Caruso left the women in the custody of Suze and Hassan and ran back down the track. Even though the hospital inquiry was supposed to be confidential, it had been leaked to the papers. As a result, more than a hundred parents had written in to commend Dr Parker for his excellent treatment. Two families who’d lost their children said he was the best doctor they’d ever had. All the letters had the same theme—Dr Parker really cared for his patients. But it seemed no amount of proof had convinced Mel.

And evidently she’d convinced her aunt that Dr Parker was to blame for the babies’ deaths. The gardener had been at the shops the morning Bella had disappeared. How had Deirdre and Mel managed to abduct Bella from playgroup without being seen? Unbelievable. They’d been lucky that day. No child or mum had wandered near the sandpit, no-one had walked past the playgroup, no grandparent had watched from their window in the nursing home. Or maybe they had and simply not noticed. A playgroup was always full of kids playing and mums chatting. Perhaps they hadn’t realised what they’d seen?

The stone chapel came into view at the edge of the garden and Caruso kept sprinting. Had Mel harmed the family?

Under the portico, Caruso banged on the wooden door and announced himself.

‘You’re safe,’ he called out. ‘We’ve taken Mel and Deirdre into custody.’

A lock turned and the door opened. Lexie stood in the archway with a child in her arms.

Up to this point, Caruso had only ever seen photos of Bella.

And now here she was: the little girl who had inhabited his every waking hour. Glancing up at the cross at the far end of the chapel, he quickly gave his thanks to the Lord. Then his eyes sought Bella again, assessing her for injuries. Superficially she seemed fine; he prayed that none of the atrocities from his nightmares had been inflicted on her.

‘Hello, Bella,’ he said, offering his hand. ‘My name’s Gabe Caruso and it’s great to see you. We’ve been looking for you to bring you back home.’

The girl giggled at his handshake but took his big hand in hers.

‘I missed home but we had a party,’ she said. ‘With Mel and Deedee. Sammy came later. But Mummy couldn’t find the party.’

Caruso arranged for the helicopter to take the Parkers to hospital. The doctors would check Bella over while Marty’s wound was being treated. Later, when he took Marty’s statement, he would explain that Brendan Parrish had been arrested—not for child abduction, but for drug dealing.