Murphy was on his feet, standing over Madison. ‘Where is Jasmine?’ He looked fierce, blood in his beard, his clothes torn and filthy.

‘I don’t know . . .’ said Madison. ‘But Miss Ellis didn’t know, either. I think that means she’s safe.’

‘You have to find her!’

‘I c-can’t. We have to wait for her to contact us.’

Con came over and kneeled by the girl. ‘What about Cierra? Are they together?’ said Con.

‘They’re supposed to be,’ said Madison. She trembled, and whispered, ‘I want my mum.’

Con looked towards the trees. ‘Okay, Madison. You’re okay.’ She clung to him, weak on her knees, and he helped her to her feet. ‘We’ll get you away from here.’

They walked up the dirt track, back to where they’d parked the car. Con had called the commander on the drive there, the moment Gabriella had received the directions from Jack Michaels, and he knew she would be waiting for an update.

The screen on Murphy’s phone was cracked, but it still worked.

‘Con! Are you okay?’ said Agatha.

He gave her a brief rundown, adding, ‘I don’t know where Gabriella and Eliza are, but they’re both armed. We’ve heard gunshots. We need the chopper here now. How far away is back-up?’

‘Doble’s thrown a massive spanner in the works. He’s used all his crooked buddies here to run interference: saying you’re unhinged, that I’m out of my depth. I’ve finally managed to get things moving, but the squad cars have only just left. Once I regain the situation, he is finished. What kind of state is Madison in?’

‘She’ll survive.’

‘Be kind to her, Cornelius,’ said Agatha, hearing his tone. ‘She’s still just a child.’

He looked over at Madison walking alongside him, staring straight ahead. She was clearly in shock from the trauma. Despite everything, she had helped to pull Murphy off the edge of the cliff, had probably saved his life.

Just a child. What a world we live in now, that a child with a camera can cause all of this carnage.

‘I assume I’m back on this case now?’

‘Don’t be smart with me, detective, it doesn’t suit you. Wait for back-up.’

‘Okay.’

The commander sighed expansively. ‘Cornelius, I know you’re not really listening and are likely going to go and give back-up to Gabriella the moment I hang up. Please make sure Madison is safe first, and get Murphy to stay put too. We can’t afford any more civilian casualties in all of this.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’

‘I’ll be in touch.’

Con hung up the phone and handed it back to Murphy. Madison had gone quiet, retreating into herself.

Gunshots in the trees. Shouting.