Heidi had taken off her jacket and was hanging it on the back of her chair. Her companion was slim, with a dark moustache and a patch of hair under his bottom lip. He was wearing blue jeans, a maroon hoodie and a plain black beanie.

‘Hello, Heidi,’ Sterling said, gazing squarely into the other woman’s eyes. ‘I didn’t know your brother, but I just wanted to say how deeply sorry I am for you and your family.’ The surprising thing was her condolences were heartfelt. Losing a sibling would be horrible. Losing a twin had to be worse.

‘Thank you,’ Heidi said simply.

Sterling glanced at Heidi’s companion, but the man remained silent. ‘Can I bring you something?’ Sterling asked briskly, reluctant to linger.

The guy ordered two beers, a draft for him and a bottle of local craft beer for Heidi.

‘No problem. Would you like to see a menu?’ She glanced at Heidi. ‘Although I’m sure you know it off the top of your head.’

Heidi started to answer but the guy interrupted. ‘Just leave one here.’

Sterling headed back to the bar, a chorus of disparate voices creating a hum of conversation as she weaved her way between the tables.

‘I’m going to be sore tomorrow . . .’

‘Mum, can I have your iPad?’

‘Who’s playing in the footy tonight?’

‘I wonder if this will delay the Lorrimers’ plans for . . .’

Sterling almost broke stride, so unexpected was the snippet of conversation spoken in a quiet baritone. Fighting the urge to look around, she shifted her gaze left and right, searching the tables for empty plates. The man who’d spoken was sitting with Sergeant Collins.

She spotted a family who’d finished their mains. ‘Can I clear these away?’ she asked.

‘Yes, thanks,’ replied the mother.

Sterling took her time stacking the plates, glancing every so often at the sergeant’s companion. Committing him to memory, she carried the dirty dishes back to the kitchen.

‘How is she?’ Elijah asked as she flipped the top off Heidi’s craft beer.

‘She’s quiet, but that’s to be expected.’ Sterling straightened the glass, checking the head. ‘Do you know the guy she’s with?’

‘Not sure. He could have been in here before.’ He picked up the beers when they were ready. ‘I’ll take these over. I want to give her my condolences.’

For the first time since the dinner rush began there was a lull at the bar, so Sterling grabbed a cloth and began wiping down the taps. Excitement rippled through her body. Finally, she had information to pass on to Ryder, though she had no idea if the partial sentence she’d overheard was valuable or not.