Death in the Burren by John Kinsella Read Free Book Online Page B

behind him.
    Fifteen minutes later as he turned into the driveway of Gregans Castle Hotel the typical Atlantic coast rainstorm was beginning to lift. He hoped his idea would go down well with Patsy.
    Maybe the passing of the storm was a signal that matters would take a more optimistic turn from here on.
    There were so many concerns weighing on him just at this moment that McAllister felt both he and Susan could do with some good news.

C HAPTER 8
    T HE DINING ROOM AT THE ATLANTIC RESTAURANT was almost empty after evening dinner and the staff were putting the finishing touches to settings for the following morning’s breakfast. Most of the tables had been completed and two now remained occupied.
    A party of six American tourists, whose flight into Shannon had been delayed, and who had arrived just in time to catch dinner, were completing their meal. At the other table sat Susan Holland, McAllister and the majestic figure of Patsy McBride they were having coffee.
    Even though she spoke in relatively subdued tones Patsy McBride’s voice rumbled around the room in an arresting manner.
    “Not at all, Susan. When John put the idea to me I instantly saw it as a challenge which I couldn’t walk away from. Look, (a), you and Frank need somebody to run this place for a while, (b), I’m willing and able. So, let’s get on with it.”
    Even Susan, who was in quite a depressed state, could not resist a smile at Patsy’s bluntness.
    “You are rather a tonic, Patsy. But I’m very much aware that you are on holiday and this type of responsibility will fall far short of your expectations for a break in the Burren.”
    “This is just it, Susan. I can go mad sitting around reading and waiting for the next meal. Liam would tell you that. Of course he’s as bad as me in his own way, so he’s in The States for a month’s golfing. Golfing, I ask you, could you think of a more imbecilic way of spending your time. Absolutely puerile.”
    Susan had been mystified by the mention of Liam but quickly realised that he must be Patsy’s husband, whom she had never met.
    “Anyway, he would be lost down here, but I couldn’t live without my few weeks in Gregans Castle and the Burren. If there’s nothing special on, like John’s project this year, I usually drum up some activity myself to work off the effects of the food. So you see, managing your business for a while is just what I need, now that we have the lectures, and all that, wrapped up.”
    “But you’ll be missing out on your creature comforts.”
    Patsy held up her right hand. “You must promise me, Susan, that this subject is now closed. I have made a decision and you’re stuck with me. Now, what do you wish me to do.”
    McAllister smiled and he winked knowingly at Susan.
    “However,” Patsy went on as she pointed the index finger of her raised hand towards the ceiling, “before we go into that I would like to say that I am very sorry about the fix you are in and about Frank being taken away by the Gardaí. I don’t know him all that well but simply cannot imagine him being involved in such a thing. That fellow Curtis must be trying to impress his superiors by making an early arrest.”
    Susan frowned. “I hope it’s as simple as that. But no, that would be a very rash thing for a professional to do. Con has nothing to prove careerwise anyway. He’s very highly regarded.”
    “I didn’t get a chance to ask you, in all the confusion earlier, if Con referred to the incident with Hyland the other night. Was that part of his suspicion about Frank?” McAllister asked.
    “I’m not sure if it was his suspicion, John, but he asked Frank why he felt so provoked.”
    “I see,” said McAllister thoughtfully,” but that in itself wouldn’t be sufficient reason for an arrest. What did Frank say?”
    “He confirmed my own impression. Frank maintained that he surprised even himself and it was all over before he realised what he had done. It took an awful lot out of him