‘We’re only trying to determine if there’s a reason he’s so intent on killing you. You didn’t steal something, punch somebody, beat up someone?’

‘Punch? Beat?’ spat Heath. His voice was incredulous and his face livid.

‘You did say that you committed an assault,’ said Chandler.

‘That guy was a friend of a friend,’ spluttered Heath. ‘Look – all I know is that I’m in here accused of a crime, accused of murders I didn’t commit. I came close to being murdered twice by the same person, the actual murderer and yet I’m still being treated like I’m guilty. I want out of here now. I want outta this station and far away from this fucking place. Find him and then maybe I’ll come back and testify. Or better yet I’ll do it over video link and keep the fuck away from this shithole.’

Heath looked to his lawyer for help.

‘Is there anywhere secure my client can be kept overnight?’ asked the blonde lawyer.

‘He’s staying in it,’ said Chandler.

‘For your own safety, I think you are better off remaining here, Mr Barwell, where we can protect you,’ said Mitch.

Heath glared at his lawyer and then at Mitch. ‘You nearly got me killed.’

‘That was an accident.’

‘Yeah, there seem to be a lot of accidents happening around here. And just so you know, I’m going to sue you after this. All of you. False imprisonment, endangering my life, holding me without charge. I’ll make a fortune,’ he said, his anger morphing into a smirk.

36

With darkness having closed in, the hunt through the outback for Gabriel was put on hold. Mitch ordered some of his officers on to the streets to lend the appearance that things were under control.

Something was bugging Chandler. A conversation he’d had with Gabriel that first morning. He told Mitch that he was going home to check on his family. Mitch wanted all hands to the pump but they both knew Mitch was in no position to refuse considering how their suspect had got loose. And though he didn’t have to, Chandler felt the need to tell Mitch, to tell someone what was bothering him – just in case.

‘Gabriel knows where I live.’

Mitch frowned. ‘How does he know that?’

‘We were chatting when I took him to the hotel after questioning him the first time and I mentioned my family.’

‘That was stupid.’

‘I had no idea he would turn out to be masquerading as a victim. I was just trying to put a witness at ease.’

Mitch paused. ‘Okay, what’s done is done. I’ll have a patrol car come by every half hour.’

Chandler nodded. ‘Thanks.’

‘Be back in a couple of hours, okay? We need everyone.’

‘What are you going to do?’ asked Chandler.