‘Kristin.’ Dan gave his wife a reproving look.

‘Well, it’s true. She doesn’t even bother to let me know if she’ll be here for dinner.’

Dan frowned. ‘That’s your fault because you keep asking her. Let her fix something for herself. Most of the time she eats at the hotel anyway.’ He looked at Flowers, and then at Ryder. ‘I’m sorry. We shouldn’t be bickering in front of you, especially at a time like this. Heidi often stays at her boyfriend’s place, but she’s never moved in full-time with him, or officially changed her address. Kristin and I find all the comings and goings fairly disruptive.’

‘I’m sorry, honey.’ Kristin reached up and put a hand on Lorrimer’s thigh, rubbing it a little. ‘Are you all right?’ she asked.

He nodded. ‘Yes, I’m just trying to think.’

Flowers cleared his throat. ‘And Ethan, he lives here too?’

Dan nodded. ‘It must seem strange that we’re all under the same roof right now, but it hasn’t always been the case. Ethan moved back about three years ago after being medically discharged from the army. He needed work and somewhere to live, and I needed help here. He knows better than anyone how things work around this place.’

Flowers nodded. ‘Mr Lorrimer, I was wondering if you could give us Art’s contact details?’

‘I’m sorry, I don’t have any.’

‘Does Art have any children?’

‘Not that I’m aware of.’ Lorrimer leaned forward and linked his fingers. ‘We’re not close, Detective. Art was the black sheep of the family, as they say.’

‘That’s okay. Sergeant Collins up at Khancoban Police is contacting Cessnock Airport, where your brother departed from. If that’s his regular airfield, they’ll have details of his next of kin.’

‘You said he communicated with the airport. Did he have engine trouble?’

‘They spoke about the weather. Ben Hoff, the airport manager—’

‘Yes, I know Ben. He’s a mate of mine.’

Flowers nodded. ‘Mr Hoff suggested he land elsewhere because the conditions were so dicey. Apparently your brother agreed, but then flew in after dark anyway.’

‘That sounds like Art. He never did like anyone telling him what to do.’

There was an uneasy silence. Flowers decided to wait for Dan Lorrimer to carry on the conversation.

‘You mentioned Walt Collins. I would have expected him to be the one to break the news to us, or maybe a police officer from Tumbarumba.’ Lorrimer looked at both of them. ‘How come you guys are involved?’

Ryder cleared his throat. ‘We need to establish whether negligence or foul play were factors in the crash.’ He looked at Flowers. ‘Detective Flowers has been at the site this morning.’