Page 131 of The Guilty Girl

‘Granny’s in hospital. I had to call an ambulance. I’m with her in A&E.’

‘Oh God, is she okay?’

‘She’s fine now. Giving orders to the nurses. They put her on a drip because she was dehydrated. They want to admit her for more tests but she’s kicking off now.’

‘She’s on the mend so.’

‘I didn’t want to worry you, Mam, but Sean said to let you know.’

‘Thanks, Chloe. I’ll get there as soon as I can.’

‘No need, it’s fine. If there are any developments, I’ll phone you. Okay?’

‘Okay.’

After Lottie finished the call, she held her head in her hands. How can I cope with my mother being ill? Confusing emotions caused her chest to tighten. When everything was weighed up, good and bad, she knew she loved Rose, and Rose loved her. Boyd had made her see what had been in front of her nose, especially since Adam’s death, when her resentment against her mother had festered. The lack of outward affection could have been terminal for their relationship if Boyd hadn’t stepped in. She wanted to hear his voice.

Feeling better, she tapped his number. It went straight to voicemail. She hung up without leaving a message. She’d speak to him later.

First she had a murderer to catch.

There was still no sign of a solicitor for Cormac or Hannah, and Lynch had left the office, probably to find Ivy Jones, so Lottie was rereading the preliminary report on Jake Flood when Garda Lei knocked on the door.

Shifting like he had ants in his pants, he said, ‘Sorry. Hello, Inspector.’

‘Come in.’

‘I’ve got a lead on where the lads on the bikes hang out. Do you want to come with me, or should I ask someone else? It’s okay either way. Just thought I’d ask, you know, like. Sorry for disturbing you.’

‘Is it in town?’ Lottie scratched her head, unravelling the message couched somewhere in his words.

‘Yes, it is.’

She plucked her bag from the floor. ‘Come on, let’s go.’

‘Do you want me to follow on my bike? They mightn’t even be there, but I just thought, you know …’

‘I’ll drive. Let’s go.’

Garda Lei talked so much, Lottie felt woozy as she drove into the army barracks. A direct provision centre had once been located on the premises until Lottie and her team had uncovered a gruesome human and organ trafficking operation, in part helped by Boyd’s ex-wife, the elusive Jackie.

She pulled up in front of the old officers’ quarters. She’d often been in the NCOs’ mess with Adam, but never in the officers’. Rank, and all that.

‘The kids use this as their base,’ Garda Lei said when they’d exited the car.

‘How did you find out?’ The air had cooled since yesterday and she was sorry she’d left her jacket in the office.

‘The bicycle shop owner said he’d overheard one of them mention it. I thought we might get lucky and kill three birds with one stone. You know what I mean?’

‘I think so.’

She fetched her garda fleece jacket from the boot and stood beside Lei. She couldn’t believe how derelict the buildings had become.

‘How will we do this?’ He shuffled from foot to foot and fluttered his hands about. Maybe he should have brought his bike to keep him from fidgeting, she thought.

‘Stay in the car if you like.’

‘Oh gosh, no. Not at all.’