Page 71 of Hidden Daughters (Detective Lottie Parker #15)

Kirby had driven out to the priest’s house near Moycullen.

The crime-scene tape was in place and the house was well guarded.

The SOCOs’ van was in the driveway and he visualised the work they were doing inside.

Would Robert Hayes return to the scene of the crime?

Probably not. He was more than likely off hunting for his next victim.

He looked at the printout that Mooney had given him. It contained only broad details of the murders. He reversed the car, made a three-point turn and headed for O’Shaughnessy’s house.

He arrived just as a man came flying out the back door, landing on his back on the paved yard. He stood quickly, dusted himself down and pointed an accusing finger at the man standing in the doorway.

‘This is not the last of it, O’Shaughnessy,’ he yelled, gesticulating wildly. ‘I’m going to have you arrested. For assault. For murder.’

He turned and jumped into a shining white SUV and sped off down the narrow lane.

Kirby approached as Grace joined Bryan at the door. A black and white dog ran around in circles.

‘You’re back, Detective Kirby,’ she said.

‘Heel, Tess,’ Bryan said, then turned to Kirby. ‘You’re the guy from Ragmullin, are you?’

‘Yep, that’s me. And I’d murder a cup of tea.’ Then he felt his cheeks flare. ‘Sorry. Wrong turn of phrase there.’

But it seemed to defuse the situation. Grace smiled and brought him inside. Bryan followed them in after he’d calmed and secured his dog.

While she busied herself with mugs and tea bags, Bryan brought Kirby into a musty-smelling living room.

‘This is my den. Grace has the rest of the house looking like a new penny, but I like to retain some of my old life in here.’

Kirby thought the room could do with a window being opened now and again. However, he welcomed the smell of cigarette smoke. A kindred spirit.

‘I’m not here to judge the decor or to judge you, Mr O’Shaughnessy, but I do have a few questions.’

‘It’s Bryan. Do I need my solicitor present?’

‘That’s up to you.’ Kirby was surprised by the question but recognised the wary look in O’Shaughnessy’s eyes.

‘You see, I’ve been questioned twice already and arrested once before being released without charge.’

‘I heard. I understand.’

‘Where are my manners? Please, sit.’

Kirby took the couch and almost sank to the floor. He thought he felt a spring twang, then buckle beneath him. Bryan sat on the recliner armchair.

‘You’ve lived here all your life then?’ Kirby tried to not look as uncomfortable as he felt.

‘On and off. The land was left to me by my brother when he died.’

‘And you’re all set to be married now. Grace is a lovely woman.’

‘She is one in a million.’

‘Have you had other relationships over the years?’

‘That’s an odd question, if you don’t mind me saying so.’

‘The thing is, I’m investigating a murder that occurred this week in Ragmullin.’

Bryan visibly bristled. He puffed out his chest, and even though he was sitting, his height seemed to stretch. ‘I don’t believe this. While Mooney is trying to pin three murders on me here in Galway, you think you can make me responsible for another one?’

‘Not at all. I’m just after some information.’

‘Who am I supposed to have murdered this time?’

‘I did not accuse you of anything.’ The way the man was acting, Kirby felt like adding a yet to that statement.

‘Fire ahead, but I warn you, I am at the end of my tether with all this.’

‘The woman who was murdered in Ragmullin, in the most vicious way, was named Edie Butler. Did you know her?’ He watched for a reaction.

Bryan raised an eyebrow, leaned his head to one side then shook it. ‘Can’t say that I did.’

‘It appears, and this is hearsay, that you dated her for a time when she lived down this way. She was originally from Salthill.’

‘Have you a photograph of her?’

‘I do.’ Kirby scrolled through the photos on his phone, then stood, with difficulty, and handed it over.

‘Shit. Yes. She looks different, but I did know her. Long time ago. She was Edie Martin back then. And she’s dead?’

‘Murdered.’

‘Good God. May she rest in peace.’

‘Tell me about your relationship with her.’ Kirby returned to sit on the couch.

Bryan rubbed a hand over his eyes and down his cheek. ‘What is going on?’

‘I don’t know, but I want to know about you and Edie.’

‘I can hardly remember it. It was a long time ago. There’s not much to know.

A fling. We met a few times. For drinks and food and…

She was a lovely woman. But what I remember about her is that she was never comfortable in her own skin, if you get my meaning.

Always on edge. Then one day she said she had to leave.

She wanted to spread her wings. That’s what she said as far as I recall. ’

‘She seems to have only got as far as the midlands.’

‘Was she happy, do you know?’

‘I don’t know that. She worked in a hair salon. She had two sons. Her husband died.’

‘How did you discover I used to know her?’

‘It came up in one of our interviews. A colleague of hers at the salon mentioned your name. Seems that Edie had really liked you. Apparently yours was the only name she mentioned from her past.’

‘How? It was so long ago. I wasn’t in love with her or anything. I had the farm to take care of. I was busy. And truthfully, I was happy on my own.’

‘Until you met Grace?’

‘Aye, she made me realise that there’s more to life than raising and selling sheep.’

‘Grace is a lot younger than you.’ Kirby worried he might just have overstepped the mark. But Bryan smiled back at him.

‘Stating the obvious, detective.’

‘Sorry. None of my business.’

‘But murder is, and I’m sorry I can’t help you. Edie was a troubled woman when I knew her, but I haven’t seen her in decades. I did not kill her.’

‘That’s grand, so.’ Kirby knew Bryan’s DNA was already on file in Galway, and he would make sure it was checked against what they had in Ragmullin.

‘How did she die?’ Bryan asked.

‘She was found in a river. The final post-mortem report isn’t in yet, but she was scalded so badly that she had a heart attack from the shock. It seems the murderer kept pouring boiling water over her until she died. Boiled to death.’

The sound of smashing crockery filled the room as Grace let the tray she was holding fall out of her hands.

Neither man had heard her enter.