Isobel made a face and looked at Patricia, who said, “There’s a problem.”
Eoin closed his eyes. “Why do I feel that this is really bad news?”
Isobel waited until he opened them again. “I’m going to let Malcolm tell you.”
Patricia put her phone on speaker and let it ring.
Eoin looked at Alanna, a pained expression on his face.
Malcolm said, “Patricia.”
“Malcolm, we’re here with Eoin and Alanna. The good news is that DNA has come back and short story, they probably have Brian for the murders.”
“Thank God.”
Patricia said, “Tell them about last night.”
“Aidan Carey came to Brian’s boat last night and removed something.”
Eoin stood up. “Jesus!”
Alanna leaned back in her chair. “Unbelievable.”
Malcolm said, “Alanna, I’ll send you the pictures.” They could hear him breathing and then he said, “I’ve sent them to you.”
Alanna opened the file. Eoin stood behind her as they pored over her phone and the images of Aidan removing the package from the boat.
“That has to be incriminating evidence that Brian wanted disposed of,” Eoin said.
Malcolm said, “Before you get your knickers in a twist let me tell you that I’m outside Aidan’s house and the package is sitting on his kitchen table unopened. He’s not here. He’s probably at work.”
Eoin said, “He’s here in Henry Street because we called him in. We’re about to go in and interview Brian and charge him with two counts of rape and murder and one of attempted murder.”
Malcolm said, “Well, you need another search warrant and you need to look at what was so important to Brian that he had it moved. I was watching him on Saturday night and because it was dark, I didn’t realise what he was doing but now I know – he retrieved the package, spent some time with it and then put it back.”
Eoin stood up. “Definitely the trophies.”
“Hopefully, or else it’s his stash of cash,” Malcolm said.
“Malcolm, can you keep eyes on the package until we get a search warrant and retrieve it?”
“I won’t let it out of my sight.”
Eoin turned to Alanna. “Get those photos to Judge Murphy and get me a search warrant.”
Alanna hurried out of the room.
Eoin fussed with some papers on the desk and then said, “Shit, Patricia, I forgot to tell Alanna that we would need to interview Aidan next. Would you please ask her to put him in an interview room alone?”
Patricia said, “Sure.” She hurried out.
Eoin put his hands on the desk. “So, you were at the hospital again. Isobel, is everything alright?”
Isobel went very still. She swallowed and then raised her hand to her throat. “Everything’s fine.”
Eoin shook his head. “There’s no point trying to hint to me that this is about your throat. I saw you at the hospital long before you were attacked, a week ago, in fact. So, I’m asking you again, are you alright?”
Isobel made a face. “How did you know I was at the hospital today?”
Eoin grinned. “I’m that good a detective.”
Isobel waited.
“I heard the lift announcing the floor when you answered the phone. I recognised it.”
Isobel inclined her head. “You were at the hospital too a week ago.”
Eoin frowned. “Touché.”
“I guess we all have our secrets.”
Eoin looked at her for a minute and then turned to look out of the window. “Aside from Colette, I have an older sister. When she was eighteen, well, bad things happened to her. They never found who did it. It’s probably why I became a Garda. She never really recovered fully, and that’s why Colette became a psychologist, I think.”
“I’m sorry. You were visiting her.”
Eoin turned to face Isobel. “Yes. She read about the murder and it upset her again.” He looked down and fiddled with his files. “I go to visit her as well because it reminds me to think of the victims. When the case is over for me, even if we catch the offender, it’s not over for them. I like to remember how they might feel when I’m talking to them.”
Isobel swallowed. “You’re a very unusual man.”
Eoin made a face. “No, I’m someone who has seen a lot from both sides. Now perhaps you could tell me if you really are OK.”
Isobel looked away. “I was unwell for the last year and a half. I’m still on sabbatical from work. There was concern that the problem might have reared its head again.”
“And?”
Isobel faced him. “No, thankfully, it hasn’t. I got the all-clear today.”
Eoin reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’m so glad.”
Patricia came in. She stopped abruptly. “Sorry, am I interrupting something?”
Eoin stood up. “Not at all. I was just thanking Isobel and now you too for all you’ve done. And Malcolm deserves a pint as well.”
Patricia looked from one to the other.
Eoin said, “Did Alanna get Aidan ready for interview?”
“Yes, she said Room Two. Isobel, that’s the one we can watch.”
Eoin said, “And the search warrant?”
“Alanna has Agnieska doing that. She estimates that in an hour they should be ready to search the house.”
Eoin nodded. “OK, let’s see what Aidan has to say.”
Eoin escorted Isobel and Patricia to the viewing room and left them. They sat down. Patricia looked at Isobel. “What was all that about?”
“He knew we were at the hospital this morning.”
“How?”
“He heard the lift over the phone and he’d seen me there a week ago. He made a few deductions. He wanted to know if I was OK. I told him I had been ill and needed a check-up and that everything was fine.” She turned away. “I didn’t tell him what I was ill with.”
“Why not? Is it because you like him?”
Isobel’s head snapped up.
“It’s OK. I know that the surgery has changed things for you about your body but it’s good that you like someone.”
Isobel shook her head.
“It is, it’s good,” Patricia said. “Especially because I think he likes you too.”
“He does not.”
Patricia put up her hands. “OK, OK. But it’s good you were honest with him. Oh look, here they are.”
Isobel turned to the window as Eoin and Alanna walked in.
Chapter 62
Aidan Carey said, “You’re going to have to release my client soon.”
Eoin sat down at the table and crossed his legs. “We’re actually here to question you about something.”
“Me. I’ve done nothing. Brian said that you were on a witch hunt and now you’re after me too. This is ridiculous.”
Alanna smiled. “We only go after criminals.”
Aidan’s mouth fell open. “How dare you? I am not a criminal.”
Eoin said, “That’s what Brian says and I’m bored with it.”
“I’m going to report both of you for this persecution of solicitors.”
Eoin leaned forward. “No one is above the law. Not you and not Brian.”
Aidan cupped his hands together on the table. “I have nothing more to say to you unless you’re going to be specific.”
“Oh I’ll be specific alright. Alanna, show Mr. Carey here the photographs.”
Alanna sorted out her phone and held it in front of Aidan.
Eoin said, “Perhaps you could tell me what you’re doing there?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Oh, I think it is.”
Aidan looked at each of them. “My client asked me to retrieve something valuable from his boat. He normally doesn’t leave this on the boat but since you had brought him here, he was worried about its safety.”
Eoin said, “And did your client tell you what manner of valuables were in this package?”
>
“Well no, not specifically. He said valuables so I thought cash or jewellery.”
“And did he tell you to retrieve it at night?”
Aidan frowned. “Yes, he did but that was because he didn’t want anyone to see where he had hidden it, for security reasons in the future.”
“And you didn’t find that strange, given that we were holding him?”
“You were holding him on a trumped-up charge. Awaiting DNA but what had he done, driven a car that was his mother’s?”
Eoin said, “That he had lied about.”
“Which he explained.”
Alanna said, “We found a black rubber suit.”
Aidan said, “Which he denied all knowledge of and even if it was his so what? If he has a black rubber suit for running or sex or whatever, that’s his private business.”
“Not if he makes it public business.”
Aidan shook his head. “What is this all about?
Alanna said, “You haven’t asked about the DNA results we’re waiting on.”
“That’s because you said this was about me.”
“Do you trust Brian?”
“Of course I do. He’s a respected colleague.”
Alanna shook her head. “Big mistake.”
Aidan folded his arms.
“The DNA from Brian came back a match to that found under Isobel McKenzie’s fingernails.”
Aidan raised an eyebrow.
“Isobel McKenzie is the woman who was attacked and almost murdered on Wednesday evening. She said her assailant wore a black rubber suit. She managed to scratch him during her fight to escape.”
Eoin said, “Brian’s mother’s car was seen in the vicinity of the attack and his blood is on the inside of the suit.”
Aidan paled.
Eoin said, “We’re going to be charging Brian with her attack.”
Aidan took a deep breath.
Alanna said, “And that’s not all.”
Aidan licked his dry lips and kept his arms folded. He said nothing.
“There were other fingerprints on the suit and do you know who they belonged to?” Eoin waited.
Aidan didn’t react at all.
“No? Well the fingerprints belong to Michelle Cavan and Catriona Molloy.”
Aidan went pale then he stood up and rushed over to the bin. Alanna and Eoin sprang to their feet. Aidan fell to his knees and vomited.
Alanna and Eoin sat down.
In the observation room Patricia said, “Oh my God.”
Isobel squeezed her hand.
Eoin left the room and came back with some water and tissues. Aidan remained crouched over the bin although the vomiting had stopped. Eventually Eoin went over to him and touched his shoulder. Aidan stood up and Eoin guided him back to the table. He lifted the bin and left it outside the door.
Aidan sipped the water and sat with his shoulders hunched and his head down.
Alanna looked at Eoin. He shrugged.
Alanna said, “Had you anything to do with the murder of Michelle Cavan and Catriona Molloy?”
“Of course I bloody didn’t.” He looked at Alanna and Eoin. “I’m innocent.”
Alanna picked up her phone. “Not completely innocent.”
“I’m guilty of poor judgement and trusting a colleague.”
Eoin said, “Or murder after the fact, conspiracy, perverting the course of justice. “
Aidan turned a greenish colour. He swallowed loudly.
Eoin said, “I want the keys to your house.”
“What?”
“We have a warrant to get the package you removed for Brian. We can break down the door but we’d prefer not to.”
Aidan pulled the keys out of his pocket. “Take them. And tell Brian he needs new representation.”
“You’re going to need a solicitor yourself. Get someone good. You may have been a patsy, but Brian is ruthless.”
Aidan said, “What’s in this package that you’re so interested in?”
“You don’t want to know.”
Aidan swallowed.
Alanna said, “Are you going to be sick again?”
Aidan shook his head. “I never opened it. I never looked inside.”
Eoin said, “Well, pray that Brian’s prints are all over whatever’s in it.” He stood up. “We’ll need a statement from you but you had better talk to your solicitor first.”
Aidan nodded.
Isobel and Patricia heard voices in the hallway and then Eoin and Alanna came into the room. Eoin said, “The forensic team is on its way to Aidan’s house. It’s going to take them a while to do their stuff with the package before we can see what’s inside. Malcolm is probably starving. Why don’t you get a bite to eat and we’ll let you know when the package has been opened? Don’t forget to tell Malcolm that we owe him a pint.”
Isobel nodded. She hadn’t eaten much today because her nerves hadn’t allowed it but she wasn’t sure if she could eat now after all that had happened.
Chapter 63
Malcolm was ravenous. They went to The Steakhouse because Isobel knew he would like it. He did. Isobel ordered a vegetarian stir fry and despite it being delicious she only picked at it. Patricia wasn’t much better. When Isobel’s phone rang at eight o’clock it was a relief. Alanna was calling them back. As they walked along O’Connell Street and down to Henry Street Isobel could feel the knots of anxiety in her stomach. She wanted the package to have evidence that proved what Brian had done to all of the women but at the same time it seemed a sinister, almost sick, desire. She felt nauseous.
Eoin swung round as they were shown into the forensic room. Alanna was there too and the rugby player in his white forensic suit with the hood up and blue gloves on. In front of him was a table with a protective sheet on it and a number of items. Alanna said, “This is Will. He is going to show you what was in the package.”
Will said, “There were two waterproof covers over the contents.” He lifted up a large plastic envelope. “The outside one has Aidan Carey’s fingerprints on it. Understandable since he pulled it out of the water. There are no others. They were destroyed by the water.”
Isobel bit her lip.
Will lifted a second cover. “The second cover doesn’t have Aidan’s fingerprints on it. He never touched it.”
Eoin nodded. “That will help his case.”
Will said, “There is a different set of fingerprints on this inner cover. They belong to Brian Fitzwilliam.” He looked around at them. “The plastic envelope contained this.” He lifted a large book from the table. The pages looked to be a rough type of paper. He set the book back on the table and then opened it.
Isobel and Patricia leaned forward to get a better view.
Inside, the book had groups of little paper triangles for holding photographs. There were photographs of women in the book. Will turned a page or two.
Isobel gasped. “That‘s Kate.” She covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”
Alanna said, “Isobel, we’re already using social media to identify the women. We will probably know who they all are in a few hours.”
“Brian took photos of the women before and after the rapes,” Eoin said. “He wanted to be reminded of the change in the women.”
Will pointed to some clear plastic packets that were between some of the photos. “We’ve analysed the contents of these little plastic bags. It’s human hair, pubic hair.”
Isobel could feel her eyes filling with tears.
Will said, “Once we’ve identified the women, we will be able to prove that Brian took some pubic hair from them, when he raped them.”
Isobel swallowed. It was sickening. “How many women are in the book?”
Will hesitated.
Isobel raised her voice. “How many women?”
Alanna said, “Seventeen. One woman a month since his wife left him.”
“Jesus!” Patricia said.
Alanna turned to them. “If any of the women w
ant to come forward we have proof now.”
Eoin said, “And we’ve stopped him.”
Isobel nodded.
Alanna hugged her. “We have him. There’s no way he can wriggle out of this. He’s never going to see the light of day again.”
Eoin said, “We just have to go and make Brian aware of it. Come on, Alanna, let’s finish this.”
Chapter 64
Isobel and Patricia sat with Malcolm, Agnieska and Chin in the viewing room. Eoin and Alanna walked into the interview room where Brian was seated with a new solicitor, a woman this time. Alanna pressed the button so Isobel and the others could hear. Each person identified themselves for the recording. The woman was called Gráinne Walsh.
Brian said, “Why did Aidan have to withdraw from being my solicitor?”
“Are you happy with your representation today?” said Eoin. “If not, we can delay this interview.”
Brian was silent a moment. “Yes, I’m happy with my representation.”
Eoin nodded at Alanna who read him his rights again.
Alanna said, “Could you show me your right forearm, please?”
Brian frowned.
“We’re going to need pictures of it so you might as well co-operate.”
Brian thought a moment and then rolled up his sleeve. There was a plaster on the inside of his forearm near the wrist. Eoin gestured and Brian pulled off the plaster. On his arm was a two-inch scratch that was showing signs of healing.
Eoin said, “Do you remember how you got that?”
Brian said nothing.
“Or who gave it to you?”
Eoin raised his eyebrows. “No comment?” He waited. “Let me tell you what we know. We know that you were at the University Hotel swimming pool on Wednesday evening when you left suddenly. We have a witness who saw you about to get into the pool and your arm was fine that evening but not the next evening. We have another witness who saw your mother’s car parked in a driveway outside Killaloe on Wednesday evening. Isobel McKenzie was attacked near there that evening and nearly strangled.”
Gráinne said, “What has this to do with my client?”
Eoin ignored her, his eyes boring into Brian’s. “Her attacker wore a black rubber suit. She scratched him. We collected the DNA from under her fingernails. There was no match in the system.”
Broken Silence: A tense psychological thriller Page 35