Later, I would wonder how I had done it, how I had managed to carry on a conversation with the Carneys, collect DNA samples (as well as the hairbrush, Ann had kept a toothbrush) and give them a highly edited account of my progress. Rhona’s death meant I was able to say a lot less than planned. I had gone to the bathroom and thrown cold water on my face. Everything else had been pure autopilot. Or the ability to compartmentalise. Or guilt. Rhona was dead. Murdered. I didn’t know what had happened but I was sure of two things. That Gill had killed her. And that, somehow, I had led him to her.

After I left the Carneys, I texted Tina to say that I’d meet her in the Long Valley pub instead of at home and that I would email her with more instructions. It wasn’t good for her if she and I were seen together while I was on ‘holiday’ but, after what had happened to Rhona, meeting in a public place was safer. Maybe Gill had followed me to Rhona’s house. Or maybe he had had me followed. Or maybe he had always kept tabs on Rhona, but hadn’t felt the need to do anything about her until I had started asking questions.

The Long Valley is famous for its sandwiches, but I couldn’t eat. I ordered a pot of tea and sat at the large round table that, it was said, had come off a ship run aground by Roche’s Point on the outer reaches of Cork Harbour.

As soon as I saw Tina, Supervalu carrier bag in hand, I went down the back to the ladies and waited for her to join me. Tiny and cramped, there was barely room for two, but the door was lockable and, once Tina was inside, lock it I did.

‘Jesus, what’s going on, Finn? This is weird, if you don’t mind me saying.’

‘Did you bring the box?’

‘I brought it, and the rest of the stuff you asked for. But what’s it for?’

‘A lot has happened since yesterday. I didn’t want you to be seen with me, for your own sake – work and all that. And there are, ah, other reasons as well.’

Your life, for one.

‘I want you to chase up Deirdre’s medical records,’ I continued. ‘They’re more important now than ever and the sooner we get them the better. You’ve already sent in the request, I know, but you need to follow up.’

‘No probs.’