CRYSTAL BROOK PRIMARY SCHOOL IS ALMOST ENTIRELY CAMOUFLAGED by gums. The twists and turns of the unwieldy building seem to accommodate the tree trunks and native shrubbery rather than the other way around. There are only four cars parked out front: two Toyotas, a Ford ute and a tired-looking Holden, hardly the fancy specimens always parked in front of Amy and Kate’s school. No cops, which might just mean they’re slow to move—or, thinks Oli grimly, it might mean they already know Nicole’s little girl is dead.

Oli pulls open the heavy front door and strides confidently toward the reception area, tossing her long blonde hair over her shoulder as she looks past the worn partition. Cooper stands to her left, repeatedly lacing his fingers. A young woman in jeans and a lemon-coloured jumper is rustling through a filing cabinet, humming loudly to an Usher song on the radio.

‘Hello. My name is Sarah Finlayson.’ Oli speaks loudly, using her trusty old fake name. ‘From the Education Department.’

The girl startles and promptly drops two folders. Her fringe is set in a thick curve above her wideset eyes, giving her a distinctly churchy look. ‘Oh!’ She looks at Oli and looks at the folders. ‘Um.’ She bites her lip.

‘You can get those.’

The girl squats to pick them up, her face flushed. ‘I’m Hayley. Did you say you’re from the Education Department?’

‘Yes, that’s right,’ Oli says primly. ‘We’re here to inquire about a student. Evie Maslan.’ Oli speaks briskly and flits her eyes impatiently around the room.

‘Evie Maslan?’ Hayley’s face lights up, then drops. ‘Why, what’s happened?’

‘Evie is ten, correct?’

Hayley looks from Cooper to Oli. ‘Ah, yes, ten or eleven.’

‘Must be her,’ Oli murmurs, letting her gaze rest on the wall before whipping her eyes back to Hayley, who straightens her shoulders in response. ‘Is Evie in class right now?’

Hayley shakes her head. ‘She doesn’t go to school here.’

Cooper flips out his iPad and starts typing. ‘Do you know which school she attends?’ His voice is several notes deeper than normal. ‘I’m Clark Wayne,’ he adds, clearing his throat.

‘Her mother homeschools her, but she’s linked to our community so attends our events occasionally. Please, can you tell me what’s happened?’

‘I’m sorry,’ Oli says, ‘we really can’t discuss it. Have you met her parents?’

Hayley’s hand goes to fiddle with her necklace. ‘I met Natalie a few times. She’s nice.’

‘Mmmmm.’ Cooper acts as if this piece of information is fascinating.

Oli gives him a sharp look, and he busies himself with clearing his throat again.

‘Should I get the principal?’ Hayley squeaks. ‘I can call him?’