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brake fluid on the road.’ Mahoney again turned to Sharon. ‘I understand your husband was returning back from near the coast.’
    Sharon nodded.
    ‘A business meeting, I believe.’
    Another nod.
    ‘He was an accountant,’ he said, looking again at his notebook.
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Do you know where exactly the meeting was held?’
    ‘No. A hotel or restaurant I believe, but I don’t know where. Monty just said it was near the coast.’
    ‘Isn’t that rather strange? Out of office hours, in a public place?’
    ‘I think they’d take a private room. I don’t know. You know these businessmen, they do most of their important work over fancy three-course dinners. My husband’s clients were sometimes very demanding,’ said Sharon, her tone slightly imperious.
    ‘How so?’
    ‘Odd hours. Phone calls in the middle of the night. He didn’t discuss his business with me.’
    ‘But you don’t know where this particular meeting was taking place?’
    ‘She just said she didn’t know,’ interjected Margaret, glaring at the detective.
    ‘That’s another thing,’ said Mahoney, ignoring her. ‘I’m sorry to bring this up Mrs Smith, but when examined ,your husband was over the legal limit for alcohol.’
    Sharon started to cry.
    Margaret held her hand and said. ‘My sister’s upset as you can see. Do we have to continue this now?’
    ‘I’m fine,’ said Sharon. ‘Can I have some water?’
    Margaret got to her feet. ‘This is not the time,’ she said to Mahoney, although she knew it was. She knew she would have done exactly the same thing in his shoes.
    ‘I’m sorry,’ he replied. ‘But you know as well as I do…’ He didn’t finish the sentence.
    Margaret nodded. ‘Do you want anything?’ she asked him, softening.
    ‘A cup of tea would be great. I missed breakfast.’
    ‘I’ll only be a moment,’ said Margaret and left the room, leaving Sharon staring numbly into space.

18
    Margaret went into the kitchen, her mind racing after hearing what Mahoney had said. The kids were upstairs, but Frankie was sitting at the table with Roxie, talking quietly. ‘What’s up?’ asked Roxie. ‘You look awful.’
    Margaret leant against the sink as she filled a glass with water. ‘Christ,’ she said. ‘This is getting worse.’
    ‘What’s happened?’ asked Frankie, her voice full of concern.
    ‘This copper. Mahoney. Flash git. He reckons Monty’s car was fixed.’
    ‘How do you mean, fixed?’ squealed Roxie, loudly.
    ‘Ssshh, keep it down. Tampered with. The cops reckon the brakes were sabotaged.’
    ‘Are you serious?’ said Frankie, quietly.
    ‘Yeah. Look, I’m going back. Make the sod a cuppa will you?’
    ‘How did Sharon take it?’ said Frankie, as she got up and filled the kettle.
    ‘Not well. Would you? She was just getting a bitstronger but I’m worried that this is going to put her right back where she started,’ said Margaret, and left the room, glass in hand.
    She went back to the living room where Mahoney and Sharon were sitting in silence, Sharon dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. She took the glass and gulped down half the water. ‘Once again I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news,’ said Mahoney. ‘But this is bound to alter the verdict at the inquest.’
    ‘When will that be?’ asked Margaret.
    ‘Tomorrow. The coroner’s court is in town.’
    ‘We’ll find it.’
    ‘I’ll call and let you know what time.’
    ‘Thanks.’
    Just then Frankie came in with tea, milk and sugar on a tray. Mahoney stood and was introduced to Frankie, who quickly left the room again, then sat back down and accepted a cup. ‘We need to find out what happened and where,’ he said to Sharon. ‘Is there any way of finding exactly where your husband spent the evening? I’m sorry to keep on, but it’s important.’
    ‘I suppose Joyce might know,’ she said.
    ‘Joyce?’ said Mahoney.
    ‘Monty’s secretary. Assistant. She’s at home as far as I know. But she’s as upset as the rest of