Free Liar's Key by Carla Neggers

hoping you’d say that.”
    â€œI’ll bet you were,” Colin said. “You know, Oliver has a standing offer for me to stay in the guest suite at his London apartment.”
    Sean groaned. “Dear heaven. You aren’t considering—”
    â€œNot a chance. Just thought you’d appreciate a taste of how hard my job is.”
    â€œA sense of humor helps. Oliver York’s a character, I’ll say that. Quite the charming rogue, and a past I wouldn’t wish on anyone.” Sean glanced at his watch and stood abruptly. “Come. If we hurry, I can put you on a flight to London out of Kerry airport tonight.”
    â€œOn what, a carrier pigeon?”
    â€œIt’s a small airport but it offers several nonstop flights a day to London.” Sean moved toward the door. “You have your bag?”
    â€œIn my car, which is a rental, by the way.”
    â€œI’ll take care of it. We want you on that flight.”
    â€œThe thing about living on an island,” Colin said, tugging open the door, “you have to fly or take a boat to get most anywhere.”
    â€œFortunately, everything I need is here,” Sean said.
    They went out into the main room of the bustling distillery. It was medium-sized, not one of the huge, well-known Irish distilleries but not one of the small start-ups, either. The Bracken brothers had gotten their start before the explosion in independent distilleries and had established a brand known for excellence.
    Declan Bracken was waiting for them, and Sean explained that Colin was off to London, a last-minute change of plans. Declan looked as if he had a dozen questions, but he simply nodded and wished Colin a safe flight and a quick return to Ireland. Colin thanked him but noticed Sean was almost to the front entrance.
    â€œWhen will you be planning your honeymoon?” Colin asked as he caught up with the detective.
    A quick smile. “As soon as I can talk Kitty into marrying me.”
    â€œHave you proposed to her yet?”
    â€œI’m getting there. She’s not sure she believes in marriage anymore. That’s what she says.”
    â€œThere’s never been a woman who’s played hard-to-get like Kitty O’Byrne, has there?”
    Sean grunted. “She’s not playing.”
    But the pair couldn’t hide from themselves or anyone else how deeply in love they were. Colin wondered if people had the same thought about Emma and him, but he put that out of his mind as he grabbed his duffel bag and tossed it in the back of Sean’s car. Two minutes later, they were on their way to Farranfore, the small village between Tralee and Shannon where the Kerry County airport was located. A fine mist had collected on the windshield and the early evening light shone on the twisting road back through Killarney.
    â€œMary Bracken doesn’t live in the world you and I do, Special Agent Donovan,” Sean said, driving one-handed.
    â€œI know, Sean. Fin knows, too.”
    â€œShe’s had a devil of a time since Sally and the girls died and Fin turned to the priesthood. Now he’s left Ireland altogether and she’s afraid he won’t be back.”
    â€œFather Callaghan is due to return to Rock Point from his sabbatical in a few weeks,” Colin said.
    Sean glanced at him, looking troubled. “Is he?”
    â€œDo you have information to the contrary?”
    â€œNo, but Fin dodges the question when I ask him what he plans to do when he returns to Ireland. But that’s a problem for another day. I wouldn’t describe Mary as naive, but she thinks the best of people. I don’t like that Oliver York intercepted her in Declan’s Cross. It feels planned to me.”
    â€œHe plans his heists. I don’t know if he plans much else.” Colin watched out his window as the car sped through rolling fields. “I’ll talk to him. I appreciate the heads-up.”
    â€œI’m sorry