Emmaline made it back to Kallayee by eleven. An overnight in Perth, in her own bed, had seemed the logical decision but she had wedded herself to this caravan until the case was solved. Plus, the journey had left her exhausted enough to sleep, even on the thin, uncomfortable pull-out bed. She intended to get six hours at least, determined not to beat the sunrise this morning.
As she pulled up to the caravan she saw the door ajar. Not how she had left it. Drawing her gun she slid out of the vehicle and checked for any sign of movement from the nearby structures. There was none. Sneaking up to the back window she peeked inside. Nothing but darkness. If they had been attempting to rob her – the dropkicks from the pub came to mind – they would be seriously disappointed at the very least. Putting her back to the thin aluminium, she swung around to the far side. Sitting in the dirt, leaning up against the side was a dark, huddled figure. Naiyana. She hoped. Had she escaped and come back to where she knew? But why here and not Hurton or Wisbech? Had she been imprisoned somewhere close? And why would she not make her presence known to the cops holding the perimeter of the town?
After another check that the coast was clear she inched forward and nudged the figure. There was an unladylike snort. The figure raised its head and she met the flashing blue eyes of Matty. Emmaline lowered her gun. But not all the way.
‘How did you get in here? This is a crime scene.’
‘Parked the quad a little outside town and walked. It was easy. Security is lax,’ he said with a smile.
‘And the door?’
‘That caravan needed to be aired out.’
That Emmaline couldn’t disagree with. She made a note to tighten security. For town as a whole, her caravan included.
‘What are you doing out here? I thought you lived close to the pub.’
‘I took a wrong turn,’ he smiled.
‘You nearly did,’ she answered, holstering her gun. ‘Why are you here?’
‘It’s nice to see you too.’
‘That doesn’t answer my question.’
‘I have information. Tracy Marley’s son said he saw that woman – Naiyana Maguire – with a man.’
‘In Hurton?’
‘Outside.’
‘Right, let’s go see him!’
‘In the morning. Bobby Marley –’ Matty nodded in agreement as Emmaline screwed her face up, ‘– is only twelve.’
Emmaline went to step inside the opened door. She turned to find him watching her. There was a moment’s pause. ‘Are you coming in?’
Emmaline didn’t feel so tired anymore.