Page 165 of Three Widows

‘Frankie Bardon once attempted to study a course in mythology. I wanted to give you a riddle to solve. One of the few things I was wrong about.’

‘What else were you wrong about?’

‘You, Inspector. I thought I’d finish my mission before you unmasked me.’

Lottie feared what the final act of that mission might be. She glanced over at Helena. Her breathing was laboured. ‘Can I ask the reason for the yellow dresses?’

‘Don’t you get it? Yellow signifies cowardice. They were all yellow-bellied cowards. Some preying on defenceless widows, and others wanted to shame me and destroy all I’d worked for. My brilliant mind was far superior to any scheme they might come up with.’

Lottie was about to ask why she’d targeted Orla, but she now knew how Madelene’s brain worked. She’d have seen Orla as being instrumental in Tyler and Damien’s swindling scheme and being part of the group.

Madelene stood straighter, flexing her arm muscles. ‘What are you going to do now, Inspector?’

‘I will arrest you and get Helena to a doctor.’

‘You’re as delusional as she is. You can’t use anything I’ve just said.’

‘I have evidence, including DNA from the house where we found Orla.’ Lottie watched a dark shadow slip down Madelene’s face. ‘What did you give Helena?’

‘Plenty of alcohol, which she willingly administered to herself.’

‘And what was your plan for Kathleen?’

Madelene’s fingers tightened around the scalpel. ‘If you don’t mind, I’ll have some tea. I’m parched from talking.’

They’d been right about one thing, Lottie thought. This killer was arrogant.

As Madelene bent forward, either to pick up her teacup or to use her weapon, Lottie noticed a line of jars on the mantel behind her. Jars with pairs of eyes floating in some sort of liquid. Bearing witness after death. She realised now why Kathleen’s face had been masked in horror.

Lottie hadn’t time to be shocked by the jars. Kathleen burst out of her stupor. The biscuit tin fell, scattering the photos. In her hand she held a small bronze ornament. She whacked it hard into the solicitor’s face. The scalpel flew into the air as Madelene fell, upending the table. Crockery smashed across the floor. The noise brought Boyd and Kirby bursting into the room.

Leaving them to deal with the two older women, Lottie moved towards the couch.

‘Helena? I’m taking you to the hospital. Can you sit up?’

The young woman opened her eyes and nodded weakly. Lottie put one hand behind her head and the other around her back, up under her arm, and raised her to a sitting position.

‘You’re safe now.’

Helena glanced at her mother. Kathleen nodded silently as she was led out of the room by Kirby. Boyd had Madelene sitting up, her hands in cuffs. A trickle of blood seeped from her temple.

‘Why?’ Helena whispered.

‘Life After Loss,’ Madelene groaned. Then her voice sharpened. ‘A hiding ground for secrets. Revealing those secrets would destroy me, my firm, and my relationship with your mother. And the fraudulent schemes could never become visible to the world. I had to stop them. Can’t you see that?’

Helena shook her head.

Lottie’s gaze rested on the jars of eyes.

She had no words.

102

It was late and the hospital was quiet by the time Kirby stepped out of the lift onto Level 3. Amy was sleeping, so he sat by her bed. He was nodding off when she awoke.

‘You came back, Larry.’

‘I did.’