The Doll's House

‘They’ve barely talked the last number of days. She’s been trying to convince him to get help.’


‘Did his wife say anything else, mention any signs of pent-up aggression, self-harming?’

‘Not that Lynch said.’

‘Can I talk to her, O’Connor?’

‘I’ll get Lynch to give you her number, but there’s something else.’

‘What?’

‘It seems Hamilton and you have something in common.’

‘What’s that?’

‘You both enjoy the occasional run.’

‘Pushing his body hard?’

‘It’s where he does his occasional running that’s important.’

‘Don’t tell me – the canal?’

‘That’s right.’

‘Damn it, O’Connor, maybe we should have connected all this before now.’

‘He’s matching the profile. Strong links to the area, outward signs of life falling apart. He knew both victims.’

‘O’Connor.’

‘Yeah?’

‘If it is Hamilton, and he’s been pushed over the line, it could have been his mother’s death, but it feels like more than that. As I said before, she might have said something before she died or perhaps someone else did.’

‘Whatever, Kate, either way, he’s in my sights.’

‘What about Martin McKay?’

‘I’ve sent a car to his office in town.’

‘You need to tread carefully.’

‘I always do.’

‘Listen to me for a second. There’s a strong possibility that, whoever the killer is, he’s suffering from some form of psychosis.’

‘You mean he’s nuts?’

‘Let’s stick to the medical term, shall we? If the killer is psychotic, he’s most likely only heading one way at this point.’

‘What’s that?’

‘Self-destruction.’

‘You’re talking suicide?’

‘If Dominic Hamilton is unaccounted for, and he turns out to be the killer, you need to remember he hasn’t an awful lot left to lose. He’s risked it all already. But that isn’t the thing that’s worrying me most.’

‘What is?’

‘If he hasn’t already attempted suicide, as I said the other night, there’s every chance he has another victim in mind, and he won’t be capable of waiting a protracted interval either.’





Clodagh


Gerard Hayden’s face looks troubled. The longer he takes to answer me, the more apprehensive I feel. ‘What is it, Gerard?’

‘Someone called to see me the other day, a man. He told me he was your brother.’

‘Dominic?’

‘Yes. He expressed concern for your welfare, advised me to treat you carefully, that you were—’

‘That I was what?’ My voice is suddenly louder, angry.

‘He said that you are somewhat delicate. He used the word “disturbed”.’

‘And what did you say?’

‘Well, naturally, Clodagh, I needed to take his concerns on board.’

‘What did you tell him?’

‘Not a lot. Nothing he didn’t already know. My primary responsibility is to you, which is why I’m telling you this now. If we’re to continue, I don’t want any side issues getting in the way.’

‘I see.’ The thought that Dominic had been meddling, talking to Gerard behind my back, feels like he’s taken something without my permission. The same way Martin has in the past. Did Dominic follow me here? Otherwise how would he have found Gerard Hayden’s house? Perhaps Valerie gave him the address. ‘I need your word, Gerard, that if we’re to continue, anything I reveal to you is kept between ourselves.’ I’m surprised by the strength in my voice.

‘You have it, Clodagh. It’s important that you trust me.’

‘I don’t know that I can trust anyone, Gerard. Not any more. But it doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is going back, finding out what happened, and if I had anything to do with it.’

‘Clodagh, do you want to continue?’

I can still see the concern on Gerard’s face. ‘I don’t have any choice.’

‘Right then, Clodagh. Let’s start.’

I look at the first candle Gerard lit, and as I count backwards, I can’t get the image of the flame out of my mind. I feel the same resistance by my conscious mind. A part of me doesn’t want to let go. Is it because I don’t trust Gerard now, or is it because I’m afraid?

‘Clodagh, can you still hear me?’

‘Gerard, it’s not working.’