One Coffin Too Many

by Brendan O'Grady

  “ Without a doubt. They had already torched his home to show him they meant business. They were intending the same for his other properties. In fact Caroline waylaid Horgan’s solicitor and ransacked his office. But she got nothing. “

  “ How did Horgan die in prison? “

  “ He hanged himself in the showers. “

  “ And why was he in prison? “

  “ He was up for the murder of a former undertaker. We actually have him on tape at the nursing home where the murder took place. Strangely enough he received an envelope in the prison with ashes in it. Caroline’s Gleeson’s prints were found on the envelope. “

  “ Have you seen the blackmail video of you and your colleague, Detective Moore? “

  “ Yes, I’ve seen it or rather snatches of it. “

  “ Can I see it? “

  “ Why would you want to see it, Helen? “

  Helen held out her hands as if to indicate how obvious her request was.

  “ Do you want me in on this or what, Frank? After all it’s evidence. We’re dealing here with blackmail – outright blackmail of officers of the state. I don’t want to be kept in the dark. I want to know what these women are capable of. I want to be prepared. “

  “ Very well. If you insist. “

  Devoy ejected the DVD of the women and inserted the one of him and Angela. He picked up the remote control and sat back on the sofa. Helen noticed his anxiety.

  “ I can watch it on my own if you like. “

  “ It’s alright, Helen. It’s just embarrassing. That’s all. “

  Helen nodded as if she understood.

  “ Switch it on, Frank. I’ll let you know when I’ve had enough. “

  Devoy let the video roll and soon he saw himself in action with Angela engaged in an A to Z of the Kama Sutra. After a while he stood up and tossed the remote control in Helen’s lap. He grabbed the whiskey bottle and went into the kitchen.

  Ten minutes later she joined him.

  “ Mind if I come in? “ she asked.

  Devoy shrugged.

  “ Suit yourself. “

  Helen pulled up a chair and sat down beside him.

  “ I’m sorry, Frank. I’d no idea. It must have been dreadful for you. “

  Devoy took a good slug of the whiskey.

  “ Fuck it. It’s worse for her. She’s a young woman. She’s got her life ahead of her. What will any man make of that if he ever sees it? And it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have left her there alone knowing what those bitches could get up to. Goddamn it! “

  “ Stop blaming yourself, Frank. You didn’t plan this. It just happened. She was an easy target. “

  “ You don’t understand, Helen. How can I look her in the eye after this? I mean…”

  “ She was more than just a colleague to you? “

  Devoy glared at her.

  “ What makes you think that? “

  “ I just know it. I know what sort of man you are. “

  “ Do you? Judging me now? “

  “ I’m not judging you, Frank. I just sense it. You were lovers, weren’t you? “

  Devoy nodded.

  “ We were. “

  “Do you always sleep with your female colleagues, Frank? “

  “ Only the good looking ones and Angela wasn’t my idea. It just happened. She wanted it and she took it. She’s not even thirty yet and she found me attractive. I was her boss and she wanted me. So I gave in. “

  “ Is she aware of this DVD? “

  Devoy nodded.

  “ But she hasn’t seen it and I don’t propose to show it to her. It’ll push her over the edge. “

  “ Has anybody else seen it? “

  “ Superintendent Sullivan and Sergeant Power. That’s all. “

  “ This woman who’s supposed to be behind all this…”

  Devoy interrupted.

  “ She is behind it, “ he corrected. “ There’s no supposing about it. “

  Detective Sergeant Roche brought up her hands in a gesture of conciliation.

  “ Okay, okay, Frank. Fine, fine, fine. I’m on your side. Tell me about her. “

  Devoy gave her the lowdown on the Marshall family. Who they were in local society. Their separation, the mansion cut in half, the funeral and the spare coffin in the crypt. “

  “ The coffin? “ asked Helen.

  “ Yes, that bloody coffin. It all started with the coffin. “

  “ This is the one that disappeared? “

  “ The very one. In fact the man who tipped me off about the coffin, he ‘s disappeared, too. Mind you he was identified by a Justice official as a thief. He did a runner and hasn’t been seen since. It’s like the twilight zone around here at times. “

  “ So what’s so special about this coffin? “

  “ Well, apart from the fact that it was in the wrong place at the wrong time namely the crypt of the Marshall family on the morning of Mrs. Marshall’s senior’s funeral, it’s a foreign coffin, probably Continental and it’s lead lined. “

  “ And? “

  “ And nobody knows how it got there. “

  “ What did the Marshalls have to say about this? “

  “ We only managed to interview Marshall himself. He didn’t seem put out by it. We never got around to interviewing his wife. But then events caught up on us. She was the one that drew me into the honey trap. She’s got a lingerie boutique here in town in the main street. We trailed the nursing sister to her shop. The rest you know. “

  “ So it’s a standoff. You’ve got stuff on them and they’ve got stuff on you. “

  “ That’s it. Their message was quite clear. It read: Don’t dig where you don’t have to dig.

  “ So what are you going to do? “

  “ We can’t just ignore it. We’ve got to do something. Trouble is it’s a small town. I’d say we’re being watched. Any sign of danger and they’ll drop us in the shit and don’t think they won’t. They’ve already torched the van of a guy who was modernizing the closed-circuit security system out at the nursing home. Everything went up save what he had in his workshop. In fact he’s still working on the old tapes for me. I’ll have to give him a call. “

  Devoy stole a glance at Roche. She seemed to be miles away.

  “ What are you thinking, Helen? “

  “ There’s got to be a way in. Have you tried to contact Mrs. Marshall or the nursing sister or any of these women? “

  Devoy shook his head.

  “ If it were just a question of lesbianism perhaps there might be something to bargain over but kidnapping and blackmail and possible arson and murder, no way. They’ve gone too far down the road now. Besides, God only knows what their reaction might be if they catch sight of Angela or me anywhere near them. They’ve constructed a pretty good firewall around them. They’ve too much to lose now. They’re not going to take any chances with any of us. “

  “ They could take a chance with me. “

  “ You? “

  Helen shrugged.

  “ They wouldn’t be expecting a new face – a female. That would put them off guard. Besides, I’m unknown. They may have the screws on you and Detective Moore but they’ve got nothing on me. They can’t blackmail me because they’ve nothing against me. You and Angela will be out of the picture. You cease to be a target. It’s the only way in, Frank. Somebody has to be the Trojan horse let it be me. “

  “ Helen, you don’t have to prove anything. We’ll get round the problem another way. “

  “ There’s no other way, Frank. You know it and I know it. Besides, we can’t as cops let this thing fester. We’re obliged to deal with it and remove this cancer from society. I’m your way in. There’s nobody else, Frank. Let me do it. Please. I want to salve my conscience. I fucked up and I fucked it badly. It cost the life of someone I loved. I’ve got to redeem myself – at least in my own eyes. This is for me and for the person I let down. I’m going to reconstruct myself in some way – with Sullivan’s and y
our permission. I’m going to appeal to these women – these bitches. They’ll want to know me – to get closer. I’ll intrigue them. It wouldn’t be the first time I went undercover. They’ll be delighted to have me. You’ll see. “

  “ It sounds plausible and very interesting. Maybe we could talk it over with Sullivan. He likes to be kept in the picture. “

  “ That’s no problem. We’ll do that tomorrow if that’s okay with you. For now I want to get back to my lodgings. I was going to ask you for a lift but you’re intoxicated. Call a taxi for me. I’m out at the Dunes. I’m not in the hotel but in an apartment at the back. “

  “ Consider it done. “

  “ Anything else? “

  “ Don’t forget my pajamas and dressing gown. “

  Roche gave him a smile.

  “ And you, Frank or Detective Inspector Devoy. You stop undressing me with your eyes. It’ll get you nowhere. “

  “ There’s no harm in window shopping. “

  ✽✽✽

  CHAPTER 36

  Tuesday

  Superintendent Sullivan made a steeple of his fingers and stared at the top of his desk as if the answers to all his questions were lying there.

  “ And you are prepared to go to all these lengths to resolve this case? “

  Detective Sergeant Helen Roche nodded.

  “ I don’t think we have any choice as police officers if you don’t mind me saying so, sir. The matter is not going to go away. These women are out of control. There is no knowing what they’ll get up to next if we don’t hit them now. We have to grasp the nettle. There is no other way. Neither you or Detective Inspector Devoy can get inside that group simply because you are men. As I already explained to Frank they won’t be expecting this – a female cop who has been sidelined and who is also being punished. I’m ideal. It’s the only way. “

  Sullivan glanced over at Devoy.

  “ What do you think, Frank? “

  “ I think Helen’s right. Granted she’s taking a risk but from what she told me yesterday risks are bread and butter to her. Her CV attests to that. “

  “ Helen, I’ll be straight with you. I haven’t had time to check you out but from what you told me I’m impressed with your credentials. You’re what they term one of these ‘ super cops ‘. I don’t doubt your capabilities. I’m all for containing this matter here but there are limits. You’re right about us having no choice. There was never any question of us avoiding this issue. Normally when we get in this deep we call in the specialists. The only trouble with that is the matter may get out of hand. Outsiders may not be too keen to observe the niceties of the case and may trample over the sensibilities of people especially women who may not be aware of what’s really going on. We have to avoid that. We don’t want things to escalate. “

  Sullivan started to rub his temples.

  “ Right, I’m giving you the go-ahead. You work out something with Frank. It’s your plan. But if the going gets too rough you bail out and we’ll bring in Dublin. Tough if there is collateral damage. We can’t afford to lose any officers. Don’t forget I’ll be out of here within weeks, you, Helen will most likely be posted elsewhere. Frank here will be left holding the baby as the next in charge. I hope you’re aware of this, Frank? “

  Devoy held out his hands as if to indicate how obvious it was.

  “ We’ve no choice, Harry. It has to be like this. “

  “ Very well, then. All I can offer you two is my blessing. Good luck and again don’t leave me in the dark no matter how bad it is. I’ll do my best to shelter you should things go wrong. Try and wrap this matter up before my pension kicks in. Give me a nice going-away present. Put these people where they belong. My successor might not see things the way I do. “

  “ Thanks, Harry. “

  “ So now that’s out of the way who are you going to need, Frank, in the absence of Detective Moore and Detective Sergeant Roche? “

  “ Joe Power is still out of it as is Moore. How about Andy Burke? He’s already proved himself in a detective role. He’s smart. I’ll take him if he’s available. “

  “ Fine with me, Frank. I’ll get onto the duty officer. “

  Thirty minutes later Officer Andy Burke came into Devoy’s office.

  “ You wanted to see me, Inspector. “

  Devoy nodded.

  “ Take a seat, Andy. There’s something I have to explain to you. “

  Burke pulled up a chair and sat down.

  “ Fire away, “ he said. “ I’m all ears. “

  Devoy gave him as much of the story as he dared without scaring Burke off.

  “ You can refuse if you want, Andy but it won’t look good. It’ll be another feather in your cap. You’ll be a full detective in no time. “

  “ A full detective. Wow! “

  “ Don’t say that, please. “

  “ Don’t say what? “

  “ The word ‘ wow ‘. I can’t stand it. “

  “ I see. “

  “ Some years ago everybody was saying ‘ absolutely ‘. That went out of fashion. Now the ‘ in word ‘ is ‘ wow ‘. People sound like arthritic dogs when they say it. Everything is wow this and wow that. It must be tough being a dog with every Tom, Dick and Harry wowing out of them. “

  “ No problem, sir. “

  “ I suppose given your background and the way you quickly analyzed Horgan and Dillon you’re going to do an assessment of me? “

  “ I don’t think that would be a good idea, sir. “

  “ You’re right, Andy. It wouldn’t be a good idea. “

  Both men looked at one another.

  “ So are you on board then, Andy? “

  Burke nodded.

  “ Good. Sign out a 9mm out of the armoury and get into civvies. If you want you can spend the next hour practicing. “

  “ That won’t be necessary, sir. “

  “ Good. And one final thing, Andy. “

  “ Yes? “

  “ Stop chewing gum. That’s an order. “

  PART IV

  CHAPTER 37

  Wednesday

  Sheila Ward, housekeeper, grimaced as she contemplated dusting down the Victoriana that was Roderick Marshall’s side of the mansion. She had just finished his separated wife’s quarter with its ultra-modern Danish furniture and was steeling herself for the assault when she thought she detected a slight tinkling. She switched off the vacuum cleaner and looked up. Somebody was at the front door. A form was blocking the rays of the sun coming through the stained glass onto the black and white tiled floor. Sheila looked at her watch. Only half-ten and nobody expected. She went up to the door and opened it. A tallish woman was standing there. She had brownish red hair and was wearing a blue trouser suit. Her green eyes peered at Sheila through designer spectacles.

  “ Good morning, “ Sheila said. “ Can I help you, Madam? “

  The woman whose accent she couldn’t place set down the brief case she was carrying and smiled at her.

  “ Yes, you can, “ she replied in a business-like tone. “ I’m looking for Mr. Roderick Marshall. I believe he lives here. “

  Sheila peered up at her.

  “ Oh, he does indeed. “ she answered.

  “ Well, can I see him, then? “ asked the woman.

  “ I’m afraid that’s not possible. He’s away for a while, you see. I don’t exactly know when he’s coming back. “

  The woman’s brow furrowed.

  “ I see. “

  Something told Sheila that she was dealing here with authority. She decided to be welcoming.

  “ I’m sorry, Madam. I’m forgetting my manners. Won’t you step in? Maybe Mrs. Marshall may be able to help you. Trouble is she’s not here either. “

  Sheila moved aside to let the stranger come in.

  “ This way, “ she indicated directing the woman to the right which was Mrs. Marshall’s side of the house.

  As the woman made her way along the hallway she looked to her left into Rod
erick Marshall’s section of the house. Potted plants of every description cluttered up the floor and the white busts of ancients lit up the gloom while sepia-tinted faces from old photographs of a bygone age peered through the leaves. The aroma of coffee and cigar smoke hung in the air.

  “ That’s the master’s section. They’re separated, you see. And not only in style, “ she added with a smile.

  “ You’ll be more comfortable in here, “ she continued, directing her to the right into a well-lit area that ran the length of the mansion from front to back.

  “ It’s…it’s so modern and elegant. “ the woman replied taking in the designer furniture that was straight out of a coffee table catalogue.

  “ And easier to clean, “ added Sheila with a chuckle.

  “ Yes, I’d imagine. “

  “ I forgot to ask you your name, Madam. “

  “ I’m Helen Roche. “

  “ And what’s it in connection with, may I ask? “

  The woman gave Sheila a tight smile.

  “ I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to say that except of course to Mr. Marshall, you understand. “

  Taken back Sheila asked the woman to take a seat.

  “ I believe Mrs. Marshall is in her boutique in town. “

  “ Boutique? “ asked the stranger.

  “ Yes, boutique. Madam specializes in lingerie. You know the sort of underwear that men are mad about but hesitate to buy for their wives and girlfriends. Men! “

  “ I see. “

  “ I’m going to give her a call and see is she available. I’m sure she’ll see you. “

  Sheila picked up the phone and began dialling a number. She disconnected and dialled again. This time she made a face.

  “ I’m sorry. The number’s permanently engaged. “

  The stranger nodded sympathetically.

  “ Tell you what, Madam. “

  The woman raised her eyebrows.

  “ What? “

  “ Do you know the town? “

  “ Only through passing. Why? “

  “ The main street. That’s where Mrs. Marshall’s boutique is located. You can’t miss it. In fact that’s the name – Le Boutique. I’m sure you’ll find her there. “