‘Why are you so certain I couldn’t have done it when I got back at nine p.m.?’ I say.
‘Because we have a witness who was walking their dog that evening along the estuary, and saw Miss Marshall drive down to The Spit at eight-thirty. The witness saw Miss Marshall meet with another person.’
‘That doesn’t prove anything,’ I say. My throat is dry and I fiddle with my necklace for something to do to disguise my shaking hands.
‘That other person has been identified,’ says Devlin slowly. ‘They were seen getting out of a taxi and heading down there some fifteen minutes earlier. They stood out in our witness’s memory as it was raining and this person didn’t have a coat on.’
I feel lightheaded and sway forwards. I grip the edge of the table to stop myself and concentrate on Devlin’s face. There is sorrow in his eyes.
‘Motive. What motive would this other person have?’ I say.
‘Motive?’ says Devlin. ‘Being a mother, loving your child, wanting to protect them. Isn’t that motive enough?’
‘Who was it they saw?’
‘I’m sorry, Erin,’ says Devlin, using my Christian name for the first time. ‘It was your mother, Marie Hurley.’
My whole body heaves. ‘Where is my mother now?’
‘I don’t know,’ says Devlin.
‘Don’t know or won’t tell me?’ I ask. ‘Is she here? In the station? Have they arrested her?’ I jump up and run to the door. ‘Mum! Mum! Are you here? It’s me, Erin!’ I try to open the door, but it’s locked. I pummel it with my fists, frantically shouting out my mother’s name.
Devlin pulls me away from the door. In a matter of seconds the door swings open and in rush two officers.
‘Where’s my mother?’ I scream. ‘What have you done with her? Mum! Mum, where are you?’
‘Miss Hurley, please be quiet,’ Devlin is trying to calm me. The Guards are restraining me, holding me back from rushing out of the room.
‘STOP THIS!’ shouts one of the Guards. ‘Pack this in and I’ll tell you.’
I stop struggling. I hold my hands up in surrender and back away. ‘Where is she?’
The female officer speaks. ‘She’s here in the station but she’s being questioned. You can’t see her or speak to her, not until we’ve finished making our inquiries.’
‘It’s okay. We know she’s Sean Keane’s mother-in-law, we’re looking after her,’ says the other Guard. ‘She’s all right. I promise ye.’
‘Come and sit down,’ says Devlin, guiding me back to the chair. ‘That’s it. Calm yourself down now. There’s nothing you can do to help your mother right now. But I can.’
I look up at the solicitor. ‘You can?’
‘Yes, I’ll represent her, if she’ll let me.’ He nods to the Guards to leave. Once the door is closed he speaks again. ‘I figure Max Wright would be just as willing to help your mother as he was to help you.’ He rubs his eyes. ‘Although, God knows I must want my head examining taking on another Hurley woman if you’re anything to go by.’
Despite the situation, I can’t help smiling. ‘I always thought I took after my dad, but now I think I’m more like my mum than I imagined.’ Devlin smiles back as he rises from the chair. I stand to shake his hand. ‘Thank you, Mr Devlin. What happens now?’
‘You’re free to go.’ He pauses and his face looks troubled. ‘There is just one thing I need to tell you,’ he says. ‘It’s about your niece, Sophie Keane.’
Chapter 37
The call came mid-morning. It was Sean.
‘Erin’s been released,’ he said. ‘And Marie is helping the Guards with their inquiries.’
Kerry let out a silent sigh of relief. She was out. They weren’t going to charge her. His next emotion was one of sadness. ‘I’m sorry about Marie,’ he said.
‘Erin’s here at the house with us,’ said Sean.
‘How is she? Does she know about Sophie?’
‘She’s a complete mess over it all,’ said Sean.
‘No news on Sophie yet?’ said Kerry.
‘No. They’re extending their search. They’ve done house-to-house,’ said Sean, his voice on the verge of breaking. ‘They’re getting divers in.’
‘Shit,’ said Kerry. ‘That doesn’t mean you’re to give up hope.’
‘It’s okay, Kerry, I know what it means,’ said Sean.
Kerry silently acknowledged this sad truth. ‘I thought I might go and see Erin.’