Collins swallowed a mouthful of hamburger and slid the second sheet across the table. ‘This is Rodney Garrett. He was in here the other day with Heidi.’

‘Lorrimer?’

‘Yep. He was a school friend of Art’s. He was probably here visiting the family.’

‘Sure.’ Flowers glanced sideways at the sergeant. Was that when Sterling had overheard the conversation between him and the other man. What plans had they been talking about? Plans for the sale, for the subdivision?

Flowers itched to tell Sterling what he’d learned at the gallery this morning, but it would have to wait until tonight. She was so close he could smell her perfume, and yet she may as well have been in another galaxy. ‘Has Garrett been charged with anything since then?’ he asked.

‘Nope. He lives near Jindabyne. His address is on the back of that sheet.’

Before Flowers could thank him, Collins’ phone lit up. ‘Khancoban Police,’ the sergeant said, pressing the device to his ear. ‘Right. Oh geez. Okay, I’m on my way.’ He hung up and looked at Flowers. ‘Prang on Swampy Plains Creek Road. Lucky I didn’t order coffee, hey.’

Flowers thanked him, now regretting having ordered lunch. But it was too late to cancel, as moments later Sterling was on her way back with his schnitzel.

‘Aw, you look like Nigel no-friends,’ she said, putting his meal in front of him.

Bloody Nerida. She was enjoying this. ‘Yeah, the sergeant was called away.’

‘Hey, Ida?’ a bloke summoned her from a nearby table.

Sterling planted her hands on her hips and swung around. ‘Hold your horses, Gus. I know this is your second home, but you’re not the only diner in here.’

Then she turned back to Flowers. ‘You enjoy your lunch in peace, sweetheart, and let me know if there’s anything else I can get you.’

Sweetheart? Flowers almost choked on a mouthful of Coke, the gas bubbles fizzing in his throat and up the back of his nose.

‘Sweetheart?’ Flowers said when Sterling called him that night.

There was a warm laugh at the other end. ‘I thought you’d appreciate that one.’

‘Does a bear . . . ?’ Flowers stopped, shaking his head at the memory. ‘How do you get away with that?’

‘There was no one else within earshot—well, maybe Gus—and I knew you weren’t going to complain to management. Sarge suggested I try and make a connection with Collins, so I’ve been working on him.’

‘He’s a fan, trust me.’

‘Good. He won’t be suspicious when I ask him to introduce me to his handsome mate if he comes in again. I want a name.’

‘It would be good to know who he is, for sure.’ Flowers stretched out on the bed and told her about what he’d learned at the gallery. ‘The Lorrimers are selling up. The property is going to be subdivided.’

‘Wow! That puts a different spin on things.’