I cross to the bar and lean over his shoulder.The screen's full of documents, records, and CCTV screenshots.
"Declan Fahy," Rush says, tapping the screen."Thirty-four.Born Tallaght, still lives Southside.And he's got a file."
My pulse kicks up."What kind of file?"
"Multiple Garda notes on domestic incidents over the years.Two assault charges that got dropped.Suspected links to a small crew running protection rackets in the markets.Nothing major, but enough to show he's connected and he knows how to avoid real charges."
"Assault charges," I repeat.My hands curl into fists on the bar."Against Enya?"
"Doesn't say.Files are sealed.But the timing matches up with when she would've been with him."
I'm going to kill him.I’m going to find this fuck and end him.
Rush must see something in my face because he says carefully, "There's more."
"Show me."
He clicks through to CCTV screenshots.Grainy images, black and white, time stamps in the corners.
"Got these from a friend who works security.This is Declan outside Enya's building.Three days ago.And here..."He clicks again."Outside O'Hara's.Two days ago.And this one..."Another click."Near a primary school on the Northside.Yesterday morning."
My blood runs cold."Her son’s school."
"Most likely."
I stare at the images.Same man in each one.Hood up, hands in pockets, face partially obscured but recognizable.Just standing there.Watching.
He's been circling her life for days.Watching her building.Her work.Her son's fucking school.
"There's a pattern," Rush says quietly."He watches for weeks before he moves.Lets the fear build.Makes her feel hunted before he ever touches her."
"Psychological warfare."
"Exactly.And he's good at it.No direct contact.No overt threats.Just presence.Just enough to make her paranoid."
I can barely breathe.The rage building in my chest is so hot and vicious it takes everything I have to keep it contained.
"I want everything you can find on him," I say, voice low and controlled.Deadly."Where he lives.Where he drinks.Who his mates are.What crew he runs with.Everything."
"Already on it.Got Cowboy reaching out to a friendly Garda contact too.Off the books.See if there's anything else we're missing."
"Good."
Rush studies my face for a long moment, then he says, "This isn't just helping someone anymore, is it?"
I don't answer right away.I can't lie to my brother.Can't pretend this is just about doing the right thing.
"She matters to me," I say finally."More than she should.More than makes sense after a couple of weeks."
"You falling for her?"
The question hits harder than it should.Am I?Falling for a woman I barely know?A woman with a kid and an abusive ex and more trauma than anyone should carry?
Yeah.I probably am.
"I care about her," I say carefully."I can't watch her go through this alone."
Rush nods slowly."Just so you know what you're getting into, involvement makes everything messier.If Declan figures out you're not just some random guy watching out for her, if he thinks you're something to her, he'll come at you too."
