Contents
Ten
Overview
Cal shares a meal with Mart, hears about a string of sheep killings, and senses Mart is holding something back. Later, Trey arrives tense; Cal reports Fergal and Eugene think Brendan left voluntarily and learns about Dublin dealers terrorizing the area. To steady Trey, Cal teaches him safe rifle use, building trust. Cal prepares to visit Seán Óg’s for whatever Mart hinted at.
Summary
On his way home, Cal stops at Mart’s, finds him hale after night watch, and accepts a hearty, eccentric spaghetti meal. They banter about house painting and local gossip. Mart reports no culprit seen, hints P.J. may share future watches, and reveals another sheep was killed earlier in summer, near when Brendan disappeared. Mart invites Cal to Seán Óg’s that night but withholds some detail about the sheep attacks.
Later, Trey arrives tense and brings sausages as unspoken payment. Cal shares that Fergal and Eugene haven’t heard from Brendan and believe he left on his own. Trey challenges this but relaxes when Cal says nothing points to Brendan being dead. Probing local threats, Cal learns from Trey about Dublin dealers who race Hummers, break the law with impunity, and have beaten debtors, though Trey insists Brendan didn’t deal or know them.
The talk turns personal—Cal admits trying drugs long ago and disliking them; Trey flatly denies using any. Seeing Trey’s strain, Cal decides to teach him the .22. He drills safety, stance, and sighting, then they practice on beer cans; Trey scores one hit. They stalk rabbits for dinner but miss, agreeing to try again another day. The session lifts Trey’s mood and deepens their trust. After Trey slips away, Cal cleans up, bathes, and considers Mart’s mystery at Seán Óg’s; he tries calling Alyssa, who doesn’t answer.
Who Appears
- Cal HooperRetired cop; eats with Mart, notes clues about sheep killings, questions Trey about dealers, teaches Trey rifle safety and shooting, plans to go to Seán Óg’s.
- Trey ReddyArrives tense, brings sausages as payment, demands updates, details Dublin dealers, denies drug use, learns to shoot, briefly lifts mood before leaving.
- MartNeighbor on night watch; serves dinner, shares history of sheep killings, suggests P.J. help, invites Cal to Seán Óg’s, withholds some information.
- P.J.Farmer neighbor; potential additional night watcher over the woods and sheep; unseen but discussed.
- KojakMart’s dog; present during Cal’s visit, a wary but comforting presence.