Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 121871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
An awful silence fell between me and Fraser as we waited for Hughes to leave the building. Our breathing was heavy but neither of us spoke as I rounded the desk to remove the phone from under it to check if it recorded the conversation properly. To my relief it had. Fraser and I shared a morose look as he switched his phone back on to bring up the camera app for the puffin statue. About a minute of silence later, the sound of our conversation with Joshua filled the room from his phone, and he turned it so I could see that the statue had captured good footage.
“What now?” my cousin asked grimly. “These people are not to be messed with, Murray. These are violent criminals.”
“We don’t know that for sure.” Though I knew that was wishful thinking. “We need to find out more about the Walsh brothers.”
“And then what?”
“Police.” I shrugged wearily. “But I think I’ll talk to Ramsay first.”
“McRae? Why McRae? Do you think it’s wise to tell people about this?”
“Ramsay was in the military.” At least that was the story he told people. But all of us lads in the pipe band had our suspicions that Ramsay McRae was more than ex-military. We were pretty damn sure he was an ex special agent for the British government. There was a possibility he could investigate this and give me advice on how to proceed.
“So?”
“Just … let me handle it from here.” I gave my cousin a stern look. “And aye, this stays between us.”
“He threatened Aunty Fiona.” Fraser glowered. “And Kelly. And London. Eileen and my kids could be next.” He referred to his wife and twin daughters.
“I’m aware,” I snapped and then winced. “Listen, I know. But there’s not a lot they can do on an island and get away with it. Look at that moron who attacked Taran last year. Where did he think he was going to hide on an island?”
“These guys are smarter than that.”
“Are they? They came to me thinking that they could … what was it he called it? Cuckooing? They’re fucking morons if they think that I will allow my company to be dragged into their filth. I’d rather shut the whole thing down.”
Fraser shrugged. “Maybe we should.”
I didn’t think that would stop these people. “I’ll talk to Ramsay first. Trust me. I have a feeling he’ll know what to do.”
From there, who knew what would happen. But I had to believe that I could protect Kelly, Mum, and London and still not give into these bastards.
I couldn’t fail them. Not again.
19. London
Finding a second to talk to Ramsay without Nee knowing wasn’t as difficult as I’d thought it would be.
After barely sleeping for stewing over Nick’s threats on top of everything else, I decided as much as it chafed, I couldn’t bring Nick into Murray and Kelly’s life. The thought of my ex doing anything to harm them—and me having let it happen out of pride—made me sick.
Therefore, I told Ramsay everything when he dropped Nee off at the B and B. I didn’t know if it was his weird sixth sense, but when Nee went into the dining room to help Emmy serve our guests, Ramsay stayed with me in the kitchen. I immediately showed him the texts.
“Forward them to me,” he’d demanded.
“Don’t tell Nee. I don’t want her stressed.”
Ramsay was visibly torn, but he’d nodded, jaw clenched so hard I felt awful for putting him in that position.
“If you get any more texts, forward them to me.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Find something big enough on this fucker to keep him out of your life permanently. I’ll take care of this,” he promised. Then he shocked me by rounding the kitchen island to press a kiss to my forehead. “Sometimes it’s okay to lean on people.” His startlingly blue eyes twinkled as he stepped back. “That’s what Silver would say.”
I thanked him, my pride somewhat soothed by his words as he strode off, taking my problems upon his very wide shoulders.
Murray had texted to let me know the emergency order came through and he had sole custody of Kelly until the situation could go before a judge. His solicitor was pretty sure it wouldn’t even go to court, that a judge would review his and Jill’s files and grant him permanent sole custody. Maybe it was my own bias because of how little love my mother had shown me, but I didn’t even feel bad for Jill. I was only relieved for Murray and Kelly.
However, there was also a feeling of being surplus to requirement. My presence at the house was complicating an already difficult situation for Kelly.
Nee knew something was up, but I told her about the situation with Murray and she seemed to buy it as the reason for my absentmindedness. Not wanting to crowd Murray’s teenaged daughter, I found ways to keep myself busy in the village. I prepped for tomorrow’s breakfast and then Nee and I went down onto Main Street to have lunch with Cammie and Taran at the Lantern. Taran needed to do an inventory check at the charity shop after, so I volunteered to watch the front of the store while she did that.