‘There’s some trouble outside.’

Ray had come to stand by Laura’s side. She was waiting in the kitchen, concentrating on the light now emanating from the hole in the floor. The forensic scientists were working their magic.

‘What is it?’ she asked.

‘Nora and Elizabeth Lehane have arrived. They want to speak to you and give Doyle an earful.’

‘Shit. I’ll go out to them.’

‘Best if you do. Hey, before you go, should I book us in overnight back in the village? There must be a B&B or something up there. It’s a tourist area, right?’

Laura couldn’t help but shake her head. It was all she could do to stop herself from laughing hysterically. For so long she’d wanted to have this time alone with Ray, when she thought that she might have a chance with him. She couldn’t decide if he really didn’t know the effect he had on her or if he was a game player. Either way, she was getting tired of the whole silly thing.

‘I’d rather go back up to Dublin,’ she said, resolutely.

‘Why? I mean, it’s late in the day already. By the time we’re finished up here … we’ll be exhausted at the wheel. It’s a four-and-a-half-hour drive.’

‘I’ll do it,’ she said, ‘if you’re too tired.’

‘It’s not that. I …’ he sighed. ‘I thought the boss might want us to stay down here, in case something else needs to be checked. We can’t do this drive every other day.’

‘Oh,’ she said, from behind a smile of ice. ‘There was I thinking you just fancied getting me alone in a B&B.’

She spun on her heel, chestnut curls swinging, and exited the kitchen. Ray stood reeling in her wake. What the hell was that about?

‘I knew you’d be back.’

Nora Lehane grasped Laura’s hands in hers and squeezed.

‘Aye. I said it to Elizabeth. “That girl cares.” Was it that Cormac fella? Have you found something in there? Can I see?’

Mary Ellen’s mother’s eyes were wild, in keeping with the rest of her appearance. The rain dripped from her hair and face and she was shivering in a soaked cotton cardigan that provided little protection against the elements.

‘Why are you standing out in the rain?’ Laura exclaimed, appalled. ‘Come into the hall!’

‘I told them they couldn’t come into the house,’ Doyle barked from behind her. ‘It’s a crime scene.’

‘You noticed that, did you?’ Laura snapped. ‘Better late than never, I suppose.’ She guided Nora and her mother in the door and glared angrily at the sergeant as Elizabeth flashed him a triumphant look.