Page 24 of The Altar Girls

‘All the children in the choir, plus their parents and guardians.’

‘You saw the body, didn’t you?’

‘Yes.’

‘Naomi was clothed in a robe. Did you recognise it?’

He bit his lip as if debating how to answer. ‘It looks a little bit like a choir robe. The children wear them when performing.’

‘Similar or identical?’

‘From a distance, I couldn’t say. I knew the girl was dead. I didn’t go too close. I was more concerned with Alfie and his mother.’

‘Are the children assigned their own robes?’

‘No, it’s a free-for-all.’

‘I want to see those robes.’

‘They’re in the sacristy.’ He took a bundle of keys from his pocket and twisted two off the ring. ‘The big one is for the sacristy door and the other is for the closet where the robes are kept.’

She took the keys. ‘Thank you. Who else has access to those two areas?’

‘The sacristan, but he’s out sick, plus Father Pearse.’

As they stood to leave, he added, ‘Any word on Willow Devine?’

‘We’re still searching for her. And once we finish with the grounds and the cathedral, we need to have a quick look around here too. That okay?’

She thought he was going to say something, but he remained tight-lipped and nodded his assent.

At the door, she turned. ‘One more thing. Call over to the station as soon as possible. We need a DNA sample and your fingerprints.’

‘I never touched the girl’s body.’

‘Then you have nothing to worry about. Goodbye, Father Maguire.’

* * *

Alfie watched and waited until the detectives left the priests’ house. He took his knock-off AirPods from his ears, shoved them in his pocket and pulled the old-fashioned doorbell.

Father Maguire opened up. He looked so tall to Alfie, even though Alfie was tall for his age, and his hair was as dark as his eyes, which made Alfie jealous because of his own ginger mop and green eyes. He squirmed with the thought of the nicknames he endured. Father Maguire had a sleeve of his heavy warm coat up one arm, about to leave.

‘Alfie, what are you doing here? It’s too cold to be out. You should be at home.’

‘I’m scared, Father. Really scared.’

‘God help you. You’re still in shock after last night. Where’s your mother?’

‘She’s at work.’

‘All right. Do you want to come with me to the community centre? I’ll find a job for you there. Help keep your mind off things.’

‘No thanks. I don’t want to go there.’ He shuddered, shivering violently. Why was he even here?

‘Come in for a minute. I’ll see if there’s anything in the kitchen to warm you.’ As the priest opened the door wider, he looked out over Alfie’s shoulder, and Alfie followed his gaze. The search team were busy with their heads bent scanning the snow-covered ground. Father Maguire ushered him inside.

* * *