Death in the Burren Read Free Page B

grandfather clock stood guard as it brooded in a corner. Orchid paintings graced the walls and the dancing flames were reflected in the brass furnishings around the open fireplace.
    They sat and drank Java coffee.
    “I have a room reserved for Sunday evening. I’ll show you that shortly. Stills and movie projectors will be set up and the hotel has a very good portable screen which I can borrow. The back up notes which you sent me have been duplicated and everyone attending the lectures and field trips will be provided with notebooks and maps. Also I have made arrangements to have a minibus available as needed for the field trips.”
    “You’re a marvel Patsy.” laughed McAllister.
    “That’s the least of my many qualities,” she boomed. “Now let me show you the list of names.
    They read through the enrolment forms. Twelve were from young students throughout the country and five Americans had been netted through a travel agent.
    Patsy explained that there would be an interest in individual lectures on an ad hoc basis and asked McAllister if he would be happy with that.
    He agreed and they went on to discuss the arrangements in more detail.
    Over lunch they chatted generally and McAllister told her about his adventures since he arrived in the Burren. He noted her concern about the incident at the Orchid.
    “Hyland has a bad reputation and Frank should keep out of his way. It’s not good losing one’s cool like that. Anger can lead anywhere you know. Very hard to control once it escapes out of the bottle.” McAllister thanked Patsy and took his leave shortly afterwards. On his return journey he called to the Gardaí at Lisdoonvarna and reported the accident at Black Head.
    The “Atlantic” was strangely quiet when McAllister returned and he made his way to his room without meeting anyone. He spent the next few hours preparing material for the following week, showered and took a short nap.
    He awoke refreshed and called Frank on the internal line to make arrangements for an early dinner and the trip to Ennis.
    Susan answered and they arranged to meet in the dining room at six o’clock. When they arrived Susan looked quite striking in a pink suit with matching high heeled shoes but Frank’s strained expression, unkempt hair, jeans and crumpled pullover were hardly the preparation for an enjoyable evening.
    It transpired that he was still feeling unwell and would skip the concert.
    “I don’t know what’s come over me,” he complained, “that affair with Hyland left me feeling a bit washed out so I’ll just keep an eye on things here until dinner is finished and have an early night. One of the guest rooms is free, Susan, so I’ll bed down early and if I sleep well I should be as right as rain tomorrow.”
    “That’s a good idea,” she agreed, “I won’t disturb you when we get back. On the other hand a night of Boccherini might be just the cure for you Frank. It’s not too late to change your mind.” She looked at him quizzically.
    “I’m tempted……but no, best leave it. The beauty, yes, but the yearning sadness behind it could be counterproductive in my state of mind.”
    “What a strange comment,” thought McAllister.
    When they were leaving for Ennis Frank gave Susan an affectionate hug and waved them off. McAllister glimpsed him in the rear view mirror, a sad, lonely figure standing in the doorway. He was disturbed by the picture but shrugged it off. “Feeling a bit sorry for himself. Frank will be okay in the morning.”
    He smiled at Susan as they made their way along the coast road. They admired the calmness of the immense seascape and agreed it would be an ideal night for being out at sea. Passing Andy O’ Lochlen at Poll na Doibe they returned his friendly greeting.
    The concert at the cathedral in Ennis had attracted a lot of interest. McAllister had to park some distance away but they eventually settled themselves among a large cosmopolitan audience to enjoy a most unusual evenings