One Coffin Too Many

by Brendan O'Grady

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  CHAPTER 40

  Thursday

  At half-past eight the following morning while Devoy waited for his coffee to percolate his phone pinged with an SMS.

  Devoy scrutinized the screen of his phone. The message simply said: Phase 2.

  Good old Helen, he said to himself.

  Next he sent an SMS to his daughter explaining why he was unable to contact her. He didn’t mention his stay in hospital. He had now become so adroit at lying he had begun to believe his lies.

  He took a sip of his coffee and wished Angela was with him. He had forgotten how much he depended on her. This morning would be a cruncher. He had advised Sullivan of the progress they had made and the superintendent was happy with the results. Things were at last falling into place. Kennedy was the key to the next step in the investigation. Devoy finished his coffee, took up the file on Kennedy and left his office.

  In the corridor he came across Burke who was straightening his tie.

  “ Ready? “ he asked.

  Burke nodded.

  “ Ready. “

  “ Okay, then, let’s do it. “

  Devoy knocked on the door of the interview room and it was opened by an officer in uniform.

  Kennedy was sitting facing them. A youngish woman sat beside him. Kennedy’s hands were handcuffed in front of him.

  “ Good morning, Mr. Kennedy, “ said Devoy on entering the room. “ You must be Mrs. McCabe, the legal aid. Sorry to have to drag you away from your family. “

  “ That’s okay, Detective Inspector Devoy. I was on call anyway. “

  “ Right, “ said Devoy, opening a file in front of him. “ Officer Burke has already outlined what we propose to do. You’ve seen the photos and you’ve already confessed to torching Mr. Carmody’s van on the instructions of a certain person who paid you two thousand Euros to do it. Are we agreed there? “

  Everybody nodded.

  “ And on the advice of your legal representative here you are prepared to go ahead to try to identify this person? “

  There were more nods of the head.

  “ Everybody has to say ‘ yes ‘ for the record. “

  Kennedy and his solicitor, Mrs. McCabe said ‘ yes “.

  “ Okay, now yesterday in order to help us you told us where your phone was and we were able to discover through scrolling back who phoned you and on what dates. “

  Kennedy nodded.

  “ This number popped up twice. Do you recognize it, Bob? “

  Kennedy squinted at the number.

  “ It looks familiar. “

  “ It should, Bobby. It’s the switchboard number of the Old Convent Nursing Home, one of Fallon’s best customers. Somebody there phoned you a few times on your mobile. I think I know who. “

  “ You do? “

  “ Yes, I do, Bobby. Somebody with a vested interest in torching that van. A certain Sister Flood. Are you with me? “

  Kennedy nodded.

  “ Right. Here’s the plan. You’re going to follow it step by step but only if you want to redeem yourself in any way. Judges are always impressed by those who help the police. “

  “ So what do I have to do? “ asked Kennedy.

  Devoy pushed a page across the table.

  Mrs. McCabe and Kennedy read it together.

  “ Agreed? “

  “ We agree, “ answered Mrs. Gormley.

  “ Right, then, here goes. “

  Devoy reached for the phone on the table and dialled the Old Convent Nursing Home. The number was answered immediately.

  “ Good morning, “ said Kennedy. “ This is Fallon’s Undertakers. Could I speak to Sister Flood, please? “

  “ One moment please. I’ll see if she’s available. “

  There was silence for a while and then a click.

  “ Sister Flood here. Can I help you? “

  Kennedy looked at the script.

  “ It’s me, Sister. Bobby Kennedy. “

  Kennedy nodded at Devoy. This was the signal that he recognized the voice.

  “ What can I do for you, Mr. Kennedy? “

  “ I’m in a bad state, Sister. I burnt myself when I torched that van you asked me to burn, you know the one belonging to the technician. “

  There was no reply from Flood.

  “ The arson attack, Sister. Remember. You paid me 2000 Euros to do it in two installments delivered to my home. “

  “ I haven’t a notion what you’re talking about, Mr. Kennedy. “

  “ Perhaps you forgot but I’ve got pictures. You can examine them if you want. Sort of a backup. “

  “ Why are you calling me? “

  “ It’s my hands and neck. I burnt them when I torched the van. I’m in pain. Can you help me? I’m not looking for any more money if that’s what you think. “

  “ Why don’t you go to a hospital? “

  “ I already did but they asked too many questions. They wanted to get onto the cops. I didn’t want to compromise you. “

  “ So what do you want? “

  “ You’re a nursing sister. You should be able to get something to put on my burns. There must be loads of stuff where you work. I could come there if you like save you the trouble of coming here. “

  “ No! Under no circumstances should you come here. You’ll have to find somewhere else – somewhere more private. “

  Kennedy let a few seconds pass by to show he was considering a place.

  “ Do you know the holiday home site near Cullen’s Market Garden? “

  “ Yes, I think I do. “

  “ It’s full of chalets. I’m in the big one with the satellite dish. You can’t miss it but you’ll have to park in the lane. “

  “ When? “

  “ After six tonight would be fine. The place is deserted. I’m the only one living there. “

  “ Six o’clock. I’d prefer nine, Mr. Kennedy. Less to see if you know what I mean. It’ll be twilight then. “

  “ You’re right. Okay, Sister, nine it is. “

  “ One more thing, Mr. Kennedy. I don’t want to see any cars there. Understand? If I see anything suspicious you’ll be sorry, Mr. Kennedy. Really sorry. “

  “ Yes, I’m with you, Sister. I understand. “

  “ Good. See you then. “

  The line went dead.

  “ How did I do, Devoy? “

  “ You did fine, Bobby. You certainly missed your vocation. “

  “ Vocation? You mean as a priest? “

  “ Aw, give me a break, Bobby, please. Acting. That’s what you should have done years ago instead of acting the bollocks all these years. “

  At eight o’clock that evening Devoy and the other officers had taken up their positions just in case Sister Flood decided on an early reconnaissance. Burke was in the chalet next to Kennedy’s monitoring Kennedy who sat in his own chalet with an electronic tag attached to his left ankle just in case he felt like running. Devoy himself was positioned in the high grass on the rise overlooking the open area in front of Kennedy’s chalet while two uniformed officers were in position on both sides of the lane in case Flood made a break for it. Everybody was armed and all were in contact by radio. No contact was allowed unless there was an emergency and until the subject had entered Kennedy’s chalet. Eight fifteen came and went and nobody turned up. Nothing budged. The occasional car came and went without stopping. A plane crossed the sky from the nearby aerodrome its shadow chasing across the meadows. And then silence. The silence of the countryside settling down for the night save for the twitter of the occasional bird and the buzz of a bee heading to the hive. The minutes ticked by. Then they heard it. The searing noise of a motorbike cutting through the peace of the countryside like an angry knat. It came and went, came and went, like an angry mosquito trying to find its target. Devoy thought some teenager had lost his way and the sound was dampened by the rolling hills of the countryside as the kid motored up and down the endless, turning lanes. Then the sound died and the tranquility returned
. Devoy let out his breath and yawned. He looked at his

  watch. It was coming up to eight forty-five. He turned to scratch himself and froze. Something or somebody was coming up behind him. He silently cursed. He hadn’t anticipated anybody coming in from the rear. He heard the squeal of springs as something mechanical adjusted itself to the uneven earth. Then through the long grass he saw the front wheel of a cross-country motorbike cut through the grass beside him trailing a stench of burnt oil and petrol. The bike rolled down the slope and stopped with a squeal of brakes outside Kennedy’s chalet. A black clad figure dismounted from the bike and set it up on its stand. The rider, who was carrying a bag around his shoulders, paused momentarily and surveyed the scene. Satisfied, she mounted the steps to the chalet and knocked on the door. Kennedy appeared in the open doorway and motioned the figure inside. Devoy quickly went on the radio. All parties, subject inside. Everybody gave an identifying number as a call of recognition and they settled down to listen to what Burke had to say.

  Nothing happened for a while and then Burke came over the radio.

  “ It’s her. Sister Flood. She has just taken the crash helmet off and laid it on the table. She has some sort of bag, like a haversack, on her back. She’s taking it off. She has placed it on the table and is taking bottles and small plastic containers out of it. It looks like medical supplies of some kind. She is asking Kennedy to take off his sweat shirt and tee shirt which he’s doing. She’s now asking him to sit on a chair while she examines his neck and hands. Now she’s spraying something onto his neck. It must be cold because he jumped when the spray hit him. She’s telling him not to be such a baby and relax. She’s now applying some type of cream onto the back of his neck and rubbing it in. He’s enjoying this as it seems to be giving him some relief. Now she’s asking him to splay out his fingers and spread them on the table. She’s examining each finger one by one. She has now gone back to her bag and extracted a towel plus a small box. She’s laying the towel on the table and placing Kennedy’s fingers on it. She’s using the spray again. She’s now opening the small box and is taking out what looks like a hypodermic syringe in a plastic wrapping. She has now brought the syringe up to the light to check the contents and is going over to Kennedy. Some sort of painkiller, I think. She…she’s now plunging it into his neck and he’s jerking about. She’s depressed the plunger and he’s…he’s collapsing onto the table and sliding down to the floor. Now he’s jerking about as if he’s connected to a live electricity cable. Christ! I think she’s killed him. Wait! She’s saying something to him now. Oh, no. She’s just said that’s what happens to squealers, Kennedy. He’s dead! I’m sure of it. She’s killed him. Quick, she’s putting on the crash helmet and heading to the door. Stop her! I’m going to call an ambulance. “

  Devoy got up and ran towards the chalet. The door crashed open. Flood came bounding out and jumped on the motorbike. The engine roared as she turned the key. Instead of driving off down the lane where the two cops were now waiting for her she instead turned the bike towards Devoy who was trying to block her passage. Devoy pulled out his automatic and shouted: armed police, halt! But she drove at him and as she came up to him extended her leg and kicked him in the chest sending him sprawling. She roared up the hill giving the pursuing cops a little wave before she ploughed through the trees and started hopping from hedgerow to hedgerow until she disappeared from sight.

  Further down the slope in a secluded lane two cyclists dismounted from their cross-country bikes to take in the view of the cliff and the bay. They both caught the irritating sound of the motor-bike but they couldn’t figure out whether it was coming from in front of or behind them. Not wishing to take

  any chances they pushed their bikes up against the retaining wall that held the slope in place. They were just about to open their water bottles when suddenly the hedge above them parted and a black-clad figure on a motorbike came flying through the air and overshot the lane. The momentum of the bike carried it further down the slope. They heard the rider vainly trying to go down the gears but the wheels were spinning against air. On and on continued the bike its engine protesting at lack of traction until both rider and motorbike fell from sight. Horrified both cyclists clambered over the wall and ran down the slope to the edge of the cliff. There was no sign of the rider or the bike. All that remained was a widening ripple in the sea and at its centre a foaming circle. They watched for a while but nobody reappeared. They shook their heads in dismay and turned just in time to see two armed policemen bearing down on them. They put up their hands up quickly.

  ✽✽✽

  CHAPTER 41

  Friday

  Superintendent Sullivan tore his eyes from the TV screen as he watched the frozen image of Nursing Sister Flood plunge a needle into the neck of Bob Kennedy.

  “ God, “ he remarked, “ what a callous bitch. Poor Kennedy. “

  “ Poor Kennedy indeed, “ echoed Devoy. “ He may be dead but he didn’t reveal all his secrets. “

  “ I see, “ replied Sullivan. “ And Flood. What happened to her? “

  “ She got away. We only have the words of two German cyclists who witnessed her last moments, if indeed they were her last moments. Their English isn’t up to scratch so a local teacher of German teacher from the secondary school is helping us out. Seems these two men were enjoying the tranquillity of the Irish countryside when they were subjected to a sort of re-run of Steve MacQueen in the film The Great Escape this time featuring a murderous lesbian nun in black leather on a souped-up cross -country motorbike pursued by armed policemen in uniform. “

  “ I’m sure it came as a dreadful shock to them. “

  “ Well it certainly beats leprechaun spotting by a long shot. I don’t think they’ll see Ireland in the same light again. “

  “ And what happened then? “ asked Sullivan.

  Devoy related how the motorbike overshot the lane and went over the cliff.

  “ So we can take it she’s dead, then? “

  “ I’m almost certain. It’s a big drop and she was wearing a lot of leather. If she survived the drop she most likely would have drowned. I’ve got some frogmen down there at the moment. It’s quite deep. I’d say she’s dead. “

  “ This is great work, men. I congratulate you. “

  Devoy held up his hands and turned to Officer Burke.

  “ If anybody deserves congratulations it’s Officer Andy Burke here. It was he who stumbled on the neighbouring cottage with the recording equipment. Otherwise we wouldn’t have an open-and-shut case against Flood and Kennedy. He deserves to be made up to detective level. “

  “ I’ll second that, Inspector Devoy. “ said Sullivan.

  Sullivan sat back and rubbed the sides of his head.

  “ With my pension only a few weeks away I was dreading a pile of paperwork before I left. I’d hate to leave with things up in the air. The road seems clear now. “

  “ I hate to spoil the picture, sir but you’re overlooking what I averred to earlier – Kennedy’s secrets. “

  Devoy always felt obliged to refer to Superintendent Sullivan as sir, chief, or boss, in front of other officers even though they were on first name terms. Familiarity always presented problems when confused with friendliness.

  “ Kennedy’s secrets. Dear God, you mean there’s more? “

  “ Not much more but enough. “

  Sullivan made a face.

  “ Spill it, “ he said. “ While I’m in the mood. “

  Devoy held up a video tape.

  “ This arrived late yesterday evening. It’s from Carmody. You remember him. The closed-circuit camera technician whose van was torched by Kennedy? “

  “ Yes, of course I remember him. Why? “

  “ I asked him to clean up this video tape and you can see for yourself he did a great job. “

  Devoy inserted the tape and ran the video player.

  Everybody watched the video as it played.

  “ But we’ve seen this alrea
dy, “ protested Sullivan.

  “ Yes, we have, sir but not as clean an image as this. Carmody managed to penetrate the electronic sludge to give us a better image. Look, there’s Horgan coming up the stairs onto the landing and look who’s behind him. “

  “ Christ! “ exclaimed Sullivan. “ That’s Flood. What’s she doing there? “

  Devoy froze the image of Flood behind Horgan.

  “ My guess is that Horgan was telling us the truth. He went there to visit Fallon but his visit was not altogether altruistic. He went there specifically to put some pressure on Fallon to sell the land he was renting out to Horgan – the land where Kennedy was hiding out. Fallon owned this land and all the chalets. That’s where he made all his money back in the sixties and early seventies before the bottom fell out of the market with cheap package holidays to Spain – that and the undertakers, too. He was also a shareholder in the Old Convent Nursing Home when he bought the nuns out. Sister Flood stayed on to manage things and do you know why? “

  Sullivan shook his head.

  “ Haven’t a notion. Tell me. “

  “ Because she was his niece would you believe and seeing as he never married she stood to gain a lot when he passed on. She couldn’t let Horgan come into the picture without complicating things. So she had to stand guard on old Fallon just in case he had a change of mind. That change of mind could have been brought about by Horgan. Obviously Horgan had been paying Fallon visits for some time to soften him up.That’s how she spotted him on the video tapes. “

  “ On that day in question she saw Horgan. She followed him up the stairs and when he went into Fallon’s room she confronted him. I would say she caught him rummaging in Fallon’s wardrobe and chest of drawers. A fight brought out. Somehow or the other Fallon tried to escape and ended up on the fire escape. When all is said and done we’re talking here about manslaughter. They were both up for actions leading to the death of Fallon so knowing their common hatred of one another they let things lie. Horgan must have agreed but he forgot about the videotape and so did Flood which is why she went to a lot of trouble later to get rid of all the tapes. But she didn’t reckon on Carmody cleaning up the tape digitally. She went too far. She should have left him alone. By torching his van she highlighted her actions. Otherwise we would never have known. “