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Des jogged up to where Jake was standing with Rose. The older woman was as worried about Tinny as he was, knowing how she could attract trouble as well as her uncle and grandfather could. As a teenager she had been what Malachy would call a 'handful' but he really blamed her parents apparent disinterest in her for that. He knew she wouldn't be like Kathleen when they had their own kids. He shook himself mentally as he tried to stop himself from thinking too far ahead.

"Des." Jake beckoned him over. "You ok? You look like you saw a ghost."

"I'm fine." He shoved his hands in his pockets. "No, actually I am not fine. I was thinking about Tinny and that man she is with."

"Her father." Rose stated.

"Biologically. But you know as well as I do he isn't remotely interested in her or her life. She is better off without him."

"That." Jake tapped his back. "is something we can both agree on. Now, how about we go meet her and Croker?"

"You know where she is?" Des smiled, unable to stop the relief in his voice. Jake nodded. "I do. Rose, stay here and keep an eye on Leslie and the old man?"

"I will."

"Less of the old if you don't mind." Malachy shot his son a look as he joined them. "I've been discharged. I'm coming with you." The determination in his voice surprised no one. He wasn't about to let some criminal run away with his only grandchild. He watched Jake nod once. Rose was about to protest when she saw Jake run a hand over his face.

"I need you here. I need someone I can trust with my life here. Leslie was attacked in her room."

"What!"

"She's ok. The babies seem to be ok too. Babies?" He shook his head. "I need you to stay with her. Please Da. She's been through so much. If anything."

"Ok, ok son." Malachy relented as Rose blinked back a tear. "But you let us know the minute you find her. You hear me?"

"I hear ya." Jake nodded to Des before leading him out of the hospital.

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Tinny looked out of the windscreen as she felt the van come to a stop. Her father hadn't really spoken since they had bickered earlier. She had no idea why he wanted Jake to meet them. The only hope she had was that somehow her father was playing against type.

"What do I call you?"

"What?" Croker killed the engine as she turned to him.

"I'm 21 years old. I am not about to start calling you daddy. I barely know you. In fact, all I do know is that you were a dirty cop that broke my Mom's heart. Oh and that you murdered a woman." She glared at him.

"Croker. Call me Croker."

"Right." She nodded. "Why are we here, Croker?"

"To meet your uncle."

"Why?"

"Look," He turned to her. "I get you don't trust me. I get that I have no right to act the authoritarian father with you. But I know Jake was risking life in prison for something he didn't do. I get that his girlfriend was being used to destroy him. Leslie Bennett is a good cop. Not like I was. And better than Jake and Malachy put together. They knew that, which is why they wanted her discredited."

"She was shot. Left for dead." Tinny watched him wince. "She's pregnant with twins. I think trying to kill the woman is a little more than discrediting her."

"Agreed." Croker turned to look out of the window. "I know that scum, Pickard and Rhodes are out of the picture. But."

"Rhodes is dead." Tinny narrowed her eyes. "You know that. Pickard is hopefully rotting in Hell as we speak." Croker nodded. He had to agree with his daughter. Real men didn't attack women. It was the lowest of the low. He thought about mentioning that but remembered why he had been in prison in the first place.

"No more than he deserves."

"So, what now?"

"Now." Croker tapped the wheel as he thought. "Now, we wait for Jake."

"Why are we waiting for him? Tell me what is going on or I swear to God I will make such a scene that the whole world will know where you are." She narrowed her eyes. "Talk to me."

"Katerina."

"Tinny." She corrected

"You know those scum can't touch anyone now but you don't know why Malachy was targeted today. Why, you were the next target."

"Me. Like you care."

"I care. I may not be Dad of the year but I care." He snapped. "They weren't working alone. Danny Elliot has been financing them. You know that name? No. You shouldn't. Its the pimp of the prostitute you think I killed. He found out you exist and thought murdering you would be a good idea. Sort of payback."

"Oh nice." Tinny paused. "Revenge."

"Yeah."

"Why Pops?"

"Distraction. That's why I didn't force you to go back to Rose and that boy you are dating."

"Des. And we are engaged."

"Congratulations." He deadpanned. "You were safer with me. Now, I'm gonna put an end to this and go back to prison."

"You could run."

"And live looking over my shoulder forever? No thanks. Maybe I'll get an appeal, parole. Get my case back in court." She frowned.

"Your uncle aint the only one that was set up to take the fall for something he didn't do." Croker paused. "Maybe now the truth will come out." He opened the car door as a battered car appeared in their eyeline at the same time a beat up truck arrived. "Ok, here we go." He jumped out of the van as Tinny followed.

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A/N epilogue soon