Page 77 of Three Widows

‘Will I fetch you something to eat?’ Martina asked.

‘No thanks. I want to look at that car you found. Will you do me a favour? See if you can uncover anything to connect Jennifer O’Loughlin to either or both of the Keatings.’

‘No bother.’

‘Read over the file. It’s open on my computer.’

He grabbed his jacket and shuffled his arms into it. Leaving Martina looking happy with desk work, he made his way outside and sent a text to Amy. He hoped she might be on her lunch break, then they could grab soup and Cafferty’s house-special sandwiches.

He decided to walk for the exercise and was heading towards Dolan’s supermarket when her reply pinged on his phone. He read it and swore.

‘Dammit to hell.’

Another hour before her lunch break. He kept on going, breathing heavily as he laboured with the heat of the day. Why was weight so easy to put on and a bloody nuisance to shift?

Amy was standing at the self-scan checkout and her face lit up when she saw him. He felt a warm glow, like he felt after a Big Mac Meal.

‘Hi there,’ she said. ‘Did you not get my text? I’m stuck here for another hour.’

‘No bother. I needed to pick up a few things. For tonight, not for now.’ Shit, he was making a bags of this. ‘How’s your day?’

‘Same old, same old.’ Her smile was infectious.

‘Where’s this Luke bloke who’s giving you a hard time?’

‘Shh. Don’t make a scene.’ She glanced around as if to ensure no one was watching them. Was she embarrassed by him?

‘God, I’d never do that to you,’ he said.

‘Okay, but don’t make it obvious. Over your left shoulder, the guy talking to the security guard, that’s Luke.’

‘I’m going to look at the bananas. I’ll be back.’

Smiling at her warmly, though he really wanted to give her a hug, he wiped his brow with a tissue, then turned and moved towards the fruit and vegetable section. Luke was standing close to the security guard.

Kirby picked up a punnet of strawberries and casually glanced at the dude. He appeared to be early twenties, and was gesticulating wildly, talking about some football game. A mop of dark hair flopped over his forehead, with the sides shaved. A fade, Kirby supposed. A new name for short back and sides. Luke’s skin was clear and pale, with an eyebrow piercing and train-track braces on yellowing teeth. He was dressed in the all-black supermarket uniform, and Kirby thought it made him look sinister.

He could bide his time, but he wasn’t sure he could stem his anger. This pumped-up prick was making life hard for Amy.

‘Excuse me, are these fresh?’ He wandered over and lifted a bunch of Fyffes bananas.

‘The date is on them,’ Luke said. He moved away from the security guard and snatched them from Kirby’s hand. ‘This sticker is the best-before date.’

‘Ah, thanks. Didn’t see that.’

‘Should have gone to Specsavers,’ Luke said, and Kirby caught the sneer in his tone.

‘Are you making fun of me?’

‘It’s a joke. Get a life, old man.’

That did it. Kirby reached out and grabbed Luke’s wrist with his free hand, tugging the lad towards him.

‘You need to mind your manners, pup. I’m a detective and I don’t like how you talk to people.’

Luke’s lip curled towards his nose. ‘What’s your problem? Can’t take a joke?’

‘As well as annoying your customers, I hear you’re harassing members of staff.’