by Val Collins
‘The bank manager said if we plan to have other kids, our income will drop when you’re on maternity leave, so we should put as much money away as possible while we can. He gave me the papers to set up the account and the direct debit form. Can you sign them now? I’ll take them to the bank tomorrow.’
‘I’ll look at them later. I can drop them back to the bank during my lunch hour.’
‘I have an appointment with the bank manager at nine-thirty tomorrow, so I need them today. You do want us to set up the account, don’t you?’
‘Yes, of course. It’s just more than I expected we’d have to save.’
‘Me too, but you were right. We need to start saving now. Sign there,’ he said, placing the forms in front of her. ‘Oh, I forgot, someone called Irene rang earlier.’
Aoife tensed. ‘Did she leave a message?’
‘She said to ring her when you have a chance. Who is she?’
‘Just work. I’ll phone her later.’
‘No, Aoife. This is your time with me. Work can wait until you’re in the office.’
Aoife signed the forms hurriedly. ‘You’re right, honey. Work shouldn’t interfere with family time. What would you like for dinner?’
‘Chicken cacciatore.’
‘We’re out of tomatoes. I can go to the shops or I can make curry.’
‘You know I hate curry. I’ll go. Do we need anything else?’
‘We could do with milk.’
The minute she heard the car engine, Aoife dived for her mobile. ‘Irene, what’s wrong?’
‘You were right. Delia was seeing a man.’
*
‘Who was it?’
‘I don’t know. When I told the police Delia didn’t work late during the week, they said they had checked her credit card transactions. Every Friday she booked into the Excelsior Hotel around six p.m. and checked out at noon on Saturday, but twice each week she checked into different hotels, stayed a few hours, made an excuse and checked out.’
‘Have the police spoken to the hotel staff?’
‘Most people remember Delia because she usually said her child was sick or her home was flooded or something that stuck in their minds, but everyone said she was alone. The staff in the Excelsior said she ordered dinner and breakfast in her room and nobody saw her leave it until she checked out.’
‘And the staff who delivered her meals didn’t see anyone with her?’
‘No. The police have gone through the Excelsior’s CCTV footage but they couldn’t find anything useful. They’re checking the street cameras now. I told them they were wasting their time, but they don’t listen.’
‘Maybe they’re on to something, Irene. There must be some reason Delia kept the man a secret. Her murder was covered in all the papers. Why hasn’t this man made himself known to the police?’
‘The only reason Delia wouldn’t have told me about her relationship is if she knew I’d disapprove. That means he must be married, and a married man isn’t going to risk his family by getting involved in a murder case.’
*
‘Delia kept Ellen’s father a secret. Was he married too?’
‘That was different. We didn’t see each other every day back then.’
‘Isn’t it possible Delia had a relationship with Ellen’s father, they broke up, then years later they started seeing each other again? Maybe Delia got fed up being messed around and threatened to tell his wife. It wouldn’t be the first time a man committed murder to protect his marriage.’
‘No, Aoife. Forget about Ellen’s father. It’s a dead end.’
‘I don’t think it is.’
‘Trust me. I know what I’m talking about.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Okay, if I tell you something, you have to promise not to mention it in your story. Only the police and I know, and I don’t want Ellen finding out.’
‘I won’t tell anyone.’
‘Delia never knew who Ellen’s father is.’
‘You mean she was having several relationships when she got pregnant?’
‘Quite the opposite. She wasn’t in any relationship. That’s why she used donor sperm.’
THIRTEEN
The following week, Aoife stopped at the bank machine on her way home and got a message saying “insufficient funds”. Her entire salary had gone into Amy’s college fund, but Jason had just been paid. She pulled out her mobile. ‘Jason, the cash machine won’t give me any money.’
‘Damn. I forgot to transfer money into the account. I usually put sixty euros in my current account and the rest goes to the utility bills and paying off my credit card. We need at least one card we can use.’
‘You manage an entire month on sixty euros?’
‘I use the Tesco card for groceries and I have a petrol card. I don’t need much else. The Tesco card’s in the glove compartment. I’ll fill the car on my petrol card when I get home and I’ll put more money in the account as soon as I can.’
So their choice was allow their bills to accumulate or the three of them had to survive on sixty euros a month? The sooner she finished this investigation the better.
*
Aoife and Eilis had gone shopping on two occasions, but Eilis had ignored all attempts to discuss Delia’s murder. Aoife figured she’d have better luck with Tom, so when the accounts department came to Dame Street for a meeting, Aoife waited until Eilis and Tom were alone and invited them to join her for lunch.
‘Why did you say Delia’s murderer might be one of us?’ she asked Tom.
‘It must have been. Why would a stranger kill Delia?’
‘Why not?’ Eilis said. ‘You don’t think she could have made enemies outside work?’
Tom ignored her. ‘Let’s see. It would have to be someone tall and strong. That rules me out. I wonder who might fit that description?’
‘Shut up, Tom. Aoife’s not stupid. She knows you’re talking about Joe.’
‘Jumping to his defence again. She fancies him, Aoife. She won’t hear a word against him.’
‘Typical. I don’t think a guy’s a murderer so I must fancy him.’
‘Why would you suspect Joe?’ Aoife asked.
‘You haven’t heard?’ There was a funny glint in Tom’s eyes. He was enjoying this. ‘Remember back around Paddy’s Day when one of the leaders of that big criminal family was shot?’
‘The guy who killed a guard?’
‘That’s him. Well, the funeral was on the news, and’—he paused for effect—‘Joe was one of the people carrying the coffin.’
*
Aoife laughed. ‘Why would he do that?’
‘Obviously he’s one of them. He’d have to be pretty close to be a coffin bearer. Doesn’t surprise me. I always said there was something odd about him.’
‘If Joe was a criminal, he wouldn’t be working here,’ Aoife said. ‘You must have mixed him up with someone else.’
‘He’s right,’ Eilis said. ‘I don’t believe Joe’s a criminal, but it was definitely him. No one told you? That and Delia is all anyone’s spoken about in months.’
‘They’re afraid she’ll tell Joe and he’ll have them beaten up,’ Tom said.
‘I’m sick of people talking like that. Knowing a criminal doesn’t make you a murderer. What if I had gone to the funeral with Joe? Would that make me a suspect?’
‘No, because Delia wasn’t murdered by a woman, and because you sat beside me in the pub all that night.’
‘Joe was there too.’
‘Was he? I know he said he’d join us, but I didn’t see him. Did you?
‘Of course I did.’ Eilis said. ‘Let’s talk about something else. All this talk of murder is putting me off my food.’
*
Aoife was in the supermarket when her mobile rang.
‘Aoife, it’s Irene. The police liaison officer just phoned me. The toxicology results came back. Delia had swallowed an entire month’s supply of sleeping pills.’
‘What? That does
n’t make sense. Why would she do that?’
‘Obviously she didn’t take them willingly. I suppose it made it easier for the murderer to… it stopped Delia from fighting back. I’m glad in a way. It means she may not have fully understood what was happening to her.’
‘How could someone force her to take pills?’
‘The pills were dissolved. She probably took them in a drink without realising it and the murderer waited until she was asleep. It’s proof I was right, isn’t it? Only someone in DCA could have given her the drink.’
‘Do the police agree?’
‘They say they’re “pursuing many different lines of enquiry”. They suggested Delia asked her lover to pick her up at the office but he arrived early, made them both tea while she was finishing her work and then slipped the pills into her drink. It seems to have strengthened their belief that the man hanging outside the building is the murderer. Now they think the phone calls he made were asking Delia to let him in, but someone left the door open before she answered.’
‘Why wouldn’t she have answered the phone if she was expecting him?’
‘The police think the fact that Delia didn’t answer the phone is proof he arrived earlier than expected.’
‘It’s possible, I suppose.’
‘I don’t believe it, Aoife. It doesn’t explain the locked door.’
‘No, but we haven’t come up with any scenario that does.’
*
Maura winced at the stains on the white marble countertop. ‘All my life I wanted a white kitchen, and now I have one, it’s driving me crazy.’ She wiped off a tea stain. ‘It’s a full-time job keeping it clean.’ She filled two mugs, handed one to Aoife and joined her at the glass table. ‘I don’t know what to think. Let’s see, the murderer could be someone Delia was having a relationship with, any DCA employee, but especially Dan or Joe, or it could be a stranger. I’m inclined to agree with Irene. We may not know why someone you work with would lock the door, but at least they would know where to find the key. Nobody else would.’
‘But the problem with that scenario is motive. Delia wasn’t popular, but a lot of managers aren’t. Their staff don’t murder them.’
‘True, but don’t you think some of Joe’s comments go beyond dislike? He hated her.’
‘That’s just the way he talks. He’s very blunt. I’m sure he’s not a murderer.’
‘He knows murderers, though, doesn’t he? Maybe he was complaining to his family about Delia and someone decided to do him a favour.’
‘And Joe told them where to find the key? That would make him an accomplice.’
‘Okay, what if some relative of Joe’s murdered Delia believing they were doing Joe a favour? Then they phone Joe and he tells them where the key is.’
‘Don’t you think a career criminal would have more sense than to take his mobile to a crime scene? He’d know the police could track it. And why would he phone anyway? Why did the door have to be locked?’
‘You’re right. We’re back where we started. Whatever the reason for locking the door, only someone who works in DCA would know where to find the key. You know what that means, don’t you?’
‘What?’
‘If the murderer was in a relationship with Delia, there’s no reason to think he’d kill again. People often murder their partners, but only complete lunatics murder someone they work with.’
‘I haven’t seen any signs of lunacy in DCA yet.’
‘Would you recognise it if you did? Remember the man who killed that childminder? He looked like a normal, decent bloke. He worked in an office and his colleagues never suspected he was insane. I should never have forced Jason to let you work. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you.’
‘What do you mean “forced” him?’
‘What?’
‘You said you forced Jason to let me work. What do you mean?’
‘Nothing, I’m just rambling.’
‘Maura?’
‘Nothing… oh all right. Remember when we had a fight a while back? Jason asked me not to look after Amy because he didn’t want you to go back to work. I said I’d take Amy twice a week whether you worked or not.’
‘Why would you take Amy if I wasn’t working?’
‘To give you a break.’
‘Why would that force Jason to let me work?’
‘Because…because…if you’re not going to be looking after Amy, you might as well be at work.’
‘I don’t get it, Maura. You and Jason barely spoke for weeks because you wanted to take Amy for two days to give me a break?’
‘What can I say? We’re a weird family.’
*
Aoife stopped off at the bank machine on her way home. She had a slight feeling of dread as she put the bank card into the cash machine. The transaction was denied. This was getting ridiculous. She was planning what she would say to Jason while she was blowing bubbles at Amy.
‘Oh my! There’s another bubble on your tummy, Amy.’
Amy laughed. Her hands and legs flapped wildly as she tried to pop the bubbles.
‘That’s enough for today.’ Aoife put the bubbles away when she heard Jason’s car pull up. Amy screeched in protest. ‘It’s all right. Here.’ Aoife gave her a bottle. Amy was sucking away happily when Jason came into the kitchen, mobile stuck to his ear. He flung his jacket on a kitchen chair, switched on the kettle and carried files from his car to the upstairs office whilst continuing a long conversation on his mobile. Call over, he stuck his mobile into the charger in the kitchen.
‘There’s no money in the account at all now,’ Aoife said, trying to keep the irritation out of her voice. ‘Laura had to pay for my shopping. I was mortified.’
‘I’m sorry. I’m snowed under at work and I didn’t get a chance to go to the bank. How much do you owe her?’
‘Fifteen euros.’
Jason looked around the room. ‘Where’s my jacket?’
‘I hung it on the coat rack.’
Jason returned carrying his wallet, holding out twenty euros.
‘Do you have more? I can’t manage on five euros for the whole week.’
Jason put his wallet on the table while he rummaged in his pockets for change. Amy batted at the wallet, knocking it on the floor. They both bent down.
‘I’ll get it,’ Jason said, but Aoife was nearer.
The wallet was open on the tiled floor, and Aoife’s eyes widened as she saw the stack of notes.
‘There must be two hundred euros there at least.’
Jason stuffed the wallet in his pocket. ‘I was planning to put it in the account but, like I said, I haven’t been able to get to the bank.’
‘Where did that money come from?’
‘I emptied my post office account last week, but I didn’t have time to make a lodgement so I’ve been carrying this around ever since.’
‘There’s no need to lodge it. Just give me the cash now.’
‘I don’t think that’s a good idea. If someone saw you with all this, you could be mugged.’
‘Okay, I’ll leave most of it here and take what I need each day.’
‘We shouldn’t leave cash in the house. That’s how people get robbed.’
‘We can chance it this once.’
‘It’s not just the safety issue, Aoife. If you only have a little money, you’ll be more careful spending it.’
‘I only buy what we need.’
‘Really? Is that why our cards are maxed out?’
Aoife’s face reddened. ‘I don’t know what you used your card for, but I bought essentials for the house and work clothes.’
‘Exactly. You ran up debts on clothes.’
‘I could hardly go to work in jeans. It’s not like I splashed out on designer labels. I’m the worst dressed in the office.’
‘If you didn’t go to work, you wouldn’t have to waste money on work clothes.’
‘If I didn’t work, I wouldn’t have any money at all. Not that I have a
nything since you decided all my salary should go into an account I can’t touch.’
They were both glaring at each other. Jason sank into a kitchen chair and ran his hands through his hair. ‘I can’t believe you think I’m mean.’
‘I didn’t say that.’
‘You said you’d have no money if you didn’t work. You think I’d let you starve. I gave you the Tesco card, didn’t I? Have I ever said you spend too much money on food? It’s just that we can’t afford to buy things we don’t need.’
Was she being unreasonable? Their financial difficulties were partially her responsibility. Aoife thought of the gold chain Jason had bought her for her birthday and the leather jacket he had given her for Christmas. How much had he gone without to afford them? She wiped Amy’s mouth and crossed the room to sit beside him.
‘I know you’re not mean.’
His bleak look made her feel even worse. What kind of wife was she? They were supposed to be a team, but she let him carry the entire burden of their financial situation. ‘I’m sorry, honey. This is all my fault,’ she said.
‘No, it isn’t. Let’s not talk about it any more. We promised we’d never fight over money.’
‘No, it is my fault because I let you cope with all the financial worries. I don’t even know how much you earn. When I spent all that money on the house, I had no idea we couldn’t afford it.’
‘I don’t want you worrying about money. I can earn enough to clear our debts. We just have to be careful for a while.’
‘But I want to be a proper partner. When we moved in together, I was still devastated by my parents’ death and I wasn’t able to cope with the simplest things. You were so good to take charge, but I got into the habit of leaving everything to you. I suppose I thought that as my parents’ money paid for the house, I was contributing to our family. I didn’t think of the money we spent doing it up.’
‘It’s okay, Aoife. We’ll manage. We cut up the credit cards and we’re keeping our spending under control now.’
‘But we need to have a plan. We need to work out what, if any, spending money we have each month. Then we can make a budget. I’ll know exactly how much we have, and you won’t have to worry I’m spending too much.’ She jumped up. ‘We can access our accounts and our payslips online. We could work out a complete budget tonight.’
