Page 54

I watch this confrontation unfold, ready to intervene if needed. But Orla deserves this moment.

"Collins gave me an address. A photo. Said your father was meeting with FBI handlers that night." Eamon meets her eyes. "I broke into your house. Found him at his desk, working late. When he saw me, he asked if I was there about the missing money."

"The missing money," Orla repeats.

"I didn't know what he meant. Collins said your father was stealing from us, then turned informant when caught." Eamon's hands clench. "Your father tried to explain. Said Collins was embezzling, that he had proof. I thought it was lies to save his life."

"So you shot him."

"Once. In the head. Quick." Eamon swallows hard. "He didn't suffer."

Orla's gun appears in her hand so fast I barely see the movement. Pointed at Eamon's chest. Her finger rests on the trigger.

"Seven years," she says. "Seven years I've planned this moment."

Eamon doesn't move. "I'm ready."

Silence fills the room. Guards outside remain unaware of the execution about to happen. I could stop her. Should stop her. Eamon is family.

But justice has its own demands.

"Do it," Eamon says quietly. "I deserve worse."

Orla's hand shakes. The gun wavers. "My father believed in justice, not revenge."

"Sometimes they're the same thing."

"No." She lowers the weapon slightly. "They're not."

My phone rings, shattering the moment. Jackson's number.

"What?" I answer, annoyed at the interruption.

"We have a problem. Three black SUVs just hit Orla's apartment building. Witnesses say armed men went straight to her floor."

Ice fills my veins. "When?"

"Twenty minutes ago. Building's surrounded now. Cops think it's a home invasion."

I look at Orla, who watches me with growing alarm.

"They're looking for you," I tell her. "Your apartment."

"But I'm here."

"The Donovans don't know that." Understanding hits me. "They think you're home. Collins must have given them your address before he died."

Jackson's voice continues through the phone. "Cillian, there's more. They took someone. Female, matches Orla's description from a distance."

My blood turns cold. "Who?"

"Building manager says a woman was visiting apartment 3B. Auburn hair, same height and build."

Orla grabs my arm. "Sarah. My cousin Sarah was supposed to stay there this week while I was... while I was working the case."

"They took your cousin," I say.

Eamon stands. "They'll kill her when they realize their mistake."