Page 126 of Cross & Crown

“I understand your loyalty to him, but I’m not used to

working blind,” Julian said, voice gentle and persuasive.

“Nick grew up here,” Kelly said quietly. “During the

time when teenagers either got out, or got initiated. You

understand?”

Julian nodded curtly.

“Nick chose the Marines at seventeen to avoid the mob.

That’s all I know.”

Julian nodded again, then smiled sadly. “Rather like

choosing the RAF to avoid the IRA.” The phone in the pocket

of his jeans began to vibrate, and he scrambled to grab for it.

“This is Cross.”

Kelly was close enough to hear the murmur of the voice

on the phone, but he couldn’t make out what it was saying.

“I want to speak to him,” Cross demanded. “I want to

know he’s alive before I give you anything.”

Kelly mouthed the word, “Kidnappers?”

Julian nodded.

Kelly darted for the stairs, sliding down the railing with

his hands and feet like he’d been taught twenty years ago

when he’d joined the Navy. “Nick!” he hissed.

127

Nick poked his head out of the bathroom. Half his face

was covered in shaving cream, and he was wearing no shirt,

just his jeans and a towel resting on his shoulder. He held his razor in his hand like a weapon.

“Kidnappers on Julian’s phone.”

Nick tossed his razor over his shoulder and hustled after

Kelly up the steps. He went to the banquette in the pilothouse

and ripped one of the cushions off, then rummaged inside the

bench. Kelly hadn’t even known those benches were hollow.

---