Page 89 of Three Widows

‘How long ago was that?’

‘Six years.’ She flicked through the thin file. ‘Why did Damien O’Loughlin have a copy of this?’

‘We’re investigating murders, not crooked house deals.’ Kirby tapped a pen against his nose. ‘All it tells us is that Jennifer’s husband would have met one or both of the Keatings. Jennifer didn’t work at the firm, so we’re back to square one.’

‘It’s another piece of the jigsaw, anyhow.’

‘Or it might be a piece from another jigsaw, just to fuck with us. I doubt it has anything to do with the current investigation.’

‘Or it might have everything to do with it.’

He really needed to go outside to light up. He wondered if he could sneak a text or a call to Amy. He felt the heat rise in his cheeks as he remembered her kiss at lunchtime. Was it wrong to fall for her? What did they even know about each other? Not much, though she could probably google him and find out a fair bit. The thought of googling her sprang to his mind. No, that was what you did when you were trying to catch a guilty person. He had to stop being a detective where she was concerned. It was one sure way of losing her before they’d even started a relationship.

He glanced over at Martina. What had gone wrong between her and McKeown, besides the fact that he was married? He decided that wasn’t any of his business either.

She had abandoned the box of files and maximised Tyler Keating’s cold-case file on Kirby’s computer.

‘I don’t think you’ll find anything in that,’ he said.

‘I disagree. I noticed something odd earlier and I’m trying to find it again.’

He groaned. ‘I hope it’s not something to give the boss rope to hang me with.’

She gave him a side-eye and tightened her lips in a grimace.

‘Ah, Martina, please don’t do this to me.’

57

It all started with Jennifer. The way she retold the incident is vivid and still fresh.

Jennifer unbuttoned her jacket and kicked off her shoes.

‘Where are you?’ she called out.

‘Sitting room.’

From the doorway, she watched her husband as he sat on the sofa surrounded by files and a yellow legal pad, furiously writing notes. Leaning down, she kissed his cheek and mussed his hair. ‘Are you still working? What happened to nine-to-five?’

‘That was just a movie.’ He put the work to one side and pulled her to his lap. ‘You smell good. Where have you been?’

She knew his words were not a test, but she still bristled. She had nothing to hide, had she?

‘It’s just mouthwash.’

‘Hey, only joking,’ he said catching her expression.

‘I know, but…’

‘Come on, Jennifer, tell me what’s bothering you.’

She extricated herself from his embrace and stood. ‘You’re working too hard. You’re grey in the face. I’ll have a shower, then I’ll start dinner.’

‘I took a casserole from the freezer this morning before I left for the office. It’s in the oven now. Another half-hour should do it.’

‘What did I ever do to deserve you?’

He smiled his lopsided smile that she always thought made him look like a teenager, his fair hair falling into his eyes. ‘I hounded you until you had no choice but to accept my proposal.’