Page 139 of Road Trip
Billy McCracken turned his attention to Maeve. “Ah, well, from the look of it, Sinead is quite comfortable.” He beamed at her. “She’s a lovely little pup. Up to date on shots and that type thing, Esme always saw to that. No trouble at all. And it would be a short-term arrangement. Much nicer than boarding her with her vet.”
“If I were local, I’d take her in a heartbeat,” Maeve said. “Unfortunately, I’m headed home to the States as soon as I get some legal matters settled.”
“American, are you?”
“Mac, this is my friend Maeve Dunagin. She and her sister have been visiting from Georgia. In fact, Maeve was at Esme’s house this morning. Her killer very nearly did Maeve in too.”
“Terrible thing,” McCracken said, shaking his head. “There’s never been much crime in Tarrymore. And now this murder…” McCracken stopped mid-sentence. He stared at Maeve. “What did you say your name is?”
“Maeve. My mother’s people were actually from Tarrymore, and she gave both my sister and me Irish names that nobody in the South can pronounce.”
“That’s extraordinary,” the solicitor said.
“It’s not a common name in Georgia,” she explained. “People want to call me May-Eve.”
“And your sister? Does she happen to be Therese Dunagin?”
It was Maeve’s turn to stare. “How do you know my sister’s name?”
“Extraordinary,” he mumbled. He reached into his pocket and took out a slim monogrammed silver case, opened it, extracted a business card, and handed it to her.
“I happen to have some important business to discuss with you and your sister.” He looked around the room. “Is she here with you today?”
“Therese flew home to Savannah yesterday. I don’t understand…”
“Well, that’s a bother,” McCracken said. “I was hoping to have this matter in hand sooner rather than later. Esme’s estate is complicated as it is. Having one of the beneficiaries out of the country is not ideal, but of course…”
“Hold up,” Maeve said. “Beneficiaries? Of Esme’s estate? What are you saying?”
McCracken looked flustered. “A crowded tavern is really not the ideal place to discuss this matter. Perhaps you could come to my office tomorrow morning? I’ll have some documents for you to sign, and I suppose we could get your sister to sign electronically. Again, not ideal.”
Maeve took a deep breath. “Mr. McCracken, I’m headed home to Savannah just as soon as the police give me the okay and I can get my lost passport replaced. I don’t think…”
“No, no,” he interrupted, his face reddening. “You really cannot leave the country just yet. As I said, the estate is complicated, and some matters require immediate attention.” He nodded at Sinead. “Exhibit A. Sinead O’Cocker. Esme specifically requested that you and your sister would become the dog’s guardians.”
Maeve looked down at the dog, whose muzzle now rested in the crook of her elbow.
“She’s very sweet, but I’m not sure what the rules are about taking a dog back to the States. I bet there’s a lot of red tape, and quarantine requirements.”
Liam put a hand on Maeve’s arm. “Maeve, I think Mac here is trying to tell you that this business he needs to discuss is not just about Sinead.”
Hearing her name, the cocker lifted her head and looked adoringly up at Maeve.
McCracken took a handkerchief from his pocket and mopped his face with it.
“What exactly are you trying to tell me, Mr. McCracken?” Maeve asked.
He folded the handkerchief into four neat quarters. “I don’t normally drink during business hours, but I think, this one time, I might make an exception.”
Liam stood. “I’ll buy. Whiskey?”
“Tarrymore’s best,” McCracken said. He looked at Maeve and she nodded.
“Make it two.”
Liam returned withthe drinks and set them down on the table. “I’m just going to go, uh, visit the toilet. Give you two some privacy.”
“You don’t have to go, unless you reallyhaveto go,” Maeve said quickly. “Right, Mr. McCracken?”
