Page 80 of Three Widows

‘You have to understand, Helena only knows how to talk about herself.’ Kathleen dropped her head before raising it with tears nestled in her eyes.

At the door, Lottie looked back over her shoulder. ‘We were at her house. There are children’s toys and equipment in her garden. Would she go to those lengths to convince herself she has a child?’

‘I don’t really know. I haven’t been to her new house at all, even though I have a key in case of an emergency.’ Kathleen bowed her head again. ‘Maybe she wanted to convince someone else. I’ve given up trying to rationalise the things she does.’

In the car, Lottie and Boyd sat in silence for a few minutes before turning to one another and shaking their heads.

‘What do you think?’ she said.

‘I don’t know. But lies will complicate our investigation.’

‘You can say that again.’

‘Lies—’

‘Don’t, Boyd, don’t. Just drive.’

51

When Madelene Bowen looked up from studying a particularly difficult affidavit on her laptop, she was surprised to find someone standing there staring at her.

‘What are you doing here? How did you get past my PA?’

‘I told her you specifically wanted to see me in private and didn’t want to be disturbed.’

‘You didn’t have to come here, you know. We could have had a conversation over the phone.’

‘I need to look you in the eye when I ask you the question.’

‘And what question might that be?’

‘Ah, Madelene, you know right well. Why do we have to do this dance around the issue?’

The solicitor glanced at the closed door behind her visitor, then at her phone on the desk. She could call out or hit 999. No need. She was certain she was safe in the confines of her own office.

‘You want to know what I know about Damien O’Loughlin, is that it?’

‘For someone who’s supposed to be so clever, you really take a while to get to the point.’

‘I haven’t time for this. I have circuit court to get ready for.’

‘Thought the courts took the month of August off.’

‘The first of September is next week. I have a lot of work to do before then.’

Her visitor pulled out a chair, crossed legs and folded arms. ‘I can wait.’

‘What is it you want exactly?’

‘Jennifer O’Loughlin is dead, and I believe Éilis Lawlor is also dead. Both murdered. Tell me what I want to know or else give me the file.’

‘The file is destroyed.’

‘That’s a lie. I know you wouldn’t do that. You need it as backup in case you’re blackmailed. Oh, don’t paste that horrified mask on your face. I know all about Damien and your firm’s involvement. I will get it myself.’

Standing, the visitor walked to the filing cabinet, drawing a finger down the labels until it reached M-N-O. Tugging the drawer, they looked back at Madelene.

‘It’s locked. Open it.’