Ahab felt a little bit of his tension dissipate. Of course. The sirens’ curse. With a family curse, coincidences made perfect sense. He shouldn’t read more into it than that. He was going down the wrong path.

There was no way that this boy could be involved in Davey’s death.

Was there?

Ahab moved a finger up to rest against the pulse inside Forest’s wrist. It was pounding. The boy was definitely nervous. ‘Have you ever seen The Princess Bride, Forest?’

Forest frowned. ‘No. Why?’

‘It was one of your father’s favourite movies,’ lied Ahab, feeling for any change in his pulse. ‘He loved the main character, Westley. Also known as the Dread Pirate Roberts.’

He watched Forest’s face.

‘Pirates? I thought Dad hated pirates,’ said Forest.

No sign of recognition.

Of course Forest isn’t working for Blackbeard. You’re being paranoid, old man.

Forest picked up on his mood. He frowned at Ahab, then turned away. Soon he closed his eyes and began to doze, his hand dropping out of Ahab’s grasp.

Why did he have this feeling that he was asking all the wrong questions?

Forest didn’t wake until the ambulance arrived in Hobart. Ahab had squandered his chance.

A thin young woman with curly brown hair greeted them the moment the ambulance doors opened. ‘Forest! Your grandmother is worried sick!’

‘Hello, Frankie,’ said Forest darkly. ‘Can you stay with me, Ahab?’

‘No, he can’t,’ said Frankie. ‘Your grandmother has expressly forbidden it. A good night to you, Ahab.’

Ahab ruffled Forest’s hair. ‘I’ll see you soon, boy. Rest up and hurry back to Shacktown as soon as you can. We’ve all missed you.’

His mind was full of theories and thoughts. The problem with being a Dempsey was that you saw enemies where there were none.

Or maybe he was just rattled because the boy was in worse shape than he thought.

Whoever had done this to him was going to pay.

CHAPTER 18

FOREST

Early the next morning they moved Forest to a new building, on the waterfront in Battery Point, the old and expensive part of Hobart. A new bed, windows that didn’t open. He’d noticed that the mood of the nurses had turned against him after his escape the night before. It was probably best to be moving on. He knew better than to stay where he wasn’t wanted.

This new room was spacious and furnished in antiques and heavy blue curtains. Zeus sprawled across his lap, wide awake. The bed was so big and soft he thought the big dog might sink into it and disappear.

The heavy timber door opened and Frankie stepped inside.

My old nemesis, he thought, his face calm.

Zeus growled softly.

‘Shh,’ said Forest, rubbing him under the chin. ‘I’ll let you bite her later.’

‘Is it okay if I take a seat, Forest?’ said Frankie.