One Coffin Too Many

by Brendan O'Grady

  “ Yes, it must have been annoying for everybody in the family. “

  “ Oh, it was just a hiccup. Wade and another man from the undertakers, a fellow called Kennedy sorted out the matter very quickly. No harm done. “

  “ Of course the police were informed and two of them came to the house. They spoke to Roderick and there’s been nothing more. So. “

  “ So you thought that was the end of it, didn’t you? “

  Beatrice gave Helen a little smile.

  “ Now you’re going to tell me differently, aren’t you, Helen. “

  “ I am but first let me show you a map if I may. “

  Helen reached down and opened her briefcase. She produced a map.

  “ May I? “ she asked laying it on the coffee table.

  “ Of course. Anything to throw some light on this mystery. “

  “ It looks like one of those Google maps, “ she added when Helen spread it out.

  “ Actually, it’s one of ours. It’s military-issue. “

  “ Oh, I see. “

  “ This is no ordinary map, Beatrice. It was taken from a helicopter some time ago. It’s an infra-red map. Infra-red photography tells us what’s beneath the ground. “

  “ I see. And you think there’s something buried out there in the old cemetery that shouldn’t be buried there. “

  “ Well the experts think so, Beatrice. This is why we came to see Mr. Marshall. We have no intention of disturbing the remains of old families.”

  “ Yes, that would be most distressing. “

  “ The thing is, Beatrice, most of these grand old families have died out. The Marshalls are one of the few who still remain in this area and who have respected their links to the past. Not many old families maintain a crypt and treasure their family history in the way the Marshalls do. These things as you are aware are noticed and respected. We would have a difficult time trying to contact those other families whose forebears lie here but have allowed their resting places to go to rack and ruin. We’re banking on the Marshalls to help us. I can assure that any positive gesture on your family’s part would be most appreciated in certain circles. And, I hasten to add, it would not be forgotten. “

  “ It’s really very good of you, Helen to single us out. Roderick will be delighted when he returns. “

  “ So let me point out a few things to you, if I may. “

  “ By all means, Helen. By all means. “

  While Helen pointed out the town and surrounding areas to Beatrice Devoy asked Burke to pull over while he examined the Google map.

  “ I think we’re going around in bloody circles. “ exclaimed Devoy. “ All these roads look alike. “

  “ What we’re looking for is some sort of landmark, “ advised Burke. “ How did you manage to find Cullen’s property? “

  “ The greenhouse. I spotted the greenhouse over the trees. “

  “ Right. Then all we have to do is continue on down this road until the trees thin out. “

  “ I’ve a better idea. Let’s ask a local. Look, there’s a woman coming along on a bike. She might know where the greenhouses are. “

  The cyclist passed them and Burke was about to get out to call her back when Devoy gripped his arm.

  “ Don’t move, Andy, “ he said. “ I think I know that woman. Let me think. Yes, that’s Bob Kennedy’s wife. Now what’s she doing far from home on a bike with what looks like shopping bags in her baskets? “

  “ She’s obviously delivering food. “

  “ Yeah and I believe it’s to that prick of a husband of hers. He’s obviously hiding out here under our noses. Right, let’s follow her and see where she leads us. “

  They followed Mrs. Kennedy until she turned off into a lane that was shaded by trees.

  “ We can’t go down there, Inspector. It’s too narrow for the car. “

  “ Right, lock the car and we’ll proceed on foot. “

  Ten minutes later they came across the chalets. Most of them were dilapidated. One of them however sported a satellite dish. Mrs. Kennedy’s bike was leaning against the side of the chalet. The food bags were missing.

  “ So what happens now, “ asked Burke.

  “ We have to be doubly sure. Let’s give Bob a tinkle. Dial this number. “

  Burke tapped out Kennedy’s number and they were rewarded when they heard the phone ringing inside the chalet. They heard Kennedy answer. Devoy told Burke to cut the connection.

  A few minutes later Mrs. Kennedy came out the front door and kissed her husband goodbye. Devoy got a good photograph of them as they cuddled one another. Then Mrs. Kennedy wheeled her bike away and disappeared up the lane.

  “ Okay, this is how we’ll do it. He doesn’t know you. So you take the front and I’ll take the back. Don’t let him escape whatever you do. Keep your gun handy but not in your hand. Don’t forget to warn him that you are an armed policeman. “

  “ And that’s it? “

  “ No, listen carefully, Andy. “

  Burke gave Devoy five minutes to get behind the chalet. When Devoy signaled him that he was in place Burke walked up casually to the front door of the chalet and knocked on the door. He could hear cheering inside and somebody talking rapidly in Italian. He knocked harder. The sound was lowered and he heard springs squeak as somebody lifted their weight off a sofa.

  “ Who is it, “ he heard a gruff voice ask.

  “ TV satellite company. “

  “ What? “

  “ I said TV satellite company. I’ve come to disconnect your satellite, sir because you’re in arrears. Can you open the door please? I need you to sign some papers first.“

  The door was suddenly wrenched open and Burke was confronted with the towering stocky figure of Bob Kennedy. He was wearing a tee-shirt and cut-off jeans and he held a beer can in his right hand. Kennedy glared at him.

  “ The fuck I am in arrears. I’ve a stand…”

  The words died in his mouth as Burke stepped back and held up his police ID to him. He also drew back his jacket to show his automatic nestling in its holster.

  “ Armed police, Mr. Kennedy. You’re under arrest. “

  Kennedy glared at Burke his face reddening with anger.

  “ The fuck I am, “ he said and turned to run back into the chalet. That’s when he saw Devoy standing there smiling at him with his gun drawn.

  “ Kiss concrete Kennedy, “ he shouted. “ Armed police. Hands behind the head. “

  Kennedy did as he was told.

  “ Good man. Now before you get down drop your pants and kick off your shoes. “

  “ What the fuck for? “ whined Kennedy.

  “ Just do it, okay. “

  Kennedy did as instructed and stood there with his hands covering his crotch.

  “ You seem to be hard of hearing, Bob. Get down on the floor and put your hands behind your back otherwise I’ll hurt you. “

  Kennedy got down on the floor and was handcuffed by Burke.

  “ Read him his rights, Officer Burke. “

  Burke read him his rights.

  “ Okay, Kennedy, let’s go. It’s time to revisit the station and this time if you want to piss you’ll have to do it in your pants. “

  “ But why am I being arrested? “

  “ You’re wanted for questioning, Mr. Kennedy. Remember you did a runner the last time. “

  “ Oh, that’s because of that slimy prick Fitzmaurice. He wanted to pin something on me. “

  “ And, of course, wandering around a holiday camp in your underpants is also an offence. Can’t have that, you know. “

  “ But there’s nobody here except me. “

  “ Ah, we’re not to know that, Kennedy. Are we? “

  “ You’re some fuck, Devoy. “

  “ You better believe it, Kennedy. “

  An hour later Kennedy was locked in a cell still minus his pants and shoes.

  “ What do you think? “ asked Burke. “ What are we going to charge him with? “
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  “ This is going to be a difficult one.” Replied Devoy. “ He’s not going to help us and when a lawyer gets here he’ll instruct Kennedy to keep quiet until we produce something concrete on which to hold him. “

  “ So? “

  “ So, somehow we have to put the frighteners on him. Any ideas? “

  “ How about his hands? Did you notice his fingers? They’re red, well really pinkish. Looks like he burnt himself when cooking – maybe a barbecue? “

  “ Or maybe something else. Carmody’s van for example. That was torched. If he was capable of being a collector for Horgan then perhaps he was up to doing a little something more serious. This guy’s got a record. I wouldn’t put it past him. If we could nail him for that then he’ll spill the beans on who put him up to it. I think we’re beginning to connect the dots. We’ve got to get a search warrant to go through that chalet he was living in. Maybe his wife might be cooperative seeing as she was aiding a fugitive. Kennedy didn’t just do a runner because Fitzmaurice recognized him. It was something else. He knew he had to get out of here. He knows something; he just doesn’t want to spill it. “

  “ And what about what Caroline Gleeson was searching for? “

  “ That’ll have to wait. The search warrant will have to cover every chalet down there. I think we should get a uniformed officer to keep an eye on that place. We could be in for another arson attack judging by the past. “

  “ I’ll get onto that right away. “

  “ I have to say you were very quiet when we were searching through Horgan’s office, Andy. I thought you would have thought of Goggle first. “

  “ Information technology isn’t really my thing. I was aware of Google. Maybe you wanted me to play the nice cop/nasty cop routine. Well I did but not in the way you expected. You see when you were asking her questions I was watching her closely – her body language. Using the same technique I used when we visited Horgan in prison. I wanted to see would she give us the information willingly or try to hold something back – a sort of residual respect for her late boss. I was watching for these giveaways. “

  “ I see, Andy. That’s very impressive. And you reckon she was being up front with us? “

  “ Yes, even to the point of pointing us in the right direction to find the files. It could have been inadvertent on her part but she told us where the files are or at least I think she did. “

  “ She did? So where are they, then? “

  “ Up in the sky. “

  “ Up in the sky. What the devil do you mean by that? “

  “ Horgan told her everything would be up in the air when she got back. Right? “

  “ So? “

  “ Clouds. He’s using clouds to conceal his files. “

  “ Look, Andy, I haven’t the foggiest notion what you’re talking about? It sounds like something out of Star Trek. “

  “ That’s okay. It’s just a technical expression. Let me explain. “

  Devoy listened intently for a few minutes.

  “ So what you’re saying is instead of having visible files on your computer you open a special account on the internet with your provider and you access it via Email and a password. “

  “ Exactly. And you’re the only person who provides the password. It’s all up in the air and nobody but you can access it. That’s the beauty of it. “

  “ So while Valerie Traynor was on holiday he had the account set up. “

  “ That’s why he asked her to take an early holiday. He must have suspected somebody was on to him so he had to hide whatever it was they were after. “

  “ So how do we access it? “

  “ We have to find the password. He has to have it stashed somewhere. “

  “ Do you think Valerie knows about this? “

  “ Probably not but being his secretary she’ll have a good idea where he used to hide things. “

  “ And if she doesn’t? “

  “ We’ll have to get a court order to gain access to his account. That’s where you and the boss come in. “

  “ Okay, Andy, leave it to me. I’ll get onto Sullivan. Keep him in the picture. “

  “ And Kennedy? What do you want to do with Kennedy? “

  “ Before we tackle him I’ll like to run a few things past you. First, even though we have Horgan on video for the murder of Fallon I’m not one hundred per cent sure he did it. Sure he was there but did he do it. I had a run in with him some time before the murder. He tried the tough guy business with me but regretted it. I think he was all bluster, a bully, a menacing type but I’d never have him down as a cold-blooded killer. He was the sort to get somebody else to do the dirty work for him. And why not? He had the money. “

  “ So you’re thinking maybe Kennedy is our man? “

  “ Well we can always ask him. Let’s squeeze him a bit and see what pops out. “

  On the way to the cells Devoy stopped.

  “ Change of plan, Andy. I’ll go soften up Kennedy you go visit his wife. Explain to her in the nicest possible way the consequences of aiding and abetting criminals on the run. You never know what’ll pop out. If necessary bring in to assist her with our inquiries. “

  “ But she can’t testify against her husband, Inspector. “

  “ You’re right but nobody’s asking her to testify. “

  “ As you wish, Inspector. See you later. “

  Devoy went back to his office and asked for Kennedy to be transferred from his cell to an interview room. In the meantime he brewed himself a cup of real coffee.

  An hour later he opened the door to the interview room. Kennedy was sitting down with his arms crossed in a defiant stance.

  “ I’m saying fuck all to you, Devoy until I get me trousers and shoes back. “

  Devoy sat down facing him. He took a sip of his coffee and munched on a biscuit.

  “ And another thing, Devoy. I haven’t eaten since this morning. I’m fucking starving. “

  “ My heart bleeds for you, Bobby. “

  “ And where’s my solicitor? I know me rights. I’m entitled to a solicitor. I’m saying nothing till he gets here. “

  “ Suit yourself, Bobby. I’m sorry for the delay. I was on to Fitzmaurice’s people. Seems he’s anxious to have a conversation with you. If you remember you stood him up the last time. These people don’t like that at all, Bobby. They don’t like to be kept waiting. “

  Kennedy leaned forward.

  “ I really don’t give a fuck about Fitzy or any of that shower in Justice. They’re all a pain in the arse if you ask me. “

  “ Well I’m not asking you and stop using vulgar language. And as regards a solicitor? Well it seems they’re all out of town right now. The likes of you are giving them the wherewithal to take exotic holidays abroad. We’re trying elsewhere. You’ll just have to be patient, Bobby. “

  “ Yeah, I know the form. I’ve been there. “

  “ I’m sure you have. Look, Kennedy, why don’t you do yourself a favour. “

  “ Like what? “

  “ I’ll give you your trousers and shoes back if you’ll shut up, sit back, and listen to me without interruption. Do you think you can do that? “

  “ What’s all this in aid of? “

  “ Your future, Bobby or even the lack of it. What do you say? “

  Kennedy nodded.

  “ Okay, it’s like this and this is between you and me and nobody else for the moment. Okay? “

  Kennedy nodded again.

  “ Shoot! “

  “ Some people are of the opinion, me included, that Horgan wasn’t alone when Fallon went off the fire escape at the Old Convent nursing home. “

  “ But you have him on the tape and his prints all over the place, “ protested Kennedy.

  “ Of course we do. That’s why he was up for first degree murder and with that type of evidence it would be extremely hard to beat the rap. “

  “ But now, thanks to advanced technology - in a word image enhancement is how th
e technician described it - they are beginning to identify another individual. The image is still vague but they are working on it day and night. And they hope to give us the identity of this person soon. It’s a man. “

  “ So why are you telling me this? “

  “ I’ll get your trousers and shoes, Kennedy. “

  Kennedy pushed back his chair.

  “ Now wait a minute, Devoy. Wait a fucking minute. I know what you’re trying to pull here. That’s not me. No bloody way. That’s not me! “

  Devoy closed the door with Kennedy shouting all sorts of insults at him.

  Five minutes later he was back with Kennedy’s clothes.

  “ As promised, “ he said, throwing them on the table.

  Kennedy reached for the clothes but Devoy grabbed his hands.

  “ Well, well, “ he asked. “ What’s this? Pink hands and no hair on the back. Seems like somebody has been overdoing the barbecue business. “

  Kennedy pulled his hands back.

  “ So I’m a lousy cook. So fucking what! “

  “ You’re also a lousy liar, Kennedy. “

  “ Leave me alone. “

  “ I’d say you wouldn’t say no to a take away now, fish and chips perhaps or maybe even a pizza. “

  Devoy looked at his watch.

  “ They should be opening now what with all the tourists about. Do we want me to order something for you, Kennedy or would you prefer the crap that’s in the machine? Madam won’t be able to deliver you your grub this evening. She’s otherwise engaged. “

  “ You leave my wife out of this, Devoy. Do you hear me? “

  Devoy shook his head.

  “ Aiding and abetting, Bobby. You know the score and what that entails. We have everything: photographs, too. “

  Kennedy brought his hands up to his head.

  “ Damn you, Devoy. Damn you. “

  “ Right. Put your trousers and shoes on. Leave the belt here. You’re going back to your cell, Kennedy. You can reflect on what I said to you. But don’t take too long. In the meantime I’ll try and find a takeaway. See you later. “

  Out in the corridor Devoy came across Burke.

  “ Ah, Andy, what’s the story. “

  “ She wouldn’t budge. So I brought her in. Read her her rights. Told her she was booked for aiding and abetting. She’s in interview room number two. “