Page 19 of Cowboy
Travis leans back, his brow furrowed in thought. "That's... interesting timing. Her showing up just as Jerry starts talking about new information on the trafficking ring."
I hadn't made that connection, but now that Travis mentions it, it does seem like more than coincidence. "You think she might be involved somehow?"
"I don't know," Travis says, shaking his head. "But we can't rule anything out at this point. Caoimhe's been off the grid for years. We have no idea what she's been up to or who she might be working with."
The thought of Caoimhe being involved in something dangerous makes my stomach churn. "I need to find her, Travis. I need to know she's safe."
Travis gives me a sympathetic look. "I know, Ciarán. But right now, we need to focus on what Jerry has to tell us. If it's as big as he's hinting, it could blow this whole thing wide open."
Just then, the pub door swings open and Jerry walks in. He spots us and makes his way over, sliding into the booth next to Travis.
"Glad you both could make it," Jerry says, his voice low. "What I'm about to tell you doesn't leave this table, understood?"
We both nod, and Jerry leans in closer.
"The trafficking ring you've been chasing? It's just the tip of the iceberg. We're talking about a network that spans multiple countries, with connections in government, law enforcement, even international organizations."
I feel my blood run cold. "How deep are we talking?"
Jerry's eyes are hard. "Deep enough that they can make people disappear without a trace. Deep enough that they can influence policy decisions at the highest levels."
Travis leans forward. "And you have proof of this?"
Jerry nods. "Some. Not enough to bring them down yet, but enough to start unraveling their operation. That's where you two come in."
"What do you need from us?" I ask, my mind already racing with possibilities.
"Information," Jerry says simply. "You've been investigating this for years. You have connections, resources that I don't. Together, we might be able to piece together the full picture."
I exchange a glance with Travis. This is what we've been waiting for—a real chance to bring down the people responsible for Dylan's death and so much more suffering.
"We're in," Travis says firmly. "What's our next move?"
Jerry pulls out a small USB drive. "This contains everything I've gathered so far. Names, dates, locations. It's not complete, but it's a start. The one name that stands out the most is The Revenant. We’re trying to find out who or what it is, but everyone is tight-lipped about it."
As Jerry hands over the drive, I can't help but think of Caoimhe. Is she somehow connected to all this? And if she is, how far is she embedded with it all?
6
CAOIMHE
My heart races as I make my way through the familiar streets of Dublin. I never thought I'd be back here, not after everything that happened. But the information I've uncovered is too important to keep to myself. Dylan is alive. The thought still sends shockwaves through me every time it crosses my mind.
I pull my hood lower over my face as I approach the strip club where I saw Ciarán working last week. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come. Seeing Ciarán again after all this time... I'm not sure I'm ready for it.
But I have to do this. For Dylan. For the truth.
I slip inside the club, the pulsing music immediately assaulting my ears. My eyes scan the crowded room, searching for that familiar face. And then I see him, standing near the bar, his eyes constantly roving over the crowd.
For a moment, I freeze. He looks different, harder somehow, with new tattoos peeking out from under his shirt sleeves. But it's still Ciarán. It’s still the boy who was my brother's best friend. Still the man who tried to protect me.
I blink, noticing that he’s gone from my view, and my heart starts pounding. But before I can try to find him, a hand grabs my arm and pulls me into a dark corner.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Ciarán's voice is low and urgent in my ear.
I spin to face him, drinking in the sight of him up close. "Ciarán, I?—"
"Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you to be here?" he cuts me off, his eyes darting around the club. "If anyone recognizes you?—"
