‘Because you’re doing such a great job with the info you’ve already been given,’ said Madison, flicking her wet hair back and fixing them with a stare. ‘Georgia is dead and you’re chasing up condoms and weed.’

‘Who did they belong to?’ said Con. He could hear Nelly’s sobs from next door. It meant she was in earshot – it was shaky grounds, but he was gonna run with that counting as her being present. ‘If it’s not important, why won’t you tell us?’

‘The person Cierra was sleeping with didn’t take her.’

‘How can you be so sure?’ said Con.

‘A rock-solid alibi.’ The face she made, just for an instant, confirmed it.

Time to take a risk.

‘She is sleeping with Jack Michaels,’ said Con. ‘And so is Jasmine.’

Madison’s face went slack. ‘What did you say?’

‘I just asked if —’

‘Who told you?’ She stood up, her hands balled into fists. ‘Who told you about Jasmine and Jack?’

‘It’s true, then?’ said Con, avoiding Gabriella’s curious eyes: he hadn’t had time to fill her in.

‘Jack was up with Mr North when they disappeared,’ said Madison. ‘There are plenty of witnesses.’ She bared her perfect white teeth. ‘You will not pin this on him.’

‘The condoms didn’t belong to Jack Michaels?’ said Con.

‘For the last time: the condoms belong to Cierra.’ She sat back down. ‘Dad might be a while: he’s up there on the mountain, actually helping, unlike you two. You should head off and, I don’t know, contribute to the investigation, maybe?’

‘Is that what the fight was about, up at the campsite?’ said Gabriella quietly. ‘Was it about Jack? Did one of the other girls threaten to expose him? Did someone else like him?’

Madison pulled out her phone. She ran her hands through her brushed hair, so it looked like she’d only just got out of the shower. A few seconds later she spoke to the front-facing camera.

‘Hello, Instagram Live, Facebook Live, or whatever platform you’re watching this on. I want to thank everyone for their support today. It has been . . .’ Her voice caught. ‘Knowing that our friend is gone . . . knowing that Cierra and Jasmine are still out there, and even Bree . . .’ Perfect little tears rolled down her cheeks. ‘Thank you to all the brave volunteers who are out there searching. I wish there was more that all of us could do, except hope . . .’

Con glanced at Gabriella, sensing danger. He stood up to leave, but Gabriella remained, leaning back and crossing her arms.

‘How could she not tell us about this?’ she hissed at Con. ‘This is major.’