CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
A Sickening VisitorThe possum lay on the doormat without moving. Its fur looked bloodied and matted. Hana spun on her heel to send the children away before they saw.
“Asher didn’t do it.” Wiri missed nothing. He set up an immediate protest. “My brother didn’t do that. I know he didn’t.”
“Do what?” Phoenix pushed at Hana’s hip and tried to squirrel past.
“Please, go and play in the garden,” Hana pleaded. “You really don’t want to see this.” She forced a calming breath into her chest. Fear stampeded through the peace which the church service had given her.
“I do want to see it! Wiri saw it.” Hana jerked sideways to stop Phoenix poking her nose through the gap between her and Wiri.
“But I don’t want you to see it.” She turned the child, placing her hands on the thin
