Chapter 46
‘I can’t believe we didn’t know about Caroline and Sadie’s juvenile history.’ Lottie thumped the dashboard. ‘Did no one think of doing a background check on the victims?’
‘If what Alice said is true, they were kids at the time,’ Boyd said. ‘The files could be sealed or expunged. We concentrated on the men. First Cameron and then Thomas.’
‘For fuck’s sake. They knew each other years ago.’
‘Breathe.’
‘Feck off, Boyd.’ But she inhaled a few deep breaths, trying to counteract her rising blood pressure.
Her hand shook either from rage or from smacking it against the dash.
‘Right, we need to regroup. It might not even be relevant, but we have to determine that the Sadie Tormey Alice mentioned is Sadie Clarke. That should be easy. And we need more information on their supposed incarceration.’
‘Supposed?’ Boyd raised an eyebrow. ‘Do you not believe Alice?’
‘I don’t know what to believe. Why wasn’t she upfront from the start?’
‘You could ask why didn’t we know about it from the start.’
‘Don’t, Boyd. Something happened either in the past or the present that might have ultimately led to the current crimes.’
‘Could also relate to Thomas and the alleged affair with Caroline?’
‘There’s that too. We still have to verify if it’s true.’ She thought for a moment. ‘Thomas Clarke said the two women were tight friends and Una Savage was of the opinion that they were arguing at the party. What could have sparked that altercation?’
‘Has to be the affair,’ Boyd offered.
‘Maybe not. Una said the argument happened after the man who must be Liam Scanlan arrived to speak with Cameron. Scanlan neglected to tell us he was at the Healy house on Sunday afternoon.’
She stared at the dreary sky as Boyd again parked on the double yellows on the narrow one-way road. She hopped out and knocked on the door before pushing against it. It didn’t budge.
‘It’s locked,’ she called to Boyd, who was halfway out of the car. She peered in through the grimy office window. ‘Doesn’t look like anyone’s in there. Have we a home address for him?’
‘Get in. The heavens are about to open once again.’
She sat into the car. ‘I need to review everything.’
‘You don’t have to do it all yourself, Lottie. You have a team. You can’t shoulder everything alone.’
Before she could open her mouth to reply, her phone rang.
She checked the screen. Chloe. Now was not the time for family.
She had to get her thoughts straight and plan the next move in the investigation.
With a swipe of her finger, she silenced the ringtone.
She sent a quick text to her daughter saying she’d call later.
Then she rang Kirby to follow up on Scanlan.
Chloe would have to wait.