‘Find them somewhere to hide. Drop their bags up at Fisherman’s Hut. Gonna camp there for a while . . . pick them up and drive them to a farmhouse in Ridgley . . .’

‘But they weren’t there when you came,’ said Con.

‘Detective, I think this time he really does need to rest,’ said the nurse.

Jack’s eyes were closed but he continued to speak. ‘Jasmine and Cierra’s bags, nowhere to be seen . . . would’ve been on the town side, or mountain side . . . would’ve . . . would’ve found them by now . . . someone has taken them.’

‘Two backpacks. If Georgia died before she made it, that explains her bag being there,’ said Gabriella. ‘If Bree didn’t take her bag . . . where is she?’

‘I don’t know. The SES are now searching exclusively around Lake Mackenzie, and between there and Lake Nameless,’ said Con, watching the nurses bustle around Jack. ‘Our next step is to call Madison’s parents.’

‘No!’ shouted Jack, lurching forward. ‘She’ll ruin my life! She’ll ruin yours too, detective!’ He started coughing and couldn’t stop. Blood fell on his chest.

‘Out, everyone out!’ hissed the nurse, bustling them out into the corridor.

Eliza followed Con and Gabriella out. Con was already on his phone, stalking down the corridor towards an exit to a courtyard, Gabriella close behind him, shaking her head as she came to grips with the new information.

Eliza’s legs grew weak and she rested against the wall.

Please be okay, Jack. Either way, it was out now. And I’ll become Public Enemy Number One. Not that I deserve any better.

At least she could hope that, when it all played out, Madison wouldn’t know that Eliza had corroborated Jack’s story . . .

As though summoned by the thought, there came the sound of high heels clipping down the tiled floor.

‘Hello, Miss Ellis.’

It was Madison Mason. Her hair and make-up were perfect, and she wore a green, high-end vintage jacket, starched and stiff around the collar, with an albatross brooch.

Eliza straightened. ‘Madison —’

‘I heard Mr Michaels was shot. I was worried. I made Mum drive me here. Because I had to check.’ Madison’s lips pursed even as her eyes moved towards the doorway of Jack’s room. A doctor bustled through there, and another nurse came rushing out. ‘But if you’re here, now things make sense.’

‘Madison, please, before you say anything —’