‘For Barr, it’s because he wants to impress his uncle. For his uncle, it’s because he wants a promotion. With you, I’d say it’s because you’re just looking to forget and this is like a cut that never quite healed. You think if you give Martin back to his family, you can close the door on the whole thing and just go on with your life like it never happened.’

Karen said nothing and Tony suspected that Duggan hadn’t been far from the truth with her.

‘But him,’ Duggan said, pointing at Tony. ‘I can’t work out what he’s looking for.’

‘And what about you?’ Karen managed. ‘What’s your reason?’

‘I told you,’ Duggan said. ‘I’m looking for answers. And if I don’t like the answers, then I’ll be looking for revenge for Martin,’ Duggan said.

‘You’ll not get any answers from me,’ Karen said, opening the door. ‘I’ve nothing to say. I’m having nothing to do with hurting that boy. You can find the fucking grave yourselves.’

‘What’s wrong with her?’ Duggan said, watching her walk away from the car.

‘She’s right,’ Tony said, undoing his own seatbelt and opening the passenger door. ‘Martin Kelly was just a kid when we took him into those woods. I’m not doing the same again with Barr. You’re on your own, Hugh.’

He closed the door and moved around to where Karen sat at a picnic area outside the restaurant. ‘You OK?’

She nodded. ‘I should never have come. I should never have agreed to this.’

‘We thought you’d suggested it,’ Tony said, earning a glimpse of incredulity.

‘Why would I want to be here? With him?’ she added, nodding at Duggan. ‘I’m not getting back in that car.’

‘Nor me,’ Tony said. ‘We can get a taxi back to the ferry if you like?’

Karen shook her head. ‘I’m staying with family this evening and going back tomorrow.’

‘I’ll head back myself then,’ Tony said, trying to hide his disappointment at not have the opportunity to share more of the journey with her, alone.

The door of the car opened and Duggan struggled out. He walked, stiff jointed, over to where they stood.

‘We’re not discussing it further,’ Karen said as he approached.

‘I know,’ he nodded. ‘You’re right. I’ll speak to the young fella.’

‘What about?’

‘Getting Mullan to meet us at the woods. He’s in Scotland for this conference. If he wants Kelly’s grave, he’ll have to come and find it with us.’

‘And if he doesn’t?’

‘If you two are not on board, we go no further.’

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Twenty-Nine

‘Unless you’re on board, we go no further,’ Duggan said.