‘No. We left him in the cave, tied up. When the tyre went flat, Connor turned up and helped me.’ Her hand went unbidden to her throat as she relived that deadly struggle and her fight for air. ‘So we came back thinking you might’ve come out to the cave, only you’d already gone, and that’s when I realised that Constable Wilmot must be a crook too. It’s why we didn’t want you at the homestead – because he’s on his way there now.’ In a few rapid strokes she outlined the results of the Alloway phonecalls. ‘It means the rest of the gang will probably get away, but Matt can be charged with Gerry’s murder, and, if he’s done no worse to the sergeant, Wilmot for complicity in the business and assault on a policeman. That’s why Connor was so pleased that this cop’—she moved her head to indicate where the two voices murmured outside the tent—‘is from Katherine. He must be clean. And the one at Spadgers Creek is coming too.’

‘Good Lord,’ Thomas said reverently into the silence that fell after she finished speaking. ‘Does this sort of thing go on all the time?’

‘Thankfully, no.’ Sophie had turned to another problem. ‘I suppose we’ll have to lend him a vehicle.’ Catching Tilly’s blank look, she said, ‘The cop – how else will he get the body away, or his prisoner?’

‘Maybe Connor – I mean, he’s part of it. Or he could call in reinforcements. He’s appropriated Matt’s satellite phone.’

‘He had a satellite phone?’ Her cousin sounded scandalised. ‘Well, I hope Connor runs up a decent bill on his account. Those things cost the bloody earth.’

‘They . . . Ssh, listen!’ Tilly cocked her head. ‘There’s a vehicle coming. Oh, God, what if it’s Wilmot? I must warn Connor.’ She darted out only to find that he had heard the sound too.

‘It’s okay. It’ll be Des.’

‘How can you be certain? Wilmot—’

‘The man hasn’t got wings,’ he said patiently. ‘He was at Alloway. No way he’s here yet.’

‘Oh.’ It was at least a three-hour drive from there, and some of the tension left her. ‘I’ve told the others everything. So what next?’

‘Keith, here, and I have been making plans. I’ve suggested he and Des collect Mercer and take him on to Alloway. I’ll ring the RFDS to alert them, and when the doctor arrives, the two can accompany him to Darwin. Along with the body.’

‘But you said it had to stay—’