Ryder nodded, absorbing what the lawyer had just told them. He glanced at Flowers in case his partner wanted to ask something more specific. Some time ago, Flowers had expressed an interest in becoming a police prosecutor, though he hadn’t mentioned it lately.

The question Flowers eventually came out with was more general. ‘How long is it since you’ve spoken to Art Lorrimer?’

‘It’s funny you should ask. I haven’t spoken to Art for well over a decade, but I did receive a letter from a lawyer recently saying that she was providing him with some legal advice. The lawyer requested a copy of the trust deed.’

Ryder glanced at Flowers again. ‘When was this exactly?’ he asked.

‘Three weeks ago.’

‘Did you send her a copy?’ asked Flowers.

‘Yes, of course I did.’

‘We’ll need to get the lawyer’s details from you,’ said Ryder.

‘Of course.’ Thomas pushed back his chair and picked up the file. ‘I’ll get them for you now.’

Alone in the conference room, Ryder thought about what the lawyer had said. ‘There seems to be more to this than first meets the eye.’

Flowers nodded. ‘Yeah. If everyone’s share ceases when they die, like Thomas said, then there’s good reason for them wanting to get their share out now.’

Ryder nodded. ‘Especially Dan who has a wife and two kids. If something happened to him, they’d get nothing.’

‘Exactly.’

‘Something else struck me,’ Ryder said. ‘Thomas said the form he has agreeing to the sale was signed by the Lorrimers two years ago, but they tell us they haven’t spoken to Art for many years. Maybe they haven’t been entirely truthful with us.’

‘They could have an email address.’

‘You’re right, Flowers. Good thinking.’

The door opened and Thomas came back into the room. ‘I’ve photocopied the letter I received from the firm in Sydney. Their details are on the letterhead.’

‘Thank you for all your help, Mr Thomas. We may need to talk to you again at some point.’ Ryder stood up, his thighs and calves already stiffening after his stint on the mountain.

‘Let’s grab an early lunch—I skipped breakfast,’ he said to Flowers when they were back on the street. ‘We can sit down and sort out our movements.’

They found an old-style cafe with internal archways and a row of booths down one wall. The first person Ryder noticed when they entered was Wendy Buchanan.

‘You two certainly get around,’ she said, putting her teacup on its saucer.

‘The same could be said for you,’ Flowers said with a big smile, giving Ryder the impression his partner had taken a liking to the Buchanan family.

‘Treasure hunting again?’ Flowers was asking.

‘I’ve already been into Vinnies,’ Wendy replied, ‘but alas, no luck today.’

‘Well, there’s always tomorrow,’ Flowers said, raising a hand in farewell.