‘I am. I just don’t see how my private life is the investigation’s business. Do you want to explain that?’

‘Nah,’ said Conway. ‘I can’t be arsed. Specially when I can just go over to Colm’s and find out.’

I spread on a double helping of concerned. Said, ‘I can’t imagine Joanne would make us do that, Detective. Especially since she knows that any information she’s got could be very valuable to us.’

Joanne thought that over. Got her virtuous face back on. Graciously, to me: ‘I’m going out with Andrew Moore. His dad’s Bill Moore – probably you’ve heard of him.’ Property developer, one of the ones on the news for being bankrupt and a billionaire all at once. I looked properly impressed.

Joanne checked her watch. ‘Do you want to know anything else about my love life? Or are we done?’

‘Bye-bye,’ Conway said. To Houlihan: ‘Rebecca O’Mara.’

I walked Joanne to the door. Held it for her. Watched Houlihan scuttle after her down the corridor, Joanne not bothering to look.

Conway said, ‘And another one still in the running.’

Nothing in her voice. No way, again, to tell if that was You better up your game.

I shut the door. Said, ‘There’s stuff she’s thinking about telling us, but she’s holding back. That fits our card girl.’

‘Yeah. Or else she’s just trying to make us think she’s holding something back. Make us think she knows for sure that Chris and Selena were together, or whatever, when actually she’s got nothing.’

‘We can call her back. Push harder.’

‘Nah. Not now.’ Conway watched me come back to my chair, sit down. Said, roughly, ‘You were good with her. Better than me.’

‘All that arse-licking practice. Came in useful in the end.’

Wry glance from Conway, but a brief one. She was filing Joanne away for later, moving on. ‘Rebecca’s the weak link in this bunch. Shy as fuck; went scarlet and practically tied herself in knots just being asked her name, never managed anything louder than a whisper. Get your kid gloves on.’

Bell again, rush of feet and voices. It was past lunchtime. I could’ve murdered a dirty great burger, or whatever this canteen was into, probably organic fillet steak and rocket salad. I wasn’t going to say it till Conway did. She wasn’t going to say it.

Conway said, ‘And go careful with this lot, till you get the feel. They’re not the same thing.’

Chapter 8

Chapter 8