Deadly Shamrocks: An Irish Tale of Love, Murder and Revenge by J. B. Reed Read Free Book Online

want me to go out on my own?”
    “Vivie, you’re forgetting one thing, first someone must hire you. To be a hired killer, you have to have someone HIRE YOU.” I guess you could run an advertisement in the newspaper. I can see the advertisement now, Work Wanted - Cleaner - Will Kill Anyone You Want Dead - Please Call Vivie at 555-DUMB-ASS.”
    Vivie glared at Michael - then fell over onto the couch in hysterical laughter.
    “Okay, Mr. O’Bannon, you’ve made your point. But will you at least teach me about the different guns you have? I have no idea what some of those things in your closet are. I could be a big help to you if you would permit me.”
    “Very well, Vivie. I’m not sure what you have in mind, as far as being a help to me, but I will teach you about the different weapons. To be quite honest, it’s a relief that you know my secret. You don’t know how torn I have been, knowing that you needed to be here, safe, with me, yet the fact that you were here and not knowing what I do…..”
    “Michael, it’s okay, it’s all out in the open, now. It has not changed my feelings about you. In my eyes, you are the same person you always were. After all, Michael, I am not the same girl you first met at the pub either. I’m damaged goods now.”
    “I don’t ever want to hear you say that again, Vivie. What happened to you was not your fault. You are the same girl I met at the pub. You are now, and will always be my sweet, innocent Vivie.”
    Vivie’s eyes began to well up with tears. Michael pulled her close to him and looked into her eyes.
    “Vivian Clancy, I do believe I have fallen in love with you.”
    Michael gently kissed Vivie’s lips. This was Vivie’s first real kiss. A kiss she would remember, her entire life.
    The next few weeks Michael and Vivie spent their time going through Michael’s closet. Michael removed each weapon and carefully explained what it was and under what circumstance he may use it. Vivie carefully took notes on a legal pad. She was full of questions, asking Michael under what circumstances he used each weapon. Although she had previously stated she would not ask for specifics, it was specifics she wanted. Vivie was fascinated with Michael’s tales of the hits he had done.
    Once Vivie knew what each weapon was and what it is used for, Michael started teaching her how to tear them down and put them back together. Hour after hour, they would sit together disassembling and assembling weapons. Next came loading the weapons. Vivie seemed to be a natural at this. Michael was impressed at the speed and accuracy she had.
    When Michael would go out on a job, Vivie would sit up and wait nervously for his return. She knew Michael was the best at what he did, but still, there was a nagging fear that there would be a night that something would happen, that he would not return home.
    Deep down, she had not given up the idea of becoming a cleaner, herself. She was aware of the danger involved, she knew that there was always a chance the cleaner would become the hit. Still, she believed this was something she could be good at. Before her attack, she would have never considered this as a profession. Thinking of Tommy Flannery and all the Tommy Flannery’s of the world, Vivie wanted to be like Michael, to be one of the people to help rid the world of these bastards. She knew very well how Michael felt about the idea of her becoming a cleaner. She also believed that, with a little persuasion, Michael might come around.
    Vivie sipped her glass of Merlot as she watched out of the window for Michael’s car. As she saw the T-Bird pull into the garage, Vivie checked her make-up in the hall mirror and stood by the door, waiting for Michael to enter.
    “Michael, darlin, I’m so glad you’re home.”  Vivie threw her arms around Michael’s neck.
    “I knew you would still be up so I picked up Chinese. How does that sound?”
    “Vivie took the carryout bag from Michael and sat it down on the