Flawless(61)

“I’m happy that you feel that way, but, really, I was a hostage and simply went into self-preservation mode.”

“Maybe, but your quick thinking might have saved our lives.”

“We were being held up by men with water pistols,” she reminded him.

“I heard that on the news, but you didn’t know that as it was happening.”

“Self-preservation,” she repeated. “But thank you. Are you dining alone today?”

He nodded. “Felt the need to be surrounded by good people,” he said. “Even if I’m on my own. I heard about your friend being mugged. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what this world is coming to.”

“There’s still a lot of good in the world, Mr. Krakowsky. And Bobby’s hanging on. I believe he’s going to make it.”

“I’ll pray for him,” Mr. Krakowsky said. Then he shook his head. “Seems like just yesterday that I was in here with friends and the world felt safe.”

“The world has never really been safe,” she said.

“My world was safe. Humdrum, day in, day out.” He was quiet for a moment, then pointed to the bar. “I was in here with my friend Harry Belvedere. Do you know Harry?”

“I might. I’m not sure.”

“He owns Vintage by Victoria. He named the place after his late wife.”

Kieran paused, frowning. “That’s the jewelry store that was just held up. And it’s where...”

“Yes. Where that poor young girl was killed.”

“You two were in here together?” she asked him.

“That’s what I just said. I had a shipment of stones coming in from Africa—clean stones, by the way. I always check. I’m not a broker for any bastards making their money off blood diamonds.”

“I believe that you run a very ethical business,” Kieran assured him. “But you were here, talking about diamonds?”

“Harry needed some stones to restore a piece of estate jewelry. He specializes in antique jewelry. He’s devastated. That poor, poor girl.”

“Yes,” Kieran said. She felt frozen in place.

She’d known the thieves had been in Finnegan’s. Now it seemed that the killers might have been here, as well.

Listening. Stalking her family’s clientele. Picking their next target.

She was heartsick—and furious. How dare they sully Finnegan’s, where everyone was welcome, where hospitality meant everything.

“I know. It’s horrible,” she said.

Mr. Krakowsky nodded gravely, and then smiled, nodding to someone across the room. Kieran turned to follow his gaze. He was looking at Julie.

“I probably shouldn’t be saying this, but... Gary is a good employee, but I have to question his intelligence. Julie is one of the loveliest women I’ve ever met. Divorce is hard, but marriages do fall apart. Still, there are ways to conduct yourself and ways not to. The man is an idiot, leaving her for some of the women I’ve seen him with recently.” He met her eyes. “I hear you asked him to leave the pub the other night.”

“I did,” she said firmly.

“I told him the same thing, said he needs to have the good sense to stay out of this place. He’s tight with Jimmy, though, and I guess this has been McManus’s watering hole since your dad was running it.”

She’d been there too long, and she was starting to feel her anger at Gary growing all over again. She had to shake off the way she was feeling and do her job.

“Look at me,” she said with forced brightness. “Standing and chatting in the middle of the lunch rush. I’d better get to work or I’ll hear about it from my brother later. What can I get you today?”

“I’m sorry. Selfish of me to monopolize you. A stout, please—surprise me with which. And that chicken pot pie thing your chef does so well.”

“Coming right up,” Kieran promised him. She poured and delivered his stout, then headed back behind the bar to help, since it would be some time before his food was up.

She found herself pausing to look at the two musicians. They were scribbling on music paper, apparently working on a song. Their half-full beer glasses and empty plates sat in front of them.

She walked over to pick up the plates. “Can I get you anything else?” she asked.

They both looked up at her.

“No, thank you,” said the full-bearded one, who she noticed had dark eyes versus his friend’s green ones.

She nodded and stepped away. Something about them seemed odd. And vaguely familiar.

Surely she would have noticed them if they’d been in before.

Maybe she was going overboard looking for anything suspicious.

Besides, bearded men always looked suspicious. Or creepy.

At least they weren’t wearing hoodies.

She put the empty plates in the bin under the bar and went back to work.

Every time someone came in and wanted to talk about Bobby, it seemed the rest of the place wanted to drink a toast to his recovery.

Around three thirty, Kevin came in. He assured her that Bobby was stable and his vital signs were good. A new nurse, Molly, was on duty, and she had been more forthcoming than steely-eyed Nurse Emily.

“Did he open his eyes again?” Kieran asked her brother.

He shook his head. “Maybe he’s waiting for you,” he said, smiling.