Page 149 of Three Widows

‘Good. Hopefully Frankie Bardon won’t invoke the no-comment mantra now that his solicitor is here.’

‘No, boss, she’s here with Kathleen Foley.’

90

Boyd had pleaded to be allowed to go home. Jackie had been ringing him, and when he tried to call back, there was no answer. Always drama. With her team knee deep in work, and against her better judgement, Lottie brought Kirby to the interview room.

Madelene Bowen seemed very well put together, sitting beside a nervous-looking Kathleen Foley.

‘I thought you were Frankie Bardon’s legal representative,’ Lottie began without preamble.

‘I’ve informed him that I can’t represent him, but I’ve agreed to meet him later to advise him,’ Madelene said. ‘Kathleen – Mrs Foley – phoned me in a distressed state after two of your officers upset her. She is here for an apology and an explanation as to why you have failed to locate her daughter. Let’s get on with it.’ Determined voice and harsh intonation. She jutted out her chin and nodded at Kathleen to speak.

‘My daughter is still missing and I’ve told you everything. Why can’t you find her?’

‘Kathleen, we are doing everything in our power to locate her.’ Lottie forced a sweet smile. ‘I need you to be totally honest with me.’

‘I-I have been honest.’

‘Economical with the truth, more like,’ Kirby said. Would he ever learn to reel it in? Lottie wondered.

‘That’s a preposterous statement, Detective,’ Madelene said.

‘I apologise.’ Kirby spoke quickly. Lottie knew he was far from sorry.

‘It’s okay,’ Kathleen said. ‘Your detective is correct. I have not been totally honest with you.’

‘I’m listening.’ Lottie folded her arms.

‘Helena was married, when she was twenty-one. She was pregnant. She lost the baby six months into her pregnancy. A little boy. Noah, she called him. She went into a kind of psychosis. Wouldn’t accept his death. Her husband, Gerald, left her. He’s living in New York now. She never fully recovered.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me this originally? You specifically told me that she was delusional, a liar even, and imagining a son and husband.’

‘I’m sorry. I panicked. I was afraid of what she might say to you. But it’s been a long time and she’s still living in some sort of fantasy land. I tried to get her to move on from that part of her life, but she struggled.’

‘Your daughter is suffering from a type of depression.’ Lottie couldn’t believe the insensitivity of the woman in front of her. ‘She needs professional help.’

‘Don’t you think I haven’t tried? I’ve worked hard all my life and paid for the best in the country. And still she’s getting worse, not better.’

‘Kathleen, do you think Helena might be a danger to herself or others?’

‘God forgive me, I believe so.’

‘Was she ever violent towards you?’

Kathleen shook her head. ‘No, but she has succeeded in alienating me. Even after all I’ve done for her, supporting her and her business.’

Madelene leaned forward. ‘I think that’s enough, Inspector. My client is distressed.’

‘I’m just getting started.’ Lottie checked Lynch’s notes before her next question. ‘Why was Tyler Keating’s car parked close to your home for the last year?’

‘That’s enough,’ Madelene repeated.

‘I know nothing about it,’ Kathleen said. ‘That’s the truth.’

‘We will find where it was kept.’

‘I hope you do, but it’s nothing to do with me.’

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