When I’d kissed Archie before going out that night, he was wriggling in pain as usual. The massaging, the medications, changing position, changing formula—nothing seemed to help. As his mother, it was heartbreaking not to be able to soothe him. I’d held my lips against his soft cheek as he groaned. If I’d found it unbearable as his mum, how did Marty feel as a father and a paediatrician? While I’d been doing everything I could to make our son’s life more comfortable, had Marty been planning to end it for him?

But he was a doctor! He’d sworn an oath to do no harm. To protect life.

When we were in England, Phoebe had tried to talk to me about Marty and Archie, but I refused to listen. I was sure Victoria had her doubts too and that was why she was so awful to her father. Had they both seen what I wouldn’t? Had Marty taken Archie away from me?

If he’d done that and lied about it … could he have done something to Bella too?

My instinct was to confront him but then self-preservation kicked in. I couldn’t save Bella if he did something to me. Avoiding him, I stayed upstairs, listening for his movements. When I heard him go into the shower, I dashed down to the kitchen and scrolled quickly through the emails and texts on his phone. No unusual messages. Nothing to Mel. Just work. Bringing my iPhone next to his, I switched on the Share my Location feature. Now I could keep track of his movements.

The TV program, the newspaper, the commentators—they’re all out to blame the parents.

But the mother is only guilty by association.

Four years on. Not too late for jail.

Dr Parker wouldn’t survive one minute in a hellhole like that.

All charming and caring. Everyone else has fallen for it.

The nurses and the staff at the hospital.

Even his patients and their parents.

They don’t see the real him—an evil monster.

MONDAY

THE CANBERRA TIMES ONLINE EDITION

MONDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER, 7.05 AM

Bella’s shoe and water bottle found

A shoe and water bottle belonging to Bella Parker were found outside a church in Ainslie yesterday, thirty kilometres from where the little girl went missing. Police are refusing to comment on the discovery but an inside source says the disappearance is now considered to be suspicious. The Sex Crimes Squad has been brought in to work with the investigation team.

According to the source, cadaver dogs did not pick up any scent of Bella at either Merrigang or Ainslie. There are growing fears for Bella’s safety and survival.

Message of thanks

Lucas Lawrence, a playgroup father who has been involved in the search, released a statement from the parents last night.