by Grace York
"Okay. We'll keep him on the list, as we can't rule him out yet. What about the other one, Luc?"
"I didn't get much from him. He seems nice, quite young, but then they all seem young compared to me. He didn't want to talk about Frankie's murder, and he didn't want to tell me what was troubling Corey, either."
"Any chance he could be the secret boyfriend?"
Addison hadn't thought of that. She cast her mind back to the meeting earlier, tried to remember the body language between the two clowns. She hadn't noticed anything that told her they might be more than friends.
"I don't think so, but I suppose I can't rule it out. I'm not great when it comes to spotting things like that, to be honest."
"That makes two of us," said Isaac. He took a sip of his wine. "This is nice," he said, holding up the glass and examining the wine as if looking at it closely would confirm how good it tasted.
"Just the right amount of fruitiness," said Addison. She was no expert on wine, but she knew what she liked. An expensive bottle of red was completely wasted on her, but give her a nice, crisp, sav blanc and she was happy.
"Indeed," Isaac agreed.
"So how are you going with your background checks on the rest of the suspects?" Addison asked. She knew they couldn't talk about the case in front of the others, so she wanted to keep him on track now while she had him to herself.
"Very good, actually. We've ruled out both of the trapeze artists, for a start."
"Oh? How did you manage that?"
"They were having an affair." Isaac leaned forward in his seat and lowered his voice. "They've both got spouses back home, but spending eight months a year on the road, things happen. We found a couple of charges for motel rooms on both of their credit cards, and the dates match up. When we confronted them with that evidence, they admitted it. Don't know why they didn't tell us in the first place. They were together in the guy's bunk when Frankie was murdered."
"That just makes them each other's alibi, doesn't it? Is that good enough?"
"Normally, no. But they… um… let's just say there's a recording that shows them together at the time of the murder. We're satisfied they had nothing to do with it."
"Oh." Addison blushed and tried to hide her embarrassment behind her wine glass, but she ended up laughing. Isaac smiled too.
"What's so funny?"
They both turned in the direction of the voice. Layla had entered the great room carrying the cheese platter. She sat it on the coffee table, and then called up the stairs to Adam before taking a seat on the lounge.
"Well?" she said. "What were you laughing at?"
"Nothing," said Addison, then quickly changed the subject. "How's my kitchen?"
"No permanent damage." Layla raised her eyebrows then popped a square of cheese in her mouth. She turned to Isaac. "How's the investigation?"
"It's ongoing," he said, then concentrated on cutting himself a slice of cheese and choosing a cracker to pair it with.
"So you haven't caught anyone yet?"
"We're following a number of lines of enquiry."
Adam came down the stairs at a jog then and dove straight into the cheese platter. "That's all we're going to get?" he asked Isaac. "Ongoing, following lines of enquiry, yada yada yada?"
"I'm afraid so," said Isaac.
Adam crammed a large piece of cheese and two whole crackers into his mouth.
"Adam!" said Addison.
He finished the mouthful. "What? I'm hungry!"
Addison shook her head and let it go. He was a grown man, responsible for his own actions and social interactions. She changed the subject.
"How is your book coming along?"
It was either the wrong thing to say or the right thing to say, depending on your perspective. Adam launched into a monologue about his book and, while she enjoyed hearing him so animated and passionate about his work, she felt sorry for Layla who'd heard it all already. Isaac seemed interested, though, so that was good.
Before long Justin emerged from the kitchen to tell them dinner was ready. Layla and Adam headed for the table, but Isaac held Addison back.
"There's one more thing we found out today I wanted to tell you," he whispered.
"What's that?" she asked.
"You know Harriet and Owen Hanley have a son?"
"Yes, Holly told me. What was his name?"
"Henry."
"That's it. Owen's mother looks after him a lot. What about him?"
"He isn't Owen's."
16
There was no time to get any further information from Isaac before the rest of the household arrived at the table, so Addison was left with the news of young Henry's parentage swirling in her mind throughout dinner. If Owen Hanley wasn't the boy's father, who was? And did it have anything to do with Frankie's murder?
Justin had marinated a butterflied leg of lamb and cooked it to perfection in the barbecue. He carved it at the table and couldn't hide his delight when the knife slid through to reveal deliciously pink flesh.
Olivia had excelled herself, too. She'd made some scrumptious-looking roast potatoes and sweet potatoes, as well as some honey-glazed baby carrots and butter-braised Brussels sprouts. There was gravy and mint sauce to top it off, and Addison couldn't wait to dig in.
"Emily made dessert," said Justin, beaming at his fiancée. "It looks amazing, so make sure you save room."
There were murmurs of 'yes' and 'definitely' around the table, then everyone filled their plates and passed around the gravy.
"This all looks wonderful," said Addison as they tucked in. "I'm so proud of you both."
"Remember that when you look in the kitchen," said Olivia.
"I don't care anymore," said Addison. She cut a piece of lamb and popped it into her mouth. "Wow," she said, almost involuntarily. "That's delicious."
"We learnt from the best," said Justin. He raised his glass. "Cheers. Thanks for having us this weekend, Mum. It's great to see where you've moved to. I'm glad you're happy here."
"Thank you, Justin. Of course, I'm happy to have you, anytime." Addison tipped her glass towards Emily. "And it's so lovely to finally meet you, Emily. Welcome to the family."
Everyone toasted, then got busy with their food. There was hardly a word spoken as they all devoured the meal. Rob popped into Addison's mind once again, and she smiled to herself. He would have been just as proud of their children as she was.
"So I guess it's pointless asking…" Adam began.
"It certainly is," said Isaac, cutting him off. "I'm sorry, mate. I wish I could share the details of the investigation with you, but you know I can't."
"But you can tell Addison?"
"She's an official police volunteer. She's been through a police check, and signed a confidentiality agreement."
Adam helped himself to more roast potatoes. "Can I do that too?"
Isaac paused. "I guess so. You won't get through if you've got a record, though."
Adam frowned. "Those charges were dropped."
"I know," said Isaac. "Let's discuss it later."
Adam cut into his roast potato with more force than was necessary. Addison's heart broke for him; all he wanted to do was help.
"So about that – Mum being a volunteer, I mean," said Justin. He rested his knife and fork on the side of his plate. "I assume you won't be putting her in harm's way at all, Detective Wilcox?"
"Of course not," said Isaac. "The role of a police volunteer is strictly administrative. They're there to support sworn officers, not take their place."
"Right. So she'll fulfil this support role from the safety of the police station?"
Isaac nodded. "That's correct."
Justin persisted. "Can you guarantee—"
"Justin," said Addison. "I don't need you—"
He held up a hand to interrupt her. "I'm just concerned, Mum. I'm not going to be here. Emily and I are a long way away in Melbourne. Since Dad died… I just feel… I can't stand the thought of you being in any danger, t
hat's all."
Isaac put down his knife and fork. "I understand your concerns, Justin," he said. "Believe me. I promise not to put your mother in any danger. You have my word."
That seemed to appease Justin, but Addison had no idea how she felt about it. Having her son concerned for her safety was natural, she supposed. But the two of them discussing it in front of her, and one promising the other to keep her safe, it felt like the nineteen fifties.
"I am a grown woman, you know," she said, unable to let it go. "I can look after myself."
"We know, Mum," said Olivia. "But Justin has a point. He's all the way down in Melbourne, and I'm four hours away at uni most of the time too. We miss you, and we just want to know you're being looked after. There have been three murders since you arrived in Getaway Bay, after all."
Olivia had a point. Addison decided not to press the issue further. It was a tiny bit gratifying to hear how much her kids cared about her. She changed the subject.
"Is anyone else ready for dessert?"
Layla and Emily swung into action, clearing plates and dishes as Adam took one last swipe at the remnants of the lamb. Isaac asked Olivia how her course was going, and Addison listened as her daughter talked about her subjects and how much she was enjoying what she was learning. She asked Isaac a few forensics questions, and he was happy to share what he could with her. He even told her to contact him when she needed or wanted to do any work experience, and he'd see what he could do to set her up with the forensic services team in Riverwood.
When the table was cleared, and tea and coffee served, Emily emerged from the kitchen with a hot baking dish. She placed it on the table on a heat mat, and everyone's eyes lit up. It looked and smelled divine.
"Warm peach and almond dessert cake," Emily announced, a smile from ear to ear. "My grandmother's recipe."
"Wow," said Addison for the second time that night. "That looks amazing."
Plates of the dessert were handed around, and everyone declared it to be as delicious as it looked. It was a moist, custardy cake with a distinctive almond flavour, topped with peach slices, raspberries, slivered almonds, and a dusting of icing sugar. Addison cleaned her plate and asked for seconds before Adam had a chance to devour the whole thing.
As much as she was enjoying the dinner, Addison was itching to talk to Isaac about young Henry Hanley. She finally got her chance at the end of the evening when she walked him to his car.
"That was the best meal I've had for a long time," Isaac said, rubbing his belly as he opened his car door.
"Yes, yes," said Addison. "Never mind that. Tell me more about the Hanley boy. How do you know he's not Owen's?"
"That I can't tell you. But we're certain."
"Do you know who the father is then?"
Isaac shook his head. "No, not yet."
"Any ideas?"
"No."
"Do you know anything more?"
"Not really. Kendall is working on it. She's looking into the whole family. It's tough, with it being Easter. There's not much we can do until she's finished."
"Okay," said Addison. She stood back as Isaac folded his large frame into the car.
"Goodnight, Addison," he said with a wave through the open window.
"Goodnight," she replied. She stood there watching the car as it exited the long driveway and turned left towards the town.
There might not be much the police could find out about the Hanleys, but that wasn't going to stop Addison. She may have only been in town for a matter of months, but she had her sources.
She'd start her own research on the Hanleys first thing tomorrow.
17
Addison couldn't help it – she shed a quiet tear as Justin and Emily drove off in their hire car the next morning after breakfast.
"They'll be back at Christmas," said Olivia, putting an arm around her mother and guiding her back inside.
"I know. But that seems so long from now. I miss them already."
"Me too," said Olivia. They went through to the kitchen, where Layla was making coffee. "Can we—"
"Already making you both one," said Layla. "Extra strong."
"Thanks. Come on Mum, crack a smile for us."
Addison wiped her face and managed half a smile. She was being silly, she knew. But it had been so nice to finally meet Emily, and discover that she was just as lovely as Justin had said she was. Three days was too short a visit.
"I'll be fine," she said. "Just need a moment."
Adam chose that moment to appear in the kitchen. "Morning all," he said, picking up the coffee Layla had just made and loading it with sugar. "What?" he said when he looked up and found the three women staring at him.
"That was for Mum," said Olivia.
"Oh. Sorry." He grabbed one of the leftover hot cross buns and took it and the coffee back up to his room.
"Men," said Layla. Addison burst out laughing.
When they all finally had their coffee mugs in hand, Olivia went upstairs to do a bit of study and Addison and Layla ventured into the backyard. Addison brought the key to the new studio.
"It's looking good," said Layla, once they were inside. Jason had completed all the structural work, but there was still some plumbing to be done before they could start moving in the pieces of furniture they'd acquired for the space.
"Yes, I'm so pleased with it. Do you think it'll make a nice studio to work in?"
"Oh definitely," said Layla. "I can picture an easel over here by the window, shelves for supplies over here, maybe a chair for contemplation in this corner."
Addison smiled as her cousin strode about the space deciding where everything should go. It was a modest space, not much more than a shed, really, but still it was great to have an artist to help with the interior design of the place. She bet that between them they could make it into a special area for her future artistic residents to be creative.
Charlie the dog, who'd been at their feet since they stepped out of the kitchen, raced off out of the studio. Addison followed him outside and the reason for his abrupt exit became clear. Mrs Jones had opened the gate connecting their two backyards, and her dog Bella had raced through.
"Good morning," said Mrs Jones when she saw Addison. "How's the studio coming along?"
"Good morning, Mrs Jones," said Addison. "It's looking great. Jason assures me the plumber will be coming this week, though not today of course."
"No, I don't expect they work on Easter Monday. Not unless it's an emergency."
"We don't want to pay those kind of rates," said Layla, sticking her head out the door to wave to Mrs Jones. "Addison, I'm going to do a bit of measuring up in here."
"Do you need any help?"
"No, I'm fine. Take Mrs Jones inside for one of your hot cross buns before Adam eats them all."
"Good idea," Addison said with a laugh. Adam was fast eating them out of house and home.
"Is that son of yours and his fiancée still here?" asked Mrs Jones as they headed inside. "I came to say goodbye."
"Oh, you just missed them," said Addison. "They wanted to get an early start. The traffic back to Brisbane will be busy today, and they didn't want to miss their flight."
"That's fair enough I suppose. I'm sorry to have missed them."
"We'll see them again soon enough at Christmas," said Addison. She found herself trying to hold back tears again at the reminder of Justin and Emily leaving.
"Oh that will be lovely," said Mrs Jones. "All right then, I won't keep you—"
"Actually, can I have a quick word?" said Addison. She shook off her melancholy and pointed to the kitchen table.
"Of course," said Mrs Jones, taking a seat.
Addison put her empty coffee cup in the sink and got the container of hot cross buns out of the pantry. She put the kettle on, knowing Mrs Jones would have a cup of tea. Mrs Jones never said no to a cup of tea.
"I was wondering whether you wouldn't mind introducing me to Dot Hanley," said Addison. She put the hot cross buns, a plat
e, knife, and butter on the table for Mrs Jones to help herself. "You said you knew her, didn't you?"
"Yes. Dot and I try to catch up each year. She's coming over for afternoon tea today, in fact. You're welcome to pop in and join us." Mrs Jones chose a bun and slathered it with butter.
"That would be great, thank you." Addison scooped tea into the teapot then poured boiling water from the kettle. Mrs Jones preferred proper tea, rather than a tea bag, and Addison enjoyed the ritual of making it. She placed the pot and a cup and saucer on the table and took a seat.
"You're not having one?" asked Mrs Jones.
"I just had a coffee."
"Right. Why do you want to meet Dot?"
Addison had to think quick. "Oh, I'm just interested in the lifestyle. Doing some research for a book I might write one day."
"That sounds nice. I'm sure Dot will be only too happy to tell you all about it."
"Great," said Addison.
They chatted away while Mrs Jones drank her tea and finished her bun, then the older woman said goodbye and called to Bella to follow her back through the garden gate.
When she was alone, Addison pulled her notebook out of a kitchen drawer and sat down to take stock of what she knew about the case so far.
When she'd met with Isaac and his team on Saturday afternoon, they'd narrowed the suspect list down to eleven people. But Isaac had said last night they'd eliminated two more, the trapeze artists. So that left nine.
Addison listed them all in her notebook: the magician Paolo and his assistant Gianna; the two clowns, Corey and Luc; four of the Hanleys, Owen, Harriet, Jake, and Hugh; and Bob Carter. She went through each of them in turn.
Paolo and Gianna had said they were together in their double bunk at the time of the murder. As husband and wife, though, that alibi didn't count for much. They could have committed the murder together, one covering for the other. And with Frankie after Paolo's job as magician and lead act of the show, they had a clear motive. Not to mention Frankie's unwanted advances toward Gianna. The magic duo was definitely high on Addison's list.
