Page 116 of Hidden Daughters

‘Care for a drink?’ Kirby said.

‘No thanks, I’m still working. God knows, I hardly put my head down all week.’

Kirby offered the weary detective his chair and went over to the window to lean against the ledge.

Mooney asked, ‘What’s this about Ann Wilson’s phone?’

‘Like I told you, I tried ringing her,’ Lottie explained. ‘I had her number from earlier today. It went unanswered. Then, a few seconds later… It was only a few seconds, Kirby, wasn’t it?’

‘Yep.’

‘I got a call. Ann’s number was on the screen. When I answered it, it wasn’t Ann. I’m certain it was Imelda Conroy.’

‘Why would she have Ann Wilson’s phone?’

‘Because she abducted Ann, perhaps?’

‘I doubt that.’ Mooney looked sceptical

‘You said her husband reported her missing,’ Lottie insisted.

‘I did, yes, but Denis is a fucking drama queen.’

‘Maybe this time it’s not drama,’ she said. ‘Why else would Imelda have Ann’s phone?’

Mooney yawned and shook his head. He looked so exhausted that Lottie almost offered him the bed to lie down on. ‘What did she say? This caller you think might be Imelda Conroy.’

‘She told me to find out about Assumpta Feeney. That she’s the key because she was the first to die.’

Kirby piped up then, coming alive. ‘But Edie Butler was first to die if we connect all the murders.’

‘Maybe she was just the first to be found,’ Mooney said. ‘What’s the link between them all?’

‘Their history and the method of killing,’ Lottie said. ‘They were scalded with boiling water, Mickey with toxic fluid. And little Gabriel was murdered decades ago in the convent in a big old washing machine. Robert Hayes has to be the killer.’

‘But you have no evidence of him being anywhere near any of the crime scenes.’

‘Not yet,’ Kirby said. ‘But we’ll find it.’

‘Like I said, the modus operandi is similar,’ Lottie said, ‘and he used to be in and out of the convent.’

‘I need hard evidence,’ Mooney said. ‘All I have so far is DNA tying Bryan O’Shaughnessy to the cottage where Assumpta was murdered, not to mention him being in some way related to Imelda Conroy. And you vouched that he couldn’t have killed Brigid, the priest’s housekeeper.’

‘True. We have to find Imelda.’

‘You do know you have nothing to do with this investigation?’

‘Well, you keep contacting me.’ She realised she sounded childish. ‘I received the call from Ann’s phone.’

‘And I will investigate that.’ Mooney sounded adamant. ‘I better see Wilson and take details of this complaint he wants to make.’

‘You should get uniforms to do that.’

‘He insisted on me. Anyway, it will be good to have a look around his house. If his wife is actually missing, there might be some clue there. Goodnight to you both.’

When Mooney had left, Kirby stood and saluted the closed door. ‘He’s a bit out of his depth, isn’t he?’

‘I agree. He seems to be collapsing under the pressure. I feel sorry for him.’

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