Page 130 of Three Widows

‘You opened a door to let in a killer. That’s accessory in my book. Is it in yours, Detective McKeown?’ Kirby was relieved when McKeown played along.

‘All the way.’

‘Hey, piss off, the pair of you.’ Luke jumped up.

‘Sit down, before I make you.’ McKeown dropped the smile

‘You assaulted me outside the supermarket.’ Luke pointed from one to the other. ‘That’s garda brutality.’

‘And that’s a lie. Indicate the photograph that shows the person who gave you the precious fifty quid. If there even was fifty quid at all. Maybe that’s another lie and you’re mixed up in this way more than we first thought.’

‘You took my wallet. You know the money’s in it.’

‘Could have had it all along.’ The notes were being forensically examined as they spoke. ‘Do you recognise anyone in these photographs?’

‘No.’

‘What about this one?’ Kirby knew he was leading the witness, as he pointed to the photo he was sure had evoked a reaction.

‘That’s Helena,’ Luke said at last. ‘She owns the herbal shop where I buy magnesium for my mam. It wasn’t her.’

Shit. Kirby pointed to Orla.

Luke shook his head emphatically. Too emphatically? Kirby wondered.

‘No. I told you, it’s not any of them. I swear on the Bible.’

McKeown snorted and placed another six photos on the table. Kirby studied Luke. The lad was trying hard to keep his face neutral, and failing miserably. Something on the table had caused his pallor. His hands trembled before he let them drop to his knees.

The six photos had a few wild cards, but the rest were people they had interviewed so far, and McKeown had thrown in Tyler Keating as well.

‘I think I’ll wait for that solicitor.’

‘You haven’t been charged with anything. You’re just helping with our enquiries.’

‘Well, I’m done here.’

‘Luke, this isn’t a Netflix crime show,’ Kirby said. ‘This is real life. Amy is lying in hospital, critically injured. I believe you met the person who assaulted her. Tell me.’

But Luke kept his now pale lips firmly sealed.

And Kirby knew they would eventually have to let him go.

81

In the incident room, Kirby drew out a chair and sat between Martina and Lynch.

‘Want to talk it through?’ he said to Lynch after telling them Luke had refused to say another word.

‘I’m now thinking could Helena McCaul be the key to what’s going on? It’s even possible she is the killer.’

Martina said, ‘It was her shop where Amy was locked up. It has to be her.’

‘But Orla was running the shop earlier in the day when the boss called there.’

‘We’ll come to her in a minute,’ Lynch said. ‘The Life After Loss group was for widows, but not all the women were widows. Separated and divorced women were involved too. Éilis Lawlor set it up. Jennifer O’Loughlin was a member. Amy Corcoran? We don’t know yet, but you said she went through a messy relationship, so maybe she was.’

‘The girl in the supermarket office said Amy joined the group and may have gone to one or two meetings.’ Kirby tried to force concentration while his mind kept flicking back to Amy. Her photo pinned on the board reminded him that she was perilously close to death. And of course that twit Luke had opened the door to let in a killer or give them an exit.