I don’t know what to think. I have to do what Sean is saying because he’s the one who knows how it all works but it seems so wrong. I thought that if I told them, they might leave me alone. Avril’s unanswered phone call to me could be explained. But Sean is right. If blackmail was involved it wouldn’t look good for me.

I’m trying to think if I have anything else to ask him when a sudden bolt of dread flashes through me. Faye. Could Avril Ryan have been blackmailing Faye?

‘Are you alright, Tara, what’s going through your head?’

‘Nothing… It’s just…’ I don’t know whether to mention this to Sean but if I keep holding back on him he’s not going to be impressed.

‘Well, my friend Faye, she helped me, she’s a doctor. Maybe…’

‘Maybe what, Tara? Avril Ryan was blackmailing Faye?’

I nod to let him know that’s what I was thinking. Sean stands up.

‘Tara, that is your friend’s problem and I don’t mean to sound callous here but I represent you. My job is to give you the best advice that I can and for now I’m telling you not to give that information to the detectives. You’ll be out of here in a few weeks, Tara, don’t give them a reason to delay your leaving.’

My teeth chatter. I rub my hands up and down my arms trying to warm them as an icy wave shivers through my body. My mind is a mess, full of too many thoughts. Thankfully, Sean is able to direct me. If it wasn’t for him, I would surely have fallen into the trap and added to their list of reasons for suspecting me.

‘Did you find out any more about what Muriel said, about Avril Ryan being harassed, the trouble she had in her past? Do you think the detective knows about that?’ I say, lifting my bag from the floor and making to leave. I know how busy this man is. People come and go from this office all day long. I serve coffee to half of them.

‘Again, not your problem, Tara, but I’m pretty sure the detective knows all about that. The family would have told them. Now, rumour has it you have a wedding to get ready for.’ Sean smiles and sits down behind his desk.