Maria did not answer. The crowd was dispersing up and down Dawson Street with groups making for the public houses or the tram stops. But a knot of people had gathered around the news vendor’s stand at the corner of Duke Street. There were raised voices and impatient shouts. A middle-aged lady whom Maria had seen earlier in the meeting emerged from the group clutching a copy of the Evening Mail. She waved the newspaper at her companions from the meeting, displaying an open page.

‘Dear God,’ she called. ‘Murder. Here on the streets of Dublin. I knew it would happen. We’re none of us safe.’

Maria saw the column headlines.

‘Brutal Death of Woman in Rathmines’

‘Police Say She Fought for Her Life’

‘Inspector Swallow at the Scene’

She knew she would have no help from Swallow in Grant’s this evening.

Chapter 4

It started to rain heavily later in the morning, taking the edge off the November chill but darkening the day. By then, Stephen Doolan’s constables had searched the ditches and hedges that bounded Blackberry Lane. In a patch of clay behind the farm gate, Doolan had spotted the imprint of a shoe or boot. He had succeeded in capturing its details in a plaster cast just before it was washed away by the downpour.

‘We’ll need every man you can give us for door-to-door inquiries,’ Swallow told ‘Duck’ Boyle. ‘I want to know the names and movements of everybody living up the lane. All the details to go to Mick Feore for the murder book. Then I need door-to-door, all the way back to the New Vienna restaurant. Everyone who lives or works along the route that she came home has to be interviewed and listed. I want to know about anyone who might have seen her or met her after she left the New Vienna last night. I’m going down to the hospital with Shanahan.’

‘Oh Jaysus,’ Boyle groaned. ‘Wasn’t I well off when I had your soft job in the Castle instead of bein’ out here in the drownin’ rain, leadin’ a crowd of bobbies like a football team. But it’ll be done. If I have to, I’ll draw strength in from t’other divisions.’

‘I appreciate the assistance, super,’ Swallow muttered through gritted teeth. He did not particularly care if Boyle picked up the undertone of sarcasm. This was his division, and as its superintendent the murder of Alice Flannery was first and foremost his responsibility. Technically, Swallow and the G-men were there to assist.

Dr Harry Lafeyre was already at the Royal Hospital on Upper Baggot Street as Swallow and Shanahan arrived. Swallow recognised the city medical examiner’s brougham carriage outside the main entrance. Earlier, a constable had been sent to Lafeyre’s house on Harcourt Street asking him to attend.