‘When will I be able to go back to Shacktown?’ he said. ‘To stay with Davey and Shelby?’

‘I don’t know, sorry. I can try and find out for you. It’ll be up to Dr Joseph, and Ivy as well, as your guardian. She’s paid for some special rooms here in Hobart for you, with twenty-four seven support. Much better than Shacktown. Less dangerous. Why do you want to go back to Shacktown?’

‘I want to stay with family,’ he said. ‘I don’t like it here.’

‘Why don’t you like it here, Forest?’

‘I feel trapped.’

‘Mmmm. I’d probably feel trapped too, I guess that’s a normal feeling. Can I ask what makes you feel trapped?’

‘Four walls and a locked door,’ he said evenly. He took a long drink of the milkshake.

Frankie drank hers more slowly, still observing him.

He wiped his mouth. ‘This is very good. Thank you. Can I speak to Ivy?’

‘Yes, of course,’ said Frankie. ‘She’ll be in tomorrow morning.’

‘She’s staying nearby? I’d like to see her tonight.’ And get you out of my room.

‘I’m sorry, but it’s been a big day for her too. She said she doesn’t want to be disturbed. She’s an old woman who needs some rest. She’ll be here first thing in the morning. Unless it’s urgent? I’m not sure what it’ll do to her health if we wake her up, but I suppose if it’s urgent . . .’ She put her milkshake to the side and pulled out her phone.

‘No. No, it’s not urgent.’

‘Okay.’ She put her phone back in her pocket, but left her milkshake where it was. ‘Is there anything you’d like to talk to me about?’ She put her hands lightly in her lap.

Enough of this.

Forest’s glass fell out of his hands, smashing onto the floor. Pink milk went everywhere, thick with unmelted ice-cream.

He leapt to his feet, knocking over his chair with a crash. ‘I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!’

Zeus leapt from the bed and began to lick the milk up.

Forest pulled him back, not wanting the dog to lick up shards of glass.

Frankie calmly rose to her feet and headed into the bathroom for a towel. ‘It’s okay, Forest.’

The door flew open and Detective De Corrado stood there, pushing her jacket away from her gun holster. ‘What is it? What happened?’

‘He dropped his milkshake, detective,’ said Frankie with a raise of her eyebrows.

‘What? You mean he actually —’ De Corrado stopped herself before she finished her thought.

He’d actually what?

‘I think he scared himself,’ Frankie said meaningfully, then nodded to him. ‘Do you need me to stay, or would you like me to leave?’

She suspected I’d drop the glass. She knew I’d want to end the conversation!