‘Look, I’m sorry. Sit down, Wayne. You’ve had the trip for nothing. If I could’ve got hold of you, mate, to stop you, I would’ve, believe me. Tilly’s just making me a coffee. She took pity on me pulling an all-nighter, and I reckon you could use one too. Thing is, when I realised the flying doctor had been called out for young Luke, and he had a copper on board as well, on account of the body Sophie found with Luke – well, it seemed too good an opportunity to miss. Mercer needed medical attention, and the plane had room for two stretchers, so . . .’ He shrugged, accepting the cup Tilly brought him with a nod of thanks.

‘What will you have, officer?’ she asked.

He waved her off, saying blankly, ‘What copper? And why – was Mercer hurt?’

‘Broken leg,’ Connor replied cheerfully. ‘He’ll be tucked up in hospital with a guard on the door long since. And slapped with a first-degree murder charge among the rest – drug-running, wildlife trafficking, people smuggling . . . He admitted to that one in front of witnesses. And he kidnapped and assaulted Tilly here, so that’s on his sheet as well. With the amount of time he’s facing, I’m betting he’ll talk and we’ll roll up the rest of the gang, so wasted journey apart, it’s been a good night’s work. And the blokes on the new road – you organised a reception committee for them, I take it?’

‘Yeah – well, Burns said he’d see to that. When he could get out of the bog, that is.’ Wilmot rubbed his face. ‘Sorry, I’m too bushed to take it all in at one sitting. How did you call the roadhouse from this new track you were talking about? Just curious about that.’

‘Mercer’s phone. Sat job. It’s been damn handy, I can tell you. Pity they don’t give cops the same. Sure you won’t have that coffee? You look all in.’

‘I’m fine,’ Wilmot said tersely. He sucked his teeth, obviously thinking. ‘Right. Reckon I’ll head down the road a bit and have a camp, then get going again and pick up the sarge. I’d better take that phone in. It’s evidence. The tech boys might be able to figure out who Mercer was contacting. Where is it?’

Connor sat unmoving, as Tilly’s gaze flew to the object in question. ‘I thought I’d hang onto it for a bit. The constable escorting Mercer has the number. He’ll be calling me with an update any time soon.’

Wilmot’s voice hardened. ‘He can call you here, can’t he? It’s evidence. Look, we appreciate all that Customs has done in the case, but basically it’s a police matter, so I’m afraid you’ll have to hand it over.’