The address Penrith had provided led them to a residential street, properties built in pairs, most of the small front gardens converted to hard standing for cars. A few houses were well looked after; more were run-down or heading that way. Mulligan’s house had been rendered, then painted white. It had two bay windows at the front and a smart black front door. Caelan raised an eyebrow. She’d been expecting a dump, but this place looked anything but.
Ewan parked on the paving at the front of the house and they climbed out, retrieved their bags. Caelan had the keys ready, wanting to look as though she knew what she was doing, giving the impression she belonged here. The house next door had no cars parked outside and was in darkness. Hopefully the residents were still out at work.
They were in a hallway, the stairs to the left and a door to the right. Caelan opened it. The living room beyond was in darkness, and when she flicked on the light, she saw it was comfortably furnished with two large sofas, a huge TV and a couple of games consoles. She beckoned Ewan inside and turned off the light again.
‘Penrith said Mulligan owns several houses. He won’t be able to hold on to them, will he?’ Ewan asked.
‘Not if he bought them with the money he made from dealing and whatever else, which seems likely. They’ll be working out how much of his assets were the proceeds of crime and he’ll probably be looking at a hefty repayment.’
Ewan smiled. ‘Hard to feel sympathetic.’
She snorted. ‘Don’t waste any time on him.’
The living room led to a dining area, and there was another door to the kitchen, which was modern, kitted out with shiny appliances and gleaming cupboards. Caelan filled the kettle from a complicated tap while Ewan wandered around examining everything.
‘He’s spent thousands on the gear in here, I reckon,’ he said.
Caelan leant against the nearest work surface. ‘He looks after himself.’ She opened a wall cupboard, searching for mugs. ‘Could you find the milk please? Someone should have been in and cleaned the place up, filled the fridge with fresh stuff.’
Ewan checked cupboards until he located the fridge, and handed the milk over. He opened a drawer, held up a sheaf of takeaway menus with a smile. ‘How about some food?’
She considered it. ‘We should probably wait for Mulligan.’
Ewan pouted. ‘Why?’
‘Because the people around here will be used to him. The takeaway owners will probably know him. A couple of strangers ordering food to be delivered to his house might look weird, especially if they know he was arrested.’
‘But we don’t even know if this was Mulligan’s home.’
Caelan spread her arms. ‘Look around. I doubt he rented the place out. Would you, if you could live here? It’s an ordinary house on the outside, but in here, where it matters, everything’s top of the range, or near enough.’
‘Fair point. All right, let’s wait.’
They took their drinks into the living room. Ewan moved to turn on the light again, but Caelan held up a hand. ‘Why don’t we leave them?’
He smiled. ‘You want to surprise Mulligan, don’t you? You want him to think we’re not here.’
‘Except the car’s outside.’
‘I could move it.’ Ewan put down his cup.
‘No, you’ll never find a space.’ She flicked the light switch. ‘Let Mulligan worry about where he’s going to park.’
‘He’ll have a car?’
Caelan scowled. ‘Got to make it look authentic.’
Outside, the street was busy as people returned home from work, those without their own parking area shuffling their cars into anything resembling a space. Caelan checked the time.
‘He’ll be here soon. Shall we have a look at the bedrooms?’
Ewan grinned at her. ‘You’re sharing with Mulligan, aren’t you?’
‘Not unless he drugs me.’ Caelan blinked, remembering Nicky. Ewan said nothing, waiting, but Caelan kept talking. ‘I think we should say that you and I are together.’
He stared. ‘You mean we pretend to be a couple again?’
She smiled at him. ‘Yeah. Is it such an awful thought?’
Ewan was blushing. ‘No, but…’
‘I know it’s not what Penrith suggested, but I’d feel happier. That way, we can watch out for each other, stay close without raising suspicion. It’ll be safer, especially with the people we’re hoping to meet. I’ll still say I’m Mulligan’s cousin.’
‘Makes sense, but I don’t think Mulligan will like it.’
Caelan led the way upstairs. ‘You know what? I don’t care.’
The first bedroom was at the front of the house, large and luxurious. Caelan pulled a face at herself in the huge mirrored wardrobe. The king-size bed was ready to sleep in.
‘Look at the state of it,’ she said. Ewan pursed his lips.
‘Black silk sheets not your thing?’
‘Are they anyone’s? Except Mulligan’s, obviously.’
She turned away. The next room was smaller, containing only a double bed with plain white covers, and a chest of drawers.
‘Why don’t you have this one?’ Ewan asked. She lifted her shoulders.
‘Are you sure? You haven’t seen what the other one’s like yet. It might be Mulligan’s sex dungeon.’
He smiled. ‘Nah, I checked. Single bed, wardrobe. It’ll do.’
As they came down the stairs, headlights lit up the hallway. Caelan slid her hands into her jeans pockets and took a deep, calming breath. Time to put on the mask.
‘Ready?’ she said.
Ewan cleared his throat. ‘Think so.’
They went to the living room window. There were three cars. One approached the house slowly; another stopped at the kerb, while the third held back and waited.
‘The first is our lead vehicle,’ Caelan said. ‘The driver will have stayed just in front of Mulligan all the way, escorting him. The one in the middle, the one that’s stopped, will be Mulligan himself.’
‘And the car behind is making sure he doesn’t try to escape. They’ve made sure he gets here as planned without it being obvious he’s under escort. Clever.’ Ewan nodded.
‘Sometimes we get it right,’ Caelan said. She turned away, tension tightening her throat, not wanting Ewan to witness her bringing herself under control. This would be his first real undercover operation; he would be nervous enough without sensing her anxiety – and she knew he would if she didn’t disguise it. She was the experienced officer and had to take the lead. She also knew she couldn’t risk Mulligan realising she was nervous. She didn’t trust him and knew he would use anything he could to his own advantage. He had nothing to lose.
Her heart rate increased as they waited for him to appear, the familiar hum of adrenalin and apprehension beginning to crackle through her veins. There was always some anxiety; it was part of what made the job so addictive. No turning back now.
They heard a key in the lock, the door being flung open. Mulligan stomped into the room and glared at them.
‘You couldn’t have waited outside? Cheeky bastards, making yourselves at home.’
‘Good evening, James,’ said Caelan.
His smile was mocking. ‘Cousin Victoria. Lovely to see you.’
Caelan stepped closer, getting in his face. ‘Let me make something clear. You behave yourself, as agreed. You do nothing to draw attention to yourself, or to either of us. You know what happens if you do.’
Mulligan turned away, threw himself down on the sofa. ‘You tell tales, and I go back inside. Not going to happen.’
‘As long as we understand each other.’ She folded her arms.
He glared at her. ‘We do. I’ll do as I’m told, as long as you stick to the deal.’
Caelan shrugged. ‘I’m here, aren’t I?’
‘Aye, for now.’ Mulligan spotted the takeaway menus Ewan had left on the windowsill. His face brightened. ‘What’s for dinner?’