Kilmoon: A County Clare Mystery Read Online Free

getting it straight if you’re going to malign him.”
    “Oh, do stop. Belarus, Russia, it’s all the same. He speaks Russian and that’s enough for me.”
    The powerful momentum of the O’Brien women propelled Merrit across the room, around the service counter, and into Lonnie’s office. His monitor faced away from the door, but even so, he clicked his mouse once before stepping around the desk to greet them. “And what’s this?”
    “I implore you to rescue Merrit here from that Marcus,” Mrs. O’Brien said.
    Lonnie relaxed. A smile popped into place. “Just Merrit’s luck to have met us then.” He turned to Merrit. “As I recall, you’re here for family research. Any luck?”
    “What you’d expect.” She matched his bland smile with one of her own. “No help at all, some people. In fact, some people aren’t worth knowing.”
    “This is my point exactly,” Mrs. O’Brien said. “People worth knowing. Remind me, Merrit—your surname?”
    Merrit hesitated, glancing at Lonnie, then said, “Chase.”
    “Solid name but no Chases in this area. Unless you’re here to look up your mother’s lineage?”
    Lonnie grinned. He knew well enough that Chase was her mom’s lineage and that Merrit had officially changed her last name. Merrit rubbed her fatigue-laden eyelids. To think, she’d first entered this shop because she was having trouble with her wireless connection. Lonnie had suggested she leave her laptop for a few hours. His man Ivan would figure it out, he said, but just then he was busy. Lonnie’s offer seemed kind at the time, but now she puzzled over how he knew within two minutes of meeting her that he’d find something interesting on her laptop’s hard drive. She’d left laptops with technicians plenty of times and thought nothing of it.
    “Well?” Mrs. O’Brien prodded. “Your mother’s surname?”
    Merrit spoke up against the daughters’ side chatter. “My mom’s side is well-documented back to the eighteen hundreds. They came over from County Cork, and every last family member emigrated.”
    “Oh. Cork. Now, where was I?” Mrs. O’Brien clapped her hands within inches of Lonnie’s face. “Are you listening? Merrit must be your date to Liam’s birthday party. How else is she going to meet the people who matter in Lisfenora?”
    “What birthday party?” Merrit said.
    “Quite the annual event for us, Liam being Liam. And best yet, this year his birthday falls on a Saturday. Tomorrow night, mind you. Over at the Plough and Trough. You’ll have fun, I have no doubts, especially with my Lonnie to escort you.”
    Lonnie spluttered into a laugh, causing Mrs. O’Brien to aim an uncertain blink in his direction. “I don’t know why this should be so funny. Everyone will be there.”
    “Of course,” Lonnie said. “I had it in mind to get to know Merrit better anyhow.”
    Mrs. O’Brien patted Lonnie’s cheek. “That’s grand. You will escort Merrit.”
    Within seconds, the O’Brien women were gone. The electronic snore of dozing computers filtered into Lonnie’s office. He fingered a thin braid that hung to his shoulder. Merrit longed to take scissors to the puerile affectation. Instead, she said, “Your mom’s a real piece of work.”
    “And lucky fecking me.” He settled himself on the edge of the desk. “Actually, this is a fascinating development. Mustn’t disappoint Mother, mind, or she’ll give me a bollocking for sure. What time shall I pick you up for the party?”
    Merrit swallowed hard against galloping nerves inside her chest. This was exactly what she didn’t want. Being railroaded. Not to mention the dubious distinction of being Lonnie’s “date.”
    “Thank you,” she said, “but I’ll go on my own.”
    “Private party, only locals and their dates allowed. Old Liam’s one stipulation, and even you won’t get past the barricade.” He held up a hand before she could protest. “Believe me, you won’t. However, if you come with me, I’ll