‘TJ doesn’t have a family,’ Dean continues. ‘It’s easier for him. He’s got lots of options—TV, or he can go overseas. But there’s no way you want to get involved in a start-up. Take it from someone who knows, it’s a shit ton of work. Way too stressful.’

‘I guess so.’ Heat creeps up her neck, spreading along the side of her face.

Dean puts the last of his fish in his mouth, oblivious to her frustration. ‘God, this is good.’

Oli speaks before she can change her mind. The wine has weakened her usual filter. ‘Did Isabelle have any theories about the Housemate case that she told you about?’

Dean frowns mid-chew. ‘No. She didn’t talk about it. We always kept work pretty separate.’

‘Surely you talked about the big cases she worked on?’ Oli pushes.

‘We really didn’t.’ He clasps his hands, seems to consider whether to say something or not.

‘What?’

He looks pained. ‘Isabelle … She was going to quit. Just before the accident she told me she planned to quit the force and focus on the girls—work until that Christmas, then pull the pin.’

‘Really?’

‘She wasn’t enjoying the strain it put us all under. I think she’d become disillusioned.’

Oli feels uneasy. This revelation doesn’t fit with her impression of Isabelle Yardley, who always seemed so ambitious and in control. ‘And how did you feel about it?’

‘I was supportive of her taking a step back. I thought she worked too hard, and it was affecting her mental health. She was acting oddly at times. The cases were getting to her. I’m actually not sure she was doing a great job, and things were falling over at home too.’

Oli’s jaw clenches. ‘Maybe you should have helped more,’ she says stiffly. ‘It can’t have been easy with the twins.’

His mouth twitches. ‘I did help.’

The adjacent table erupts with laughter again. Oli and Dean sip their wine in silence.

Isabelle was going to quit? Trade being a detective for being a housewife? Oli feels inexplicably annoyed at the dead woman.

‘Anyway, it’s all in the past,’ Dean says. ‘But it is a reminder to keep things in perspective. Work wise. She never got the chance to enjoy the downtime she was craving.’

‘I guess,’ Oli says, feeling distinctly uncomfortable.

The waiter returns, deftly clearing their plates. ‘Dessert?’

‘Absolutely,’ Dean says firmly. He takes the menu and scans the back page. ‘Do you want to share some chocolate cake?’

‘You’ll have some?’

‘Sure, why not.’ He laughs.

‘Are you still taking the girls to Lakes Entrance tomorrow?’

‘Yep, I can’t wait to get out of town for a bit.’ He rubs his hands together. ‘The weather is actually looking pretty good too.’

‘I’m sure they will love it,’ Oli says.

‘Are you sure you can’t come?’