I looked again at her profile. St Finbarr’s, the hospital where she worked, was familiar. I was sure I’d come across it in the past few days. A few taps were enough to confirm that it was one of the hospitals where Bob had served on the board. A coincidence? Probably not if what Phyllis had said about her reaction to the mention of Bob’s death was true.

I breathed in the fresh air, gratefully, when I left the house, the clear sky a bonus I hadn’t been expecting. But the ground was very wet, still inches of water in parts, so I chose my footing carefully. I wondered about the chances of getting some exercise. I hadn’t seen the beach since I’d got back. I wouldn’t be able to get to Lagg until the road to Malin had been repaired but it was possible that I could get out to the Isle of Doagh.

Still considering this, I ran into McFadden when I emerged from the alleyway to the sergeant’s house. He was opening the Garda Station.

“Morning.” He grinned knowingly at me. “Couldn’t get back to Malin then?”

“Nope.” I pretended I didn’t notice his innuendo-laden tone. If the chat I’d just had with Molloy was anything to go by, our relationship wouldn’t be a secret for long, if it ever had been.

McFadden looked marginally less exhausted than Molloy. When I said as much he nodded wearily. “Aye, I got to my bed for a few hours at least. Hopefully we’re over the worst.”

“Any news on the roads reopening?”

“Later today some should be passable. You should be able to get home anyway.” He looked up at the sky. “Assuming it holds off like the forecast promises. We don’t need any more fucking rain for at least a month.”

On that frank pronouncement, I left him to open up, and walked on towards the Oak to meet Phyllis and Maeve. Before I reached the square, thundering footsteps behind me made me jump and I stepped to one side. When I turned, Sue Burns was bearing down on me, jogging along the Malin Road in her cycling gear.

“Morning,” I called brightly.

She stopped. “Morning.” She gave me a rather distant smile and I suspected she wasn’t entirely sure who I was. She’d been ready to run by me until I spoke.

I was a little shamefaced at having stalked her on Facebook fifteen minutes earlier, but it was the first time I’d seen her alone, without nephew, father or sister in tow. The first opportunity I’d had for a one-to-one chat. “It must be good to be able to get out for a run without getting soaked.”