Celtic
Knot is the
sequel to Celtic Tiger. In this young adult novel, Johnny
O’Shea
finds himself in trouble once again. This time he becomes trapped
on a cargo ship, which is trafficking a dangerous
drug
called Vermeer 2000. The intrigue continues when those in charge of
the ship are looking to infiltrate the diamond district in Antwerp,
Belgium.
It is up to Johnny to use his street smarts to expose the dangerous
plot and keep himself alive.
Explosion Doing my usual early morning crawl to the docks, the uneasiness in my
stomach reaches a pitch I can no longer ignore. I stop walking and
look over my shoulder. The harbor is empty, a predawn emptiness where
the only bastards out in Dingle Harbor are the banshees and the fishermen.
I am supposed to be a fisherman, though this morning, I feel more like
a ghost. Mind you, just last month I had no idea what a fish was. I mean, I’m
a city kid, straight from the heart of Queens, who found himself on the
west coast of Ireland. Needless to say, I’m not much of a fisherman,
but if I, Johnny O’Shea, can do anything, I can talk a good game.
I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve only been working on Declan’s
boat now for a few weeks and I can find my way on board with my eyes
completely closed. Now that’s saying a hell of a lot. This morning is different. Even the air seems charged with eerie danger.
Darker than usual, my eyes spring open when I hear a creak coming from
the edge of the blackened dock. The water, still kicking up from last
night’s storm, beats against the piers. I squint into the darkness,
sensing that someone is out there. “Hello?” I hear my voice
echo off the hulls of the boats. I take another step forward, aware of
my heart beating in my chest.
It is then I hear a hiss; it sends a cold chill down my arms. It grows
louder. A figure runs in the dark, coming straight from Celtic Knot,
Declan’s fishing boat. The hiss reaches a high-pitched note, followed
by a flash of blinding light. The thunderous boom shatters the silent
harbor. The force of the explosion throws me to the ground, my back hitting the
wet planks of the dock. Shards of splintered wood rains on my head. Shielding
my face with my arms, I hear the flames catch. Within moments, Declan’s
boat is swallowed by an inferno.