Two people were dead?
Killed by the same thieves whod taken her hostage?
She stared at the two men in shock.
Yeah, her saviorCraigsaid. And Im telling you, the killers are still out there.
What the hell? Did he really believe that there were more jewel thieves out there, only carrying real guns?
Just for a checkup, someone said behind her.
She turned. The earnest EMT had followed her and was still trying to convince her to go to the hospital.
He flashed a light into her eyes, his own eyes worried as he examined her. You need medical attention.
No, I dont, Kieran said.
She looked away from him and saw that FBI agent Craigwas that his first name or his last? she wonderedwas standing only a few feet away, staring at her.
She felt a moments panic, then remembered that hed managed to pass the stolen diamond to the police along with the others.
With any luck whatsoever, no one would know that it had ever been in her possession. Thank God shed managed to give it back, even if not in the way shed planned.
Thank God neither she nor anyone else had been killed.
Miss Finnegan? he said.
Yes, she said. She hoped he couldnt hear the note of guilt in that single syllable. And why should she feel guilty, anyway? She hadnt stolen the diamond. Shed been trying to do the right thingand shed been kidnapped for her efforts.
Im special agent Craig Frasier, he said, and then he smiled, which changed his countenance entirely. He had high, strong cheekbones and a jaw that appeared to be made of stone. He was tall and dark haired with light eyes that drew her attention and seemed to home in on her likelike truth-seeking beacons.
I know youve told your story several times, but would you tell it again to me? he asked her.
Theres not much to tell, she said. And you were there at the end, so...
But I wasnt there at the beginning. You went to the store why? Were you looking for a premade piece or a unique stone you could have set? he asked.
She looked at him, wondering why guilt had immediately set in. I went to see some loose stones. A friend of mine was marriedstill is, technically speakingto one of the salesmen there. Shes interested in buying one of the stones he handles, but she didnt want to see him, so she asked me to go and look at them. It turned out he wasnt working, but anyone can show another salesmans stones. But before I could see them, the thieves came in.
And had you ever seen any of them before?
She shook her head. I still havent actually seen them. The ski masks, you know. But none of them sounded familiar. Ive definitely never seen the driver before.
Yeah, this is New York, after all, he murmured.
She couldnt help but smile drily. You mean we all live by the dont make eye contact rule?
Id like you to come in tomorrow and take a look at some pictures of the men, he said.
Why? You cant need a lineup. You caught them all red-handed. The thief who escaped from the van had later been apprehended by one of the officers.
Id still like to know if they look familiar to you in any way.
Ill come, but...
Ill send a car for you, he said. Around ten?
At ten she would be working her job at the Midtown offices of Doctors Fuller and Miro.
And she knew for a fact that her employerswhose main work came from police consultationswould have no problem with her helping the police.
She started to look around for her purse, which one of the officers had brought to her. She dug into it and produced a card. She remembered how pleased she had been to have a card with the prestigious names of her employers on italong with her own.
Youre a psychiatrist? he asked.
Psychologist, she said. May I go now? I have to get back to work.
You see clients at night? he asked skeptically.
She shook her head, annoyed to find herself flushing slightly. Im a bartender, too. Family. I bartend for the family. I mean, the family doesnt have a private bartender. We own a pub. Finnegans on Broadway. Im still helping out there.
She was annoyed with herself for babbling. She didnt know why he made her feel so off-kilter.
Guilt!
But she hadnt done anything. Shed returned the borrowed diamond, for heavens sake.
But there was something about the way he looked at her... It was his eyes, she thought, so light against the bronze of his face. She realized that he was tall and solidly built and really good-looking.
She flushed and looked away. Sex appeal wasnt something she should be thinking about right now.
Especially when people had been killed in a situation like the one she had survived.
You should let them take you to the hospital, he said, and make sure youre all right. We were flying around pretty good back there. He smiled again, and she was shocked by what it did to his face. His pin-striped suit was rumpled and his tie was askew, so he wasnt looking quite as ruggedly GQ as he might have, but his smile made him seem far too...attractive.
Im fine. Really. I have three brothers. Ive been through much worse, she told him. Really, I just want to get to the pub.
Ill get an officer to drive you, he said.
Its all right. I can hop on the subway.
Not if you want to avoid the presswhich I very much hope youll want to do, he told her.
I do want to avoid them, but why do you want me to?
Police should handle the press spin, thats why, he said. Stay right there. Ill get an officer to drive you. He pocketed the card shed given him. Ill see you tomorrow.
She nodded as he turned and left, then watched as he went over to join two other men in suits who were deep in an animated discussion about something no doubt related to the events of the afternoon. His answer had been logical, but she felt as if hed hesitated just a shade before answering her. Why?
Suddenly her view was blocked as a uniformed NYPD officer moved to stand in front of her.
Miss Finnegan? Im here to drive you home.
She wasnt heading home, of course, but to the pub. She gave him the address and told him where it was. He smiled. I love that place, he said with a broad smile. As they drove, he told her that Finnegans was a favorite watering hole for him and a number of his friendswhen they were off duty, of course.
He stopped in front of the bar, and she thanked him as she got out. There was an employee entrance that led to the offices, but she knew it would be locked by now, so she walked in the front.
To her shockand a bit of dismaythe pub was doing a booming business. Mary Kathleen had even come back in for the evening shift. On a Monday, it shouldnt have been so crazy, but it was.
And the first person to spot her was Declan.
Her older brother was handsome and charming andin her opinionthe best host and barkeep in the world. He looked as if hed stepped out of a movie as he worked the bar in his white shirt with rolled up sleeves and green brocade vest. But when he saw her, he folded his arms over his chest, a frown settling onto his face.
Danny bounced out to greet her, his eyes wide with warning. But it was too late. Declan was already coming around the bar to confront her. Are you crazy? he asked. His tone was furious. And look at you! You look like you were competing in the mud-wrestling championships!
She took a deep breath and was trying to figure out just how she was going to explain herself when he threw his arms wide and pulled her into a tight hug. Thank God youre all right!
Crushed against his chest, she felt her mind race.
What did he know? What did he think?
Shes here! Bobby OLeary cried. The woman of the hour!
All hail our kick-ass hero! Jimmy McManus, sitting down the bar from Bobby, lifted his beer glass.
The darker of the two men shed seen with McManus was there with him. Thankfully, there was no sign of Gary Benton.
Kieran froze, then slowly emerged from Declans embrace. Everyone in the place was looking at her and applauding.
What, um, what...? she muttered inarticulately.
The televisioncheck out the television, Danny told her, hugging her tightly for a long moment.
Kevin, her twin, had emerged from behind the bar, too, and he also hugged her warmly, whispering, I know you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but if you took chances... I came into this world with you, sis, and if you leave it before me, I wont be able to cope.
I love you, too, she murmured, then finally got a glance at the TV. A reporter was in the middle of explaining that a brave hostage had helped the FBI take down the thieves. And she was clearly visible in the shot behind him, which showed her seated in the back of the ambulance, a blanket around her shoulders and a cup of coffee in her hand, as an EMT spoke to her. The reporter was still going on about her courage under fire.
Except there had been no courage. There had been no choice.
She smiled weakly, waved a hand and managed a soft thank-you, then dodged behind the bar and ran to the offices in back.
Declan was right behind her, closing the door to the office behind them. She noticed that hed brought a clean wet bar rag with him and looked at him questioningly.
Youre still wearing a fair amount of dirt. You roll in an alley or something? he asked.
He was watching her with his arms crossed over his chest again. Even so, she could tell that he was truly grateful to see her alive and well.
She could also tell that he knew there was more to the story.
You were buying diamonds? he asked her. Instead of coming to work?
She accepted the bar rag from him, sank into the chair behind the desk and studiously scrubbed at her face. No, and Im sorry. I didnt think that the bar would be this busy. I
The door burst open. Danny rushed in and hurried over to her, dropping to his knees by the chair. Youre really all right?
She nodded. Im fine.
Oh, my God, when I saw... Danny sounded sick and shaky.
She patted his red hair gently, reassuringly.
Kieran, you went there to talk to Gary Benton, didnt you? Declan demanded.
She went very still, looking at Danny. Yes, she said.
Kieran, we all love Julie. Shes been our friend since we were children. I dont like Gary one bit myself, and the way hes treating her is awful. Hes a total jerk, and we should all be looking forward to the day when Julie is finally rid of him. I should have expected... Well, he was in here this afternoon, right? You dont need to answer. Bobby OLeary told me he was. And then you got upset and went to tell him... Well, I dont care what you thought you were going to tell him. Its only by the grace of God that youre alive and well. Kieranlet this be a lesson. Stand by Julie. Be there to listen to her, to hold her hand. Help her make the split final. But stay away from Gary Benton.
Youre right, she said, still staring warningly into Dannys eyes. He opened his mouth as if he was going to admit the truth. She shook her head and looked up at Declan. Youre right. Its just that... He had the nerve to come here!
And if he comes again, we have to let him in. And we wont throw him out unless he starts causing trouble or gets in a fight or somethingand theres no spitting in his food or his drinks, either. All three of youyou and Danny and Kevin, tooare off pursuing careers, which is wonderful. But the bar is my livelihoodand its all our heritage and what you have to depend on, too, if life doesnt work out for some reason. We will not discriminate against anyone, do you understand me?
Its not illegal to discriminate against assholes, Danny said.
Declan shook his head in aggravation. Danny!
Sorry. All right, if the jerk comes in, we wont show him the door, Danny said.
Kieran? Declan said.
Hey, I served him coffee without throwing it on himor even accidentally spilling a single drop, she said.
Good. But in future, stay away from him, let someone else take his order. Please, Declan told her.
She nodded grudgingly.
Now go home, kidyou dont need to be here. Mary Kathleen is on the floor with Danny, and I have the bar. Were fine. Kevins been behind the bar with me, but as soon as things slow down Ill send him home, since he has an audition tomorrow. So go home. And not to be rude, but I suggest you take a bath.
The door opened again. It was Kevin this time.
Its slowed down. Maybe the crowd was just waiting to applaud Kieran and now theyve all gone home to talk about her. Ive got my car, so I can drive Kieran home on my way.
I can get home Kieran began.
With me, Kevin said.
Declan said you have an audition in the morning. You need to go straight home and get your beauty rest, she said, smiling. Although youre beautiful no matter what.
Kevin winced. Men arent beautiful! he said.
Ouch, Danny said, laughing. Hes a manly man, you know.
What about you? You have work tomorrow, too, she reminded him. Danny was outgoing, and despite the problems hed had in the past, he was a keen historian and the tour company he worked for loved him.
Im off tomorrow, he said. Sundays and Tuesdays, remember? Ill help Declan until closing, he assured her.
She looked away, still uncomfortable that they werent telling Declan and Kevin the truth but absolutely certain that she didnt want to tell them more than what they already knew.
Well, in my mind, Kevin, you are beautiful! she said, returning to a safer topic. And youll be great tomorrow. Break a leg.
Thanks. And Im going to my car now, and youre going with me, Kevin said.
It would be worse to argue than to go along. She said, Okay, thanks. I could walk it if I wanted to, and I know the subway like the back of my hand, but a ride from my twin will be nice.
Kieran stood, hugged Danny and Declan, and then followed Kevin out of the office through the side door. He slipped an arm around her shoulders as they walked down the street.
That must have been scary as hell, he told her. How the hell you didnt lose it, I dont know. I dont think I would have coped as well.
Thanksbut I think you would have done everything exactly the way I did. We were brought up to do the right thing. Maybe kids remember even more when theyve lost both parents, she said.
Were not kids, he said quietly.
He didnt say anything more until the attendant had brought his car down from the garage nestled in the next block, and then it was only to thank the man and give him a tip. They were parked in front of her apartment before he finally said something else to her.