Laced

“Oh, I know,” Regan said. “You didn’t check out either?”

“No, we didn’t,” Sheila croaked.

“Quick question. Jack and I are investigating the theft of May Reilly’s tablecloth. We saw your names on the list of people who ran in the Fun Run last November, here in Galway.”

“Great race,” Brian interjected.

“Do you remember anything unusual about that day? The couple we’re looking for may have run that race.”

“No,” they answered.

“We just ran the race and went right back to the hotel. It was freezing,” Brian explained.

“Well, have a good di

“We will,” Sheila said feebly as Regan hurried to join her group.

“This is a first,” Brian said. “But I think I just lost my appetite.” He was silent for a moment. “You don’t think she overheard us, do you?” he asked.

36

“I can’t wait to hear Gerard Reilly’s show,” A

Bobby barely responded. He was sprawled on the couch where he had parked himself right after they arrived home. A

With a glint in her eye, A

Like a cranky child, Bobby threw it on the floor. “It’s too heavy.”

A

Bobby knew immediately that he had pushed things too far. “I’m sorry,” he said contritely, reaching up his arms. “Let’s cuddle while we listen to that blabbermouth’s show.”

A

“Come on,” Bobby pleaded, waving his arms. “Pretty please?”

“Well, all right,” she said in a sulking tone. “I’ll turn out the lights first so there are no distractions. I want to concentrate on every word Jack Reilly says and every nuance in his voice. He was down in this area for a reason, and I’d love to know what it is-not that he’s going to reveal anything.” A

“There he was…in the flesh!” A

A

“A

“What?” she asked flatly.

“Would you mind getting us a blanket?”

A

“This is like the olden days,” A

“Do you think I’m stupid?” Bobby asked. “I know all about radio shows. My mother said she had a crush on the Lone Ranger.”

The opening music for Gerard’s show began to play. It was a jaunty tune about six seconds long. Next, Gerard introduced himself and, as was his custom, began with a joke.

“What’s the definition of an Irish gentleman?” Gerard’s voice boomed through the speakers. “A man who knows how to play the bagpipes-but doesn’t!”

“I like bagpipes,” A

“I can’t stand them,” Bobby declared.

“Good evening ladies, gentlemen, and bagpipe players,” Gerard said with a chuckle. “Tonight we have the most interesting guests. One of them I just happen to be related to…”

A

“Here you are on your honeymoon with my lovely cousin, Regan,” Gerard said to Jack, “and these two scallywags are causing trouble for ya.”

“They have a personal vendetta against me, that’s for sure,” Jack answered.

“You can be sure May Reilly will have a personal vendetta against them!” Gerard said. “Legend has it she haunts He

“I’ll rip it up and use it as cleaning rags,” A

“What can our listeners do to help?” Gerard asked. “We don’t know if Jane and John Doe are still in Ireland, but let’s suppose they are. Is there anything in particular our listeners should be on the lookout for?”

“Unfortunately, they are average-looking people who are very good at disguising themselves,” Jack answered.

A

“I think you’re beautiful,” Bobby whispered in her ear.

“Sssshhhhhhh.”

“So there’s no scar, no tattoo, nothing to distinguish them physically?” Gerard asked.

“Now there is,” Bobby grumbled. “This friggin tooth.”

“Not physically, but as I mentioned to you before the show, we-” Jack said.

A

“-have reason to believe that the man has a very peculiar laugh.”

“What?” Bobby shouted.

“I told you!” A

“It’s genetic. It’s the way my father laughed.”

“Shhhhhh. Let’s listen!”

“Yes, you did tell me about the laugh, Jack. And, listeners, we have a young lady on the phone who does an imitation of this strange laugh. She had contact with a couple who Jack Reilly has reason to believe might be Jane and John Doe. For her protection we won’t reveal her name. Are you there, honey?”

“Yes. Hello, Gerard. Hello, Jack. Hello, Regan.”

They all exchanged greetings.

“Can you laugh the laugh for us?”

“Certainly. Henh, henh. Henh, henh. Henh, henh, henh.”

“She’s got you down,” A

“My laugh doesn’t sound anything like that!” Bobby protested.

“Yes, it does.”

Gerard thanked the girl and asked if she’d do the laugh a few more times.

“Henh, henh, henh, henh. Henh, henh, henh. Henh, henh, henh.”

“Thanks again, dear,” Gerard said. “We really appreciate your help.”

Regan and Jack added their thanks.

“Gerard,” Regan said, “we want to be clear that the person who laughed like that is not definitively John Doe. But if any of your listeners heard a man laugh like that who possibly fits the description of John Doe, please call the garda. We’re in communication with them.”

“They can call this radio station as well,” Gerard said, reciting the special phone number they had set up for calls. “As I said, we want to do everything we can to help find these two thieves and let you two get back to enjoying your honeymoon trip to Ireland. Regan and Jack, please stay with us while I bring on my next guest, Shane Magillicuddy…”