Page 129 of Three Widows

Martine smiled sadly. ‘Can’t wait to meet her and fill her in on a few home truths about you. She might run a mile.’

He remembered the scene on the floor in the room at the back of Herbal Heaven. Amy wouldn’t be able to walk, let alone run, for quite some time. His heart almost broke at the image. He tried to distract himself by making conversation.

‘You both seemed like you were in a hurry. Have you found out something?’

Martina looked sheepish. Lynch straightened her shoulders and said, ‘Boyd called. Said the boss told us to find you and sit on you.’

Kirby sat down heavily on the step, reluctant to go inside. He couldn’t face any jibes from McKeown. Not today.

‘I saw her, you know. Lying there. She looked like a broken doll. So damaged. How can someone do that to another human being?’

‘Because they’re pure evil, that’s how.’ Martina sat beside him and gave his arm a squeeze.

He resisted the urge to put his head on her shoulder and cry.

‘Come up to the office,’ Lynch said. ‘We need to work every hour in the day.’

‘Why are we still out here then? Come on.’ He shook himself and stood. He took Lynch’s outstretched hand, clasped it firmly.

As they reached the corridor to the office, McKeown came towards them, his face pumped.

‘I have someone in the interview room who may have met the killer.’

Kirby stalled; then, before Lynch could stop him, he hurried along with McKeown. ‘Let me at them.’

Luke was sitting in interview room two.

Kirby had asked McKeown why he hadn’t put him in the newer interview room.

His tall, shaven-headed colleague had smirked. ‘The little shit doesn’t deserve any comfort.’

Kirby squeezed in beside McKeown while Luke sat on the chair with the burst leather seat and protruding springs. He hoped they tore another arsehole for the young prick. Unable to hide his distaste, he said, ‘I knew you were a bad one when I first heard about you.’

‘You know nothing.’

‘I know you’ve committed a crime, and it won’t be community service this time, young pup.’

McKeown butted in before Kirby lost it. ‘We will find your fingerprints on the door of the building where a vicious assault took place. You better take a look at the photographs we’re about to show you and—’

Kirby interrupted. ‘And if you don’t come up with an answer, then I’m not sorry to tell you that you’ll be locked up and I will personally throw the key in the canal.’

‘All talk, fat man. I know my rights. I’m entitled to a solicitor.’

Kirby turned to McKeown. ‘Aren’t all the duty solicitors busy for the entire day?’ Rhetorical question. He glared at Luke. ‘You’ll have to spend a night in the cell waiting for one.’

‘Okay, okay. Show me the photos.’

McKeown opened the slim folder and proceeded to place six photographs in front of Luke, whose braces clicked as he ran his tongue around his teeth.

Keeping his eyes firmly locked on the young man’s expression as each photo landed on the desk, Kirby was certain one image had evoked an even louder click.

‘No. Sorry. Don’t know any of them. Can I go now?’

Liar.

‘Look very carefully. You’re already an accessory to attempted murder.’

‘I’m what? Go on, you’re making an eejit out of me. I never did anything.’