I
woke up Tuesday to a cold nose nudging me. Luna snuggled in close beside me and I put my arm around her. “No Sandy to play with this morning?” I glanced at the empty spot where Liam slept.
We snuggled for a short time until Luna lifted her head, her ears perked up, and she dashed off the bed, telling me Liam and Sandy must have returned. Sure enough, a few minutes later, Liam came into the bedroom, whipped off his sweaty shirt, and headed for the shower. I joined him.
By the time we were both dressed, it was eight o’clock, and we found Gran in her usual spot at the breakfast nook. Today’s delight was cinnamon chip pancakes and bacon.
Liam smiled at the bounty. “Colleen, I am so glad you didn’t move in with Joseph and Deidre.”
She smiled. “Me too. Mrs. Jones would never allow me to cook.”
We both piled our plates high and joined Gran.
Gran grinned. “Hopefully Fiona will get back to you soon on what she found out about our new suspects. She is such a whiz at the computer. I wish I had half her skills.”
“Gran, you know more than most people your age. I’m very proud of the fact I have such a tech savvy grandmother.” And I kissed her on the cheek.
“Thank you dear. Are you sure you’re not just saying that because I make a mean pancake?”
I laughed. “No, but I appreciate that too.”
Liam, whose mouth was full, nodded and pointed to his plate.
After we’d finished breakfast, Liam offered to do dishes so Gran and I could go visit the castle and talk to Martin.
Gran and I bundled up and headed out into the crisp fall morning. I pulled out my sunglasses and slipped them on my nose. Gran did the same.
I pulled out of the driveway, the view of Dooley Bay to our right, the white caps rolling onto shore. Shaped like a crescent moon, with Rose Cottage at the bottom tip, and the castle and lighthouse on the other, I drove around the bay, taking our time and enjoying the beautiful day.
“Look at all the seagulls out this morning.” Gran pointed to the right. “Although it is the sea, it’s actually a bay. Does that make them bay-gulls?” She laughed.
“Good one, Gran,” and I joined in the laughter.
We arrived at the castle a few minutes later. “Wow, they’re busy this morning.” The parking lot was half full already. I pointed to the Garda car parked in front of the building as I parked the Land Rover. “Uh-oh. We may have some competition.”
My stomach sunk at the thought of running into DI Elliott. We got out of the car and walked toward the Welcome Center. Thankfully, it was Callum Murphy talking to the attendant at the window. We stood aside until he finished.
“Callum, what are you doing here?” I asked.
“I thought since you two were going to be here, the least I could do is get you in free. Follow me, ladies.”
He looked so pleased I didn’t have the heart to tell him how Gran and I both had annual passes to all of Ireland’s Heritage Sites, which the castle is part of.
We walked toward the entrance gate; the huge metal prongs opened to allow visitors through. “That was nice of you, Callum, thank you,” said Gran, turning to me and smiling.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at the guesthouse interviewing the bus passengers this morning?” I asked.
“Yes, but I can do that after we finish here. I’d like to speak to Suzanne again. I figured I could do that while you’re speaking to Martin.”
“Ah, divide and conquer. I like that,” chuckled Gran.
We entered through the gift shop, where a young woman in a royal blue vest was adding stock to some shelves. We inquired after Suzanne and a few minutes later; she appeared.
Dressed in a pair of tan slacks and a black sweater, the ensemble accented her pale face and the dark circles under her eyes. She gave us a half smile as she entered.
Gran and I both gave her a hug before Callum spoke.
“Ms. Doherty, I’m sorry to bother you, but do you have a few minutes to speak to me about Herb?”
Her eyes darted to Gran and I. I gave her a slight nod before adding, “And Gran and I are wondering if we could speak to Martin. Is he working today?”
“Of course. Martin should be at the entrance.” She looked at the young woman at the register. “Charlene, would you call Bill and ask him to take over at the entrance for Martin?”
She nodded and picked up the phone.
“How are you doing, Suzanne?” I asked as we walked through the shop to the doors leading to the entrance of the castle.
“Okay, I guess. It’s hard to believe he’s gone. Even though we broke up recently, this place reminds me of him. He would come every day before I ended my shift and sit in the library to wait for me.”
I saw Martin at the entrance booth, dressed in his medieval costume, smiling at some tourists. “You’re quite busy this morning.”
“We are unusually busy. I’m afraid many of them are here because of the murder.” She shook her head. “How macabre.”
Martin finished with the tourists and turned to us, and frowned. “Good morning. Is something wrong?”
Suzanne shook her head. “Bill will be here in a few minutes to relieve you. Molly and Mrs. Kennedy would like to speak to you.” Then she looked at Callum. “We can talk in my office,” and the two walked away.
Two more tourists walked in and gave Martin their tickets. A few seconds later, another gentleman, also dressed in medieval garb, came up and looked us over, frowning.
“Make it quick, Martin. I have things to do. I don’t know why she called me, I’m too important to do this.”
Gran and I looked at each other, our brows raised.
“Take it easy, Bill. I just need to speak to these delightful ladies for a few moments and I’ll be back.” He looked at us. “Come this way. We can talk in the library.”
He led us down a hall, unclasping the rope that normally blocked anyone from entering. When we went through, he reattached it. “This is shorter.”
We walked down the hall, turned left, and he opened a heavy oak door leading into a large room with floor to ceiling windows looking out toward the back of the property, the sea in the distance. “What a gorgeous view,” Gran said as we sat down on a couch, the floor to ceiling windows giving us the view of the vast lawn and the ocean in the distance.
“Not the original windows, I’m afraid.” Martin said as he sat down in a chair beside the couch. “I’m sure you remember there was a fire a few years ago. Luckily, only this room burned, but the whole thing had to be rebuilt. Many pieces of fine furniture went up in flames. We had to dig these pieces out of storage.”
I glanced around the room, taking in the paintings and the lovely furniture. Especially the writing desk in the corner. “It’s a good thing you could replace everything. It’s gorgeous.”
“It’s one of my favorite rooms.” He said, glancing around, then bringing his gaze back to us. “So, what can I do for you? I’m assuming since you were with young Murphy, you’re helping the police with their investigation into Herb’s murder?”
Gran gave me a sly look. “We heard how close the two of you were and thought you might answer some questions we have.”
“Of course. Anything I can do to help.” He crossed one leg over the other.
I pulled out my notebook and set it on my lap. “One question is if Herb had a partner in the tour business.”
“I asked him that many times, but he wouldn’t say, but there had to be. Otherwise, I don’t know how he would have had the money to start it up. True, the bus he used was old, but he never made much with the taxi business to afford it.”
“Did Herb have any family?”
“Not that I’m aware of.” He put his finger to his chin. “Wait a minute. I think I recall him mentioning a nephew. His older sister’s kid. His sister passed on a few years ago, but I think he mentioned the kid living up north somewhere, but I don’t remember where.”
I wrote it down in my notes, then looked at him again. “Do you have any idea why he’d want to see the mayor?”
Martin laughed. “He actually tried to see the mayor?” He shook his head. “We were drinking one night, and he came up with a jingle he thought the mayor should use for his campaign. I told him he should tell him, but I didn’t think he actually would.” He tapped his fingers on his knee. “Herb was quite the character.” He looked at us. “I’m really going to miss him.” His eyes became shiny.
Gran asked, “We heard a rumor Herb was blackmailing people. Do you know anything about that?”
“Blackmail? Herb? Not that I’m aware of. Although, if he didn’t have a partner, that would explain where he got the money to start up the new business.” He sat back in the chair. “Blackmail, ah?” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t put it past him. He showed me the notebook he kept all his secrets in. He would tell me stories of the things he’d see when he was out at night in his taxi.” He nodded. “I could see how some people wouldn’t want some of that to be known. That devil.”
“Can you think of anyone who’d want to hurt Herb?” I asked.
“I’ve been thinking of nothing else since it happened, and I can’t think of anyone. Sure, he rubbed some people the wrong way, came across as being a gruff ole’ coot, but I can’t think of anyone who would want to hurt him, like.”
My senses were itching, but I didn’t know why. I wrote a few things down and then looked at Gran. “Can you think of anything else?”
She shook her head, and we both stood up. “Thank you, Martin, for talking to us. You’ve been a great help.”
He stood up as well. “I hope you find out who did this. Herb was a great friend.”
The three of us walked back out to the entrance, and rather than going through the gift shop, we went through an exit leading to the parking lot. Callum was waiting for us, looking through his notebook.
“Learn anything useful?” He asked as we drew up beside him.
“Not really. He says he didn’t know about the blackmail, but I’m not sure if I believe him.” I looked at Gran. “Did you get a sense he was lying about something?”
“Not lying. More like not telling us the entire story.” She looked at the two of us.
Callum tucked his notebook away. “We’re looking for family, but so far we haven’t found any.”
“Martin mentioned there’s a nephew somewhere up north, but didn’t know where.” I looked up at him. “Did Herb have a will?”
He shook his head. “We found a card from a solicitor, but we’re waiting for a court order to find out who the beneficiary is.”
I looked at Callum. “Have you accessed his bank records yet?”
“Not yet. Again, waiting for the court order.”
I gave him a smile. “And you’ll let us know what you find?”
He sighed. “Aye, but if DI Elliott finds out, I’ll be in trouble, so keep it in the group.”
I kissed his cheek. “Of course.”