The Lost Child (Detective Lottie Parker #3)(16)

‘I don’t think she’ll be in any state to speak to anyone for a long time.’

‘Can you tell us what injuries she presented with?’ Boyd asked.

The nurse began to close the door. ‘I’ve told you, Mrs Russell is in surgery. That’s all I can say for now.’

Lottie stuck her foot in the door. ‘What are her injuries?’

‘Detective…?’

‘Detective Inspector Parker,’ Lottie said, showing her ID again.

The nurse conceded. ‘She has severe head injuries. And her tongue was cut out. Sorry, but I must get back.’

Lottie removed her foot and allowed the door to swing closed. She looked up at Boyd. He was standing against the wall, mouth open, running his hand up and down his chin.

Neither of them could speak.

And if Marian Russell couldn’t speak either, where did that leave their investigation?





Fourteen





‘I need a cigarette, now.’ Lottie hopped from foot to foot at the front door of the hospital.

‘It’s a non-smoking campus.’

‘And you’re parked in an ambulance bay. Give me a cigarette before I scream.’

Boyd searched his pockets. ‘You took them.’

She rooted around in her bag, found the pack and handed it to him. He lit two and gave her one. She inhaled too quickly and curled up in a fit of coughing.

‘For someone who doesn’t smoke, you have a hell of a smoker’s cough.’

‘I feel sick. Her tongue was cut out, her tongue! First her mother is murdered. Then Marian disappears and turns up at the hospital with horrific injuries.’

‘And where was she? Who was holding her? Why?’

‘First things first.’ Lottie blew out a ring of blue smoke. ‘Get Arthur Russell into the station. We need to have another chat with him.’

‘Okay.’

‘And interview whoever found Marian. Check the CCTV to see if she was dropped off or staggered in.’

‘I’ll call Kirby.’ He pulled out his phone.

‘I want an armed detective guarding her room. If she survives surgery, that is.’

‘I’ll draw up a roster when I get back to the station.’

‘Get someone to come now.’ Lottie paused for breath. ‘And contact Lynch. Emma Russell has to be watched twenty-four seven.’

‘Righto.’

‘No one goes in or out of the ward.’

Boyd nodded agreement.

‘We need to go back and search the Russell house,’ Lottie added.

‘SOCOs were there all morning.’

‘They’re looking for evidence of a domestic dispute gone tits-up. This is something much bigger than that.’ She turned to head for the car. ‘Ah no. This is all I need.’

Cathal Moroney, crime correspondent for the national television station, was running towards her.

‘Detective Inspector Parker, I’m glad I caught you,’ he panted, coming to a stop beside her.

‘Well, I’m not, and it’s no comment, no matter what the question is.’

‘Just a quickie.’ He struggled with a super-sized umbrella as he beckoned for his cameraman to get out of the van with the satellite dish on top.

Lottie glared at him. ‘Out of my way, Moroney.’ She attempted to get around him. Blocked by the cameraman.

‘One minute, that’s all,’ the reporter insisted. He flashed his sparkling white teeth. Were they false? Lottie wondered.

‘I’ve nothing to say to you. You’ll get a press release like everyone else. Now move.’

‘I’ve been doing a little investigative work. You might be interested in it.’

Lottie felt her phone vibrate in her bag.

‘Sorry, I have to get this.’ She took out the phone, waved it in his face, then glanced at the screen. Her daughter, Katie. She moved out of earshot of the reporter.

‘What’s wrong?’ she hissed. ‘I’m very busy.’

‘Where’s the Infacol, Mam? Louis won’t stop crying. Granny said he has wind.’

‘Jesus, Katie. I’m up to my neck with a murder and you’re looking for Infacol?’

‘You gave it to him yesterday. Where did you put it?’

Pausing, Lottie leaned against the parking ticket machine. Rain poured down her sleeve onto the phone. Infacol. Where had she put it?

‘The cupboard over the fridge, I think.’

‘I looked there.’

Lottie glanced at the hospital entrance gate. A large unmarked garda car was speeding into the set-down area. Superintendent Corrigan.

Straightening her back automatically, she said, ‘Katie, I have to go. Sorry.’

‘Mam, he needs it!’

‘Go to the pharmacy and buy some, okay? I really have to go now.’

Feeling guilty, she hung up and raced to the front door, where Boyd was attempting to keep Moroney at bay. Shaking her head frantically, she tried to draw his attention to the superintendent’s car. Boyd returned a blank stare.

Moroney jumped in with his microphone. ‘Detective Inspector Parker, can you inform the public if you have anyone in custody regarding the murder of Tessa Ball?’

‘No comment,’ Lottie said. ‘Superintendent Corrigan has just arrived. I’m sure he’ll speak to you.’