Dead Horse Gap by Lee Christine

Author:Lee Christine [Christine, Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Published: 2021-12-03T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty-three

The lights were on in the homestead when Ryder and Flowers arrived. They left the warmth of the car to step into a stinging wind roaring in from the Southern Ocean. They hurried towards the verandah, and the door opened seconds after their knock. A dog barked from somewhere at the back of the house. Ethan Lorrimer’s tall frame stood silhouetted in the doorway.

‘Apologies for having to arrange this so late,’ Ryder said. ‘We’ve been in Khancoban all day.’

As on the previous visit, they sat around the table. Dan’s eyes were ringed with tired circles; Heidi’s looked similar, though they were also smudged with mascara she hadn’t washed off. Ethan’s five o’clock shadow added to his swarthy appearance, his expression one of resigned tolerance. Only Kristin looked bright-eyed and energetic in her activewear and running shoes.

‘The remains have been formally identified,’ Ryder said, ‘which means Art’s body can be released. You can go ahead and hold the funeral now.’

Dan nodded. ‘That’s good news. We have the service organised and have been sorting through photographs. We may not have been close to Art for a long time, but we all have happy memories of him as a child.’ He glanced at the others. ‘That’s how we’re choosing to remember him anyway.’

‘I’m sure,’ Ryder said quietly.

Beside him, Flowers reached for his notepad and pen.

‘We’ll start with some general questions,’ Ryder said, ‘and then we’d like to get a clearer picture of your movements on the night of the accident.’

The Lorrimers exchanged glances. As usual, it was Dan who spoke first.

‘You’ll get full cooperation from us, Sergeant,’ he said, his voice calm and direct. ‘We have nothing to hide.’

‘Thank you. What assets did Art have?’ asked Ryder.

Dan’s eyebrows shot up. ‘I don’t know what his assets were. There’s a life policy, but that gets paid to the company.’

‘How much is it worth?’ asked Flowers.

‘Just shy of two million dollars.’

The room grew quiet. Ryder looked at each of the siblings. Dan held his gaze. Ethan’s eyes were fixed to a spot on the tabletop. Heidi fiddled with an earring.

‘That’s some serious money,’ Flowers said.

Dan frowned. ‘The company has similar policies on all our lives.’

‘What about other assets?’ asked Ryder.

Ethan looked up. ‘He had the Cessna. I assume that was insured.’

Ryder nodded. ‘He also had a fishing boat, but the house was rented.’ The words of Art’s former partner came to mind. He once said something about family money. ‘Your parents are both deceased. Who owns this property?’

Heidi put her hands in her lap and looked at Dan.

‘The company holds it on behalf of the trust,’ he said.

‘Do you have a copy of the trust deed here?’ asked Ryder.

Dan shook his head. ‘It’s at our lawyer’s office.’

‘And the insurance policies?’

‘In our safety deposit box,’ Dan said sharply. ‘Are we under suspicion for Art’s murder, Detective?’

‘Everyone’s under suspicion until they’re not,’ Flowers said, his voice firm. ‘We’re looking at every possible motive.’

‘And you think one of us murdered Art for his share of the property and the insurance money?’ Dan asked, shaking his head.

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