‘Mrs Parker, we’re assessing which grid to search next. I understand you and your husband were out there last night searching.’

‘Yes, with friends of friends,’ I told him. ‘And lots of other people.’

‘Well, the community is certainly being very helpful. More people have turned up this morning to assist with the search.’

From his tone, I couldn’t tell if he thought this was good or bad. Surely more people meant more eyes and more chance of finding her.

‘We have GPS trackers so we can see exactly which areas have already been searched,’ the superintendent explained. ‘The helicopter will be here at around nine, once the fog has lifted completely. We’ll have a media conference at ten. Will you speak to the journalists?’

The swerve in conversation threw me and I stared at the man’s closely cropped hair.

‘Can I decide later? When my husband comes in?’

Could he hear the tremble in my voice?

‘Of course. I’ll read a prepared statement. We’ll show the photos again.’

Last time we’d faced the media, Phoebe had stood beside me, shielding me from the questions and the assumptions. I couldn’t do this without her.

REDDIT

Unresolved mysteries: Martin and Lexie Ross

I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that all of Australia wants to see justice …

MazinMelbourne

This case was investigated and closed. It’s done.

Stop going on about it.

Comment deleted

The-sane-one

A lot of Websleuths reckon they’re actual police and come across pretty delusional tbh.

Hamburger

One word. Police corruption.

John John

That’s two words.

Crocodile Dundee 24

Why is this thread still up here? It should be taken down.

Just saw there’s a three-year-old missing in Canberra—is this the same family? I can’t believe it. I told you all that we should keep persevering for justice. And now look what’s happened!

John John

They’ve got a different last name. Is it them or not?

Princess Elsa of the Light

Karma. What goes around comes around.

16 BRENDAN

16

BRENDAN

PARKING AT THE SCHOOL WAS IMPOSSIBLE THIS MORNING, WITH ALL those police vehicles and cars spilling over from the playgroup and the shops. Brendan considered driving home again and walking back before noticing a space between Jeff’s ute and the hopper for the cardboard recycling. He reversed his white Subaru WRX into the spot.

The buzzing of a helicopter made him look up. Wow, it was flying low. The atmosphere in school would be strange today—the kids making guesses and spreading rumours, and the teachers too. Some of the schoolchildren would know Bella; many of them had younger siblings who went to playgroup.