Page 63 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

Jaine:Pinkie promise.

I wait, and I wait.

Jaine:Dylan, once I give you the nod, you need to get everyone inside the safe space.

Dylan:What’s going on, Jaine? Shall I call you?

Jaine:I think there may be someone on the property, so I can’t talk. I’m at the range and armed, so I’m okay. Irish is heading to your apartment now to check the surveillance to make sure I’m not imagining things. I’m expecting an update imminently.

Dylan:Da and Eoin will want to go outside.

Jaine:The priority is to keep the children safe, Dyl. They’re most likely the targets. To do that, you all need to stay inside with them.

Dylan:The system has thermal imaging.

Jaine:Then I’ll get Irish to tell me how many and where they are because, trust me, I’m pretty sure I’m not alone out here. You need to get into the safe space as soon as I say. No arguments. No delay. I don’t need to be worrying about what’s going on in there when I have enough to worry about out here.

Dylan:Eoin will want to know where you are.

Jaine:Tell him I’m with Irish.

Dylan:I can’t say that to him. You know what he’ll think if I say that.

Jaine:Then what do you suggest, Dyl? If you tell him I’m out here or that I’m anywhere else, he’ll open the front door and get his arrogant head blown off. Do it, Dylan. You say what you need to. If he thinks the worst, then so be it. I’d rather he hates my guts than be dead.

I check my message from Irish.

Padraig:Three intruders.

Jaine:Can you see them on the thermal imaging?

Padraig:Yes.

I go back to my exchange with Dylan.

Jaine:Three intruders. There may be more on the way. We don’t know anything for sure. Get in the safe space now. You tell the family that I’m with Irish and that The Exterminator has just landed. Roisin knows about me, so you tell her to keep her mouth shut.

Dylan:How does she know?

Jaine:I have no time to explain. Safe space, now. Let me know when you’re all inside.

Dylan:How will you know where they are? We’ll be able to access the system from the safe space, but it will be difficult for me to communicate their location to you without the risk of your identity being revealed.

Jaine:Irish can see them on the thermal imaging. He can guide me. I’m also wearing the night vision goggles. Message me once you’re all inside. The priority is the children. I swear to God, if any of you step outside, I’ll shoot you my goddamn self.

Ten minutes pass.

Dylan:All inside.

Jaine:Don’t send any more messages.

Jaine:You there, Irish?

Padraig:I’m here, darlin.’

Jaine:I’m going to stick one ear pod in. Then I need you to talk me through exactly where they are.

“Irish?” I whisper.

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