DCI Lind listened impassively as DS Byers relayed the morning’s events. After Byers had finished Lind thought for a moment before speaking.
‘I’d take what she said with a pinch of salt. We’re talking about a disagreement that happened around fifteen years ago. It’s not as though she was even able to give you any specifics.
‘But, Sir …’ interjected Byers
‘I will of course speak to DI Farrell and get his take on events before drawing a line under the matter. Satisfied?’
‘Yes, Sir.’ said Byers, clearly not satisfied at all.
There was a rap on the door and Farrell poked his head round.
‘Ah, Frank, come in, come in. Byers is just leaving.’
Byers brushed past Farrell, refusing to catch his eye. Farrell raised his eyebrows at Lind.
‘Was it something I said?’
‘No, something someone else said. Take a seat, Frank.’
Farrell sat down and regarded his boss steadily. Lind seemed to be having difficulty finding the right words.
‘Come on, John, spit it out. We’ve known each other too long to beat about the bush.’
‘Byers interviewed someone today who indicated you had a grudge against our dead priest.’
‘And?’ asked Farrell.
Lind looked disconcerted.
‘Oh. So you admit it then.’
‘Of course I admit it. Why wouldn’t I?’ The penny dropped. ‘Wait a minute, you don’t think …? Well, I’ll be blowed. You must do or you wouldn’t have—’
‘Frank,’ interrupted Lind. ‘Get off your high horse. Of course I don’t think you had anything to do with the murder but surely you can see why I had to ask?’
‘You’re right; I’m being an eejit,’ said Frank. ‘It was nearly fifteen years ago. I just didn’t think it was relevant.’
‘I never really asked what happened,’ said Lind. ‘You were in such a state, what with being ill and all, I just never got round to it.’
‘Ancient history,’ said Farrell. ‘Some nutter was killing women in Glasgow. He got off on yanking my chain in the confessional.’
‘Jesus, Frank, I’d no idea,’ said Lind.
‘The monster said all the right words, so I was forced to go on granting him absolution, time after time. Then he started telling me which one he was tempted to off next. I was powerless. The sanctity of the confessional is such that I knew I couldn’t say anything while he pretended contrition. It would have meant automatic expulsion from the priesthood. Another woman was killed, just like he said. I was tortured by guilt. There was an anonymous tip off to the police. They never found out who it was. The killer himself believed it was me. He gave an interview to someone in the gutter press. They were going to run with it until the police legal team managed to get an interdict.’
‘But how did Boyd …?’
‘I left Glasgow after that, having asked for a move back down here. I was still pretty screwed up, made the mistake of confiding in him. He didn’t believe me and told the bishop he thought I had tipped off the police. The bishop was pretty good about it. Told me he believed me and that I had to work through what he considered to be my misplaced feelings of guilt with my spiritual adviser. Boyd, however, just wouldn’t let it go. Eventually he pushed me too far. I just couldn’t take it any more. I quit.’
‘And then you …’
‘Became a basket case?’
‘If I’d only known. Why didn’t you come to us, Laura and me? We’re your oldest friends, for God’s sake.’
Farrell’s mouth twisted. He and Laura used to be the ‘us’. He pushed away that treacherous thought.
‘It seemed easier to go it alone. You guys were up in Aberdeen at the time. Hey, like I said, ancient history. Anyhow, if there’s nothing else …’
‘I’ll keep what you told me to myself for now, Frank. However, if it becomes relevant in any way to the investigation …’
‘Sure, no worries,’ replied Farrell. ‘Any word on the missing kids yet?’
‘We’ve got nothing. No leads and no contact from the kidnapper. It’s not looking good, I’m afraid.’
Farrell dived into the gents on the way back to the MCA room and found Stirling and Byers there. From the way it went totally quiet he knew they’d been talking about him. Stuff them, he thought. He was going to have a drink with Clare Yates and he refused to let anyone or anything rain on his parade.