Page 132 of Three Widows

Lynch stalled. ‘I don’t think you should come. You and Amy—’

‘I’m going to meet this woman whether you like it or not.’

‘Fine. You know you’re nothing but a big bully.’

Kirby stared, but his shoulders dropped with relief when he saw the smile appear on Lynch’s face.

82

Madelene Bowen was waiting for them in the tight reception area of her legal practice. She shook their hands warmly before leading them along a threadbare carpet to her office. Bowen Solicitors was located in a Victorian-style house that had been haphazardly converted into small offices. It was situated down a side street not far from Dolan’s supermarket. Kirby had googled it on the way over and found that the exterior was protected by some heritage order, and now he wondered if the interior was similarly protected.

They took seats in the small, square office, which had an even older-looking carpet than the corridor. They declined the offer of tea or coffee.

Madelene appeared tall behind a desk that was too large for the room. Her black leather chair gave the impression that she had sprouted dark wings. She wore her platinum hair tugged back severely, and Kirby felt she would be a match for any foe across a courtroom.

‘We appreciate you meeting with us, Ms Bowen,’ he said.

‘Madelene, please. Talking to you is the least I can do after hearing about Jennifer and poor Amy. Is she going to survive? This world never ceases to amaze me.’

Without answering her question, Kirby said, ‘How long did Amy work for you?’

‘Six or seven years, I think. She came to us straight from college, and I have to say, she was the best legal secretary we ever had.’

‘Why did she leave?’

‘She gave no explanation. One day she was here and the next she wasn’t. Posted in her resignation and took her annual leave in place of her notice. It was very odd.’

Kirby looked at Lynch, who raised an eyebrow. ‘She didn’t email or tell you in person?’

‘It was unusual. We are a tight-knit firm and I view my staff as friends. I was shocked, to tell the truth.’

‘Did you notice anything different about her in the weeks leading up to her resignation?’

Madelene closed her eyes. ‘I certainly did. Her personality changed.’

Opening her eyes quickly, she stared at Kirby, and he knew he definitely wouldn’t like to stand in a witness box being cross-examined by her.

‘In what way did she change?’ he asked.

‘She had always been quiet and diligent; then suddenly she was loud and her work slipped. She made a few mistakes. Nothing major, but I noticed them. I had a chat with her and I found her… how can I put this… floaty, maybe? Like she was a little vacant. Then the next minute she was yelling at me. So unlike the Amy I’d come to know.’

‘Did you find out the reason?’

‘In the months leading up to her resignation, she had been dealing with an awkward client. I can’t divulge the details because of confidentiality, but she had been working with Damien before his death on an acrimonious probate. My firm deals with everything, but Damien’s speciality was wills and conveyancing. That’s the transfer of property title. There was some dispute over rights to ownership of a house, if my memory serves me correctly and she was dealing with the paperwork in the months after his death. Then she quit.’

‘What was Amy’s exact role here?’

‘She was Damien’s legal secretary. She kept his diary, sat in on meetings, took notes, located title deeds, liaised with the land registry office. That type of work.’

‘Can you tell me the name of this awkward client?’

‘No I can’t. And I don’t know how our client could have anything to do with her attack this morning.’

‘We don’t either, but we are investigating some brutal murders. I believe Amy was another intended victim. Luckily we found her in time. At least, I hope we were in time—’

Lynch cut in. ‘Madelene, we are trying to find a link between the women that might lead us to their murderer.’

‘I don’t know how I can help you.’