Page 40 of Shadow Spirit

“How will you convince him to do that?”

“I’ll appeal to his better nature.”

“In other words, you’ll torture him.”

“You catch on fast, Doc.”

“Save some of him for me.”

“Will do. But stay with her. Keep the link with her wide open and have her shut down the link with O’Shea as much as she can. Keep her safe.”

“We’re closing in on your position,” reported Greg.

“Let me know when you have Erin safe. When you get to Adriana, lead with that.”

“You don’t seem to doubt that I’ll be able to do that.”

“None whatsoever. You can do this, Greg. You keep both of them safe.”

“Will do.” Greg opened the link with Adriana. “Decker is there. I can see Erin on the beach. Brie and the Shadow Sisters are going to get her out of there. Decker’s going to engage O’Shea and his people from the front. We’re using the information Erin is going to give us to get up to you. As soon as you hear Decker hit the front, shut down the link with O’Shea.”

“But you’ll need to know where Eoghan is.”

“Trust me, sweetheart, Decker won’t give O’Shea and his mutts a choice about meeting their threat.”

“Okay, but Eoghan knows Erin is missing…”

“Not to worry. The first boat with Brie and the Shadow Sisters is about to land. She’ll be away from there in nothing flat. Colby is radioing Decker to let him know we’re a go. I love you. We both do, but be ready to do some serious groveling when we get back to the abbey.”

“See you soon.”

They pulled up onto the beach, and Erin ran to him. Greg leaned over the boat railing and scooped up Erin out of the ocean. “It’s okay, sweetie. I’ve got you.”

“They want me to go with them,” said Erin, pointing to the boat with Brie and the Shadow Sisters.

“I know. Adriana asked them to take care of you for us so we can get Adriana out. Decker is going to go through the front. He was so proud of you for the way you got us that information. Without your keen observation and bravery, this op would have been a whole lot more difficult.”

“I want to stay and help,” she argued. She reminded him of Adriana.

He nodded. “I get it. But we’re all going to be hungry, and Maya is going to need your help getting food ready. She says you already make cookies better than anyone else.”

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“I am, indeed. Now can you promise me you’ll go with Brie and stay safe at the abbey until we get back? Adriana’s had a rough day, and you know how much she likes those frosted gingerbread cookies you make.”

Erin considered his words. “She does like those.”

“Yes, she does. I have your word?”

The little girl nodded solemnly. “Okay, but I’m not going to bed until you all get home.”

“Deal.” The boat with Brie and the Shadow Sisters from the abbey pulled up alongside them, and Greg passed Erin to Brie. “Maya needs Erin’s help with food prep—especially cookies.”

Brie wrapped her arms around her. “Well, yeah, she would need Erin because god knows the last time I tried to bake cookies, I set off every smoke alarm in the abbey and almost burned the kitchen down. I am no longer allowed in the kitchen without a supervisor.”

Greg smiled, and Erin giggled. “Be good, sweetie. We’ll be home as soon as we can.”

Brie set Erin down on the deck, and the two of them waved as the boat sped off in the direction of the abbey.

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