Page 95 of Liberating Lily

“A break-in? Yes, of course. But can I come with you?”

“No, you don’t want to be around this, and it’s safer for you to stay here. I’ll have Trey keep watch outside.”

“All right. If there’s anything I can do to help. . .” she trailed off.

He felt bad about leaving her, and he wondered if he should take her with him. But something about it didn’t feel safe. Maybe he was being too overprotective. However, the desperation that both Dr. Wallace and her mother had shown gave him pause. It made him want to keep her safely here, tucked away under lock and key.

He headed out to his car and drove to his house.

Who the hell would have broken into his place?

When he pulled up outside, he saw Paddy’s car already there. He rushed up the stairs and walked into his house.

“Fuckers really did a number on this place,” Paddy said as he stared down at the worm farm with his hands on his hips. “Poor worms. I mean, take all the ugly decor that you’ve got in here. Sure, smash it up if you’re feeling a bit angry, but leave the fucking worms alone.”

Harvey sighed, staring sadly at the worm farm. He may not have loved those worms, may not have wanted those worms, and let’s face it, worms didn’t always have the longest lifespan. But he hated that they were treated like this.

He also wondered where they had gone. Maybe they’d just slithered away.

“Bea is gonna be upset since she got the worms for you.”

“Shit, Bea. She’s next door. I’ve got to go rescue the Farrars from her,” he said.

“Bea’s next door?” Paddy asked. “How’d that happen?”

“She’s been coming in to check on the worms and water my plants.”

Plants that had been given to him by his other sister, Fiadh. He had a feeling that his sisters were working together to drive him nuts.

Then again, they had been driving us nuts for his entire life, hadn’t they?

“You should have come and got me once you arrived home.” They glanced over to find Bea standing there with her hands on her hips as she tapped her foot against the floor. Behind her stood his neighbor.

Mac Farrar gave him an exasperated look and he winced, giving him an apologetic one back.

He knew that his sister could be a lot. She was spoiled and used to getting her own way, but she was also sweet and kind and would give people the clothes off her back.

Ronan had stepped in a number of times to stop Bea from giving away everything she owned because she wanted to help other people.

“Thanks, Mac, for looking after Bea,” he said.

“No problem,” Mac told him, glancing around. “Boy, they really did a number on this place.”

“Exactly what I said,” Paddy said.

“We didn’t hear a thing. Have you got any idea about when it happened or what they took?” Mac asked.

“Just got here, so I haven’t got a clue. I’ll take a look at the cameras, see what I can find out.”

“Well, I’ll keep an eye out as well and make sure that I’m home with Angie at night. I’ve got to get to work. Bea, be more careful if something like this happens again.” Mac pointed a finger at Harvey’s sister who just nodded.

“Bea, are you okay?” Harvey asked.

She nodded, but he saw her lower lip wobble, and he held open his arms. She shot into them, and he held her briefly before she pulled back and slapped her hand down on his chest.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were here? Why’d you send me next door? I’m not a child, you know.”

“I know you’re not a child, but I didn’t want you here on your own. It’s dangerous.”