Page 164 of The Altar Girls

‘I insist.’

Lottie went back outside, slightly aggrieved at the inconvenience, and returned once she was dressed in the required garb.

‘Have you found anything to prove the children were killed in this house?’

Grainne’s usually sparkling green eyes were muted. ‘A minute amount of blood spatter showed up on the bathroom floor, but every surface had been forensically cleaned.’

‘What about the bedrooms?’

‘Haven’t found anything else to support a crime.’

‘Drugs? Prescription meds?’

‘In the bathroom cabinet and kitchen cupboard. Pill bottles and blister packs. Zara was prescribed antipsychotic meds and alprazolam.’

‘Xanax?’

‘It contains benzodiazepine and is a fast-acting tranquilliser.’

Lottie left Grainne to continue her meticulous work. She made her way up the stairs, careful to step on the narrow sheeting that had been laid there.

The door to the bathroom was propped open. She peered inside without entering. Was this where the two little girls had met their deaths? If so, why? What had tipped Zara over the edge? And if she had committed the crime, was it an accident or premeditated?

A shiver accompanied her as she went down the stairs. There was nothing to learn here until SOCOs completed their work.

A confession would help.

She would have to get the mother to talk.

Tomorrow.

FRIDAY

97

Awakened by her phone, Lottie had no idea where she was. She peeked out through half-shut eyes to get her bearings. Her own room. At home in Farranstown House. Damn, had she left her mother alone for the night? Then she remembered. Betty Coyne had stayed with Rose. Thank God. She lay back again, the phone still ringing. The comfort of her double bed, after a couple of nights in a single bed, enticed her to snuggle down and not get up.

The phone kept ringing.

‘Damn.’ She checked the caller ID, and answered. ‘Hey, Boyd, how are you?’

‘I’m good, and I’ve great news. Sergio is awake. He’s going to be fine. But the thing is, Lottie, I still have to tell him about his mother’s death. I wish you were here.’

‘I wish I was there too. But you know me, I’d be liable to put my foot in it and say something derogatory about your ex.’

‘Don’t I know that.’ His cadence had the lilt of a smile. ‘How is the investigation progressing? The early-morning news had word of multiple arrests.’

‘That’s true, but we haven’t arrested anyone for the murders yet. I need to get a confession. Forensics is taking too long.’

‘No better woman. Tell me what you have.’

She plumped up the pillows, nestled her head, and relayed all that had happened while he’d been away.

‘You know who did it, Lottie, so go get that confession.’

‘Thank you. When will I see you?’

‘As soon as Sergio is discharged, I’ll be home.’