‘Money,’ said Gregory, an edge to his voice. ‘It’s always the same, isn’t it? Every blessed problem comes back to money. For a man who’d no particular interest in the high life, my brother loved to gamble. As I understand it, he played cards regularly with some of his neighbours – and he usually won.’

‘My father once mentioned that others may have also been in his debt. That he lent money to people. Does that ring any bells?’

‘We heard that too, but the guards wouldn’t say any more. They claimed it was sensitive information. They were never very good at keeping us informed. Maybe you should ask your father.’

Conor explained that his mission didn’t have his dad’s backing.

‘I’d help you if I could,’ replied the priest’s brother, ‘but we’ve told you everything we know.’

Conor wrote down his number and handed it to Hannah. ‘If you think of anything else, anything at all, give me a ring.’

As he left, she took his hand. ‘Please do your best for us,’ she said.

Chapter 30

Lincolnshire

Tess was worried about Conor. More specifically, she was worried about his attempts to reopen the file on Father Galvin.

‘He’s being completely irrational,’ she said to Miles, who was staring at his laptop.

‘I’ve never known you to place a premium on rationality.’

‘Ah, Miles, I’m being serious.’ She closed the drawing-room door to ensure that Daisy remained out of earshot. There were many episodes in her life she’d like to share with her daughter, but not yet. ‘Remember I told you about what happened when we were teenagers? When the priest was killed, and everyone went crazy? Mam says Conor’s become obsessed with it. He reckons he can get to the truth.’

Years before, Tess had told Miles about her mother’s ordeal. She’d also explained how, with the unwitting connivance of a documentary-maker, her stepfather had pinned a different crime on Ginny’s rapist. Conor, with his inconvenient ideas about right and wrong, hadn’t been let in on the secret. Unfortunately, he’d figured it out for himself.

‘If you ask me,’ said Miles, ‘you should leave Conor alone. The chap’s had a difficult time. Before you know it, he’ll be back at work, and he’ll let this priest business rest.’

‘Fine, except Mam’s worked up, and I assume Flan is too. You know Conor – he means well, but once he gets an idea into his head he won’t let go. I mean, he followed one of those gangsters around until he got himself shot. If I don’t intervene, Mam will get more and more stressed.’ Tess adopted her wheedling voice. A rarely employed weapon, she used it when she didn’t believe that Miles was taking her concerns seriously. ‘At this stage in their lives, they shouldn’t have to fret about Conor stirring up bad memories.’