No, Kevin said again.
You were humiliated. In front of so many people.
No, damn you!
Kevin looked up at her with fire in his eyes. You idiots. Dont you understand? I loved her. Whether she did or didnt love me, I loved her. I would have never hurt her. I didnt kill her, and when you get your heads out of your asses youll discover the truth. Im innocent, and Im done talking. I want my lawyernow.
Hes not here yet. We still have time
Get the hell out! Ive asked for my lawyer and from here on out, we will wait for him to arrive.
Kieran set the script down and looked at her brother with a smile. Wow. Did you do it?
Nope. I am innocent, he told her, and grimaced. My character is innocent, at any rate. You see, hes a rock star, and it really does look like he did it at first. The cops believe it was himuntil they find a kid who was too terrified to come forward. She was actually killed by her stepfather. Because she totally rejected him!
Youre really good, she told him, leaning an elbow on the desk. They were in the office at Finnegans. She was sitting in Declans chair. Shed returned from the soup kitchen with Mary Kathleen at about three, and Kevin had been there ready to run lines with her.
Shed popped into the back office to eat some fish and chips, and Kevin had joined her. Theyd been running his lines for the filming that would take place on Monday and Tuesday.
Youre pretty good at that emoting thing yourself, Kevin told her.
No, Im not. You were laughing at me.
Just because youre not a big black cop who used to be a linebacker, Kevin said.
Ah, but I love Arnie Westmore! Kieran said. And she did. The actor who starred as the lead detective on the show Kevin would be filming was both strikingly handsome and definitely talented. He really had been a linebacker, too, with the Jets. She was thrilled that Kevin had scored a role on the show.
There was a tap on the door. Kieran jumped up, hopeful that it was Craig.
She had managed not to call him yetmainly because she had kept busy all day.
It wasnt Craig. It was Danny. He poked his head in and asked, Am I interrupting the great flow of dramatic practice?
No, youre not interrupting. Kevin knows his lines perfectly, Kieran said, sitting back down. I do believe he thinks that Im horrible, and that I overact terribly, emoting here and there and everywhere.
Come onshe was trying to sound as tough as a linebacker, Kevin said.
Dont kid yourselfIrish women are supposed to be tougher than linebackers, especially the Irish American kind, Kieran assured him.
Remember when we were kids? Kevin asked Danny. We werent supposed to hurt our only sister. And then one day Dad said, Hey! If she pinches you again, deck her!
Yeah, I remember, Danny said. But she was older than meand she grew fast. And I was chicken. I never did deck her.
None of us did.
She was too scary, Danny said.
Kieran made a face at them both. And shes really tired of this story! Kieran told them firmly. I was not a terror as a sister!
Well, its a good thing that youre tough, Kevin said. Seeing youre determined to get into or cause trouble at every turn.
I am not
Sorry, sorry! Kevin said. Okay, trouble finds you. Your boyfriend is an FBI agent and you work with criminal psychologists. But, hey, yeah, trouble finds you.
This time, it actually did, Danny told Kevin.
But shes going to let it go, right? another voice asked.
None of them had noticed Declan when he arrived at the office door, arms crossed over his chest, expression stern as he looked at them all.
I dont know what you mean! Kieran protested. Craig might well be on the case.
Craig, yes, the guy who wears a Glock and knows how to use it, Declan said. Kieran, honestly, think about it
Honestly! I am thinking. Im not doing anything. I handed out food at a soup kitchen with your fiancée, and Ive been a sounding board for my twin. I was happy to wait tables, but you were covered for the day. I am being an angel.
Fallen, Danny muttered.
I heard that! she snapped at him.
The phone on the desk rang; it was Mary Kathleen out on the floorSaturday evening business was picking up. It wasnt crazy, but she could use one of them to help out.
Any one of them.
Im going, Kieran said, rising. Its a hard life to bear the burdens of this family, but I am willing to give my all.
She heard all three of her brothers laughing as she walked out. Shaking her head, Kieran went ahead behind the bar.
Mary Kathleen was hurrying about. She glanced quickly at Kieran. Terrific, Im heading out on the floor. You can manage here?
God help me, I hope so, Kieran said. She was about to say that shed grown up in the pub. It wouldnt have sounded quite right. Neither of her parents had been drinkers. Tea had been moms go-to, and at best, her dad had a pint on a Sunday with his roast.
A pub could be so many things. In the old days, the men had usually enjoyed their whiskey and pints in the main roomwomen and children had often been banished to another area. But Finnegans had always been a place where food and camaraderie were the most important aspects of the business. There were hours during certain days when everyone there really did know everyone else.
However you looked at it, she knew how to handle a bar.
She knew a lot of their clientele that day, and it was nice to chat. They all asked her how she was doing, how did she like her real work. And, of course, she asked back about them and their families as she served up their fare: Larry Adair, whiskey neat and fish and chips. John Martin, a pint of whatever was on special and shepherds pie. Brian McMann, a soda with lots of lime and corned beef and cabbage. Jillian Boyle, white wine and Guinness stew.
She was moving about quickly and yet easily when the door to the pub opened just as the sun made a powerful streak down Broadway.
For a moment, it was almost like a religious experience. There, in the midst of the tremendous light, was a tall, dark figure with a sweeping cloak around itas if a presence from above or beyond had arrived with a powerful force.
Kieran blinked, the figure stepped forward, and she saw that it was not a presence from above or beyondand yet, it was still one containing a powerful force.
Sister Teresa was just outside the pub. She looked at Kieran for a long moment, grinned and turned away.
Astonished, Kieran stared after her. She frowned, wondering why the woman had comeand why she had turned away.
Danny was coming out of the office and heading toward the barprobably looking for a friend with whom to chat a bit. Danny, realizing that he made one of the most garrulous and charming guides in New York Cityif not simply the best, as he assured her he was striving to beloved to find old-timers at the bar and talk a bit and then listen to all that they had to say.
She couldnt let him get chummy and find a bar chair.
Swinging around the end of the barand nearly hopping over the little gateshe hurried to catch him. I need yousome food coming out, drinks good for now, Brian probably ready for his coffee soon, doesnt need cream!
She didnt give her baby brother a chance to protest.
She shoved him back, handing him the bar rag as she did so, and raced for the door. Bursting out onto the sidewalk, she was ready to run.
She didnt need to. Sister Teresain her complete penguin outfit, as they had always called the nuns traditional habitswas waiting for her, studying the list of fresh smoothies on the menu of the fruit stand just a few feet away.
What took you? she asked Kieran.
Kierans brows shot up in surprise. Im sorry! I...you... I didnt expect to see you. Im so sorry. I guess you would have been uncomfortable coming in? The pub is quite nicewe have religious groups meet here now and then. Even a few rabbis!
Oh, honey, I have no problem going into a pub. Sometimes, when people see us, they get uncomfortable. I didnt want to distress any of your customers, child, thats all. Then again, its best to talk in private sometimes, too, Sister Teresa told her. And not be terribly conspicuous.
Yes, certainly, Kieran said, curiousand anxious. She had felt that there was something going on at the soup kitchen. Sister Teresas presence here now seemed to solidify what shed believed.
And yes, sometimes its good to speak in private, Kieran agreed. But, just how inconspicuous they could beherself and a fully draped nun in front of the pub doorshe wasnt certain.
Sister Teresa waved a hand in the air as if reading her mind. Never mindI just dont want people walking out on your lovely place of business. So, anyway, heres the thingare you going to be coming back to the soup kitchen?
Oh, yes. I was very impressed, Kieran told her.
We are impressive, Sister Teresa said flatly. But, may I suggest that you return sooner than next Saturday? You are employed Monday through FridayMary Kathleen filled me in on you, so I knowbut we are open tomorrow, as well.
And I would come back because...? Kieran asked.
You have a way with a soup ladle? Sister Teresa retorted sarcastically. My dear Miss Finnegan! One of our young ladiesa very shy one at that!asked if I knew you. If you would be back. I assured her that you would be. It is not at all nice to make a liar out of a nun. I am assuming she wishes to speak with you. Andsince Mary Kathleen did fill me in on quite a bitI believe this young woman might be looking to you for assistance, and help in what may be a criminal matter having to do with a beautiful baby girl.
Kieran stared at her and blinked. Sister Teresa, if you can tell me
I cant tell you anything. I am only suggesting that you come to the facility at about ten tomorrow. We open after the early massesservices and such for some of our partners of other persuasionsand we work until three or four. Im also going to suggest that you be incredibly discreetas I said, this young lady is very shy.
Of course, Kieran said.
Discreet! Like standing with a nun on Broadway!
Dont dillydally, Sister Teresa said, and for a moment, she felt as if she was dealing with Mary Poppinshad Mary Poppins decided to join a convent. Get yourself in there early. Its not like anyone has given me a timetable or anything.
Yes.
Yes, what, young woman?
Of course, yes, Ill be there, Sister Teresa! Kieran promised.
Excellent.
The nun nodded sagely, turned and fluttered her way down Broadway.