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Having a father who’d been convicted of murder was a stigma that Cy had trouble living with. When he was the only manager who was laid off at the wharf, he was sure it was because of his old man being in the Darwin Correctional Centre.

His cousin, Ryan Porter-Carey, half-brother to Ellie and her two sisters and brother-in-law to Kane McClaren, had tried to convince Cy on a number of occasions that he should bear no responsibility for his father’s actions.

‘Mate, it’s nothing to do with you,’ Ryan had insisted when he’d called him about the job at the mango farm. ‘And no one will judge you. It’s your father’s guilt, not yours.’

‘What if it’s in my genes? My old man shot at your Dee and Ellie McClaren and left her baby on the road.’

‘How old are you now, Cy?’

‘You know I’m twenty-nine.’

‘And how many crimes have you committed?’

Cy hesitated. ‘I smoked dope once when I was at school.’

‘So did I,’ Ryan said.

‘Get away,’ Cy said with a chuckle. ‘I thought you were a model student.’

‘You were a right pain in the arse when you worked here, whenever there was a female around, trying to be the tough guy, but you grew out of that.’

‘I’m pleased you noticed.’

‘Seriously, Cy, I want you to consider this job. It’s only for a couple of months and Kane really needs someone he can rely on, and I vouched for you. The job’s yours if you want it.’

Cy had hesitated. ‘I was heading back to the Kimberley, and it pisses me off that I feel as though I have to stay around here.’

‘Why do you have to stay?’

‘Because the old man’s crook.’

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t know that.’

‘Don’t be sorry. He deserves it after what he did in his lifetime. The prognosis isn’t good. As much as I hate him, I think I should do the right thing and hang around until . . . until, you know.’

‘You’re a good man, Cy and don’t ever let anyone tell you any different.’

‘All right. Tell Kane I’ll take the job.’

‘Great. Now, when can you start?’

Cy chuckled but it held no mirth. ‘Today. Would you believe I’ve finished up at the wharf and moved out of my flat? The lease was up for renewal and I couldn’t see the point.’

‘Where are you staying?’

‘In a cabin in a caravan park at Howard Springs. It’s the closest to the jail. Money’s not an issue. I managed to get a fair bit away when I was working for the export company.’

‘You’ll enjoy looking after Kane’s place, and he told me even though he’d pay you a salary, he’s happy for you to come down and give me a hand, a couple of days a week.’

‘That’s awesome. I’ve missed the cattle work. It’ll be good to get in the saddle again.’

‘Rightio. Turn up there late tomorrow afternoon. It’s just past Marrakai, so not far for you to go back to the jail, if you need to. Are you visiting Joe?’

‘I’ve been twice and it looks like he’ll be sent to the hospital in town. Has to have a prison guard, but he’s so bloody crook, he couldn’t hurt a fly.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that, Cy.’

‘Don’t bother.’