Page 156 of Three Widows

‘Following your unceremonious entry into my office, I am reconsidering. You seem to think I’m a murder suspect.’

‘Not yet, but I’m inclined to think you know who we are looking for.’

Madelene was quiet for such a long time, it reminded Lottie of how Rose had slept with her eyes open. She gave the solicitor a verbal nudge.

‘Two women are missing and are in danger of being murdered, if they’re not already dead.’

The woman focused her eyes on Lynch, then moved them to Lottie. ‘I want to speak to you alone, Inspector.’

Lottie nodded to Lynch, who left and shut the door behind her.

‘You may sit,’ Madelene said.

Lottie resigned herself to a long-winded explanation couched in legal speak. She was surprised, then, when Madelene leaned forward, her tone low and conspiratorial.

‘I must make it clear that I had absolutely nothing to do with these murders.’

‘Go on.’

‘I believe everything started with Tyler Keating.’

‘I gathered that much.’

‘I’m deeply ashamed that my firm could be linked to this debacle, and I’d like it if you could keep my name out of it.’

‘I can’t guarantee anything of the sort, as well you know.’ Lottie wondered how anyone could refer to murder as a debacle.

Madelene sighed. ‘Tyler’s wife had worked on some of our client accounts for a short time years ago, and he engaged our services for the purchase of his house. Damien compiled the contracts and registry for the purchase. Amy was Damien’s legal secretary. Then last year, Tyler went missing.’

‘What are you trying to tell me?’

‘I couldn’t prove anything, but I now believe Tyler was corrupt. And it has absolutely nothing to do with Bowen Solicitors.’

‘How can you make such a statement? Have you evidence?’

‘I found copies of files in Damien’s office after he died. I boxed them and meant to destroy them, but I never had time. Jennifer arrived to clear out his things. I was in court that day. I now believe she took the files. Did you find them?’

Lottie was going to choke Kirby when she got back. ‘Are we talking about fraud? Theft?’

The platinum-haired woman nodded. ‘I don’t believe Damien did anything criminal, but perhaps he was unprofessional. My belief is that Tyler used him. He was such a charmer when it suited him. From what I have ascertained so far, grieving widows were his target.’

‘So, you’re confirming Tyler stole from widows?’

‘Those who had property and money? It’s possible.’

‘And Orla Keating would have had access to these clients’ financials?’

‘She may have been the accountant for the people Tyler targeted and defrauded.’

‘Why didn’t you do something about it?’

‘I didn’t know. I left the property clients to Damien.’

‘I’ve met Orla. I don’t understand how she would be involved in—’

‘Inspector, Tyler Keating might have been a charmer in public, but from what I saw, he was a control freak. He controlled his wife like everything else in his life. But I believe he crossed one person too many, and that person fought back. That’s why you can’t find him.’

‘So if it’s not Tyler who’s murdering innocent people…’