Page 21 of Celtic Dragon
“Count on her for what?” Emma says as she comes back into the kitchen.
“Not a thing,” I say.
“If you’re talking about having Honey babysit me, I think she’s beat you to the punch and has already planned on doing that.”
I laugh. “So you were eavesdropping?”
“No, I wasn’t, but I know you, Caden Jackson. For some reason you seem to think that I can’t take care of myself. So even though I can, I will indulge your insecurities and allow Honey to babysit me.”
I pulled her into my arms. “Fuck, I’m gonna miss you, girl!” She reaches her arms around my neck and I kiss her deeply.
When our kiss breaks, she says desperately, “I love you, Cade.” She knows that I’m getting ready to leave and although she’s trying to remain strong, I can hear the sadness in her voice.
“I love you more,” I reply as I lean in and kiss her again. When the kiss breaks, I say, “You have Hawk’s number. You call him if you need anything. His number one priority is you!” I turn to leave and realize that Honey is still in the room. I walk over to her and give her a slight hug. “Take care, girl—and remember your promise.”
“You got it, boss. Be safe!” she says.
Just then I hear a honk outside, along with the rev of a few Harleys. Hawk and the boys are here. I look back at the girls and say, “I gotta go.” I kiss Emma again and head for the door.
They’re waiting in the driveway for me. Rebel, Doc, and Ryder have already piled in the back of the SUV. I get in.
“Everyone ready?” I ask.
They nod. I look over at Hawk and say, “Let’s go.”
Hawk gets us to the airport in plenty of time. We get everything loaded and the plane takes off as scheduled. After about two hours into the flight, Rebel starts to get restless.
“What’s up, Reb?” I ask him.
“I don’t know, Ice. I’m just worried about what we are going to find when we get there.”
“Is there something you haven’t told me?” I ask. I feel that he’s been keeping something from me all along, but every time I have prodded him for more, he’s given me nothing. Rebel is far from being deceitful, but I think he is holding back some of the danger that we may encounter.
He takes his phone out and starts typing something into the search engine. Handing the phone to me, he says, “Dbag gave you a lot of info yesterday, but this is the one I can’t get out of my mind.”
Prison Officer Dies of Heart Attack in Hospital –
Adrian Ismay received serious wounds from a booby-trap bomb that detonated under his van in East Belfast March 4, 2016. It was determined that his wounds were the direct cause of his heart attack. The New IRA claimed responsibility and said it was in response the mistreatment of republican prisoners at Maghaberry Prison.
He takes the phone back and again starts typing. Handing the phone back to me, he says, “One more.”
February 2017
Dublin Hitman May Have Killed Former Real IRA Chief Aiden “The Beast” O’Driscoll -
Gardaí believe a former Real IRA boss was ambushed and killed by his old dissident republican associates in Cork. Gardaí suspect the gunmen are from Limerick or Dublin and that it was orchestrated by O’Driscoll’s former associates in an elaborate double-cross.
O’Driscoll was the former chief of staff of the IRA and was involved in a number of feuds with Dublin gangs. It is believed that he fell victim to a power struggle within the dissident republican ranks.
One source states that, “Based on the manner in which the killers fled from the scene, we believe this murder was planned very carefully.”
Up to four vehicles were used in the getaway, all going in different directions. A motorcyclist is believed to have operated as a spotter for the gunmen.
Two weapons—a sawn-off shotgun and a US-made Colt semi-automatic pistol—were seized from a property not far from where O’Driscoll was killed.
“Holy fucking hell, Rebel, does this shit ever end? And what is this New IRA? I thought you said you were Real IRA?” I say after reading the articles. He’d mentioned yesterday that there was recent violence, but nothing as recent as this. Some of those headlines are only a month or so old.
“The Real IRA merged with the Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD) group and then called themselves the New IRA. But really, it’s all the same militant group.” He pauses and then adds, “Ice, trust me on this. I know this shit sounds bad. But once I get to Belfast and I can confirm that my parents are indeed being held in the prison, we can get them out and return home.”
