Page 36 of Three Widows

‘I haven’t seen you this chirpy in ages, Kirby. What has you looking so happy?’ asked Garda Martina Brennan as she deposited a pile of door-to-door from Jennifer O’Loughlin’s estate on his desk.

McKeown raised his head, scowling. ‘He’s probably been prowling the dark web for someone to take out his lack of sexual gratification on.’

‘What are you talking about?’ Martina snapped angrily, and slapped the remaining questionnaires on top of McKeown’s precious iPad.

‘Hey! Look where you’re throwing those,’ he snarled.

Kirby couldn’t take much more of McKeown. Shuffling out of his chair, he moved to the man’s desk, glad to see the untidy pile of paper littering it. ‘That’s no way to speak to your colleague.’

‘What’s it to you?’ McKeown stood.

Kirby felt dwarfed. ‘You’re a chauvinistic pig, thinking you’re superior to all women.’

‘Too right,’ Martina said, folding her arms.

‘Ganging up on me now? What is it? Are you going behind my back?’ he snarled at the young garda.

‘That’s rich from someone who’s used to sneaking around behind his wife’s back,’ Kirby said. ‘Not everyone lives by your lack of morals.’

‘You are a mouthy fat fuck.’ McKeown’s spittle landed on Kirby’s cheek and his hands turned into fists.

Kirby wiped it away. He wasn’t afraid of the shaven-headed hulk. On the contrary, he would welcome McKeown punching him. Best way to get rid of him.

‘Stop!’ Martina cried.

Lottie arrived at the office door. ‘What’s going on?’

Kirby held his ground and McKeown unfurled his fist. ‘Nothing.’

‘Didn’t look like nothing to me. I want an explanation from the three of you after I meet with the super.’

Martina backed away from Kirby and let go of his sleeve. ‘It’s fine, Inspector. A misunderstanding.’

‘Is that right, Kirby?’

‘Ask him.’ Kirby drew in his neck and returned to his desk to shuffle the questionnaires.

McKeown remained silent.

‘This can’t continue,’ Lottie said. ‘We have a murdered woman and another missing. I don’t need this carry-on behind my back.’

‘Won’t happen again, boss,’ Kirby said.

McKeown rooted for his iPad in silence.

‘It better not. I’m watching you, Detective McKeown, every step you take. And I do not like where it’s taking you.’

‘Not my fault if he wants to start a row.’

‘For heaven’s sake, will you all just grow up.’ She flung her bag and jacket on her desk and left the room.

Kirby wondered if she would tell the superintendent. In a way, he hoped she would.

24

No way was Lottie going to be accused of withholding anything to do with this investigation. She’d got in enough trouble during her previous major case.

She knocked on Superintendent Farrell’s office door.

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