The department store was doing its best, but it still looked shabby and somewhat down at heel compared to its newer, smaller rivals. There seemed to be more old-time locals shopping in here, though, she noticed. Sticking with the tried-and-true out of pure stubbornness, no doubt. It was the work of only a few minutes to find the womenswear department, where a question to a sales assistant – an Aboriginal girl – soon had her fingering through a carousel of off-the-rack business suits. She chose a conservative, lightweight navy-blue suit with matching pants, before wasting another hundred and fifty bucks on a pair of cheap medium heels.

God, it was like being back at college again – scrimping, saving, making do. How dreadfully fucking depressing this could get . . .

As she was paying for the purchases, and holding back a creeping sense of ennui at having to wear them, the Nokia buzzed in her pocket. A text message from Pappas: the Rhino had been transferred to the Coonawarra Base Hospital, where she could find him in intensive care. Downing had contacted the hospital and told them that one of his juniors would be in to look after Mr Ross’s arrangements.

At last, she could look in on him. Jules was comforted also by the knowledge that so many people were putting themselves out on her behalf. She doubted she’d have been as helpful as Nick and Piers if a complete stranger had bowled up to her in need of succour and protection. But, of course, she had Mr Shah to thank for that. She undoubtedly had Pappas to thank for the final piece of information, however.

A phone number in America – for Miguel!

She was so surprised and so grateful she almost forgot to collect her change from the salesgirl. Then she nearly left the two bags of shopping behind on the counter.

After thanking the young woman, Jules hurried out of the store and flagged down a pedicab. She’d have preferred an air-conditioned taxi, but a quick check up and down the street confirmed there were none to be had. The pedicab driver, a thin wiry foreigner of indeterminate race, asked her where she wanted to go before quoting a price of ten dollars. Unsure of whether one was supposed to haggle, she agreed, keen to return to the motel and make contact with her dear old friends.

Again, she checked for evidence of Shah’s men following her, of anybody following her, but saw nothing. The pedicab was shaded but open to the elements, allowing the speed of their passage to create a breeze that offered scant relief from the heat of the afternoon. She wondered how her driver endured it.