Page 61 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

I glance at the clock as I sit on the sofa. It’s the last Sunday of the month, so the whole family is upstairs. It’s the first time Eoin has been back to the house since it happened. I’ve decided to remain out of sight so he can spend quality time with the kids and his family.

Baby steps until we reach some normalcy.

I don’t want to jeopardize his relationship with my boys. They need him as much as he needs them, especially little JJ.

Hopefully, we can reach some level of friendship in due course. My only concern is that it would quickly turn into awith-benefitsscenario, and then we’d be back at square one. All we can do is take it one day at a time, I guess.

I remind myself to have a chat with Roisin about the task she set for Molly and Sophia. Any time she’s tried to converse with me recently, I’ve deliberately kept the kids as the main topic of conversation. I know if I give her an inch, she’ll start giving me relationship advice and telling me how to mend things with Eoin.

It needs to be a two-way street. If he’s not prepared to change his single-minded direction, there’s nothing to mend.

This time, it really is checkmate.

Jaine:Can I use the shooting range?

Dylan:You got the keys?

Jaine:I have the spare set.

Dylan:You don’t need my permission, but it’s dark outside.

Jaine:I stopped being scared of the dark when I was five years old. Any night vision goggles?

Dylan:There’s a pair attached to a helmet inside the first shooting table. Da’s rifle is where you left it if you want to practice shooting at pretend heads.

Jaine:I miss my alter-ego.

Dylan:I’m sure you do. My big brother misses you.

Jaine:We agreed not to go there.

Dylan:I don’t like seeing him in pain.

Jaine:Better a little pain now than a lot more later. We tried. It just didn’t work out for us.

Dylan:You didn’t try. Neither of you did. Not really. Anyway, I’d give it ten minutes before you head off.

Jaine:Any reason?

Dylan:Sophia and Paddy are just about to leave.

Jaine:Let me know when they’ve gone.

Ten minutes later.

Dylan:The coast is clear. They’ve just left. If you’re quick, you won’t re-trigger the external security lights. It’ll be another minute before they switch off. The coast is clear on the inside too. Eoin’s just getting JJ out of the bath.

Tears prick my eyes, but I blink them back.

I’m dressed in the black attire I wear when my alter-ego takes out the two-legged trash, only this time, I’ve thrown some black cargo pants over the top.

The moment I step outside, something immediately feels off. I discount it. The security on this property is Fort Knox level. No one is getting in or out unless the family wants them to. I check my pocket to ensure I’ve got my phone and ear pods with me before skulking down the side of the building. Ten seconds later, the security lights switch off.

I’m plunged into darkness. I’m glad I layered up, as the clear night sky means the temperature is frigid.

Before making my way to the range, I reach into my puffer jacket pocket, pull on my black fingerless gloves, then yank my balaclava over my head. The only thing now visible is my warm breath colliding with the cold air.

I glance over my shoulder, still feeling uneasy, I keep to the shadows. I feel stupid being so overly cautious, but once a sniper, always a sniper.

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