The House by the Liffey by Niki Phillips Page A

the money?’
    â€˜Yes, I have.’
    â€˜All of it in used sterling?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Right! Take the money to Enniskerry village now and park in the town centre, close to the clock tower. You’ve got an hour to get there. Any sign of police or any other unusual activity and all you’ll get back will be a dead body. Tell that to Sean Flynn.’
    Milo’s anger was beyond anything he had ever felt. His voice was almost cracking from anxiety and lack of sleep but the steely edge was there.
    â€˜We want to speak to Izzy
NOW
or we go no further. But I promise you this. If anything happens to her I’ll spend the rest of my life and every penny I have tracking you down. Then I’ll kill you myself like the rabid dogs that you are.’
    â€˜Watch it, Butler! We’ve only agreed to return her alive. If you make us angry she’s the one who’ll suffer. She’ll speak to you now.’
    â€˜Be careful, brat. One word out of place and I’ll shoot you.’ Izzy had no doubt whatsoever that Willie meant it.
    â€˜Daddy, oh Daddy! I’m here.’ She sounded so distressed.
    â€˜We love you, my darling Izzy. Are you all right?’
    â€˜I’m alive, Daddy. I keep praying that I’ll soon be home with you and Mum. I keep saying our favourite psalm, the one we sang at Granny’s funeral. Can I talk to Mum?’
    Willie pushed her away from the radio.
    â€˜That’s enough.’
    â€˜One hour. You should just make it in that fine big car of yours, but I suggest you move it, and remember, if you value her life, no one else. We’ll be watching.’
    â€˜How do I know I’ll get my child back? How do I know you won’t just take the money and run, and keep her so as to make further demands? Or maybe you’ll take the money and we’ll never see her again.’ Milo couldn’t bring himself to say “kill her”.
    â€˜You’ll find with the arrangements we’ve made that won’t be possible.’
    â€˜I need someone to come with me to help carry all that cash for the handover. There are four heavy bags.’
    They’d obviously anticipated this stipulation.
    â€˜Your brother – no one else.’ And he’d gone.
    While still distraught, there was some feeling of relief at knowing Izzy was still alive. They all were galvanized into action. Milo and Tommy hurried to collect up what they needed to take with them, Tommy so relieved to be able to do something to help. While they scurried around, Noola was talking about Izzy’s brief communication.
    â€˜What a strange comment for her to make in the circumstances, Milo. Your favourite psalm! What on earth was she talking about? I expect she’s in such a state she’s rambling.’
    Milo stopped in his tracks. He was so taken up with getting away as fast as possible he hadn’t really had time to analyse the comments.
    â€˜Good Lord, Noola! You know what she was trying to do? She was trying to give us a hint as to where they’re holding her.’
    â€˜Whatever do you mean?’
    â€˜She was very upset after her granny’s funeral. I told her that her granny’s favourite psalm was the one we sang at the funeral, the hundred and twenty-first, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills”. I told her this was my favourite too. We read it again together. That brave little girl was trying to give us a hint as to where they’re holding her. In the mountains. Would you believe that, Sean? She’s confirmed what we thought.’
    At that moment the call came in from Bertie and Jack.
    â€˜We’ve got them Sean, and we know you’ve just had their call. What’s the score?’
    â€˜An hour to get to Enniskerry centre with the money.’
    â€˜We’re quite close to Enniskerry.’ Jack gave him their location. ‘Lots of detailed photos too so there’ll be no difficulty identifying