Page 49 of The Altar Girls

‘His family? Gosh, no, I hardly know the man.’

She scrunched her eyes, thinking back on the earlier conversation. ‘Not his family. He mentioned Mrs McGinley, whose funeral you’ll be officiating at tomorrow.’

‘Ah, that’s right. What has that got to do with your investigation?’

‘Nothing. I was just curious. The odd thing is, I got the impression Zara Devine knew Connolly when I mentioned she needed to contact a funeral home. Are you aware of any connection there?’

‘I’m sorry. As I said, I don’t really know the man.’

‘Do you know the Devines?’

He paused before replying. ‘Willow is in the choir and I would have met her mother when she signed up. I intend to visit her later this evening to offer my condolences and prayers, if she will allow me.’

‘I thought you have a removal to attend this evening.’

‘There’s more than one hour in an evening, Inspector.’

‘For which I am grateful.’

‘Can I ask you a question?’

She smiled with a nod. ‘Of course.’

‘How well do you know Sinead Healy?’

‘The television news reporter for the midlands? Why are you asking me about her?’

‘Father Pearse saw her earlier today harassing Alfie Nally on the street.’

‘I’ll follow it up, don’t you worry. I have enough on my plate without her interference. I better be off. If you think of anything to help me, please get in touch immediately.’

‘I will.’

‘Oh, and I meant to ask you about something.’ Lottie fumbled her phone out of her pocket and scrolled until she found the image she sought. ‘Have you seen this before?’

He curled his bottom lip over the top before answering. ‘I haven’t my glasses with me and it’s not a very clear image. It could be a rosary. Where did you find it?’

‘It was with Willow’s body.’

‘Was there one with Naomi?’

‘No. Does it mean anything to you?’

‘I can hardly make it out. Have you a better image?’

‘It’s the best I have at the moment. If anything occurs to you, let me know.’

35

After she’d completed her second piece to camera that day, Sinead rushed home to check on her daughter. While Carol went to pick up some things in Tesco, Annie showed Sinead a new dance she’d learned from YouTube, with her dark hair flying around like a wind turbine.

A ring on the doorbell gave her a moment’s relief from the thump of Annie’s feet on the floor out of step to Rihanna on the iPad.

Always careful, because of her job, she looked through the spyhole in the door. The man standing on her step was not familiar to her. Though his proportions were distorted, he looked tall. She opened the door a little way, leaving the chain on.

‘Sinead Healy?’

‘Yes.’

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