“Yes, sir. The so-called brains behind the whole thing, if you could call it that,” Hays said.
“Jaysus, Mick, this hasn’t been our finest hour.”
“No, but in fairness it wasn’t really our fault,” Hays said.
“No matter. The press won’t see it that way. ‘Dog’s Dinner at Dog’s Bay’” he said, drawing an imaginary headline with his fingers in the air. Hays smiled.
“Do you think you could tidy it up a bit, Mick? Play it down, make some of it go away,” the superintendent said.
“I’m not sure, boss. The driver has already been processed, but we might be able to do something about the other clown, Turner.”
“What have you in mind, or do I want to know?” Plunkett said.
“Nothing like that, boss. I was thinking the Brits might like to have him back. I got the impression they’ve been looking for him for a while anyway. They have a couple of warrants out for him.”
“Excellent! But keep me out of it, won’t ye? And do it quietly, no press. We’re OK with the driver, that’s a good story – North-South co-operation, hands across the border and all that bullshit, and if he gets Judge Meehan, he’ll go down for a decent stretch,” Plunkett said.
“Something tells me that’s exactly what will happen.” Hays said exchanging a knowing look with his superior officer.
“Ah, away with ye now. Oh, and Mick, how did Inspector Lyons do on this one?”
“She’s not happy, but she did OK. She needs a few more straightforward cases to build up her confidence, but she knows I have her back,” Hays said.
“Good man, Mick, that’s the spirit.”
* * *
A few minutes later, back at his desk, Hays called DCI Irene Russell in London.
“Afternoon, Irene. How’s things?” he said.
“Oh, just peachy as ever, Mick, and you?”
“Same. Look, we have this Eddie Turner guy here and we’re not sure what to do with him. Is there any chance you’d like him back?” Hays said.
“Let’s see, I’ll just look him up on the system.” The conversation paused while DCI Russell consulted the Met’s computer.
“Hmm, well we have two warrants out for him, so it would be handy to have him back all right. We could close the file and get him banged up for a year or two,” the DCI said.
“OK. But it has to be low key – no drama, and no publicity. I can get someone from here to fly over with him and hand him over at Heathrow. But just in arrivals, no squad cars on the tarmac. Is that OK?” Hays said.
“Sounds good. Call me when you have the flight details and I’ll set it up this end. Thanks, Mick.”
They didn’t have much trouble convincing Eddie Turner that he would be better off in the UK. As they were explaining his options to him, mention was made of suspected subversive activity, and how some English prisoners get welcomed in Irish prisons. Of course the detectives talked it up a good bit, but Turner didn’t know any better, so in the end he was happy to volunteer to fly back to the mainland and take his chances.
Chapter Twenty-six
Sally Fahy phoned Pat Bolger on the number his wife had given her. She arranged to meet him at the bar of the Imperial Hotel on Eyre Square at six o’clock, telling him that it was just a routine meeting to tie up some loose ends concerning the death of his step-daughter.
Bolger had been reluctant at first, but when Fahy offered to have the meeting at his home, Bolger quickly agreed to the hotel meet.
Fahy had filled Lyons in on the situation, and it was agreed that Detective Sergeant Eamon Flynn would go with Sally to the meeting, but that Sally would lead the interview.
Bolger turned up at five past six, got himself a pint, and sat down in a quiet corner with the two Gardaí.
“How can I help you?” he said.
“As you know Mr Bolger, your step-daughter Sheila was killed in a road traffic incident out near Roundstone the other day. That incident occurred during the execution of a failed kidnap in which Sheila was involved. We’d just like to ask you what you know of her acquaintances since she left home,” Sally said.
“Nothing. Nothing at all. I haven’t seen the girl since she ran away. Where was she living anyway?” Bolger said.
“We believe she was sleeping rough, Mr Bolger, but we’re not sure exactly where.”
“Oh, that’s terrible. I wish I had known, I would have helped her out,” he said.
“Can you tell us why it was that Sheila suddenly left her home, Mr Bolger? It seems strange to us that she would just up and leave for no good reason,” Fahy asked.
“I’ve no idea. She didn’t say anything – just left all of a sudden.”
“Is that so?” Flynn interjected.
“Because we have a witness who says she left home because you were interfering with her,” Flynn went on.
Bolger’s face went red.
“That’s nonsense. Who told you that? I’ll sue the bugger! Damned lies!”
“You’re lucky, Mr Bolger. The witness is not in a position to provide a statement, but he told us that he got it directly from Sheila, and he fully believed the poor girl who had nothing to gain from making up such a story,” Flynn said. “And to be honest, if Sheila hadn’t left home and got in with a bad crowd, she’d almost certainly be alive today, so you need to think about the consequences of your actions.”
Bolger was about to speak, but Flynn put up his hand.
“Now I want you to listen very carefully to me, Mr Bolger. There’s another wee girl living with Marie and yourself in that cosy little home you have out at Ardilaun. She’s just starting to grow up, and frankly, we’re a bit concerned about her safety. So, we’ll be watching, Mr Bolger, and at the first sign, or any sign, that you are acting inappropriately towards her, she’ll be taken into care under a place of safety order, and you’ll be arrested. And we will know, Mr Bolger, trust me, we have our methods. You’re on very thin ice here.” Flynn said.
Bolger said nothing, and the detectives, having delivered their message, and having done as much as they could for now to protect Amy, got up to leave. As Sally Fahy turned to go, her coat caught on Bolger’s almost full pint and sent it flying into his lap, soaking the front of his trousers.
“Oops!” she said, and walked out.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Detective Sergeant Eamon Flynn sat beside Eddie Turner on the Aer Lingus flight to Heathrow the following day. Turner seemed relieved to be getting out of Ireland, but not quite so pleased when he learned of the welcoming committee that awaited him in London. Still, it was better than being stuck in an Irish prison, he reckoned.
The flight went smoothly. DCI Russell had arranged for them to go through a priority channel for passport control, and a few minutes later, after a long walk, Flynn and Turner emerged into the arrivals hall.
A very young detective constable was there to meet them, with a piece of white card bearing the name Flynn in black marker held out in front of him. The young man introduced himself as John Stokes, and after a few pleasantries about the flight, Turner was duly handed over. As Stokes and Turner walked towards the exit, Eddie said, “Listen mate, I’m busting for a piss. That Irish fucker wouldn’t let me go on the plane. Can we find a john?”
Stokes agreed, and they made their way across the concourse to the toilets. Turner made straight for the disabled one, went in and locked the door before Stokes could say anything. Feeling the need for relief himself, Stokes continued on into the gents, safe in the knowledge that Turner would be occupied for a few minutes at least.
Turner waited about ten seconds inside the disabled toilet, and then opened the door of the washroom gingerly. Great – no sign of Stokes. He slipped out of the toilet and walked briskly back to where lots of people were milling around, and simply disappeared into the crowd.
The Galway detectives never got to hear of Turner’s escape. DCI Russell was too embarrassed to tell Hays what had happened. Turner had made good his getaway and would once
again be sought by police forces all over the UK. What no one knew was that Turner had been paid up front by Chapman – not ten thousand, but twenty thousand pounds, with the promise of another ten thousand on successful completion of the job. Eddie had left a fake passport and a spare bank card in baggage storage at Heathrow, and before the police could circulate his details, he was away on an Iberia flight to Alicante.
Hays reported to Plunkett the following day that the ‘loose end’ had been taken care of. The superintendent was pleased, and asked that his thanks be passed on to the entire team.
Lyons wasn’t happy. She felt that she had made a mess of the case, and if it hadn’t been for Hays who had been there to dig her out, the whole thing might have gone very badly indeed.
Their last task before closing the file, was to visit the Craigues one last time at their house out in Ballyconneely. A ‘For Sale’ sign had been erected in the front garden, with the sale being in the hands of a local estate agent from Clifden. Bernard Craigue was aghast to hear of the involvement of Peter Chapman. He was torn between anger and shame for how the kidnap and death of his only son had come about. His wife had become ill from it all, and in fact, never recovered.
List of Characters
Senior Detective Inspector Mick Hays – a keen sailor and the senior officer in the Galway Detective Unit, with many years’ experience in crime detection. Hays is building a strong team in anticipation of an expansion of the unit in the near future.
Detective Inspector Maureen Lyons – Hays’ ‘bagman’ in Galway, Maureen is constantly trying to prove herself while wrestling with self-doubt. A feisty, ambitious and tough woman with powerful instincts who has a knack of being in the right place at the right time.
Detective Sergeant Eamon Flynn – known for his tenacity, Flynn wanted to work as a detective since he was a small boy. He develops his skill while working on the case and proves invaluable handling some tricky customers.
Garda John O’Connor – the nerdy and modest junior member of the team is a technical wizard. He loves working with PCs, mobile phones, cameras and anything electronic.
Sergeant Séan Mulholland – happy to take it easy in the quiet backwater of Clifden, Mulholland could have retired by now, but enjoys the status that the job affords him. Not to be hurried, he runs the Garda Station at a gentle pace.
Garda Jim Dolan – works alongside Mulholland and has little ambition to do anything else.
Superintendent Finbarr Plunkett – a wily old character who is politically savvy, he manages the detective unit with subtlety. He’s well-connected in Galway and exploits his connections to good effect.
Detective Garda Sally Fahy – the newest member of the team in Galway is still finding her feet but is already making an impression.
DCI Irene Russell – a highly experienced Metropolitan Police officer with a soft spot for Hays.
Dr Julian Dodd – an excellent pathologist with a rather superior air, who is always on hand to sort out dead bodies.
Sinéad Loughran – the forensics girl that manages to stay cheerful even in the most gruesome circumstances.
Joe Mason – the dog handler who manages Brutus, a beautiful and talented German Shepherd.
Garda Pascal Brosnan – runs the Garda station in Roundstone single-handed.
Lorcan McFadden – a small time crook from Galway with big ideas, but without the skills to match.
Sheila O’Rourke – a troubled teenager who had to leave home when her mother re-married.
Eddie Turner – an English criminal from London who finds himself out of his depth when dealing with the Irish police.
Bernard Craigue – a clever businessman who has done well at the expense of others, with a love of the west of Ireland.
Hannah Craigue – Bernard’s long-suffering wife.
Jeremy Craigue – son of Bernard and Hannah who enjoys the night life in Clifden during the summer months and doesn’t want to follow his father into the printing business.
Samuel Chapman – Bernard Craigue’s ex-employer whose business has hit difficult times.
Peter Chapman – Samuel’s son, a ne’er-do-well who finds himself all at sea.
Tadgh Deasy – a garage owner and mechanic that serves the people of Roundstone with all their motoring needs.
Shay Deasy – Tadgh’s son.
Pat Bolger – believes he has found the perfect match with Marie O’Rourke and her two daughters.
Marie Bolger – mother of Sheila and Amy O’Rourke who re-marries with more haste than good judgement.
John Lambert – coxswain of the Clifden lifeboat, dedicated to saving lives at sea.
Padraig – a life boatman highly knowledgeable about the waters around Galway Bay.
Paddy McKeever – the rural postman who travels all over Connemara in his little green van.
More fiction by David Pearson
If you enjoyed MURDER ON THE OLD BOG ROAD, MURDER AT THE OLD COTTAGE and MURDER ON THE WEST COAST, 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 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 5: MURDER ON PAY DAY
Following a tip-off, Irish police lie in wait for a robbery. But the criminals cleverly evade their grasp. Meanwhile, a body is found beneath a cliff. DCI Mick Hays’ chances of promotion will be blown unless he sorts out the mess.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07JD9H8H1/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JD9H8H1/
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/
Book 8: MURDER ON THE PENINSULA
When a body is found in a car on a remote beach, detectives suspect foul play. Their investigation leads them to believe the death is connected to corruption in local government. But rather than have to hunt down the killer, he approaches them. With one idea in mind: revenge. Working out against whom and why will be key to stopping him in his tracks.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SPM71L9/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SPM71L9/
Book 9: MURDER AT THE RACES
One of the highlights of Ireland’s horseracing calendar is marred when a successful bookmaker is robbed and killed in the restrooms. DI Maureen Lyons investigates but is not banking on a troublemaker emerging from within the police ranks. Her team will have to deal with the shenanigans and catch a killer.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07X9MKZL4/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X9MKZL4/
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Coming Soon…
THE GALWAY HOMICIDES – BOOKS 4-6
More page-turning crime fiction! Three more unmissable murder mysteries in the best-selling series. A super value box set!
C
omprising the fourth, fifth and sixth books in this series: MURDER AT THE PONY SHOW, MURDER ON PAY DAY and MURDER IN THE AIR
THE GALWAY HOMICIDES – BOOKS 7-9
Three more gripping Irish murder mysteries from the best-selling series. Another great value box set!
Comprising the seventh, eighth and ninth books in this series: MURDER AT THE HOLIDAY HOME, MURDER ON THE PENINSULA and MURDER AT THE RACES
Both box sets will be available FREE with Kindle Unlimited. All the books in this series are also available separately on Kindle and in paperback.
Other titles of interest
If you like Irish crime fiction, why not try these books?
Who was Nancy McBride and where did she disappear to?
The cold-blooded murder of an American tourist in his hotel room has Detectives Hanagan and Molly looking for a killer and a motive. But when the clues begin to point to the unimaginable, a story of loss, betrayal, and vengeance begins to unfold.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015UFAU22/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015UFAU22/
When Irish detectives Maguire and O’Brien are woken in the early hours to investigate a dead body they soon establish a murder has taken place. Yet there is no shortage of candidates for who might have killed the notorious local headmaster. The mystery deepens, and the plot thickens, when a raving mad priest in a mental asylum seems to hold the key to the puzzle.
The Galway Homicides Box Set Page 42