The Lost Man(74)

‘What was it about?’

‘Same as always. Running this place.’ Harry looked down, his features lost in shadow. ‘I told you something was up with Cam, and it had been affecting his work. His concentration had gone to shit, I was having to chase after him, double-checking everything.’

‘Simon thought you sounded angry.’

‘That’s a bit strong. It was late. I was probably just a bit pissed off.’

‘And you were saying something about knowing what was going on around here.’

‘Yeah.’ Harry flashed a humourless grin. ‘Well, that’s fair enough, isn’t it? Don’t think anyone would argue with that.’

They wouldn’t, Nathan knew. Harry probably understood this property better than he or his brothers ever had. But despite that, and whatever went right or wrong with the place, it was their names on the title. Harry’s was a strangely insecure existence, Nathan realised, now he thought about it. This might be his home and he might seem like family, but Sergeant Ludlow had been right, Harry was an employee. And Cameron – or Ilse now – just had to say the word and an employee would be gone.

‘Harry,’ Nathan said. ‘Did Cam threaten to get rid of you?’

‘No, mate.’

It had been a shot in the dark, but the answer was so breezily dismissive that Nathan felt a seed of doubt form. He thought about Cameron, who ran this place so efficiently. Kept a tight ship, as Harry had said himself. Would Cameron let himself be challenged by a worker, even if that worker was Harry?

Nathan looked at him now. ‘You sure?’

‘I’m sure,’ Harry said. ‘Look, he reminded me who was in charge when I needed reminding. And he liked me to mind my own business. But when he takes his eye off the ball and that means more work around here, it becomes my business, whether I like it or not. There’s nothing I can do but bring it up, so that’s what I did.’

‘Is that why you didn’t say anything to us?’

‘I didn’t say anything,’ Harry said, ‘because I felt bad – I still feel bad – about it. I thought Cam needed to hear what I had to say, but I dunno. Maybe I should have been listening more. I didn’t know that Jenna woman had tried to get in touch, or how bloody stressed he was about it. I wish he’d said.’

Nathan was quiet for a minute. ‘Why do you think he was so worried about her?’

‘I don’t know. Cam said at the time he’d done nothing wrong, and I believed him.’ He looked at Nathan. ‘Believed you when you said the same.’

‘She’s not in England. Hasn’t been for a couple of weeks. Bali, apparently.’

Harry was very still. ‘Is that right?’

The silence stretched out.

‘Look,’ Harry said, his voice was gentle now. ‘This whole thing with Cam. It feels complicated, but when it comes down to it, I think it’s actually pretty bloody simple.’

‘Is it?’

‘Yeah. He was not a happy man, mate. Not at all. And I’m starting to think that had been the case for a long time.’ Harry sighed. ‘We need to get this funeral out of the way. Everything will look better after that.’

‘I suppose.’

‘It will. Always the way. Trust me.’ Harry frowned at Ilse’s car. ‘You planning to stay out here much longer? I’ll leave the generator on, if you want.’

Nathan shook his head. ‘I’ll stop now.’

‘You worked out what’s wrong with it?’

‘No.’ Nathan had done everything he could think of. It seemed to be in good shape to him.

‘Yeah, I always had trouble finding the problem too.’ Harry stared again at the exposed engine. ‘I had one idea, though.’

‘I’m all ears, mate.’

Harry hesitated as out in the blackness, they heard footsteps on the verandah and Liz’s voice called out, ‘Harry?’

‘Never mind.’ He tapped the car. ‘I should take another look myself first. There’ll be no rush anyway. Ilse hates driving that thing, she’s not going anywhere in that.’

‘Harry?’ Liz’s voice again.

‘I’ll tell her you’re fine.’ Harry nodded at the bloodied scalps at the end of the hook in his hand. ‘Better do something with these as well.’

‘You got them, then?’

‘Yeah. Wanted to get it done before everyone arrives tomorrow. They were getting too comfortable.’

‘I thought Bub was going to do it.’

A look flitted across Harry’s face that suggested Bub might also be getting a little too comfortable.

‘I had the chance, got it done,’ he said. ‘If you’re finished out here, generator’s going off in ten. I need to get some sleep.’ He swung the hook gently. The matted fur and skin was already curling at the edges. ‘Big day tomorrow.’





Chapter 28



Nathan awoke to the ache of dehydration pulsing in his temples. He squinted into the early-morning light and reached for his water glass beside the couch. It was empty. He must have drunk it during the night, but he couldn’t remember doing so. It felt like a hangover with none of the fun. He tried to remember how much water he’d drunk yesterday. Not enough, clearly.