Dee didn’t mention that the police were also keen to speak to Emer. Apart from Michael Holden’s killer, Emer was probably the last person to have seen him alive. If anyone had been hanging around the stairwell or near the flat, Emer may have seen them.

Hanging up, Dee called Shay Flaherty. He’d left her a voicemail while she was being interviewed by the police yesterday. By the time she’d got out of the station, she didn’t have the energy to call him back.

‘I may have something on O’Brien,’ he said. ‘So far, it’s nothing more than a rumour, but I’m going to follow it up today and see if there’s anything in it.’

‘In what?’ Dee said.

‘Someone who’s worked with O’Brien told me his wife and her ex-husband were swingers. This source, who was very cautious about speaking to me, says there’s a woman in Loughrea who might be able to shed some light on this. I’m driving down to see her today. She’s from the Travelling community. One of O’Brien’s favourite causes, in case you weren’t aware of that.’

‘Oh yes,’ Dee said. ‘I’ve read all about his charitable endeavours. This woman you’re going to see, any idea what she’ll be able to tell you?’

‘Not yet. But I’ll keep you in the loop. How about you? Anything you’d like to share with me?’

‘I’m getting closer,’ Dee said. ‘Hopefully I’ll have more news by the end of today.’

She saw Louise’s red SUV turning into the narrow road that led to her house. Telling Shay she’d speak to him later, Dee ended the call and waited for Louise’s car to pull up alongside her.

‘We covered the murder trial,’ Louise explained, as Dee clambered into her car. ‘That’s why I know where they live. Of course, she may have moved since then.’

‘It’s worth a shot though,’ Dee said. ‘Jesus Lou, you can’t really lecture me about the environment when you drive around in this thing.’

‘I have a family,’ Louise said.

‘So do lots of people,’ Dee said, ‘but they don’t all have cars like this.’

‘Only because they can’t afford it.’

Dee knew when to give up so she changed the subject before the conversation became any more ridiculous.

‘What do you remember about them?’ she asked.

‘It was a weird one. Actually, I remember your dad being really upset about it. Of course, I assumed it was because he knew Michael from the pub. It never occurred to me there could be any other reason.’ Louise shook her head. ‘This story about your dad helping to hide his niece. Do you really believe he’d do something like that?’