Page 77 of The Twins

“It’s just we’re looking for someone, a woman, thought you might have seen her.”

He huffed and wiped his hand on a threadbare green fleece that had NFU embroidered on the chest. “I got a gun, you know.”

“I’m sure you have, sir.” I glanced at Finn. My own gun was pressing into the hollow of my back.

“In case you’re thinking of robbing me.”

“Absolutely not, sir. We’re honest God-fearing Irish boys, I swear. We’re just searching for a missing person, that’s all. We’re worried about her, and her last known location was down the lane there.” Finn pointed in the direction we’d come in. “A few hours ago.”

“I ain’t seen no woman, just cows around here.”

As he spoke, the breeze brought a whiff of cattle dung our way.

“Dairy,” he said. “Got a thousand girls.”

“That’s a lot.” Finn blew out a breath. “And a lot of work.”

I studied the place. There was nothing untoward. An old green Jeep, a few chickens, a pile of broken stuff that appeared to be a plow, a few tires and ripped tarpaulins.

“What’s that place over there?” I asked, gesturing to the smaller farm, beyond a copse of silver birches.

The farmer huffed. “Hobby farm.”

“What’s a hobby farm?” Finn asked.

“What it sounds like.” The farmer used his stick to send a stone skittering to the right. “Got some land, don’t use it right, got four old dairy cows, don’t get no milk. Had a horse.” He pointed at a bay grazing in a paddock to our right. “Didn’t know how to care for it so I took her on.”

“So they don’t make any money?”

“No.” He shrugged. “Which means they don’t need any. Lucky bastards. Farming ain’t what it was, you know. These city folk can roll in and play at it. Live off the cash they made in the bright lights.”

“Doesn’t seem fair.” Finn shook his head. “Must be a family, is it? Wanted their kids to grow up with fresh air and bare feet.”

“I have no bloody idea.” The farmer clicked his tongue on the roof of his mouth. “All I see is cars coming and going, must have a whole herd of mates who do the rounds. Never seen or heard no kids.”

“A lot of cars.” I studied the two low buildings that appeared to be barns with corrugated roofs and next to them a white stone building which seemed to be the house. It was too far to make out much else.

“Perhaps we should see if she’s wandered in there after her picnic,” Finn said.

“Good idea,” I said.

“You’ll be lucky, they have a bloody big chain on their gate.”

“They do?” My heart squeezed. Why would a farm with almost nothing on it need a massive fucking chain? This one had no security from what I could tell, except for a couple of dogs and the threat of a gun somewhere on the premises.

“Ah, we’ll give it a miss then.” Finn grabbed my arm. “Thanks for your time.”

We jumped back on the vehicle. “Give it a miss?” I said with a frown. “Really?”

“No fucking way. That’s suspicious as fuck. Drive, Jamie.”

Chapter Seventeen

Cillian

To my relief, Jamie was already moving. He wore a grim, determined expression, and his knuckles paled he was gripping the steering wheel with such strength.

“She’s got to be there.” Finn pulled out his gun and checked it. “Where else is there?”