He continued looking at the pond. ‘Looked your dad up.’

‘As simple as that?’

‘Phone records.’

The rain made bubble-wrap pops on the water. Circle after circle appearing, disappearing.

‘Brigid,’ he said, turning slightly. ‘You got Brigid to lie for you.’

‘I didn’t. She did all that. She covered for me. I didn’t ask her to.’

‘I’ve got to take her in. My own bloody sister.’

‘You don’t have to take her in. You don’t have to do anything. Please.’

‘Why did you do it?’

‘Didn’t Brigid say?’

‘I want to hear it from you.’

‘You saw what he did to me. He attacked me, he shoved my head in the lough – I thought he was going to drown me – he beat me up. He was going to rape me.’ It wasn’t any easier to repeat that word, having already said it once. ‘I thought he was going to kill me.’

Behind them, the goat made a stuttering call.

‘If you tell the truth in court, it’ll be easier on you,’ he said.

‘You’re the only other witness to my injuries.’

His shoulders slumped. He’d have to be a witness, and it would look like he’d covered it up.

Gaps in the rain as it slowed. ‘I was doing well, you know,’ he said. ‘Up for an award and everything.’

‘Please. My dad’s dying. I’ve only just found him.’ Gravel, stuck in the throat. ‘It’s been fourteen years and now he’s fucking dying.’ The tears came, suddenly and violently.

Cormac stood, watching. ‘No more of your lies, now,’ he said, sounding uncertain.

‘I’m not lying.’ The words were broken. ‘Lung cancer.’ Another uncontrollable rush of tears.

He sighed. ‘Jesus,’ he said, and stepped forward, putting his arms around Matty.

Weeping, onto his shirt. His jacket.

‘How long?’

‘Not long.’

‘Years?’

‘Months.’

Matty clung on to him for another moment before he stepped back. A noisy sigh. ‘I’m going to go now. I need to have a think.’ And he walked down the slope to the driveway and his car.

Chapter 15

They waited.

Joe said they’d get Matty on a plane. Matty said no. There was no point in running again. Searching and hiding and running. It would never stop. They would just wait for Cormac to come back. If Matty had to go, then it would be so.