Page 4 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

I zone back into the conversation.

“Is there no one else we can instruct on this, son?” Da directs his question at Eoin. We all watch as he then stands to pull back the ball on the Newton’s Cradle before retaking his seat. It swings into life.

Its purpose is to reduce his blood pressure. And it would appear he’s stressed right now as he’s not receptive to using Jaine for the legal aspects of the potential money laundering investigation we’re facing. I’m not sure why, as JAL’s sister company, JAA, is already handling the accountancy requirements. The reason behind his reluctance is anyone’s guess. It’ll be something else that will have gone down the rest of us weren’t party to. It’ll also undoubtedly be tied to why Eoin gets annoyed and fidgety whenever Jaine’s name gets mentioned these days.

“According to Jessie, it would appear not, Da.”

“But why can’t our Paddy run with it? What was the point in spending good money for him to go to that fancy pants college if we can’t put our highly qualified legal guru here to good use?”

He peers at Paddy over the top of his glasses like this is all his fault somehow, while absent-mindedly waving his pointer finger at him. Paddy lets Eoin answer on his behalf.

Wise decision.

“Paddy has enough to do with all the internal goings-on, Da. Plus, he’s never had any dealings with the IRS before….”

“Surely there has to be a first time for everything?” Da interjects.

“I don’t think now is the time for him to be diving headfirst into unchartered waters to deal with those sharks. Not with the potentially catastrophic consequences if it all goes wrong.”

“But Jaine Jones is in California. How can she help when she’s currently living on the opposite coast? She also has a husband to care for now and a child. Another wee one on the way.”

My curiosity is piqued. Da never makes it his business to know anyone’s background unless he has good reason. Now I know something has gone down. How come he knows so much about Jaine? Mind you, Ma did ask for a copy of all the intel we held on her. Are the two related? And why is he telling us something we already know?

Is it an audible reminder to all of us? Or to one person in particular?

“Jaine’s a businesswoman, Da. She has several clients in Manhattan she’s still hands-on with. I’m sure she can easily add one more to the mix.” Eoin is determined to get his way. Da’s the same. Peas in a pod, the pair of them. We’ll be here all day at this rate.

“And who will she deal with at our end?”

Everyone shifts their attention to Paddy. He’s the obvious choice. Lawyer to lawyer. It makes the most sense. He looks hopeful. He’ll take any scraps he can get where Jaine’s concerned.

Eoin glances at Paddy then turns his attention back to the old man. “She’ll have to deal with me, Da.”

He’s not deliberately trying to burst our Paddy’s bubble. He’s just trying to ensure he’s the one who gets to interact with Jaine personally.

Da frowns down at his empty pad. He’s not happy with that response. His blood pressure will have spiked further. And that means heads are now at risk. My gaze shifts from the Newton’s Cradle to the paperweight, then back to my da. If I had to choose, I’d pick the paperweight. I already wear a scar from when one hit its intended target previously. It’s still the smaller of the two, though, so surely to God it’s easier to avoid.

“Jaine’s already handling the accountancy side of things, Da. Surely it would make most business sense for her to deal with the legal aspects of the same matter. Avoid any repetition?” Cillian drags his face from his phone long enough to voice his opinion. He must be feeling brave today. Da glares at him. He reaches towards the paperweight, running his fingers across the smooth glass dome.

Silence fills the space. And not a comfortable one.

“It’s not Jaine that’s handling the accountancy aspects, Cill. It’s Jessie O’Brien.” Da’s borderline hissing.

Eoin frowns at him but says nothing. It’s safer that way. Da’s coiled now and ready to chuck. We all remain quiet and wait for him to speak.

Time passes. The only sound is the Newton’s Cradle that’s potentially going to put one of us in an early grave.

Click. Click. Click.

“Fine. I agree we need to look at the bigger picture, at least for now,” he answers eventually, his tone reluctant. “If Jaine Jones is the only workable solution to the IRS problem, then so be it. But on this occasion only. We can’t be relying on her moving forward. She already knows too much and has her finger in way too many pies.”

“Jaine is totally trustworthy, Da.” Paddy raises his head above the parapet to defend his lady love. We’re all now in danger of having our heads caved in.

“That woman is currently looking at the inner financial workings of this organization. Now we’ll be welcoming her with open arms to analyze the inner workings of the legal side of the business too. She’s being allowed to infiltrate and learn too much. She’s not an O’Connell, and she never will be.” He stares at my eldest brother like that comment is directed solely at him.

Is this to do with Paddy still? Or is it now to do with Eoin?

“Anyway, enough. I don’t want to hear any more about it. Eoin, you deal with the biker woman. Instruct her if we have to, but on this matter alone.”

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