Page 106 of Three Widows

‘If you haven’t time for meditation or yoga, work on your breathing. I can do a session with you. Won’t even charge you.’ He smiled, but she felt it was insincere.

‘You told me you could get verification of your whereabouts, so who do you live with?’

‘My husband.’

‘What’s his name?’

‘Really? You want to know my husband’s name? What type of detective are you?’

‘His name, please?’

‘He’s the love of my life. He brought me to this place and made my life whole.’

‘Save me from the violins, Owen.’

‘My husband is Frankie Bardon.’

Lottie could feel the cogs he’d mentioned whirring in her brain, but they kept slipping out of sync with each other.

‘Do you want me to introduce him to you?’

‘No thanks.’ Lottie stood and moved to the door. ‘I’ve already met him.’

69

Kirby leaned against the board in the incident room and almost fell over when it wobbled precariously. He righted it on its stand and approached Lynch. She was concentrating on something on a computer.

‘Any news about Orla or Helena’s whereabouts?’ he asked.

‘Not a dicky bird. McKeown is going over whatever CCTV he can get his hands on. I reckon if he had any hair he’d be tearing it out right now. Soul-destroying work.’

‘Good enough for him.’

Lynch paused her fingers mid-air above the keyboard. ‘Have you found Amy?’

Fearing he might cry, Kirby shook his head. ‘I don’t trust that Luke Bray, but I also don’t think he harmed her. He’s one of those lads that’s all talk.’

‘Didn’t you discover he had a conviction for assault?’

‘It was about four years ago. He’s kept his nose clean since, according to PULSE. Except for harassing Amy.’

‘Did she report it?’

‘No. I’ve come to the conclusion that he hasn’t the intelligence to mastermind two brutal murders and three possible abductions.’

He watched her swivel idly before she stood and arched her back.

‘While everyone is losing their heads,’ she said, ‘at least we can be logical about what’s going on. Let’s talk this through.’

‘Thanks.’

She joined him at the incident board. ‘Should we assume one of the missing women is involved with the murders?’

‘You think one of them could be the killer?’ He stared at her, eyes bulging at the implication. ‘Do not include Amy!’

‘You hardly know her, Kirby.’

‘Yeah, but I’m a good judge of character.’ He felt the heat rise in his cheeks. ‘Most of the time.’