Shortly after ten, the car pulled up on the gravel outside, and Hugo went out to meet Liam. By now, the house was buzzing with staff, tradesmen, and deliveries, so it was vital to remain calm, give no cause for gossip or speculation.
Wordlessly, they went to the morning room.
‘Shhh,’ Hugo nodded in the direction of the sleeping Patrick.
‘What’s going on, Hugo?’ he asked as soon as Hugo shut the door and they were alone.
‘Liam, sit down for a moment.’ Hugo quickly relayed what Father Aquinas had said.
Liam was as shocked as Hugo had been when he first heard the news.
‘He couldn’t have, Hugo! I just can’t accept that Patrick…would do…’
‘Wouldn’t kill his own father?’ Patrick finished the sentence for him as he rubbed his weary face with his hands.
The three young men sat in the bright sunny room decorated in yellows and creams, warm from the bright winter sunlight outside and the log fire crackling in the grate, despite the freezing temperatures outside.
‘Well? Did you?’ It was Liam who asked.
‘I did.’ Patrick’s expression was unfathomable.
‘How?’ Hugo asked. Liam and Hugo sat at either end of a sofa in front of the fire, and Patrick perched on the edge of the sumptuous armchair opposite, his head in his hands.
‘He was in a pub. Well, he first came to Anna’s classroom window and looked in; it terrified her, and she said this fella was with him. I always thought he’d gone to England straight after...after he killed Mam, that’s why the guards couldn’t find him, but the way Anna described this fella, well then, I knew where he was. He used to go to this place, out the Mallow road, when he used to make me rob houses when I was small, four or five, and the fella Anna described, well it was his place. So then, I thought maybe, that’s where he was. I went out there, just to check it was still there. I swear I had no intention of doing anything else. It was years since I was there, and I didn’t want to send the guards on a wild goose chase. Anyway, I looked in the window, and he was laughing, like, laughing his stupid head off, and then I realised he was telling them how he’d killed my mam. Like it was a big joke…’ Patrick’s voice cracked with emotion. He took a deep breath and continued, ‘There was a load of auld tramps and fellas no better than him there, and they all thought it was great gas altogether. Then he came out to have a piss, there’s no toilet in that place, it’s a right kip, and he was absolutely paralytic drunk, staggering and swaying, and singing...and I just, I just laid into him, I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to, to be honest, I just… Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I…well I did it, and that’s all there is…’
Silence descended in the room as each of them was lost in his thoughts, trying to process what had happened.
‘So now what?’ Liam asked eventually.
‘Well, what are the options?’ said Hugo, trying to be practical. ‘Firstly, you could go to the guards, give yourself up and claim, I don’t know, that you were just…’ he fought to find the right words.
‘Just so mad, so filled with rage and hatred and violence that I beat up an old drunk and then throttled him with my bare hands?’ Patrick finished. ‘Because that’s what happened. There are no mitigating circumstances, apart from the fact that he murdered my mother, and I don’t regret it, so I won’t lie and say that I do.’ Hugo had never heard that steely edge in Patrick’s voice before, and it chilled him.
‘Well, we could tone down that line of chat anyway, Patrick. Have sense would you? At least express regret. You could say you’d been drinking.’ Liam was grasping at straws.
‘What, like him, you mean? No, Liam, I definitely won’t be saying that.’ Patrick was adamant.
‘Anyway, he was with your mother right before he went to find Joe Lynch so she’d have to lie and say he was drunk,’ Hugo reasoned.
‘Well, there’s no way she’d do that, anyway. Nor should she,’ Liam felt the need to add.
This really was a mess. What on earth were they going to do?
‘You could go to England, I suppose, but then what about the girls?’ Liam couldn’t believe he was suggesting it.
‘Either way, he’s going to be leaving them, a life on the run or a life behind bars.’ Hugo was trying to see a positive side but was failing miserably.
‘I am actually still here.’ Patrick half-smiled for the first time. ‘I’ll have to turn myself in. I can’t be on the run, sure they’d find me eventually, anyway, and at least this way…’
‘But what about Connie and Anna?’ Liam asked.
‘I know. They’re all I’ve been thinking about. Do you think your mother would look after them? I couldn’t have them being sent to an institution, and there’s nobody else. Mam would never forgive me. Oh Jesus, what have I done?’ Suddenly, he was shaking and sobbing, and his two friends looked on helplessly.
They sat with nothing to offer but companionship. They both knew he was right; there was nothing else but to turn himself in.
‘We’ll come with you,’ Liam said, though in what way that would be helpful, he had no idea. It might make the process a little easier on Patrick.
‘Will ye? But what about your vocation, like, I killed someone, Liam. Maybe, you’d be better off staying out of it.’ Patrick looked much younger than his twenty years.
‘You are my best friend and a good person. I’m still trying to let all this sink in, to be honest, but nothing will change that, Patrick, nothing. Do you understand? I’m going to stick by you through this, you’re not alone.’ Liam was adamant.
‘Me too, if you want me…’ Hugo began.
Patrick got up and walked over to where Hugo stood.
‘I’m sorry you thought I wouldn’t react well to your...news. Maybe, I wouldn’t have either, I don’t know, but in the light of recent events, I’m in no position to be judging anyone, am I? I just know I can’t face what’s to come without both of ye, so thanks.’
Liam looked enquiringly at Hugo.
‘I told him. He thought you would be too torn, he didn’t want to tell you, and I convinced him you’d be all right. You’ve got a track record of accepting friends in the habit of committing mortal sins.’ Hugo smiled ruefully.
‘God help me if I ever become a bishop, I’ll have to have ye excommunicated.’ Liam grinned. ‘Look, I’m not saying it’s not terrible, but let’s get some perspective here. Joe Lynch was a horrible bully, and now he’s dead. Patrick shouldn’t have killed him, that’s obvious, but nobody would be shedding any tears if he was hit by a bus now, would they? I know I’m training to be a priest and I must follow the commandments and everything, but I refuse to see the death of Joe Lynch as a tragedy for anyone, except Patrick. I wish I could turn the clock back, but for your sake, Patrick, not his. So I’m not conflicted, you shouldn’t have killed him, but he had it coming.’
‘It will be a tragedy for Connie and Anna when I get put in jail and they end up in an orphanage.’ The fate of his little sisters weighed heavier on Patrick than his own.
‘Patrick, we both know my mam, there’s no way on God’s green earth she’d stand by and let Connie and Anna go into care, you know that. Between us all, no matter what happens, we’ll look after them.’ Liam spoke with confidence.
‘But we’ve no family, Mam only had her sister Kit and she’s dead. The rest of them disowned her years ago for marrying him. I’ve no idea about any of the Lynches, not that I’d leave them with any of his family, anyway,’ Patrick replied.
‘You might not have blood family, but you’ve got us. And as Liam says, we’ll take care of the girls, whatever it takes. Money’s no problem, Liam says his mam…’—the three smiled at Hugo’s use of the word, so often they teased him about calling Lily, mother or mama when he was younger—‘will have the girls. When you go to court, and we hope you don’t, obviously, but it seems inevitable at this stage, I’ll make sure you have the best defence team money can buy. The girls will be
loved and cared for, you can rest assured of that,’ Hugo said. ‘So, are we going to Cork?’
Patrick sighed and nodded sadly. Liam put his hand on his friend’s shoulder.
‘Are you hungry?’ Hugo asked. ‘God knows what’s facing you, so you should eat something.’
‘Nah, let’s just go. I’m not hungry, anyway.’ Patrick spoke and Liam could hear the weariness. The past months had been so hard on him, dealing with the brutal murder of his mother, then trying to tend to the needs of two small girls in his grief, trying to be big brother, father, housekeeper, and everything they needed. He could understand how his friend just saw red when he heard Joe Lynch laughing, there but for the grace of God went anyone. Surely a court would see that and make allowances. Connie and Anna needed Patrick, they loved his mam, Liam knew that, but Patrick was their idol. He couldn’t begin to imagine the effect his removal from their lives would have.
Now, he thought, mentally steeling himself. The three friends were going to have to be practical and strong.
‘I wonder would they make a few sandwiches for the car? Hugo’s right, you do need to eat.’
Hugo was on the phone to his legal man in Dublin but nodded to Liam and indicated that he should ring the bell to summon Patterson. Liam felt silly doing it, but the kitchen was miles away and this was the fastest way. He rang and moments later the butler appeared. Hugo was still speaking to the solicitor and so Liam took over.
‘Ah, Mr Patterson, hello.’ He always felt awkward speaking to the servants at Greyrock as if he was pretending to be someone he wasn’t.
‘We’re going to Cork by car in a few minutes, and we won’t have time to eat, so I was wondering if there was a way that maybe you or the cook or…’ Liam hated this, but he ploughed on, ‘someone could make a few sandwiches or something here, and maybe a flask of tea for us to take with us?’
‘Certainly, sir,’ Patterson responded, casting a worried glance at Patrick, who was now staring out the window, his hands deep in his pockets, lost in thought. ‘I’ll ask the cook to do it right away, it will be in the car for you when you’re ready to leave. Do you think Master Hugo will need an overnight bag? If so, I’ll ask the valet to organise it.’
‘Er, maybe, I’m not sure, best have a bag though just in case.’ Liam hoped he was doing the right thing. Hugo was on another call now, and Liam didn’t want to interrupt him.
‘Fine, I’ll let him know.’ And Patterson withdrew.
Hugo finished the call, and he and Liam shared a glance that asked how on earth did they get into this. They tried to look cheerful for their friend’s sake.
‘Better get going, I suppose,’ Liam said, more to break into Patrick’s reverie than anything else.
Patrick turned, ‘Will they let me see Connie and Anna, do you think? Before…before they arrest me or charge me or whatever?’
Hugo answered as he replaced the receiver for the phone in its cradle. ‘Right, the first call was to my solicitor O’Kelly. He’s a good man, though criminal law isn’t his area.’ Even the use of the word ‘criminal’ to describe Patrick seemed ludicrous. ‘He said they will most likely take you into custody, but we can apply to the court for bail. You’ll be brought to the district court and then the judge will send it forward to the circuit court. You don’t need to say anything or make a plea or anything like that. O’Kelly says to say nothing until he gets there. He’s leaving Dublin on the next train. He’s going to meet us at the Garda station, and he’ll be with you so you’ll have someone on your side at least. As regards bail, they may or may not grant it, but he’s going to be with you when you go to the court. They’ll probably hear the bail application then, either that or tomorrow, he thinks. He’s working on getting someone to represent you, a barrister, he has someone in mind but apparently he lives in the South of France and only chooses a small number of cases each year. According to O’Kelly, this Geoffrey d’Alton is the best counsel there is, and maybe, that he’d be working for me, or my title or something, could be the thing that would swing it. Seems like a ridiculously snobbish attitude, but we’ll use whatever we’ve got. All O’Kelly has to do at the bail hearing is explain that you’re not a flight risk and that this was an exceptional instance of violence on your part, previously of good character and all that. That last call was my mother. I told her the story, I hope you don’t mind, but she’ll hear about it soon enough, anyhow. It was a long shot but she knows everyone, so when I mentioned the barrister’s name, believe it or not, she knows this d’Alton character and is going to use her considerable powers of persuasion on him, as well. She sends you both her love by the way.’
‘What are my chances of getting bail?’ Patrick asked.
Hugo smiled in what he hoped was an encouraging way. ‘Around fifty-fifty,’ he said.
In fact, O’Kelly had said bail was unlikely given the seriousness of the offense, but there was no point in making matters worse by telling Patrick that.
Chapter 21
Delivering Patrick to the Garda Station was the hardest thing Liam ever had to do. They were promptly dismissed by the desk sergeant once Patrick had been taken into custody. The solicitor was there when they arrived, but he explained to Hugo that the bail hearing wouldn’t be until the next day so he arranged to be in court for that. He was going to be with Patrick when he was interviewed later. There had been no further communication from this d’Alton so they were just praying he’d say yes. Hugo was confident that if anyone could convince him to take the case, it would be his mother. At least that was some chink of hope in an otherwise catastrophic day. Hugo’s solicitor spoke of him almost in whispers, like he was some kind of a legal demi-God. Apparently, he was Irish, though you wouldn’t know it to hear him speak, but he was renowned for his cases in the Old Bailey, the Palais de Justice in Paris, and even in America. When he was involved with a case, the press gathered and people clamoured to get into the public gallery to see him perform. It all seemed a bit surreal. Liam wondered at how much someone like that would cost and thanked God once again for Hugo. Left to their own devices, Patrick would have had to have someone appointed by the court to represent him, given that they couldn’t afford even a normal-priced legal team, let alone the wondrous Geoffrey d’Alton.
Out on the footpath outside the Garda station, Hugo lit up a cigarette and exhaled slowly. ‘Well, he’s the best money can buy, and that’s what Patrick’s getting. Apparently, according to my solicitor, the barrister is a snooty pompous ass but aside from that, he’s a legal genius.’
‘We’ll put up with him, whatever it takes. You’re very good, Hugo. He does appreciate it, I’m sure, we all do. Without you, and your money, well I just don’t know...’ Liam began.
‘Stop. I mean it. Just stop. I don’t want to hear another word about this. I love you two and your families like my own. In fact, you are my family, I only have my mother and you lot, so it’s what families do, isn’t it? Help each other when needed? I don’t want people thanking me like I’m some random stranger bestowing my great wealth on the population. Patrick is like a brother to me, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get him out of this.’ The strain of the day was showing and Hugo’s eyes were bright with tears.
Detective Inspector Donal McMullan crossed the road on his way into the station, presumably to interview the suspect. Liam recognised him as the man who broke the news to Patrick about his mother, and he remembered Patrick telling him of the detective’s kindness at that time. If he was involved in this case, that was a good omen. He stopped beside Hugo and Liam. They had a brief chat, and he asked how the girls were doing. He also explained that a social worker was being assigned to the case, given that the girls’ only next of kin was now in custody. The children should technically be taken into the care of the state. Liam explained that his mother wanted to look after them, and they would be much happier with her. The detective was understanding and said he’d try to make sure that case was put to the relevant authorities and there would
probably be a hearing to determine the best interests of the children. Liam was glad the detective seemed to be on Patrick’s side, even though he couldn’t say so in as many words.
‘They would be happy with my mam, they really would,’ Liam pleaded. The detective stood outside with them in the freezing cold air and accepted a cigarette from Hugo.
‘Sure, Liam, I know that. You can see how she is with them, I’ve seen it myself when I was keeping Patrick informed of the progress of the case to locate Joseph Lynch, and please God, the courts will see it that way too. Those poor little girls have put up with so much in their short lives, the best chance of having a normal childhood, or as normal as they can have, is with someone as kind and loving as your mother. I’ve had plenty of dealings with Joe Lynch over the years, a right nasty piece of work he was, too. You didn’t hear this from me, but that fella is no loss to the world. It’s just a pity Patrick had to be the one to do for him. God knows he got into plenty of scraps over the years with fellas over drink and money and all the rest of it. It’s just bad luck it wasn’t one of them gave him a clatter. Now, as regards the girls, I’ll do my best, Liam. I’m not promising anything, though; I’ve seen some mad things happen in court. It depends on who you get to be honest.’
‘I know you will, Inspector. We really appreciate your help, and I know Patrick does too.’ Liam smiled.
‘If he’d only sent us up there rather than taking it on himself, now I better get on,’ he said, stubbing out his cigarette and turning back into the station.
Hugo checked into a hotel in the city. He was exhausted, having been up most of the previous night. He could have stayed at Liam’s house, he knew, but he needed access to a telephone to try to get this d’Alton.
Jean Grainger Box Set: So Much Owed, Shadow of a Century, Under Heaven's Shining Stars Page 97
