Page 70 of The Guilty Girl

‘Not that well. Saw her a few times when I was over at Albert’s. Hovering.’

‘What do you mean by that?’

‘I’m not blowing my own trumpet here, but Lucy was in awe of me.’

‘Really? How did that go down with her parents?’

‘Albert thought it was hilarious, but Mary … I don’t know much about these things, but she seemed uneasy. I think she was jealous of Lucy.’

‘Interesting. How did this jealousy manifest itself?’

‘Well, maybe it was the way Mary always acted, but she’d shout at Lucy any time I was there, telling her to go to her room and study.’

Boyd thought this was normal enough. ‘When did you last see Lucy?’

‘Couple of weeks ago.’

‘When her parents were away?’

Terry slammed the mug on the counter. ‘I don’t like what you’re insinuating.’

‘I asked a perfectly reasonable question.’

‘You’ve no authority to ask me anything.’

‘True, but the fact is, the daughter of your agent was murdered, and it seems by your own admission that you met her while her parents were out of the country. Why were you at her home?’

Terry ran his tongue around his teeth, as if he’d found something distasteful lurking there. At last he spoke. ‘I called out to the house last Tuesday week, I think, to pick up a file Albert had left for me. Tax stuff for my accountant. Lucy happened to be there, studying at the kitchen table with her friend. She let me in, I picked up what I’d come for and left. End of.’

‘Tax returns are not due in until October. Why the urgency?’

‘My accountant asked for it. Jeremy Stokes. Based in Dublin.’

Boyd made a mental note to tell Lottie to check with Terry’s accountant. Might be nothing, might be something.

‘Could it not have been emailed?’

‘I just did what I was asked.’

Taking a punt on his next statement, Boyd said, ‘Because you were in the McAllister house recently, you’ll need to volunteer a DNA sample. For elimination purposes.’

‘No problem, I’ll be home next week. Friday.’

‘Are you staying here until then?’

‘Yep.’

‘Does Albert know this?’

‘I have a key. They trust me not to trash the place.’ He laughed. Half-heartedly, Boyd thought.

‘You might want to ensure you close the door properly next time.’ Boyd stood and pushed the stool in. ‘Can I have your number in case the inspector needs to contact you?’

‘In case you think of something to accuse me of, is that it?’

Sergio switched off the television and strolled over. ‘Can I have another glass of water?’

‘Sure.’