Emerald Dragon- A Dane Maddock Adventure (Dane Maddock Universe, #12) by David Wood

Author:David Wood
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: men's adventure, pulp adventure, travel adventure, thriller, murder mystery, saint patrick, dragons, irelan
Publisher: Adrenaline Press
Published: 2022-08-31T00:00:00+00:00

12

“How did you know we would be here?” Maddock asked. Had someone betrayed them? Orla’s friend Dennis, perhaps.

“I didn’t. I was responding to a report of a van stolen from the zoo.” Walsh flicked a glance at Orla.

Maddock and Bones slowly turned toward the red-faced young woman.

“It is not stolen!” Orla said. “It belongs to my cousin. We borrow each other’s stuff all the time.”

“The van is not hers to lend,” Walsh said patiently. “At the very least, you should have let her know you were ‘borrowing’ it. She might not have reported it to us.”

“I sent her a text message. She never checks them! I’m going to call her right now.” Orla took out her phone and stalked toward the exit.

“Don’t try it,” Walsh said. “I’ve got uniformed officers waiting at the top of the stairs.”

Orla dropped her ruse and took a couple of steps back. She glanced at Maddock and mouthed ‘sorry.’

“I take it I’m under arrest?” Maddock said to Walsh.

“At this time, I do not consider you a suspect,” Walsh replied flatly.

“Then we’re free to go?” Maddock asked.

“That remains to be seen.”

“Always a catch,” Bones mumbled.

“I don’t believe either of you killed Wainwright,” Walsh said, “but I’m convinced the message he left for you is an essential clue to finding his killer. I need your help.”

“If we refuse?” Bones asked.

“There remains the matter of the stolen van to attend to. And this lot.” She glanced at the fallen men who were beginning to regain consciousness. “Looks like aggravated assault to me.”

“You’re no different from Doyle,” Maddock said. “You’re just as willing to railroad us as he is.”

“Don’t you want your friend’s killer brought to justice?” Walsh said.

“Of course we do,” Maddock said. “But first you have to earn our trust.”

“I asked for your help, and you ran at the first opportunity.”

“I had my reasons.”

“Unlike me, who never needs a reason,” Bones said.

Walsh looked at the ceiling and heaved a tired sigh. “Fine. A show of good faith, then.” She turned and called to the uniformed Gardai, who came to take the woozy Servati into custody.

As he was being handcuffed, Colm’s eyes snapped open. “Where is it?”

“Where is what?” Maddock said.

“We have to...” Colm blinked. “We have to crush the Emerald Dragon.”

“Shut up, Colm,” Joe slurred.

“Sorry, Joe.”

“Hold on a moment,” Walsh said. “What is the Emerald Dragon?”

Colm was dazed and didn’t reply at first. He shook his head. “We don’t know what it is. But the pagans do.”

“What does that mean?” Walsh said.

“That’s all we know,” Joe groaned. “We never ask for an explanation. Wouldn’t get one if we did.”

“Who do you answer to?”

“The Elder.”

“Does this Elder have a name?” Walsh asked.

“We don’t know who he is,” Colm said. “Never seen him nor spoken to him. He doesn’t even call or text. He just... finds a way to get a message to us.”

“How do you know the message is authentic?” Walsh asked.

“First of all...”

“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Colm! Why don’t you just induct them into the order?” Joe shouted.

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