Chapter 29
Chloe logged off from the old case file and stared out the window over the computer monitor. The view was of the wall of an adjacent building. She missed the lake view at home, but this training was what she wanted. To walk in her mother’s footsteps and rise through the ranks.
She opened up the news app on her phone.
The distressing murders in Ragmullin were still grabbing the headlines.
She scanned the most recent report. The victims’ names had now been released but the intricate details of the crime had not.
She despaired at the number of such crimes occurring in recent times.
The one thing that justified seeking out the old file was the fact that a mother and daughter had been strangled in their beds. It appeared vaguely similar to the current crime. She needed more information. Just to quash her curiosity if nothing else.
She was well aware that her mother wouldn’t divulge anything to her about an ongoing investigation, and she couldn’t ask Boyd because of the reasons she’d already considered. So that left Kirby or, God forbid, McKeown.
Thinking about it, she knew Kirby would blab to her mam. That man couldn’t hold his water. A smile came to her lips as she recalled how happy he was with his partner, Amy, and that they were expecting a baby.
Her smile died as she realised she was now left with contacting Detective Sam McKeown. Should she do it? Was she capable of suffering her mother’s wrath once she discovered her subterfuge? She didn’t have McKeown’s personal mobile number, but she knew who did.
She crossed her fingers and rang Garda Martina Brennan.
The guard picked up on the first ring. ‘Hello.’
‘Martina. How’s it going? It’s Chloe Parker.’
‘What can I do you for, Chloe?’
She decided to jump right in. ‘I need Sam McKeown’s number, but you can’t tell anyone that I asked for it, especially not my mother.’
‘Why on earth would you want to ring McKeown? He’s a fucking barracuda.’
Chloe laughed. ‘I’ve heard that about him, but I’m well able to look after myself.’
‘How is the Garda training working out?’
‘It excites me, and for the first time since my dad died, I’ve found a purpose in life.’ As she said the words she realised it was true.
‘That’s great to hear. Hope the actual job doesn’t dim your enthusiasm.’
Chloe listened to the silence. Martina was waiting to be filled in on her reason for asking for McKeown’s number.
‘I’ve this assignment to do and I need to discuss it with a detective. I don’t want to ask Mark Boyd or Mam and I know Kirby is busy with Amy and the pregnancy, so I thought I’d talk to Sam McKeown. Can I have his personal number? Please.’
‘I shouldn’t, but okay, I’ll ping it over to you. And Chloe?’
‘Yes?’
‘Be careful. I meant what I said about the barracuda. He’s a fucking snake, too.’