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in him again.
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    'You fool!' The words hissed through the mobile phone at Brett Lewis. 'I can't trust you to do anything right, can I!'
    'But-'
    'What made you think you could get away with a hit-and-run?'
    'It was just a spur of the moment thing. When I saw him crossing the street and I heard the Pajero's engine running I-'
    'You were probably seen!'
    'I had a hat, and sunglasses, and a towel around my neck. I looked like a hundred other surfers.'
    'This woman you saw driving him back from the hospital, do you know who she is?'
    Brett ran his hand through his glossy black hair. 'No. But she's turned up this morning as well. Does it matter?'
    'Of course it matters! We have to know everything he does, everyone he's involved with. We have to plan carefully. In case you've forgotten,' sarcasm dripped like syrup from the disembodied voice, 'it has to look like an accident.'
    With an effort Brett remained quiet. He'd long ago given up trying to defend himself against the barbs that slashed into his psyche. Silence was the only weapon he'd ever learned to use.
    Finally the hollowness in his ear was replaced by a long sigh. 'This time just stick to what we'd originally planned. You have the key. Just do what I told you.'
    The call ended. Brett tossed the phone onto the passenger seat. He'd learned long ago never to expect a word of praise, but he still resented the disdain in which he was held. He slouched down in the seat and watched the front door of Daniel Brand's house, resentment simmering through him.

CHAPTER FOUR
    'I'm sorry. I didn't realise the police station was so far away from the centre of Noosa. I thought I'd be able to walk back,' Daniel said as they parked in front of the building. Kirri had driven to the Police Beat on Hastings Street, but she'd been informed they would have to go to the main station to make their statements.
    'Don't worry,' Kirri reassured him, 'I have to go in myself and give a statement. I told them what I saw of the accident, which wasn't much help, but they said to come in anyway.'
    'Did you see who was driving?'
    Kirri shook her head. 'Not really. The windows were tinted fairly darkly, but I could make out his profile. I thought you might have seen him.'
    'Him?'
    'The driver didn't appear to be wearing a shirt, so I assumed it was a man.'
    'Well, that's more than I saw.' Daniel stopped in the process of opening the van door. 'I had other things on my mind.' He gave the words enough emphasis that he felt she must surely query his meaning. But she simply smiled politely and opened her own door.
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    As they drove back towards Noosa Daniel was so quiet Kirri felt concerned. The police had told them they'd found the four wheel drive abandoned in a bushland carpark at the end of Hastings Street, but had not been able to get a clear description of the driver from any witnesses, or any useable fingerprints. Although Daniel seemed to accept this news philosophically, he appeared to be worried, or in pain.
    Kirri hoped he had not been too hasty in leaving the hospital. What if he had a blood clot? What if … She shook her head. Why was she so concerned about someone who was a complete stranger to her?
    'Would you like to have lunch with me?' Daniel's voice cut across her thoughts. She glanced at him. His face was pale beneath his tan.
    'I realise you have to check in at the gallery,' he continued, 'but if it's not too busy …'
    Kirri's refusal died on her tongue. There was something so desperate in the look he gave her, something so similar to the aching sense of loss that would sometimes sweep over her, that she found herself nodding. 'All right. But are you sure you wouldn't prefer to go home?'
    'No. I'll sit on the beach until you're ready.'
    She found a parking space and they walked around to the gallery. Daniel told her he'd be back at noon and walked away. She watched his tall figure move slowly down the pavement, watched the way his jeans moulded to the powerful contours of his