Red Letter Day (40 page)

'I want to know where my son is.'

Declan frowned. 'Isn't he at home?'

'Jesus, Declan, if he was at home I wouldn't have been phoning you constantly for the last two days!' Richard exploded.

Declan shook his head in confusion. 'Hang on a minute, folks, I think we have our wires crossed. Fergus was here today but now he's gone home. Haven't you seen him?'

'Well, no,' Rose told him, 'but then we've been out all evening.'

Declan's face cleared. 'That explains it then. You don't know what's happened.'

'Why don't you fill us in?' Richard suggested.

The inspector gave them a brief summation of Fergus's detective work over the last couple of days.

'Bloody fool,' Rose muttered. 'When will he ever learn?'

A smile flickered across Declan's face. 'I said something along those lines myself. Anyway, it was lucky for him he didn't track Mick down earlier. Two lads from a rival gang had beat him to it and taken Mick away. We found his body early this morning.'

Rose's hand went to her mouth. 'Holy Mother of God!'

'So its over?' Richard asked his friend.

'As far as Fergus is concerned, yes.'

'Are you sure? What's to stop these characters coming after Fergus?' Rose looked anxiously at the detective.

'They don't even know of Fergus's existence,' Declan assured her.

'What about Mick's cronies? Won't they be looking for Fergus?' Richard asked.

'Unlikely. Mick kept his cards pretty close to his chest and Fergus was a new recruit. But we'll be keeping an eye on things for a while and Fergus knows what to do if he's approached by anyone.'

Rose shook her head. 'The lad will spend his life looking over his shoulder.'

The inspector looked her straight in the eye. 'There's really no need, Mrs Lynch. Fergus was a tiny cog in a very big wheel and no one will think it unusual that he disappears now that Garvey is dead. There will be a lot of characters disappearing into the woodwork, believe me.'

Let's go and see him, Rose,' Richard suggested, standing up.

Rose nodded. 'Thank you, Inspector. No offence, but I sincerely hope we never have to meet again.'

Declan nodded, 'Likewise, Mrs Lynch.'

'Give Fergus my love,' Celine said and put the phone down.

'Well?' Dominic said.

Celine smiled. 'He's safe.'

'Thank God,' Marina murmured. 'Are they still at the station?'

'Fergus is at home and Richard is taking Rose there now.'

'We'll stay with you until he gets back.'

'No, Marina, there's really no need. Now that I know he's safe I'll be fine. Anyway, Richard says he won't be long. He's just going to drop Rose and he'll be straight home.'

'If you're sure?' Dominic said.

She reached up to kiss him. 'I'm sure. And congratulations again on a wonderful performance.'

'Lock up after us,' Dominic instructed, 'and go to bed. You'll have plenty of time to hear about Fergus's exploits in the morning.'

'I will. Goodnight.' Celine closed the door after them and wandered back into the living-room. The place was a mess but she couldn't face cleaning up tonight. She didn't feel much like going to bed alone either. In the end she decided to make some coffee and wait for Richard. She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep until he got home.

Though Fergus was dog-tired when he got home he couldn't face going to bed. Instead, he got a beer from the fridge and went into the living-room. Stretching out on the sofa, he went over the last couple of days in his head and knew that he'd been very lucky to walk away from this mess unscathed. As he finished his beer, his eyelids began to droop. He'd go up to bed in a minute. As soon as he'd locked up properly. Fergus settled himself more comfortably, closed his eyes and slept.

He was dreaming of knives and blood when he heard the front door bang. Almost catapulting out of the chair, he ran to the door.

'Fergus? Fergus, love, are you here?'

Sagging against the wall, Fergus gave his mother a shaky smile. 'Hiya, Ma.'

Richard's head was in turmoil as he drove home. It had been a relief to see Fergus safe and well but it all could have turned out so different. And it would all have been his fault. He'd contacted Declan Murphy. The sting had been his idea. If Fergus had been with Mick when those men had come to get him — 'Jesus!' he muttered as he turned into the aparment complex. He had taken ridiculous chances with another man's life and he wouldn't blame Fergus or Rose if they never wanted to talk to him again.

The apartment was silent when he got in. Celine was probably tucked up in bed. He went out to the kitchen, checked that the oven was off and switched off the lights. As he crossed the living-room, he noticed that Celine was curled up on the sofa, fast asleep. Sitting down beside her, he pulled her gently into his arms and closed his eyes.

She stirred. 'Richard?' she said sleepily.

'Yeah, I'm here. Everything's fine, Celine. Go to sleep.'

'That was a lovely service,' Celine said as they emerged into brilliant sunshine.

Dominic struggled with the cork on the bottle of champagne.

'It was certainly fast!' Marina laughed as she held out her glass.

'I'm so glad you decided against Elvis.' Kay dabbed her eyes.

'We have our own little Elvis right here!' Richard swung Josh up onto his shoulders. 'Isn't that right, champ?'

'Uh-huh,' Josh said and they all laughed.

'He looks wonderful,' Celine said, smiling at the little boy resplendent in a white suit with his hair greased back. He had been positively angelic in the chapel, walking up the aisle with Marina exactly as Kay had taught him.

'A beautiful bride and a handsome stepson, I'm a lucky man.' Dominic said happily.

Marina did look ravishing in a cream silk halter dress that hung in soft folds to her ankles. Her hair was piled into an intricate knot on the top of her head and with her eyes shining, she looked every inch the beautiful bride.

'Come on, guys, our car awaits!' Dominic lifted Josh down and held his hand as they crossed the road.

Celine lifted Marina's short train as they went over to the car.

'Isn't this tacky?' Marina laughed as she climbed into the white stretch limousine.

'The only way to travel in Las Vegas,' Dominic said as he popped another cork.

Kay covered her glass with her hand. 'I'll be drunk before we get to the hotel at this rate!' she protested.

Dominic laughed. 'It is still an Irish wedding. Tell me, Kay, should I call you Mum now?'

'Not if you want to make it back to Ireland in one piece,' Kay retorted and they all laughed.

They returned to the hotel, where they enjoyed a wonderful dinner in the rooftop restaurant and afterwards, when Kay and Josh had retired to their room, the others danced to the mellow sound of the small blues band.

'Happy?' Dominic asked, looking down at his new wife.

'Very,' she assured him reaching up to kiss his lips. 'Coming here was one of your better ideas.'

'Well, enjoy it because it's going to be hard work when we get home. And lord only knows when we'll be able to afford another holiday.'

'Who needs holidays? We have a home, a nice garden and each other. What more do we need?'

Dominic smiled as Richard and Celine glided past. 'I have a feeling we might be going to another wedding in the not too distant future.'

Marina followed his gaze. 'It's wonderful to see Celine so happy. But it's not all down to Richard.'

'Oh?'

'No, I think she's thrilled to be designing again.'

'It's certainly what she's good at.' Dominic's eyes travelled over Marina's slim figure in the silk dress that clung to every curve. 'Let's hope her talents are recognised. I wonder if it was their creativity that drew them to each other. I still can't believe the paintings that Richard has produced. I mean he's a builder, for God's sake!'

'As they say, don't judge a book by its cover.'

As the song ended they all returned to their seats and Dominic looked around for a waiter.

'Just coffee for me,' Celine said. 'If I have any more to drink I'll never be up on time for that flight in the morning.'

'It's a pity you have to go back so soon,' Marina complained.

'It is,' Richard agreed,' but I'm afraid we have an awful lot to do, what with moving Celine's things out of the house and getting ready for my exhibition.'

'And I don't like to leave Rose for too long,' Celine added.

'When are Fergus and Sarah moving into your flat?' Dominic asked.

Celine laughed. 'Probably five minutes after I move out!'

'I'm still amazed Rose is letting him leave home,' Richard marvelled.

'It's only because he's moving in over the shop,' Dominic pointed out, 'and she'll be able to keep an eagle eye on them both.'

'It's hardly surprising that she's protective after all he's been through,' Marina defended Rose. 'It's not easy being a parent, as you two will soon find out.'

Celine rolled her eyes at Richard. 'Dear God, I haven't moved in with you yet and she's at us about kids!'

'Well, we shouldn't leave it too long, I suppose,' Richard remarked. 'I'm not getting any younger. And your dad is dying to dangle a grandchild on his knee.'

'Not an illegitimate one,' she shot back with a wink at Marina.

'Then I suppose we'd better get married.'

'Well, that has to be the least romantic proposal I've ever heard!' Marina laughed.

'Proposal? It sounded more like a statement to me,' Celine remarked, her cheeks flushed.

Richard looked at her steadily. 'You know as well as I do that it's a foregone conclusion.'

Celine nodded slowly, only vaguely aware of the fact that Dominic and Marina were holding their breaths. 'Yes, I suppose it is.'

'Sod the coffee, Dominic,' Marina spluttered, 'get some more champagne!'

Celine laughed as Richard leaned over to kiss her. 'I love you,' she murmured.

'You don't feel press-ganged, do you?' he asked, his eyes suddenly concerned. 'I don't want to rush you—'

She put a finger to his lips. 'You're not.'

Marina watched as they kissed again and sighed. 'Well, this has been the most perfect day.'

As the champagne was served, Dominic stood up. 'Come on, Marina, they're playing our song.'

'They are?' She looked confused.

'They are,' he said firmly and led her away.

'No regrets?' Richard asked when they were alone.

Celine shook her head. 'None.'

'What about the house? Are you sure you're ready to sell it?'

'Yes, it's time.' Her tenants had moved out a week ago and she'd gone over to see the place, curious as to what effect it would have on her. She was relieved that she was able to smile and think of the happy memories she and Dermot had shared. Before she had left, she'd taken the anonymous letters in their distinctive red envelopes from the drawer in Dermot's desk. After reading them one more time, she took them into the living-room, threw them into the grate and set fire to them. She'd smiled as she'd watched them burn, realising that she'd finally started a new stage in her life. 'This really is a red letter day,' she'd murmured and walked out of the house with a smile on her face.

'Celine?'

'Sorry, I was just thinking about the anonymous letters I was sent.'

'Only small-minded busybodies with too much time on their hands send anonymous letters.'

'But like you said, if it hadn't been for them, I might never have come to Hopefield.'

'True.'

'Will you help me clear out the house when we get back?' she asked.

'Are you sure I won't be intruding?'

She took his hands in hers. 'Richard you are my life now and Dermot would be happy for me that I'd found you. That house was our home and a very happy one but that part of my life is over now. I'm ready to say goodbye.'

'I hope you two are ready for company again,' Marina said, sinking back into her chair, 'because these heels weren't made for dancing.'

Celine smiled. 'Your feet may be sore but you still look beautiful.'

Marina gave her a quick hug. 'Well, thank you, darling. Now I know why we've been friends for so many years!'

'You'll have to get used to having sore feet when you're working in the shop,' Dominic pointed out.

'I'll slip off my shoes when I'm behind the counter. Oh, Celine, I am so looking forward to working in Close Second.'

'Rose is looking forward to it too. She can't believe her luck that you agreed to take the job.'

'It's wonderful that I'll be just working mornings. I really didn't want Josh to go to a childminder after school.'

'I suppose it's more glamorous than working in a deli,' Dominic said, pulling a long face.

'Oh, I'm sorry, darling, but you know that I really wouldn't have been much use to you.'

'She'd have told off the customers if they bought anything fattening,' Celine agreed. 'You'd have been out of business in no time.'

Dominic laughed. 'Okay, okay, I'm convinced.'

'Of course I won't be bringing in nearly as much money than if I was modelling,' Marina said, her expression anxious.

Dominic shook his head. 'We've been through this. Josh is more important.'

Marina's eyes were bright as she smiled at Celine. 'Isn't he wonderful?'

Richard groaned. 'I can't take much more of this lovey-dovey stuff. We should really get some sleep, Celine, or we'll never make that flight.'

She stood up and stretched. 'You're right. Goodnight, you two. Don't bother joining us for breakfast, we have to be up much too early.'

Marina stood up and hugged her friend. 'Thanks for being here, Celine. It wouldn't have been the same without you.'

'Wouldn't have missed it for the world. Look after her, Dominic,' she said, turning to hug him.

'Always,' he assured her. 'Safe home, you two, and look after my mother-in-law.'

'Promise.' Richard shook hands with his friend and then bent to kiss Marina. 'Have a wonderful holiday.'

'That depends on Josh,' Marina replied. 'And without my mother's firm hand, God only knows what we're letting ourselves in for!'