Page 139 of The Altar Girls

‘Okay. I knew Bradley when I worked in Sligo and he phoned me some time ago. He said he also warned Naomi’s school principal.’

The fact that the school had been closed all week because of the weather meant they hadn’t got much information from the girls’ teachers. From the interviews conducted, she didn’t recall anyone having anything to say about Julian Bradley. Perhaps he hadn’t actually spoken to the principal.

‘Go on.’

‘Bradley seemed concerned for the welfare of the Kiernan children. That was the reason I championed Naomi for the choir, where I’d be able to see first-hand if she had any injuries and gauge her moods.’

‘And did you notice anything suspicious?’

‘Not really. She was a quiet child, unlike Willow, who was high-spirited and always animated. Chalk and cheese, as the saying goes.’

She had to go for the jugular, even though she knew they should first run a DNA analysis to find a match.

‘Did you have an affair with Ruth Kiernan?’

His mouth opened and shut and his eyes widened before narrowing. Then he laughed. The sound was alien in the sombre church. His demeanour sobered quickly and he tugged at his stubbly chin. ‘Are you having a laugh, Inspector?’

‘I’m deadly serious. Was Naomi Kiernan your daughter?’ She knew that the child’s age didn’t work if the affair was over the last few years. If there had been an affair at all.

‘Naomi is not my daughter,’ he said.

‘Is Bethany?’

‘No.’

‘Is Jacob your son?’ As she asked the questions, Lottie realised how ridiculous they must have sounded.

‘No, Jacob is not my son. I may be the son of a priest, but I didn’t follow that closely in his footsteps.’

‘We have a sample of your DNA. It will be easy to run a check.’

‘I’d have thought you’d have done that before accusing me of breaking my vows. Anyhow, you won’t find a match because I never had an affair with Ruth Kiernan.’

‘Mm,’ Lottie muttered, unconvinced. ‘Then why did she move to Ragmullin?’

‘You’d have to ask her that. I was already here a year by then. I assume she moved to get away from scrutiny after her husband was sent to prison. If you’ve finished interrogating me, I need to visit my mother.’

‘Father Maguire, I want you to accompany me to the station.’

‘Are you arresting me?’

‘Not yet.’

‘Then if you’ll excuse me…’ He stood.

‘Sit for a moment. I want you to look at a photograph.’ She pulled up the photo of the red-beaded rosary. ‘I showed you a different image before, but this one is clearer. Do you recognise it?’

He took the phone from her, extracted his spectacles from his pocket and stared at the photo.

‘Well?’ she enquired when he remained silent.

‘It’s a one-decade rosary.’

‘And?’

‘It’s normal to have five decades.’

‘I know that, but it’s still a rosary, isn’t it?’