Chapters (58)
- COVER PAGE
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR
- DEDICATION
- Prologue
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-one
- Twenty-two
- Twenty-three
- Twenty-four
- Twenty-five
- Twenty-six
- Twenty-seven
- Twenty-eight
- Twenty-nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-one
- Thirty-two
- Thirty-three
- Thirty-four
- Thirty-five
- Thirty-six
- Thirty-seven
- Thirty-eight
- Thirty-nine
- Forty
- Forty-one
- Forty-two
- Forty-three
- Forty-four
- Forty-five
- Forty-six
- Forty-seven
- Forty-eight
- Forty-nine
- Fifty
- Fifty-one
- Fifty-two
- Fifty-three
- Acknowledgements
Thomas didn’t pick up, so Flowers left a message then settled back in his seat. Alone with his thoughts while Ryder navigated his way through the traffic, Flowers gazed at the hordes of commuters scurrying down the hill towards Circular Quay. He’d been trying not to think about Sterling all day, but now, as he took in the sparkling city lights, he couldn’t help thinking of her locked inside a dingy rumpus room under an empty house six hours away.
They were skirting the perimeter of the airport when a text message came through on Flowers’ phone. ‘It’s Jeremy Thomas,’ he said, opening the message and reading it aloud. ‘Detective Flowers, the Lorrimers’ authority stated that I assist you in any way I can, so I’m forwarding to you a photograph of the document you requested. Regards, Jeremy Thomas.’
‘Have a look at them and see if they’re the same,’ said Ryder, the air pressure inside the car changing as they entered a tunnel.
Flowers studied Art Lorrimer’s signature on the copy of the cost agreement then compared it to the one Jeremy Thomas had sent through on his phone. His heart quickened. The more he looked from one to the other, the more convinced he was that they were not the same signature.
Twenty-seven
They met in Ryder’s room at the Golden Wattle Lodge at nine the next morning. Ryder was sitting on the edge of the bed while Flowers stood with his back to the window. Benson was on speaker phone. They’d sent the signatures to Sydney for the handwriting expert to look at, but Benson had been keen to look at them as well.
Flowers shifted his feet impatiently. ‘What do you think?’
‘I think it’s forged.’ Benson’s voice rang throughout the room. ‘I’m no expert but the signature on the cost agreement flows naturally. The second photo, the authority to sell the property, looks like a cautious copy to me.’
Flowers nodded. ‘That’s what we think.’
‘Okay,’ said Ryder. ‘So, what are your thoughts, are all three Lorrimers involved in this?’
‘I’ve no idea, not having met them,’ said Benson.
‘They could all know,’ said Flowers, stepping away from the window, ‘although Thomas said he’s always dealt with the brothers. Maybe they gave the form to Heidi to sign first, and then forged Art’s signature.’
‘I think that’s the most likely scenario,’ agreed Ryder, ‘but we can’t conclude anything until we get the expert opinion. Still, it’s not looking good for the Lorrimers. The only reason to forge Art’s signature would be because he refused to sell.’
‘Yeah, a contract for sale only needs two signatures,’ put in Benson.
Flowers nodded. ‘We’ve seen it, signed by Dan and Ethan.’