He wiped bleary eyes and forced another smile onto his face.

When I was in prison, I was in control. I was like a caged dog, but I had everything I wanted. Everyone respected me, I was rich . . .

Now I’m still like a caged dog, but I’ve got fuck-all to show for it.

His smile was so tight it hurt. A single slow tear rolled down from the corner of his eye.

I’m trying. Can anybody see that I’m trying?

Big Mane’s footsteps rumbled down the corridor, and his big frame burst into the room without knocking. He had the weathered face of a fisherman, but it was flushed with excitement in a way Mack had never seen. His phone was in his hand.

‘Mate! You’re not gonna believe it. They’ve found your cousin! They found Forest!’

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you to my personal trinity: Haylee, Ali and Jojo.

Haylee Nash, my agent. Feels like I’m well on my way to my dreams coming true, and it’s all because of you.

Ali Watts, my publisher. For being the James Bond, Mother Teresa, Danny Ocean and Oprah Winfrey behind this book. Thanks for the fairytale.

Johannes Jakob, my editor. Because of your craft, consolation, collaboration and coaching, you’ve made the editing journey incredible from start to finish.

To the Holy Trinity. As always, as onwards. JC, Big G, Holy G.

Dan Anstey, for giving me the advice that got my head back in the game: ‘Concentrate on pursuing the talent that got you there. That’s why people like you, and that’s what’ll keep you focused, successful and give you a sense of purpose. That’s what it’s about.’

Jack, my secret police contact, for your advice, experience, and teaching me about search and rescues in the Tiers.

Diana Cohen, for my first job with at-risk youth, for teaching me the effects and chaos of trauma, and for not firing me when that kid nearly cut his finger off with a chisel.

Shovel, my tattooist, for allegedly teaching me about bush cannabis and allegedly teaching me how to grow and sell it, during those long chats under the needle.

Constable Cooper, for answering my questions about Tasmania Police and detectives, and for helping me out when those women tried to break into my car ‘because they thought it was theirs’.

Kevin Young, owner of the local, for taking the time to read and give feedback on the manuscript, and then calling to let me know that you’d sent it through to Deb McGowan at PRH for her thoughts. I’ll never forgot that moment when I said, ‘I don’t know who Deb is,’ and you replied, ‘Yes you do, she was in your mother’s wedding’.