Page 80 of Death at Inishmore Castle

“Get some ice,” Lolly said. “You’re going to have some bruising, but maybe we can stop the swelling.”

They all fussed over me and my sister for several hours. We were so lucky to have such lovely friends. Rob and Scott gave Mr. Poe a bath in their room. After a hot shower, I almost felt back to normal.

I dressed in my warmest PJs. When I came out of the bathroom, our friends were all waiting for me in the bedroom. Kieran was in the corner with his notebook open.

“Tell us everything,” Scott said.

And so, I did.

TWENTY-ONE

A day later, we were back at Number Three. I’d never been so grateful for our house and a regular routine. Lizzie was feeling better but still staying at home. She’d taken quite the hit to the head. She was fine, but I made her take a few days away from the bookstore. Her assistant Caro had things well in hand.

Lizzie was in the kitchen baking, which was her idea of relaxation, and I had just sat down at my desk when the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it,” I said.

After glancing through the small window in the door, I frowned. It was Lolly and Kieran.

What are they doing here?

We’d given our statements the day before. And like always when we were involved in an investigation, Kieran had let us listen to Jim make his case. Turned out he’d borrowed that name from a dead guy.

To protect the O’Sullivans from any blowback, he told the police everything. How he’d been a part of Carl and Sarah’s original gang. How she’d turned on them, and then thought she could pick up where they’d left off when they had finished theirprison sentences. His real name was John Brady, and he had an incredibly long rap-sheet.

Carl and Sarah were working against the O’Sullivans, who he now saw as family. In his mind, he was protecting them from outside forces. In his way, he had done whatever it took to save his new family.

As for Sally, the O’Sullivans had refused to post charges against her.

Their accountant cousin was not so lucky. He would be doing some prison time. I’d learned that from Lolly. She said the O’Sullivans were bringing in a forensic accountant and new appraisers, both recommended by law enforcement.

“Morning,” I said as I opened the door. “What’s this all about?”

“I came to check on your sister,” Lolly said. “Kieran said he had some details from the case to discuss with you.”

“Oh?” I glanced over Lolly’s shoulder at him. “I thought we were finished with all that.”

“I have a few follow-up questions,” he said.

“Is that what the kids call it these days?” Lolly asked.

She pushed past me, laughing as she went down the hall.

“What was that about?” I said, blushing slightly.

He shrugged. “I never know with her.”

“Well, come in. Do you want a cup of coffee?”

“Actually…” He held up two cups. “I brought you one from the pub.”

I smiled. We were both caffeine addicts. “That’s kind of you. Since your gran is in the kitchen, why don’t we go into my office?”

He nodded and followed me down the hallway and to the left. I loved my office. It had an old-school Agatha Christie feel with the period furniture to match. This had once been ourgrandfather’s home, and he had excellent taste. We hadn’t had to update anything.

“So, what’s going on?” I asked as we sat in the chairs in front of my desk. “Did something new happen in the case?”

“We were able to tie the gardener’s DNA to what we’d found on the priest’s robes. So we have evidence to back up the confession. You and your sister probably won’t have to testify since we have a confession.”

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