And then there was a moment of clarity. Noelene sat up straight, rigid. She blew her nose and wiped her tear-streaked face. ‘It’s her fault!’ she said.

‘Whose fault?’ said Bob, distracted.

‘The detective!’

CHAPTER 34: NO WINNERS

CHAPTER 34

NO WINNERS

Pip cancelled a meeting so she could meet me at the Magistrates’ Court. In deference to her rank, the detectives conducting interviews and taking statements gave us some space. John and Maureen had been taken away in separate police cars. I was not allowed to go with them. I took deep breaths to calm myself, fighting the waves of sorrow and frustration at a broken system that gives justice to those who can afford it and leaves others to find their own.

‘Come on,’ said Pip conspiratorially, ‘you’re done here. Let’s go somewhere quiet for lunch.’

As much as the sick thud of Noah Shepherd’s head hitting the steps had driven away all appetite, the thought of sitting in a cafe with Pip felt like it might be helpful.

And it was. One of the uniforms dropped us off in a laneway lined with cafes that looked like they’d been transported from Paris. Pip chose one with red-leather booths that gave us the privacy to talk. Over lunch, I told her what had led up to John punching Noah Shepherd.

‘Looks like the whole thing was caught on tape with the TV crews and CCTV,’ said Pip.

‘At least the jury will get to hear what Noah Shepherd said about Gemma.’ I wondered if it would be enough. Would a jury of his peers determine that John had been pushed beyond his limits? And if Noah Shepherd lived, what would they charge John with? Intentionally causing serious injury? Aggravated assault? So much of John’s future depended on whether Noah Shepherd survived. In my career, I had seen people survive massive head injuries, just as I’d seen small bumps on the head kill.

‘Heading back to your Sleepy Hollow town?’ Pip asked as she drained the last of a cappuccino.

And then I remembered. Daniel. ‘Oh shit!’ I quickly told her about the surprise visitor waiting for me back at the farmhouse.

Pip laughed. ‘Good luck with that.’

On the drive back to Deception Bay, I rang Wozza from the car and told him what had happened.

‘Jeez, Pollard,’ he said. ‘You walk under any ladders lately?’

‘Tell me about it,’ I said. ‘Any luck finding Jack?’ I knew Wozza would have used my absence to continue investigating the missing person’s report.

‘Vanished into thin air.’ He paused. ‘I called in the Crime Scene techs to take a look at the Devil’s Corner.’

My heartbeat quickened. Wozza was checking out my story. I understood, I really did, but a tiny part of me felt betrayed. ‘Find anything?’ I kept my voice casual.