‘Well, I can assure you I’m not from the papers or anything, I’m just—’ but before I can finish, she walks back through the door into the bar, muttering, ‘Tells the lies, tells the lies,’

Well, at least I got the name of a street. Smiling my way back to where Jeff is sitting, I tell him the good news. ‘That woman is one bitter woman, she must have had her heart broken by a nation, but at least I got an address. Well, the name of a street anyway.’

‘Great, where did she say she lived?’

‘Some place called Houston Street.’

‘Houston Street.’ Jeff repeats the name, then calls for the barwoman’s attention and asks her for directions.

‘Houston Street or Houston Boulevard?’ she says. Jeff looks at me.

‘I’m not sure. I think she said street.’

‘Think who said street?’ the woman asks.

‘That lady there.’ I nod towards the mad woman. I think she is still muttering, ‘tells the lies.’ The barwoman laughs.

‘You don’t wanna believe the time out of her mouth. Carries on like God ain’t looking, that one… Who are you searching for?’ With one hand wiping the counter, her eyes stay focused on me.

‘I was hoping to find out where Katie Collins lived.’

‘Katie Collins?’

‘Yes, the girl who was murdered in Boston.’

‘You the papers?’

‘No, I’m her cousin.’

The woman looks away, concentrating on the cloth in her hand for a moment before looking back at me.

‘And you’re asking me because…?’

‘We didn’t get on, there was a family feud and…’

Raising her hand, she says, ‘No need to say anymore. You look like her, those dopey eyes, so I’ll tell you.’

What? I look like her? I look like Katie Collins?

Chapter Thirty-Seven

The house is fronted by a small yard like every other house on the street. There’s no sign of the trauma its inhabitants have endured. Unlike me, every bone I have is shaking. A few steps away from the front of the house I stop, staring at the green wooden gate. If I push it open, I cannot go back. So much has happened in the past few weeks I feel I’m being sucked into the center of a tornado. Don’t drop me.

‘I can’t do this Jeff, I can’t go in.’

Jeff turns, puts his hand on my shoulder. Dark rings circle his eyes. Last night has taken a lot out of him.

‘You can do it, Becca. This is what we came here for; this is where you will find the answers.’