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Kirby patted his pocket. ‘I’ll go outside for a smoke if you want to join me, boss.’

‘She is not your boss because she’s not working,’ Grace said. ‘And smoking is bad for you. I’m sure you’ve heard that.’

‘I hear it every day.’ He chuckled and made his way outside.

Lottie followed, glad to escape Grace’s scrutiny. She was still reeling from Ann’s revelations, despite her good humour at seeing Kirby.

‘Amy actually thinks I’ve given these up,’ he said, lighting his cigar, ‘so don’t go telling her.’

She didn’t care about his smoking. ‘Do you know what’s up with Boyd?’

‘No. He was gone when I arrived.’

‘I better ring him.’ She struggled to get her phone out of her pocket.

‘Don’t you want to know what brings me here?’

‘Oh, yes.’ She gave up on the phone. ‘Tell me.’

‘It’s about Robert Hayes.’

‘God, I’ve just heard the most horrendous story about him. Sickened me to my stomach.’ She paused for a moment. She didn’t know what to say or how to say it, so she decided to let him tell her what he’d come to relate. ‘Go on.’

‘His car was found at Athlone train station. CCTV shows him getting on the Galway train. It’s logical to assume he is actually here.’

‘Galway is a big county, Kirby.’

‘I know that. Did you have any luck tracing him for me?’

‘I visited his last known address here. Turns out it’s a priests’ house out Moycullen way. He used to be a priest, if you can believe it. I spoke to the housekeeper, lovely lady.’ She felt a sadness wash over her, clothed in guilt. Was Brigid dead because of her visit? She hoped not.

‘Oh good. I’ll call to her for a statement.’

‘That’s impossible.’

‘Because of jurisdiction issues? Nah, my investigation has brought me here. The super okayed it and?—’

‘Stop, Kirby. You can’t talk to her because Brigid Kelly was murdered yesterday evening. Sometime after I spoke with her. Her body was discovered this morning.’

‘What? Are you serious?’

‘I never joke about murder.’

‘And do you know…? Shit. I don’t know what to say.’

‘Detective Sergeant Matt Mooney is the man to talk to. He’s investigating the murders. Unfortunately, I believe there will be a task force or a new team taking over soon. You know how the powers-that-be work.’

‘Holy Mother of God. Do you think… could Robert Hayes be involved here?’

‘It’s a strong possibility,’ Lottie said. ‘I suspect he could have killed Edie Butler in Ragmullin and then come here to murder more people. I need to talk to Mooney and so do you.’

‘Okay. I can ring him and arrange to meet as soon as possible, if not before.’

‘Sure.’ Lottie felt empty. It was frustrating being consigned to the sidelines.

‘Changing the subject,’ Kirby said, ‘what’s up with you and Boyd?’

‘Don’t ask.’