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The frustrated woman dropped two carrier bags of groceries and a McDonald’s takeout bag on the floor. Without even unzipping her long black coat, she glared at Lottie and Lei as she noticed her son’s tear-stained face.

‘What have you been doing to my son?’ She rushed over and lifted him off the couch. He was too big for her arms, even though he’d looked tiny seated.

Lottie did the introductions.

Benny said, ‘They’re finished and just leaving.’

‘Finished what?’

Lottie gathered up her bag from the floor. ‘Your son could prove to be an important witness in my current investigation. He’s a little trouper. You should be proud of him.’

‘Who are you to talk about my son?’

‘Brigette. Leave it.’ Benny stood and patted her shoulder. She shook him off.

‘What investigation?’ Her eyes narrowed with suspicion.

Fetching her coat from the back of the chair, Lottie said, ‘Your husband can fill you in. But first I’d like a final word with you both. Without Rex present.’

Benny took the bags of shopping and ushered Rex out of the room. Brigette unzipped her coat and marched around like a lion in a cage. She still had her salon tabard on, and blue jeans with black runners.

‘I’m starving, so could you please hurry up,’ she said as her husband returned.

‘I think you need to look into your childcare arrangements,’ Lottie said. ‘Rex should not be left on his own.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘Your husband will explain. But I may have to inform child services. For now, I want to show you both a selection of photos. You might have seen these people in the news this week, but I need to know if you recognise them outside of that.’

‘Go on then,’ Brigette said, her body taut.

At the table, Lottie asked Garda Lei to show the photos he had with him.

One by one he laid out the images of their victims. Laura Nolan. John Morgan. Aneta Kobza. And Shannon Kenny.

The two adults shook their heads.

Brigette said, ‘I saw that first girl’s photo on the news the other day. She was murdered close by, wasn’t she? I don’t know her or any of them.’

Benny said, ‘Is she the woman Rex found?’

‘What are you talking about?’ Brigette snapped.

‘I’ll tell you later, Bri. Now isn’t?—’

‘I want to know what this is about. Now!’

‘Brigette,’ Lottie said calmly, ‘your husband can explain but I am up against a killer’s clock. So I need answers, not questions.’

‘A killer? Is Rex in danger? Oh my God.’

‘No, he’s not. But it might be no harm keeping his knowledge under wraps for now.’

‘What the fuck?’ Brigette flipped. ‘Rex knows something about a killer? Is that what you’re telling me? And you say he’s not in danger? For God’s sake…’ She swung around the room looking for something to punch, Lottie surmised. The woman picked up a cushion and flung it back on the couch. ‘It’s a fucking nightmare.’ She levelled a pointed finger at her husband. ‘Everything has been a nightmare since you made us move here.’

‘I’ve a final question,’ Lottie said, not wanting to get caught up in their row. ‘Rex mentioned something in passing. It could be construed that he didn’t like this house. You said you’re only living here five years.’

‘I didn’t hear him say that,’ Benny said.

‘It was earlier, when my colleague was here.’ She glanced at Lei.

Brigette sank onto the couch. ‘You were here earlier too? Why didn’t anyone contact us?’

‘We didn’t want to spook you,’ Lei said.

‘You’re doing a fine job of that right now.’

‘This other house,’ Lottie said. ‘Tell me about it.’

‘We moved here before Rex was three,’ Benny said. ‘He loved our old house, but it was too far outside Ragmullin for schools and our jobs. I was working in town then. So we moved when this house came on the market.’

‘Biggest mistake of our lives. That Gordon Collins should be behind bars.’ Brigette clutched the cushion tight to her chest.

‘Rex misses the countryside and our old garden,’ Benny said.

Satisfied, Lottie moved to the door. ‘I’ll leave you for now. I want you to put proper childcare in place or I’ll have to report you to child services. And please keep an eye on Rex. He may have bad dreams about his experience. He needs your support.’

‘I’ll have bad dreams about this too.’ Brigette got up, flung down the cushion again and bundled out of the room past Lottie.

‘I apologise for my wife,’ Benny said. ‘We are under huge financial strain. If we can help you in any way, let me know.’

‘Thank you, and give Rex a hug from me.’

‘I will.’

She followed Lei out the door. She realised the sadness she’d felt in the house was emanating from a financially stretched and worried family. But it did not excuse their actions. No one should leave a seven-year-old to fend for himself.