Sterling spent the next few minutes giving Ryder a description. Outside, rain fell steadily, the constant gurgle of water through the downpipe by the window oddly comforting.

‘This is good work, Sterling,’ Ryder said. ‘The three of us need to keep our eyes and ears open. It’s too dangerous for us to ask Collins outright who this man was. He’ll wonder who tipped us off. It could blow your cover.’

There was a pause. Sterling began massaging the arch of her foot.

‘See if you can make a personal connection with Collins. You’ll work out the best way to do that. And bring Flowers up to date when you’re talking to him tonight, otherwise I’ll do it tomorrow morning. We’re on the early-morning flight to Williamtown.’

‘Yes, Sarge.’

‘We should meet up when I get back too.’

‘Same place?’ Sterling asked.

‘Perisher. I’ll let you know the day and time.’

Ten

The red-brick house was set a few streets back from the water at Lemon Tree Passage, a small village at the tip of the Tilligerry peninsula. In summer, the population swelled with tourists drawn to the calm, safe waters of Port Stephens, but during school term the streets were empty. The trampoline in the front yard of the house next door stood quiet and there were no kids riding bikes or skateboards.

They’d touched down at Williamtown Airport at nine-thirty and only twenty minutes later they had arrived at the house, thanks to Detective Everett from Newcastle having a car ready for them.

Flowers drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, keeping watch in the rear-view mirror. Everett and two members of his forensics team were only minutes behind in their car.

‘I keep thinking about what Sterling overheard,’ said Flowers.

‘Could be something, or nothing,’ said Ryder. ‘I wonder if this will delay the Lorrimers’ plans . . . for Art’s funeral?’ He shrugged. ‘It would make sense. He has to be identified by DNA.’

‘I hope we find the name of his dentist inside. Does he own this place?’

Ryder shook his head. ‘It’s a rental. Everett has the keys.’

‘Here they are now,’ Flowers said, reaching for his doorhandle.

As the police gathered on the footpath, Flowers nodded to the forensics guys they’d met briefly at the airport.

Detective Everett handed Ryder a set of keys. ‘Cessnock Airport gave me his address. The woman next door knew the name of the managing agent, so I picked up the keys early this morning.’

‘Thank you,’ said Ryder. Turning to Flowers, he held out the keys. ‘Lead the way, Detective.’

Flowers went ahead across the overgrown lawn, then jogged up five easy steps onto a porch, bare except for a pile of brittle liquidambar leaves gathering around the doormat.

‘We’ll wait out here until you’re ready for forensics,’ said Everett.