Page 124 of Three Widows

Now Boyd was really pulling his chain. Kirby pointed to the red-brick building over the wall. ‘What’s there?’

‘Apartments I think. Shops on the ground floor and overcrowded residences above.’

‘Reckon the attacker lives in there?’

‘Maybe they couldn’t risk being seen fleeing onto the street out front. You sure you didn’t touch anything?’

He shook his head wearily. Why did no one trust him? ‘Just that planter box. The clay had been disturbed and I had a suspicion a weapon might be buried there.’

‘Did you find anything?’ Boyd wandered over to have a look.

‘Nope. I only scraped the top of it, and before you go accusing me of disturbing potential evidence, I didn’t touch anything else.’

‘We need to be professional, Kirby.’

‘Is that a dig at me? Because if it is, you can go fuck yourself.’

‘Christ Almighty! What’s eating you?’

‘In case you’ve forgotten, my new girlfriend is missing and I’m certain someone took her.’ He puffed his cheeks in an effort to keep control of his emotions. ‘While we’ve been farting about, she could already be dead.’

Shouldering his way past Boyd, he was careful to nudge the gate with his sleeve. Shit, he’d opened it without gloves. Maybe Boyd was right to question his ability. But he had no time to waste feeling sorry for himself.

He had to find Amy.

* * *

It was a close call but I have to put it behind me. I have to keep going.

I stomp up and down the lakeshore, small stones cutting through the soles of my shoes. Fists clench and unclench. Breaths, long and deep. In, out. In, out. I have to calm down if I am to see this through. Will Lottie Parker and her team of misfits succeed in hindering the remainder of my plan? Possibly. The only saving grace is that they have no idea who I am. Luckily, I got to her before she found the locked room. I can breathe a little easier knowing I have removed anything that would have identified me. But the mystery of my identity is close to being solved. I must advance my plans at top speed.

I look at the barrel with the body tightly crushed inside. I had to break the spine as well as the arms and legs to squash it in there. Even now I can see the forehead flush with the rim, loose tendrils of hair flying around in the rising breeze. No way can I drag it to the top of the hill. I’m not that stupid and my muscles are aching.

Tipping the barrel onto its side, I roll it across the stony shore until it rests at the bottom of the hill. I’m glad dark clouds have shadowed this beauty spot, otherwise there could be families picnicking and swimming; teenagers drinking and diving. I checked out the area over the last few weeks, and I know that most people gather at the diving boards a few kilometres away.

I should be undisturbed here in finishing what I set out to do. Those who have attempted to interfere in my life have to suffer. They will learn that there is no life after loss.

I hope you like the present I left for you in the locked room, Lottie Parker, because it was not what I planned. Sometimes I must accept that not everything works out.

77

Lottie knew her face was on fire with the rage boiling within. She’d sent Kirby to check out the apartment block behind the shop, but Boyd was dragging his heels getting the big key and Garda Lei was complaining like he was at death’s door. If they wouldn’t help her, she’d have to fetch the battering ram herself.

She was about to flip open the car boot, wondering how she was going to lift the heavy piece of equipment, when the technical van pulled up behind her and Grainne Nixon stepped out.

‘I really need a break from all this,’ she said. ‘Is there another body?’

‘Not if you discount Garda Lei.’

‘What? He’s not dead, is he?’

‘He thinks he is. Will you give me a hand here?’ Lottie opened the boot.

‘No way am I lifting that,’ Grainne said, stepping around her. ‘Not in my job description.’

‘For crying out loud, not you too?’ Lottie growled. If she could get it to the ground, she’d be able to drag it inside. It was damn heavy, and she nearly let it fall on her foot, which caused Gerry, the SOCO photographer, to come to her rescue.

‘Let me help you,’ he said.