by Sue Fortin
‘God, I’m so sorry,’ said Kerry. It was a totally inadequate thing to say, he knew. He could barely believe it. ‘Where’s Molly now?’
‘She’s with a friend of Fiona’s,’ said Sean. ‘Her daughter and Molly go to nursery together, so she’s looking after her.’
‘That’s not all,’ said Fiona. ‘You’d better tell him about Erin.’
‘That’s what I came over for,’ said Kerry. ‘Where is she? She didn’t open up the café this morning.’
Sean looked at Kerry for a moment. Again, something about his look told Kerry he wasn’t going to like what he was about to hear.
‘She’s down at the station,’ said Sean.
‘Helping look for Sophie?’ said Kerry, although in his heart he knew that wasn’t the reason. Sean shifted position, searching for the right words. ‘Come on, Sean, tell me.’
‘Erin handed herself in at the station this morning. She’s confessed to pushing Roisin into the water the other night down at The Spit,’ said Sean. ‘They are probably going to be charging her with murder.’
‘Ah, Jesus! That is bullshit,’ said Kerry. He flung his arm in the air and paced over to the window. ‘Erin, arrested? Charged with Roisin’s murder? We don’t even know if Roisin is dead yet. No one’s found a body.’
‘Erin came to the station first thing this morning and made a confession,’ said Sean. ‘I don’t know the details. I’ve been taken off the case. Anyway, what with Sophie going missing, I can’t be there.’
‘How can you have a murder without a body?’ said Kerry.
‘It can happen,’ said Sean. ‘Especially, if someone is admitting to it.’
‘Erin is no more responsible for Roisin going missing than…’ he searched for an example, ‘than…Bex or Joe. Sure, you’ve got that wrong.’
‘I don’t believe it either,’ said Fiona.
‘Will you please sit down, Kerry, and stop with your pacing,’ said Sean
‘I thought she said she went to meet Roisin, but Roisin never showed up,’ said Kerry. He paced the room some more.
‘She’s changed her story,’ said Sean. ‘Said her conscience wouldn’t let her lie. Apparently, Roisin did show up. They had a row and Erin pushed Roisin into the water. For God’s sake, Kerry, sit down, will you? I can’t cope with your pacing.’
‘Like I said, bullshit,’ said Kerry as he slumped down onto the sofa. What a fucking mess. He ran the chain of events through his mind. What had possessed her to confess to murdering Roisin? As he mulled over the last few weeks, he began to find some clarity of thought.
‘She’s protecting someone,’ said Kerry, sitting up and resting his forearms on his knees. ‘You do know that, don’t you?’ Sean wouldn’t meet his gaze, but instead looked down at his shoes. ‘She’s trying to protect the child.’
Fiona reached over to Sean, squeezing his arm. ‘He knows,’ she said. ‘Kerry knows about the baby. Erin told him.’
Sean’s body tensed and Kerry could hear him taking a deep, controlled breath. ‘We were fools to think this would work,’ Sean said eventually. ‘I should never have let you and your sister go through with such a hair-brained idea.’
‘It’s a bit late for that now,’ said Kerry, unable to stop himself. ‘What’s done is done.’
‘Roisin had somehow found out,’ said Fiona to her husband. ‘She was threatening to tell everyone. She told Erin she had proof.’
‘What? And you never thought to tell me?’ Sean’s mild manner broke. Kerry wasn’t sure he had ever seen Sean cross. Usually his giant stature and soft country voice was enough to calm a situation. He didn’t need to resort to shouting and force to get folk to see his way. Today was different. ‘Why, in God’s name, did you not tell me this before?’
‘I’ve not long found out myself,’ said Fiona. ‘I didn’t want to worry you. We seemed to have it under control.’
‘We? We had it under control?’ said Sean. ‘Who is we?’ He turned to Kerry. ‘Are you involved in all this?’
Kerry held up his hands. ‘Nothing to do with me,’ he said. ‘Erin never said anything to me.’
‘What crazy plan did you and your sister come up with this time?’ demanded Sean.
‘We were going to call her bluff,’ said Fiona. ‘I don’t believe she had any real evidence or proof. It was all hearsay and her imagination.’
‘She must have got the idea from somewhere.’ Sean was clearly keeping his temper well in check. He let out another sigh. ‘Is that all you had planned?’ he said. ‘Tell me the truth, Fiona, because the shit is really going to hit the fan otherwise.’
‘Yes. We were going to see what Roisin would do next,’ said Fiona. ‘Once we knew if she really had any proof, we were going to decide then.’
‘So, it’s quite plausible that Erin did meet Roisin and something did happen that night? Intentionally or not. Maybe, just maybe, Erin did push Roisin into the water.’
‘No, that’s impossible,’ said Fiona. ‘She wouldn’t have. I just know it.’
‘But you said yourself, she left the hospital early. Alone,’ said Sean. ‘She had the opportunity and the motive.’
Kerry ran his hands down his face. This wasn’t looking good for Erin at all.
He trawled back over the other night. There must be some way to prove she wasn’t telling the truth.
‘She’s protecting someone, I know it,’ said Kerry. He looked up at Fiona. Her face had gone a deathly white. Kerry exchanged a look with Sean. Slowly, the pieces were falling into place for Kerry. ‘Who would she lie for?’ he said looking at the Keanes. ‘Erin would put herself on the line for her family. So either you, Fiona, or…your mother.’
A silence hung between them as the implication of Kerry’s words settled. Fiona shook her head. ‘I can’t cope with all this. It’s all too much. Why is this happening to us?’ She began to sob heavily now.
No one seemed to know what to say to that. Kerry tried to keep his head clear as he thought about everything that had happened. ‘It’s possible to prove Erin didn’t do it,’ said Kerry, getting to his feet. ‘She was out with Ed that night. And I’ll get him to back it up.’
‘Kerry, please. Don’t.’ It was Fiona. ‘If you do that, then they’ll arrest Mum. That’s the last thing Erin would want.’
‘Fiona, what do you mean?’ said Sean. His voice was soft but fearful.
‘I don’t know exactly what’s happened. Neither Mum nor Erin would tell me, but they were talking in whispers at the hospital. I had gone out to the toilet. As I got nearer to the ward, I could see through the glass that Mum and Erin were not exactly having an argument, but they were talking and I could see the tension between them.’
‘And you don’t know what they were saying?’ coaxed Kerry, tamping down his impatience.
‘No. They stopped talking as soon as I came in. Erin was really glaring at Mum and Mum was totally ignoring her. I asked if everything was all right. Erin said nothing, but continued glaring and Mum was, like, “Sure, everything’s grand.” I was going to ask Erin later but she went off.’
‘Did you not ask your mother on the way home?’ said Kerry.
‘I tried, but she brushed it off. She said Erin was just being Erin and getting stressed about the whole situation.’
‘And that’s it?’
Fiona rubbed her thumb over her wedding ring. ‘Mum said that I wasn’t to worry about anything. That she had everything under control. She was there to take the burden from us.’
‘The burden?’ said Kerry.
‘Ah, sure, she’s always saying things like that,’ said Sean. ‘Sometimes, I think she’s speaking in code.’
‘That’s just it,’ said Fiona. ‘I actually think she was trying to tell me something.’
‘Like what?’ said Sean.
‘It was as if she knew what was going on with Roisin, as if she knew Erin kept the baby.’
‘Ah, go away,’ said Sean, waving his hand dismissively. ‘There’s no way your mother could
know and if she had, she would have said something about it. No, you’re over-reacting.’
Kerry let the possibility play out in his mind. ‘Sean, what timeline do you have for Roisin’s disappearance? When was she last seen?’
‘Kerry, I can’t tell you that, it’s part of an ongoing investigation.’
‘An investigation that you’re no longer part of…’ Kerry let the thought dangle there before adding, ‘This could help save Erin.’
Sean sighed. ‘Fine, we have an eyewitness account that states they saw Roisin heading to The Spit at around eight-thirty.’
‘You got a taxi back with your mum that night, right? What time did the taxi drop your mum off at the flat?’ asked Kerry.
‘Erm…about quarter past eight, I suppose,’ said Fiona.
‘And you saw her go in? Actually into the flat?’
‘Well, no. The taxi stopped in the main road, between your bike shop and the back of the café.’
Kerry pushed on. ‘You went straight home after that?’
‘I got the taxi to drop me off at the shop. There were a few bits I had forgotten to get. I bumped into a friend. It was nice to have someone to talk to. It’s all been a bit overwhelming with Dad,’ said Fiona. ‘I got in just after nine-thirty. I know that for a fact as Erin phoned me on my mobile and Sean’s already had me check.’
‘Wait a minute, Kerry,’ said Sean, sitting up. ‘I not sure I like where you’re going with this.’
‘I’m trying to establish who had the opportunity to meet Roisin,’ said Kerry. ‘So, Fiona, you dropped your mum off but you don’t know for certain she went straight home.’
‘What about yourself?’ said Sean. ‘You’ve admitted to going to The Spit to meet Roisin. You had the opportunity too. How do we know you’re not lying?’
Kerry shrugged. ‘You don’t. But I do.’ The Guard looked away. Kerry continued. ‘So, Marie had the opportunity, Erin had the opportunity, Fiona had the opportunity and, technically, so did I.’
There was an uneasy silence in the room as Kerry waited for Sean and Fiona to take in what he had said.
‘The fact remains, though,’ said Sean. ‘Erin is admitting to it.’
‘But Ed might be able to give her an alibi,’ said Kerry. ‘If Roisin was seen at The Spit at about eight-thirty, Erin was probably still with Ed then.’
‘That leaves me, Mum and you still in the frame,’ said Fiona. ‘I swear to God, I never laid a finger on that girl. I won’t pretend I haven’t fantasised about her coming to a sticky end but I’ve never done anything.’
‘I’m sure the taxi, the shop and your friend can all vouch for you being there at those times. You’re in the clear,’ said Kerry. ‘Which leaves myself and your mum. Who has the most to lose? Or should I say, who has the most to gain from Roisin disappearing?’
Fiona rose to her feet, clasping her hands behind her neck, she walked over to the window.
‘I don’t know what to say,’ she said. ‘Whatever way, it’s not looking good for one of them.’
Sean went and stood beside his wife, placing an arm around her shoulder. ‘You can’t stop the truth from coming out,’ he said. ‘If Ed can give Erin an alibi, then we can’t ignore it. Whatever the consequences.’
Fiona turned and buried her face in her husband’s shirt. ‘I don’t give a damn about anything. If the truth comes out, I really don’t care. All I care about is getting Sophie back safe and well.’
‘That’s all anyone cares about,’ said Sean. ‘We just want her back safe. We all do.’
‘Does Erin know that Sophie’s missing?’ said Kerry.
Sean shook his head. ‘Not yet. They’re going to tell her as soon as they’ve finished interviewing her about Roisin.’
‘I need to get hold of Ed,’ said Kerry. ‘Have you got his phone number?’
‘No, but you can get him on the health spa’s number from their website,’ said Fiona. She wiped her face with a tissue Sean had plucked from the box on the side and set about searching for Hamilton Health and Beauty Spa on her laptop. After a few minutes she found the number and Kerry immediately made the call.
‘Ed Hamilton, please,’ said Kerry.
‘I’m afraid he’s in a meeting at the moment. Can I get him to call you?’
‘No. I’ll hold.’
‘But, I’m not sure how long he will be.’
‘I’ll still hold,’ said Kerry. He wasn’t going to be deterred that easily. ‘You could try slipping a note under his nose with my name on it. Tell him it concerns a mutual friend and it’s urgent. It may be that he finishes his meeting quicker.’
He gave the receptionist his name and waited patiently, listening to the piped music that played down the phone line. Some classical piece. He had no idea what it was and didn’t care. Speaking to Ed was paramount.
Kerry only had to wait a couple of minutes before the receptionist came back on the line.
‘Mr Hamilton will speak to you. I’ll put you through,’ she said.
Kerry heard the sound of the line clicking and then Ed’s voice.
‘Kerry. Now you’re the last person I expected to hear from. What’s up? My secretary said it was urgent and I’m guessing the mutual friend is Erin.’
‘Hello, Ed,’ said Kerry. ‘I’ll get straight to the point. Erin’s in a bit of bother with the Guards, you know, the Gardai, the local police.’
‘Really? That doesn’t sound like Erin at all.’
‘Long story, but the fact of the matter is, she needs you to confirm to the Guards that you were with her the other night, here in Ireland.’
‘Why does she need me to say that? What’s she got herself into?’ There was a certain compassion lacking in Ed’s voice.
‘A local girl has gone missing and the Guards think Erin had something to do with it. Erin couldn’t have because she was with you.’ Kerry kept a check on his growing impatience. ‘Now, will you get in touch with the Guards and say so?’
‘Why are you ringing me and not Erin? Where exactly is she?’
‘Jesus, you ask a lot of questions,’ said Kerry with a sigh. ‘She’s at the local station being questioned. They haven’t charged her with anything yet and you could make her life a whole lot easier by making a statement saying she was with you.’
‘I don’t owe Erin anything,’ said Ed, his voice terse. ‘In fact, she owes me. Did she ever tell you how I looked after her? Gave her a job. Educated her. Gave her access to so many things: people and contacts she would never have had the chance to meet in normal circumstances. No, I don’t suppose she did. Trouble with Erin, she doesn’t know when she’s onto a good thing. You can take the girl out of Ireland and all that…’
Christ, Kerry wanted to give the pompous Englishman a slap. He was glad the Irish Sea separated them both at the moment.
‘This isn’t really a great time to be pointing the finger. Erin needs your help. Seriously needs your help. Can you do this one last thing for her?’
‘What happens if I refuse to help?’
‘Erin is charged for murder. Something she didn’t do.’
‘That sounds very dramatic.’ There was a scoffing tone to Ed’s voice.
‘As I said, it’s serious.’ Kerry shook his head at Sean and Fiona who were perched side by side on the sofa. Sean gave a quizzical look and mumbled something to Fiona. He then got up and went over to the desk and scribbled something on a piece of paper, before giving it to Kerry.
Ed was droning on about how busy he was and didn’t know when he would find the time. ‘I run my own business,’ he continued. ‘It’s not like I can jump on a plane at the drop of a hat…’
‘No one’s asking you to hop on a plane. Just phone them,’ said Kerry. He gave a quick glance at the paper. ‘You could be charged with withholding evidence. Perverting the course of justice – if you refuse to help.’
‘I’ll speak to my lawyer before I decide on anything,’ said Ed. ‘He’ll be in touch soon.’ With that he hung up.
‘Any luck?’ said Sean.
‘He’ll do it,’ said Kerry. ‘He’s just being an arsehole about it, that’s all.’
Chapter 36
A night in the cells at the Guards’ station isn’t as bad as I imagined it would be. I stretch my arms and roll my head from side to side, sitting up straight to relieve the ache in my lower back. The pillow is wafer-thin, to match the slither of mattress, but then I assume they didn’t try to make you feel comfortable. I wonder how long I’ll get for murder. Maybe if I get a good solicitor I can get the sentence reduced to manslaughter.
Being here in the cell doesn’t seem like real life and I’m having a hard time making the connection. I feel removed from what is happening. My emotions are numb. Is this what it’s like when someone is in denial? Is this the mind’s way of protecting itself? I know at some point it’s going to feel real, but while my mind can shield me with this lack of conscious connection, I won’t fight it.
The cell is cold and I pull the grey woollen blanket around me, ignoring the scratchy fibres and the musty smell, which has transferred from the fabric onto strands of my hair and wraps itself around me like a new skin.
I hear the sound of keys in the lock and the cell door opens.
‘Breakfast,’ says a female Guard. She passes me the metal tray and then retreats without saying another word, locking the door behind her.
I look at the two slices of toast and mug of what I assume is tea. It’s hard to tell without tasting and I have no intention of doing that. I put the tray to one side.
I wonder what Kerry’s doing? By now, he’s probably discovered the café isn’t open. I hadn’t said anything to him. He would only try to talk me out of it. And as for telling Fiona, absolutely not. It would put her in an untenable position. No, Fiona would find out soon enough. Someone from the station would be on the phone to Sean, without a doubt. It’s better this way.
I lie back down on the mattress, confident I have all bases covered.
I allow myself to zone out. I’m not asleep, yet I’m not fully conscious, refusing to sit and feel sorry for myself for fear I may lose my nerve.
