Theo trudged back behind his son to their land and the sick plants.

“It might just be killing the new growth. Perhaps we can save the vines,” Tony said.

Theo tugged off a hand full of leaves and dropped them to the ground. “I don’t think so. Whatever this is, it’s killing the whole plant.” He looked across the decaying rows to where the green vines began again. “Every vine is affected. We’re going to lose four full rows of semillon.”

“I don’t understand it,” Tony said. “These are the vines I sprayed yesterday.” He walked beside Theo as they stepped up and down the rows, until they reached a row of perfectly healthy vines. “This is where I stopped. Maybe they had something else wrong with them.”

Theo looked from the first healthy row to the yellowing vines beside it. It didn’t make sense. If it were poison, why would the saboteur stop here?

“There couldn’t have been something in the tank,” Tony said. “We’re always meticulous with our cleaning.”

“Of course it’s not us. Someone has done this.” Theo stamped his foot and looked back to his neighbour’s healthy vines. “And Euan Levallier is high on my list of suspects.”

* * *

Keely came back along the river path, placing her feet carefully with each cautious step; even though it was early and still cool, she couldn’t help but glance nervously at the spot where she’d last seen the snake. She recalled Jack and the bits of string around his trouser legs. She’d thought he’d been joking about keeping out snakes.

“There you are.”

Flynn’s statement startled her. She’d been so intent on watching the path, she hadn’t seen him standing up ahead.

“I’ve just been for a walk,” she said.

“We didn’t see you last night.”

Was that an accusing tone? Keely glanced at Flynn but there was nothing to indicate his mood. “I came in late. There were no lights on at the house.”

“Did you have a good time with your friends?”

He was watching her closely. What did it matter to him what she did? “Yes, thanks. Did you and Kat enjoy Perth?” She forced herself to be polite. If only Kat was an awful person, Keely could at least dislike her.

“We had lots to do. It was a flying visit.” He gave her a weak smile as she drew level with him. “I’ve got the labels. I thought you might like to see them and… if you’re not too busy. I wondered if…” Now his look was pleading. “You might help me put them on the bottles?”

She relaxed. “I’d love to see them and I’m happy to help. It’s not as if I’m doing anything else for the next few days.”