He nodded. “Since Sue was two, when Michelle told me. Their affair was long over, but I think it was becoming clear at that time that Amanda couldn’t have kids and so Bob was forcing the issue. For a man who always got what he wanted, it was the one thing he couldn’t have.”

His expression soured. “Of course, as the years went on, he couldn’t keep to the deal. Bob’s word was never worth anything. He kept trying to interfere in Sue’s life, trying to help. Got her a job in St Finbarr’s where she found herself nursing Bob’s wife, of all things. It was as if he wanted them to meet. He found a place for my mother in one of his nursing homes.” He shook his head. “He was a devious bastard. I didn’t trust him as far as I could spit him.”

“Did Amanda know Bob was Sue’s father?” Molloy asked.

“Not until very recently.” He glanced at Sue. “She knows now.”

“I told her,” Sue said, looking down.

Jude slapped his hand on the banister. “So that’s my relationship with Bob Jameson. But I didn’t have anything to do with his death, if that’s what you’re thinking. I was here all night, on Friday night. Peadar wasn’t sleeping and he came into Grandad’s bed.” He glanced down at his grandson who was certainly sleeping now.

Molloy was silent for a second, as if considering something before he spoke again. “We’ve arrested Derek Jameson. He’s admitted to being responsible for his brother’s death.”

Jude looked down. “I see.”

“You had no idea?”

“No.”

“Did you know that Bob Jameson had a fear of snakes?” Molloy asked.

Jude looked up and for the first time his mouth curled up into a smile. “No, I did not. But thank you for that.”

I recalled what Derek had said about liking seeing his brother powerless.

Jude paused. “Is that all, Sergeant?”

Molloy nodded. “For the moment. We have your contact details if we need to speak to you again.”

Jude and his daughters walked to the door with their bags. At the door he said something to Lissa and Sue, and they went outside while he returned to Molloy.

“Sergeant.” He lowered his voice. “Since it’s cards on the table time, I should tell you Lissa has admitted it was Sue’s GHB that she took. Sue had some difficulties after she found out that Bob was her father. We kept it to ourselves because she’s a nurse. But now you know the context.”

Molloy shook his head, unhappily. “You really should have provided us with all this information before now, Mr Burns. It could have helped us find some answers.”