28

‘CAN YOU believe that stupid book?’ Phuong drove one-handed, glaring at me, as though I was the problem.

‘I don’t know what to think of it.’

‘This is how he solves his problems. He hypnotises his way out of trouble.’

She swerved to avoid a dead animal on the road, oversteered, tyres squealing.

‘Are you sure that’s his plan, because I didn’t —’

‘That’s how desperate he is,’ she said. ‘No wonder Dad asked me to watch him.’

This was high-horse Phuong. I looked out the window.

‘What were you up to with him?’

‘Me?’ Irritated now, a red mist on my vision. ‘I wasn’t up to anything.’

‘Whispering together.’

I undid my seat belt. ‘Let me out.’

‘What? Don’t be stupid.’

‘Stop the car.’

‘I’m not leaving you here in the middle of the night.’

‘You will, or so help me I’ll jump out of the car.’

‘Stella.’

I opened the door. She hit the brakes and we skidded to a halt. I started down Ballarat Road on foot. She caught me as I was nearing a McDonald’s. Those places were everywhere.

‘Stella, wait.’ She pulled on my shoulder. ‘You’d rather kill yourself than sit in a car with me for five minutes?’

I yanked out of her grip. ‘I’m walking. It’s not far.’

‘But that’s stupid.’ She made another grab for me.

‘Don’t call me stupid.’ Like a teenager yelling at her parents. My voice was cracked.

She paused, then used her calmest voice. ‘Come on. Let me drive you home.’

‘You say I whisper with your cousin, meanwhile you’re a love-struck schoolgirl over Copeland — you’re obsessed with him!’

‘He’s my fiancé.’

‘He’s all you care about. Not your career, not your friends. He’s got you breaking half the laws in the state. And I can’t speak to the police, only Copeland. I mean, come on. How suss is that?’

‘That’s for your own protection. There’s cops in Gorman’s pocket.’

‘It’s for your convenience.’

She sighed and walked away, turned back. ‘Is this about the wedding?’

‘What? Jesus, Phuong, have a look at yourself.’

‘It must be about the wedding, otherwise I don’t understand why you’re so angry.’

‘You played me. I thought, nah, Phuong is my friend, she wouldn’t do that.’

‘Played you how?’

‘He’s guilty. You know it. But you’d do anything to protect him.’

‘Yes. I am terrified Bruce will go to jail. I’m frightened of everything, of being alone, of strangers, of what I might find in my letterbox. But I’m not as conniving as you obviously think. Bruce was in trouble and I turned to the only person I trust.’

That was the story I’d been telling myself, that she turned to me because we were friends. But I didn’t know how much she was under Copeland’s sway. ‘I declined, remember? I thought he should face the inquiry.’

‘You were wise to say no the first time.’

‘And why did I change my mind? The bullet. Wow, that was a master stroke. Pure genius.’

‘Stella!’

‘You’re basically his hostage.’

She gasped, put her hand over her mouth.

I walked away, and this time she made no attempt to stop me. I was seething inside, barely containing my distress. Tomorrow, when the righteousness wore off, I’d be bereft. I continued on my march of offence, trying to forestall that moment. Mist rose from the road. I watched it curl. I’d gone two blocks when the regret hit.

I waved down a taxi. Walking alone around here at night wasn’t worth the risk.