Gráinne looked from Eoin to Brian but remained silent.
“When we picked you up yesterday in your mother’s car we found a rucksack hidden in the car. It had a black rubber suit in it. There was blood on the inside of the right arm.”
Gráinne frowned and looked at Brian’s scratch.
“We collected a DNA sample from you. The results are back. You wore that suit. You attacked Isobel McKenzie.”
Gráinne moistened her lips. “I want to confer with my client.”
Alanna said, “Before you do we want to put a few more facts before you.”
Gráinne glanced at Brian. He continued to look at Eoin and said nothing. Gráinne nodded.
Alanna said, “The suit also had fingerprints on the arms. Some were Isobel McKenzie’s but there were also prints that we have been able to identify as those of Michelle Cavan and Catriona Malloy.”
Despite her training, Gráinne gasped.
Eoin said, “We know you got Aidan to move your book of trophies.”
Brian paled.
Eoin said, “Obviously now he has his own legal problems.”
“We have the book,” Alanna said. “We have the pictures and the pubic hair of all those women you raped and your fingerprints are all over those pictures.”
Brian lowered his head.
“Do you want to say anything?” Eoin said.
“I demand time with my client,” said Gráinne.
Alanna said, “Why did you do it? Was it because your wife left you for someone that she met at the basketball? Is that why you targeted all of those women with children or nephews in the club?”
Brian looked up. “She shouldn’t have left me.”
Gráinne said, “That’s enough. My client has nothing to say at present.”
The interview was over.
In the observation room Isobel felt her shoulders drop. It was over. They had caught The Shadow. Thank God.
Chin and Agnieska brought Isobel and Patricia to the office. Eoin and Alanna were there. Other Gardaí were coming up to them and congratulating them. The Super arrived. Everyone’s relief was clear. The Super had put money behind the bar in one of the local pubs for the team to celebrate. Eoin and Alanna were keen for them all to go but Isobel and Patricia declined. They were all going to meet at Colette’s the next evening for a celebratory dinner.
It had been a day of good outcomes and when they got home Isobel climbed into bed and slept for fourteen hours straight.
Chapter 65
Tuesday 2nd July
The next morning Isobel and Patricia had plans to visit the women they had talked to. Malcolm spoke to Ross and the two of them decided to go fishing on the lake.
It was an intense morning, telling each of the women they knew that there was evidence linking Brian to raping them. It was an emotional day. By mid-afternoon Isobel was tired but relieved that Brian’s incarceration had lifted a level of threat from the women.
When they arrived at Colette’s that evening, the party atmosphere from the pub the night before was still in evidence. Eoin was smiling and looking relaxed in a polo shirt and jeans and Alanna had on a dress instead of her suit. They had found a babysitter and Zoe had come along too.
The food was good. Colette had insisted that Isobel and her visitors stay over with her so that they could enjoy a glass of wine.
Eoin said, “Two of your ladies have made statements, Isobel, and we have started to make contact with the other women in the book.”
“They all seem relieved to know that their kids are safe now,” Alanna said.
“We hope that some of them might make statements,” Eoin said.
“They may not need to,” Alanna said. “There’s a chance that because the evidence is overwhelming that Brian may confess.”
Eoin said, “I’ll believe that when I see it. I’m expecting him to try something to get off.”
Malcolm said, “But the planning that he did, the stalking, there’s no way that he can be anything other than guilty.”
“Why did he do it?” Patricia asked.
“To get back control,” Colette said. “Rape is acted out in the sexual realm but it’s about power. Punishing these women, overpowering them, that was how Brian could show that he was in control, the boss. He punished them for his wife leaving him.”
Isobel said, “I hope that the women find a way to heal.”
Colette looked at Eoin. “Me too.”
“You were so right about the trophies, Colette,” said Isobel.
“That’s my job.”
“I don’t think that Gregory Hayes covered himself with glory this time. I told the Super that you had given us a head’s up about the trophies. You never know, you might get your job back again.”
Colette shook her head. “I don’t want Gregory to lose his job.”
“You’re too forgiving.”
“You don’t understand what went on.”
Alanna said, “Here we are, one big happy family!”
Everyone laughed.
Eoin said, “Here’s to our intrepid team. Once we all were on the case Brian didn’t stand a chance no matter how clever he thought he was.”
Alanna said, “Well, if Isobel hadn’t found the body and if she hadn’t discovered the other women and then nearly got herself killed!”
“Enough,” said Isobel.
Malcolm said, “To your beautiful city being safe again!”
Everyone raised their glasses to that.
Isobel said, “I think Malcolm has fallen in love with having a boat on the lake.”
“Yes, I have and today I found out how I can rent a boat and we can sail up the Shannon.”
Patricia said, “No way!”
Malcolm nodded. “Oh yes. And six people can go so we just need to clear your diaries.”
“You’ll never get rid of him now, Isobel,” said Patricia.
Isobel grinned. “Just as well that I don’t want to.”
THE END
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