Laced

Bobby immediately turned to leave, but A

“It’ll be okay,” A

A birdlike woman, who had to be at least eighty, was seated at a makeshift reception desk. Engrossed in a television soap opera and eating mysterious gruel from a tin can, she gave no indication that she was aware of their presence. A

The old woman shook her head disapprovingly, mumbled, “He’s not worth it, girls,” and then looked up at A

“Yes, we are,” A

“It’s a gift from my son,” the woman answered, not a shred of maternal pride in her voice. “Dr. Sharkey is with a patient. I have some forms for you to fill out.” She put down her spoon, opened a drawer, then another, and on the third try finally retrieved a clipboard with a cheap pen dangling from it on a ratty piece of string. “Here,” she said, handing it to A

A

The woman stared up at her. “You’re paying cash?”

“Yes.”

She waved her hand dismissively. “Just have a seat then.” Picking up her spoon, she turned her gaze back to the television.

The folding chairs proved to be as uncomfortable as they looked. Seated next to Bobby, who again had his eyes closed, A

The sight of Bobby looking so vulnerable was distressing. She didn’t blame him for being a wreck. She certainly wouldn’t have wanted to be in his shoes right now. Gently placing her hand on his, she leaned toward him. “Sweetie, we’ll do something fun and exciting after this,” she said softly, talking to him as if he were a child.

“Like what?” he asked somberly, opening his eyes

“I’ll think of something.”

The drill, which had mercifully stopped, started up again. Whirrrrrrrr. Pause. Whirrrrrrrrrrrr. Pause. Whirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Bobby squeezed her hand hard.

These walls must be made of cardboard, A

Several excruciating minutes later the door to the treatment room flew open. A bearded man with tufts of gray hair spouting from the sides of his otherwise bald head emerged with the air of a general triumphant in victory. “Mother,” he said jovially, “let’s make another appointment for Mr. O’Leary, shall we? We made a lot of progress today. Yes, indeed!”

Mother? No wonder she doesn’t have to worry about customer relations, A

Mr. O’Leary stumbled out. Big, bulky, and middle-aged, he was attired in jeans, a red and black fla

Dr. Sharkey turned to A

What a nerd this guy is, A

Bobby nodded gravely, stood, and followed the cheery Dr. Sharkey into the treatment room. Before the door shut, A

Mother Sharkey had switched the TV cha

“We just received word from a reliable source that a man and woman working together stole the tablecloth and set the fire, and left a note for Jack Reilly, an American who is head of the Major Case Squad in-”

A

“-Reilly is reportedly not happy. He’s on his honeymoon, and looking for a couple known as Jane and John Doe is not the way he wanted to spend time with his new bride.”

Too bad, A

“-The only description given of this couple is that they are average-looking-average height, average weight, no unusual characteristics. It’s easy for them to slip in and out of disguises and blend into crowds because they are so very average.”

The nerve of them, A

“They were disguised as an elderly couple, but now who knows what appearance they’ve taken on? Whatever it is, you can be sure they don’t want to attract attention.”

That’s why we’re in this dump, A

“Anyone who has any leads, please call the garda.”

Uh-oh.

“Would you like to take a look at the newspaper?” Mother Sharkey asked sweetly.

A

Mother Sharkey snapped off the television. “I’m going into the house for a few minutes. If you’ll excuse me…” She didn’t wait for an answer, exiting through a door behind her desk, clutching the thermos bottle.

For a moment A

CLADDAGH RINGS FOUND IN GALWAY BASEMENT

AUTHENTICATED AS ORIGINALS!

AUCTION EXPECTED TO FETCH A TIDY SUM!

Claddagh rings? A

Claddagh rings originated over three hundred years ago in Claddagh, a little fishing village in Galway. Legend has it that a Richard Joyce, who was from one of the original family tribes in Galway, had been kidnapped by pirates when he was on a trip to the West Indies. He was taken to Algiers where he was sold as a slave to a goldsmith who taught him the trade. Joyce proved to be very adept. In 1689, when King William III of England demanded the release of British slaves from Algiers, the goldsmith begged Joyce to stay, marry his daughter, and assume half his fortune. But Richard refused.