‘What?’
‘That’s the thing. I can’t put my finger on it. Sandra Regan didn’t have a problem talking about Pierre Laurent, and it certainly seemed like Rick Shevlin’s name meant nothing to her, but I’m still unsure about her, like there’s something we’re not seeing.’
‘Maybe she’s protecting someone.’
‘Or maybe she’s scared out of her wits.’
HARCOURT STREET STATION, SPECIAL DETECTIVE UNIT
MARK LYNCH WASN’T one bit happy that O’Connor was fishing in the investigation. He had his sources in the airport authority too, and he’d be damned if he was going to let the detective regain face with the chief super, or meddle in his investigation. He had tried to get through to him all morning, but the bloody mobile kept ringing out before going to voicemail. He didn’t want to put anything out over the airwaves by contacting the squad car directly but he hadn’t much choice.
‘O’Connor.’
‘Is that you, Mark? The signal is shocking.’
He wanted to tell him he wasn’t a bloody idiot, but care was needed with other squad cars listening in.
‘You’re assigned to Traffic, not this investigation.’ His words sounded like the order they were.
‘I understand that, but I think I could be on to something. I need to talk with an Edgar Regan and an Alice Thompson before I can be sure the lead is concrete.’
‘The line isn’t so bad that you didn’t hear what I just said. You’re not part of this investigation any more and all interviews will be looked after by others. Can you hear that loud and clear?’
‘Perfectly.’
‘Where were you this morning?’
‘I was talking to a woman called Sandra Regan. Her name came up on flight information—’
Lynch interrupted before he could finish: ‘I know all about that. Get back here and fill me in on what you have.’
‘I’m on my way.’
‘I’m warning you, O’Connor, no detours.’
The next call Lynch made was to Kate. ‘There appears to be a fresh lead on the Shevlin case, a Sandra Regan.’
‘I know. I’m with Detective Inspector O’Connor now.’
‘I don’t take kindly, Kate, to being kept out of the loop. I’ll talk to you both when you get here.’
‘I’m afraid that’s not possible. I’ve another appointment at Ocean House.’
‘I’m not happy about this. I need any additional information you have.’
‘I don’t have any additional information, at least not yet. If I have something new, I’ll be in touch.’
He was livid, and it didn’t help that O’Connor was sitting in the squad car beside her, taking it all in. ‘Make sure you do, Kate. You may not be an official member of the force, but you are fully aware of the guidelines that are in place. I’ll be expecting you to keep to them.’
‘As I said, I’ll make contact if I’ve more to add.’
Hanging up the phone and opening his office door, Lynch roared at the first victim he could see, Detective Sergeant Martin Lennon. ‘Lennon, set up a full incident-room briefing for half an hour from now. This Shevlin case is gaining some wings and we’d better all be flying in the one direction. Where’s Fitzsimons?’
‘He’s gone for a smoke.’
‘When he gets back from killing himself, I want both of you in here. I’ve half a dozen names that I need you to find out about.’ He was about to slam his door when he caught sight of Paul Fitzsimons entering the squad room. ‘Right,’ he shouted. ‘You two in here now.’
Both men remained standing while he began his rant. ‘First off, if either of you hear wind of O’Connor meddling in my case, I want to know about it.’
They nodded.
‘Second, we have six new names in the pot, four women and two male partners. O’Connor’s already checked them through PULSE and they appear clean. I need you to do more digging. Find something. I want business details, family connections, where they went to school, where they were born, and every damn place they’ve been since.’ He paused for breath. ‘Lennon, make contact with Edgar Regan – he’s one of the names on the list. Set up a meeting for directly after the briefing, and then I’ll want to see an Alice Thompson. Arrange that too.’
‘Sure, Boss,’ Lennon replied.
‘Fitzsimons, you work with Lennon on this. I’ll use Sergeant Janet Lacy to accompany me for any house calls.’
As both men walked out of the office, Lynch roared after them, ‘And remember, if O’Connor sticks his nose anywhere it shouldn’t be, I want to know about it pronto.’
SANDRA
I PHONE EDGAR the moment the police squad car turns the corner. When he answers, I’m unable to talk sense, my words getting mixed up, coming out in a jumbled mess.
‘Sandra, calm down.’
‘The police have been here asking loads of questions.’
‘Questions about what?’ He lowers his voice.
‘About different things, about years ago, someone I knew in Paris, about Alice and a man I’ve never heard of called Rick Shevlin.’