Page 158 of The Altar Girls

‘I hope he dies.’ Zara flopped onto the steel chair.

‘Why would you say that?’

‘I told you, he nearly killed me and he murdered Willow and Naomi.’

‘Have you any proof of this allegation?’ Lottie had to play this carefully to get to the truth.

‘Isn’t that your job, Inspector? To find proof?’ Zara threw her a look that she found disturbing. Was the woman goading her?

‘If you have proof of wrongdoing, it would help me do my job, as you say.’

‘Don’t insult me, Inspector. You know what? I want to leave. You have no right to hold me.’

‘I’m trying to get some answers.’

‘Am I under arrest?’

‘I arrested you at your home.’ Lottie placed both hands on the table and studied her prey, trying hard not to glare. At the forefront of her mind was little Harper, and she tried to compartmentalise the thought, otherwise she’d slap the woman.

‘Zara, I need the facts of what happened in your kitchen. Based on that, I’ll determine what you’re to be charged with. If you refuse to talk, I will charge you with impeding my investigation.’

‘Do I need a solicitor?’

‘Up to you.’ Lottie’s patience was hanging on a frayed thread. She glanced at Kirby. He appeared as wound up as she was. Returning her gaze to Zara, she said, ‘What prompted you to pick up a hammer and cave in a man’s skull?’

‘Self-defence. I didn’t do anything wrong.’

‘You’re saying you were provoked?’

‘Yes.’

‘How did Father Maguire provoke you?’

‘He… he implied he had killed the girls. I believe he did it. I feared for my life.’

‘Okay.’ Lottie thought for a moment. Father Pearse had confirmed that a hysterical Zara had visited Maguire on Sunday night. Had the events of the week all stemmed from that encounter?

‘Tell me about last Sunday night.’

Zara bit into the inside of her cheek before replying. ‘What about it?’

‘You visited Father Maguire.’

‘So?’ She raised an eyebrow, but her bottom lip quivered. ‘Not a crime.’

‘You didn’t disclose this fact when I informed you of Willow’s murder.’

‘I was distraught! Anyhow, why should I have told you? I don’t see the relevance.’

‘You’ve just said that you believed Father Maguire had killed the girls and was about to kill you. Therefore, I’d say the night before their murders is very relevant.’

The woman remained quiet.

Lottie shook her head. ‘Why did you go out in a snowstorm to visit the priest on Sunday night?’

‘It’s that social worker’s fault.’

‘Julian Bradley?’ She glanced at Kirby with a raised eyebrow.

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