When Hays heard about the incident, he said to Lyons, “Some of those old lags have very long memories. The Geraghtys weren’t much liked, even amongst the criminal fraternity. I’m not surprised, to be honest.”
“It’s a good job you can only die once,” she said.
“How do you mean?” Hays said.
“Well, we know there were at least two deaths down to him – McKeever and Rollo, and maybe more that we don’t know about. What about Emmet Geraghty?”
“That’s a funny thing. When he heard about his brother’s death, he went completely mad. Literally mad. He was screaming and banging his head off the walls, and throwing himself about. They had to sedate him, but when it wore off, he was back at it again. Apparently he’s being moved to that place in Dundrum where they keep the criminally insane. I doubt if he’ll ever get out of there,” Hays said.
“Good enough for them both, if you ask me. We don’t need those types in our community.”
* * *
Some months after the terrible events that led to the death of her husband, Breeda McKeever received a generous settlement from An Post, and a good pension to boot. But her heart never mended. Paddy had been her first, and only love, and his loss was almost too much to bear for the poor woman.
The benefits people worked hard with the management of An Post to encourage their customers to have their weekly allowances paid directly into bank accounts, so that large quantities of cash did not have to be transported on quiet country roads. This was quite successful, so that mounting any further armed robberies on An Post vans became a waste of time and too risky for the criminal community, given the poor returns.
A small cross was erected at the side of the road at Dog’s Bay where Paddy had given his life in the cause of his work, and there were almost always fresh flowers propped up against it, no matter what the time of year, or the weather, although no one really knew where they came from.
When Hays and Lyons were back in harness in Mill Street, during a quiet moment in the office, Hays said, “It’s going to be quite different with me taking up the new role as Superintendent you know.”
“I know it is, and I’m still not sure that I’ll be able to step into your shoes completely successfully,” Lyons said.
“I know you’ll probably do things quite differently to me, Maureen, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be just as effective. I’ve tried to observe your work objectively over the past while, and to be brutally honest, I think you’ll do an even better job than me. Your instincts are sharper than mine, and you don’t mind taking the odd risk to get the job done. That’s a pretty heady mix. I’d say the criminal element in Galway is in some bother,” Hays said.
“It’s good of you to say so, Mick. Let’s just hope it all works out. Oh, and does this mean you’ll be chasing me around for all sorts of ridiculous reports every month, and giving out shite when I overspend on some vital thief taking operation?”
“Of course! And don’t expect any sympathy, just because we’re partners either,” he said, smiling.
“Oh, don’t worry, Mick, I have a few ways of sorting that out, wait till you see.”
“And that would be?”
“All in good time – patience, dear man, patience!”
Character list
Senior Inspector Michael Hays – a tough, experienced Garda who has ambitions to progress his career either at home, or in a UK police force.
Inspector Maureen Lyons – a sassy policewoman who has a long track record of success due to her cunning ways and no-nonsense approach to policing.
Superintendent Finbarr Plunkett – a wily old Garda who keeps the Detective Unit under close observation and helps them deal with the ever-increasing bureaucracy.
Detective Sergeant Eamon Flynn – a determined and thorough member of the Detective Unit who is known for his persistence in pursuing wrong-doers.
Detective Sally Fahy – joined the Gardaí after a spell as a civilian worker with the force, this pretty blonde officer is going places.
Garda John O’Connor – loves nothing more than hacking into a criminal’s laptop or mobile phone to reveal all those hidden secrets.
Sinéad Loughran – leads the forensic team attached to the Detective Unit to gather evidence and assist in successful prosecutions.
Dr Julian Dodd – the diminutive and sarcastic pathologist with a great nose for something out of place.
Sergeant Séan Mulholland – in charge of the Clifden Garda Station, and nearing retirement, Mulholland likes to take it easy, but can be very effective when things turn nasty.
Garda Jim Dolan – Mulholland’s right-hand man in Clifden.
Garda Pascal Brosnan – runs the little Garda station in Roundstone single-handedly. His firearms training comes in useful from time to time.
Garda Peadar Tobin – another of Mulholland’s men from the Clifden Station.
Inspector Jim Nicholson – works for the Garda’s Internal Affairs department where he seeks out deviations from proper procedure.
Paddy McKeever – a much liked postman who delivers mail between Galway and Clifden.
Breeda McKeever – Paddy McKeever’s wife.
Anselm Geraghty – a hardened criminal who seems to have a reckless streak.
Emmet Geraghty – Anselm’s young brother – an equally vicious thug.
Rollo – a near down and out who mixes among the seedier citizens of Galway.
Sheila Bourke – Maureen Lyons’ married sister who lives on what had been the family farm out near Athenry.
Séamus Bourke – Sheila’s husband.
Lionel Wallace – the manager of the luxurious Abbey Glen Hotel.
Bridget O’Toole – the elderly post mistress who has been running the Post Office in Clifden for many years.
Aoife O’Toole – the post mistress’s daughter who works in a nearby pharmacy.
Tadgh Deasy – an erstwhile car dealer and mechanic who is well known to the Gardaí.
Shay Deasy – Tadgh’s son.
Tommy McKeever – Paddy McKeever’s brother.
Ivan McKeever – Paddy McKeever’s nephew.
Jean – paramedic.
Dr Brady – the local medical man from Roundstone.
Agnes – Dr Brady’s nurse.
Mr Michael O’Flaherty – a competent surgeon based in Galway’s Regional Hospital.
More fiction by David Pearson
If you enjoyed MURDER ON PAY DAY (Book 5), check out the other books in the series, also featuring Irish detectives Hays and Lyons.
All of these books are FREE with Kindle Unlimited and available in paperback.
Book 1: MURDER ON THE OLD BOG ROAD
A woman is found in a ditch, murdered. As the list of suspects grows, an Irish town’s dirty secrets are exposed. Detective Inspector Mick Hays and DS Maureen Lyons are called in to investigate. But getting the locals to even speak to the police will take some doing. Will they find the killer in their midst?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07C8GJ889/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C8GJ889/
Book 2: MURDER AT THE OLD COTTAGE
When a nurse finds a reclusive old man dead in his armchair in his tumbledown cottage, the local Garda surmise he was the victim of a burglary gone wrong. However, having suffered a violent death and there being no apparent robbery, Irish detectives Hays and Lyons are not so sure. With no apparent motive it will take all their wits and training to track down the killer.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07C3VRR7Z/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C3VRR7Z/
Book 3: MURDER ON THE WEST COAST
When the Irish police arrive at a road accident, little do they know it will lead to evidence of a kidnapping and a murder. Detective Maureen Lyons is in charge of the case but struggling with self-doubt, and when a suspect slips through her fingers she must act fast to save her reputation and crack the case.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07D322RKB/
http://www.amazon.
com/dp/B07D322RKB/
Book 4: MURDER AT THE PONY SHOW
A man is found dead during the annual Connemara Pony Show. Panic spreads through the event when it is discovered he was murdered. Detective Maureen Lyons leads the investigation. But questioning the local bigwigs involved ruffles feathers and the powers-that-be threaten to stonewall the inquiry.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07G89DT5M/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G89DT5M/
Book 6: MURDER IN THE AIR
After a wealthy businessman’s plane crashes into bogland, it is discovered the engine was tampered with. DI Maureen Lyons leads the investigation, which points to shady dealings and an even darker crime.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07LFHRQ2D/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LFHRQ2D/
Book 7: MURDER AT THE HOLIDAY HOME
A local businessman is questioned when a young woman is found dead in his property. His caginess makes him a prime suspect in what is now a murder inquiry. But with no clear motive and no evidence, detectives will have a hard task proving their case. They’ll have to follow the money, even if it leads them into danger.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07P9W6T6J/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P9W6T6J/
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Murder on Pay Day Page 15