Cold Steel by Paul Carson Read Free Book Online

and near the window.
    'Also,' Sister Concepta added, 'I was wondering if Joan Armstrong,' now looking directly at the centre of attention, 'would come with me immediately? I know you and Jennifer were close friends.' She forced a reassuring smile towards the girl.
    Joan Armstrong seemed to be struggling to put on a brave face.
    'Yes, sister.'
    Molloy noticed her hands shaking slightly as she stood up. Her face seemed drained of colour.
    'Now, sergeant, is there anything else you'd like to add?'
    'Thank you, sister.' The deep voice was a stark contrast to the nun's quieter tones. Molloy hitched at the belt on his trousers and allowed his gaze to glide slowly around the room. He frowned. 'I'm sorry to bring such dreadful news, but this is no ordinary event.' He stopped, wondering how to go on. He decided to call it straight. 'Sometime late last night Jennifer Marks was murdered.'
    A girl in the front row turned white and began to slide in a faint. Gerry Nolan rushed and grabbed her head before it hit the floor. Sister Concepta was quickly at her side, loosening her tie, lying her in the prone position. The rest of the girls in the class appeared numb, senses reeling. The nun urged Molloy to continue while she cradled a tousled blonde head in one hand. Joan Armstrong sat back heavily in her chair, breathing deeply.
    'If any of you,' Molloy said quickly, 'know anything of Jennifer Marks' whereabouts yesterday please tell your teacher,' he glanced over at Nolan who nodded vigorously, 'and he will take details. All will be followed up later.'
    The girl who had fainted was slowly coming round, muttering loudly, wondering what had happened. There were a few nervous giggles. Molloy decided this was a good time to get out and opened the classroom door, holding it ajar. Sister Concepta followed. A very young and frightened-looking girl was in tow behind her.
    'Let's go down to my office,' the nun suggested.
     
     
    Molloy had left Sandymount Park for the convent just after three that afternoon. Jim Clarke started immediate house-to-house inquiries, hoping to catch as many as possible before memories dulled. Molloy drove the short journey to Blackrock, tuning in to the latest radio broadcasts, noting the story was already the main news item. One station had interrupted its chat-line to discuss developments and the airways quickly filled with listeners' dismay and disgust.
    This is gonna make waves, he thought as he drove into the immaculately kept school grounds. This is gonna make big waves. He could feel his stomach tighten and began chewing an antacid.
     
     
     
    'At what time exactly did you and Jennifer split up?'
    The three, Molloy, Joan Armstrong and Sister Concepta, sat in the principal's office, a large, bright airy room full of religious books and school timetables. The nun sat behind her desk, while Molloy placed himself beside the schoolgirl. Armstrong worried him immediately. She was tall, about five nine, he reckoned, and more mature-looking than her years. Despite the school uniform there was no disguising the gentle curves and slopes. Her jet-black hair was pulled back severely and held in a clasp at the back. He could imagine the tresses let down and hanging loose over shoulders in some tight outfit at the Saturday night discos. Her face held slight traces of acne camouflaged by cosmetic. She was pretty rather than beautiful, with full lips that would look provocative when reddened.
    Before he had gone to the classroom, Sister Concepta briefed him on what to expect. What she had to say was not for Joan Armstrong's ears.
    'The two of them hung around a lot, they were great pals.'
    He sensed immediately the nun wasn't much pleased by the friendship.
    'They are…' she'd corrected herself immediately, 'rather, they were, very alike. Mature, precocious and a bit too showy for my liking. They even looked alike, almost sisters. Same hairstyles and clothes, same foul language. I may as well tell you I wasn't happy with most