Fergus folded his big hands on the table and his face was grave. His fingers were fat as sausages. His hands red as his hair. ‘He kept some of his drugs down there too, Miki. Did you know about that?’

How could she have known?

‘And he had a house in Hobart where he’s been preparing his product for sale: a drug lab with irrigation and drying rooms for marijuana. Leon found his plantation in the forest the other day. We’ve found links to a drug-trafficking ring.’

Miki felt everything piling on her like clouds on the mountains. Fergus began listing the charges against Kurt. Drug-related offences. Assault. Intent to murder—Leon had made a statement from hospital about how Kurt had shot at him many times, trying to kill him. Arson, for setting fire to the shop by igniting the fryer.

By the time Fergus finished, Miki was exhausted. Her vision was blurry, and Fergus’s uniform shimmered in the bright light of Geraldine’s kitchen. She was about to excuse herself so she could lie down and rest, but then Fergus reached into his satchel and drew something out: her three books and Father’s black leather folder.

She stared at the folder, a sudden fluttering in her heart. Fergus had surprised her after all—she had thought these things were gone. He placed the books and folder on the table and pushed them towards her. ‘We found them in the storeroom.’

Miki couldn’t examine the folder while Fergus was there, so she thanked him quietly. Somehow it was important to appear calm, even though she was in turmoil.

Geraldine must have understood. She escorted Fergus to the door, and Miki heard him say, ‘Tell her to call me if she has any questions. It’s probably been quite a shock for her.’

Miki heard Geraldine return to the kitchen, felt the touch of the woman’s soft hand on her shoulder. ‘I’ll be in the garden if you need me. Take your time.’

The house lapsed into stillness and Miki sat staring at the black folder. She could hear Geraldine’s crystal clock ticking on the mantelpiece, the low grinding hum of the fridge, the background buzz of the fluorescent light in the kitchen.

She lifted her hand and placed it on top of the folder. She’d never touched it before. Both Father and Kurt had locked it away. But she’d always known it was important. With quivering fingers, she slowly unzipped the cover and laid the folder open.