‘It’s good to see there are still some idealists in the force, Inspector. And I’m not saying you’re not correct in your assessment of this situation. I will look into this, as I said, but let’s concentrate on the job in hand. Your goal is finding a serial killer, not reviewing the performance of your colleagues around the country. Let me worry about whether the missing persons investigations were hampered by any undue prejudices. And, Tom, before you go, I want an assurance that this exchange won’t go beyond this room. It’s for your own good. People might misunderstand your intentions. You know as well as I do that we have to be seen to be team players.’

The chief’s voice was even. But the threat in what he’d said was implicit. The inspector had never felt so belittled by an immediate superior. It was the opposite reaction to the one he’d been expecting and it was deeply worrying.

There was no point arguing with Kennedy.

There was one person the inspector wanted to talk to, though.

Sean McGuinness.

CHAPTER 15

Sean and June’s daughter opened the door and appeared relieved when she saw the inspector standing there.

‘Ah, Tom. Perfect timing. Take him for a walk and a few jars, will you? I’ve been trying to explain to him that there’s absolutely no point him being here when we are. He needs to take the respite when he can get it. Bloody stubborn git. Come in and sit with Mam while I get him.’

The inspector followed Mary into the sitting room at the front of the house. The blinds had been partially drawn to shade the room from the late afternoon sun.

June sat on a red-and-beige-striped sofa, staring absent-mindedly out the window while she picked at the stitching on the seam of one of the cushions.

‘Oh, Mam, will you stop worrying at that?’ Mary removed the cushion. ‘You’ll have all the stuffing out. Give me a minute, Tom. Dad’s on a call.’

The inspector sat at the other end of the sofa. June peered at him with vague curiosity. She didn’t seem to recognise him.

‘Hello, June,’ he said, loudly. ‘It’s me, Tom.’

The older woman blinked.

‘I know who you are. Why are you shouting at me like I’m some decrepit old bat? I’m losing my sanity, dear. Not my hearing.’

She gave him her most schoolmarmish glare.

Tom squirmed.

‘My apologies. I was being silly. And I’m sorry I forgot to bring you something. I came over in a rush.’

‘Were you meant to bring me something?’

‘No. I just mean flowers, or chocolates. That sort of thing.’

‘Oh, no,’ June straightened her pale cream skirt over her knees. ‘My mother wouldn’t like you bringing me favours. That’s not proper. Not when Sean is courting me.’