‘I have to advise you that we’ll be carrying out a search of this house for any evidence that implicates you in the death of Justice Quinn. Garda O’Connor here will accompany you upstairs while you dress in order to make sure that you make no attempt to conceal or destroy such evidence should it exist.’

Orla didn’t answer that, but stayed completely still for a moment as if she were trying to remember where she had left her car keys. Then she walked stiffly out of the living room with Garda O’Connor following close behind her.

‘She doesn’t seem too bothered about it, does she?’ remarked Detective Sergeant Begley. ‘Myself, I think I’d be filling my pants if I was charged with killing a judge.’

‘She doesn’t yet know that Feargal Grífin has shopped her,’ said Katie. ‘And she’s a lawyer herself, remember. It wouldn’t surprise me if she’s already made sure that she’s disposed of anything that could lead to her conviction – like whatever sedative it was that she used to put Justice Quinn to sleep. I’d guess Rohypnol or something similar. But if we can trace Justice Quinn’s phone calls and texts, we may very well find some personal messages between him and Justice O’Rafferty, and if we can prove that Mrs Quinn found out about their affair – well, that will go to motive at the very least.’

After about a quarter of an hour, Orla came downstairs, dressed in a plain black suit and a grey silk scarf. She put on a long green raincoat and then Garda O’Connor led her out to her car. The day was growing lighter now, although the clouds were low and grey and ragged, and it was still persistently raining.

Before she got into Garda O’Connor’s car, Orla turned around and called out, ‘Kathleen,’ just loud enough for Katie to hear her. Katie went over and waited for her to speak. She said nothing to Orla herself. She wondered if it had occurred to Orla that Garrett may still have been alive when Feargal had cremated him, even if he was unconscious.

Orla turned to Garda O’Connor and said sharply, ‘This is personal, if you don’t mind.’

Katie nodded to Garda O’Connor and she stepped away, out of earshot.

‘I’ve only one thing to say to you, Kathleen. You made the mistake of your life when you slept with my husband. Now you’re going to pay for it, and even if I’m convicted, you’ll still be paying for it long after I’m paroled. You’ll be paying for it till the day you die.’

Katie stared back at her. The rain was prickling her face and she blinked raindrops from her eyelashes.