The soft thrumming sound of Louisa's heartbeat woke him as Murphy sighed and his fingers moved along her right side. He had a small nightmare about Connor jumping off the roof and he felt guilty about waking her up.
"There's not need to feel guilty."
He felt her fingers moving through his hair as he smiled, but he didn't open his eyes.
"Are you waking up?" grumbled in his ear as Murphy made a little hum and he felt her fingertip moving over his lower lip. He opened his eyes as he lifted his head and she kissed the tip of his nose. "Morning."
"G'mornin'," he said with a sleepy tone then he rolled onto his back. She crawled on top of him as Murphy looked up at her and she slid her hands under his shoulders. "Sorry about last night."
"I told you it was alright."
He slid his fingers up and down her back when she sighed and he titled his head to one side.
"I have to pee," she said and he softly laughed. He watched her get off of him then she got out of bed and she went into the bathroom. Sitting up, Murphy slid the pillow behind him then he reached over and he picked the remote off the night table. He pushed the button as the television turned on and he frowned as he looked at what was on the screen.
In the other room, the sunlight coming from behind the curtain woke her as Margaret heard the soft rumble on Connor's snoring in her ear and she smiled. He, Murphy and Louisa had returned an hour and a half after they had left to get something to eat and he had brought back something for her and Romeo. She listened to him sleeping when she heard movement coming from the other bed and she could just see Romeo sitting up on the other bed.
"Morning," Romeo whispered as he got up then he headed for the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
Margaret moved her fingers down Connor's left arm as he sighed and she heard a low hum moving through his chest.
"So, what're we gonna do t'day?" Connor's voice grumbled in her ear and she kissed his chest.
"I'm going to Scotland Yard for an update on the Reapers," Margaret said and he moved his fingers up and down her back.
"Can I go with you?"
"You know the answer to that."
"But I wanna go," he said with a tiny whine and she smiled.
"I know, but I would rather have you here moping around here then spending the rest of your life in a cell."
"Well, if you put it that way," he said as she looked up and he was grinning at her.
"Do you know how cute you are when you do that?"
"Do what?"
She gently crawled on top of him as he slid his right arm around her and he brushed some hair out of her face. She moved closer to kiss him and he held the back of her head in his left hand.
"Oh shit!" made them move back as Margaret turned to see Murphy and Louisa standing in the doorway of the connecting room and Connor glared at them.
"Don't you know how t'fuckin' knock!?" Connor asked as the bathroom door opened and Romeo walked in the room.
"What's going on?" Romeo asked.
"You need t'see this!" Murphy said as he walked to the television and he used the remote control to turn on the television. They looked at the screen as the news reporter stood outside New Scotland Yard and SUSPICIOUS KILLING AT SCOTLAND YARD moved across the banner at the bottom of the screen. They listened to the news reporter speaking about Derek's death when Margaret carefully got off of Connor and she reached to the night table, picking up her phone. She pushed the button when she held the phone up to her right ear then she sat next to Connor.
"Yes, this is Margert Stone. I need to speak with Chief Superintendent Martin Blake. Yes, it's important," she said with a cold tone and Connor sat up. She leaned against him as he held her and she sighed.
"Hello, Miss Stone," Chief Superintendent Martin Blake said a few seconds after she placed the phone on speaker. Murphy used the remote to mute the television as he and Louisa sat on Romeo's bed and Romeo sat on the chair near the bed.
"I have just seen the news report about the death of one of the Reapers who are in your custody. Care to explain what happened?"
"I'm sorry, but we have no information at this time."
"I am not the press. So, if you wish to keep your rank, you will tell me what happened," Margaret said and Murphy and Connor smiled at each other. They heard Martin clearing his throat as they waited for him to say something then he sighed.
"From the reports, last night, there was a security breech in the holding area."
"Is this a normal occurrence!?"
"I beg your pardon!? No, it isn't!"
"Do not get curt with me."
"Yes. Well, as I was saying, there was a security breech in the holding area and it appears someone gained access to the prisoner."
"Where were the security guards?"
"They were found unconscious."
"All of them?!"
"Yes. It turns out there were a few more security breeches besides the one."
"I see," she said and Connor heard a slight hiss to her voice.
"We have ordered an full investigation and I will send you the results as soon as we have them."
"Is the autopsy going to be at the Yard?"
"Yes."
"When has it been scheduled?"
"It's about to start," he said and she looked at the clock on the night table.
"I want the autopsy delayed until I arrive."
"There is no need…," he said as she ended the call, got out of bed and she headed for the bedroom. She didn't care about the fact she was naked as she closed the door behind her and Murphy, Louisa and Romeo looked at Connor.
Unknown location
The elevator doors opened as Morgan walked out of the elevator car then he walked down the hallway. He had been woken by his assistant about what had happened at New Scotland Yard, but he hadn't been able to get any information on what had happened. He headed to the security station as the guards stood at attention and he glared at them. After he was scanned and his information was verified, he walked down the hallway and he opened the door to his office. He walked to the desk after he closed the door and he sat down.
"Sir," made him look at the screen and he looked at the young woman.
"Report," Morgan said.
"Miss Stone has left the hotel."
"Was she alone?"
"No, Sir. One of the others was with her."
"Which one?"
"Unsure. He appears to be disguised."
He rose from the chair as he walked to the screen and a CCTV photograph of Margaret leaving the hotel appeared. He looked at her then at the man with her and he touched the screen to enlarge the photograph. He studied the face when he frowned then he looked at the young woman.
"Have you scanned the photograph?" he asked.
"Yes, Sir. It appears to be one of the Saints."
"The Saints are dead."
"Understood, but…"
"I want all photographs deleted."
"Yes, Sir."
"Where are they heading?"
"They are heading for Scotland Yard."
"Keep me informed."
"Yes, Sir."
The screen went blank as he looked at his reflection on the screen and he slowly blinked his eyes.
New Scotland Yard
The car pulled into the car park parking spot while the doors opened and Margaret and Connor got out of the car. Connor was wearing dark sunglasses, a dark suit, white shirt, dark tie, and black shoes and the tattoo on his left index finger was covered with makeup. She didn't like the idea of him going with her, but he insisted and he walked a few steps behind Margaret.
"Remember. I'll be doing all the talking," she reminded him and Connor nodded. She felt his eyes on her as she rolled her eyes and she quickly looked behind her. "Stop looking at my ass."
"I can't help it," Connor said, smiling.
"Damn that smile," she thought as she sighed, shook her head and he went to walk next to her.
Margaret and Connor headed for the doors as the doors slid open and they walked in the lobby. They headed for the security desk as the guard looked at them and Margaret showed the guard her identification. After they were scanned and their identification was verified, Margaret and Connor headed for the elevator when Chief Superintendent Martin Blake walked closer and he saw the cold look in her eyes.
"Chief Superintendent," she said with a nod.
"Miss Stone." Martin said as he looked at Connor. "If you will follow me."
They headed for the elevator when he pushed the call button and the elevator doors opened. They walked in the elevator car as he pushed the button and the elevator doors closed. A few seconds later, the elevator doors opened as they walked out into the hallway and he led them down the hallway. They stopped at the security desk as they showed the guards their identification and, after they were scanned, Martin led them down the hallway. They stopped in front of the Pathology Department doors and he pushed the buttons on the security panel near the doors. The doors hissed open as they walked inside and Connor glanced around the room with his eyes.
"This way," Martin said. They walked to the young pathologist as she turned and Connor noticed her brown hair was pulled back into a bun. Her gray eyes shimmered in the overhead light and she had a pretty face with a small nose and nice lips.
"This is Doctor Jessica Daye," Morgan said as he looked at Doctor Daye. "This is Miss Stone and her assistant. They work for the British Government."
"Hello," Jessica said with a nod.
"Where is the body?" Margaret asked.
"It's over here," she said while she led them to the examination table and they looked at the sheet covered body lying on top of the examination table. She handed them some clear plastic protective glasses and the surgical gloves and Margert help Connor placed the surgical gloves on. Jessica moved the sheet back while they looked down at Derek's body and Jessica started examining the body. She turned Derek's head to the left as she moved her fingers through his hair and she looked at the bullet holes. "It appears he was shot twice in the back of the head."
"Are you sure?" Margaret asked as she walked to her then she looked at the bullet holes. She walked to Connor as he glanced at her and she lightly tapped her fingers against the back of his right hand. He barely shook his head as she barely nodded hers and Jessica continued the autopsy.
"This is interesting," Jessica said as she looked at the bullet hole at the center of Derek's back. "He was also shot in the back."
Connor walked to her as he looked at the bullet hole and he tilted his head to one side.
"That must have happened before he was shot in the back of the head," Martin said.
"Thank you, Chief Superintendent, for that unwanted commentary," Margaret said and Connor tried hard not to smile. Martin glared at her while Jessica continued the autopsy and Margaret noticed the look of concentration on Connor's face. After the autopsy was finished, Martin led Margaret and Connor out of the Pathology lab and they headed down the hallway.
"Do you know if the rest of the Reapers are still in custody?" Margaret asked when they reached the elevator and Martine pushed the call button.
"No, I am afraid they were removed earlier this morning," Martin said and Margaret arched an eyebrow.
"In the middle of a murder investigation?"
"It was for their own safety," he said as the elevator doors opened and they walked in the elevator car. Connor stood next to her as Margaret lightly tapped her fingers on the back of his left hand and they watched the elevator doors close.
Romeo walked into the doorway when he saw Murphy doing pushups and Louisa was resting on top of him.
"Am I interrupting something?" Romeo asked with a grin and he leaned on the doorframe.
"Nope," Murphy said while Louisa got off of his back and Murphy got to his feet. "Jus' doin' some pushups."
"That's not what Jessie and I call it."
Murphy rolled his eyes while he helped Louisa to her feet and she handed him the towel which was on the floor. Louisa walked to Romeo when she reached to ruffle Romeo's hair, but he ducked and they laughed.
"Have Connor and Maggie gotten back yet?" Murphy asked.
The sound of the door opening in the other room alerted them to Margaret and Connor's return and they walked in the other room. Connor looked at them when he barely shook his head after he had removed the wig and Margaret went to get the laptop out of her suitcase. She walked to the table when she placed the laptop on the top of the table then she sat down.
"Sit down." Margaret said with a small growl to her voice and Romeo sat on the chair near the window while Murphy and Louisa went to sit on the bed. Connor slid down the wall as he sat on the floor and he placed his wrists on his knees.
"What happened?" Louisa asked.
"We were watchin' th'autopsy when we found out that Derek guy was shot twice in the back of th'head," Connor said.
"Shit," Murphy said.
"Here we go again," Romeo sighed, rolling his eyes.
"Before you all panic, he was also shot in the back," Margaret said while she typed on the keyboard then she looked at the screen. The screen went black when Morgan's face appeared on the screen and he saw the anger in her eyes. "Hello, Sir."
"Hello," Morgan said.
"Am I correct and you have heard about the security breech at Scotland Yard?"
"Yes, I have been briefed. Just as I have been briefed on your visits."
"I was just doing my job."
"Yes, well, I must say I was surprised that you risked your husband's safety by letting him accompany you on your recent visit."
"It was his idea."
"And yet you refused numerous times with my attempts to use his services."
"He wasn't in any danger."
"He would have been if anyone recognized him in that wig."
"Is that a threat?"
"If it is, we're outta here," Murphy said as he walked to the table and he leaned over the top of the chair. Margaret looked at him as she noticed the anger in his eyes and Morgan arched an eyebrow.
"You know what, Brudder," Connor said after he got off the floor and he walked to Murphy. "I think we should go home."
"I wouldn't mind. I miss my family," Romeo said, walking to stand next to Murphy.
"But you agreed to help me." Morgan said.
"We changed our minds," Connor said as he ended the chat and Margaret looked at him. She got up after she depowered the laptop and she placed the laptop on the top of the dresser. "Did I do summat wrong?"
"No, but I was going to tell him we were going home," Margaret said as she turned then she leaned on the edge of the dresser. "Or at least make him think we are."
"What is goin' on in that head of yers?" he asked while walking to his wife and Margaret smiled at him.
Dorset
The door opened as Margaret reached for the light switch and she turned the lights on. She walked in the living room as Connor, Louisa, Murphy and Romeo followed her and Romeo closed the door.
"It's about fuckin' time you got here," Annabelle said while she walked out of the kitchen and Murphy, Connor, Louisa and Romeo looked at Margaret.
"Daddy!" came from the stairs as Rosita ran down the stairs and Romeo knelt down on his haunches. She ran into his arms as he picked her up and he made a small sniffing sound. "Don't cry, Daddy."
Jessie and the kids came downstairs as Louisa walked to the twins and Siobhan and she hugged them.
"Ok, what's goin' on?" Connor asked as Moira ran to him and he hugged her.
"It's called insurance," Margaret said while she walked to Robert and Annie and she hugged them. "I had planned to come to Dorset to investigate what happened here. So, I told Jessie to bring the children and your mother here."
"An' you also knew yer uncle would try summat if we didn't say aye t'helpin' him," Murphy said as he walked to Annabelle and he lightly kissed her cheek.
"Yes."
"How did you get them outta school?" Connor asked.
"I called and said there was a family emergency. They sent over their class assignments for the foreseeable future and they are excused from any exams."
"Who's takin' care of th'ranch?"
"Mister Flynn."
"He was that nice man who took care of th'ranch when we went on vacation." Annie said.
"Aye, he did."
"Does your uncle know about this place?" Louisa asked.
"No, he doesn't," Margaret said while Connor walked to her and he slid his arms around her waist.
"I have such a clever wife," Connor said, kissing her lips.
"Ew…!" the kids said at the same time and he smiled, placing his forehead against Margaret's forehead.
"Well, you better go get unpacked. Dinner's almost ready," Annabelle said as she went back in the kitchen and Connor and Romeo picked up the suitcases. They headed for the stairs while Murphy looked at David and Murphy and he noticed how they were looking at each other.
"Go upstairs," Murphy said as Louisa looked at their twins then at him, nodded and she picked up the auitcases. Murphy pointed to the front door as they walked to the door and he opened the door. They stood on the front porch as he closed the door and the boys walked to the porch railing. He walked to the railing as he leaned his forearms on the top of the railing and he looked out at the view. Little Murphy and David stood next to him when he glanced at his sons then he sighed. "Ok, what's wrong?"
"Murphy's makin' fun of me," David said.
"Da said I could," Little Murphy explained and Murphy looked at him. His mind tried to figure out what his son was talking about when something clicking and he choked back a laugh.
"If it's what I'm thinkin' about then, aye, I did say he could," Murphy said, looking at David. "When did it happen?"
"It was this mornin'," David said in a soft voice.
"Who were you dreamin' about?"
"Alison."
"Is that th'older girl I've seen you lookin' at?"
"Aye."
Murphy snorted a laugh as he shook his head and the twins gave him an angry look.
"Sorry. Sorry. I don't mean t'laugh," Murphy said with hands up. "What happened after you woke up?"
"I went t'take a shower," David said.
"An' that's when you saw it?"
"Aye. I didn't know what t'do so I just stood there."
"An' that's when I walked in th'bathroom," Little Murphy said.
"You shoulda knocked!"
"You shoulda pulled th'curtain!"
"Boys," Murphy said with a tone which reminded him of his father and he looked at Little Murphy. "Go inside."
"Am I in trouble?" Little Murphy asked.
"No."
Little Murphy went inside as Murphy looked at David and Murphy knelt down on his knees. Smiling, he talked with David while Louisa watched from the upstairs window then she turned and walked away.
Unknown location
Morgan stormed outside while the sliding doors closed behind him and his assistant, Jordan Lane, followed him. Her black hair was pulled into a tight bun and she placed on her sunglasses. She wore a dark brown suit jacket with a matching skirt, a white blouse, nude hose and black high heels. She walked slightly behind him while they walked to the black sedan and the driver opened the door to the back. They got in the sedan as the driver closed the door and Morgan pushed the button to raise the screen between the driver's seat and the back. The sedan moved out of the carpark as he looked out the window and Jordan used her phone to text someone to check the security footage for any sign of Margaret at the Yard.
"What do you think she's up to?" Jordan asked, glancing at Morgan.
"I don't know," Morgan said in a soft voice and he balled the fingers of his left hand into a fist. Suddenly, he noticed they were going the wrong way and he sat up straighter. "We're not going in the right direction."
Jordan moved to sit on the seat across from Morgan when she tapped on the screen.
"Driver, where are you going!?" Jordan demanded when the smoke floated into the air and they started coughing. The locks clicked down as they tried to get the doors open then Morgan and Jordan slid down onto the seat, drifting off to a deep sleep. The windows slid down while the smoke floated out of the window and the sedan moved down the street.