and I took a moment to let my eyes adjust to the soft lighting.
Honestly, it was kind of nice in here. If I wasn’t on the job, I might even go into a place like this on the weekend.
But this wasn’t my night off and I wasn’t coming in here for fun.
The Murphy family had a dangerous reputation, and I was about to get up close and personal with whatever they had their hands in, especially if it wasn’t exactly legal.
As I made my way through the crowd, the infectious laughter and singing of Irish songs echoed all around me. The bar was alive with activity, and I spotted a few familiar faces that matched the descriptions of the criminals I had memorized.
Kieran Murphy sat in the back corner, his piercing blue eyes scanning the crowd as he sipped a glass of whiskey. Several of his brothers, Aidan, Cormac, as well as his sister Ada sat beside him. The twins, Connor and Caden, were at the bar, the two of them drinking pints of Guinness.
I needed to be more careful.
The Murphys were a close-knit bunch, and I needed to navigate their stronghold without arousing suspicion, so I headed towards the bar, ordering a drink to maintain the façade of a casual bargoer.
I knew there was a back office, and I knew I needed to search it. If I could find evidence against them, I could get them put away sooner rather than later.
I just needed to wait for the right time.
My eyes darted around, searching for the perfect opportunity to slip away unnoticed and lie in wait. The bathroom seemed like the safest bet.
After a few sips of vodka, I excused myself and made my way to the back of the pub. I slipped inside the bathroom, the raucous noise from the pub muffled by the heavy wooden door. I took a moment to steady my breathing, my back pressed against the cold tiles of the wall. When I’d finally gathered myself, I slipped into one of the stalls, sat on the toilet and picked up my feet.
I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and glanced at the time. It was almost closing hours, nearly two in the morning.
I just needed to wait them out.
Time seemed to stretch as I waited, hidden away in the small, dimly lit space. The distant sounds of the pub carried through the walls, and I strained to catch any snippets of conversation that could reveal the Murphy family’s plans. The stakes were high, and my cover depended on remaining undetected.
Eventually, the sounds outside gradually faded into hushed whispers and then nothing at all. Only when I felt like it was safe did I leave the stall and press my ear to the door, listening for any signs of life.
I heard nothing, but still I waited until I was certain that everyone had left, and the pub was closed for the night.
I waited until four in the morning.
Finally seizing the opportunity, I eased open the bathroom door and slipped back into the deserted pub.
I moved with cautious steps, my boots making only the slightest creak on the wooden floor. The empty tables and abandoned chairs seemed to be eerily still, and I sucked in a nervous breath.
As I tiptoed towards the back of the pub, the wooden door leading to the office almost seemed to call out to me. With each careful step, my senses were heightened. I could almost feel the weight of the secrets hidden within these walls, secrets that could unravel the Murphy family’s stronghold and lock them behind bars forever.
My heart was practically in the back of my throat.
The office door was slightly ajar, and I gently pushed it open, wincing at the faint creaking sound. I slipped inside, shutting the door behind me with deliberate care. The soft lighting of a desk lamp illuminated the room, revealing shelves lined with files, cabinets full of dark leather books, and a desk covered in scattered papers.
I moved silently across the room, my eyes scanning the strewn documents for any clues. The air was thick with tension as I sifted through the paperwork, my fingers gliding over the edges of confidential files. There were names, dates, and coded messages that hinted at the extent of the Murphy family’s operations.
