The Dry

Falk bursts into the station telling Raco that the entire case was “never about Luke” (275). Falk admits he had tunnel vision, but that everyone was “backing the wrong horse the whole time” (276). The note about “grant” had, in fact, been about the Crossley Educational Trust money; Falk had called them earlier that morning and they confirmed that the school was gifted $50,000. Whitlam had lied about receiving it, and they presume he stole the money to cover his gambling debts.

In one flashback, Luke was on his way home from Jamie's farm. He noticed Whitlam waving on the side of the road, and reluctantly pulled over to help him with his bicycle. When he got out of the truck, Whitlam knocked him out. In another flashback on the day before the murders, Karen confronted Whitlam about some paperwork she had received from the Crossley Educational Trust. Certain that he had stolen the money, she hoped he could explain the discrepancy. He panicked, and his nervous dismissal of it confirmed for Karen that he was lying.

Two nights prior to their deaths, a flashback reveals that Karen shared her suspicions about Whitlam with Luke. He insisted she go to the police, but she wanted to be completely sure before accusing him publicly.