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‘I wasn’t aware that my schedule was public knowledge.’

‘Don’t toy with me, David. You won’t be happy with the consequences.’

‘Listen to me, Russell.’ David bit out the words. ‘You will not tell me what to do. Is that clear?’

‘No, David. You listen to me. I’m very unhappy with the way you voted in the meeting earlier. I thought we had an agreement.’ Fairweather’s voice was like steel.

‘We had a discussion, there was no agreement.’

‘And I told you what might happen if you didn’t understand my side of the discussion. Perhaps I wasn’t clear enough.’

‘Oh, yes. You were mighty clear.’ David held the phone so tightly he could feel his fingers going numb.

‘I know you have hidden your little family away, but don’t underestimate me, David.’

‘That is one thing I will never do, Russell.’ David kept his voice firm and strong, despite the cold chill that was running down his limbs. ‘I’m only going to tell you this once: Leave my family alone. And don’t underestimate my integrity. I will always do what is best for the Territory.’ There was stony silence at the other end of the phone. ‘Now, as I said, I have a meeting. Good night.’ David dropped the phone and it hit his desk with a clatter.

*

Russell Fairweather slipped the phone into his tailor-made jacket and brushed an invisible piece of lint off his trouser leg before turning to his driver. ‘I am very pleased you brought the Mercedes tonight, Mick.’

‘My favourite, Mr Fairweather.’

‘And your helicopter flight went well this morning? I have another couple of little jobs for you down in Kakadu.’

‘It was very satisfactory. When you need me to follow through, I have a plan in place.’ For the first time Mick smiled. ‘Those R44s would be very easy to fall out of.’

‘Good. You’ll need to take an off-road vehicle down there tomorrow. I’ll let you know the details later.’

‘My pleasure.’ Mick’s expression was bland again.

‘Did you keep the little souvenir you retrieved from Bill Jarragah last night?’

A single nod. ‘It’s in the cooler on the back seat.’

‘Well done.’

Russell pulled his phone from his pocket. There was one more loose end to tie up.

It was opportune that David had secreted his little family down at Makowa Lodge. And such a happy coincidence that Ellie Porter was working there too. Now to ensure that Bill Jarragah would jump to his bidding a second time.

Chapter 21

Thursday night

Darwin Hospital

Susan Sordina held on for another day. She passed away just after eight o’clock the following night, Kane by her side as the final rattling breaths struggled from her frail chest. He remained with her for a long time before he let go of her cold hand and called for the nurse. Panos had not been located. They’d even sent the police to his office but his secretary said he’d gone out and not told her where he was going.

Ellie was sitting outside in the chair where she’d been all day, a cold cup of coffee on the floor beside her. She had supported Kane, talked to him, held his hand and been there with coffee each time he’d come out for a break. Her legs were curled up beneath her, and her head tipped back on the hard plastic chair. Kane stood at the door, took a deep breath and composed himself. He clenched his jaw and swallowed. Later he would give in to the grief of losing his mother, but first he had to find Sordina, the gambling lowlife, and tell him his wife was dead.

Rather than driving back to Kakadu that night, Ellie talked him into letting her book two rooms at a hotel down on the harbour front. It made sense; he had to notify his stepfather, and when he had done that, there were more arrangements to make in the morning. Jock wasn’t expecting them – she’d phoned earlier and explained the situation – and as Ellie pointed out, he was tired and it wouldn’t be safe driving on the highway.

‘You need to eat something.’ She tipped her head to the side and observed him as they took the lift down to the car park.

Kane grasped the small bag of his mother’s belongings that the nurse had given to him as they’d left the ward. All he wanted now was to get through the next few hours without a panic attack. He was deathly tired, his emotions were in a mess, and there was a constant prickling in his scalp. He was doing the best he could to cope. He turned to Ellie when he realised she’d asked him a question. ‘Sorry?’

‘Do you want me to pick up some Maccas on the way to the harbour?’