Author's Note - Thank you's and hugs to all who have read this story! Second go round at chapter four and I'm so much happier with it! Thanks be to all who read the first one. Got some much needed critique from Miss DeDe and well I got my ass in the kitchen, rearranged some things and made room to party with the Haitians (bonus points to who ever gets my movie reference). Thank you my lovelies!
DeDe324 - much love to you lady! You help keep me going and super entertained with all our comings and goings over select social networks! You are amazing, a wonderful person and awesome friend! So glad that we're friends. I look forward to your next chapter, I know it'll be so, so wonderful!
So please read and review, thank you!
The three detectives and the woman from the FBI sat around the table looking through photographs and file after file. There was still no lead on the shooter who killed the priest, other than he was wicked short. Drained Styrofoam cups littered the floor. Eunice got up stretching, walking around looking at the board with possible suspects just absolutely clueless, never had this remarkably clever woman felt so impotent.
Spinning on her heels, "Let's take a break boys; Duffy call Quinn see if she's heard anything."
Brendan nodded pushing away from the table, absolutely weary. He had been running on pure adrenaline for the past 24 hours. He pushed 5 again, praying Quinn would answer and if she did she'd tell him what happened. Elation swept over him when she answered, "Hey baby," he greeted, "I love you…where are you? Is Rosie…are the boys with you? Ok stay put, I'll be there soon," he hung up. "Dolly," he called. The older detective entered the room, "Tell Bloom I went to see Quinn, I'll be back soon," he grabbed his coat turning to leave.
"Bren, she ok?"
"Don't know, I'll let you know what I find out," he said walking out the door. Turning over the engine he flew down to the familiar bar that held a lot of memories for the couple. Pushing the door open he saw the familiar red head playing with the glass in front of her, looking positively lost. Quinn turned at the sound of the door, her face lit up like Christmas when she saw Brendan running to him. The detective's wife jumped into his arms kissing him like no one was around, legs around his waist, hands firmly on his face. Mouth moving at a fast pace, just taking him in as if they'd been separated for months; she stopped kissing his mouth moving to the rest of his handsome face, feeling the scruff of his beard on her smooth cheeks, the scratch was heaven. The smell of stale smoke, his skin and coffee threw her emotions into overload, she started crying.
"Oh God Bren, I missed you so much," she barely whispered into his ear. "I was so scared," she continued as he carried her to a booth, pulling her across his lap, arms firmly around her.
"Rosie's ok," he asked, his green eyes reminiscent of the interview room eight years ago. Quinn nodded into his shoulder. Kissing her head, "Are you ok hun," he asked.
"No," she shook her head looking into his kind eyes, "They came after me and Red. If the boys…"she trailed off, tears spilling down her pretty face again.
He pulled her closer, "It's gonna be fine," he reassured, kissing her again. "I'm never gonna let anything happen to you or Rosie. She's going with Mom to Bridge's?"
"Yeah, dropped her off a few hours ago; what's going on Bren?"
"You know as much as I do. Where are the boys?"
"No clue, Connor went with me to drop off Red then they brought me here. If it's possible, this is scarier than the first time," his wife looked at him, fear plain across her face. He swore he would never have to see that look on her face again. "Can you take me home?" She wasn't safe at home, not at her parents, he couldn't think of a single place they couldn't find her. Their eyes locked and Brendan didn't need to say anything, she knew, she was stuck. Quinn nodded slightly, "Can you just stay with me for a while?"
"Of course," he kissed her hair, "We'll get through this, I promise." The detective pulled her mouth to his kissing her deeply.
She pulled away slightly, "Keep it up Bren and Doc's gonna see more of us than he ever wanted to," she smiled into his mouth kissing him again. Her phone interrupted them, she looked at the number shaking her head.
"Quinn, who is it," Duffy finally said after she picked up the phone.
The red head shushed him, "Hello…this is Quinn Duffy, formerly Cavanaugh," she was silent for a moment, "I've already spoken to Eunice Bloom regarding this matter," silent again, her face twisted in annoyance, "What does that have…" she sighed heavily into the phone, "Agent Kuntsler," she almost lost it when saying his name, "I have no new information on the whereabouts of the MacManus brothers. My life was threatened today by soldiers belonging to Concezio Yakavetta, now if you want to speak with me about that, I would be more than happy to. If all you have are leading questions about Connor and Murphy then we are done…What does my husband have anything to do with this? You're fishing and I'm not going to bite, if you have nothing relevant to ask me, this conversation is over," she hung up and growled.
"Do I want to know?"
"Is Eunice working with anyone else on the boy's case?"
"Not that I know of," Brendan shook his head.
"Well that was Special Agent John Kuntsler, asking about the boys. He did not sound friendly. I want this to be over," shaking her head once again, clinging to Duffy.
"It'll be over soon, I promise," His phone buzzed, "Duffy, yeah when and where? Ok I'll be there soon." He looked at Quinn, "Shooting at a restaurant down by the docks, Yakavetta's guys. I'll be back for you soon," he kissed her, "Stay put," he ordered.
A smirk worked its way across her lips, "Anything for you detective," she winked at him.
"Stop, I gotta go," kissing her again.
She watched Brendan walk out the door, "Doc," she called, "Another round," she moved from the booth to the bar.
"E-e-everything thing a-a-alright lass? Fuck! Ass!"
"I don't know anymore," Quinn hung her head a bit. Nursing the beer she had, not really tasting it, just going through the motions. Condensation on the outside of the glass beaded down soaking the cardboard coaster; Doc continued to clean up the bar. Quinn heard a car door slam and the back door open.
"W-w-welcome back b-b-boys," Doc called.
Quinn turned around meeting the gaze of the twins and the Mexican, followed by the shapely Eunice Bloom. Looking at the foursome, words seemed impossible to form. Eunice came forward, "All will be explained darlin', right now, gotta go have some fun. Just wanted to check on you," she turned and left.
The red head took a deep breath, blinking at Connor and Murphy, "Kindly explain before I go insane."
"And spoil all the fun," that smirk drawing up the left side of Connor's mouth.
"You guys are terrible," she tried scolding them, but the impish looks on their faces just made her laugh, "So Bloom is on your side, does that have anything to do with Smecker?" Nods answered her question as she thought for a minute, "And you just expect me to what? Play along with your little game; make my husband and my daughter's God father and Dolly believe that she's gonna arrest them?"
"Well when ya put it like that, yeah," Murphy said hugging her.
"What do I have to do," she laughed.
"They'll be here soon," Connor threw her a wink, "Ya get to hide."
"Can I at lease finish drowning my sorrows while you tell me all about you're little adventure? I'm very curious as to why Romeo is wearing a chef's jacket."
"Really," the newcomer asked.
"No, I know what happened, for the most part," she slid off the bar stool, drained her beer and walked behind the bar grabbing three glasses for beer and four shot glasses. Filling up Guinness for the boys with a shot of whiskey each and one for herself; Quinn turned to Romeo, "Sorry never served you before, what can I get you?"
"Corona and a shot of tequila," he nodded his head taking a seat next to Murphy as she grabbed the bottle squeezing the lime into the long neck handing it to him, then pouring the tequila. The red head down the shot with all three boys, slamming down the glasses at the same time, "Damn, baby girl," Romeo took a swig of beer. His brown eyes gave her a questioning look, "You dated this leprechaun," he nodded toward Connor.
Quinn laughed at the daggers coming from the blue-green eyes, "Yes, we were," she paused looking at Connor, "Very much in love." The red head thought for a minute and threw a look at the twins, "How did you know I married Duffy," her question stopped them mid drink. Her green eyes went from a questioning stare to a glare in a matter of seconds, "This is not the time or place to keep secrets from me. Out with it!"
"Your brother. When ya called the bar ta tell him; we overheard everything," Murphy confessed. An evil smile crossed his face, "Nearly killed me poor brother here, Q," he rapped Connor on the back making his brother choke on the Guinness.
Connor returned the favor with a hard punch on Murphy's arm, "Was just shocked," he admitted throwing his gaze at Quinn.
"Hmm," the ginger thought as she studied Connor's handsome face. The creases around his eyes deepened and the green flecks became front and center again. Part of Quinn wished that she could have told them about getting married to Brendan or had gotten to see them at all on her wedding day. It would have made it complete somehow, a finished circle. "I'm sorry you found out that way," her voice was quiet as she looked away from those intense eyes.
The lighter haired MacManus leaned over the bar grabbed her hand pulling her closer to him. Moving her eyes to his, "You were the most beautiful bride I ever had the pleasure of layin' eyes on," he kissed her cheek.
A flush of color moved over Quinn's face, "Thank you Connor." Murphy and Romeo looked at the two of them wearing incredulous looks. Quinn pulled away and cleared her throat, "So," she wiped down the bar taking a sip of water, "Find out anything useful," trying to keep her eyes away from Murphy's.
Connor shook his head, "Found out where Yakavetta is hidin', still no name for the shooter."
Quinn opened her mouth to speak but Eunice's voice could be heard outside. She and the brothers hid behind the bar while Romeo and Doc waited. The door flew open, Eunice approached Romeo; her auburn hair now in sight to the three on the ground. The boys in silent hysterics; Quinn couldn't help it and cracked a smile but rolled her eyes. Connor and Murph grabbed the water dispensers as a frightened Greenly started asking questions. Just Dolly, Duffy and Greenly were about to freak out the boys jumped from behind the bar and soaked the three dumbfounded detectives.
Brendan shouted, "Stop, wait," the water assault stopped, he turned to Bloom, "You knew all the time," he asked of the giggling FBI agent as she nodded.
"Ya don't call, ya don't write," Connor laughed out.
Dolly dropped to his knees making his way to the agent and hugging her around the waist. Greenly kissed her cheek, Duffy let out a laugh then his mouth dropped. Before he could say anything the ginger popped up from behind the bar, running around to greet him. Kissing his wet face and arms around his neck; ecstatic to be with her boys again.