‘And where would Ava go?’

‘Back to Melbourne to visit her friends.’

‘Did she seek funds for the home when she went back?’

‘She was just visiting friends.’

‘Do you know how Ava was able to pay for the home?’

‘A charity helped out. St John of God.’

‘Do you know why that particular charity chose to fund a girls’ home in the middle of country Tasmania?’

‘Ava was clever like that. She could be very persuasive when it came to the welfare of the girls.’

‘We’ve been unable to find Ava’s records for the home as of yet. Financials, fostering or adoption records for the children who passed through, that kind of thing. Do you know where the files might be?’

O’Brien looked unconcerned. ‘In a cabinet at her house, I’d say. Maybe in her quilting room?’

‘Do you know where the children she fostered came from?’

‘The government sent them. Why all these questions about the girls from the home? Do you believe they had something to do with Ava’s death?’

Jake sidestepped the question. ‘When your sister moved here to Dunton, you followed?’

‘We were each other’s only family.’

‘How did you make a living?’

‘Once I moved here I did whatever came along—farm labour, manual labour, driving trucks and the like. I may not look it now, but I was once young and fit, y’know.’

‘And what did you do in Melbourne before you moved here?’

‘I was a gardener.’

‘You said Ava dedicated her whole life to looking after the girls at the home.’ Jake looped the conversation back.

‘Yes.’

‘Did your sister have a background in medicine?’

‘Not that I know of. But she took good care of those children.’

‘And you? Do you have any medical training?’

O’Brien’s expression didn’t so much as flicker. He merely shook his head.

Jake judged his lack of surprise at the question to be disingenuous. While there were no hints so far of Ava’s brother having been involved in either her death or what had been done to Amelia, Jake felt something was amiss. Apart from anything else, O’Brien had had greater access to both his sister and the girls’ home than any other adult. He wondered how he could exert pressure on O’Brien.

‘Liam,’ Kelly said, extending his hand across the table, ‘thanks for coming in today. That’s been very useful.’

He wouldn’t get the chance today, apparently. Think fast, Hunter. ‘Yes, thank you, we really appreciate it,’ he said. ‘I know this must be a difficult time for you. Would you like me to pick you up at ten a.m. tomorrow and drive you to the hospital to identify Ava?’

‘Good idea,’ Kelly said. ‘Hunter needs to head there anyway, and it will save you driving, Liam.’

‘If you think it’s a good idea, certainly.’

*

‘How’re you going?’ Jake asked Murphy in a break between interviews.

‘Fine.’ The constable’s tone said anything but.

‘What have you got so far?’

‘Erm …’

‘Were you listening in to the interview?’