Inside the station was another crowd of people, some that he recognised from the community. At the sight of him, their phone cameras came out.

Tom North leapt out of a chair and planted himself in front of him. ‘Murphy, you have to confess,’ he said urgently. ‘Admit what you did. Tell them you took the girls —’

‘Excuse me, mate.’ Detective Coops pushed Tom roughly out of the way, leading Murphy down a long corridor and into the same interview room as before.

Waiting at the table was Con Badenhorst. He took in everything about Murphy in a single glance. ‘Take a seat.’

‘I’ll wait in the office, Con,’ said Coops, as he closed the door behind him.

Murphy took a seat, perched on the edge of the chair. ‘What’s going on?’

‘How are you feeling?’ said Con. ‘After last night, after what happened with Jack?’

‘As if you care how I’m feeling. Why have you brought me here? To interrogate me some more?’ demanded Murphy. ‘My lawyer’s gone back to Hobart, but one phone call and Dave will be right back here.’

‘I’m not here to interrogate you. I just want your advice. You were there last night,’ said Con. ‘You heard what Jack said: Madison planned it. You’re not on my list of suspects anymore, Murphy.’

Murphy hesitated, studying Con’s face. ‘So why am I here?’

‘Obviously something went wrong with Madison’s plan. Georgia is dead, Bree didn’t take her backpack from the Fisherman’s Hut either, whereas Jasmine and Cierra’s bags were missing. That makes me think those two did get to the Fisherman’s Hut, but maybe someone took them afterwards. But who? And why? Or are they just hiding somewhere? Is Bree?’

He shrugged expansively.

‘But you were with Eliza today. So can you help me make sense of this new wildcard: the allegation that Eliza was sleeping with Cierra. Do you believe it?’

‘Not for a second,’ said Murphy instantly. Remembering a twinge of pain in his balls from Eliza’s knee, he quickly added, ‘Not that I know anything about her sexuality. She could be bi, for all I know. And that would be okay! I mean, sleeping with a student is not okay. But, you know, she can sleep with whoever else she wants. But she wouldn’t sleep with a student. I don’t know what her sexuality is —’

‘Okay, okay,’ said Con, raising his hand. ‘But you were at her house earlier. Why?’

Murphy considered lying, but made a split-second decision to be honest with Con. ‘Madison sent someone to tell me she was sleeping with Cierra. I wanted to warn Eliza – I knew she’d get crucified.’

Con studied Murphy. ‘Are you aware that Eliza has admitted it?’

‘What? Bullshit.’