Page 7 of The Altar Girls

She handed him her card. ‘Please do, but you will have to be formally interviewed. As a witness,’ she added, seeing a flash of concern streak across his face.

‘That’s fine. Can I ask if there’s any news on Willow Devine?’

‘Is she also in the choir?’

‘She is, and she’s a dedicated altar server. Naomi serves Mass too. Willow is a little wildfire. Anything is likely to happen when she’s serving. She loves ringing the eucharistic bell at any time she feels like it.’ He smiled. ‘I think she enjoys causing mayhem. But in a fun way.’

The tiny hairs on the back of Lottie’s neck felt like bristles from a wire brush. ‘A dead girl and a missing girl have links to this cathedral.’

‘As does over half of Ragmullin.’

‘But two eight-year-old girls…’

‘I hope you find little Willow before it’s too late.’

She felt her anger resurface. ‘What do you know about the two girls?’

‘No more or no less than anyone else, I imagine. I’m not a kidnapper or a murderer, Inspector. There’s no need to waste resources on me or my church.’

‘I will be the judge of that.’

She turned on her heel and was out the door before the silent Kirby knew what was going on. She had the distinct impression that Father Maguire might know more than he had revealed. She would be back first thing in the morning.

7

The lead SOCO, Grainne Nixon, had arrived when Lottie went outside. She noted how the scene had already been compromised by a series of footprints. Temporary lights were installed and a tent, sagging under the now heavily falling snow, was up over the little body.

She hardly dared look. She caught Grainne’s eye, and the SOCO dipped her head reverently and entered the tent to gather evidence.

Standing outside the open flap, Lottie saw the frozen form inside and felt little shards break away from her heart, tormenting her blood with rage and sorrow. She turned away as her tears broke from their moorings and flooded down her cheeks. Blinded, she leaned against the church wall, her shoulders trembling like a volcano about to erupt. A shadow appeared, darkening the space around her.

‘Kirby. Give me a minute.’

‘You need to go home, boss.’

‘I need to find the bastard who did this to an innocent little girl, that’s what I need to do.’

‘Not tonight, you don’t. You’ve already put in a long day.’ He placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her into a hug. She allowed his touch, needing to feel the warmth of another human being.

‘I’ll be fine in a minute.’ She felt him release her.

‘Don’t go home then. Go to Boyd’s. You need him tonight.’ He squeezed her shoulder. ‘And I bet he needs you too.’

She couldn’t trust herself to speak, but shook her head. ‘No, I don’t need Boyd and he doesn’t need me. My own kids need me more.’

‘With all due respect, your kids are young adults.’

‘Sean is only seventeen, not an adult—’

‘Stop.’ He held up a hand. ‘I haven’t seen you this broken up in a long time. Spend some time with Boyd. Get a hug and get warm.’

‘Who nominated you to be my guardian angel?’ She tried a wry smile and tasted her tears on her lips.

‘I know when someone is hurting,’ he said sombrely.

‘Okay, but we still have work to do. Get Garda Martina Brennan to go round to Willow Devine’s house. Someone should be with her mother when news of Naomi’s death breaks. And send someone to talk to Betty Coyne.’

‘I’ll see if I can rouse McKeown for that.’