Page 123 of Her Last Walk Home

‘I’m not doubting his word, but it’s essential to our inquiries that I ask this question.’ She waited for the father’s consent, and when he inclined his head, she engaged the boy’s eyes. ‘Rex, you’re not in any trouble, but I need to ask you this. Did you take any souvenirs from the body or from the area where you found the woman?’ She had to ask because of a similar incident at her last investigation.

‘No, no way. I never touched her or anything. I just felt sorry for her. I don’t tell lies.’

‘That’s totally fine. I’m so sorry, but in my job sometimes I have to ask unkind questions.’

His shoulders relaxed. ‘That’s all right.’

She heard the front door open and shut and an anger-fuelled rant preceded the entrant. ‘There’s a bloody car blocking the drive and I had to park— Oh! Who are you?’

85

The frustrated woman dropped two carrier bags of groceries and a McDonald’s takeout bag on the floor. Without even unzipping her long black coat, she glared at Lottie and Lei as she noticed her son’s tear-stained face.

‘What have you been doing to my son?’ She rushed over and lifted him off the couch. He was too big for her arms, even though he’d looked tiny seated.

Lottie did the introductions.

Benny said, ‘They’re finished and just leaving.’

‘Finished what?’

Lottie gathered up her bag from the floor. ‘Your son could prove to be an important witness in my current investigation. He’s a little trouper. You should be proud of him.’

‘Who are you to talk about my son?’

‘Brigette. Leave it.’ Benny stood and patted her shoulder. She shook him off.

‘What investigation?’ Her eyes narrowed with suspicion.

Fetching her coat from the back of the chair, Lottie said, ‘Your husband can fill you in. But first I’d like a final word with you both. Without Rex present.’

Benny took the bags of shopping and ushered Rex out of the room. Brigette unzipped her coat and marched around like a lion in a cage. She still had her salon tabard on, and blue jeans with black runners.

‘I’m starving, so could you please hurry up,’ she said as her husband returned.

‘I think you need to look into your childcare arrangements,’ Lottie said. ‘Rex should not be left on his own.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘Your husband will explain. But I may have to inform child services. For now, I want to show you both a selection of photos. You might have seen these people in the news this week, but I need to know if you recognise them outside of that.’

‘Go on then,’ Brigette said, her body taut.

At the table, Lottie asked Garda Lei to show the photos he had with him.

One by one he laid out the images of their victims. Laura Nolan. John Morgan. Aneta Kobza. And Shannon Kenny.

The two adults shook their heads.

Brigette said, ‘I saw that first girl’s photo on the news the other day. She was murdered close by, wasn’t she? I don’t know her or any of them.’

Benny said, ‘Is she the woman Rex found?’

‘What are you talking about?’ Brigette snapped.

‘I’ll tell you later, Bri. Now isn’t?—’

‘I want to know what this is about. Now!’

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