‘This case would be the perfect one to study how not to communicate. Heidi had a secret no one could help her with, because they didn’t know she needed help. Art never called home. When he found out about the sale, he consulted a lawyer and, armed with half the information, flew off with a head of steam, calling Heidi and saying he was coming home to stop the sale. His brothers always imagined they would have another chance to talk to him, but thinking doesn’t make things happen. In the end, they never got the chance because Heidi took her brother’s life to escape her own nightmare.’

‘That’s crazy. I’ve never met the Lorrimers, but from what you’ve said, it sounds like the two older brothers are measured, but the twins are impulsive.’

‘You’re right,’ Ryder said. Outside, the wind was building in strength, rattling the windowpanes. ‘You would have made a good police psychologist.’

She sat up and grinned at him. ‘You think so? Okay, let me diagnose you.’

He chuckled. ‘We could be here all night.’ But he was feeling better already after talking to Vanessa.

‘You’re tired,’ she said, studying his face. ‘This case, and the stress of what happened to Sterling yesterday, and the constant worry of her being undercover, it’s built up. I know you haven’t been sleeping properly.’

‘That’s your diagnosis?’ he said, leaning over and tickling her.

She yelped and scooted off the bed. ‘Sleep is my cure for everything.’ He watched as she pulled back the covers and slid into bed. ‘And if that doesn’t work, I go for a ski.’

Fifty-one

At nine-thirty, Ryder climbed from his car in Queanbeyan, his suit little protection against the ferocious wind howling through the carpark. He pulled his overcoat off the back seat, slipped it on and buttoned it up. When he rounded the corner, a huddle of reporters were already gathered outside the courthouse.

Benson immediately came towards him. ‘Flowers not here?’

‘No, he’s driving Sterling to Khancoban to get the rest of her stuff.’

‘Ah, fair enough.’

‘I want her to have a few days off, and Flowers too. Have you noticed that he’s been getting a lot of headaches?’

‘No, but then I haven’t seen much of him,’ said Benson as they jogged up the steps.

Inside, Ryder raked his hair back from his forehead, relieved to be out of the biting wind. The first person he saw was Ethan Lorrimer, a head taller than everyone else. Dan and Kristin were standing close by. Both men wore darks suits, while Kristin was dressed in black pants and a long green shawl. She turned sad eyes towards Ryder, lines etched into her white face.

He nodded, and she lifted her hand. Then he saw her touch Dan’s arm to get his attention.

Dan caught up with him as he was about to enter the courtroom.