Page 117 of Three Widows

‘I don’t know about that, but it got me thinking about the removal of the women’s eyes. I thought of Oedipus from Greek mythology.’

‘You’ve lost me now.’

‘He blinded himself with two golden pins as an act of punishment because he was ashamed to realise he had killed his father and married his mother.’

‘Ah, Jane, that’s gross.’

‘I know. But I think the locations where this killer puts the bodies might give you a clue as to the murderer. And that’s coming from one who believes in science, not folklore.’

Lottie had to hunch up on the step as two guards came up the stairs.

‘Those sites have been plaguing me. You’ve given me food for thought. Thanks, Jane.’

74

Kirby was well aware that he had no legal right to read Amy’s application form. But he was concerned for her welfare, even if she wasn’t long enough missing to warrant such an invasion of privacy. Needs must, he thought as he scrolled through the information.

She had filled out the template form, answering standard scenario questions on being a team player, dealing with awkward customers, and what she thought were her best attributes relating to the job. All the usual stuff. He wasn’t prepared for the shock when he got down to her employment history.

It was short.

One previous employer. Amy had worked as a legal secretary for Bowen Solicitors, the firm where Jennifer O’Loughlin’s husband, Damien, had worked before he died. Why hadn’t she told him? Had he even asked? He racked his brain, but their conversations were clouded because on both occasions he’d been drinking.

Was it a coincidence? Unlikely, now that Amy was nowhere to be found. An unexpected gust of wind outside rattled the windows, causing him to jump. What had caused her to leave a steady job eighteen months ago to work in a supermarket? Did her messy break-up account for the change of job?

‘All okay over there, Kirby?’ Lynch asked.

‘Sure, sure.’ Biting his lip, he scrolled down line by line on the application once again. He sensed Lynch rising from her chair and coming to stand at his shoulder. He wished she’d feck off. He wanted to do more digging into Amy’s life. But he kept getting distracted.

‘What have you found?’

‘Amy Corcoran, my Amy, worked as a legal secretary for Bowen’s, the firm where Damien O’Loughlin worked. She listed one of the partners, Madelene Bowen, for a reference.’

‘It’s a tenuous link between Amy and Jennifer. It’s something, though.’

‘Look at her second referee. I don’t understand what I’m seeing.’

‘Tyler Keating!’ Lynch exclaimed, clamping a hand on Kirby’s shoulder. ‘What the actual fuck?’

‘What has he got to do with Amy?’

‘I have no idea.’

‘You need to talk to Orla Keating.’

‘I need a smoke and a pint.’

‘No, come on, I’ll go with you.’

‘Where?’

‘The boss said Orla is working in Helena’s herbal shop today. We’ll catch her there.’

‘We need to tread carefully.’

‘Kirby? Coming from you, that’s a laugh.’

‘I’m serious.’ He stood and stretched, his knees clicking. ‘The boss thought the Life After Loss group and Tyler Keating were key to all of this. But what if it’s something to do with Bowen Solicitors?’