‘Interview? Are you a journo?’ Dave asked.

She nodded. ‘I work for the Farming Telegraph.’ Even as she told him this, she could see the distrust cross his face. Wow, even in a tiny country town where nothing happened, the cops didn’t like journalists.

‘I’ll be happy to help you if I can,’ he answered, though Zara had the distinct impression he didn’t mean it. ‘But we don’t get a lot of crime out here.’

‘No, I don’t suppose. I guess it’s fairly quiet, with not many people around.’

‘Well, it’s not always quiet,’ Kim said. ‘What about when Milly was attacked?’ She turned to Zara and started to say, ‘My niece …’ but stopped as Dave put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed slightly.

‘Sounds interesting,’ Zara said. ‘I’d like to hear about it.’

‘It was a few years ago now,’ Dave said. ‘Not newsworthy at all.’

‘Right. Well, I’d better get on,’ Zara said. ‘I’ve still got loads of unpacking to do.’

‘Did you want to pop over for dinner?’ Kim asked. ‘I bet you haven’t had a chance to do any shopping.’

‘Oh no, thanks. I’ll be fine. I’ll scratch something together.’ She turned and started to go back towards the house, but Kim’s voice stopped her.

‘How about this? I’ll bring you over a home-cooked meal and you can eat it when you’re ready, rather than with strangers when you’re tired and sad.’

Zara’s first reaction was to say no again, but somehow the words ‘I’d really like that,’ popped out. Her hands flew to her mouth. ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have—’

Kim let out a peal of laughter. ‘Of course you should have, sweetie! It’s hard to make conversation with someone you’ve just met, especially when talking is the last thing you feel like doing. You go and get unpacking and I’ll drop something over in a while.’ She linked her arm through Dave’s. ‘Come on, I’ve got some news for you,’ she said.

Zara watched them go. She didn’t know anyone their age who were so clearly that much in love. There must be a story there. And maybe she’d pegged Kim wrong. Maybe she wasn’t a chatterbox, just someone who liked to help people.

You’re back in the country now, she reminded herself, before grabbing the keys out of the car and locking it. Then she laughed at herself. Hers would be the only locked car in Barker, she’d wager fifty dollars on it!

The kitchen was unpacked by the time Kim knocked on the door with a container of something that smelled mouth-watering.

‘Thai chicken curry and rice. And there’s a fresh salad on the side. Enjoy. Sleep well and we’ll see you tomorrow.’

Zara appreciated that Kim left so quickly, because her energy was beginning to desert her. She opened a bottle of wine and poured herself a glass, before leaning tiredly against the wall. She knew she should set up her office tonight too. Lachy would be on the phone to her first thing in the morning for the daily editorial meeting.