Page 151 of The Guilty Girl

‘Did you hear or see anyone else?’

‘I think we were the only ones there, but I don’t know.’

Lottie sucked in a relieved breath. Sean was in the clear. ‘Why did you lie about finding Lucy’s body?’

‘I was terrified. We didn’t make a pact or anything. I just think Hannah really doesn’t remember. I took the same drug as her and I was fine, so maybe someone spiked her drink. I wouldn’t put it past that Jake. He was watching her all night.’ He paused. ‘Can I go home now?’

Scally, the solicitor, found his tongue. ‘My client is prepared to sign a statement confirming what he has told you. He has not committed any crime, so I ask that you release him.’

‘If what he says turns out to be true, he—’

‘It is true, all of it,’ Cormac cried.

Lottie kept her gaze on the solicitor. ‘He tampered with a crime scene. He left said scene. He failed to report a crime and the discovery of a body. He perverted the course of justice.’ She cringed, thinking how Sean was guilty of the exact same crimes.

‘Those are minor infringements that do not warrant his continued incarceration at this time.’

‘Once I have his signed statement, Superintendent Farrell will make that call.’

‘His father is frantically working with the army to be allowed home on compassionate grounds.’

‘Cormac isn’t dead.’ Lottie couldn’t help herself.

The lad flopped back in his chair. ‘Ah man, if my dad has to come home, I’ll be as good as.’

‘Your dad is worried about you, Cormac,’ Scally said. ‘I’ve made arrangements for you to ring him once you’re out of here.’

‘He’ll kill me for sure.’

‘That’d be hard, seeing as he’s still in Syria,’ Lottie said.

‘That’s not even funny,’ Cormac retorted. ‘What have I to sign?’

71

Hannah Byrne was seated in the older interview room with her solicitor. It was a tight squeeze, but Lottie just wanted to get it over with.

‘Where is Babs?’ she asked.

‘Hannah’s mother has a two-year-old son to care for. Can I ask why my client is being kept in custody?’ The solicitor looked almost as young as Hannah. Hair swept up in a bun, two curls trimmed over her ears, and foundation that rendered her face smooth as wax. Her eyes were as bright as the baby-blue jacket she wore over a cream silk blouse.

Lottie glanced down at her own faded T-shirt and grubby jeans. She needed a shower and change of clothes. There was probably still blood on her neck. To counter her embarrassment over her appearance, she scanned the single sheet of paper Kirby had handed her before they entered the room, searching for the solicitor’s name. Cassie Ballesty.

‘Ms Ballesty, I’m working around the clock on three murder investigations. I was ready to interview Hannah earlier, but her mother wanted a solicitor. Now that you’re here, what has Hannah to say for herself?’

As Ballesty whispered in Hannah’s ear, Lottie’s head pounded. She needed more painkillers to help her concentrate and see the bigger picture. If Hannah and Cormac were innocent of Lucy’s murder, which of the other suspects had a motive? Was she looking for more than one killer? She had three victims and no arrests. Easing her phone from her jeans she checked to see if Boyd had called. Nothing from him, but a text from Lynch. Superintendent Farrell was on the warpath.

‘My client has nothing further to say to you.’

‘Was the sex with Cormac consensual, Hannah?’ Lottie barged in, ignoring the gasp from Ballesty.

‘What?’ Hannah gulped.

‘What has that to do with a murder?’ Ballesty said. She nudged Hannah. ‘Reply no comment.’

‘No, no,’ Hannah cried, leaning towards Lottie, her palms outstretched in a plea. ‘What are you talking about?’

Lottie inclined her head to one side, donning a sympathetic expression. ‘Hannah, we know you had a sexual encounter with Cormac O’Flaherty at the fateful party. I’m asking you, was it consensual?’

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