Page 98

‘Yes, that’s right.’ The usual dread settled in Sandra’s chest. ‘They’ve got clean away, and Jake and Greg both say they’ll be back in Europe by now. It makes my blood boil that they killed five people and got away with it.’

‘Mum, listen, I think you better ring that Federal Police guy. I was bored and I was cleaning out my old texts and you sent me a photo of everyone sitting around a campfire. There’s two young couples in it and all their faces are really clear.’

‘Really. Oh, wow. I’d better call Jake. Can you text it to me now?’

‘Done.’

‘Thanks, love. Now you take care of yourself and we’ll see you at Dee and Ryan’s on Saturday night.’

‘I will. Say hello to Graysen for me.’

Sandra’s phone pinged with the incoming text as she disconnected the call.

Her fingers were shaking and she went to open it, and then she decided not to.

‘Graysen? Are you still there?’

‘Yeah. I’m in the kitchen. Do you want a ham and cheese toastie?’

‘No, thanks.’ She stood by the door and waited until he turned.

‘Sandra? What’s wrong? Who was on the phone? Is everyone all right?’

‘Yes, everything’s okay. It was Ellie. She was cleaning up her phone and she had a photo that I’d forgotten I took.’

Graysen rinsed his hands and came over and held her. ‘What’s it a photo of? You’re as pale as anything.’

‘Remember the night we camped out? At Simpsons Gap and there was that beautiful sky?’

He nodded. ‘I do.’

‘I took a photo of the sky that night and I sent it to Ellie. It also had the campfire and everyone in it. Apparently, the faces are really clear. I’d totally forgotten about it. I can’t bring myself to look at them. Not now. Knowing what they did.’

Her hands shook as she handed over the phone to him.

Sandra felt sick as Graysen stared at the phone. ‘I think we’d better ring Jake Sandhurst. This is gold, Sandra. They’ll be able to run those photos worldwide.’

‘I might ring Connor too. What do you think?’

‘Try Jake first. I’m still a bit uneasy with how Greg and Connor work on the fringes.’

Sandra’s hands were shaking as she pulled up Jake on speed dial. He’d been in touch a few times since they’d been back, but there’d been no developments.

Jake’s phone rang out and she left a message. ‘Jake, it’s Sandra Porter. I need to talk to you asap I’ve got a photo I took.’

Graysen looked worried. ‘No luck?’

‘No.’

‘Okay, give Connor a call, and see what he thinks. Greg can probably start running the photo in his dark databases. The sooner they’re locked up, the happier I’ll be.’

‘Can you call him? I don’t feel so good.’

Graysen put his arm around her and Sandra rested her head on his shoulder. ‘Connor. It’s Graysen. We need some advice, mate. Sandra’s got a photo of the killers. She’d forgotten she took it, and Ellie had it on her phone. She’s called Jake, but he’s not picking up.’

Graysen nodded as he listened. ‘Yes, that’s what we thought. Okay text his number to Sandra and we’ll send it now.’

Her phone pinged immediately. ‘That’s Greg’s mobile number. Are you okay if I send it now?’