‘That’s not what I said. I’m not talking about an outsider. I’m thinking about Tess. I happen to know she’s in Dublin.’

‘What time is it?’

‘One o’clock. Late for most people, but not for her.’

For the first time, Tom was perfectly still. The two sat, not speaking, hardly breathing. ‘Okay,’ he said eventually, ‘call Tess. You’re not going to give her the full rundown on the phone, though, are you?’

‘No, no. But if I say we both want to talk to her, she’ll get a cab over here. I presume she’s staying in a hotel in town.’

Tom rose from the sofa. ‘I’ll wash my face.’

Conor took out his phone. He didn’t know how to explain the situation to Tess. Neither could he say what he expected her to do. He wasn’t even sure that she was the best person to contact. What he did know was that he couldn’t deal with this on his own.

Chapter 44

Tess was intrigued by Conor’s call. Why was he in Tom’s apartment? And what was so urgent that he needed to see her at one in the morning?

‘You do know it’s well past my bedtime?’ she said. ‘I had a late night at the funeral and I’ve had an emotional evening. In fact, we were about to turn in.’

‘We?’ said Conor.

She told him where she was. Given that he’d spent so long encouraging her to contact Nina, she’d expected him to be pleased they were together. Instead he sounded put out. Sometimes he was hard to fathom.

‘How did you know I was still in Dublin?’ she asked.

‘I was in Kilmitten today. Your mam told me.’

Curiouser and curiouser.

‘By the way,’ he said, ‘just so you’re clear about this, we want your perspective. Not Nina’s.’

‘You’re not going to tell me what it’s about?’

‘It’s kind of sensitive. When you get here you’ll understand, trust me.’

And more curious still.

Tess stretched out her legs. She was tired, and her flight was at ten in the morning. She had planned on bedding down in Nina’s spare room. They’d shared the champagne and most of the wine, and she didn’t fancy going back to the hotel. She asked herself if she really wanted to head out into the cold on a mystery mission. Then she remembered Tom’s kindness. Not only had he rescued her from the horrors of the O’Grady brothers, he’d listened as she meandered through her mother’s story. If he needed her help, he deserved to have it.

‘All right, then,’ she said. ‘You say Tom’s place is nearby?’

‘On a better night, you’d walk it. I’ll text you the address. Don’t hang about, will you?’