Gabriel’s wits seemed to have recovered enough to have the sense to get out of town – possibly why he had originally baulked at the offer of police protection.

‘Just keep an eye out,’ added Chandler as he left Jim sitting under the awning outside Annie’s Cafe across the street.

Returning to the station, Tanya had already called in the final member of the team. Luka Grgić was wiping the sleep from his eyes. This was supposed to be his day off and he let Chandler know as much via his glare alone. He might have been young and occasionally reckless but he knew better than to question the orders of a superior, even if he was frustrated at being stuck behind Chandler and Tanya in the chain. The flashes of blind ambition reminded Chandler a little of Mitch. He chased the ghoulish presence of his former partner from his head. It was time to concentrate.

‘So what’s this about, boss?’ asked Luka, yawning.

‘We have a situation.’

Luka’s jet-black eyebrows furrowed, shadowing a pair of smouldering eyes that much of the female population of the town had taken quite a liking to. If Wilbrook ran a most eligible bachelor competition then Chandler was dead in the water. Luka would win hands down.

Chandler continued, ‘We have the statement of a man who claims to have been attacked and held captive out on Gardner’s Hill by a man he’s named as Heath. Heath, according to the description, is thirty, five foot six or seven, of stocky build, with brown hair and a beard. Tanned too. As in a working-outdoors tan. We’re to consider him dangerous, possibly armed.’

‘And he’s wanted for? Assault? Kidnapping?’ asked Luka.

‘Attempted murder.’ Chandler looked around his team. ‘And we have reason to suspect he may have killed before.’

‘Yes!’

Chandler turned to the source of the cry. Embarrassed by the outward show of delight, Nick drifted back to his desk and pretended to scribble on some paper. Chandler had known that this detail would spark him. His fascination with serial killers was such that Chandler believed there wasn’t one he couldn’t relay the entire history of.

Chandler looked at Tanya. She was the only one not listening to him, working on the KLO4.

‘How long ’til we can send—’

‘Ready,’ she announced.

Chandler quickly scanned the details. ‘Send it.’

With a click of a button the KLO4 winged its way to all stations in the Pilbara, Western Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia. The state police would get a copy too. Wilbrook would soon become the focus of much attention.