Page 97 of Final Betrayal

‘Both, I suppose.’

‘There are a number of dead,’ he said. ‘A long time ago I heard that there’s a network of tunnels under the whole town. Goes back to medieval days. This is a garrison town, and in the 1800s it housed a jail for the midlands. It’s possible the tunnels were used to transport prisoners from the jail to the courthouse.’

‘Maybe some people escaped the accident that way. You know, if they got trapped beneath the rubble they might have found their way out through the tunnels.’

‘Once the rescue operation is complete, we’ll know the full toll of casualties.’

‘There’s a rumour that Cyril Gill might be one of the dead. Such a tragedy for that family, what with his daughter’s murder also.’

‘How is Richard Whyte holding up?’ Kirby remembered he had to approach the man to see if he could search for the phone’s SIM card.

‘I haven’t seen him. He hasn’t been into the pharmacy since …’ She took another mouthful of her Irish coffee. ‘Since Amy was found murdered.’

‘Who’s standing in for you today then?’

‘I’m entitled to my day off,’ she said haughtily.

‘Sorry, Megan, I was only asking.’

‘We have a locum pharmacist. He’s in today.’ She drained her mug and stood. ‘I’d better go. I’ve things to do. Hope your colleagues will be all right.’

He got up to let her pass, and she was gone before he sat back down again.

Richard Whyte opened the door and led Kirby inside.

‘Would you like a coffee? Or a drink? I’ve the best Irish whiskey.’

‘Whiskey sounds good.’ Kirby slid onto a high stool at the breakfast bar as Whyte opened a cupboard and returned with two glasses. The bottle was already open on the counter.

‘Forgive me, I’m a little drunk,’ Whyte said, and sat beside Kirby.

‘Sorry about your daughter.’

‘Life’s a bitch.’

‘Isn’t it just.’

Both men drained their whiskey and Whyte poured two more.

‘Do you have any update on who killed Amy?’

‘Not yet. But we’re working flat out. That is, we were, until the accident at the courthouse.’

‘Saw that on the news. I’ve been trying to call Cyril. No answer. I doubt he was on site, though, what with Louise and all …’

‘He’s not among the dead so far. But we believe there are some people still buried under the rubble.’ Kirby twisted around on the stool so that he could get a look at Whyte. The man was staring into the molten gold swimming in the bottom of his crystal glass. ‘There’s something I have to ask you.’

‘Go ahead.’

‘What’s with the spare mobile phone, the one we found hidden here? It’s not Cristina’s or Amy’s, is it?’

‘I don’t know whose it is.’

‘It’s not a model favoured by young people. All touch screens nowadays. Are you sure it’s not yours?’

Kirby watched Richard’s face intently as he struggled with what he should say.

‘My girl is dead. Cyril’s girl is dead. Doesn’t matter now, I suppose.’

---