Page 6 of Hidden Daughters (Detective Lottie Parker #15)

When he returned to the station, Kirby was glad to note they had at least one piece of progress. The photo of the missing woman matched the body in the river. The fly in the ointment was McKeown, who seemed to think he was in charge.

‘Edith Butler,’ he announced. ‘Known as Edie, so we will call her that. Aged fifty-three. Two sons. The younger lad, Jerry, aged eighteen, has just completed his Leaving Cert and is in Tenerife on a holiday with his friends. Noel, aged twenty-five, works as a mechanic at Maguire’s Garage in the industrial estate.

He reported her missing. The report says Edie moved to Ragmullin over twenty years ago from the west of Ireland, and?—’

‘Where from exactly?’ Kirby asked, thinking that the boss and Boyd were over west for the week and they might come in handy to delve into Edie’s background if it became necessary. Then again, he shouldn’t really bother them. This was his rodeo.

‘How would I know?’ McKeown snapped. ‘It doesn’t say and I doubt it’s relevant, as she’s been living here for a long time.’

‘Everything is relevant until it’s not.’ Kirby felt a little surge of glee at his riposte.

McKeown had the audacity to roll his eyes before continuing. ‘I’ve found out that she was married, then widowed. We can ask her sons if she’s been in any relationships?—’

‘Why on earth would you ask two young lads about their mother’s marital status? She’s just after being found dead.’ Kirby threw his hands heavenwards.

McKeown ignored him. ‘She drank a lot, too,’ he said.

‘For God’s sake, you’re unreal. I suppose you asked the son how many glasses of wine she consumes on a Friday night?’

‘No, I did not. I haven’t spoken to the family yet. It’s written here, recounted from the older son when he reported her missing.’

Swallowing his gall, Kirby said, ‘Go on, Sherlock, enlighten me further.’

But before McKeown could continue, Garda Martina Brennan entered the office, sounding breathless. ‘Sorry for barging in, but this is important.’

‘Go ahead,’ Kirby said, loving the darkness that descended on McKeown’s eyes when Martina ignored him.

‘There’s a lad at the desk downstairs. Noel Butler, Edie Butler’s son. Says he read on Facebook that a woman was found in the river, and someone commented saying it was her. He wants to know if it is, and if so, why wasn’t he informed.’

‘You seem to be the boss of this,’ Kirby said, pointing to McKeown, glad that it wasn’t him having to do the informing.

‘Shit, how did that information get out?’ McKeown said. ‘We only have photographic identification. Come on, Martina, you can sit in with me while I formally break the bad news to her son.’

‘Why me?’ She frowned. ‘If it’s because I’m a woman, that’s sexist.’

‘It’s because I need someone with me who has a clear head and a calm demeanour. Gobshite there is making my blood pressure skyrocket.’

Martina gave Kirby a sympathetic pat on the arm as she followed McKeown out of the office.

This is going to be a shitshow, Kirby thought.