Kelly cleared his throat. ‘Hunter, this is a serious accusation to level against a member of such a prominent local family. How certain are you?’

‘One hundred percent.’

Kelly tapped one finger on the edge of his desk. ‘I didn’t listen to you last time and look how that turned out. Do you have anything concrete?’

‘The pathologist has cross-matched a sample from Max Campbell with the umbilical cord of one of the babies born to a girl from the home, the one I interviewed in Melbourne.’

‘Sorry, Max Campbell?’

‘It’s complicated, but in essence, it seems Max was a close relative of the child twice over.’

‘How does that implicate Mason Campbell?’

‘The father of the child was a close male relative of Max’s, and Mason is the only candidate I know of. Combine that with the fact that he organised for the home to be set up on his land, paid for it, and lived right next door, and I think we have every reason to arrest Mason Campbell for historic crimes against children.’

Kelly stared at Jake for an uncomfortably long time.

‘Let me make a phone call,’ he said finally, ‘then we’ll bring him in.’

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

Dunton, Tasmania

Thursday, 5 p.m.

As Jake drove Kelly to the Campbell estate he couldn’t help but worry at his lack of progress determining who had murdered Ava. While it felt good to be finally making an arrest—and he hoped it would lead to a vile abuser living out the rest of his miserable days behind bars—Mason Campbell couldn’t have carried Ava across the vineyard to dump her body any more than her brother could have.

The way O’Brien had spoken to Campbell in the hospital room suggested they both had reason to be afraid of a third party. But who?

As Jake pulled up in front of the Campbell’s gate, Kelly jumped out to swing it open. The screech as it begrudgingly scraped on rusty hinges sent a discomforting buzz up Jake’s spine.

Max Campbell answered the door and waved them in, then continued speaking into the phone held close to his ear. ‘I have to go. The police are here. Take it easy today, please? Love you. I’ll call you later.’

‘My wife,’ he explained, showing them through to the kitchen. ‘Dad’s in here. Have you found his attacker?’

‘We’re here in relation to something else, Max.’

The blonde man looked askance at Jake’s serious tone as he sat down at the table opposite his father. Jake was struck yet again by the similarity of their silhouettes.

‘What’s happened now?’ Max asked. ‘I have a feeling it means I’m going to be delayed here even longer.’

‘Mr Campbell,’ Jake said to his father. ‘We’re here to speak to you about the girls who used to live in the home next door.’

‘Why?’