Dead Man's Sins by Caimh McDonnell

Author:Caimh McDonnell [McDonnell, Caimh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781912897261
Publisher: McFori Ink
Published: 2021-06-14T22:00:00+00:00

A Baker’s Half-dozen

It wasn’t as if there were a set template for what a murderer was supposed to look like, but if there were, Rita Marsh would not be it. Attempted murderer, Butch corrected herself. If Mrs Marsh had been successful in her attempt eight years ago, she and DS Burke wouldn’t be here. Still, when the door of the large four-bedroom house in Blanchardstown opened to reveal sixty-two-year-old Rita standing there, grey tinting her perm, wearing a “World’s Greatest Granny” apron, the first word that sprang to mind was not “murderer”.

DS Burke cleared his throat. “Hello, Mrs Marsh. I’m Detective Sergeant Burke.”

“Detective Sergeant now, is it?” said Mrs Marsh warmly. “Congratulations, Paschal. Although the promotion seems to have made you very formal.”

Burke laughed. “Sorry. I wasn’t sure you’d remember me.”

“Of course I do. You never forget the man who arrested you for attempted murder. Come on in.”

She ushered them inside and made her way down the hallway. After closing the front door behind them, Burke and Butch followed suit. The smell coming from the kitchen was both overwhelming and spectacular. They walked in to find every available surface covered with baking trays filled with a cornucopia of treats. Almond slices, Rice Krispie cakes, brownies and, above all others, hot cross buns.

“You’ll have to forgive me,” said Rita, “but I’m going to have to work as we talk. One of the grandkids has a bake sale at school, and his mother is working double shifts as a nurse. Granny here offered to help out, but the problem is, once you offer your services to one grandchild, well … I’ve been at this since 5am.”

“It looks like it,” said Burke.

“It smells amazing,” offered Butch.

Rita Marsh favoured her with a warm smile. “Thank you.” She wiped her hand on her apron and extended it. “Oh my God, I’ve completely lost my manners. Forgive me. I’m Rita.”

Butch shook the woman’s hand. “Detective Pamela Cassidy.”

“It’s good to see they finally have a few women in the detective ranks. When I first met Paschal here, was there one?” She slapped the counter. “No, I tell a lie. There was. They sent her in with you to talk to me the first time. Who was she again?”

“At the time she was Sergeant Campbell. Detective Inspector now.”

Rita’s eyes widened and she gave a big smile. “Is she? Fair play, Ms Campbell!” She looked at Butch. “So, let me guess, they bring you along to talk to any of the suspects who happen to be women?”

Butch nodded and smiled before she could stop herself. “They do.”

Rita laughed. “They really think that just because we see somebody on the far side of the desk who also has ovaries that we’re immediately going to start confessing? It is so ridiculous.”

“Don’t look at me,” said Burke. “I only bring Butch here with me for personal protection.”

“Butch? Such an awful name for a wee girl.”

Butch shrugged. “My second name is Cassidy …”

Rita rolled her eyes. “God. They’re not going to die from an overdose of imagination, are they? Excuse me.

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