The Doll's House

‘What lines are you working on, O’Connor?’


‘Lynch and CAB are looking into the running of a company called Hamilton Holdings, which was set up thirty-seven years ago. It was originally owned by the late Adrian Hamilton, and taken over by Jenkins after Hamilton committed suicide in 1978.’

‘Suicide?’

‘Or death by misadventure. At least, that’s what the coroner believed.’ O’Connor could see Butler was anything but convinced.

‘Doubting inquest findings now, are we, O’Connor?’

‘Keeping options open, boss, that’s all. Jenkins started the company moving again about two years back. He got a shitload of investors. Most of them are low-key.’

‘By low-key, O’Connor, I assume you mean they’re keeping their identities under wraps.’ The strain in Butler’s voice was audible.

‘That’s right, boss. Investment in millionaire properties in Portugal type of thing, but Lynch, as I said, is working on it with the CAB guys.’

‘Following the money trail is never fast, O’Connor.’

‘I know that, boss, but—’

‘No bloody buts.’ Butler’s face was reddening.

Matthews decided it was time to step in, turning to Martha Smyth. ‘Martha, we understood from Sarah Walsh that you were examining fibres from the ledge on the canal.’

‘That’s correct. Hanley’s team came up with a number of items for analysis.’

‘What do you have so far?’

‘We were able to identify some undyed white cotton strands with a twisted-ribbon pattern, too common to be of any real value. However, we also identified synthetic traces, a type of polypropylene often used in carpet manufacturing for cars. We’re running further tests on diameter, shape, colour, curl and crimp to see if we can be more specific and match it to a particular model.’

‘When will you have more?’ Matthews was looking down into his case log rather than at Martha Smyth, ready to assign the next update to her.

‘We’re waiting on sample results from the UK. Hopefully, we’ll have them tomorrow. In the meantime the tyre impressions taken, along with the witness testimony on the car type, have brought up a match with a couple of Volvo models manufactured in 2010. Again, we’ll know more tomorrow once we have the fibre tests back.’

‘If you or Hanley get any other information, let me and O’Connor be the ones to know about it first. I assume if we get a cross-match, it will be narrowed down to a particular vehicle type.’

‘We’re hoping the internal fibres match a model from the tyre impressions.’

Matthews hadn’t finished yet, but this time O’Connor was back in the frame. ‘O’Connor, did you get the visuals from the insurance company on the missing ring?’

O’Connor cleared his throat. ‘Standard gold band, size nine, eighteen point nine millimetres, with roped edging top and bottom. The missing ring and the hotel receipt fire in a couple of other possibilities.’

‘Go on, O’Connor.’

‘Higgins and Clarke have given copy witness statements to Robinson, taken from the receptionist at the hotel in Blessington. She’s confirmed it was Keith Jenkins who stayed at the hotel, although he and his female companion both used false names. We believe Gloria Sweetman was his companion.’

‘What’s the tie?’ Matthews rapped.

‘There’s nothing conclusively linking that case to the Jenkins murder, but Gahan’s drinking buddy, Ozzie Brennan, hinted that Gahan may have had something on Jenkins, putting pressure on him for cash. If that was the case, then Ms Sweetman’s death via a drug overdose may have given Gahan what he needed on him.’

Butler couldn’t keep quiet any longer. ‘Have you found anyone else linked to Gahan and Jenkins?’

‘We’ve spoken to Deborah Gahan. She and Isabel Blennerhasset confirmed a connection to Adrian Hamilton. They all knew each other, and Adrian Hamilton also drowned.’

‘A death over thirty years ago. I don’t know about that, O’Connor.’ Butler was sceptical.

‘Dr Pearson thinks the drowning is critical in this case. Our guy has displayed excessive aggression, and despite the minor variances in his MO, he’s determined that his victims end up in water. She also thinks it may be some kind of personal vendetta. The taking of the wedding band from Jenkins and the hotel receipt being found close by could mean the killer is operating some kind of judgement on his victim or victims. I’m running background checks on Adrian Hamilton’s surviving children, now adults. I’m also looking into the identity of the man who lent Hamilton the boat the day he died.’

Butler looked directly at O’Connor with raised eyebrows. ‘Be careful. That old death could be immaterial.’

‘I know that.’ O’Connor kept his voice firm and assured.

Matthews spoke next. ‘When will we have the report on the Gahan killing from Dr Pearson?’

‘This evening or early tomorrow morning.’