The SES blokes finished their search at four thirty. Marty remained on the ridge alone, calling out Bella’s name as the oranges and pinks of dusk began to colour the sky. He’d rung Lexie throughout the day but stayed away from the playgroup, away from the detectives. In one insane moment, he’d imagined dropping into the hospital to see Elissa. It was her face, her smile, her reassurance that he wanted. But she wouldn’t be there—today was Friday. Marty had no phone number for her, no idea where she lived. He’d been careful not to ask. He would not make the same mistake that he’d made in his first marriage. Lexie didn’t deserve that. But right now, amid the pain, he knew Elissa was the one who could bring him comfort.

His mobile rang and Marty snatched it from his pocket.

‘Lexie?’

‘Actually, it’s Imogen on Lexie’s phone. Um, she was wondering if you could come back. The police have an update and they’re planning the night search.’

‘I’m still up the ridge,’ Marty explained, hoping she’d pass the information on to his wife. ‘I’ll be back in fifteen minutes or so. What’s the update?’

The line was silent and Marty heard the buzz of nocturnal creatures starting up around him. The worst-case scenario couldn’t have happened—if they were planning a night search, that meant Bella hadn’t been found.

‘Lexie said she’ll tell you when you get here.’

24 BRENDAN

24

BRENDAN

BRENDAN SAT SILENTLY ON HIS COUCH, PANIC PING-PONGING THROUGH his head. The crackle of Todd’s police radio cut through it all and set his mind off in a different direction. Did he seem guilty if he was quiet? Maybe he should try to talk normally.

‘Todd, you should come in and speak to my class sometime. The kids love a special guest, particularly in uniform.’

‘Yeah, we should set that up,’ Todd agreed. ‘We’ve got the schools program but we all try to do as much as we can for the community.’

‘Great. Who do you reckon will win Saturday? The Wallabies or the Springboks?’

Brendan couldn’t ask the one question that needed answering: were the cops allowed to search his house?

A knock on the door and cold fear snaked through Brendan’s body. The plainclothes police officer introduced himself as Detective Sergeant Caruso, explained that he would be asking some questions about the missing child and told Brendan he was free to call a friend or a lawyer.

Oh fuck. Did he need a lawyer? He glanced at Todd and Gareth standing near the kitchen wall and decided he should just get this over and done with.

‘I’ve never really met the girl,’ Brendan squeaked out as quickly as he could.