Page 188 of The Examiner

‘You think they’ll pay us? What’s to stop them taking the cases and—’

‘They wouldn’t do that. Why would they do that?’

‘Is the car bugged? Are they listening to us now?’

We’re silent for a long time. The car rolls forward, dips and clatters as it drives up the ramp and we literally leave the beautiful, blessed Irish soil behind.

‘What time is our return ticket, Finny?’

‘Do you have a return ticket, Seany? Because I don’t have a return ticket.’

I didn’t have a return ticket. Perhaps that, for me, is the moment all this started.

Documents sent to me by Gela Nathaniel:

RH WhatsApp group members Jonathan Danners, Suzie Danners, Ludya Parak and Gela Nathaniel, 16 January 2024:

Gela

How’s the trip going? Weather nice?

Gela

Would be handy to have an update. Jem says hi.

Gela

Did RD8 have the old components for you?

WhatsApp chat between Gela Nathaniel and Cameron Wesley, 16 January 2024:

Gela

Sourcing trip going as planned?

Gela

Hope you’re enjoying yourselves while Jem and I are hard at work.

Gela

Send an update as soon as you can. Kiss-kiss.

WhatsApp chat between Cameron Wesley and Gela Nathaniel, 16 January 2024:

Cameron

Museum visited. Bags of junk collected. Having din-dins at Spoons next to motel.

Gela

All go to plan?

Cameron

Mission accomplished. Badly need to crash. Dog-tired.

Gela