In Too Deep

She stood. “I know I’m supposed to care about this. But I don’t. I don’t even have too many memories of him. So this argument doesn’t matter to me. What does matter is that even after twenty years, his disappearance is ripping this family in half, and that sucks.”

She left the table and went into the kitchen.

“How long are we supposed to wait, Ronan?” Brendan said.

“Until we get answers. I’ve always thought the Cahills knew something. Maybe they’ll finally tell the truth.”

Mom suddenly spoke up. “No, they wouldn’t have kept anything from me. They were so helpful after Michael went missing. Alan Cahill came to visit. He gave us money. I was so worried in those first weeks. About all of you. About money and how to afford the bills without losing the house. I asked him if your father was doing extra work for him that night as he often did. Alan said no.”

“See?” Declan said. “He took off.”

“But Dad told you he was doing something for Alan, right?” It had been Alan’s denial that sparked the rumors of a mistress.

She nodded.

Staring at Declan, he said, “Dad wasn’t a liar.”

Tension and anger rolled across the room from Brendan. “That solves nothing. It’s time to finally move on.”

Ronan thought fast. “Give me until the end of the summer. Let me try to find some answers.”

“Summer’s already half over,” Brendan pointed out.

Gavin countered, “Then waiting shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Whatever,” Declan said, as he rose and grabbed another cinnamon roll before heading to the kitchen to find Nessa.

Ronan rose, thoughts racing through his mind. He kissed his mom on the head as he passed. “Thanks for the coffee.”

When he reached the front door, Brendan stopped him. “What are you planning?”

Ronan shrugged. “I’m going to find answers.”

He knew better than to let Brendan in on any ideas he had. As the oldest, Brendan felt the need to tell everyone what to do and how to do it. He sure as fuck wouldn’t like Ronan getting a job for the very men they had questions for.