‘Mr Martin? Crockery? I mean, I know I made a fool of myself over Mrs Slade, and I’m sure everyone had a good laugh, but I’m not an idiot. If you’re making fun of me, I don’t think it’s very fair.’ His fingers fidget on the edge of his tablet.

‘I know it sounds ridiculous, but I’m not making fun. I promise. And, like I say, there’s a lot more to come.’

‘So someone tried to rob you once, and did rob your brother-in-law?’

‘Yes.’

‘And then, a fair bit later, someone assaulted you in your home, but didn’t take anything?’

‘Yes.’

‘Can you guess at the reason for the second incident?

‘I can’t say why at the moment.’

‘At the moment?’

‘At the moment.’

‘It’s quite a drive to come out here, sneak up on you, hit you on the head, and steal nothing, isn’t it?’

‘It is.’

‘And you can’t help me with any reasons for that?’

‘Not really.’

‘How long were you in hospital?’

‘Forty-eight hours or so.’

‘Any injury sustained?’

‘I lost consciousness. Had a big cut to the back of my head, but the doctor said no concussion as such.’

‘Are you okay now?’

‘Yes. Thank you for asking.’

‘That’s about it.’ He holds his computer by his side. ‘Thanks for everything, Mr Martin. I might call in on you another time, if that’s okay?’

‘Please do. And stay in touch.’

He smiles inscrutably, turns, and walks to the tiny, battered car.

‘Tom, someone sent me a large amount of money.’ He stops where he is, and listens. ‘And human remains, in boxes. There’s a real story here.’

He nods, and then keeps walking, and I’m not sure whether he’s agreeing or confirming that he thinks I’ve lost it.

12

12

I have successfully not thought about Elaine for some hours, but I know I should be talking to her, telling her everything that’s happened, and asking for her take on it. I get in my vehicle and drive to her place. In the front of my mind is the fact that nothing good has happened for me when we’ve met up. Twice I’ve found her hurt, once I got myself into trouble, and once I declined a pretty significant offer. What’s on the agenda this time? As I approach her mailbox, I see an old ute bumping up the drive towards her house. I stop. Ben was happy to say some pretty nasty things about Elaine in public. But Elaine said he was helping her with something. Why would she rely on him? I could drive in there and ask her, but I know that turning up at her place again unannounced with some sort of foreknowledge will be creepy. She will know I’m spying on her. I turn the ute around and head home, the sunlight disappearing around me.