Winter in Mason Valley

by Eliza Bennetts

  ‘Dee?’

  Dee took a breath and, once she began, the story spilled from her like milk from a dropped carton. On the other end of the line, Christian listened patiently and without interruption.

  ‘I plan to go to the police today,’ she finished.

  ‘Yes,’ Christian responded. ‘Do that. I will contact head office and will organise for security to be on-site by the end of the day. Someone from legal will be with you before lunch. Does anyone else know what’s been going on?’

  She paused. ‘My roommate, Travis. He came on the sting. He investigated with me last night.’

  ‘Is he trustworthy?’

  Dee answered without hesitation. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Good. Okay. Don’t go to the police until I have someone from legal there with you. And once you’ve made a report, don’t go back to the factory until security is in place. Things could escalate quickly.’

  ‘Okay.’

  Dee felt an immense weight lift from her shoulders. Christian had always been so fair and capable. He’d never yelled at her or scolded her. She should’ve known that all she would get from him would be answers and support. No wonder Jo had fallen for him.

  ‘Tell your roommate not to mention anything to anyone either,’ Christian continued. ‘Basically, don’t do anything out of the ordinary until legal arrives.’ He paused. ‘Dee, do you feel comfortable staying in a house with a stranger? Do you want me to send a car to take you to a hotel in Melbourne?’

  ‘No,’ she said. ‘I feel safe here. And … and my roommate isn’t a stranger.’

  ‘Okay,’ Christian said. ‘Sit tight. Help is on the way.’

  28

  Dee called on her high school drama skills for much of the day. When Vince arrived she smiled.

  ‘Morning!’ she said brightly. ‘Just a word of warning, I might be a bit slow today. I couldn’t sleep last night.’

  ‘Nightmares?’ Vince asked, resting his backpack on her desk.

  ‘Insomnia,’ she lied. ‘If you’re looking for me, you’ll most likely find me near the coffee machine.’

  Vince laughed a confident casual laugh. Dee continued to force the smile. She would pull this off, no matter how much she wanted to smack him across the face. She just needed to hang in there until the legal adviser arrived.

  ‘What’s on for today?’ he asked, placing his bag under his desk. He plonked down in his office chair, pulled himself towards his desk and turned on his computer.

  Dee wondered how many times he’d come to work and done this exact same thing after having dispatched drugs from the factory floor the night before. She desperately wanted to shake her head in disgust and call him out for being a dickhead.

  ‘Just looking at some marketing strategies,’ she said. This response was safer than her preferred option, but much less satisfying.

  ‘I’m going to get another coffee,’ she said, rummaging in her drawer for change. ‘Want one?’

  ‘Nah, I’m good. Had one before I left home.’

  ‘Be back in a minute.’

  She headed down the hall and turned into her office, grabbing her hard hat and vest before heading out onto the floor. Once she was through the swinging doors, her eyes sought out Travis, and having spotted him near the pulping machine, she walked nearer and gestured towards the break room.

  The break room was cold and empty except for the coffee machine and a well-worn collection of tables and chairs.

  Travis soon made his way to her wearing his OHS approved fluoro work shirt and a pair of navy pants that hugged his buttocks just so.

  Travis’s train of thought must have been similar to hers because as she plucked her coffee from the machine, he noted, ‘That skirt is really working for you.’

  She smiled. ‘Thanks. You arse looks amazing in those pants.’

  Everything became clouded by the fog of lust, and fearing they might both lose control right there in the break room, Dee steered the subject in a different direction. ‘How are things with Pete?’

  ‘Quiet. Haven’t said much.’

  ‘Well, don’t be too quiet. You don’t want him to suspect anything is different. And, when you get a chance, I need you send me the photos. Also, don’t say anything to anyone about what we saw.’

  ‘I don’t plan on it. I wish I didn’t know myself. Don’t want to inflict this feeling on anyone else, particularly not my mates.’ He looked behind him, surveying the factory floor through the vast window. ‘How are things in the office?’ he asked her.

  ‘Okay so far. I’m letting Vince think everything is normal. Just pretending I’m tired. Actually, not really pretending. I am tired thanks to you.’

  At that, Travis grinned. He reached out a hand towards her, thought better of it and let it fall back to his side.

  ‘I just want this to be over,’ he said on a sigh. ‘Today is really dragging.’

  ‘Tell me about it,’ Dee said. ‘Someone from legal is coming soon. That’s what my boss tells me. But soon might as well be an eternity away.’

  ‘Hang in there. You’re doing the right thing. Hopefully, by this time tomorrow, you’ll have some closure. Whatever that looks like.’

  Dee watched as his face winced in pain. She wanted to reach up and touch him, but she couldn’t risk them being seen. She sipped her coffee and started back towards the office.

  ‘Don't forget to send me those pics,’ she said over her shoulder.

  Dee spent the remainder of the morning vacantly flicking through marketing images. For the first time since arriving in Mason Valley, ensuring the success of the day to day running of Olsen Paper wasn’t at the top of her list of priorities. Her mind kept playing images from the night before on repeat—hiding behind those pallets, hearing Vince’s voice. Seeing Pete’s face. The feeling of humiliation and betrayal. The mind-blowing sex. Her mind snagged on the sex, and her memories of seeing Travis naked buoyed her mood a little.

  Just before lunch, a guy arrived. He looked a bit like Clark Kent and seemed to be in his mid-thirties. He walked up to her desk, placed his briefcase on the floor and announced, ‘I’m here for an appointment with Dee Lovelace.’

  Dee, cautious of Vince sitting to her right, stood and held out a hand. ‘Yes, I’m Dee. Nice to meet you.’

  He gave her a perfunctory nod. ‘I’ve been sent from head office to speak to you about your marketing strategy.’

  This guy was slick. He didn’t skip a beat. Dee wondered if she’d mentioned to Christian she’d be ‘working on marketing.’ Then again, maybe this dude really was a mind-reading version of Superman.

  Possible superhero powers aside, Dee was instantly aware that this man was serious. He meant business. Luckily for her, that was exactly what she needed.

  ‘Shall we head out to lunch and talk strategy?’ she offered.

  Vince chose that moment to pipe up. ‘I can come too, if you like, Dee?’

  ‘Oh no, Vince, you have enough to do. Anyway, we won’t be long, will we, Mr …?’

  ‘Mr Rogers,’ said the man, his voice severe and stern. ‘That won’t be necessary,’ he directed this comment to Vince. ‘I just need Ms Lovelace.’

  ‘Oh, okay then,’ Vince said, looking dejected.

  Suffer in your jocks! Dee felt like yelling. She was in a hurry, wanting to get Mr Rogers out of the front office as soon as possible without raising suspicion from Vince.

  ‘I’ll be back soon, Vince. You want anything while I’m gone?’

  ‘No, I’m good. I guess I’ll see you when you get back.’

  ‘Yeah, like I said, won’t be long.’

  She grabbed her briefcase, walked out from behind her desk and held an arm out to Mr Rogers, signalling towards the door.

  She dared not say a word to him until they were safely in her car with the engine running and she was pulling out of Olsen Paper.

  ‘That was Vince,’ she said, pointedly looking at Mr Rogers. ‘He’s one of them. The leader, I think.’

  ‘Yes, I heard from a
colleague that he might be dodgy.’

  A memory sparked. ‘That colleague wouldn’t be Maria, would it?’

  A small smile flicked across Mr Rogers’ face. ‘You know Maria?’ he asked, his eyebrow raised.

  ‘Mostly through email, though we’ve had a phone conversation. She’s been a light in my life lately—hilarious and helpful. I haven’t met her in person, but I like her.’

  Mr Rogers looked out the window, surveying the scene as it flashed by. Just as Dee had been, he looked unimpressed by what he saw.

  ‘I like her, too,’ he said, absently.

  ‘What do we need to do?’ Dee asked him.

  ‘I’ve had a look at the pictures you sent through and the overview of what you saw. I think the firm is fine legally, but now that we’re in possession of evidence and have witnesses, we need to report it. We also need to double-check that no one in a position of authority had knowledge of what’s been happening. I’m

  concerned about Gary, your predecessor.’

  Dee frowned. ‘You think Gary knew?’

  Mr Rogers sighed. ‘You’ve been here for, what, a month? He was here for five years. You seem like a clever lady and you’ve done a great job uncovering the truth. But you can’t tell me that he didn’t see in five years what you saw in a month. Nobody is that stupid.’

  Dee whistled. ‘You know, I think you’re right.’

  ‘That’s my concern,’ Mr Rogers said.

  Dee drove towards the police station. As they drew nearer, her heart began to pound. Blood rushed in her ears. She was about to do something she’d never done before, and that made her even more thankful for the straight-laced man sitting next to her.

  They got out of the car, and Dee straightened her jacket and nestled her briefcase beside her. She squared her shoulders, took a deep breath and strode towards the front door of the police station. Mr Rogers walked right beside her.

  29

  Travis knocked lightly on the door, then rammed his hands in his pockets. The blood in his veins was coursing with adrenaline. He had knocked on this door hundreds, maybe thousands, of times. Yet, he’d never felt like this before today.

  Within seconds, Chloe answered.

  ‘Hey Travis,’ she said. ‘Come to help with the cot?’

  Never had Chloe’s wide brown eyes seemed so innocent and trusting. That thought made Travis want to storm past her and break Pete’s jaw because of what he was about to do to her. He glanced down and took in her rounded belly. It was still only a small baby bump, but Travis knew the months would flash by fast, and soon, Chloe might be all alone.

  He resolved then and there to ensure that no matter what happened between him and Pete, he would be there for Chloe and the baby when they needed him.

  Chloe led him through to the lounge where Pete sat sucking on a bottle of beer. Pete’s expression was all nonchalance - after all, as far as he was concerned, this was just another day. Another mundane visit from Trav. Another male bonding, fix-it session shared by two best mates.

  ‘Want one?’ Pete asked, holding the bottle of beer aloft.

  ‘No, thanks.’

  Travis knew his tone was sharper and less friendly than he would usually use with Pete. He couldn’t help it. He was so angry, so uncertain as to why Pete had done what he’d done. The more he thought about it, though, the more he realised there was no good reason. Drugs were drugs. The law was the law, and Pete had chosen to break it.

  ‘Pete,’ he said, his gut filled with butterflies. ‘Mind if we have a chat in the shed before we start the cot?’

  Pete frowned and a look of confusion spread across his face. ‘Yeah, mate. Of course. Are you sure you don’t want that beer first?’

  ‘Yeah, I’m sure. Crook tummy.’

  Chloe cut in then. ‘What about a water then Trav?’

  Travis swallowed against the dryness in his throat. ‘Yeah. Water would be great thanks, Chlo.’

  Chloe wandered towards the kitchen, leaving Pete and Travis alone in the lounge. ‘Did you eat something dodgy?’ Pete asked. ‘Dee not as good at cooking as she is at running a factory?’

  ‘No,’ Travis said. ‘Not sure what it is. Might be coming down with something.’

  He didn’t mention Dee. Having a heart-to-heart talk with Pete about Dee was out of the question and that thought was pure sadness. Less than twenty-four hours ago, Pete would have been the first person he’d have confided in about Dee. He wasn’t a kiss and tell kind of bloke, but he would have shared what had happened in limited detail and talked about how his feelings for her were growing. Pete would get no such trust from Travis now.

  Chloe came in with a glass of water and Travis took it, thanked her and followed Pete to the shed. The cold air never usually bothered Travis—in fact, he really liked winter as a general rule—but tonight, he shivered and folded his arms across his chest. When they got to the shed, Pete was quick to ask Travis why they were there.

  ‘This serious, mate?’

  Travis’s stomach lurched. ‘Yes, yes it is serious.’

  He looked Pete squarely in the eye. The time had come.

  ‘Last night, I saw you. I saw you loading that shit onto the truck.’

  Pete’s jaw dropped. Travis knew him so well; he knew the cogs in his mind were turning. He could see Pete was considering his next move.

  Pete opened his mouth to speak. ‘I wasn’t—’

  ‘Don’t even try it, mate,’ Travis snapped. ‘Don’t insult me. I was there. I saw. I have photos.’

  Pete slumped forward and let out a huge, strained sigh. ‘Fuck,’ he said through a growl.

  ‘Yep,’ Travis shot back.

  ‘What are you going to do?’ Pete asked, his eyes wide with fear, his voice strained and high-pitched.

  ‘Thing is, Pete, it’s not really up to me. Dee was there too and she saw everything. She took pictures and went to the police today. I don’t know what happens from here, but I wanted to tell you before the shit hit the fan.’

  Pete looked up. A single tear rolled down his cheek.

  Travis was drowning in a flood of emotion. Sympathy, anger and frustration all washed together in a swirling tide.

  ‘Why?’ Travis whispered. ‘Tell me why, mate.’

  ‘Money,’ Pete whispered. He wiped the rogue tear from his cheek. ‘Vince offered me a huge amount of money to help. Trav, it was too good to refuse.’

  Travis growled in frustration. ‘You needed money? You should have come to me! I would have helped.’

  Pete raised his hands. ‘Trav, you’ve got Annie, you’ve got a mortgage, you’ve got your mum. There was no way I was gonna ask you for money.’

  Travis scratched his forehead. What a mess!

  ‘Do you know when the cops are coming for me?’

  ‘No idea,’ Travis said. ‘I can promise you this, mate. When the time comes, Chloe and the baby …’ His voice cracked under the weight of emotion. ‘When the time comes, they won’t be alone. I will be here.’

  Pete’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I don’t doubt it,’ he said. ‘I just wish I’d never done it.’

  ‘You and me both,’ Travis said. ‘How long has it been going on?’

  ‘I’ve been involved for about eighteen months.’

  The depth of Pete’s deception hit Travis in the chest like a boulder.

  ‘From what I know, it’d been going on for years before that. I think it started when Gary took on the management role. He got Vince involved, and Vince took the operation to a whole new level.’

  ‘I’ve never trusted Vince. I knew something was off with that guy.’

  Travis’s dislike for Vince had reached its apex. He was brimming with a seething and special hatred for the guy. Unsure of what to do next, or of what the next twenty-four hours would hold for all of them, Travis pushed everything to the side.

  ‘Let’s get that cot done.’

  Annie had convinced Dee to watch something ridiculous on TV. Dee had trouble following the plot, but from what she
could tell, it involved unicorns and a flying squirrel. Annie was enthralled.

  ‘Did you see that?’ she asked continuously.

  ‘I did,’ Dee responded. Though, she didn’t. Not really. Her mind was elsewhere, caught up in other worlds. She’d have given anything to be drawn into a universe of squirrels and unicorns, but she kept wondering how Travis was faring with Pete. She remembered how she’d needed to explain to the police, over and over again, everything she’d done and seen the night before. For a while, it had felt as though she had been on trial, but Mr Rogers assured her that it was all part of the process and that she needed to be patient.

  The sergeant had told them that any guilt parties would most likely be charged with commercial trafficking—the most severe drugs charge there was—but he was unable to go into detail. In order to lay charges, the police would need to procure their own evidence and conduct their own investigation. This had Dee panicked. If Travis told Pete what was happening, that would surely inhibit law enforcement. She had tried to text Travis, but he hadn’t replied.

  She had to let it go. She’d played her part and had done what she could. It was time for everyone else to step up and play their role.

  ‘This show would go really well with popcorn,’ Annie said, looking up at Dee.

  ‘You just had dinner.’

  ‘My stomach could deal with some popcorn.’

  Dee rolled her eyes in mock annoyance. She’d get Annie the popcorn and they both knew it.

  ‘Fine,’ she said. ‘But you have to help me.’

  They paused the unicorn show and shuffled into the kitchen. Dee pulled out the frying pan and Annie rummaged in the cupboard for the popcorn and the salt.

  Dee’s phone rang. It was Travis.

  ‘Hi,’ she said, her voice soft. ‘Everything okay?’

  ‘Not really,’ he scoffed. ‘The cops have just come to pick up Pete. No arrest yet, just questioning. Chloe is a mess. I am, too, to be honest.’

  ‘They’ve taken him tonight? I honestly didn’t think it would happen so fast.’ She wondered if the police planned to use Pete to get further information about the next delivery.