Page 85 of Final Betrayal

‘In the course of those interviews she revealed something to Conor Dowling that casts doubt on his conviction ten years ago.’

‘You’ve been watching Making a Murderer on Netflix.’ Lottie tried to keep the exasperation out of her voice, but failed. ‘The evidence was tight. Conor Dowling terrorised an old man in his own home with a sawn-off shotgun, and once he’d beaten him, he ransacked the house. Louise Gill and Amy Whyte gave conclusive eyewitness testimony. They both saw Conor Dowling in the area that night.’

‘Louise spoke to me after her conversation with Dowling in prison.’

‘And why would she do that?’

‘I was working on a story to coincide with his release. As it turns out, it never got aired. But I can tell you, she was racked with guilt.’

‘For putting away a criminal?’

‘She lied.’

‘Come again.’

‘You had no physical or forensic evidence on Conor Dowling. You never found the gun or the money. He never offered a defence. He was convicted on witness statements.’

‘Correct so far.’

‘Louise and Amy lied.’

‘What?’ Lottie had not been expecting that. She felt her jaw drop and hurriedly closed her mouth.

‘The two girls were not sure it was Dowling they saw that night.’

‘They gave sworn statements.’

‘Two impressionable teenagers,’ Cynthia said.

‘They had details. He never denied the charge. He was guilty as hell.’

‘I don’t think he was.’

‘Cynthia, this is bullshit and you know it.’ Lottie felt a twitch of unease. What if the girls had lied? Had she sent an innocent man to prison? She didn’t believe that, but still …

‘Louise was contrite. Troubled. I got the feeling she was ready to unburden herself.’

‘And did she?’

‘No. When the programme was shelved by the powers that be, I arranged to meet her again. I couldn’t let it go.’

‘When was this?’

‘That’s the thing. I was due to meet her early next week. And now she’s dead. As is Amy Whyte.’

‘And two other young women.’ Lottie churned Cynthia’s words around in her head. No matter which way they fell, she couldn’t make sense of them. ‘What exactly did Louise tell you?’

‘If I’m to divulge it, I need your story. How you fit in with Bernie Kelly’s tale.’

‘A tale. That’s all it is. Bernie is a liar and a serial killer, in case you’d forgotten.’

‘I hadn’t forgotten, but I do believe you and your family are in danger.’

Lottie gulped loudly, looking around for her bag, anywhere but at Cynthia, who she knew was staring at her.

The reporter tapped the table again triumphantly. ‘You know that already! I take it then that you’ve been threatened. By Bernie?’

‘This is not up for discussion. I want to know about Louise and what she said. Do you have recordings of the conversation? I’d like them, please.’

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