‘We do. Now, we know the Lorrimers have motive. They will benefit from his death, receiving a third share rather than a quarter share of the sale proceeds, plus the company will get a serious injection of cash from Art’s life insurance policy.’

‘That’s strong motive,’ said Flowers.

‘I agree, but we need to look at who else had motive. Who else could have got wind that Art was about to put a stop to the sale?’

‘Lewis Buchanan,’ said Flowers. ‘He’s supported the development from the start, and he has an ulterior motive. He wants the house and cemetery for Cate and Wendy, and probably for his own benefit too. Art could have called the council to try and find out what was going on and that tipped Lewis off. It’s possible.’

Ryder didn’t look convinced. ‘Is it a strong enough motive for murder though?’

‘People have killed for less.’

‘That’s true. What about Owen Temple?’

Flowers drained the last of his coffee. ‘He has serious skin in the game.’

‘He does.’ In his mind’s eye Ryder saw the office Temple Developments had set up in Tumbarumba. ‘He’s invested a lot of money. He’ll lose big if the sale falls through.’

‘And then there’s Wendy Buchanan,’ said Flowers. ‘Her nephew says she’s chill with things no matter which way they pan out. But she was considered a threat to the older Lorrimers’ marriage, at least by Mrs Lorrimer—enough to ban her and her mother from visiting the grave. There could be motive, if Wendy thought Art was going to ruin her only chance of getting back the family home.’

‘I get that,’ Ryder said, carrying their mugs over to the sink, ‘but she’d have to know he was flying in, and how would she go about moving the tractor?’

‘An accomplice? What about Cate?’ Flowers said. ‘We haven’t mentioned her. She’s a direct conduit between Ethan and her brother and aunt.’

Ryder turned around, leaned on the counter, and looked at his partner. ‘So, are Cate and Ethan lying when they say no one knows about the relationship?’

‘My gut says Ethan’s telling the truth. He’s cleaning up the cemetery because he feels bad for Cate, and we’ve seen evidence of that. There was no mention of the Buchanans’ grand plans for the house and cemetery when I was talking to them in the hut, just that Ethan had heard Lewis could be interested in buying an allotment. And we know for a fact that Lewis and Cate, and maybe even Wendy, have massive plans for that allotment. Cate said nothing about that.’

‘Doesn’t mean Ethan’s not aware of it though,’ said Ryder.

Flowers shrugged.

‘Okay, let’s change tack. What do we know about the drug ring?’ Ryder asked, coming back to the table.