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Hannah sat back on the bench seat. ‘Josh, that is brilliant. You can work in your plans for our building … share a bit of Cody history from the gold rush era … it’ll be like thumbing our noses at whoever this idiot is who thinks they can destroy our home from under us.’

‘Marking our territory,’ he said with relish. Finally, something he could do to protect his family. ‘You going to be okay if I spend a bit more time at the hall the next couple of days? The electrician’s done, so if I can get in there now and finish the project before I contact Maureen, she’s more likely to take the bait. Maybe I can persuade Marigold to perform a little ribbon-cutting ceremony or something.’

‘Sure. I’d offer to help, but I’ll be more use on the road visiting sick animals in their homes than mixing up plaster.’

‘Thanks. Last question: you know where I’ll find Kev this time of day? He and I have a deal going. I fix the hall ceiling, he does my archive research for me. I’m going to need that research done, too, if I want to track Maureen Plover down in her lair and convince her to direct her evil skillset towards a win for us.’

Hannah grinned. ‘Kev will probably be down at the cemetery tending his roses. You tackle him and Mrs Plover, and I’ll go rearrange your appointments.’

‘Thanks.’ He pulled out his phone, found Marigold’s number, and typed in a message.

Time to hold up your end of the bargain, Mrs Jones. I need that archive stuff ASAP.

A message flashed up on his screen a second later.You finished my ceiling yet, my love?

Soon,he typed, then shoved his phone in his pocket. He had to visit city hall and get the name of whoever had objected to his proposal before he could even think about plaster and cornices and fanciful frilly fretwork.

CHAPTER

27

Vera stood in the corridor willing the tremor in her hands to still. She was dog-tired, embarrassed, and royally pissed off with just about everyone in the world, herself included. She needed a moment to herself.

‘I’m ducking into the restroom,’ she said. ‘Back in a minute.’

The ladies’ restroom was full, so she headed into the parents’ room, hoping there’d be no-one in there so she could pull herself together in private. As she pushed the door in, someone hustled in behind her and swung her around.

She skidded on the heel of her boot and grabbed the nappy change table to steady herself. ‘Aaron. What the hell?’

‘You’re looking good, Vera.’

‘Don’t talk to me.’

‘Vera, honey—’

‘You rat. I have nothing to say to you.’ She took a step to the door.

‘Just hear me out, please.’

‘What could you possibly have to say, Aaron?’

‘Hey, I didn’t bring this charge against you. I’m not the bad guy here.’

‘You dobbed on me, Aaron. You knew I wasn’t using that recording device to entrap Acacia View. I was using it to monitor my aunt, who can’t speak for herself. She has dementia. And you sure as hell were the one who sacked me.’

‘I’m here for you, Vera, don’t you get that? Look, sure, I was a little hasty, but only because I cared for you. I still care for you, Vera. Why won’t you—’

She’d heard enough. Had Aaron always been like this? So self-absorbed that he couldn’t see the damage he’d done?

She turned to leave just as her lawyer bulldozed her way in through the swinging door.

‘Vera, you may be my favourite client,’ her lawyer announced, ‘but I don’t think you’ve understood just how surly I can become when I have to wait for caffeine, so hurry up—Oh! Well, well, what do we have here? The prosecution’s star witness engaging in a little off-court harassment?’

‘Let’s just go,’ she muttered.

‘Can I call you?’ Aaron said. ‘I know you’ve moved away, maybe I could come visit. Talk things through.’

What did he not get about how bitter she might feel about what he’d done? Did he notknow? She wanted to scream at him, but beside her, Sue’s chest was swelling up like she was a self-inflating life jacket that had just hit water. ‘There will be no talking, Mr Finch. There will just be the sound of the door closing as you get the hell out of this gender-neutral nappy-changing facility paid for by the taxpayers of Queanbeyan. My client has nothing to say.’