Page 157 of The Last Love Song
‘Yes.’
‘I’m sorry to inform you that there has been a serious incident at your business premises.’
‘Oh, God. Who? What? Is anybody hurt?’
‘I’m not at liberty to disclose those details at present. Would you accompany me to the station, madam?’
‘Of course, but...’
Helen had been driven in the back of the car to Paddington police station, her mind spinning. A young constable had taken down her statement, which consisted of a description of her movements between five and seven p.m. That was when the ‘incident’ was alleged to have taken place.
‘Thank you, madam,’ said the constable.
‘For God’s sake, can’t someone tell me what the hell has happened?’
‘The detective is busy at the moment, but he’ll be with you shortly to explain.’
‘Can I make a telephone call?’
‘Not at present.’
Helen was left stewing for over half an hour before a familiar face came into the room.
He looked weary. He’d aged in the past few years.
‘Miss McCarthy, I believe we’ve met before.’
‘Yes – although I’m afraid I can’t remember your name.’
‘Detective Inspector Garratt. We talked about the murder of your friend Tony Bryant about three or four years ago.’
That was it. ‘Yes. Please, Inspector Garratt, can you tell me what is going on?’
The inspector sat down and rubbed the stubble on his chin. He eyed her. ‘You really don’t know?’
‘Of course not! Tell me, please.’
‘Oh, Miss McCarthy, it seems you have a propensity for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. At approximately six thirty this evening, an unknown gunman shot at Con Daly and his wife Sorcha in recording suite one in the basement of Metropolitan Records.’
Helen stared at Garratt. ‘No, I...Are they—’
‘Mr Daly was not badly injured, but I’m afraid Mrs Daly’s condition is critical. She’s in intensive care at Charing Cross Hospital. The prognosis isn’t good.’
‘I...I must go to the hospital now!’ Helen made to stand up but the inspector waved her down.
‘All in good time.’
‘They went after him, tried to kill him like they said they would.’ Helen bit her lip.
‘Who tried to kill him?’
‘Surely you know Con Daly has been receiving death threats for some time? That he has a police protection squad with him night and day?’
‘Yes, I do know that, but having had a brief word with Mr Daly earlier, we think it was someone he, and certainly his wife, knew. Apparently, Mr Daly heard his wife say “hello” just before they started firing. That rather rules out a hit man from any political terrorist group, wouldn’t you say?’
‘Yes...I suppose so...I...’ Helen put a hand to her throbbing temple. ‘I...I’m sorry. This has all been a terrible shock.’
‘Of course. Miss McCarthy, the night security guard says he saw you come up from the basement at about ten past six.’
