‘Carry on up to Mitch,’ Kim said, spying someone sitting in the hospital cafeteria.

Bryant followed her gaze and nodded his understanding.

Kim approached the table of a man staring down into a black coffee.

‘Hey,’ she said, sitting opposite Luke Cordell.

He lifted his head and smiled weakly.

‘Sorry about your brother,’ she said and meant it. Admittedly, he had been less than courteous this week but his anger had been born of grief. She could only imagine what it had been like to see his brother’s broken body in the hospital bed only to watch him slip away.

‘How’s your mum?’

He shrugged. ‘Trying to stay strong for me and I’m trying to do the same for her. We only have each other left. Our family has halved in just a few days.’

‘Where is your mum?’

‘In the chapel. We had to come sign some papers, and we don’t seem to be able to leave. It’s so final, like we’re leaving him behind.’

Kim understood. While they were still at the hospital they were close to where Gordon Cordell had worked and where Saul Cordell had died. They were still linked to the events. Once they walked out of the hospital for good they had to begin dealing with the ‘never agains’ as she liked to call them. Never again would Saul walk into the family home. Never again would they be able to just call him on the phone. Remaining at the hospital delayed that final acceptance.

And once they left they would have to adjust to the new landscape of their family.

‘Did you always know about the affair?’ Kim asked, gently.

‘We all did,’ he said. ‘Although it was more than an affair,’ he said. ‘They’d been at it for years.’

‘But he wanted to come home, didn’t he?’ Kim asked.

‘Only so he could have his cake and eat it,’ he answered. ‘He wanted to come back for the comforts of a home he bought, and my mother knew that. He had no intention of giving up the affair. My mother also knew that.’

Kim had the sudden sense that this family had endured a lot of pain because of Gordon Cordell’s selfishness.

‘Can I ask you something?’ he said.

‘Of course.’

‘I overheard one of the nurses who’d spoken to the police say something about not being sure what happened to my brother was an accident. Is that true? I haven’t said anything to Mum but I’d like to know.’

Kim thought for a minute before responding.

‘The incident with your brother is being handled by the traffic collision team. To my knowledge it isn’t under investigation and CID has no involvement.’

‘I sensed a great big “but” hanging at the end of that sentence.’

‘Most detectives don’t believe all that much in coincidences,’ she said.

‘Are you saying?…’

‘I’m saying that if someone else was responsible for the death of your brother, we won’t rest until we find them.’

Sensing he was getting no more, he nodded his understanding.

She touched his arm lightly and stood.

‘Give my condolences to your mum,’ she said.

‘Thank you, I will,’ he said, as she turned away.

She paused as he spoke quietly.

‘You know, strange as it sounds I do get some small comfort from the fact they’re now together.’

‘Despite everything your father did?’ she asked.

‘Saul always managed to forgive him. My brother had a generous disposition and tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. I’m afraid I wasn’t quite so charitable.’

Kim had nothing left to offer and walked away, leaving the young man alone with his regret.