Mackenzie had come over to listen, the gold chain back around his neck, and he put his arm around Ahab’s shoulders. The older man was completely still, shock in his face.

‘When she died, I was confused, lost. I thought I was . . . claiming someone else’s life. With everything that’s happened . . . you’ve lost everything,’ said Forest. ‘I’ve ruined it all.’

‘No,’ said Mackenzie. ‘You haven’t. Blackbeard is dead – you’re safe.’ In a lower voice, he said, ‘Could it be true? Could he really be Forest Dempsey?’

Ahab shook his head, shrugging Mackenzie’s arm off him, trying to regain his composure.

‘The cave,’ he said, taking a big breath to still himself. ‘The Bone Cave will change everything. The Business.’

Mackenzie gave him a confused look.

‘We found a cave, out in the ocean,’ said Forest. ‘It’s full of bones, artefacts.’

‘They’re ancient, Mackenzie,’ said Ahab. ‘Who knows what they mean for the history of this place. But it’ll have to be protected. That will change Shacktown. The tourists . . . the fishing . . .’

‘You’re right, it’ll make the Business unviable,’ said Mackenzie. ‘It’s perfect. And Dempsey Abalone belongs to you . . . Forest. You’ll never need anything ever again. We’re here. We’ll help you.’

Then his face darkened. ‘Davey won’t like it.’

CHAPTER 59

MACKENZIE

The fire helped warm them up enough to ride back. It would’ve been dangerous to attempt it while they were still cold and wet – between the Black Wind and the rush of wind from the speeding bikes, the risk of hypothermia would have been all too real. At least the next band of rain hadn’t hit yet, but they could see it on the horizon.

As it was, he was worried about all the blood Forest had lost – Davey’s attempt to kill the boy might yet succeed. Ahab had cauterised that ragged stump where his foot used to be with the fire, but he needed an ambulance and fast. He’d offered to let Forest ride with him, but Ahab had found some strange second wind and his protectiveness over the boy was fierce, so he was sharing his bike.

The boy. The true Forest Dempsey? Seeing him now, filled out since that first day in the hospital, his hair now lightened by the sun, his face freckled and tanned . . .

Mackenzie knew that Jesse had been a bastard, but he’d never believed the rumours he’d dosed his own boy with ice . . . He should have done more to protect his nephew back then, rather than turning a blind eye. How much responsibility was on his shoulders? A child suffering from drug-induced psychosis . . . the lifelong trauma that would follow . . .