Chapter 63

Tim helped carry Lainie’s body back up the hill and lay it across the back seat of Mick’s Landcruiser, while Bane kept up a monologue of whispers in Lainie’s ear. He couldn’t watch anymore. Bane still had not stopped touching her, even for a second. If he wasn’t holding her face, he was stroking her hand, or laying his head on her lifeless heart. It was a grieving process that Tim found hard to stomach. As his friend, he was going to have to confront him with the hard truth. Lainie was gone.

Lily came out to meet them, cradling her phone between her ear and her shoulder while carrying an armload of towels so they could dry off a bit. Hanging up, she handed Tim a towel, draped another one over Bane’s shoulders and then turned to the police officer beside him.

‘Tess said to tell you that there’s now a short cut and you should be able to drive most of the way. Bane will show you where to leave the road, and then just keep following the fence line north. You should see a path through the bush to your left at some point. Noah and Tess drove through there so hopefully you can follow their tracks. Will you manage without Tim?’

‘We’ll have to,’ the policeman replied. ‘Sorry, Tim, it’s a sacred place. You’ll have to stay here with Lily.’

‘Of course. Whatever you think’s best.’ Did his relief sound too obvious? He wanted to help, but he didn’t know how much more he could take.

‘Lily?’ Bane asked, looking up at her with tears in his eyes. ‘Could you please bring me some paper and a pen? I need to say goodbye.’