She brooded on what kind of man raped, murdered and buried a young girl, then went back and dug her up and mutilated her again?

He had to be caught.

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

Kate was feeling depressed. She’d just had the news that both Geraldine O’Leary’s and Mandy Kelly’s bodies could be released for burial. She decided to tell the families herself. She was not looking forward to it.

She drove towards the O’Learys’ house with a feeling of trepidation. She parked just down the road and sat for a few minutes, watching the house itself. The nets were pristine white. Obviously either Mick O’Leary was a good housekeeper or he had someone helping him. Probably Geraldine’s mother; Kate had met her on one occasion and had had the impression that she was a capable woman. Taking a deep breath, she got out of the car and locked it. She walked slowly to the front door and rang the bell.

The door was answered by Kathleen Peterson, Geraldine’s mother, who had the youngest child, Sophie, in her arms. Kate could see Geraldine in the child: the same long, brown hair and almond-shaped, hazel eyes. She smiled.

‘I don’t know if you remember me? I’m Detective Inspector Burrows . . .’

‘Oh, come in, love. Come in.’

The woman moved from the doorway so Kate could enter the tiny hall.

‘Come through.’ She walked through a doorway to her left and Kate followed her into the lounge. On the carpet toys were lying about everywhere. The television was on and Mick O’Leary was sitting in the armchair by the fire, staring at the screen. Kate was shocked at the sight of him. He was hunched in his chair like an old man, it was obvious he had not shaved for days and his clothes looked a crumpled mess.

Kathleen Peterson caught Kate’s eye and shrugged her shoulders. She motioned for Kate to follow her through to the kitchenette.

Putting Sophie down on the floor, she closed the kitchen door quietly behind her. ‘Sit yourself down. Would you like a coffee? Tea?

‘Coffee would be fine, thanks, no sugar.’

While Kathleen put the kettle on, Kate watched the child. She stood on the floor exactly where her grandmother had left her. She watched avidly every move her granny made, her eyes darting restlessly around the kitchen to wherever Kathleen was. Kate smiled at the child, but Sophie just glanced at her and then carried on watching her granny.

When Kathleen had put the coffee in front of Kate, she sat at the small table and pulled the waiting child on to her lap. Sophie curled into her granny’s bosom and popped a thumb into her mouth, shifting herself around for a few seconds before she was fully comfortable. Kathleen swept the hair back from the child’s face and then looked at Kate.