Page 56 of Against Ebony Irish Seas

“I’m new to this kind of thing,” he said, sipping the tea he’d brought up to his room. “They had a complaint about two of the books I selected for the children’s arts program.” He proceeded to fill her in.

“Those ninnies! All this nonsense makes me want to pull my hair out.”

He could all but see her tugging at the ends of her curly orange hair. “I’ll need guidance on how to defend this. Only… Bets, they also want a list of all the books I’m using at the school.”

Her intake of breath echoed over the line. “But that’s outrageous! Your books have been approved by the powers that be. It’s a witch hunt! Malcolm Coveney must have a hand in this! Hang on. Let me get Linc. He’s been on the phone nonstop too.”

He heard something crash and then footsteps. A door creaked. Linc must be holed up in another part of the house. There was a murmur of voices, as if she had cupped the phone with her hand. Then he heard Linc swear loudly.

“You must be shaken by the letter,” Linc said, his drawl clipped. “It’s ridiculous, and we’ll fight it. Malcolm’s going for the jugular. He’s got reporters in his pockets and apparently knows how to bring in the censors. Jamie, I’ve lined up specialized counsel for just this kind of issue. They’re the best lawyers in Dublin. Can you take a picture of the letter and text it to us? I’ll forward it to them today and get them started on a reply. For the arts center and for your work at the school.”

“I’ll send it the moment we sign off.” He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to feel relieved they had expert assistance. “I’ll need to inform my superiors at school though—if they haven’t already received a letter independently.”

“I want to say it’s horseshit, Jamie, and to not take it to heart,” Bets said tersely. “But it’s got to be a kick in the gut. You just remember what a great teacher you are and that this community is behind you.”

“And you asked me to giveyouan impassioned speech earlier. Thanks, Bets.”

“You’re welcome! Now go find Liam and meditate or something. No one knows how to offer sound advice in a situation like this better than my boy.”

“And have a whiskey,” Linc suggested dryly. “We’ll talk soon.”

He hung up the phone and texted them a photo of the letter. Rising, he picked up his tea and carried it back to the kitchen. Saturday mornings were usually quiet. The newly married couples didn’t rise until nearly noon. As it should be. He detoured to the dungeon to find Liam. He was sitting on his blue mat—cross-legged in loose white pants, shirt off, and eyes closed.

“Need something, Jamie?”

He leaned against the doorway. “How did you know it was me?”

“Footsteps. Energy. The early hour.” His friend opened his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“The vultures are circling.” He brought him up to date on everything. “I’m not the kind to worry normally. All my life, I’ve used reason to work out any problems I’ve encountered, especially since Carrick’s hot temperament usually only escalates situations. But maybe nothing truly bad has happened to me before. Maybe I’ve been naïve.”

“If that’s naïveté, we all need more of it,” Liam said, gesturing for Jamie to join him on his mat. “I won’t give you the New Age Hallmark card sentiment of ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’ I figure we can find our strength without going that far. But this has to make you angry, and that’s not your usual mood.”

He shook his head as he sat down. “I’ve lived a mostly quiet life. I’ve played by the rules. I’ve tried to do what’s right. To have all that questioned now…”

“This censorship board and that arsehole who wrote the article taking shots at you…we’re talking a few people who are going at you. Do they have power? Yes. But no one can question your character. Our lives are the sum total of a million choices, and yours are all on the balance sheet of damned decent and good. That truth will win out, Jamie.”

“I told Sophie that yesterday,” he said, tilting his head back. “It’s a bit harder to swallow today.”

“Of course it is.” Liam leaned over and gripped his shoulder. “You’ve been kicked but good. Doesn’t make it less true though. You call my mom and Linc about this?”

He nodded. “Yeah. She told me to come find you. Said you were one for sound advice in moments like this.”

“I’m glad you listened to her. I know how private you are. This kind of public airing can’t be comfortable.”

“It isn’t.” He shifted on the mat, wondering how in the world Liam managed to sit in that position for so long without discomfort. “I don’t like what they’re trying to say about me—and Sophie, for that matter.”

“She’s had a lot on her plate, for sure. And yet… I sense her relationship with her mother hasn’t been easy, and Ellie told me about her mother’s article inLe Monde. That’s the kind of gem we can find in situations like this.”

“I’m waiting for my gem. Maybe I need to buy a pickaxe.”

Liam laughed and pushed off the floor in one easy motion, extending his hand to Jamie. “Maybe this moment was one of the gems.”

Jamie snorted. “No offense, but I was hoping for something grander. Like a colossal emerald from the Amazon.”

Liam made a show of clutching his heart. “Ouch, Jamie. And here I thought we were lifelong friends.”

“You’re an eejit. I’m going to start calling you Yoda like Declan if you don’t watch out.”

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