“You only have to ask Aide; I’ll help where I can. Never hesitate to reach out to me. I’ve got your back.”
“Thanks, Butcher. Appreciate that. Let me know how things go with Keelan. I’ve got another name for you.”
“Will do.”
Ending the call, I again destroy all evidence before hitting the shower and getting ready for my meeting. I wanted it done so that I could be home when my girls arrived home and while I didn’t distrust the Queens Wraiths, I’d still feel better if I was around while they were here.
Starting my bike, I ride to the city, glancing at the bakery as I ride past. It’s busy as fuck, which is good.
I catch a glimpse of Moira’s hair as I drive past. One of my guys is on the bench opposite, reading a paper or pretending to and another is in a car a few doors down. I always have my crew work in pairs. Nobody works alone other than me.
I’m pleased to see them notice me as I ride past. I flick my fingers up as I ride past to acknowledge them. Traffic thickens as I get to the centre of the city. It’s one of the reasons I changed to a bike. I don’t have the patience to sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic for hours on end.
O’Hagan’s is one of our many legitimate businesses, not that I have anything to do with it. One of my cousins runs all our pubs. I very rarely use them, unless I need to have a public meeting somewhere that I know isn’t bugged.
Circling around to the staff parking, I cut my engine, swing my leg over the seat and get off my bike. Removing my helmet, I glance up at the security camera, letting whoever is on security check that day get a good look at my face so they know it’s me.
The red-light flashes, turns to green and then back to red in acknowledgement. Only then do I walk to the back door, which clicks open as I approach it.
Tipping my head at the barman, I walk past the bar to the booth in the shadows at the back. It has a clear view of both the back and front doors.
Right on time, Keelan Malone walks through the door. He’s not what many would think a fixer would look like. He’s not the biggest man, just short of six foot tall, with a wiry strength that is often overlooked. Dark hair cut short, short beard, dressed in old, faded jeans, a long-sleeved flannel shirt and worn boots. He looked just like any other construction worker that roamed the city. He blended in seamlessly, which I appreciated.
I know he’s seen me, but he first stops at the bar and orders two pints, scanning the pub for any possible threats. I wait him out. He has nothing to fear from me, but I appreciated a man that was careful about his surroundings.
The barman tried to wave the money that Keelan offered away. Instead of arguing, he stuffed the notes in the tip jar. Picking up the glasses, he walks over to me and slides into the only other seat that puts his back to the wall and gives him the view of the front door.
He pushes one of the pints towards me. “Aiden said you wanted to see me,” he mutters.
Wrapping my hand around the pint he’d given me I take a sip, “Sláinte.”
Silently he takes a sip of his own pint, patiently waiting me out.
There wasn’t much I didn’t know about Keelan Malone. Son of a single mother after he’d dispatched his father who liked to beat on them. He’d done it once too often, and Keelan had snapped. Not that anyone knew it was him that killed the man. My Uncle Sean had made certain of that. I’m not sure why he’d decided to work for Aiden instead of us, but he had.
He had scars covering his hands and one across his brow that came dangerously close to his eye. I had a feeling under that shirt his body wouldn’t look too dissimilar to mine under all my ink.
“I’m retiring.” I abruptly say.
Surprise lights his face before he banks it. “And I need to know this… why?”
“Aiden put your name forward as my replacement.”
“Mm,” he tips his head down and studies the top of the table, tapping his fingers. Lifting his head, he nods. “Makes sense. I’m his fixer. When do you want training to start?”
“I know you guys are slammed right now.”
He holds up his hand. “I’m not involved in that, Aide keeps me separate. He has his own crew for work with the girls.”
“Okay,” I tilt my head back and think. “Three days. We start surveillance tomorrow. I like to make sure that the person is doing what is said. I don’t want to dispatch an innocent person.”
He tilts his head curiously. “Have any of them been?”
“Innocent?” I raise a brow.
He nods.
I shake my head and drain my pint as I get to my feet. “No. Meet me at the airport parking, the outside one. Tomorrow night at eleven we’ll start surveillance. See how you go.”
