Another growl, close behind her now.

A low staccato whistle rang out.

The growling ceased. In the shaky light of her torch, Sterling watched the dog slink away.

‘At first I thought it was a feral dog,’ Sterling said. She was tucked up in bed, a mug of the sleep tea Mitch had recommended cradled between her hands. She’d taken the gun and her personal phone from their hiding place inside the gas heater the moment she was safely inside the rumpus room. Now, showered and warm, the scare had finally worn off.

‘I’ve seen feral dogs around here,’ she said. ‘One ran across the road in front of the car the other day. You could tell she’d recently had puppies.’

‘You didn’t see anyone around?’ Flowers asked.

‘No, but I heard the quick whistle. I couldn’t tell which direction it came from though.’

‘What breed was it, apart from a dangerous one?’

‘I think it was a hunting dog. It had a pale-coloured coat. I don’t remember seeing a collar.’

‘It shouldn’t be too hard to find out who in Khancoban has a dog like that.’

Sterling sighed. ‘I’m thinking about reporting it to Sergeant Collins. He might know who owns it, especially if there have been complaints before.’

‘You’re right. I’ll tell Ryder in the morning too, he should know about this.’ There was a pause, then, ‘Are you okay?’

‘Yeah, now I’m inside with my weapon.’ Sterling took a sip of her tea. ‘I’ll record a report on my phone in the morning and upload it to the case notes. I just hope I don’t have nightmares tonight.’

‘Call me if you’re worried or you can’t sleep, doesn’t matter what time it is.’

‘Okay,’ she said quietly, ‘thanks.’

After saying goodnight, she put her mobile beside the phone Ryder had set up for her alter ego and slipped the gun beneath her pillow. She’d put them back in their hiding place first thing in the morning.

She stretched out her legs and lay back on the pillows, listening for any sounds from outside and thinking about Mitch’s last words. Call me if you’re worried or you can’t sleep.

Did he think about their night together the way she did? The squad had hit the pub for a celebratory drink after making an arrest that had been a long time coming. O’Day and Brown had left after one beer, then Ryder and Benson stood up after two.

Sterling smiled at the memory.

‘Oh, come on,’ complained Flowers. ‘Why aren’t you two sticking around?’

‘Sorry, Daisy,’ said Benson, flinging his coat over his shoulder. ‘I need to call and say goodnight to my kids.’

‘I’m heading off too,’ said Ryder. ‘I want to be clear-headed for court in the morning.’