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‘We need to talk.’

‘You’re right about that,’ Lottie said as the rain came down in earnest. ‘Get in the car.’

‘I’m not going to the garda station with you, if that’s what you’re planning.’

‘Okay. But I’m getting soaked out here and I need you to get in before those reporters recognise you.’

‘How would they?’

‘Your photo has been all over the news and social media. You’re easily recognisable.’ Though Lottie had to admit to herself that the unkempt young woman looked nothing like the photo that had been circulated. ‘You’re a suspect in a series of murders. Don’t you know that?’

‘Of course I do. But you have to believe me, I did not kill anyone.’

How many times had she heard that in her career? Too many to count. ‘Why are you here?’

‘I thought I might have got Ann into trouble. I wanted to apologise to her. I reckoned I’d get her on her own when he left for work, but this circus was in full flight when I arrived. What’s going on?’

‘Get in the car.’ Lottie opened the door and waited.

Imelda furtively scanned the area before complying.

Lottie also looked around to see if anyone had noticed them, but all eyes were on the Wilson house. She knew she should ring Mooney about Imelda showing up, but he’d told her to stay away. He was going to be replaced by other detectives soon, so she decided to handle the young woman herself. Once she’d heard what she had to say, then she would bring her in.

God, it felt good to be in control again.

73

RAGMULLIN

Boyd rang the doorbell a second time. He felt guilty calling so early, but he needed to get on the road.

‘Sergio forgot his iPad,’ he said when Kirby eventually opened the door to him.

‘You’re up bright and early,’ Kirby commented.

‘I’m heading back to Connemara this morning.’ Boyd followed his colleague into the living room. ‘The wedding is tomorrow. Grace would never forgive me if I missed it.’

Kirby picked up the tablet from an armchair. ‘This it?’

‘Yeah, thanks. And say thanks to Amy from me. She was a tower of help this past week. Sergio loves her.’

‘And she loves the lad. She’s got a bit of a tummy bug this morning. I sent her back to bed.’

‘Give her my good wishes.’ Boyd made to leave, then paused. ‘You’re looking like the cat that got the cream. Spill.’

‘Can a man not be happy nowadays?’

‘Course he can. But you are unusually bubbly.’

‘Let me tell you,’ Kirby said, ‘you don’t look too cheerful. What’s up?’

‘You know yourself. Woman trouble.’

‘Lottie?’ Kirby asked, and Boyd could see he was trying to feign ignorance.

‘Who else could it be?’ He moved his son’s tablet from hand to hand. It didn’t come naturally to talk about his personal life, even though he and Kirby had been friends for a long time. ‘She can be so obstinate and belligerent at times. A lot of the time, if I’m being honest. I don’t know what I ever saw in her.’

‘Ah, come on. Don’t be like that. You still love her, don’t you?’