Eliza gestured for the nurse to lead the way. When they reached the door of Jack’s room, she paused. ‘I’m sorry, sir, but at this stage . . . everyone is a suspect. Police procedure. You’ll need to wait outside.’ She used her stern teacher’s voice. ‘And please don’t try to listen in, okay, sir? I don’t want to arrest you for obstruction. This is an active, uh, homicide investigation.’

The nurse nodded uneasily. Eliza fixed him with a stare, nodded once very professionally, and walked inside.

Jack was on the bed, a bandage around his side, an IV in his arm, a cannula in his nose. He was sweating, his eyes bloodshot, his face faintly blue.

When he tried to sit up he winced. ‘Eliza . . . did they find ’em?’ His words were slurred and muffled.

‘I’m so sorry . . . I nearly killed you,’ Eliza whispered, crouched down beside his bed. ‘I’m so sorry.’

‘Where are the d-detectives?’ he said. His teeth chattered.

‘They’re on their way. Look, Jack,’ Eliza said, ‘you said that the girls planned the disappearance?’

‘No!’ he said, trying to sit up again. ‘I don’t! I didn’t! D-don’t tell anyone!’

‘Jack,’ said Eliza, glancing back at the door. She leaned closer to his ear. ‘What does Madison have over you?’

‘Wh-what are you talkin’ about?’ stammered Jack, breathing heavy. His eyelids fluttered and he fell back.

‘Madison drew you into this, didn’t she?’ she said. ‘She blackmailed you?’

‘How . . . Wh-what did she tell you?’ said Jack.

‘Tell me what it is. I can help you,’ insisted Eliza, hating herself for what she was doing, but knowing it was necessary. To steel herself she thought of her niece. ‘Was she going to expose you and Jasmine?’

‘What . . . what do you know about – You told Murphy?’

Eliza tapped her tongue against the back of her teeth. ‘Jack —’

The door flew open and Con strode into the room. ‘Michaels. You’re awake. Good.’ He crossed his arms. ‘I need you to tell me the truth.’

‘I . . . I dunno —’

‘Don’t bullshit me, Jack,’ said Con. ‘You were found with the possessions of two of the missing girls, and you were sleeping with one of them.’

‘Detective, please,’ said the nurse, stepping in behind him. ‘Be gentle.’

‘Well? Georgia’s blood is on your hands. Will you help us find the others?’

Jack grimaced and writhed on the bed. ‘Or are you just making it all up, to save yourself? You were found where we suspect the girls were last. You were sleeping with one of the missing. You were up the mountain, the day they went missing.’

Jack moaned. He trembled, shaking his head, tears rolling down his cheeks.

‘Mr Michaels?’ said the nurse, rushing to his side. He checked the digital readout of his vitals. ‘Please, detectives, I need you to step outside.’