Jake glanced up to see several waiters and the owner of the restaurant staring in his direction. They had witnessed the hostile exchange, even if they hadn’t heard the conversation.
Popov wants me connected to his scheme,Jake suddenly realized.
That was the reason the Russian had risked police intervention by attacking Ellie. Jake’s business card in the pocket of the assailant’s jacket connected the two of them. The men’s presence in England, in the bar tonight, linked him again.
Jake felt the web of lies and deceit enveloping him, pulling him closer and closer to disaster.
And there seemed no way to stop it.
Jake didn’t tell Maggie about the two men. She was already worried enough. Last night he had checked to be sure she was safely inside her room before he’d gone to bed, but he hadn’t fallen asleep until almost dawn. Once he’d dropped off, he’d slept so hard the phone rang six times before he awoke.
Fumbling with the receiver, he sat up on the side of the bed and pressed the cold black plastic against his ear.
It was Shep Singleton—calling from his hospital bed.
“Shep. What the hell happened?” Jake ran a hand through his hair, trying to unscramble his sleep-muddled brain. “How bad are you hurt?”
“It could have been worse,” Shep said. “As it is, I’ve got a couple of bruised ribs, two black eyes, and a face that looks like it’s been run over by a good-sized lorry.”
“How did it happen?”
Shep laughed dryly. “I’m going to give it to you straight, old man. I invited the wrong English gentleman up to my room for a toddy. I rarely get my signals crossed, but I certainly muddled them up last night. He and another chap gave me a lesson in English protocol and left me in the alley behind the pub.”
“At The Wellington?”
“Afraid so.”
Jake’s pulse was racing, his stomach tied in a knot. “What did they look like?”
“I didn’t see the second man.” Jake could tell by the muffled sound of Shep’s voice that his lips were swollen. “The one I was interested in was blond and gloriously handsome. If I’d gotten him in bed, the beating might have been worth it.”
“Dammit, Shep.”
“As I said, I didn’t see it coming. Richard was friendly at first, a gentleman, and so very British I couldn’t resist.”
Jake gripped the receiver. “Did you call the police?”
“Somebody did. I was unconscious when they brought me in.”
It was the men in the bar. Had to be.The web tightens. “How long will you be in the hospital?”
“I’ll be out in the morning. Unfortunately, the doctor says I won’t be able to ride until Dublin.”
“Don’t worry about it, Shep. Just take care of yourself. What time do they allow visitors?”
“From four to six then from seven to nine.”
“Everybody will want to stop by.”
“Jake?”
“Yes?”
“I’d appreciate it if you told them someone tried to rob me.”
“You got it.”
“Thanks, Jake.”
