‘So he has told you. I wonder why? But yes, he’s an imposter.’

He felt like the earth fell away from him. Ivy knew he wasn’t the real Forest? How?

‘Imagine what would happen to that boy,’ said Ivy, rising to her feet, putting her knitting on the seat, ‘if Blackbeard finds out he isn’t the real Forest. He will kill him.’

‘How do you know he’s not the real Forest?’ said Ahab.

‘Forest and Alexandra have been dead for years,’ said Ivy. ‘You think I wouldn’t know what happened to my own grandson?’ She wiped away the tears that had formed on her otherwise stone-cold face. ‘Don’t worry, Jesse paid for what he did. I made sure of it. But now, if Blackbeard wants Shacktown, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep it from him. Including keeping his secret.’ She cocked her head towards the house, meaning the fake Forest. ‘But if it gives me the chance to put a knife in Blackbeard’s heart, I’ll kill the boy myself and hand him to that pirate on a platter.’

The boy appeared at the door, Zeus at his side. He had been listening, and Ahab saw that he had turned deathly pale.

‘Ahab?’ The boy’s voice sounded strangled.

Ivy smiled warmly. ‘Hello, Forest.’

‘So you don’t care for the boy?’ said Ahab.

‘Of course I do,’ said Ivy. ‘Back inside, Forest.’

‘I don’t think so,’ said the boy. He stepped closer to Ahab. ‘I think I’ll be staying at the Mermaid’s Darling for a while.’

What? No, Ahab didn’t need to be babysitting a conman.

Ivy smiled. ‘If that’s what you want. But you’ll be back.’ She picked up her knitting and sat back down. ‘Ahab can’t protect you like I can. Don’t forget to go to Frankie’s on your way – if you don’t, the police will want to know why.’

Ahab’s knees felt weak. He walked quickly to his ute.

The boy and the dog followed.

‘What are you doing?’ said Ahab. ‘Go back.’

‘I’m staying with you.’

‘No, you’re not,’ snarled Ahab, walking around to the driver’s side.

‘I can tell you the truth,’ said the boy in a low voice. ‘That’s what you want, isn’t it? I’ll tell you what happened. If you protect me.’

‘We already had a deal once. As though I could believe anything you say.’

‘No, but there might be someone else you’ll believe,’ said the boy. He opened the passenger door and jumped in, Zeus settling beside him.

‘Get out,’ said Ahab, coming around to that side of the car and pulling open the door.

‘Get in and listen to me. If it isn’t what you want to hear, I promise I’ll go back to Ivy.’