Footsteps thump on the stairs.
“Niamh.” Never before has the sound of my own name made me want to cry. The voice seeps in through the cracks in the wood and buries itself deep under my skin. “Niamh,” it breathes.
“Leave me alone!” I scream at the door and release all the anger and fear I’ve been carrying around. “Just leave me alone, you – you cretin!” I run to the door and pound on it, battering it until my knuckles are bruised.
“Niamh, Niamh!” Another voice breaks through my rage.
“Who is it?” I stutter, stupidly.
“Answer your phone!”
I look over to my bed, where the screen is flashing in the darkness. Detective Moran.
I pick up the phone with shaking hands. “Hello?”
“We’ve got him, Niamh. We’ve got him. Stay put. . .”
Too late. I twist the key and wrench the door open. Detective Moran is in the corridor, on his phone as two uniformed officers straddle a gaunt, lanky figure in grey behind him.
“How you doin’?” Derek places a steaming cup of hot chocolate in front of me on the reception counter, where I’m perched on his stool. “Copper said you was making this when you saw that creep out the window. Thought you’d appreciate it now. Calm you down, like.”
I glance up at him gratefully. “You know that it’s OK you didn’t see him outside, right? It’s not your fault.”
“Yeah, but it is my job.” He pushes the cup closer and I take the hint.
“Thanks,” I croak. “Making a habit out of this, aren’t we?”
Derek smiles grimly. “I reckon that’s it done now, Irish.”
I let the silver foil blanket around my shoulders fall as I clutch the mug with both hands, letting the heat seep into my bones. “Do you really think so?”
“Yeah.” He sits down next to me and we both watch the sky growing lighter beyond the foyer’s glass doors. “They’ve got the scumbag. You can get on with your life.”
“Not like Sara,” I whisper.
“No.” Derek’s shoulders slump. “Not like Sara. I couldn’t save her.”
“Niamh! Oh my God, are you OK?”
Jess practically jumps me as I walk into the library, closely followed by Ruth who rubs my arm gently. Jess clings to me like a limpet.
“I’m fine,” I pant. “Jess, you’re squashing me.”
“Sorry!” She lets go, looking sheepish. “I’m just so glad you’re OK. Come on, tell me everything.”
“Jess...” Ruth’s voice holds a warning note.
“It’s fine, honestly.” I sigh. “We know what she’s like, right?”
“Unfortunately,” Ruth replies dryly and I laugh as Jess rolls her eyes. “I’m glad you’re all right too, dear.” Ruth gives me a much gentler hug. “I’m sorry I exposed you to him.”
“Don’t you dare, Mum.” Jess’s voice holds the warning now. “You couldn’t have known he was a total psycho. Besides, you didn’t employ him, the uni did.”
“Yes, I know, I know.” Ruth sighs and it’s clear this isn’t the first time they’ve had this conversation. “Go on, then, you two – go catch up. Are you at the museum later today, Niamh?” I nod. “And have you called your parents?”
I nod again, but I feel uncomfortable. I did text Megs to say they’d arrested Will, but that was all. Mammy and Daddy have enough to worry about.
Ruth smiles. “Good. Let’s all go somewhere nice for dinner, shall we? Jess, you pick, just not that Indian we went to last time, my taste buds have only just grown back.” She walks back to the counter and I notice she isn’t using her stick today. “See you both later.”
