Chapter 79
Katie was waiting for Lottie when she arrived home from the hospital.
‘Mam?’ She jumped up, wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck. ‘Is she… Is she going to make it?’
‘Surgeon claims the operation went well. She’s in an induced coma. Time will tell.’
Untangling her arms from around Lottie, Katie didn’t seem to know what to do with herself.
Lottie glanced at the clock. ‘All asleep?’
‘Eventually got Gran settled. Boyd is still out.’
‘Where did he go?’
‘He left a note to say he was going to the hospital.’
‘I didn’t see him. God, I’d murder a drink.’
‘And I’d murder you if you took one.’ Katie’s white face paled further. ‘Mam, who attacked Chloe?’
Lottie slumped down on a chair and rolled her coat into a ball on her knee. She hadn’t the energy to hang it up. ‘We have an idea who it may have been, but it makes no sense. Nothing makes sense tonight.’
‘Mam, she’s going to be okay,’ Katie said. ‘She’s a fighter.’
‘But what if she doesn’t make it? What then?’
‘Don’t be catastrophising. It does no good.’
‘It doesn’t stop the agonising doubt. You go on to bed, Katie. I’ve a few calls to make.’
At the door, her daughter turned. ‘Whatever you do, don’t wake Gran.’
‘I certainly won’t.’
Left in the silence of the kitchen, Lottie leaned over the table and rested the side of her face on the cool timber.
It was there that Boyd found her asleep hours later.
Thomas Clarke had never been to Alice Quigley’s house, but after what he’d found hidden in his garage safe, he had to talk to her.
He’d been searching the house manically since Inspector Parker had told him of Sadie’s past. And then he’d remembered that Sadie had organised to have a floor safe installed in the garage.
She’d wanted to keep her late mother’s jewellery safe for Lily’s future.
That was what she’d told him. More lies.
He’d never thought to question it. Stupid of him, seeing as Sadie claimed to have been destitute when her parents died. He’d never even looked inside.
When he discovered the contents, what he should have done was bring it to the guards, but he’d had enough of Lottie Parker’s inquisitions to last a lifetime. She had mentioned Caroline’s mother knowing something about an affair, and now he felt it was time to talk to her.
It was gone one in the morning. Too late? Maybe, but he didn’t care. After half a bottle of wine, he shouldn’t drive. He couldn’t risk a drink-driving charge on top of everything else. He called a taxi.
The rain poured down as he exited the vehicle and he realised he’d left home with no coat. A car was parked outside the dated bungalow where Alice lived. He girded himself and went over his prepared speech in his head. Two wires hung where the bell should be, so he knocked hard on the door.
When it opened, he was surprised at the dishevelled woman standing there. ‘Alice? We need to talk. I’m Thomas Clarke.’
‘I know who you are,’ she said. ‘Sadie’s husband. It’s late, but come in. It’s nice of you to call at such a sad time for me. I’d love the company.’
Thomas had no say in the matter as she put out a hand, grabbed him by the shoulder and propelled him inside. The door slammed behind him.
‘I want to talk about my wife and your daughter,’ he said.
‘Well then, you’ve come to the right woman.’
He followed her down the cluttered hallway, his thoughts full of his need to find Sadie and Lily. He feared greatly for them, despite or maybe because of Sadie’s lies. He hoped now he could find some answers.
‘What’s the story with Mooney?’ Boyd woke Lottie with a mug of tea.
‘What do you mean?’ She realised it was the middle of the night and she was still at the table.
‘Saw him in the hospital with you.’
She sipped the tea. The milk had turned. She pushed the mug away. ‘And you didn’t come over and say hello?’
‘You were waiting for Chloe to come out of surgery. I didn’t want to intrude.’
‘Right.’ She was in no humour for this conversation.
He sat beside her. ‘I was at the scene. Talked to Cafferty’s barman. No one saw anything. The two women who found Chloe arrived soon after it happened. Maybe even saved her life.’
‘You sure have a way of cheering me up.’
‘Is that you being sarcastic?’
She was too tired for this. Too wound up. She stood. ‘I’m going back to the hospital.’
‘Sit down before you fall down.’
Lottie sat and picked her coat off the ground. Boyd took it and hung it on the back of her chair.
‘How’s Chloe doing?’ he asked.
‘Out of surgery and in an induced coma for a few hours. The doctor said they’ve stopped the internal bleeding.’ She stood again. ‘I should be there when she wakes up.’
He grabbed her hand and pulled her close. She sank down onto his knee, nestled her face into his neck. Smelled the damp from the rain on his skin as he wrapped his arms around her.
‘Rest here for a minute,’ he said softly. ‘Then you’re going to bed.’
‘I’m too exhausted to argue,’ she said, and with her head on his shoulder, she promptly fell asleep.