She stretched her neck and stared at the ceiling. She'd thought she'd had the world figured out, people figured out. She knew there were good and bad people. She knew that some people were kind, could love, could be relied upon. She didn't know there were people like Cassie Jackson. She smiled, thinking of the last letter she'd received. Cassie still had another six months in gaol-ordered rehab. That'd make it summer before she could have her over here to thank her properly. She was already planning the menu.
And Zeko? What about Zeko? Was it time to call him again, remind him that it was best that he forget her name completely? She didn't think so. She knew as well as he did that his mortgage and his six kids relied upon that slaughterhouse wage, and that some skinny blonde bitch wasn't worth losing it all for. No, as long as she showed up to visit the lovely Maria Thomasetti for another few months, she was home and hosed.
Except that eight hundred thousand wouldn't last forever with these Sydney rental prices.
She did a quick Google search and leaned back in her leather office chair; she put her feet up on her bed and dialled the number she had found.
'Sydney Stock Exchange,' said a female voice.
'Oh, hi,' said Seren. 'I'd like to enroll in your beginners' classes for share trading.'
'You're not going to believe this,' said the woman. 'I was just closing off the enrollments for this session. I can just squish you in. If you'd called a couple of minutes later, you'd have had to wait another two months. How lucky!'
'That's me,' said Seren. 'Lucky.'
Acknowledgements
Once again, this book is inspired by the soldiers I've met in my day job. In this case, the veterans of wars taking place every day in homes, behind closed doors: survivors of domestic violence. If you're in one of these war zones, find someone to help you out. You can do it.
To the book sellers and everyone I've met within the book industry: thanks for welcoming me into your world. I'm still trying to find a baddie amongst you (sorry, occupational hazard). So far, no one.
To the whole team at Random House Australia: thank you. For everything.
To Josh: ∞
Dr Leah Giarratano has had a long career as a psychologist. An expert in psychological trauma, sex offences and psychopathology, she has had many years' experience working with victims and psychopaths. She has worked in psychiatric hospitals, with the Australian Defence Force, and in corrective services with offenders who suffer severe personality disorders. She has assessed and treated survivors of just about every imaginable psychological trauma, including hostages; war veterans; rape, assault, and accident victims; and has worked with police, fire and ambulance officers.
Leah is also the host of a prime-time television documentary series entitled Beyond the Darklands, in which she delves into the minds of some of Australia's most infamous criminals.
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