Bang?
The taxi driver had the sense to remain silent as he continued to drive, clearly aware his customer was trying not to panic. He hoped the younger man could keep calm enough to deal with whatever his caller had said, and also that he remembered to pay his fare.
Xxxxxx
Rose walked towards the car as she realised Tinny had gone with her father. She had never trusted the former police officer turned convicted killer but she had to believe that he loved his daughter and would protect her as much as possible. She shielded her eyes from the low sunlight as Des appeared.
"She went? With him?"
"You know Tinny. She's like Jake and Mal. There's not much that they wouldn't do that she wouldn't." Rose sighed as Des nodded. She was proud of the young woman her step-granddaughter was turning into. She just had the men in the family to worry over. She blinked as her cell phone sprang to life.
"Jake?"
"Rose, I need you to listen." Jake jogged towards the field where he knew his father's car was laying on its roof burned to a shell.
Rose got into her own car as she heard the younger man talk.
"Dad."
"What about him?"
"Car accident. Newalk fields." He stared at the burned out shell of the car suddenly feeling sick. "Someone did this."
"Is Malachy with you? Jake? Is he ok?" She pushed her foot to the accelerator as Jake took a deep breath.
"Rose?"
"Do you have Malachy with you?"
"Rose, his car is a write off. The whole thing has burned up real bad."
"Oh my God." Rose fought the urge to cry. "Is he? I mean."
"No, the body isn't in the car. It's dragging it's saggy carcass towards me. Da, talk to Rose." He held the cell phone out for his father.
"Yeah." He took the small phone from his son. "Gonna take a bit more than being run off the road to get rid of me." He heard Rose swear as Jake sat down on the earthy floor. He felt sick.
"Mal, this was a distraction. They got you away from here and Jake away from the hospital."
"Why?" Malachy was genuinely unclear as to why they were still in danger. Jake took the phone back.
"Who are you with? Where is everyone?"
"Kathleen, Tinny? Des?"
"Des is with me." Rose continued. "Your Sister is at home. Tinny."
"Where is she?"
"Out looking for you." Rose snapped. "With her father."
Jake felt his blood run cold as he thought about the young woman and his former partner. The man had always been a loose cannon. Now he was just explosive.
"You let her go? With that moron?"
"Have YOU tried stopping your niece doing anything?" Rose snapped.
"You concentrate on finding them. I'm going back to hospital. The Old Man can check into the ED while I check on Lesley." He silently prayed she would still be there when he got back.
Xxxxxx