Hugh drank from his ginger beer. ‘Straight to the point, then?’ He tapped his chin for a moment, as though collecting his thoughts. ‘Well, before we begin, I want you to understand that we have more than just a Sunday service here. We have ministries throughout the week, including a Men’s Group, but I also offer one-on-one counselling. Men like Wes come here during the week and we work some stuff out together.’

He gestured towards his degree and accreditation hanging on the wall.

‘Now, there’s one client I’m seeing at the moment. A man who’s . . . quite lost. Usually I am stringent on confidentiality, but in the circumstances I can tell you: Sergeant Doble is a client. Since you’ve brought Murphy along, I suppose you’re aware of Sergeant Doble’s cannabis trade?’

‘So it is true?’ said Con. ‘And nothing’s been done about it?’ Murphy snorted in an altogether too-smug kind of way.

‘It’s a sad rule of life that corrupt police are kept in place by even more corrupt superiors. But it’s also a well-known fact in this town that it’s the Murphy brothers versus Doble in the cannabis trade. I want you to fully understand the gravity of the alibi I’m about to provide, and that I wouldn’t make it up.’

‘What are you talking about?’ said Con.

‘Sergeant Doble didn’t take those girls. I know because on the day they went missing he was here, in this room with me, all morning.’

There was silence.

‘You called me here to tell me Doble didn’t take the girls?’ clarified Con.

‘That’s not all, although it’s important. I felt that eventually the scrutiny would fall on him, and I feel obliged to make sure you have all the facts first.’

‘Doble is getting counselling?’ said Murphy, now very interested in the conversation. ‘What’s troubling his poor little soul?’

‘I will honour his confidence, just like I’ve never told anyone about the subject of all of our sessions together, Murphy.’

Con sensed a trap. ‘You tricked me. You could have told me that in perfect confidence on the phone. But you wanted me away from the station.’

Pastor Hugh grimaced. ‘Come in, Yani, Detective Pakinga.’

The door opened and in walked a young, timid woman with short black hair. Gabriella trailed behind her, eyes dancing.

Con stood up. ‘Gabriella, what are you . . .?’

‘I asked him to call you here,’ she said. ‘I couldn’t risk the commander catching me at the station, but she can’t have a go at me for running into you at church . . .’ She took a seat on the couch, and the young woman sat beside her. ‘I didn’t think you’d bring Murphy.’

Con sighed. ‘Are you trying to lose your job?’ He turned on Pastor Hugh. ‘And what are you doing, playing her games?