‘I thought we could work together, Forest,’ called Davey. ‘I guess not. Now I’ve really got to get out of town.’

‘Davey,’ called Forest. ‘I didn’t call the cops, it’s just me and Mack! Let us out of here. Mack can help us with the Blackbeard problem! You owe me.’

‘Davey. Davey, please . . . please . . .’ said Mackerel.

There was no response, just the sound of footsteps running away.

Mackerel held his phone in his hand, wondering who to call, still reeling.

‘You’re sure it’s Davey?’ he said suddenly. Maybe the boy had made a mistake in the dark of the shed.

‘Of course I’m sure,’ said Forest wearily. ‘His photo is everywhere in Ivy’s house. But there’s a big cut on his forehead, runs from here to here,’ said Forest, pointing it out on his own head. ‘Doesn’t look like it’s been stitched up properly.’

From Mackerel’s diving knife.

Davey had been the assailant in Devils Kitchen?

That’s why he left the ladder for me.

‘But why would he fake his death and then come to you?’ said Mackerel.

‘Because he had something to do with my abduction, and he knows that I know,’ said Forest.

‘You think he had something to do with you and your parents going missing? Bullshit. Not Davey. There’s no way. No way.’

‘He did, Mackerel. He had something to do with it.’

‘You’re lying. You’ve no idea what you’re talking about. Davey is . . . He wouldn’t . . .’

‘Then why did he fake his death the moment I returned?’

‘Because of Blackbeard?’

No, that doesn’t quite make sense. There’s something I’m missing.

‘Who the hell is this Blackbeard?’ said Forest.

‘The real question is: what happened to you?’ Mackerel’s voice rose. ‘All those years you were missing?’

Forest flinched away, then shook his head. ‘Please. Not you, Mack. You’re the only one I can trust. Don’t turn on me.’

‘I’m not turning on you, I just want to know!’

‘I can’t tell you. Please, Mack. Please don’t be like them . . .’

‘Okay . . . okay, I’m sorry . . .’

Mackerel stopped himself from saying more. He tried to put himself in Forest’s shoes right now. A dead man had just made himself known to him . . .

‘How did he let you know to meet him here? Do you have some way of contacting him?’

‘No.’

‘C’mon, kid! My brother is alive! I need to talk to him!’

‘Just tell the police, then!’

Mackerel laughed, but it was humourless. ‘We can’t tell the police.’

‘Why not?’ said Forest with genuine confusion.

So Forest truly had no idea about the Business. That should’ve been comforting, but right then it just made everything harder.