Sean sighed. ‘Fine, we have an eyewitness account that states they saw Roisin heading to The Spit at around eight-thirty.’
‘You got a taxi back with your mum that night, right? What time did the taxi drop your mum off at the flat?’ asked Kerry.
‘Erm…about quarter past eight, I suppose,’ said Fiona.
‘And you saw her go in? Actually into the flat?’
‘Well, no. The taxi stopped in the main road, between your bike shop and the back of the café.’
Kerry pushed on. ‘You went straight home after that?’
‘I got the taxi to drop me off at the shop. There were a few bits I had forgotten to get. I bumped into a friend. It was nice to have someone to talk to. It’s all been a bit overwhelming with Dad,’ said Fiona. ‘I got in just after nine-thirty. I know that for a fact as Erin phoned me on my mobile and Sean’s already had me check.’
‘Wait a minute, Kerry,’ said Sean, sitting up. ‘I not sure I like where you’re going with this.’
‘I’m trying to establish who had the opportunity to meet Roisin,’ said Kerry. ‘So, Fiona, you dropped your mum off but you don’t know for certain she went straight home.’
‘What about yourself?’ said Sean. ‘You’ve admitted to going to The Spit to meet Roisin. You had the opportunity too. How do we know you’re not lying?’
Kerry shrugged. ‘You don’t. But I do.’ The Guard looked away. Kerry continued. ‘So, Marie had the opportunity, Erin had the opportunity, Fiona had the opportunity and, technically, so did I.’
There was an uneasy silence in the room as Kerry waited for Sean and Fiona to take in what he had said.
‘The fact remains, though,’ said Sean. ‘Erin is admitting to it.’
‘But Ed might be able to give her an alibi,’ said Kerry. ‘If Roisin was seen at The Spit at about eight-thirty, Erin was probably still with Ed then.’
‘That leaves me, Mum and you still in the frame,’ said Fiona. ‘I swear to God, I never laid a finger on that girl. I won’t pretend I haven’t fantasised about her coming to a sticky end but I’ve never done anything.’
‘I’m sure the taxi, the shop and your friend can all vouch for you being there at those times. You’re in the clear,’ said Kerry. ‘Which leaves myself and your mum. Who has the most to lose? Or should I say, who has the most to gain from Roisin disappearing?’
Fiona rose to her feet, clasping her hands behind her neck, she walked over to the window.
‘I don’t know what to say,’ she said. ‘Whatever way, it’s not looking good for one of them.’
Sean went and stood beside his wife, placing an arm around her shoulder. ‘You can’t stop the truth from coming out,’ he said. ‘If Ed can give Erin an alibi, then we can’t ignore it. Whatever the consequences.’
Fiona turned and buried her face in her husband’s shirt. ‘I don’t give a damn about anything. If the truth comes out, I really don’t care. All I care about is getting Sophie back safe and well.’
‘That’s all anyone cares about,’ said Sean. ‘We just want her back safe. We all do.’
‘Does Erin know that Sophie’s missing?’ said Kerry.
Sean shook his head. ‘Not yet. They’re going to tell her as soon as they’ve finished interviewing her about Roisin.’
‘I need to get hold of Ed,’ said Kerry. ‘Have you got his phone number?’
‘No, but you can get him on the health spa’s number from their website,’ said Fiona. She wiped her face with a tissue Sean had plucked from the box on the side and set about searching for Hamilton Health and Beauty Spa on her laptop. After a few minutes she found the number and Kerry immediately made the call.
‘Ed Hamilton, please,’ said Kerry.
‘I’m afraid he’s in a meeting at the moment. Can I get him to call you?’
‘No. I’ll hold.’
‘But, I’m not sure how long he will be.’
‘I’ll still hold,’ said Kerry. He wasn’t going to be deterred that easily. ‘You could try slipping a note under his nose with my name on it. Tell him it concerns a mutual friend and it’s urgent. It may be that he finishes his meeting quicker.’
He gave the receptionist his name and waited patiently, listening to the piped music that played down the phone line. Some classical piece. He had no idea what it was and didn’t care. Speaking to Ed was paramount.
Kerry only had to wait a couple of minutes before the receptionist came back on the line.
‘Mr Hamilton will speak to you. I’ll put you through,’ she said.