A Light in the Dark (Taylor's Bend, #3)

by Elisabeth Rose

  ‘Who would know you did?’

  Arlo spread his hands and shrugged. ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if the council office has a mole. I’m not frightened.’ He started walking again. ‘I have to try Myra again.’

  ‘What about Riley?’ She kept pace beside him.

  ‘What about him?’

  ‘If these people go around killing and making threats they might want to shut you up too by approaching him.’

  ‘That’s a bit unlikely, isn’t it, now they’ve got their approvals? Let’s not get carried away.’

  Mia firmed her lips and said nothing. Not being frightened on his own behalf was one thing but Riley? If something happened to the boy she’d never forgive herself for indirectly involving him.

  ‘What are you doing for the rest of the day?’ he asked after a few moments.

  ‘There’s jazz from three at the hotel. I thought I’d check that out.’

  ‘Like some company?’

  ‘Sure.’

  ‘Or,’ he said and slipped his hand into hers, ‘we could go back to my place and pick up where we left off yesterday.’

  ‘Oh … um.’ Her hesitation was enough.

  ‘Sorry, not a good idea.’

  ‘No, well, yes and no,’ she said. ‘Yes, it’s a good idea and no because the timing is terrible.’

  ‘It’s the only chance we might have.’

  ‘That’s the point. I don’t do quickies with men I hardly know and who I probably won’t see again, no matter how attractive I may find them.’

  ‘So you think I’m attractive.’ He grinned and nudged closer.

  ‘You know I do. Don’t look so smug.’ She gave him a gentle jab with her elbow and he laughed.

  ‘If you do come back to mine you might change your mind and stay in town,’ he said.

  ‘I won’t but I’m not leaving just yet. Anyway—’ She raised an eyebrow his way, ‘—why should I be the one to give up my career and move? Why don’t you move to Sydney for me?’

  ‘Fair point.’ He nodded and the smile faded. ‘I don’t think I’m ready for that yet. The city, I mean, not you. I’m ready for you.’

  ‘Yet?’ So he wasn’t talking about his feelings for her or the concept of a relationship. ‘Does that mean you might go back one day?’

  ‘It’s not completely out of the question. Let’s cross over here.’ Sunday traffic was minimal but in the next block cars were parked outside The Crown.

  ‘Jazz must be popular,’ Mia said. ‘It’s not three, yet.’

  ‘We can have a coffee at Hannah’s first if you like.’

  ‘Okay.’

  The afternoon passed casually, first at Hannah’s with the coffee and a shared chocolate fudge brownie, then across the road at The Crown. People came and went but Mia was happy to stay at their table in the bar, content in the warmth and Arlo’s company, with the jazz quartet in the corner playing what to her sounded like pretty good music. Or perhaps it was because she was happy, she realised with surprise. For the first time since her father died she was relaxed and it was all to do with the man sitting across the table tapping his fingers to the beat. He turned his head abruptly and smiled.

  She leaned closer. ‘Thank you, Arlo.’

  ‘That’s all right. I often drop in here on a Sunday afternoon.’

  ‘Not for coming with me today, for everything. Helping with … you know. It means a lot.’

  ‘How could I refuse?’ he said softly, holding her gaze.

  She sat back, retreating from the invitation. ‘Easily. You don’t know me at all and vice versa.’ As she spoke she knew that wasn’t strictly true. Arlo knew more about her in a week than most of her colleagues and friends. Somehow he’d instinctively tuned into her wavelength.

  But she couldn’t let him convince her to go home with him, not when she was leaving so soon. This man had the potential to be way more than a flirtation, heartbreakingly so, and she didn’t want to carry that damage to her heart back to her real life, haunting her along with the dream, making her life a misery.

  ‘You needed help,’ he said in a different tone. Practical and matter of fact. ‘Did you have the dream last night?’

  ‘No, but I never have it two nights in a row.’

  Arlo’s phone buzzed. ‘It’s Riley wondering where I am,’ he said. He typed a reply. ‘I’d better go home and organise some dinner for him, it’s after five. Time’s flown. Sorry.’ He stood up and pulled on his coat.

  ‘That’s okay. Thanks for keeping me company.’

  Oblivious to the sidelong grinning glances at the nearest tables he kissed her cheek leaving her skin tingling with the promise. ‘See you soon.’

  He was in for a lot of teasing after she’d gone home.

  ***

  Mia went round to her house early on Monday, before breakfast, to turn the heating on and let in the workmen who were due to start that day. Giorgio, the painter, turned up minutes after she arrived shivering in the morning frost. She left him to it and went back to The Crown for breakfast. Riley was standing at the bus stop in the main street with a small group of kids bundled up in scarves and parkas, bound for high school in Willoughby. Arlo must have managed to prise Riley out of bed this morning.

  ‘Hi, Riley,’ she said.

  ‘Hi.’

  Curious eyes assessed her as she paused. Which one was Katie with the crush? A tall red-haired boy who must be Sam, and a slim girl, blonde hair in a ponytail, stood on either side of Riley. The girl wore a shy smile.

  ‘Hello, are you Jack’s sister, Katie?’

  She nodded.

  ‘He walks your dog past my house, I’m Mia.’

  ‘I know. We live in the same street.’ She glanced at Riley and her cheeks went pink.

  ‘Well, my feet are getting cold. See you later,’ Mia said. ‘Hope your first day goes well, Riley.’

  ‘Thanks. See ya.’

  She walked on and before she’d reached the hotel, the bus roared past heading for the stop.

  ***

  Arlo had a second coffee after Riley left for the bus stop. He wouldn’t admit it to his dad but Arlo knew he was nervous otherwise he’d still be in bed. How long that would last was anybody’s guess. No doubt there’d be a few late dashes to school by car before long. So far so good in single dad world. He took his coffee through to the office to do some research on Greenhill Constructions and the Baran brothers.

  When Georgia arrived a couple of hours later he was deeply immersed in a complex series of company sales, ownership and name changes. One detail was interesting, however. The Barans were related to Peter Stine through their mother. Stine had made news fifteen years ago with his arrest for, amongst other crimes, blackmailing a police officer and bribing various government officials. He’d done time and been released early on parole. Since then he’d kept to the straight and narrow, unless he’d corrupted his young relatives and was manipulating and controlling at arm’s length.

  One of the things he appreciated most in Georgia was that she recognised when his intense concentration wasn’t to be interrupted. She sat down at her desk without a word and began working.

  Fifteen minutes later Arlo sighed and stretched his arms over his head, cracking joints and loosening shoulder muscles.

  ‘Hi,’ Georgia said. ‘What were you so engrossed in?’

  ‘Greenhill Constructions has links to a dodgy bloke called Peter Stine who went to jail a while back for bribery and corruption.’

  ‘Wow. I wonder if Barry the Charmer knows.’

  ‘I doubt that. I didn’t have him down as a crook. He’ll be their clean local front man. Listen, I haven’t established that Stine is involved in what’s going on here, if there is anything. It’s just an interesting piece of info at the moment.’

  ‘What are you going to do?’

  ‘About that? Not sure yet but there was a weird character staying at the hotel over the weekend who might have been here to check on Mia and warn her off.’

  ‘Why? What do
es she know about anything?’

  ‘Nothing but that’s possibly what they were making sure of.’

  ‘Is he still here?’

  ‘No, she said he left yesterday.’

  ‘Are you going to tell Rupe?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘What are you working on?’ he asked. ‘We need a couple more articles this week.’

  ‘How’s Riley?’

  ‘Great. He actually made it to the bus stop early.’

  ‘That won’t last.’

  ‘I know. I told him he could do a column for us on what kids are interested in.’

  ‘Good idea.’

  ‘And we’re moving into Mia’s house when the renovations are done. More space.’

  ‘Another good idea.’

  ‘I’m pleased you approve.’

  ‘I approve of you making changes to your life for his sake. Parenthood does that to people.’

  Arlo nodded. He couldn’t pick her up on the implication he hadn’t been a parent before. She was a single mother. His son was fourteen but this was the first time he’d had sole responsibility for his welfare. He wished he could claim the idea was his but Mia had pointed out the deficiencies in his current accommodation. Would it have occurred to him to move to somewhere bigger? He had no idea.

  ‘I’ll do something on the mother’s group fundraising plan,’ Georgia said.

  ‘Which is?’

  ‘A nude calendar.’

  ‘You’re kidding.’

  ‘Nope.’

  ‘Are you going in it?’

  ‘I’m the photographer but sure, why not?’ Her eyes narrowed.

  He held up his hands. ‘No argument from me. Coffee?’

  ‘Yes. Please.’

  Arlo went to the kitchen to start the brew. While he waited he phoned Rupe. As he suspected, Rupe was reluctant to run licence plates on someone for no reason but Arlo pressed, emphasising the possible involvement of the man called Joel Carmody with Greenhill Constructions and a known criminal—definitely a stretch but worth having a go with. The best he got was ‘I’ll get back to you.’

  Then he phoned Myra again. This time she answered and this time she had something to say.

  ‘I’m sorry I was rude when you called,’ she said. ‘Ed and I talked and he made me realise … he’s very brave … and so was Tony …’ Her voice trailed off.

  ‘I agree. What did you realise?’ He fumbled for his notebook and pen.

  She sniffed hard. ‘Sorry. I’m sorry, it’s just so sad.’

  Arlo waited.

  ‘He said people like that shouldn’t be allowed to get away with what they do. And murder … that’s too much. Far too much.’ She sniffed again and the receiver rustled in his ear followed by the muffled sound of nose blowing. ‘I’m sorry.’

  He made a note.

  ‘That’s okay.’ He asked carefully, ‘Do you believe Tony and Glenda were murdered?’

  She hesitated. Again he waited.

  ‘I think they probably were but I’ve no idea by whom or how they managed it to look … the way it did.’

  ‘Were you approached to change your vote? Threatened?’

  ‘Yes, I was and I’m ashamed to say I took the money that was offered. My husband is quite a bit older than I am and he had medical issues at the time. We had bills.’

  ‘Did you fear for your life?’ A bribe? So this was serious stuff. He scribbled it down. Why hadn’t she reported it? Did her husband know?

  ‘Yes, and they threatened my daughter’s family. She and her husband owned land along the same road as that resort site and they and their neighbours had concerns about the water use, the environmental impact and all sorts of other things. I was told that if I didn’t change my vote they’d suffer. A grass fire destroyed one of their haysheds but no-one could prove it was deliberately lit although the police suspected it was.’

  ‘Who contacted you?’

  ‘I’ve no idea. It was a voice on the phone.’

  ‘Did you report it?’

  ‘No. I did get crank calls sometimes if an issue was controversial, but after they began threatening Sue and Josh—they have two small boys—I decided to retire. I was a coward. Someone left a parcel addressed to me at home and it was a large sum of cash—ten thousand dollars. A note said it was a donation but I knew what it really was. I used it to help Sue and Josh repair the damage. I didn’t tell anyone, not even my husband. They think I got some sort of investment windfall. They have no idea I was threatened.’

  ‘Are you frightened now?’

  ‘No. They got what they wanted. I retired and ceased to be a problem. Sue and Josh won’t complain anymore, it’s a done deal. When my husband recovered we went overseas for a lengthy trip to visit relatives so I wasn’t a problem for anyone. And if I did speak up they had the fact that I’d taken the bribe to hold over me.’

  ‘Myra, you know I intend to get to the bottom of this, don’t you, and you’ll probably be dragged into it again?’

  ‘Yes, I do but Ed wants you to and I do too. Before Ed dies, if possible.’

  ‘I’ll do my best. Thanks, Myra, I appreciate it.’

  ‘Be careful, Arlo. Those people are ruthless.’

  ‘I will.’

  ‘Myra, the two councillors who replaced you and Ed …’

  ‘They campaigned very strongly.’

  ‘And you think they had extra financial help?’

  ‘One of them was new to the area and managed to outdo some popular locals and the other was very vocal in support of the developments beforehand. So yes, it wouldn’t surprise me at all.’

  Arlo hung up and hissed air softly through his teeth. How many other councillors were paid off to get this thing through? And why was it so important to the backers that they build a resort out here? Was it going to be such a money spinner? Was Stine linked or was it a coincidence his nephews were involved? Some big fat coincidence …

  Arlo wrote down more notes and leaned against the table studying the pages, as he thought it through.

  ‘What happened to the coffee?’ Georgia went to the bench and finished the preparation.

  He straightened. ‘Sorry, I was on the phone.’

  ‘Anything interesting?’ She handed him a mug.

  ‘No.’ He couldn’t tell her what Myra had said, the information was too dangerous. It had got two people killed already and had others frightened to speak out, or unwilling to implicate themselves. He had to protect Myra and Ed until everything was clear and he could go to Rupe and blow the whole thing open.

  It stabbed at his heart but Mia was better off away from Taylor’s Bend. If she said she was leaving he wouldn’t try to make her stay. Whoever Carmody was he knew she was here and so did his employer. He’d given her a warning. We’re watching you. And was Lucian Farage also one of the watchers?

  ‘Earth to Arlo …’

  He smiled. ‘Sorry. What did you say?’

  ***

  By Wednesday night the house had undergone a minor transformation. Giorgio, the painter, had worked like a demon and said he’d finish inside on Friday. He was set to continue outside the following week but Arlo could move in over the weekend. The new floor looked brilliant and Mia was now waiting for the replacement fridge due to arrive late the next day.

  She drove to Willoughby on Thursday morning to see Carl at the real estate agency and organise the paperwork for the rental. He welcomed her in with a broad smile.

  ‘Come into my office.’

  She explained the situation but he already seemed to know what she’d arranged with Arlo.

  ‘It’s a good plan,’ he said. ‘Works out well for everyone.’

  ‘Who told you?’

  ‘I have my spies.’ He chuckled then relented. ‘My daughter goes to Willoughby High. Riley’s in her maths class. The new boy seems to be causing quite a stir amongst the girls.’

  ‘He’s a nice boy.’ Mia shook her head to dispel the image of Joel’s sinister face the
word spies had conjured. Was he a spy? It felt like it. And what about the other man?

  On impulse she asked, ‘Have you come across someone called Lucian Farage?’

  ‘No, why?’

  ‘He was staying at the hotel.’

  ‘Can’t help you, sorry.’

  ‘I didn’t really think you’d know him, he’s not local.’

  ‘There you are then. Arlo called me,’ he said.

  ‘About the house?’ A pang of disappointment took her by surprise. Didn’t he trust her? Why not call her if he had a problem?

  ‘No, no, he’s happy about that. No, it was about the Greenhill developments. He wanted to know if your father was involved in the land sales.’

  ‘You said he was all for it.’

  ‘He was. Very keen.’

  Mia nodded. Arlo already knew that. Why ask again? ‘Did he ask anything else?’

  ‘Such as?’

  ‘Such as did you think that Dad might not have committed suicide?’

  He stared at her, stunned. ‘Why would he ask that? Is that what he thinks?’

  ‘I … I don’t know … he likes investigating.’

  Carl nodded slowly. He said gently, ‘Mia, don’t get sucked in by his wild ideas. It’s clear what happened even though the people who knew and loved Tony can’t believe it. Unfortunately, it’s the sad truth. Don’t let Arlo upset you.’

  ‘I won’t. Thanks, Carl.’

  ‘I’ll have the papers drawn up and sent to you and you can sign and return them to us.’ He stood and held out his hand. ‘I’m glad this is working out for you, and you can trust me to take care of things.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Back in Taylor’s Bend Mia parked the car at the hotel and walked to Arlo’s office. She hadn’t spoken to him since Sunday, having been busy herself, knowing he was, and hesitating to call him in the evenings because of Riley.

  She pushed the office door open. Arlo looked up from his desk and smiled. He was alone.

  ‘Hi there.’

  ‘Hello.’ Shyness she hadn’t experienced for decades swamped her. She took off her coat as an excuse for not meeting his eyes, giving herself time to regroup her adult self.

  ‘How are you and Riley getting on?’ she said at the same time as he said, ‘I haven’t seen you for ages.’