One Coffin Too Many

by Brendan O'Grady

  “ Burke is nearly a qualified shrink. He’s only a year or two short of a doctorate. He diagnosed Horgan as being in a catatonic state. “

  “ I see. And you knew all this? “

  “ I hadn’t a clue. Detective Moore here was posted as being out sick. I thought bringing Burke along as a so-called shrink would put the frighteners on Horgan and Dillon. Smoke them out so to speak. As it turned out Burke was the real McCoy. “

  “ Well you certainly put the frighteners into Horgan. The poor bastard’s dead. “

  “ I didn’t put him in the grave. Somebody else did. That letter with the ash did it. We’re being manipulated again. The same old story. Every time we get near something happens. Our quarry is one step ahead of us since this investigation got off the ground. “

  “ So who do you think this person is? Is it somebody close to us? “

  Devoy shook his head.

  “ I honestly don’t know. We’ve been chasing our tails since this case started. “

  Detective Moore coughed.

  “ I wonder could I say something? “ she asked.

  “ But of course, Detective Moore. Fire away, “ replied Sullivan.

  “ I don’t know whether Inspector Devoy will agree with me but my feeling is that we’ve been kept on our toes since the coffin was found. We’ve been hopping from one case to the other. Despite our best efforts we really haven’t had the time to examine every aspect in great detail. To some extent we have the big picture but we’re lacking details. “

  Moore looked from Sullivan to Devoy.

  “ So? “

  “ So I think we should take some time out and have a good hard look at all the characters. After all it’s a small town – twenty thousand souls if that. Why has the finding of an unknown coffin sparked such a spate of criminality and strange goings-on? It’s rather like when you look at a rock in a field or on the beach on a hot day. It’s nice to the touch but when you turn it over there’s a mass of creepy-crawlies running about. That’s what it seems to me. We, the police and perhaps a few others, Wade, for example, have stumbled over something and all manner of things have suddenly come to the surface. “

  “ So what do you suggest, Detective Moore? “

  “ I think we should examine carefully everybody and I mean everybody – that includes the Marshalls that have come to our attention over the past few weeks. Put everybody under the microscope. Call in all our resources. Dig out the dirt. “

  Sullivan pushed his chair back and started to massage his head.

  “ I think you may be onto something. “

  Sullivan looked at Devoy.

  “ What do you think, Frank? “

  “ I agree. Detective Moore is right. We’ll just have to put in some overtime and sift through everything until something pops up. There’s no other way. “

  Sullivan stood.

  “ Right. Let’s get to it, then. “

  Devoy and Moore headed to the door.

  “ Oh, Detective Moore. Would you mind, I’d like to have a word with Frank. “

  Detective Moore nodded.

  “ I’ll finish up the report on this morning while I’m waiting. “

  The door closed behind her.

  Sullivan motioned Devoy to sit down again. He tapped on a sheet of paper in front of him.

  “ You know what this is, don’t you? “

  “ Looks like a transfer sheet to me, Harry. “

  “ In a nutshell, Frank. In a nutshell. “

  Sullivan started to shake his right hand as if he wanted to disentangle himself from something unpleasant.

  “ I have to ask you, Frank. Why does she want a transfer? Is her work getting to her? Trouble with a boyfriend? Anything like that? “

  “ I’ll be honest with you, Harry. It’s because of me…”

  Sullivan held up his hand.

  “ I just hope this isn’t another episode like Hartigan and his sergeant. I can’t afford to lose another officer let alone two. “

  Devoy shook his head.

  “ Nothing of the sort, Harry. You see these eyes, my nose. Detective Moore did that to me…”

  “ You’re joking me. She beat you up. She should be facing disciplinary charges, Frank. This is getting out of hand. I…”

  “ No, Harry. You got it wrong. When we came out of the prison we attracted some bees or wasps. Detective Moore tried to shoo them out of the way and I walked into her hand. My mind was elsewhere. There was blood everywhere and I suppose I lost my rag. It was nobody’s fault, Harry. But she feels guilty. Maybe she doesn’t like me underneath all that posturing but that’s how I ended up like this. “

  “ And you’re sure there’s nothing else? “

  “ I don’t think so, Harry but you know women…”

  “ Enough said. So what do you want me to do? “

  “ You’re the boss, Harry. We can’t afford to lose her at this point. Why not sit on it for the time being? “

  “ You’re right, Frank. Leave well enough alone. “

  “ Right. So what about Horgan, then? “

  “ First thing tomorrow morning you and Moore get down to the prison and investigate the death. The locals don’t want to touch it seeing as Horgan, strictly speaking, belonged to us. We’ll need the envelope, of course for forensic. “

  “ Okay, Harry. “

  “ Good luck, Frank and don’t forget, keep me informed. “

  “ Will do, Harry. Leave it to me. “

  Devoy got up to leave.

  “ Oh, one more thing, Frank? “

  “ Be very careful of this man Dillon. He’s a slippery customer. He could cause us a lot of trouble down the line. Make damn sure you cover all bases down there. The prison authorities are not going to be too happy having this dumped on them even though it happened in their bailiwick. They’ll be anxious to offload the responsibility onto us or even try to get us to share the blame. Don’t open the door to anything. The warden will be feeling the heat from Justice. Mark my words. Don’t give him anything to play with. Got it? “

  “ Loud and clear, Harry. “

  In the office that he shared with Detective Moore he found Angela busily tapping away at the computer.

  “ I suppose that’s the report on our visit to the prison? “

  “ Indeed it is. Why do you ask? “

  “ Have you come to the part where you hit me? “

  “ Just about. “

  “ Well, can you hold it right there for a moment? “

  Angela made one more stroke and then sat back.

  “ There. It’s saved. Now what can I do for you? “

  “ The ‘ Frank ‘ had disappeared from their conversation.

  “ I don’t know what you’ve written on that incident but Sullivan has accepted my line that you were swatting a bee and I walked into your hand. The coffee incident never happened. Okay? “

  “ Why are you doing this? “

  “ You could say ‘ Frank ‘ now that we’re alone. “

  “ Okay, Frank. Why are you doing this? “

  “ I don’t think our misunderstanding merits all this crap. That’s all. We’re colleagues. Things happen between colleagues. It’s probably a lot worse because we’re not of the same sex – not that I’m complaining on that score. If we were men we’d have been thumping one another and then had a few drinks later. It’s probably all the pressure we’re under. We’re only human. “

  “ So you want me to forget it, then? “

  “ In a nutshell, yes. “

  “ And my transfer? “

  “ Sullivan is sitting on it. He told me he can’t afford to lose you. He said you’re too good a detective to be transferred. “

  “ And what do you think, Frank? “

  “ I agree with him. I need you, Angela – badly. “

  “ As a colleague or bed partner? “

  “ Most certainly as a colleague. The rest we’ll have to see. “

  “ You didn’t interfere wi
th my application, did you? “

  “ No, I didn’t apart from telling lies about the assault. I don’t want you demoted. I don’t want you up before a disciplinary board and ending up like Hayes. “

  Angela pulled her chair back to the desk.

  “ I’d better finish this. “

  “ Did you get anything on the fire – from the witnesses? “

  “ Two said they heard a motorbike but nothing else. You know what witnesses are like. “

  “ Sullivan wants us to go to the prison tomorrow. We’ll have to submit another report. Anybody who came in contact with Horgan will have to be interviewed. We’ll have to be thorough. Dillon will be on our backs and he’ll make hay out of this. There’s also the media to consider. The story will be all over the papers tomorrow morning. I need you to drive. My eyes are bloodshot. We leave at 8 tomorrow morning. Is that okay with you? “

  “ Fine with me but I thought we were going to search Fallons the undertakers tomorrow morning along with Cremin’s house and properties. I thought everything was all arranged. “

  “ It is, Angela but with Horgan’s death it has to be put on hold – at least until Friday.

  Do you want me to collect you at your house? “

  “ I was hoping you’d say that, Angela. “

  “ Then it’s a date. “

  “ See you at 8. “

  ✽✽✽

  CHAPTER 20

  Thursday

  “ I hate the smell of that place. “

  “ It’s called, I believe, the institutional odour. “

  “ It’s disgusting. You can almost cut it with a knife and the way they looked at me. It was creepy. “

  “ Most of those men haven’t seen a woman for ages, probably years. As soon as they saw you and listened to your voice memories came flooding back. They’re like monks in an enclosed order but they are unwillingly detained. Unlike monks they still eat red meat and still dream about women. Monks have got it out of their system. Out of sight, out of mind. When they caught your scent – the scent of a woman their ears pricked up and other organs, too. They’ll be thinking about you for a long time until another female comes into their lives. You’ll inhabit their dreams for a long time, Angela. “

  “ Oh God, the thought makes me sick. “

  “ Welcome to the bad, bad world of men locked up as animals, Angela. “

  “ So you don’t think he was murdered by any of them? “ asked Angela changing the subject.

  “ If it was done it was done professionally, very professionally. The prisoners on remand are always separated from the convicted. Still it could have been done. “

  “ So what’s the conclusion then, Frank? “

  “ Oh, I’d say he topped himself. I’m almost sure. “

  “ So, that’s what you’re going to say in the report? “

  “ Given what we know and the information furnished by the prison guards I can’t see murder. My view is that Horgan was up to his neck in something illegal. For reasons unknown he decided to have a go at me on behalf of Cremin and ended up in the local paper. Then Cremin was murdered and later Fallon. Then Horgan’s house was burned down. What the connection is I don’t know. Anyway, he has taken his secrets to the grave with him. “

  “ So he preferred death to whatever was waiting for him? “

  “ So it would appear. Besides he was all washed up in town. Appearing in the local paper with his pants down was one thing but then being accused of murder with his picture all over the media both local and national was another. Who’d vote for the likes of him? Horgan was a scumbag. “

  “ So that’s what we put in our report? “

  “ We’ll write it out together and then revise it before we give it to Sullivan. Don’t forget there might be a press conference. Sullivan will expect us to do that seeing as he fears the media just as much as vampires fear the dawn. Speaking of the media how come Caroline hasn’t shown up yet. Normally she’d be all gung-ho for a story like this. Really strange carry-on. I’ll have to give her a ring when we get back. “

  “ When do you want to write up the report, Frank? “

  “ While it’s fresh in our minds but first I’d like a nice cup of tea along with a aspirin or something like that. My eyes are killing me and so is my nose. Let’s stop off at a pharmacy on the way. They might recommend something. “

  “ Are we going back to the station to do it? “

  “ No, I’d prefer not. There would be too many interruptions and Sullivan would be on our backs. I was thinking of my place if you don’t mind. “

  “ And your daughter – won’t she be there? “

  “ Yeah, you’re right. What do you suggest, Angela? “

  “ I’m pretty good with a computer as you well know. Besides, I don’t think your eyes will stand up to too much screen work, Frank. And anyway, we’re almost there. “

  “ Yes, we are, Angela. We’re almost there. Wait, Angela. Pull over! “

  Detective Angela Moore did as instructed.

  “ What is it, Frank? “ she asked. “ What’s up? You gave me a freight. “

  “ Sorry. I just spotted a headline outside that newsagents back there. There’s something about Horgan in it. “

  Angela reversed back and when she stopped Devoy jumped out of the car and ran to the newsagents. A few minutes later he came out carrying the local paper and two nationals. When he got back into the car he handed the national papers to Angela and kept the local paper for himself. He unfolded it and soon saw Horgan’s photograph on page two. The headline read:

  LOCAL MAN FOUND DEAD IN PRISON.

  The article went on to describe the life and career of Horgan, when he had come to the town and how he had become a well-known businessman and local councilor. It only talked about his life since he arrived in the area but nothing about his past as if it didn’t exist. The tail of the comet that was Horgan had disappeared into the dark thought Devoy.

  “ Anything in the nationals, Angela? “ he asked.

  “ Just a small article in the regional sections – nothing of particular interest. Poor Horgan has become a footnote. “

  “ Right, “ replied Devoy slinging the newspapers into the back seat. “ Let’s go home. “

  An hour later they pulled up outside Angela’s house. It was just after mid-day and the street was quiet.

  Devoy followed Moore into her house and flopped down immediately on the sofa.

  “ I’m beat, “ he said. “ That stuff the pharmacist gave me is making me sleepy. Do you mind? “

  He pulled off his tie and undid his shirt. He got out of his jacket and loosened the laces of his shoes.

  “ Take them off, Frank if you want. “

  “ Do you mind if I stretch out for a while? “

  “ Make yourself at home, Frank. I’ll make you a cup of tea. “

  “ Thanks. I promise not to crack my knees. “

  When she came back a few minutes later with the tea Devoy was fast asleep. He was snoring like a pig.

  She sat down in the armchair opposite him and drank his tea.

  Two hours later Devoy woke up. He rubbed his yes but quickly tore his hands away when he felt the ointment. Angela had closed the blinds against the sun and she sat in the semi-darkness, her face illuminated by the computer screen, tapping away at the keyboard. Devoy observed her for a while at her profile, at her nose and the way she scrunched up her eyes to concentrate on whatever was preoccupying her in the text. He swung himself noiselessly out of the couch but his knees gave him away as they cracked under the weight of his body.

  “ You promised you wouldn’t crack your knees, Frank. “ Angela said to him without turning around.

  “ Sorry, old age creeping up. How are you doing? “

  “ Nearly finished. Just putting the finishing touches to it. I’ll need your okay before I print it. “

  Devoy yawned and then yawned again. He looked at his watch.

  “ Christ, over two hours! “ />
  “ There, “ she said. “ It’s done. “

  “ How many pages? “

  “ At least twenty plus statements from witnesses. “

  Devoy shook his head.

  “ I know I’ve said this before, Angela but I really don’t know what I’d do without you. “

  Angela came over to him.

  “ Look, why don’t you have a shower and I’ll prepare something for you. That’ll knock the cobwebs off you and we can settle in for a nice meal and scrutinize the report. That way everybody’ll be happy even Sullivan tomorrow morning when we present it to him. “

  “ I can’t argue with that, Angela. Show me the way. “

  Devoy was soaking himself when he heard a noise behind him. He turned and peered through the cascading water. Angela was stark naked in front of him and was pushing him back into the cubicle.

  “ But…” asked Devoy, his stomach growling with the hunger. “ You said you were going to prepare something for me…”

  “ I thought you’d prefer this, “ she answered putting her hands on her hips and displaying her body.

  “ Of course, if you’d prefer to settle another appetite then I’ll go. There’s always later. “

  “ Oh, God, no. “ replied Devoy. “ I thought you’d never take those trousers off all morning. I know you didn’t want to upset the prisoners but you had me going crazy. “

  Devoy pulled her into the shower and closed the door. She turned to accept him and they made love until she led him out to the bedroom where they finished with her dominating him as usual.

  ✽✽✽

  CHAPTER 21

  Friday

  At exactly half past eight Devoy picked up his phone and called Margo. He knew she’d be about to get into her car at this time.

  She answered immediately.

  “ Well it’s you, “ she said surprised. “ You never call me at this hour, Frank. What’s up? “

  Devoy laughed.

  “ Margo, I’m calling to find out did you make any progress with those numbers? “

  “ Ah, still those numbers, Frank. You’re obsessed with them, aren’t you? “