Page 15 of Three Widows

‘That doesn’t tell us anything definitively.’

She watched Boyd study the victim’s photograph.

He said, ‘No jewellery at all, even though her ears are pierced. If she was on a night out, wouldn’t she wear jewellery?’

‘I know I never take my studs out.’

‘I reckon you only have the one pair.’

‘I lost everything when my house burned down. What are you getting at, Boyd?’

‘The fact that the dress might not be hers and she had no jewellery, shoes or bag, and the evidence that she was restrained makes it’s plausible that she was held somewhere for a time. If that’s the case, why has no one missed her?’

‘Good point.’

‘You know that gut feeling you talk about, Lottie? Mine is telling me this woman has been missing for more than one night.’

‘I hope you’re wrong, because that will make our job all the harder. Let’s grab a coffee and a proper sandwich, then we have to find out who she is.’

9

The appeal went out on social media and elicited an immediate response.

‘Boss, we might have something here.’ Detective Maria Lynch tapped her keyboard. ‘Call came in a few minutes ago from a Frankie Bardon at Smile Brighter Dental Clinic. After seeing the news and our appeal, he says he’s worried about one of his former employees, a dental nurse called Jennifer O’Loughlin. A month ago, she posted her resignation letter to the office, which he thought was a bit unusual. He said she hasn’t been in contact with any of his staff since.’

‘Did he follow it up with her?’

‘Don’t know. He gave us her address: 171 Riverfield Road. That’s close to the cemetery, isn’t it?’

Lottie leaned over Lynch’s shoulder, trying to read the report on the screen. ‘Phone him back. See if he has any more information.’

‘Will do. He also provided her phone number.’

‘Try it.’

Lynch dialled the number and shook her head. ‘Seems to be dead.’

Lottie turned to Boyd. ‘Fancy a trip over to Riverfield Road? Hopefully Jennifer O’Loughlin is fine and it’ll be a wasted trip, but you never know.’ She straightened her back.

‘I could go,’ Lynch said.

‘I need you to keep monitoring the call information as it comes in. Set up a meeting with this Frankie Bardon for me in case Jennifer O’Loughlin turns out to be our victim.’

She grabbed her bag and jacket from her office and nudged Boyd to follow. She caught him giving Lynch a sympathetic eye. With a small shake of her head, she kept walking. No point in going soft in her old age. Lynch was good on the computer, like McKeown was good at analysing security footage. She needed her team to utilise their skills in the best possible way.

‘Where has Kirby disappeared to now?’

‘Don’t know,’ Boyd said, shrugging his arms into his jacket.

‘He’s been acting odd recently. His moods go from high and loud to low and silent.’

‘He’s fine.’

‘He’s drinking too much, and that’s from one who knows all about engaging in that destructive pastime.’ Lottie wondered how she could approach Kirby to talk about what was wrong. ‘Boyd, would you—’

‘No, I won’t talk to him. It’s his own business. If it affects his work, it’s your job to have the chat, not me.’

She bit her tongue. No point in arguing with a grumpy arse. Still…