Chasing River (Burying Water #3)(91)

He chokes on his laughter, coughing and then grimacing against the pain. “Are you mad? Why the hell would I do that?”

“Because if you don’t, I’ll give Duffy what he wants myself.”

Honest shock fills Aengus’s face. “You’re serious? You’d really do that? You’d turn on your own flesh and blood?”

“No. I’m protecting my flesh and blood. Ma and Da. And Rowen. I’m protecting them.” And I’m protecting Amber.

He stares long and hard at me. “Do you even know what you’re asking?” he finally whispers, realization dawning on him.

“That you pay for your sins.”

“And put a nail in my own coffin?”

“Are you really too stupid to see that you’ve already done that? It’s only a matter of time before someone tries to pick you off again. I won’t let you take the rest of us down with you.”

The door flies open then, and our da storms in as quickly as his limp allows him to. The tears in his eyes are a swift punch to my chest. I’ve never seen Da cry, not even on his worst days of pain. “They couldn’t save his leg. Your brother lost his leg because of you!” Da makes it all the way to the edge of the bed, his face the color of ripe tomatoes, too red for a man with his blood pressure issues. “And if that’s not bad enough, there’s also nerve damage to his other leg. He could be in pain for the rest of his life!”

If anyone understands what that’s like, it’s Da.

Ma sweeps in after him, her face wet from crying. “He’s goin’ to be just fine. Stop worrying, Seamus. You’ll get yourself sick!”

Da’s not even listening to her, though. “What did you do, Aengus!”

“Nothing,” he grumbles like a sullen child who knows he’s guilty but would rather take punishment than admit to it.

I guess the yelling caught the attention of the hospital staff because a nurse and doctor step in behind Ma. “You’ll need to leave while we examine him,” the doctor says, slipping a stethoscope around his neck. “You can come back a little later.”

“I won’t be comin’ back,” Da says, and his tone leaves no room for guesswork. It’s a declaration. Aengus is dead to him. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of such a thing happening in Delaney history.

My brother flinches, as if the words slapped him across the face.

With the doctor hovering, there’s nothing left to do but leave.

“When Duffy comes, you tell him everything, Aengus,” I warn him. “Because if I have to do it . . .” I let my words drift, the meaning clear. Going on the stand as a witness against the IRA sometimes doesn’t end well for the witness. “And then that blood’ll be on your hands, too.”

THIRTY

Amber

I’m guessing all interrogation rooms have a universal quality to them. The one in the Deschutes County station was like this—small, rectangular, with a simple table in the center and two hard chairs flanking either side, and a camera in the corner to record and monitor the interviews. My dad and I ate lunch in it one day, on a “Take Your Kids to Work” day.

I wish my dad were here right now.

I thought about calling him, but decided against it. For now, at least.

Garda Duffy shuts the door quietly behind him as he enters, a tan folder tucked under his arm, much like the one he brought to show me that day when I lied to him about knowing River. “Do you need anything? Water? Toilet break?”

“No.” I clear the nervousness from my voice. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

“Alright, then. Let’s begin. Your rights have been read to you and you’re aware that what you tell me today may be used against you in future.”

“I am.”

“And you’re aware that you are entitled to legal representation.”

“Yes, I’m aware.” Maybe I should be pushing for that now. But I also know that I can ask for a lawyer at any time and that allows me some comfort, though it won’t change the fact that I lied.

“Right. Okay, then.” He goes through all the statements, introducing his full name and rank, identifying the dates and approximate time of the pipe bomb blast, and reading the verbal statements I provided to them. Pretty much a recap of our interactions thus far. He does it in a slow, monotonous voice, almost lulling.

“Three days ago, I visited the residence where you were staying, and I showed you this picture.” He slides out the mug shot of Aengus. Now that I’ve met River’s father, I can see the familial similarities, but I still find it hard to believe that this cold and calculating guy is related to River and Rowen. “You told me that you didn’t recognize him.”

“That’s right.”

He eyes me. “You’re sure?”

I tap the picture. “I’ve never met this man. I’ve never even seen him.”

“Okay.” He slides out River’s picture, and the bubble of panic in my stomach rises. “I also showed you this picture, and you confirmed that you didn’t recognize him.”

“I did say that.”

“Was that true?”

I take a deep breath. “No.”

“So you did recognize this man?”

“Yes.”