Page 97 of The Altar Girls

‘Why did you have to hide?’

She stuck her bottom lip over the top one and shrugged.

‘Did someone else come along?’ He hadn’t noticed any other footsteps, but he’d only been following the two sets belonging to the children. If there had been someone else, he hoped he hadn’t tramped all over evidence.

‘Didn’t see,’ she said.

‘Where’s Alfie now?’

Another shrug.

‘Why did he leave you here all alone?’

No response.

No point in traumatising the child further, he thought.

‘Come on now. I’ll bring you home.’

‘Where’s Alfie?’ she whispered.

‘Don’t worry about him. We’ll find him. The most important thing is that your daddy is worried about you. He asked me to bring you home. Is that okay?’

After biting her lip for a moment, she nodded and took his hand. He lifted her into his arms and brought her outside. She didn’t protest. He could see she was well wrapped up, but her hands and face were icy.

He scanned the surrounding area. There was no sign of the boy. Had he just been playing a nasty trick on Bethany, or was he up to something more nefarious? Or was Alfie Nally in danger?

Questions that needed answers, but first he had to get the little girl to safety and warmth.

60

Sinead checked in with Carol and was relieved that all was well with Annie. Carol had taught her a new dance from a YouTube video and stuck glitter on her face, and from the squeals of laughter in the background it must have been hilarious.

She had followed the detective inspector to the estate where the Kiernans lived and parked a little way down from the house. What had happened to make her rush over here?

Maybe she could get her garda source to fill her in. She was just about to send a text when she spotted a familiar figure lounging at a wall across the road. Leaning forward, she banged her chin off the steering wheel.

‘Shit.’

Julian Bradley was like a dark spectre in the fading light, standing sentry at a barrack wall. Had the Kiernans become an obsession for him? Or was he dangerous?

‘Feck it,’ she said, and got out of the car. She made her way down the footpath. ‘Mr Bradley. What are you doing here?’

‘It’s a free country, last time I checked.’

‘So it is. But you seem to have a fixation with this family.’

‘What family?’

‘Don’t play silly buggers with me. You know right well who I’m talking about.’

‘Those parents are a danger to their children. If I don’t look out for them, who will?’

She was about to reply when across the road the Kiernans’ front door was flung open and Inspector Parker came out with her phone to her ear. Isaac Kiernan appeared behind her, followed by a young garda with a baby in her arms.

‘Activity,’ Bradley said. ‘No sign of Bethany.’

‘Who?’

---