Page 314 of 7+Us Makes Nine

He sank to his knees and dropped heavily to the floor, grunting as his face slapped the tiles.

I tied him up and checked him to make sure he wasn’t lying about guns.

Nothing, just a pack of smokes. Good.

I walked over to the hatch and peered in. My eyes widened at what I saw.

The equipment filled the small basement, jars, burners, chemicals and tubes connected in a mind-boggling setup. By far the biggest I’d seen.

I walked slowly down into the basement, taking in a deep breath as I studied the room’s contents. There was no one else down here. Just a shit load of drugs and equipment.

Time to call this in.

I jogged back up to the ground floor and checked to ensure all three bindings on the perps were secure. Cathal had passed out, and the other two were motionless.

Satisfied, I ran back to my car, eyes sweeping for movement. I didn’t see anything.

I grabbed my cell, and my breath caught in my throat.

Five missed calls from Lucas. Shit.

It started ringing again. Lucas was calling me, desperate to get hold of me. A tight coldness entered my stomach, and I feared for the worst.

“Lucas, talk to me!” I said after swiping at the phone.

“Jack, fuck. Glad you answered. I’m hurt, man. Real bad.” Coughing sounded on the other end of the line as Lucas spoke, his voice cracking with pain.

“Conall! Conall O’Rourke came here, man. Beat me up. I can’t move, Maria's holding the phone…” He coughed again.

“He came in, took me by surprise. I wasn’t quick enough, Jack. He threatened to kill my wife and kids if I didn’t tell him where Eden was. I’m sorry Jack. So sorry…” His voice trailed off and I heard sobbing coming from Lucas and his wife.

“Lucas! Listen to me, don’t apologise. You done great, alright. You did everything you could. If it weren’t for you, he’d be at her house now, smashing in the door. Tell me where she is, and then get Maria to call you an ambulance!” I said quickly. I memorised the location he gave me, visualising the long straight road out of town that would take me to Eden. It was about ten minutes from where I was.

Lucas told me through gritted teeth and waves of pain that Conall had just left a little while ago. He had a headstart on me. I shouted for Maria and told her to call an ambulance for Lucas. I promised I’d get a cop to them in as soon as possible.

I called my Lieutenant, and he answered in a second.

“Jack, what’s ha…”

“Sir, I’ve busted the lab. Didn’t have a choice, they were packing up. Conall must have panicked. I need you to come here with backup and arrest the guys I’ve tied up. One is hurt bad, you better call an ambulance for him or he’s gonna bleed out.”

I gave him the location of the lab and told him about Lucas. He cursed, and said he’d get a cop over to look after them immediately.

“Sir, I’ve gotta go. Conall’s on his way to Eden now. He beat the location out of Lucas and threatened Maria and the kids. I gotta go.”

“Ok Jack. Go!” he said and hung up the phone.

I sped off, heading towards the motel Lucas had given me directions to.

Time for a showdown with Conall. I just hope I get there in time.

I cursed at myself, having not saved Eden’s number into my cell yet. I flicked through recent calls, trying to find the number she’d called me on. Then my phone rang. It was Eden. Conall was there already.

I put my foot hard on the gas, jaw clenched with concentration as I drove wildly for the motel.

TWENTY

Eden

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