They were just heading inside Overeem’s Dive Centre when a car came to a stop in the pedestrian zone. Out hopped Mackenzie, doing that awkward stumble-run he did when he was in a hurry. ‘Forest!’ he yelled.

When he reached them, he dipped his head to Ahab. Zeus strained at his leash to reach Mackerel, tail wagging so much his whole body was moving.

‘Sorry, Ahab. It’s just that Ivy is going crazy looking for him. She nearly told the police, that’s how worried she is.’

‘He’s safe with me,’ said Ahab.

‘Right,’ said Mackenzie. ‘Sure. But . . . Forest, can you get in the car?’

‘No,’ said Forest, pulling Zeus back. ‘I’m learning to dive with Ahab.’

‘What? Why?’

‘Forest,’ Ahab held out a twenty-dollar note, ‘go order yourself something from the café inside. Mackenzie and I need to have a chat.’

Forest’s glare sent some unspoken message to Mackenzie, who flinched, and then he trotted towards the café, Zeus at his heels.

Ahab beckoned Mackenzie closer. ‘What the hell is going on between you two? Don’t even think about lying to me.’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ said Mackenzie.

‘Yes, you do. I saw that look between you two.’

Mackenzie fidgeted.

‘Look up,’ said Ahab. ‘Mackenzie, look at me, son. We’re on the same side.’

‘I know we are,’ said Mackenzie, but struggled to maintain eye contact.

‘Tell me, lad.’

‘I promised I wouldn’t tell.’

Now he made eye contact. Ahab felt a thrill – here, at last, an opening.

‘Forest told you something, didn’t he?’ He gripped Mackenzie’s arms. ‘Tell me!’

‘No. I made a promise . . . you’re the one who taught me to be a man of my word,’ said Mackenzie. ‘Please.’

‘Tell me,’ said Ahab. ‘It could be life and death for Forest!’

‘What?’ His fervour startled Mackenzie, who pulled away. ‘No, it’s okay, Ahab, it’s not about Blackbeard wanting something from him.’

‘What? How do you know about that?’ said Ahab.

Mackenzie’s face went red. He tried to stammer something, but now Ahab took a step closer, anger building. ‘What do you know, Mackenzie?’

‘Leave him alone, Ahab,’ said Forest – Ahab hadn’t even heard him return. That was something to keep an eye on.

‘What the hell is going on here?’ said Ahab.

‘Ahab . . .’ began Mackerel.

‘I heard you, last night,’ said Forest. ‘Ivy was right – you did wake me up.’

‘You heard . . .?’ said Ahab.

‘About Blackbeard. About how he wants something from me.’ Forest had moved so that he now stood between Ahab and Mackerel, as though protecting the bigger man. ‘So I went to Mackerel, to ask him who Blackbeard is. Why he’s after me. So now I know all about Davey’s drug business.’

‘You told him?’ shouted Ahab, turning on Mackenzie. People turned at the sound of his voice.