She obeyed, handing over the notes. Mackerel chased after the homeless guy. ‘Hey, brother.’

The man turned, wary, and Mackerel showed him the cash. ‘I’ll buy your phone off you.’

The man nodded wearily. This wasn’t a completely abnormal request for someone on the street. After ensuring Mackerel memorised the passcode, he wished him well and the money disappeared into his pocket.

Mackerel breathed easier. Three hundred bucks for an ancient, cracked Samsung. But at least now Shelby had a burner phone she could use. It wasn’t worth the risk for Mackerel to source one for himself – it was against his bail conditions for him to have more than one phone.

‘There’s this saying,’ he explained to her. ‘Two phones and you’re a businessman, three phones and you’re a drug dealer.’

‘Okay,’ said Shelby, eyes on the screen. She opened a browser and tapped away. ‘Do you have any idea how we can buy a houseboat without anyone knowing?’

‘What?’

‘I want to buy this liveaboard converted ferry.’

She put the phone on the table and twisted it around so he could see it.

‘And . . . why are you going to do that?’

‘It’s advertised down at Fortescue Bay. Listen: “Old and rickety, not good for much. It’s the old Isle of the Dead ferry from Port Arthur.” Some bloke converted it into a houseboat years ago and now it’s falling apart. We own a block down there with its own jetty – it’s barely ten minutes from Shacktown. Davey and I were gonna set up a little retreat there for ourselves, or for Kane to use when he’s older and wants to throw wild parties. We can moor the boat there.’

‘Why do you want a houseboat?’

Shelby glanced off across the water. ‘Because it’ll make a good lab.’

‘Oh,’ said Mackerel. ‘Of course.’ He slammed his fork down a little too hard.

She sighed. ‘What are you upset about now?’

‘Nothing,’ said Mackerel.

‘Why are you sulking? Did you think I was going to cook it in the rumpus room at Homeward?’

‘No,’ said Mackerel. ‘I didn’t.’

‘Then what?’ said Shelby.

‘I’m not upset with you, okay!’ he said. ‘It’s just that . . . I shouldn’t have dragged you into this. Setting up a lab – if the cops don’t catch you first, what will happen if Blackbeard finds out you can cook?’

He realised he was rambling and took a drink from his coffee to stop himself. He wanted a beer, but reminded himself that he wasn’t drinking anymore.

‘Let’s make one thing clear, Mackerel Dempsey. You did not drag me into anything. I’m here of my own free will.’ She fixed him with a convincing stare. ‘Now, tell me what will happen if Blackbeard finds out I can cook?’

Mackerel held his tongue. It wouldn’t do to scare her. ‘Let’s just go home,’ he said.