Sterling glanced at Flowers as he went back to his table. How long did he intend on staying, slowly downing his drink and not ordering lunch? A few of the staff had seen him in here before with Sergeant Collins, and knew he was the detective investigating the plane crash. One of the other girls had even commented on how hot he was.

‘You think?’ Sterling had screwed up her nose. ‘I suppose he’s okay. Like a taller Ewan McGregor.’

‘That’s who he reminds me of,’ the girl had exclaimed. ‘I’ve been racking my brain trying to think.’ She frowned at Sterling. ‘You don’t rate Ewan McGregor?’

Right now, Sterling wished Ewan bloody McGregor would piss right off. She’d finally asked where she could get drugs, and Heidi had said not now. Of course, Flowers didn’t know that, but nothing was going to happen with a detective in the dining room.

Sterling touched her phone for the briefest second, reassuring herself it was still there. ‘Are you sure I can’t get you something to eat?’ she asked pleasantly, passing by Flowers’ table. He shook his head and continued scrolling through his phone.

The father at the next table heard her and wheeled around in his seat. ‘How about something to eat here?’ he demanded, his voice so loud the youngster beside him started to cry. ‘How long does it take to make a friggin’ peanut butter sandwich?’ He pushed back his chair and stood up. ‘You don’t have to cook it,’ he said sarcastically. ‘How about I come into the kitchen and make it myself?’

‘How about you sit down and chill out!’

Sterling swung around, appalled to find Flowers on his feet. She held up her hand to silence him before turning back to the irate customer. ‘I’m so sorry for the delay. I’ll bring you the sandwich right away, at no charge.’

Then she turned back to Flowers, struggling to control her fury. ‘It’s okay. It’s all under control.’

Twenty-three

The lights were on in the homestead when Ryder and Flowers arrived. They left the warmth of the car to step into a stinging wind roaring in from the Southern Ocean. They hurried towards the verandah, and the door opened seconds after their knock. A dog barked from somewhere at the back of the house. Ethan Lorrimer’s tall frame stood silhouetted in the doorway.

‘Apologies for having to arrange this so late,’ Ryder said. ‘We’ve been in Khancoban all day.’

As on the previous visit, they sat around the table. Dan’s eyes were ringed with tired circles; Heidi’s looked similar, though they were also smudged with mascara she hadn’t washed off. Ethan’s five o’clock shadow added to his swarthy appearance, his expression one of resigned tolerance. Only Kristin looked bright-eyed and energetic in her activewear and running shoes.