Page 144 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

“But how did The Exterminator know we’d be there? From the MC side, no one knew the meeting was taking place apart from those present and a few trusted others. Who knew your side?”

I shrug. “Family members only as far as I’m aware.”

“Do you think The Exterminator was responsible for telling the traffickers the Dusters would be there?”

I shake my head. “Why would he do that then save Eoin’s life?”

Her frown deepens. “Who was then?”

“That’s something we’ll have to figure out.”

She pauses and studies my face. I can tell the moment she puts two and two together.

“You know him, don’t you? The sniper? You know who he is. You told him where we would be. That’s why you wanted me to pick up the bullet.”

“I do. And I did.” I smirk.

“Are you able to tell me who he is?”

“No can do. Their identity is a closely guarded secret. They would have to tell you themselves or let me know it was okay for me to. It’s not my secret to spill. Not unless I want one of these in my own head.” I toss the bullet in the air and catch it again.

“But Eoin and Molly?”

I frown. “That’s the only fly in the ointment. I’m convinced Eoin was planning on telling my parents she isn’t cut out to be Ma Duster, but I reckon he’ll be rethinking that given he’ll think she saved his life.”

“You need to do something.”

“Like what? I can’t break a promise, Jessie. The secret’s not mine to share.”

“But…”

“There are no buts. I’ve held onto this for a long time and from most of my family.”

“Most? So, someone else knows?”

“Yes. One of my other brothers.”

“Which one?”

“I can’t tell you that either.”

She gnaws on her lip. I can tell she has a host of questions but realizes I won’t be able to answer any.

“But why the need to remove the bullet?”

“The sniper didn’t want to be linked because it wasn’t an out-and-out hit for hire. It would look like they were an ally of the Irish. We can’t afford that, and neither can they. No bullet equals no proof.”

“So, they’re a friend of the family only two of you know about.”

“Something like that.”

“But can’t you just tell Eoin it was the work of The Exterminator?”

“The marksman doesn’t want anyone to know, Jessie, and Eoin would want to brag. You know what he’s like. That the sniper had thought him so important he had gone out of his way to save his conceited arse, and without him even needing to ask. Nope. If The Exterminator chooses to tell him or wants me to, that’s up to him Anyway, Molly will say I’m making it up. That I’m trying to discredit her even though she knows it wasn’t her.”

“So, she may already suspect it was the sniper?”

“Well, she’ll know for sure it wasn’t her. But as there’s no proof, she’ll happily take credit if it means securing her place at the head of our family by getting Eoin to propose.”

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