The door opened as Murphy, Margaret and Louisa walked inside and Murphy closed the door. Connor and Romeo were sitting at the dining table as he helped the kids with their lessons and Jessie was sitting on the couch while she watched an animated movie with Rosita. Annabelle was in the kitchen and the smell of dinner cooking filled the air.
"We're back!" Louisa said Rosita got off the couch as she ran to Louisa and she hugged Louisa's legs.
"Did you find out anything?" Connor asked as he got up, walked to them and he kissed Margaret's cheek.
"Yes, we did," Margaret said while she held up the file. She pointed to the den door as they headed for the den and Jessie closed the door behind them. Margaret walked to the desk as she placed the file on the top of the desk then she leaned on the edge of the desk.
"Well?"
Margaret explained as she handed him the file and he, Romeo and Jessie looked at the information and the photographs. Connor saw one photograph and his eyes widened.
"Christ," Connor whispered.
"Lord's name," Murphy scolded and Connor flipped him off before he slid the photograph under his shirt.
"Hey, I wanted to see that!" Romeo said.
"No fuckin' way!" Connor said with a shake of his head.
"What do we do now?" Jessie asked.
"I want to go check out their headquarters. There might be something there which can shed more light on what's going on," Margaret said.
"When do you wanna go?" Connor asked.
"I was thinking about tomorrow."
"Um, do we have any night mission gear?"
"Why?" she asked as she leaned her right hand on the arm of the couch and she leaned closer. He gave her a sly grin as she rolled her eyes and she shook her head. "Fine. We'll go after we put the kids to bed."
"How does he do that?" Jessie whispered to Romeo and Romeo shrugged his shoulders.
The darkness covered them as Murphy, Connor, Romeo and Margaret headed for the small, red brick building and they were dressed in black clothes, boots, gloves and knit masks. They headed for the front door while Connor knelt down and he removed the lockpick kit. The night vision goggles made it easy to see the lock as he used the lockpick tools then the lock made a tiny clicking sound. He stood up when he opened the door and they walked inside. They searched the main room when Romeo stopped short and he flipped the night vision goggles up. He pushed the button on the flashlight when he shined the dim light on the painting of Connor and Murphy on the wall and Connor quickly moved Romeo's hand down.
"Damn," Romeo whispered while he pushed the button to turn the flashlight off and he moved the night vision goggles down.
"Move," Connor whispered and he felt the blush moving across his cheeks. Margaret walked next to Connor as she lightly nudged his right upper arm and he shrugged.
They headed for the back room when Murphy walked to staircase and he headed upstairs. Romeo followed him as they looked around the bedrooms and Murphy noticed some of the bedrooms had children clothing and toys in them. He picked up a teddy bear which looked like the one Soibhan had and he placed the teddy bear back on the bed.
"Murphy," Romeo whispered as Murphy turned and Romeo pointed for him to follow him. Murphy walked out of the room while he followed Romeo down the hallway and they walked into the bedroom at the end of the hallway. Murphy held up his left index finger as he reached for the door handle and he opened the door. They slowly walked in the room and Murphy reached up to turn the infra-red scanner on. The image changed when he saw a heat signature in the wardrobe as he pointed and Romeo nodded. They reached for the guns in the holsters on their right hips as they held the handle of the guns in their hands and they quietly headed for the wardrobe. Murphy held his left hand up as they stopped then he reached for the door handle. He quickly opened the doors when they pointed their guns at the little boy sitting at the bottom of the wardrobe and he screamed while covering his head with his arms. "Shit."
"Murphy! Romeo! Are you alright!?" Connor shouted as they heard footsteps coming up the stairs and Murphy knelt down on his haunches.
"Aye, we're fine." Murphy said. The boy slowly lowered his arms when he looked at Murphy and Murphy removed the knit mask and the night vision goggles. In the dim light, he could just see a frightened pair of blue eyes and dark hair and tears rolled down chubby cheeks. "Hey there."
The little boy just looked at him while Connor and Margaret ran into the room and Murphy turned while holding his hands up to stop them. He turned to the little boy when he held his hands out and the little boy looked at them. The little boy nearly jumped into his arms as Murphy held him and the boy buried his face in Murphy's right shoulder. Murphy carefully stood with the boy in his arms and he looked at Connor, Romeo and Margaret.
"Where'd he come from?" Connor asked while he, Margaret and Romeo removed the knit masks.
"I dunno," Murphy said as he moved the little boy forward so he could look at him and Connor removed the handkerchief from his jeans pocket. Murphy used the handkerchief to wipe the little boy's eyes and nose and the little boy sniffed. "What's yer name?"
"Ryan," Ryan said, softly.
"What's your last name?"
"O'Dale."
"How old are you?"
"Three."
"What are you doin' in here?"
"I'm hiding."
"Hidin' from who?"
"Uncle Frank," Ryan said when they heard the sound of a door slamming and heavy footsteps. Murphy held onto Ryan as he felt the little boy shaking and Connor and Romeo walked out of the room. Murphy hushed Ryan while he rubbed the little boy's back and Margaret walked to him.
Connor and Romeo slowly moved to the top of the stairs when they heard someone walking downstairs as Connor motioned with his right hand for Romeo to follow and they quietly headed down the stairs. They turned the infra-red setting to scan the hallway when Connot saw a large heat signature in the back area and they held onto the handles of the guns. The large figure moved to go into the hallway as they went against the wall and the large figure moved by them. They followed the large figure as the large figure headed for the stairs then he stopped when a clicking sound filled the air.
"Shit," Frank Kents said as he slowly raised his hands and Connor and Romeo ducked when Frank swung his fists. Connor put the gun back in the holster after he ducked then Connor placed his hands on the floor and he kicked Frank in the stomach. Frank grunted then fell against the stairs when he got up and he swung at Connor. Romeo climbed up onto the small table near the stairs when he hopped over the railing and he kicked Frank in the small of his back. Frank growled as he turned to swing at Romeo, but he paused after he felt something being pressed to the back of his head.
"Good choice," Connor said and Romeo sat on the step. "Now, be a good boy an' go upstairs."
"Fuck you!" Frank shouted then became silent when he heard a soft clicking sound. "What do you want?! Are you coppers?!"
"Why would you think we're the police?" Romeo asked as he walked down the stairs.
"Shit. It's coppers who killed my mates."
"You mean th'River Walkers?" Connor asked.
"Yeah. This cop showed up, took 'em then we hear they were found dead at the bottom of the bloody cliff."
Connor and Romeo frowned as Connor poked Frank in the back with the gun and they headed up the stairs. They went down the hallway when they walked in the room and Murphy was sitting on the chair with Ryan sleeping against his chest.
"Who the fuck are you people?!" Frank demanded and Ryan made a soft whimpering sound. Murphy hushed the little boy as Margaret walked to Frank and Connor knew she had her ice queen face on.
"We could ask the same of you," Margaret said with a cold tone.
"If you ain't coppers then get the fuck outta my house!"
"Are you a River Walker?"
Frank clamped his lips shut then he winced when he felt something against the back of his head and he sighed.
"Answer her." Connor said with a growl.
"Yeah. I am," Frank said.
"Where are the others?" Margaret asked.
"I have no clue. They scarpered off after we found out about the killings."
"And you think the police did this?"
"I don't think! I bloody know! I saw this copper take 'em!"
"Why didn't you stop whoever it was?"
"Are you bloody stupid or something?! This guy was bonkers! Kept spouting something about us being a joke! He shot two of us just to prove his point!"
"Why did you stay?"
"Wasn't going to until I found him!" Frank said as he pointed to Ryan. "His dad was my best mate and I wasn't just gonna leave him!"
"You don't need to shout. My hearing is just fine," Margaret said and Connor smiled.
"Who the fuck are you!?"
Connor looked at Murphy as Murphy nodded and he carefully got up. He held Ryan in his arms as he walked to Connor then he handed Ryan to Romeo. Connor and Murphy removed the flashlights from their belts then they removed the knit mask and they pushed the buttons. The dim light of the flashlights shined on their faces as they glared at Frank and Frank's eyes widened.
"Boo!" Connor and Murphy said at the same time.
"No! You can't be them! They're dead!"
"Says you," Murphy said with a grin. Romeo and Margaret removed the knit masks as Frank looked at them and Murphy took Ryan from Romeo. Margaret walked to Frank then she stopped and she crossed her arms under her breasts.
"I need you to come with me," Margaret said.
"Where are we going?" Frank asked.
"We're going to talk with the police."
"Hell no! Like I said, they're the ones who killed my mates! I'm outta here!"
Frank ran out of the room while Murphy handed Ryan to Margaret and he, Connor and Romeo ran out of the room. Frank ran down the stairs then outside while Connor and Murphy jumped off the fourth step then they followed him. Romeo followed close behind them as they darted by the trees when Connor ran faster, jumped into the air and he landed on top of Frank. They laned with a loud grunt when Connor sat on Frank's lower back and he pulled Frank's arms back.
"Get off!" Frank roared.
"Nah," Connor said while Murphy and Romeo ran to them then Connor reached into the pocket of his jeans and he removed some zip ties. He slid the zip ties around Frank's wrists as Frank wiggled under him and Connor snorted a laugh. He got off of Frank when he pulled Frank to his feet and they headed back to the house.
The door opened while Connor, Romeo and Murphy walked inside and Murphy held Ryan in his arms. Jessie and Louisa sat on the couch when they rose and Louisa gave Murphy a questioning look.
"Find anything?" Jessie asked as she walked to Romeo and he closed the door.
"Yeah. We found him," Romeo said as Louisa walked to Murphy and she noticed Ryan was sound asleep.
"Who is he?" Louisa asked.
"Ryan," Murphy said.
"Where's Maggie?" Jessie asked.
"She's at the police station," Connor said then he explained. Louisa felt her heart hurting as she too Ryan from Murphy and Ryan made a soft sigh, but he didn't wake up.
"So, what are we going to do with him?" Louisa asked.
"Dunno. We might have t'take him t'Child Services."
Louisa saw something In Murphy's eyes as Murphy sighed and he gently rocked Ryan.
"Well, it's late. Let's go to bed," Jessie said.
"Where are we gonna put him?" Romeo asked, pointing to Ryan.
"He can stay with us," Murphy said as he headed for the stairs and Louisa followed him upstairs. Romeo and Jessie followed them as Connor sat on the couch and he placed the gun, the knit mask and the night vision goggles on the coffee table.
Dorset Police Department
The soft hum from the overhead light caused Frank to wince when the door opened and Margaret, Chief Superintendent Elinor Walker and a man with gray hair and eyes walked inside.
"Hello. I am Grant Martins. Your court appointed solicitor," Grant said. Frank snorted as he crossed his arms and Grant sat down on the chair next to him.
"Shall we get started?" Elinor asked as she turned on the digital recorder and she and Margaret sat down. "This is Chief Superintendent Elinor Walker. I am here in Interview Room One with Mister Grant Martins, Miss Margaret Stone and Mister Frank…"
"Kents," Frank said and she repeated his last name.
"Now. Mister Kents, it has come to our attention you were a member of the River Walkers. Am I correct?"
Frank looked at Grant as Grant nodded and Frank leaned back in the chair.
"I was their leader," Frank said.
"Can you tell us what happened to your fellow River Walkers?"
"What's there to tell? One of your coppers came, took a bunch of us then he killed 'em."
"Are you sure it was a police officer?"
"Well, he wasn't dressed as a PC, if that's what you mean."
"Can you tell us what he was dressed like?"
"He was dressed like him," Frank said as he pointed to Grant.
"He wore a suit?"
"Yeah."
"Did he identify himself as a police officer?"
"Yeah. And he was a really ugly wanker."
"What do you mean by that?"
"He looked like his face got caught in a meat grinder. Scared the crap outta me."
"Do you think you can describe this person to a sketch artist?"
"Maybe."
"Thank you. Now, I have some questions about the River Walker activities," Elinor said and Frank looked at Grant.
"You don't have to answer any questions," Grant said.
"Hey, I ain't got nothing to hide," Frank said as he sat forward and he placed his forearms on the top of the table. Elinor stared him down as Frank sighed and he shook his head. "Go on. Ask whatever you want."
"Thank you," Elinor said.
Elinor asked her questions as Frank answered some of them and Margaret noticed how calm he was. She then though about Ryan and she titled her head to one side.
"Excuse me, but may we speak of Ryan O'Dale?" Margaret asked and Frank frowned.
"What about him?" Frank asked.
"You said he is the son of your best mate."
"So?"
"When we found him, he was hiding in the wardrobe. We asked him why and he said he was hiding from you."
"So?"
"Why would he be hiding from you?"
"How the fuck would I know? He's a kid. They do weird shit. Besides, if it wasn't for me, he would've starved."
"I see."
Frank felt uncomfortable with how she was staring at him as he leaned back in the chair and Margaret folded her hands together.
"Are we finished?" Grant asked, looking at Elinor.
"Yes," Elinor said with a nod and she turned the digital recorder off. They got up as they left the room and Margaret walked with Elinor. Elinor noticed the look on Margaret's face as she arched an eyebrow and Margaret sighed. "Is there something wrong?"
"I was just wondering about Ryan O'Dale," Margaret said.
"Where is the boy?"
"He's with my guard."
"He's with Murphy MacManus and his wife?"
"Yes."
"You do know you should have turned him over to Child Services."
"I know, but it appears Ryan became attached to Murphy," Margaret said with a grin.
"I wouldn't be surprised. He looks like he would be a good father."
"He is," Margaret thought as she nodded.
"Well, tell Mister MacManus that he needs to bring the boy back here in the morning so we can turn the boy over to Child Services."
"Do you think they'll look for his parents?"
"I believe so."
"I'll tell him," Margaret said as she walked toward the elevator and she pushed the call button. As the elevator doors closed after she walked in the elevator car, she nodded her head at Elinor and she folded her hands in front of her.
The door opened while Margaret walked inside and she closed the door behind her. She was surprised to see Connor sitting on the couch as he watched a movie on the television then he glanced at her.
"You waited up for me," she said as she walked to the couch and she sat down next to Connor. He slid his left arm around her shoulders as she leaned her head against his and he smiled at her.
"Did he talk?" Connor asked.
"Yes, he did, but not until we got him a solicitor."
"What about Ryan?"
"What about him?"
"Are we really gonna take him t'the station tomorrow an' turn him over to CS?"
"Well, yes. They promise to find his parents and…"
"I checked th'list of names of th'River Walkers who died. His ma an' da were on it."
"Damn. Well, I guess they'll have to find out if there's any family members who'll take him."
"What if they can't find any other family members? Will he just be put in th'system?"
"Yes," she said with a nod then she saw the miserable look on his face. "What's wrong?"
Connor became quiet as he used the remote to turn the television off, turned and he took her hands in his.
"Child Services tried t'take me an' Murphy from Ma," he said and her eyes slightly widened. "It was shortly after Da was taken into custody. CS didn't think Ma could handle raisin' us on her own. Not with her drinkin' an' her job. She stopped drinkin' and our auntie came t'stay t'help out. So, they let her keep us," he said and she could see the tears in the corners of his eyes.
"How old were you?" she asked.
"We were two. Th'worst part was them tellin' Ma it would be tricky placin' twins in th'same home so' they'd have t'separate me an' Murphy."
"I bet she loved that," she teased and he snorted a laugh.
"Even though I was fine after it happened, Murphy got every clingy t'Ma. He'd cry when she'd have t'go t'work an' he'd cling t'her legs until she promised she'd come back."
"Which means he's going to be even more upset then he is now once we turn Ryan over to Child Services."
"Aye," Connor said with a yawn and she stood up. She held her left hand out as she helped him to his feet and they headed upstairs. She flicked the switch to turn the downstairs lights off as she watched Connor walk to the bedroom and he went inside. She walked down the hallway when she paused at the door leading to Murphy and Louisa's room and she could just see Murphy, Ryan and Louisa. Ryan's head was resting on Murphy's right shoulder and she noticed how peaceful Murphy looked. Sighing, she walked down the hallway and the light went out a few seconds later.
Unknown location
Jordan opened her eyes when she heard heavy footsteps and she scanned the darkness with her eyes.
"Are you hungry?" a voice asked.
"No, I'm not," Jordan said.
"You need to eat."
"Why? You're just going to kill me."
"Is that what you think?"
"Yes!"
She fought back the tears when she felt long fingers stroke her cheek and she turned her head away.
"You are mistaken," the voice whispered in her left ear and she felt warm air against her cheek. "Now, I am going to feed you and you will not spit it into my face."
"How can you even see me?"
"Oh, I got very good at seeing in the dark."
Jordan frowned when she felt long fingers pull down on her chin and her mouth opened. She felt a fork being placed in her mouth as she bit down on something savory and the fork moved out of her mouth. She chewed then swallowed as she opened her mouth again and she heard a soft laugh.
"Very good," the voice said and she felt the rim of a glass against her lips. She took a sip of what tasted like white wine and she swallowed.
"Who are you?" Jordan asked.
"You will learn soon enough."
Jordan sighed as she opened her mouth and she silently admitted she liked being fed. After she finished eating, Jordan felt a gentle kiss on her left cheek then the heavy footsteps walking away and she frowned.