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‘We’ve got some work to do, Sean. Thanks for coming over. I need your expertise.’

Before Sean could respond, the door opened and Helen walked in slowly. Her face was ashen and her hands shook as she put them up to her face.

David stood and hurried across the room. In the four years, he had worked with Helen, he had never seen her show any emotion. By the time he reached her, tears were running down her face. Cold fingers of premonition settled in David’s gut.

‘What is it? Helen, what’s wrong?’ She was shaking and turning her head from side to side. ‘Is it Gina?’

‘Oh David, I’m so sorry. It’s dreadful, dreadful news.’

Chapter 25

9.15 am Friday

Police Headquarters, Darwin

‘Dead? How can he be dead?’

Kane stopped chewing his gum and clenched his jaw. He stared at the policeman across the other side of the large desk. The room was bare, a couple of filing cabinets were against the side wall, and the desk in front of them was clear. Apart from the low hum of the air-conditioning pushing out frigid air, the room was silent. Ellie shivered beside him and he reached across and put his arm around her shoulders.

When they’d driven along the waterfront from the motel, they’d seen the blocked-off street and the police vehicles. But they’d not suspected the connection between the crime scene and the reason for their visit to the police station. Not until they were informed that Panos Sordina’s body had been found beside the boat ramp by a couple of early morning joggers.

‘We’re trying to get in touch with Mrs Sordina. Do you know where we can find her?’

The colour drained from Kane’s face. Ellie squeezed his hand tightly and answered for him. ‘His mother died last night. In the hospital.’

‘I’m sorry to hear of your loss.’ But the detective’s voice was formal and he continued without a pause. ‘So, Mr McLaren. According to Mr Sordina’s phone records, you had been trying to call him for most of the night. One call registered as being answered. Did you actually speak to him?’

Kane nodded. ‘Yes. I did.’

‘What time was that?’

‘I’m not sure. It had to be well after midnight. My mother had just passed away. I wasn’t taking much notice of the time.’

Ellie squeezed his fingers again and he rubbed his thumb absently across her skin.

‘Mr Sordina’s phone registered a forty-second call from you at twelve minutes past one. Just before two o’clock, we have CCTV footage of you standing outside the door of the building where his office is located.’

‘That’s correct.’

‘A strange time to organise a meeting?’

‘We had agreed to meet on McMinn Street. He didn’t turn up so I went looking for him.’ Kane kept his voice steady. ‘He wouldn’t answer his phone all night. Christ, man, I had to tell him his wife was dead.’

‘Again, I’m very sorry to hear of your mother’s death, Mr McLaren.’

Kane nodded tersely.

‘So when was the last time you saw Mr Sordina?’

‘I’ve only met him on a handful of occasions. I haven’t seen him for at least two years but I had a big problem with the way he treated my mother, and I was going to speak to him about it. For all I know he fell in the harbour and drowned on his way to meeting me.’ Kane shook his head. ‘Christ knows, he sounded drunk enough on the phone.’

Detective Sergeant Garrett steepled his fingers on the desk in front of him. ‘Actually it’s interesting that you mention the harbour. That’s where he was. In the harbour before the tide washed him in.’ He stopped speaking and held Kane’s gaze for a full minute. Kane clenched his jaw. ‘However, he didn’t drown, Mr McLaren. The initial observation by the forensic pathologist indicates that Mr Sordina’s throat was cut. Your stepfather’s death was no accident. This is a murder investigation.’

‘A murder?’

Ellie’s fingers tensed in Kane’s hand as she expelled a soft gasp. Kane glanced at her; her face was white.

‘I have my mother’s funeral to organise and then I have to get back to work. If you want me, you have my number.’ He turned to Ellie and held out his hand. Relief filled him when she took it. ‘I know nothing more than I’ve told you.’