No one answered her, and after a few more pointed questions from Declan, it was clear Corinne had revealed everything she knew.
When it was only the three of them, Wes finally spoke. “What’s the significance of the building and the snow globe?”
“It has to be connected to what was happening with his health. Remember his note to me.”
“But how is a snow globe linked? And why did someone steal it? Who else knew about it?” Declan paced at the foot of the bed.
Wes looked at Cara, and her eyes fell to her lap. “Chris was there when I got it.”
Declan flinched, and then his head bowed.
“He witnessed the new will along with his father,” Cara’s voice trembled.
When Declan raised his head, his eyes were flinty. “I’ll look into the location in Dublin.”
“Declan—”
“No!” Declan’s words lashed out. “If Chris has the globe and is helping Courtney…” His nostrils flared.
Cara gave Wes a troubled look. “Dec, let’s go to this building. Find out what Dad was doing there.”
Declan hesitated, then finally agreed. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”
Wes almost laughed at the insulted face Cara made. “I’d rather concentrate on this puzzle than focus on what happened today.”
“I assume you want to come?” Declan came to stand by Wes.
Wes squared his jaw. Cara’s brother was easily the most intimidating person he’d ever met, but there was no way Cara was going anywhere without him.
“I’m not letting her out of my sight.”
Declan seemed to like whatever it was he saw in Wes’s eyes because he grunted.
“I’ll charter a plane. Leave in the morning.” He threw the words over his shoulder, before closing the door behind him.
Cara’s eyes were wide on her face. “If Chris is part of this, I’m not sure Declan will recover. They’ve been friends forever! And Declan doesn’t have many of those.”
* * *
Wes’sfirst impression of Ireland was gray. The overcast sky and drizzle haunted them from the moment the plane touched down and they entered the private SUV waiting for them at the airfield.
This morning, Cara’s bruises had blossomed into a range of purple and red. He wasn’t sure what magic she did in the bathroom with her makeup, but when she emerged, the only visible evidence was a swollen jaw and slight discolorations. She tied a large scarf around her neck to hide the damage there, but he knew beneath her clothes angry bruises decorated her creamy skin.
Cara slept through the short flight, but Wes took the time to write an encrypted email to Jin, to let him know what was happening. Declan sat with his back to them in the seats across the narrow aisle.
He had spoken little since Cara revealed Chris must be the one who had stolen the snow globe, and Wes knew she was worried about her brother. Declan’s head stayed buried in his phone, only once did he get up to pour a glass of whiskey.
Cara and Declan seemed uninterested in the city as the SUV wound its way through the Dublin traffic. In contrast, Wes craned his neck, trying to get a better look at the gray stone and brick buildings, marveling at the historic architecture.
He caught Cara smiling at him, and he grinned sheepishly. “I guess you’re used to all this.”
“I love Dublin.” Cara intertwined his fingers with hers on the seat between them. “Some of my very favorite memories are here.” She reached forward and poked her brother’s shoulder. Declan grunted in reply. “Hopefully, we’ll have time to see some of the city after.”
A shadow crossed her face, and it reminded Wes that this wasn’t a vacation. They needed to find out what was so important that her father had traveled to Dublin days before his death. Wes was less convinced than Cara and her brother that this trip, and solving the mystery of the snow globe, would give them the answers they were looking for. But this was important to her, and he would support her, however he could. Chris had stolen the snow globe from their home, and he hated that once again the space, where she should have felt safe, had been violated by someone she trusted.
Our home. The words felt right. They would need to find a new house—something new for both of them without all the unpleasant memories.
“What are you smiling about?”
