‘I’m not averse to risk. It keeps life interesting. And I thought I’d get away with it. If it had ever looked like I was going to end up in prison, we’d have sent proof that Violet was still alive, and that would have been the end of your case. I must admit I didn’t anticipate Gary seeing my father at the abattoir. It was silly of me to kill him.’ She laughed. ‘But never mind.’

‘What happened the day Tim died?’ I asked.

The mask snapped back into place. I’d messed up. Probed too deep. ‘It was a terrible accident. My father loved that boy so much. So much more than he ever loved Bex or me.’ Kirsty smiled.

She’d deserved to lose her legs.

58

Jai flipped on the wipers as he pulled onto the Via Gellia. Finally it was raining. A motorbike roared past us, narrowly missing a quarry truck thundering the other way.

‘Do you think they actually want to die?’ I said. ‘Rain after a drought – they must know it’s prime biker-death conditions.’

‘Especially on this road,’ Jai said. ‘I suppose it’s natural selection.’

‘You can drop me at Mum’s, if that’s okay,’ I said.

‘No problem.’ Jai took the right turn to head up to Eldercliffe.

‘Does your mum know about your spectacular pig-based escape?’

‘She does. She’s very proud.’ I spoke as if that was a joke, but it was the truth. I even felt proud of myself for once. Myself and that incredible pig.

‘It’s so like you to be rescued by a sodding pig.’

‘Yeah, no knights in shining armour for me. But I don’t plan to make a regular thing of it. There were a few dicey moments.’

‘You’re not planning to recruit a pig as part of your team then?’

‘She was faster on the uptake than some I could mention, but let’s not go there.’

Jai flicked me a quick sideways look. ‘I’m going to stick to free-range and organic. I can’t give it up completely – bacon and that.’

‘It just tastes too good?’

‘Yeah, but …’

‘No, that’s amazing, Jai. I’m really pleased. If everyone did that, there’d be no pigs in cages. Good on you.’

‘Fiona’s doing the same.’

I felt it wash over me. Affection for them. My team. ‘I’m welling up, Jai.’

‘It’s only right. Pigs being practically our colleagues now, rather than just what we get called.’

‘Well, it’s made me very happy. You’re good guys – you and Fiona.’

‘Enough already. You’re starting to embarrass me.’

‘Did you ever find out what’s up with Craig?’ I said.

‘No. Just that he’s seeing a counsellor and doesn’t want his wife to know.’