‘You were too young. There was something in there, all scrambled up, but you’d listen to what I told you. And I told everyone, including you, Katherine, that Jeremy died in the car because it was easiest, and because I worried if there were too many questions Alan would come back for you or Michael. I’ll be honest – I didn’t mind the blame. Ironically, if the Sabres hadn’t broken the window to take Jeremy, all three of you might have died. So it felt like I deserved it.’

‘And then seven years later, Marcelo helped you privately take care of the legal side of things. When you had the funeral. You let him in on the secret. Is that right?’

‘Yes. He sorted that out, helped finalise Robert’s will, all that stuff. I have some more things I need to tell you, I suspect. But not here. I can’t think straight. Let’s get off this mountain. The key’s in the bible.’

Katherine rummaged in the bedside table for the bible, flicking open the pages until a small silver key fell out. She unlocked my mother from the bedframe and was helping her up off the bed, when Audrey shooed her away and instead reached out for my assistance. I leaned in, offering my shoulder as she stood, her weight pressing down on me.

‘I just wanted to warn the McAuleys,’ she said. ‘These people have no problem killing kids. It doesn’t matter if they want ransom or leverage. I’m sorry they took it as a threat.’

I didn’t reply, just gave her a hug that I hoped conveyed my understanding. I was glad we could now leave, and once we were down the mountain, we could begin to heal. Apart from the murders, it had been a successful reunion after all.

Illuminating as hearing Audrey’s side of the story was, I was still plagued by niggling questions.

If Rebecca McAuley wasn’t the Sabre’s only victim, how could I be sure it was her body in the coffin? And how the hell did Alan Holton get a hold of something my mother couldn’t find for him thirty-five years ago?