As they shook, Ronan took a long look at Danny. The man was about the age his dad had been when he disappeared. In his mind, Michael was frozen in time at the age of forty-three.
“Please take a seat.” Cahill gestured toward the booth.
Ronan thought he caught a glimpse of appreciation in the older man’s eyes that Ronan had waited to sit. They sat across from each other and Ronan fisted his hands in his lap to keep from moving.
“I have to say that I was surprised to find out that Thomas had hired you. I didn’t know you were back in town.”
Cahill had known he left? “I just came back. I’ve been rehabbing a house, thinking about flipping it, but missed a regular check.”
“You’re way overqualified for the job.”
“I know. Like I told Mr. Walsh, I’m fine with working my way up.”
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about you.” So he’d been checking up on Ronan.
“Thank you.”
“Superintendent is a big step up, both in pay and responsibility. But given your experience, you know that.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I have little doubt you can run a crew. Thomas can show you the ropes for the rest. If there’s anyone from your old crew you’d like to bring under you, let Thomas know. Otherwise, he’ll decide and then fill in with new hires. You’ll start on Monday at the site on LaSalle.”
“Okay.” He waited, sure there was more to this meeting than letting him know what site he’d be working. After all, that was information Thomas could’ve given him. His mind raced. He had the chance to spend hours every day with men who knew his dad. Guys who might know what was going on back then.
“The reason for meeting with me tonight is the responsibility part of the job. As I’m sure you know how business is done. We sometimes do jobs off the books, favors to people who can help us.”
Ronan nodded. It wasn’t something that was explicitly said, but you’d have to be an idiot not to know that working for cash on the weekends was an off-the-books job.
“As superintendent, it’ll be your job to get those done for the money I give you. One-time cash payment that you pick up from me here. Give as much or as little to the crew as you want. What you work out with them is between you. You keep the rest.”
And that explained how Thomas Walsh could afford to live in a swanky house in Park Ridge, even though he was just a blue-collar guy. These were the kind of jobs he and Brendan had worked on with their dad as teenagers. All the weekend jobs taught them about construction and hard work. Dad paid them cash and taught them valuable skills.
Cahill waved a server over.
“Hi, what can I get for you, Mr. Cahill?”
Ronan knew that raspy voice. He looked up and swallowed hard. Chloe. What the hell?
“Guinness?” Cahill asked him.
Ronan nodded.
“I’ll be right back with those.” She paused and stared at Ronan until he looked up at her. “How are you doing, Ronan?”
Her bright smile was like a stab to his chest.
“Good,” he answered, wishing like hell she would let him pretend they didn’t know each other.
She nodded and turned away.
“You know Chloe?”
“We grew up in the same neighborhood.” She’d always been a pretty little thing that was a hundred percent off-limits. Until his stupid dare. He licked his lips, feeling the phantom brush of her mouth against his.
Cahill slid an envelope across the table. “Here’s a little bonus for you. A welcome aboard.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“We take care of our own. You’re one of us.”
“Thank you,” Ronan said, swallowing bile at the thought of being one of them. They were shady as all hell and he’d always known it. Now that he was getting what he wanted, to be part of the inner circle, he began to wonder what it would cost him.