‘Police,’ she said. Some of the tension drained from her now that she was no longer alone. ‘If I’ve done nothing wrong, I don’t have to talk to them, do I?’

‘I can’t see why you would,’ he agreed.

‘It’s every citizen’s duty to help the police,’ the sergeant snapped. ‘Who are you anyway?’

‘Connor Doyle, botanist.’

Burns glared at him. ‘Well, it’s Mrs Hillyer’s time I need, not yours. Five minutes, that’s all, and then we’re gone.’

‘And if she doesn’t want to speak to you?’

Burns drew in a long breath. ‘Of course I can’t force her. But I’m respectfully requesting a few moments of her time, that’s all.’

‘I am still here,’ Tilly interjected. ‘Not that I’m not grateful for your help, Connor.’

He rubbed his neck. ‘Your decision, Tilly, but I suppose it can’t hurt to see what he wants.’

She nodded brusquely. ‘All right then. So what is it?’

The constable had got out of the cab and now passed a folder to his superior. He glanced at Tilly and then the homestead. ‘Can we go inside for a moment?’

‘No.’ Hostility vibrated through the refusal. She would not invite them into her space, but the sun was very hot, which made her hesitate and relent enough to add grudgingly, ‘You can come onto the verandah.’

The three men ascended the shallow steps with her, grouping themselves about the table there with Connor at her side. The sergeant opened the folder and dealt half-a-dozen photographs onto the cane table top. ‘These men,’ he said. ‘Have you ever seen any of them before? With your husband, maybe, or around his boat? Or any of his mates’ boats for that matter?’

Anger flared in her at the mention of Gerry, but she bit back a retort and stared at the pictures. They were glossy black and white blow-ups, some a little grainy and blurred, and she realised the subjects had been unaware of the photographer. Like in the cop shows on TV – a long-range lens and some undercover operator sneaking about. Then she gave a little gasp of surprise and blurted, ‘That’s our boat!’ The lines were unmistakable and if they hadn’t been, half the name was visible between the heads of the two men standing before it.

‘Yes,’ Burns agreed levelly. He didn’t move but she felt him tense beside her. ‘Do you recognise either of the men? Have you ever seen them before?’