In Too Deep

ChapterTwenty-One

Ronan worked long hours over the next few days, but they went by fast because most nights, he and Chloe would hang out, even if it was just for a while. They had been on a few real dates—no dancing involved—but she spent the night at his house or he spent the night at hers. While not perfect, they were making it work.

Tonight, however, they would only be able to have dinner together. With Brendan. Brendan had an update that required more than a text, so Chloe offered to pick up dinner and meet him at Brendan’s. She was almost as invested in the information as he was. He rang the bell and he was surprised to see Chloe open the door.

“Hey. I beat you here.”

“How are you?” he asked as he bent to kiss her.

“I’d be better if I didn’t have to go back to work in an hour. Three people all called in sick, so there’s no way for me to get out of it.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the dining room. “Brendan and I have been plotting.”

“Plotting what?”

“I talked with Joe Nolan, who had a falling out with Alan Cahill years ago. He said Cahill stole the election. He bribed and paid everyone in sight to make sure he won,” Brendan answered.

“And?”

“And he said that Danny was the weak link for Cahill. Alan was always cleaning up Danny’s mess. Danny got arrested, Alan paid off the cops to pretend it didn’t happen. Danny owed his drug dealer, Alan paid the tab. Anything to make it look like Danny was a good boy.”

“What does any of that have to do with Dad?”

Brendan handed him a beer and they sat around the small dining room table scattered with papers and pictures.

“Nolan said Dad was Cahill’s errand boy. He knew everything. Dad was the one who delivered the payoffs.”

“You think Dad threatened to expose him?”

Brendan shook his head. “No. Errand boy paid well. I don’t think there was any incentive for him to try to blackmail Alan.”

“You think Dad was skimming?”

Brendan shrugged. “Don’t know.” He took another drink. “Anything’s possible.”

Ronan’s phone buzzed repeatedly with a bunch of texts. Brendan’s did the same. Family chat was the worst creation ever. Their mom started the firestorm of texts.

Nessa’s birthday is Saturday. Party in 2 weeks. I need a head count and volunteers to bring food and set up.

Declan already responded that he’d bring dessert, which was always the cheapest option because he’d bring a package of cookies and call it a day.

Killian said he’d bring the keg, and Kieran volunteered for plates and cups.

Ronan looked up from his phone. “Isn’t she a little old for a party?”

“It’s her twenty-fifth. And you know Mom.”

Ronan shook his head. He hated the family parties. Mom always invited everyone she could imagine, family, friends, and neighbors.

“What?” Chloe asked.

“Nessa’s birthday.”

Before he could even think what to type, Brendan responded for both of them. Ronan and I will bring meat.

“What the hell are you volunteering me for?”

“Because you’ve skipped out of most parties for years. If no one can eat unless you show, you won’t blow it off.”

Chloe laughed. “Can I help?”

Staring at the texts, he said, “No. We’re good.”

Then he set his phone down and ignored his irritation at his family. “Back to Nolan. You think Mom might know something? She’d know if there was extra money coming in, right?”

“Wouldn’t she have told us?” Brendan asked.

“She wouldn’t have had a reason to. Maybe it seemed insignificant.”

“I haven’t gotten to the best part yet. Nolan said he’d help. He’s willing to confront Alan. He just needs to know what questions to ask, how to push him.”

“How will that help us?”

“We can plant a wire at Cahill’s table and look for leads.”

“I can do that,” Chloe said.

“No.” Ronan turned his attention to her. “It’s too risky.”

Chloe stared at him for a minute and then stood. “I guess you don’t need me for anything then. I have to get back to work. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

“I thought you had some more time,” Ronan said.

“Not really. You guys seem to have your hands full. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Wait. I’ll walk you out.”