One Coffin Too Many

by Brendan O'Grady

  “ We weren’t close friends if that’s what you mean. More like acquaintances. “

  “ You didn’t know her very well, then, did you? “

  “ This sounds like a police interrogation, Frank. What are you getting at? “

  “ How did you get to know her? “

  “ After her piece on the closure of the crystal factory she interviewed people in all walks of life, particularly women. She did a piece on me working in a funeral home. She thought that interesting. I wasn’t the only person. She did lots of women – especially single and divorced women. She liked women. “

  Something in Devoy’s face showed.

  “ Are you trying to tell me there was something sinister in all this, Frank? “

  Devoy took another swig of his brandy.

  Margo came over and sat beside him.

  “ Come on, Frank. You can tell me. “

  Devoy sighed.

  “ I don’t know how to tell you, Margo. I just don’t know. I don’t want you to get mad at me. I uncovered a lot of shit recently and it is isn’t pleasant. Caroline Gleeson despite being a close friend of mine was a criminal and she didn’t die a natural death. “

  Margo gently pushed him away as if she had detected something awful.

  “ What are you saying, Frank? Caroline a criminal. That can’t be! “

  Devoy stood up. He felt he was unable to explain anything sitting down.

  “ Fuck it! She was my friend too. I thought I knew her but I knew fuck-all. The woman I investigated I didn’t know at all. That woman was a stranger to me. “

  Margo was looking at him with her hand up to her mouth as if to ward off the bad news.

  “ Did you know she was a lesbian, for example? “

  This revelation produced a shriek from Margo that stopped Devoy in his tracks.

  “ You pig, “ she said. “ How can you say that about poor Caroline? You’re blackening her name. You’re disgusting! “

  “ She also set fire to a house, waylaid a solicitor, and stole his computer. Had she lived she’d be facing a long time in prison. “

  “ Oh, Frank. Oh, Frank. Tell me it’s not true. “

  “ I’m afraid it is, Margo. “

  Margo started sobbing.

  “ I need you to tell me who her other friends were – lesbian friends? “

  “ I don’t know any lesbians, Frank. “

  “ Of course you don’t. But you know Caroline’s friends. Some of them could be lesbians just like Caroline. You never suspected her, did you? “

  “ And neither did I! “

  “ God, the thought of it. She actually saw me naked on several occasions. “

  Devoy’s eyes widened as he expected the worst.

  “ Really? Where? “

  Margo glared at him.

  “ Where? Where do you think? I hope you’re not suspecting me of being a covert lesbian? “

  Before Devoy could reply or deny the insinuation Margo threw the brandy glass at him. He managed to sidestep it as it crashed into the wall behind him showering him with brandy and shards of glass. Too late he realized the impact of finding out that one’s friend was lesbian would have on a sexually attractive woman like Margo.

  “ I’m sorry, “ said Devoy. “ I didn’t mean it like that. You took me up wrong. “

  Margo shivered.

  “ Oh, the thought of it. I feel sick. “

  “ I’ll go. “

  “ No, Frank. Stay. I’ll tell you what I know. Sit here beside me. “

  “ Like I said Caroline saw me naked on quite a few occasions. I don’t know about men but women are like that in the dressing rooms of swimming pools and clubs. They walk about naked. But I can tell you now that Caroline never made any passes at me and I never saw her engaged in any type of sexual activity with the other women. Besides had she tried anything word would have gotten around. “

  “ Can you tell me who the other women are? “

  “ Women in ladies’ clubs. The ones Caroline interviewed for her articles. Prominent women, professional types, those leading their own lives and being successful at it. Not your average woman in the street. “

  “ Who for example? “

  “ There was me, there was Mrs. Marshall of the famous Marshall family, divorced with her own business, the nursing sister running the retirement home out on the coast. Women like that. Strong types who didn’t seem to need men to lean on. “

  “ Wait! Did you say Mrs. Marshall of the Marshall family? “

  “ I did. Why? “

  “ I don’t understand. I was given to believe that Caroline wasn’t exactly their favourite person after the book she published on them and the out of work crystal workers. “

  “ You’re confusing Mrs. Marshall with the Marshalls. She’s divorced. She was only one of them by marriage. She doesn’t carry a flag for them anymore. Beatrice Marshall is her own woman. “

  “ Is she? She still lives in the same house. “

  “ Yes, that’s true but only in one part of it. “

  “ I see. She’s got her own boutique in town. Anybody else? “

  “ Oh, some of the women came and went. Maybe they suspected something, maybe she tried to have them. Women are discreet. If a man found himself in the same situation he’d probably assault a homosexual who tried anything. Women don’t do that sort of thing. There’s no violence. “

  Devoy nodded.

  “ When you say women came and went. What do you mean exactly? “

  “ It’s just something I observed. Some women didn’t stay long. “

  “ And why was that do you think? “

  Margo shrugged.

  “ Maybe they didn’t find what they were looking for or, on the other hand maybe they found exactly what they were looking for. “

  “ Meaning? “

  “ Meaning there was another circle within a circle and they were vetted and recruited into it. “

  “ I see. Look I want to be explicit here. This is not a witch hunt against lesbians. Far from it. It’s just that of all the people who have come to our attention and died she’s the only one who has left a trail. This is the first time we’ve managed to get a handle on something. We have to find out who were her friends. You mentioned the nursing sister. What’s her name, Flood. What about her? “

  “ Oh she was very discreet. I never imagined nuns or sisters belonging to clubs but there you are. “

  “ So what type of clubs are you referring to? “

  “ Swimming, oh God the thought of it. When I think of it now. She could survey us naked and make her moves later. Badminton and tennis and gymnastics. All sports where you ran up a good sweat and needed a shower afterwards. Surely you’ll have access to her notebook and computer now? You’ll probably find all you want there. “

  Devoy exhaled.

  “ I just wish it were as simple as that. All her stuff is password protected. “

  Margo looked past him.

  “ What’s up? “

  “ You’re bleeding, Frank. There’s a shard of glass sticking out of the back of your neck. Take you jacket and shirt off otherwise you’ll have blood all over your clothes. I’ll get the first aid box. “

  Devoy stripped off and waited for Margo to come back. As he waited his phone buzzed. He took it out of his jacket pocket and switched it on. There was a message.

  It read: I know where you are, Frank. Enjoy the valley.

  Devoy roared ‘ shit ‘ at the top of his voice.

  Margo came back into the room carrying a first aid box.

  “ What was that all about? “ she asked.

  “ Business, “ he replied.

  Furious, Devoy tapped out a return message.

  To whom it concerns. Regret I missed you at the cemetery. Decided to follow suspect. Am now engaged in examination of subject.

  He put down the phone and turned to face Margo who was holding a tweezers in her hand.

  “ I’ll disinfect it first, Frank. I
t may sting. “

  “ Go ahead, “ Devoy replied. “ It’s only the third time in so many days I’ve been assaulted by a woman. Jesus! What’s with me and women? The next time I interview a woman I’m going to wear a helmet and flak jacket. “

  “ Perhaps you should put cuffs on them, Frank. Isn’t that why you carry them? “

  Devoy phone vibrated again. He picked up the phone and read the message.

  It read: Enjoy the examination.

  “ Bitch, “ he roared. “ Bitch! “

  “ I hope you’re not referring to me, Frank? “

  Devoy shook his head.

  “ No, not you. Someone else. “

  “ Ah, your little sparrow, perhaps. “

  “ Perhaps? What makes you think she’s my little sparrow? “

  “ Just a hunch. The enmity she feels towards me. “

  “ Is that why you call her a sparrow? “

  “ She’s only a slip of a girl. What would any man see in her? “

  An image of Angela quickly flitted through his mind. Angela with her blouse off and her small pert breasts with the nipples always aroused as if she were excited. Then there were her knees and ankles. They always turned him on.

  “ You’d be amazed, Margo, “ he finally said.

  “ Would I now? Hold still, I’m trying to get it out. “

  Devoy felt the coldness of the metal as Margo pulled at the shard.

  “ There, “ said Margo. “ It’s out. Serves you right for picking fights with a blonde. Now a little band-aid and you’re right as rain. “

  “ Margo, do you know what the penalty is for assaulting a policeman? “

  “ Mmmm, let me see. One hundred Euros and perhaps three months in prison? “

  Devoy laughed.

  “ That sounds very harsh. I think the judge might be more lenient. He might ask you to do some community service. He would seek the opinion of the policeman first to see if there was a chance of recidivism. “

  “ And what would the policeman say in this instance? Would he condemn a nice lady like me to a confined space for a long time? “

  Devoy stood up and came behind Margo and whispered in her ear.

  “ The policeman in question is considering condemning the lady in question to a few hours in a confined space with him as a type of community service. However, if the lady objects….”

  Margo turned around and faced Devoy. She held out her hands. Devoy reached behind him and undid the handcuffs from his belt.

  “ Seeing as the lady in question threw an object at him the officer has no choice but to take precautions. “

  Devoy clicked the handcuffs shut and led Margo to her bedroom much as he would lead a suspect to a cell. Her complicity was driving him wild.

  PART III

  CHAPTER 27

  Friday

  Devoy stood with his arms behind his back like a soldier at ease and stared out the canteen window at nothing in particular. One again the canteen was serving as a press centre. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Detective Angela Moore sitting to one side of the table that was reserved for him and Superintendent Sullivan. Since the episode at the cemetery she hadn’t said a pleasant word to him – everything that transpired between them was perfunctory and business-like. To show her displeasure towards him a new transfer request from her had arrived on his desk. He had sat on it and refused to grant her an interview to discuss the matter citing pressure of work. Sullivan once again asked what was going on and what did Devoy intend doing about the transfer, seeing as it was the second request in so many weeks? Devoy had replied he would give the matter some serious thought when the press conference was over.

  Since the funeral of Caroline Gleeson, Devoy’s mind had been buzzing with all manner of ideas. He couldn’t sleep at night. Scenarios were presenting themselves to him. He toyed with certain ideas and resolved to act on them but when morning came they held no weight for him. He was floundering.

  Behind him was the hubbub of the journalists and reporters. Unlike the last press conference on Horgan’s suicide this one had attracted a lot of interest. Sullivan had entitled it ‘ clearing the air ‘ to all and sundry and Devoy was expected to do exactly that. Luckily for him he had a compliant journalist in the person of Cronin the editor of the local paper the Courier. He had been given the first bite and briefing about what was going to be said and Devoy expected him to do what had been asked of him, namely to lead the pack with prepared questions, questions that he already had the answers to. Devoy’s phone buzzed. This was the signal that Sullivan was coming. Devoy quickly made his way to the table that was adorned with microphones and cassettes recorders and took his place beside Angela. She didn’t even look up from her notes. No sooner had he sat down when Sullivan breezed in the door in full dress uniform and carrying a file under his arm. He looked very important.

  Moore and he stood to allow Sullivan to take his place. The murmur of voices subsided and Sullivan tapped the microphones in front of him for sound. He remained standing while a volley of camera

  flashes washed over him. He cleared his throat and pushed back some imaginary hairs from his forehead.

  “ Ladies and gentlemen, “ he said by way of introduction. “ I’m Superintendent Sullivan and beside me here are Detective Inspector Frank Devoy and Detective Angela Moore. Both of these detectives have been instrumental in solving a number of crimes that took place in this town over the past few weeks. It is with great regret and sadness that these crimes have been laid at the door of a young woman who was one of yours. I’m referring to the late Ms. Caroline Gleeson, a renowned journalist and acclaimed writer who put this town back in the news when all seemed lost after the loss of the major industry, the crystal works. Unhappily and for reasons never ascertained Caroline Gleeson took it upon herself to commit arson, waylay and assault a prominent citizen of this town, ransack his office and steal his computer. She may also by her actions have provoked the death of a certain Mr. Horgan whom she had been harassing for some time. This press conference is therefore being held to clear the air with regard to all these happenings. Detective Inspector Devoy and Detective Moore will now field any questions you may have. Thank you for being here. “

  Then he sat down and sat back relaxed his piece done.

  As expected and planned Cronin was the first one on his feet.

  “ Inspector Devoy, could you tell us when you first became suspicious of Caroline Gleeson? “

  Devoy surveyed the room.

  “ First let me say that since my arrival here the late Caroline Gleeson was a good friend to me. She put me in the picture as regards the goings-on in this town. That way I never put a foot wrong. Caroline was always up front with us police. I respected her and she returned that respect.

  A Few Saturdays ago we were informed that the Mr. Horgan’s home was on fire. Mr. Horgan as you are well aware was being held in prison on a charge of murdering Mr. Fallon. Mr. Horgan’s house was burned to the ground and the fire brigade determined it was arson. Much to our surprise Caroline did not turn up to report on the fire which surprised us as she was always first on the scene as she seemed to have a nose for news. We were later informed she was on holiday. Fair enough. We are all entitled to holidays.

  A few days later I visited Caroline and she turned out to be badly sunburnt. That’s how she explained the condition of her skin. This was due she said to having fallen asleep on the deck of a yacht en route to Lorient in France. I filled her in on what had transpired in her absence and she told me she would resume work soon. That was the last time I spoke to her. “

  “ Were you not suspicious of her burns, Inspector Devoy? “ continued Cronin.

  “ I suppose I was but I’m not a doctor. I couldn’t really comment. People get burns like that using barbecues. “

  “ Then Mr. Dillon who was Mr. Horgan’s solicitor was waylaid and assaulted. The person who did this was primarily interested in files relating to the late Mr. Horgan and Mr. Horgan only. Not
hing else

  was touched. Mr. Dillon was able to tell us that the person who had waylaid him had a heavy medicinal smell of ointment. That ointment was later traced to one of the town’s pharmacies who had issued it and remembered Caroline buying it.

  To conclude on the background Caroline Gleeson collapsed in the street and died on her way to hospital. A post mortem revealed she had died from shock following serious burns to her body which were not the result of sunburn as she claimed but petrol and white spirits. Later a search of her property revealed the stolen lap top of Mr. Dillon. “

  “ Thank you Detective Inspector Devoy. “

  Cronin sat down.

  “ And what about the ash Mr. Horgan received in the post t the prison, “ asked a reporter from a provincial paper.

  “ This was deemed to be ash from Mr. Horgan’s house or rather what was left of it which wasn’t much. “

  “ So how come it had such a bad effect on Mr. Horgan in the safety of a prison? “

  “ We tried to establish that but we couldn’t. Obviously it had some significance for Mr. Horgan. “

  “ How was it established that Caroline Gleeson was the sender? “ asked a reporter from Dublin.

  “ Her thumb and index finger prints were found on the inside of the envelope flap. “

  “ Why was Miss Gleeson so interested in Mr. Horgan? Judging from the local paper he featured a lot. Why? “

  Devoy shook his head.

  “ She obviously had a bee in her bonnet about him but whatever that was remains hidden. We are still in the process of examining her personal effects, computers, etc. to see what the connection was. We’ve a long way to go. “

  “ How come she was always in the right place at the right time? “ asked a voice from the back without indentifying itself. “ Was she being tipped off by somebody in your station? Who was the helping hand? “

  Devoy tried to see behind the crowd of heads and the harsh lights but couldn’t see who it was. He decided to answer the questions anyway.

  “ We are not aware of any deep throat. Individuals like that hardly advise their presence especially if they are a member of the police. “