He lay on the sofa, closed his eyes and was asleep in seconds. He woke several hours later, after three a.m., to hear Bridie shuffling and mumbling. It was impossible to sleep with her on the prowl. He contemplated going to see if there was something he could do for her but he knew better. She had it in her head that he had done something bad and he had, but if pushed he’d do it again without hesitation. Don’t you remember why I did it? Don’t you remember asking for my help? There was a time when Bridie had trusted him and they had been allies. She’d forgotten that. When she looked at him now, she saw a dangerous man. Every shuffling step she took was a little knife in his heart. Just go back to bed, old woman. It’s not right you wandering. He couldn’t approach her without all hell breaking loose, and the last thing he wanted was to frighten her. All he could do was sit up and listen to her lest she fell or attempted to break out.

He wondered what Tom had taken from the house. Two boxes. Tom had been cagey, a little less forthcoming than Fred had expected. Linda would fill him in. He made a mental note to call her first thing. Outside the job he’d been friendly with her and her husband for many years. They were members of the same golf club and played together at least once a month. Linda wasn’t like any other woman he knew: she was a powerhouse, a woman of few words and, some would say, limited vocabulary, but she was loyal, trustworthy, and knew when to break a ridiculous rule. Besides, there was a fellowship among golfers that transcended the bonds of mere co-workers.

He sat up and considered putting the TV on but, again, it might disturb the restless Bridie. He thought about the first time he and Bridie had really talked. They had been in the hospital after that last terrible beating, while Maisie was in surgery. Bridie was worried her child would die. She was in the family room with a set of rosary beads in her hands. She was twisting them but she wasn’t praying. She was far too distracted for that.

He’d gone to her and introduced himself. ‘We got her here as quick as we could.’

‘Have you got him?’

‘We have.’

‘Will it even matter?’

‘He’ll be charged, with Maisie’s help.’ He sat down beside her.

‘He’s been knocking lumps out of her for years.’

‘I know.’

‘She pretends it’s not happening so I pretend it’s not happening, and look where all this pretending has got us.’ She closed her eyes and a tear wound down her cheek.

‘She’s strong.’