‘I want to thank everyone for their kind words about Cierra . . . and yes, I’ll talk about it again: a video has gone viral, showing my dad at Jasmine Murphy’s house. He was accusing Jasmine’s dad of sleeping with my sister. As I’ve already told you all, that is unequivocally untrue. My sister’s sex life is no one else’s business, and has nothing to do with her going missing, but blaming Jasmine’s dad . . .’ She shook her head. ‘How do you think Jasmine would feel, hearing that her own father was being blamed for taking her? Please, share your messages of support for Murphy, using the hashtag “#JusticeForMurphy”.’

Con grabbed Gabriella’s shoulder, trying to pull her out of her seat, but she knocked his hand away.

‘We should go,’ said Con.

‘I’m not gonna be bullied,’ said Gabriella. ‘Besides, you’re the one who said she’s hiding something. I bet she’s hiding more.’

‘I’m streaming this live because I have something else to share . . . you see, since the discovery of those condoms in my sister’s room, we’ve seen police resources used to falsely arrest an innocent man and, what’s more, the detectives responsible for finding our girls have come here, to my house, to ask about those condoms again. As though having sex is some dirty thing, and that’s the reason for Cierra going missing. We are women: we own our bodies. It is normal for us to have sex!’

She tapped the screen, switching to the back camera, angling her phone towards Con and Gabriella. ‘Say hello to Detective Badenhorst and Detective Pakinga. My sister has been missing for thirty-six hours and they’re chasing up condoms. If anyone out there knows how to lodge complaints against dodgy police, please let me know in the comments.’

‘We know Madison is hiding something from us,’ called Gabriella suddenly, addressing the camera. ‘Someone out there knows what it is. We need to know what Madison isn’t telling us. Don’t be afraid: come forward and let us know. Help us find the girls.’

Madison gasped, furious, and switched the camera back onto herself. ‘See? They want to turn us against each other. Just tonight I’ve heard them accuse our teacher’s assistant, Mr Jack Michaels, of being involved. There are thirty eye witnesses to vouch that he didn’t take them. He was the one who actually found Miss Ellis, wounded on the trail. Don’t let them make up another suspect. Justice for Murphy! Justice for Jack! Bring our girls home!’

Con pulled Gabriella away and down the hall, before she could say anything more. ‘Why the hell did you do that?’ he demanded as they left the house, desperate to get out of there.