by Val Collins
FORTY-TWO
The following morning Aoife got a text from Detective Moloney. ‘I promised to keep you informed on the investigation, so I’m letting you know that I will be visiting your mother-in-law this morning.’
What should she do? When she thought of that scumbag sitting in her kitchen, pretending to be friendly, when all the time he’d just wanted to question Amy, it made her want to smash something. But who knew what disaster he was about to spring on Maura now? She couldn’t let Maura face him alone.
*
Maura answered the door.
Aoife was sitting at the kitchen table waiting for them. The detective nodded at her. Aoife looked away.
When Maura was seated the detective said, ‘The re-enactment of your husband’s disappearance was replayed on TV on Monday night. Shortly afterwards a message was left on our Confidential Line. A man claimed he saw your husband talking to Eimear O’Leary.’
‘Oh no!’ Maura covered her mouth with her hand.
Aoife was determined to avoid any interaction with the detective. She turned to Maura. ‘Who?’
‘Another of the missing girls we assumed Buckley murdered,’ Moaney answered.
Aoife glared at him, but he didn’t appear to notice.
‘Mrs Walsh, I must stress that this information came from an anonymous caller. We can’t corroborate anything, but for the moment, we’re working on the assumption that the information is correct.’
Aoife expected another explosion, but all Maura said was ‘Why?’
‘The caller gave a lot of details. He described how both parties were dressed—’
‘He could have got that from TV.’
‘Correct. He said they registered with him because they seemed so mismatched. Your husband wore a business suit. The girl was very casually dressed and the ends of her hair were dyed pink. At one stage your husband put his arm around Eimear. The caller said he wondered about their relationship as your husband seemed too old to be Eimear’s boyfriend but too young to be her father. When news of Eimear’s disappearance made the papers, he recognised her immediately.’
Aoife couldn’t help herself. ‘Why did he wait until now to say anything?’
The detective’s expression, when he turned to her, was unreadable. ‘The caller said he phoned the police. Someone took a message but nobody followed up on it. When he read in the newspaper that Eimear had been seen several times later that day, he assumed the police believed the incident he witnessed was unimportant.’
Maura stood. ‘Thank you for telling me, Detective. I agree with the first investigation team. If the anonymous caller is telling the truth, which I doubt, then the missing girl was seen several times after she spoke to my husband. Clearly my husband had no involvement in her disappearance.’
Detective Moloney followed her to the door. ‘One thing I should remind you is that we never found any connection between Eimear and Buckley. Now we have a link between your husband and a second of the missing girls.’
‘Excuse me, Detective, you have no such thing. An anonymous phone call is not evidence.’
‘You are correct, but I didn’t say evidence, Mrs Walsh, I said we had a link. Your husband has been linked to a second of the missing girls by a member of the public. Unless you or a member of your family have been telling people that we are concerned there may be a connection between the cases, the odds of a stranger linking them must be astronomical.’
*
Maura showed Moaney to the door. When she came back to the kitchen, she looked at Aoife. Neither said anything. Maura sat down and buried her head in her hands.
‘Whoever the anonymous caller is, he’s lying,’ Aoife said.
‘The detective is right. How could a stranger know the police had connected Danny and Buckley?’
‘He wouldn’t have to know. He’s just some lunatic causing trouble. He’s seen Danny’s name in the paper. He knows Eimear went missing around that time. If he was telling the truth, why didn’t he leave his contact details? Or even give his name?’
‘Maybe he can’t afford to get involved with the police. He might be a criminal.’
‘Then why did he contact the police fifteen years ago? Forget about him, Maura. He’s a crank. Nothing more.’
FORTY-THREE
‘I tell you, Orla. I’ve had my fill of detectives. They are the most unscrupulous, self-satisfied, obnoxious, two-faced scum I’ve ever come across.’
Orla perched on the edge of Aoife’s desk.
‘Don’t I know. Remember the guy who’s investigating Tadhg’s murder? He’s practically stalking me. Four times yesterday he phoned me and he didn’t have a single piece of relevant information.’
‘Well, I could see that coming.’
‘Me too, but I hoped he’d find Tadhg’s murderer first. I don’t think he’s even trying.’
‘What are you going to do?’
‘Cian came up with a great idea. He said someone must have seen Tadhg’s body being dumped in that alley. The only people who hang around there at night are drug addicts, and it’s hardly surprising they didn’t admit seeing anything. But what’s the most important thing to addicts?’
‘Drugs?’
‘Money. Cian’s going to offer a one-thousand-euro award for information leading to the arrest of Tadhg’s murderer. That will be far more effective than anything that useless detective could do.’
*
Two days later Aoife was woken at 7 a.m. by a text from Maura. That detective phoned. He says he wants to speak to me again today. Can you come around?
Twice in one week! Surely that had to be police harassment? At the very least it was bullying. Aoife was quite looking forward to seeing Detective Moloney again. It was time somebody stood up to him for a change.
*
Detective Moloney got straight to the point.
‘What is your connection to Angela Power?’
Maura shook her head. ‘I don’t know anybody by that name.’
The detective produced a photo of a girl in her twenties wearing a light pink suit with enormous shoulder pads.
Maura examined it carefully. ‘When was this photo taken, Detective?’
‘Twenty-five years ago.’
‘It doesn’t ring any bells. I know she’s not one of the missing girls because I’ve been reading up on them. Who is she?’
‘We believe she’s the person who posted you the envelope of cash.’
‘Really? Why would she send me money?’
‘We haven’t been able to interview her. She’s on holiday in Australia. Apparently, her son lives there and he organised a family reunion. They’re all touring the country and aren’t expected back for another five weeks.’
‘How do you know she was the person who sent the money?’
‘The English authorities managed to trace the post office from which the envelope was posted. We know the date it was sent, so we went through the CCTV footage for the entire day. All the evidence points to Angela Power being the person we’re looking for.’
Maura examined the photo again. ‘I don’t know her. Is she Irish?’
‘She was born in Ireland. She emigrated to England in her twenties. Are you sure you’ve never seen her before? Did you know her before she emigrated?’
‘I certainly didn’t know her well, and I don’t remember the face. Did she live locally?’
‘Tell me, Mrs Walsh, how would you describe your relationship with your mother-in-law?’
Maura blinked. ‘My mother-in-law? We’ve had practically no contact since my husband disappeared. She believed Danny walked out because I cheated on him. I didn’t, of course,’ she added hastily, ‘but Bridget believed that was the only possible explanation for Danny deserting his family.’
‘How did she react to your wedding? You were pregnant at the time, isn’t that correct?’
Maura stiffened. ‘That is correct, Detective.’
‘And, as I understand it, unmarried mothers weren’t too popu
lar back then. Families frowned on that kind of thing, correct?’
Maura nodded.
‘Did your own family come to your wedding?’
‘No, they did not. What has this to do with anything?’
The detective continued as if she hadn’t spoken. ‘Did your husband’s family attend the wedding?’
‘Yes.’
‘Was it a large wedding?’
Maura sighed. ‘No.’
‘So it’s safe to say the only people who attended were close family and friends. There were no distant relatives or people you barely knew.’
‘No.’
The detective withdrew another photo from the folder. ‘Do you recognise this photo?’
Maura gasped. Aoife leaned over her shoulder to get a good look. The first photo had been cropped. In this photo, Angela was part of a small group. There were six people in total, all in their teens and twenties. In the centre were Maura and Danny. It was their wedding photo.
FORTY-FOUR
Maura’s voice shook as she stared at the photo. ‘She wasn’t a friend of mine.’
‘Was she a friend of your husband?’
‘I don’t know. I don’t remember ever meeting her.’
‘But she was at your wedding, and you just said only close family and friends attended your wedding.’
‘Where did you get this photo?’
‘Your mother-in-law gave it to us.’
Maura held the photo to the light. ‘Is it genuine? Could Angela Power have been Photoshopped into the picture?’
The detective raised his eyebrows. ‘It’s genuine. We had it checked. Let me ask you again, Mrs Walsh. What is your connection to Angela Power?’
‘I don’t know her. I don’t ever remember seeing her before.’
‘We’ve already agreed that only close friends and family were at your wedding. Was Angela Power a close friend of your husband?’
‘Maybe she was and I don’t remember. Maybe she’s a distant relative or a friend of my mother-in-law.’
‘But you just said your mother-in-law didn’t invite people to your wedding. She wasn’t of the generation that would want her family and friends witnessing her visibly pregnant daughter-in-law getting married.’
Aoife stood up. She folded her arms and glared at the detective. Who the hell did he think he was? She made a conscious effort to keep her tone as frosty as possible. ‘What exactly are you implying, Detective?’
Again, she was unable to read his expression.
‘I’m not implying anything. I am saying that we believe this woman, Angela Power, posted your mother-in-law an envelope full of cash. I am asking your mother-in-law what her connection is with this woman.’
‘And she has told you there is none.’
‘Correct. And I asked why a woman your mother-in-law has never seen would attend a small family wedding.’
As Aoife moved closer, the detective rose to his feet. Damn him! He was trying to intimidate her. ‘And my mother-in-law has told you she doesn’t know that either.’
‘Correct.’ He turned to Maura. ‘Perhaps you would like to give a little thought to your relationship with Angela Power. When you remember the connection, Mrs Walsh, you can contact me at the station.’
*
‘Don’t you remember her at all, Maura?’
Maura shook her head. ‘I suppose someone must have introduced us if she was in the wedding picture. It was twenty-five years ago, Aoife. And let me tell you, that was not the most relaxing day of my life. What with Bridget glaring at me and pulling the younger kids away if they even tried to talk to me. I swear, she all but hung a “Whore of Babylon” sign on my back.’ Maura picked up the picture the detective had left behind and examined it for the hundredth time. ‘One thing I’m certain of. Angela Power was never a friend of mine.’
‘Bridget will know who she is.’
Maura groaned. ‘Oh hell! Did she specifically pick out that photo to give to the detective or was she asked to provide family photos and that just happened to be one of them? Either way, the police have obviously spoken to her. There isn’t anything that woman wouldn’t say to get me charged with murdering her Danny.’
‘She might hate you, Maura, but she wouldn’t lie to the police.’
Maura snorted. ‘You don’t even know her. You have no idea what she’s capable of.’
‘Do you really believe she would frame you?’
Maura stood up. ‘Maybe not, but she’d definitely put the most unpleasant slant on everything. I need to lie down, Aoife. Can you let yourself out?’
*
Aoife’s heart thumped as she knocked on Bridget’s door. She really didn’t want to do this. What if Bridget refused to speak to her? Aoife felt her resolve strengthen. She would not stand by while Amy’s grandmother was arrested. If Bridget wouldn’t let her inside, they’d have their conversation on the doorstep. If necessary, she’d shout through the letter box. Bridget struck her as the kind of person who wouldn’t want the neighbours knowing her business. Aoife was about to knock a second time when she heard feet shuffling down the corridor. Bridget peeked through the spyhole, then opened the door.
‘Mrs Walsh, hi, do you remember me?’
‘My brain still functions, thank you.’
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you. Can we speak?’
The old woman held open the door and led the way to the sitting room. She sat down in her armchair, pointed to the couch and sat in stony silence.
‘I’m sorry to bother you,’ Aoife began. ‘I need your help.’
‘You mean “that one” needs my help.’
‘Bridget, I know you don’t like Maura. I know you think she had something to do with Danny’s death. But what harm can come of investigating Danny’s murder properly? If Maura’s guilty, the police will handle it.’
Bridget snorted.
‘But if she’s not guilty, do you really want the police arresting her? Think what that would do to Danny’s sons. Would Danny have wanted you to help the police convict Maura of a crime she had no involvement in?’
This time Bridget’s snort held less conviction. ‘What do you want from me?’
Aoife withdrew the wedding photo from her bag. ‘Do you know this woman?’
Bridget frowned. ‘Why is everyone so interested in Angela Power all of a sudden?’
‘How do you know her?’
‘I don’t.’
‘You knew her name.’
‘The police told me. They wanted to know why she was at Danny’s wedding.’
‘What did you tell them?’
‘I’ve always tried to forget that dreadful day. But when Danny disappeared, I went looking for every photo of him that I could find. These were in an envelope at the back of a desk.’ She pointed at the group photo. ‘My husband must have taken that one. I was very careful not to take any showing ‘that one’s’ big stomach.’
‘How did Angela Power end up in the photo?’
‘The detective asked me the same question. You tell me the truth, girl. Why is everyone asking me that?’
‘The police think Angela Power sent Maura some money.’
‘When?’
‘Maybe every month since Danny died. The police are convinced she sent the final envelope at least. Angela’s touring Australia at the moment, so they haven’t been able to interview her. They want to know why someone Maura doesn’t remember would send her money.’
Bridget smiled. ‘So now it’s all coming out.’ She eased herself from the armchair and left the room without a word. Aoife could hear her in the kitchen. A few minutes later she returned with a tray and two cups of tea. ‘Help yourself to milk and sugar.’ She sipped her own tea, then put down the mug. ‘That slut turned up here not long after Danny left. She waved an envelope of cash in my face. She said Danny had sent her money, that all this time she’d been worried sick about him and obviously he was perfectly fine. She insisted he must be in contact with me and demanded I tell her
where he was.’ Bridget nodded grimly. ‘I knew immediately the money wasn’t from my Danny. The police might have believed he was involved in the bank robbery, but I knew that was nonsense. I didn’t raise any thieves. Now the thing we need to find out is why Angela Power sent money to that slut. Once we know that, we’ll have the full story.’
‘Could one of your kids have invited Angela?’
‘When the detective asked me, I phoned the boys but they all said they had no idea who she was.’
‘Did you check with Elaine?’
‘Elaine was nine at the time. She wasn’t issuing wedding invitations to anyone.’
‘Maybe Jack invited her?’
‘Jack was working in Africa back then. I put off telling him about the wedding as long as possible. The less people who knew about our disgrace the better. Jack didn’t find out about it until he came home on holidays.’ She pointed a finger at Aoife. ‘I’ll tell you the same thing I told that detective. The only person who could have invited Angela Power was the slut.’
‘Bridget, I really wish you wouldn’t speak about Maura like that. She was just a kid when she got pregnant. That doesn’t make her evil.’
‘Oh, she’s pulled the wool over your eyes alright. She was always good at that. She’s done the same to Jack. You’re both too innocent to see what she’s really like.’
Aoife smiled. ‘I doubt Jack’s innocent.’
‘He knows the world, there’s no doubting that. He spent his life amongst the desperately poor and needy, but he’s not clever about people. If he was, he’d know “that one” was no good. I knew it the minute I met her.’ She sniffed. ‘I didn’t even have to meet her. I knew it when Danny told me about their fight. Did “that one” tell you about their fight?’
‘Maura said she and Danny weren’t speaking by the time she discovered she was pregnant. She didn’t say why.’
‘She wouldn’t, would she? Well, I’ll tell you why. She saw Danny with another girl. They were only talking, but “that one” had a fit. She told my Danny that if he ever contacted her again, she’d have him arrested for statutory rape. Statutory rape! She was three weeks short of her sixteenth birthday when they—were intimate, and there was only eighteen months between them. Statutory rape is meant to protect girls from adults, not other kids.’ She shook her head. ‘I knew then what kind of a slut she was. Of course Danny was beside himself, but I was glad. After a threat like that I knew Danny would never contact the whore again. If only she hadn’t got pregnant, she’d have been out of our lives forever.’
