They all said that, time and time again. Davey, Mack, even Ivy. They all wanted to believe they had no control over the pain they were bringing into the world. But Shelby did have a choice. She could escape this world, right now, before it was too late. What could he do, though? How could he show her a way out?

Forest was gawping at her, his eyes on the shotgun. ‘Can we go, Ahab?’ His whisper carried to Mackenzie.

Is he right to be afraid?

Shelby stepped closer, her voice cracking. ‘With Davey at my side, I’ll be able to do it. Without Kane . . . But we’re still a family.’ Mackenzie saw it in her eyes – she was terrified. She was grieving. ‘But I won’t be Blackbeard. I won’t have anything to do with that woman. I’ve told them to start calling me Persephone . . . bringer of the Golden Sunshine. Queen of the Underworld.’

‘You don’t have to do this,’ said Mackenzie.

‘Grow up, Mack! What else could I possibly be good for now? My son is dead, I killed my mother-in-law! Maybe this is all I’m good for.’ She gestured to the crew. ‘I’ll take them far away from here. Shacktown will be safe. We’ll leave Tasmania. Ivy had assets like you wouldn’t believe – Tranquil, he knows where and how to use them.’

‘This is bloody stupid, Shelby!’ said Ahab. He looked between her and the sedan, torn.

‘Take Forest and go, Ahab,’ said Mack. ‘I’ll handle this.’

‘No. It’s possible. Me and Davey can do it. Together.’ Shelby’s voice was full of sorrow, but that gave it weight, too. She was scared, but she believed in what she was doing.

Mackenzie felt cold.

He had to save her.

‘Go, Ahab.’

Shelby was in grief and in pain. She was making an irreversible decision, but she wasn’t thinking clearly. She needed time and perspective. But life and death in the drug world moved fast. He understood why she felt she needed to make a decision now.

‘I got you into this . . .’ he murmured. He turned. ‘Ahab, take Forest and get out of here. Keep De Corrado safe.’

‘You can’t let her —’

‘I’ll handle it,’ said Mackenzie. ‘Go, Ahab.’

‘Mack . . . be careful. She’s not . . .’ Forest ran out of words.

Ahab pierced Mackenzie with a stare. ‘You know what you’re doing?’

‘Yeah,’ said Mackenzie. ‘I do.’

Ahab took him at his word. Without looking back, he carried Forest to the car in a hurry and then drove off in a swirl of gravel.

Watching the sedan’s tail-lights disappear down the road, Mackenzie knew Ahab would let De Corrado out as soon as he thought they were a safe distance away.

So did Shelby – she was already gesturing at her crew to get in their vehicles.

‘Meet at the rendezvous point!’