“You’re not at The Times yet Shell. It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, just the story with a bit of fluff will do.” Rick perched on the edge of her desk and leant forward. “Jesus, you don’t look too good. Are you okay?” He chuckled, “You look pale, even for you.”

Shelley replied flatly. “I’m fine, thanks,” then surprised by his concern, she softened, “I’ve not been sleeping too well, must be the heat. I’m still not used to the Sydney summers.”

“It’s your third summer right? Thought you’d have acclimatized by now.”

“Yep, it’s three and that’s two too many,” Shelley admitted.

“She’s a creature of the night, she shouldn’t be out in daylight at all.” Shelley spun around to see Nate walk into the office.

“Ha ha, very funny.” Shelley tired of the vampire jokes, but accepted it wasn’t just her pale skin and straight black hair, that invited them. “What brought you out from under your rock?” Shelley liked Nate, but found his cheery nature, tiresome in the heat.

Nate’s smile disappeared. “Someone else has come forward in the Rosemont case, says they can prove the allegations are true.”

Shelley realized she’d stopped breathing, and had to make an effort to start. She looked up to Nate. “How… how old?”

“Around thirty I’d say, so if she was there in late eighties, she’d have been about nine or ten.”

Shelley felt a shiver run up her spine, despite the heat. “And they call themselves men of God!” she spoke through clenched teeth, more to herself than anyone in the room.

Rick wiped his brow with the back of his hand and turned to Nate. “Go for it mate, before the other buggers get to her,” then seeing Shelley’s expression, he added, “not this one love. I’ve got another one for you, one that better suits your talents.”

Shelley couldn’t hide her disappointment. “And would that be, because I’m a woman by any chance?”

“That’s my girl! You see! It’s your intuition.” Rick laughed as he stood, “Your crusade will have to wait for another day.” He turned to leave, then stopped half way to the door and looked over his shoulder. “And for Christ’s sake, get onto Dennis in Maintenance about the aircon, the gals in Sales are melting.” He chuckled to himself, before she heard him collapse into the chair in his office.

Shelley called through, “Rick! You didn’t say what you’d got for me.”

“Sorry love. It’s the Longueville girl.”

Shelley peeled herself from the chair and walked into Rick’s office, making no effort to hide the boredom from her voice. “You’ll have to remind me.”

He looked up and frowned. “The incident at the hospital. Christ Shell, how much sleep have you lost? Whatever happened, scared the shit out of the staff.”