Manolis expected Sparrow to emerge from the driver’s seat. He felt decidedly underdressed when he saw a ponytail bobbing in his direction. She strode confidently and introduced herself as Constable Kate Kerr. She was wearing a navy-blue singlet top tucked into her shorts and had thongs on her feet. Manolis judged her as a few years younger than him, perhaps mid-thirties – much older than Sparrow, who was mid-twenties. She was long-limbed, her legs a rich golden brown, her posture soldier-like, arms taut with dense, corded muscle. She already knew who Manolis was.

‘Thanks for coming out,’ he said warmly.

‘It’s my job,’ she replied, arms folded. ‘Want me to summon the firies? They could be a while, an hour at least.’ Her tone was curt, the lines in her face like warrior paint.

Manolis considered the steaming mess, the hour of night. ‘Let ’em sleep.’

‘Good. You okay, Rexy?’

Rex held up his flask in cheers. ‘Couldn’t be better, love.’ He smiled. ‘How’s ya mum?’

Her face softened, arms falling by her sides. ‘She doesn’t even know who I am anymore,’ she said with a sigh.

‘Bloody dementia,’ Rex said. ‘Cruel way to go. You die twice.’

Manolis caught Kerr’s eye. ‘Constable, may I speak with you privately?’

Rex overheard. ‘Don’t mind me. I’m off to bed anyway, Ma will be wondering where I am. Sorry again about your car, Kojak. This bloody town. You can borrow my truck while you’re here. I barely use it, got nowhere to go anymore.’

Manolis thanked him for his kind offer. Rex shuffled back to his cabin, dragging his right leg. Manolis hoped Kerr would sit on the vacated milk crate, but she stayed standing beneath the moth-encrusted light of the verandah. She re-crossed her arms.

Her facial lines reappeared. ‘Detective, it’s late. Can’t we do this another time? I need to get home.’

Manolis checked his watch – a quarter to four. The sun was still hours away. ‘Have you been up all night?’

‘Don’t act like you care. You don’t even want to be here.’

She’s been briefed, thought Manolis. ‘Who told you that? I was born in Cobb, you know.’ ‘I know. So was I.’

Manolis didn’t remember her. ‘Your family name isn’t familiar.’

‘Well I don’t remember your family either,’ Kerr snapped. ‘You left, remember. Not me.’

‘And your civic loyalty is to be admired, Constable. Really it is. But all I wanted to ask you about was the deceased.’

She cocked her head to one side. ‘Hasn’t anyone briefed you? What about your boss in the city?’

‘He has, but very little. And I suspect I’m only here because he saw the place of birth on my employment record.’

‘You’re coming to the station in the morning, right?’

Manolis nodded. ‘I am.’

‘So what do you want to know now? In two minutes. It’s late.’