‘You’re going after who?’
The fear in Anne Flaherty’s voice was unmistakable. It said all it had to about the dangers of Liam and Michael’s next step.
‘Robert Mullen.’ Liam’s nonchalant response fooled no one. ‘He’s behind this, Anne. So we don’t have much of a choice.’
‘So you’re just going to go take him, are you? You’re going to go out and kidnap the one person in the whole of Belfast who can bring this back to our door? You do this, Liam, and you’ll start a war we might not win.’
‘And if I don’t, Anne, then I leave Mikey and Sarah to die. I don’t see another way. Do you?’
Twenty years at Liam’s side had educated Anne in many ways. Her hold over him was not strong enough to change his mind. She knew that.
Instead she turned her attention towards his brother.
‘And you?’ Anne’s finger pointed at Michael. ‘You think it’s OK to turn up after twenty years and drag your idiot brother into something that’ll be the death of him?’
‘Anne, I’ve asked him not to get involved.’ Michael explained. ‘It’s not why I came back. If this Mullen guy is dangerous then I don’t want any of you involved in this. I can run. We can run. I don’t want any of you hurt.’
‘You can run?’ Liam interrupted. ‘And what? You don’t think Mullen can chase you, Mikey? For so long that you’ll run out of steam? Then what? When I hear that Mullen has caught and killed my little brother? What do I do then, eh? I murder the bastard, that’s what. Does no one see this? One way or another I end up killing him. So I might as well do it on my terms. I might as well do it now.’
A moment of silence filled the room. Four people, all considering the logic behind Liam’s words.
Only Anne refused to accept it. She spoke fast, her thoughts jumbling out.
‘It’s not that simple, Liam. Mullen’s maybe even bigger than you now. At least as big. And he’s a ruthless bastard. And how are you even going to lay your hands on him? He’s always surrounded by protection. But even if you manage to do that and you come away in one piece, do you think the lunatics that work for him aren’t going to come after you?’
‘You’re telling me nothing I don’t know, Anne.’
Resignation made Liam’s words sound angry.
‘But there’s only one way and so I have to take it. I don’t have a choice on this one. We’re taking Mullen tonight.’
The decision was made.
Liam stalked out of the room. Michael, Sarah and Anne were left speechless in his wake.
The silence did not last.
‘How the hell could you let him do this, Mikey?’
Anne’s anger was now focused on Michael.
‘I didn’t mean for this to happen, Anne. I didn’t even know who Robert Mullen was, let alone that he was involved in this. I begged Liam to step back when I knew. To leave me to it. But he wouldn’t listen.’
‘Liam never bloody listens, but you shouldn’t have put him in the position in the first place. You knew what he’d risk to help you.’
‘I wasn’t even sure he’d speak to me, Anne. Much less protect me. Jesus, you saw how he reacted when we showed up this morning. Like he wanted to kill me. How could I know he’d be willing to start a war for me?’
‘Of course he’d bloody be willing to start a war, you idiot!’
All of Anne’s frustrations poured out as she spoke, her face now a mix of anger and tears.
‘He served seven years in the Maze for a man you killed. Do you think he could lose that kind of loyalty? That need to protect you? Your brother can preen and posture all he likes, Mikey, but he’s loved you like no one else his whole life. He followed everything you ever did. Bought English newspapers to read about your trials. All we’d ever hear from him and from your father was how well Mikey was doing. How he was over in England, beating them at their own game. For Christ’s sake, he might have resented the fact that you never came back but he never stopped loving you. And now it’ll probably get him killed.’
Michael did not respond. He did not seem to know how.
Anne could see the hurt in his eyes as her words sank in. Words that had crushed him. It had not been her intention. Not that she had one; Anne had simply been lashing out in anger. But now she wished she could take them back.
‘Mikey, I—’
‘I’ve no right bringing trouble to your door,’ Michael said, cutting off Anne’s apology. ‘I can’t stop Liam going after Mullen if I’m here, but maybe if I’m not? Maybe if we leave now he won’t feel he has to do it?’
‘That’s not your brother and you know it, Mikey.’ Anne’s voice was softer. Her anger mostly gone. ‘If you run, Liam will think about nothing other than what happens if you’re caught. He won’t take that risk, whether you’re here or not. Which means he has no choice, at least the way his mind works. Liam has to take Mullen. Whatever the consequences.’
‘You mean we have to take Mullen.’ Michael’s correction offered no opportunity for disagreement. ‘If Liam goes I’ll be by his side. He’s not doing it without me.’
Michael’s words hit Sarah like a punch to the gut. The thought of him going up against someone like Robert Mullen was painful to her. The thought of losing him now – before they’d even had a chance to admit their feelings – was a painful prospect.
She wanted to speak. To object. But even if she had had the courage, she did not have the time.
Liam strode back into the room without warning. He threw a small sports bag to Michael. When he spoke his certainty demanded obedience.
‘Put that on. We’re ready to go.’
Michael opened the bag. It contained a set of dark clothing, complete with gloves, boots and balaclava. The perfect full kit for what lay ahead.
‘That was quick.’ Michael said.
Sarah noted the tone of his voice. He seemed almost excited now.
‘I had Paddy and Jack put a crew together while we were speaking,’ Liam replied. ‘They’re used to doing these things at short notice.’
‘You’re sure you want to do this, Liam?’
‘Of course I don’t want to do it. But we both know I have to. So let’s go.’
Liam’s words closed the discussion. Neither man spoke again. Instead they turned away from one another, towards the door.
Their path there was blocked by two women, concern etched across their features.
Anne threw her arms around Liam in a tight hug. She pulled him close with a strength her petite body did not suggest. Liam leaned down and kissed her. As he did this he wiped a tear from her cheek with a gentle brush of his thumb.
‘You be careful, Liam Casey,’ she said as she let go. ‘Come back in one piece.’
‘I will. I’ll see you after.’
The same moment for Sarah and Michael was more awkward. Neither seemed to know how to say goodbye. But Sarah knew it could be the last time they ever did.
‘You’ll be careful?’ Her voice was quiet.
‘I will. And don’t worry. I’ll be coming back.’
Sarah forced a smile in response, but any effort to hide her emotions was betrayed by the tears that welled in her eyes.
Michael hesitated before placing his hand on Sarah’s wet cheek, just as Liam had done to Anne. For a moment they both just stood there and gazed at one another, until Michael leaned forward and placed the softest of kisses onto Sarah’s lips, lingering for just moments before he stepped back.
Their eyes remained locked for a second or two more, until Michael finally started towards the door. Once he reached it he turned and repeated the words his brother had spoken just moments before.
‘I’ll see you after.’