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Cars of all shapes, colours and sizes lined the school road as far as the eye could see. A news helicopter circled overhead as Dawn carried Abby to Ryan’s car. Lines of children from outlying areas were being loaded into school buses.
Ahead, Sergeant Martin drove a police four-wheel drive, escorting them through the traffic, lights flashing, no sirens. Dawn knew Ned was in the rear of the same vehicle. She’d put the cuffs on him herself, not bothering to be gentle.
From the back seat, she watched Ryan and Michael in the front—stern faced and pensive. Lisa held Abby. Dawn held Lisa, fussing over the trickle of blood at her neck.
‘Is Auntie Ronnie going to be okay?’ Abby asked, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
‘The paramedic said she will be fine Abby, but we’ll go with Liam’s nana and visit her tomorrow. Okay?’
The little girl nodded, then peered up at her mother.
‘Mummy is going to be okay too, Abby. I promise.’ Dawn was going to make sure of it.
Ryan glanced over his shoulder, as if reading her mind.
‘None of this makes sense, Ryan. Ned is an old man. He didn’t ...’ she glanced at Abby. ‘... commit this crime.’
‘I heard his voice.’
Lisa shook herself, as though she’d woken from a deep sleep. Dawn knew it was shock setting in.
‘You should have gone to the hospital.’
She rubbed her sister’s shoulders, trying to warm her despite the heat.
‘He was there Dawn.’
‘I believe you. But he wasn’t alone. Ryan, we need those company records. The grant paperwork.’
‘Reynolds has it. We’ll go over it, then I’ll interview Summerset, Clements and Fletcher.’
Dawn rolled her eyes as Ryan glanced back.
‘Don’t give me that look. You can’t do the interviews. The last thing we want is a judge overturning the case on a technicality.’
Dawn caught Ryan’s eye in the rear-view mirror and sighed. He was right. But they were all going to lawyer up and so far, all the evidence was circumstantial. Even if the financials or grant records implicated them in dodgy deals and ripping off the government, nothing was going to tie them to the murders.
‘I’ve got an idea.’
‘I can tell I’m not going to like it already.’
Ryan fixed his gaze on the road ahead as Dawn outlined her plan.
‘That could work.’ Michael nodded and smiled.
Ryan scoffed. ‘You’re a park ranger, not a cop and there are so many things that could go wrong with it.’
Michael said nothing. Dawn forged on.
‘But Trevor and Brad didn’t hurt anyone. I’m sure of it.’
‘What makes you say that?’
‘Because I grew up with them. They were Fraser’s friends and there’s been something off with Brad since I got here. Ronnie said it herself. I think he actually believed Fraser was responsible for Tracey, until he found out who actually did it.’
Dawn was careful with her language. Aware Abby was listening to every word, despite her eyes being closed. The little girl was a livewire and never missed anything going on around her.
‘Brad always had a crush on Tracey. If he thought Fraser didn’t do it, for all these years, he would have told me. I think he only found out recently.’ Lisa stroked Abby’s hair as the six-year-old dribbled on her shoulder. Maybe she was asleep after all.
It was an eventful afternoon. Dawn was thankful her niece wasn’t waking in a cold sweat after what they’d been through. Still, there was tonight to get through.
‘Alright. Run it by Martin first. It’s not my station.’
‘It’s your investigation Ryan.’
Ryan parked outside the police station and turned to Lisa. ‘Maybe Michael can take you home, with my car.’
He scanned Michael’s face.
‘On it.’
Michael hopped out of the passenger’s seat and was outside Ryan’s door before Lisa could protest.
Dawn reached for her hand and squeezed.
‘All the likely suspects are in jail, but Michael will stay. Won’t you?’
Dawn glanced into Michael’s eyes and saw a tenderness there.
‘Of course. I won’t let anything happen to you, Lisa. And Abby looks like she’s done for the day. I can carry her upstairs.’
‘Thanks. All of you.’ Lisa studied her hands, wrapped around her daughter tightly.
‘When I decided to meet with Jessica, out at Archer Point, I was sure it would clear Fraser. Jessica suggested as much. But it all went so horribly wrong.’
‘Why did Jessica want to meet out there? She had to drive illegally to make the trip. Why Archer?’
‘I honestly don’t know. Maybe she thought I’d remember something about Tracey’s death?’
‘No. I don’t think so. I think there is something else. Jessica was a junior ranger. Maybe she found something out there?’
‘We found the piece of fabric on the beach. It can’t have been there all those years,’ Michael reminded her as he slipped into the driver’s seat and Ryan stepped aside, closing the door.
‘You’re right. How did it get there? And why?’
‘Let’s get going. Maybe one of our suspects can shed some light.’ Ryan rounded the bonnet and waited outside Dawn’s door. She kissed her sister on the cheek, touched her finger to her lips and gently dabbed Abby’s cheek, then turned to find the door open.
‘When did you get chivalrous?’
She slipped out. Ryan didn’t step back. ‘Don’t get used to it.’ He held her gaze a moment.
‘Let’s see if we can get a plea deal for the twins, in exchange for the truth about who’s behind all this.’