‘What, because she’s so messed up?’

‘What makes you think she’s messed up?’

‘Because of what happened to her.’

‘You’re saying I only like people who are messed up in the head?’

‘Or perhaps it’s the woman in authority you like the idea of. You always like it when I take charge.’

Mary gave him a seductive look.

‘Ugh,’ came Annie’s voice. ‘You two are so disgusting.’

Grant spun around in his seat, his cheeks burning. Annie barged through and went to the fridge, grabbed a can of Coke, then turned back for the door again.

‘Honey, your tea’s here.’

‘It’s ok, Mum. I’ll eat at Susan’s. Thanks though.’

Grant was about to chastise his daughter but when he turned back to Mary he saw she didn’t looked fazed in the slightest. Seconds later Grant heard the front door open and then close.

‘What was that all about?’ Grant asked.

Mary shrugged.

‘So we’ve got the house to ourselves tonight?’ he said.

‘We do.’

‘How about… you know?’

Mary smiled.

‘Perhaps,’ she said. ‘But on one condition.’

‘What condition?’

‘I need you to do something for me first.’

‘Which is?’

‘I want you to go and see Ed Francis.’

Grant deflated, and Mary’s face took on a more serious look.

‘What the hell for?’ Grant asked.

‘Oh, Steven, come on, don’t be like that.’

‘I’m not being like anything. I’m just not sure why you want me to go over there. Has he been snooping again?’

‘He’s always bloody snooping. Three times today I’ve seen him. But there’s no sign of Julie still.’

‘Ah, so that’s it.’

‘What do you mean, that’s it?’

‘The car’s back now,’ Grant said.

‘Yeah, but she’s not.’

‘So you think he’s strangled her and buried her in the garden?’

‘Not funny, Steven. I’m serious. I don’t like him. He’s creepy as hell and he’s up to something. Just go over there, take a look around the house, see if anything’s off.’

‘Yeah, ok. Hi Ed. Oh, hi, Steven, what can I do for you? Oh, you know, just wanted to take a look around your home. See if you’ve left any evidence of you murdering your wife lying around. Oh, right, yeah. Come on in then.’

‘Well that’s good,’ Mary said, sullen now. ‘You’ve rehearsed your lines, so it looks like you’re all set to go.’

She got up from the table and came around and grabbed Grant’s plate.

‘Hey, I’m not finished with that.’

‘You are now.’

She strode over to the bin, flipped the lid and dropped the remains of Grant’s tea into the black bag. Grant opened his mouth to protest but found the restraint to let it go.

‘Well, off you go then,’ Mary said.