Last Known Contact

by Phillipa Nefri Clark

  Instead of going to her apartment, Ellie let herself into Bannerman House. Dominating the corner of two of Melbourne’s busiest streets, it was fully owned by Jack and the home of Bannerman Wealth Group, but also leased in part to several smaller companies to house their operations. BWG used the top five floors, plus four lower ones, and shared a number of common spaces.

  The huge foyer was deserted. Even the security guards were absent from the long reception desk. As she waited for the elevator, Ellie gazed at the space around her. The first three floors were almost completely open and filled with foliage, comfortable seating areas, and two water features. Behind reception, a massive seascape reminded her of childhood summers spent on board one of the yachts.

  With a soft ‘ding’ the elevator opened. Ellie tapped her key card on the reader and selected the sub-penthouse floor. In a moment she stepped out to a darkened reception area. She glanced to her office, neglected since her return.

  My poor baby.

  Almost six years ago, she returned from a long break overseas to find Dennis settled into her former job as Dad’s right hand. Jack Bannerman didn’t give people a second chance if they let him down, but agreed she could have a new role when she proposed a charity foundation. She’d lost count of how many people they’d helped so far.

  Her destination wasn’t her own office, but Dad’s. Ellie paused at Joni’s desk. Had anyone spoken to her about Dad? Jack trusted his staff, few more than Joni, so perhaps there was something he’d shared with her.

  Ellie let herself into his office, closing the door behind herself. His chair was pushed in, his desk tidy as always. She rested both hands on the back of the chair, imagining for one moment her father was seated there, busy writing a report or on a Skype call. Joni might hurry in with papers to sign, or bring yet another coffee.

  She sighed and pulled the chair out. Remnants of his familiar after-shave lingered on the leather.

  Dad, where on earth are you?

  Ellie sucked in a long breath to the bottom of her lungs to calm her racing heart. She’d find him. She had to.

  She opened the top drawer. The contents were neat, minimal, and required. He was not a man for clutter or hoarding. If something wasn’t useful, it didn’t stay. The only exception was a small collection of items of sentimental value.

  The second drawer held two large envelopes, typical of the ones he sent and received all the time. She didn’t open them. Campbell kept an eye on those sorts of thing so would know if anything unusual was going on.

  She reached for the bottom drawer, interrupted by a sound outside the office. A door closing. Ellie watched for a moment, but seeing no movement through the glass, lost interest.

  On the desk, Jack kept several photographs. His wedding to Meredith. Ellie and Michael as baby and child, five years apart. And one always at the front. For some reason it was face down, so Ellie picked it up. Her own face smiled back, along with her mother’s. Gabrielle Bannerman, Gabi, as she insisted everyone call her, including her own children. Long gone from their lives, at least by distance.

  Gabi’s free spirit never accepted her serious husband’s precise way of life, despite their great love. Ellie knew she’d tried. The arguments got worse and one day she left. Jack gifted her a yacht—Wind Drifter—and she travelled for years, turning her passion for sketching into an income, drifting from remote beach to distant island, only appearing for birthdays and the occasional surprise visit.

  Jack always kept this photo here, despite complaints from Meredith. It was a rare moment when Gabi and Ellie were in the same place and sharing a secret which made them laugh. Ellie kissed her mother’s image and replaced it in the position she knew it belonged.

  A chill crept through Ellie and she glanced through the door again. There was nobody there, nothing but shadows. It must be a security guard around, probably checking the other end of the floor, but then, why not show himself?

  She opened the door. “Hello? It’s just Ellie.”

  With no response, she collected her bag from the desk, pushed the chair in, and locked the door behind herself. This whole thing was playing games with her mind.

  Downstairs, there was still no sign of security, but a quick look at the monitor display behind the counter showed one of the guards heading into a bathroom, and another leaving a staff kitchen with a plate of food.

  The streets were busy enough and Ellie walked home, needing the fresh air to clear her mind. At the corner of her street she was overcome by unease. A scan of the road showed nothing to make her believe she was being followed, not that she knew what to look for. Annoyed at her jumpiness, she stalked to her building.

  A grey sedan drew away from the curb down the road from Ellie’s apartment block. It slowed as it passed the entry, where the concierge was closing the door after Ellie.

  9

  Dark Plans

  “Where were you last night? I’d planned something special.” Meredith stood in the kitchen, hands on her hips which were draped with an almost see-through slip over a bikini.

  Dennis couldn’t take his eyes off her. Makeup perfect, hair dyed into the fashion of silver-before-your-time and curling around her pretty face in soft waves, she was hot. Beneath what passed for fabric, her body had curves he ached to press himself against.

  “Are you quite okay?” her voice softened with amusement. “See something you like?”

  “Coffee for a start.” Dennis enjoyed the flash of annoyance Meredith shot him. “We’ve got plenty of time, Merry, but need to play it right.”

  “I don’t see why. Jack is gone. And you’re single now.”

  “Hardly. It takes more than moving half my belongings out of an apartment to be single.”

  Meredith began making coffee, biting her bottom lip as she turned away.

  “Okay. Go on, say it.” Dennis crossed his arms and leaned his hip against the counter.

  “You know, Jack and I weren’t exactly right for each other, but he was a smart man. He believed in going after what you want.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Why should we wait? What does it matter if the world knows we want to be together?”

  “For God’s sake. Look, Jack only disappeared a few days ago so how is it going to look if suddenly we’re an item? Paul Dekeles already blames me for it and Ellie is going to believe him unless we play things out carefully.”

  “Don’t you…” Meredith sniffed, her shoulders drooping. “I thought you’d want to be with me.”

  He looked skyward for a moment, then sidled up to Meredith, reaching around her with his arms. “Forever, baby. Not just for a fling.”

  She relaxed and leaned back against him.

  “Got to do this right. There are complications. Things to take care of. We can’t afford to be in the firing line for any reason. I shouldn’t be in the guest house even.”

  “Then move out. Find a hotel or something. But sooner or later they’ll find his body, so you need to sever ties with your wife. Okay?”

  What do you know?

  Had Jack shared the contents of his note with Meredith? Surely not, or she’d be telling the police everything, if only to accelerate her claim on his estate. Unless it was pure coincidence and she’d paid someone to take care of her husband. His arms loosened.

  “Dennis? You didn’t answer.”

  “Right. Yeah, sure. Of course.” He released her and picked up both coffee cups. “Wanna sit by the pool?”

  “Sure.” Meredith went ahead. As she sashayed in front of Dennis it was all he could do to walk in a straight line without spilling coffee. So sexy.

  The pool reminded Dennis of an island lagoon. Rocks with a waterfall circulated the salt water. The floor was sand coloured and the water crystal clear. It was a pleasant place to unwind. A great place to host parties. Who to invite? The new-look board of directors he’d handpick?

  “I swear, Dennis, you’ve got to get your hearing checked. May I please have my coffee?” Meredith held her hand out f
rom the lounger she’d sunk onto.

  “Miles away. Here.” He perched sideways on the next lounger, feet on the ground so he could look at her. “I’ve got to go to work soon. Help the police. Stuff like that. And I need to speak to Ellie—”

  “Why?”

  Dennis reached for Meredith’s hand. “She’s going to have to do her job as Jack’s daughter and the head of the Foundation. Whether she wants to or not, Bannerman Wealth Group needs to make a statement about Jack and I’m going to write it. She can tidy it up and get it out there.”

  “I guess.”

  “And this includes you. So, start thinking about being the distressed wife, the frightened woman whose husband just up and disappeared. Might need to get you in front of the media with tears and confusion. Can you do that, baby?”

  Meredith crossed one long leg over another. “I’ll find my mourning clothes.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far. But dark sunglasses and some nice white handkerchiefs. I’ll brief you beforehand.”

  Once she nodded, Dennis stretched out on the lounger, eyes on the pool. The splashing of the waterfall created small waves. Add a yacht and it could be a day on the sea. Soon.

  “Didn’t expect you to be here so early, Detective.” Paul nodded as Ben lifted the coffee pot in the open plan police station. “Was going to leave this with the sergeant.”

  “What do you have for me?” Ben plonked a cup in front of Paul, then dropped into his seat on the opposite side of the desk.

  Paul pushed a USB across to Ben. “Anything I could think of. The board meeting, particularly afterwards and you can quite clearly see how tense things were. Followed Jack’s trail back to his office for a short bit, then off down the elevator. And him driving out.”

  Ben took the USB. “Thanks. I’ll get this looked at. Was there anything odd you noticed?”

  “Odd?” Paul sipped his coffee. “No. Well, maybe. Jack took an envelope from his office. Not the regular type that he drops off with his secretary, but a small white one. Like you’d post a letter in.”

  “And that’s odd, how?”

  “Jack’s not exactly the letter writing sort. I mean, he dictates stuff and Joni does whatever she does to make it right. But she handles everything. Posting, or couriers or whatever. For him to carry an envelope out of the building was a bit strange.”

  “And he did so on the day he disappeared.”

  “He did.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Not from the footage. And let me know if you need more. Or of anyone else’s movements.”

  “Like?”

  Paul shrugged. “Dunno. Just thinking aloud.”

  “Appreciate the assistance.”

  “Like to say I appreciated the coffee…” Paul stood with a grin. “Let me buy you a real one next time.”

  Ben grimaced at the eternal dig about police coffee, then watched until Paul was out of sight. There were pieces to this puzzle not adding up.

  Ellie stared at the ceiling of the spare bedroom for a long time, barely aware of the transition from night to light as her thoughts collided. Sleep had finally come long after midnight, but only for a while. She needed to make her own bed and move back into her own bedroom. New sheets. Flowers.

  Everything was out of control, and Ellie hated it. Her work gave her purpose, a daily routine where she contributed and helped others. But that work had taken her away for a month and she’d returned to a world on its head.

  Dad was missing and his wife didn’t seem to care. How could Meredith be so cold about his disappearance? Perhaps it was a combination of brandy and worry that made the woman so nasty the other night. Today she’d go back and speak with her, one on one. Find out what the past few weeks were like and where she believed Jack might be.

  And Dennis. Champagne in the fridge. Their bed stripped bare. Half his closet empty. Had she been away one time too many? Was there someone else?

  Meredith…

  Ellie flung the covers off, unsure if the sick feeling in her gut was hunger, or truth.

  There was no food in the place, nothing she’d risk eating. She showered and dressed, plaiting her hair before it was dry and overdoing the makeup.

  She glanced in the mirror on the way out, pausing long enough to brush a stray hair behind an ear. Worry lines creased around her eyes. At some point she needed to talk to Michael, about this. And tell him…what? Ellie closed the door on her dark thoughts.

  The sight of gym man at the elevator was almost enough to send her back inside. But the click of her door locking got his attention and he grinned. Ellie raised her chin and smiled politely as she approached.

  “Nice morning. You’re up early,” he said.

  Even from a few feet away his body odour invaded Ellie’s senses. He was presumably on his way to a gym…or was he? Again, there was a sense of having met him somewhere away from here, or someone like him.

  “Always. Are you heading down to the seventh floor?” She glanced at the bag he carried.

  “Seventh? No. Should I be?”

  “You look ready to work out.”

  He frowned as the elevator opened. “Yeah.” He stepped inside.

  Ellie followed, keeping as far away as she could in the small space.

  “Sorry, just assumed you’d use the gym in the building.”

  He drew his bag closer to his body. “Right. Nah. I do other stuff. Like boxing. And I have a membership down the road from the last place I lived. Can’t waste it.”

  The elevator stopped a couple of floors down and other people got in. Ellie flattened herself against the wall to make space, rather than move closer to gym man. Whatever his name was.

  Her phone vibrated and she managed to slide it of her bag. A message from Paul. “I’m grabbing breakfast at Hidden if you’d like to catch up.”

  The doors opened. Out of the building, she crossed to the tram station in the centre of the road. Did Paul have anything new to add? Ellie needed a coffee.

  10

  Hidden Meanings

  Hidden was an aptly named tiny café in a dark alley running off a narrow street. Word of mouth kept it busy from dawn to close and today was no different.

  Ellie slipped between tables to reach Paul who was protecting two seats at a long bench facing a brick wall. He stood as she neared, dropping an unexpected kiss on her cheek.

  “Here, grab your seat before someone steals it. Have you eaten?”

  “Haven’t had time to shop yet, but coffee will be fine thanks.” Ellie tucked her feet under the table as Paul headed for the counter. She touched her cheek, brow furrowed.

  Her stomach rumbled. She should have ordered some food. The café was buzzing with sound. Music, chatter, the background kitchen noises. It was pleasant. Comforting. She liked it here.

  “Right. Won’t be long.” Paul settled next to her. “I am so sorry, Ellie.”

  “Why?”

  “Leaving you alone since you got back to deal with everything. Not being there when you probably needed a friend.”

  “I’m fine, Paul. It isn’t your job to worry about me.”

  “But I do. Jack would have…Jack wants me to.”

  Ellie’s eyes searched his face. “Wants? Have you heard from Dad?”

  He shook his head. “Sorry, bad choice of words. But he always did. Keep an eye on my girl. That’s what he said more than once. So, I will.”

  “It really isn’t necessary. But I do have questions.”

  A waiter interrupted with coffee. The steaming cup smelled divine and Ellie murmured her thanks before taking a cautious sip.

  “Ask away.”

  “Okay. Since when did Dennis live at Dad’s house?”

  Paul sat back. “Have you asked him?”

  “I haven’t seen him since the night before last. When I got back from London.”

  “Why not?”

  “Police station, then nearly a whole day searching everywhere for Dad,” Ellie’s voice broke a little. “Then I went to his h
ouse, to get something from my desk. But only Meredith was there and she was in a mood.”

  “What were you after?”

  Was it her imagination, or was Paul closer, his eyes intense? “Just a…notebook I’d left there. Nothing important.”

  “Excuse me.” The waiter returned with two plates. Paul motioned for one to be set before Ellie.

  “Oh, I didn’t—”

  “I did. You need to eat.”

  Two perfectly poached eggs perched aloft a swirl of spinach, with a fan of sliced avocado to one side. Exactly what she’d have ordered for herself.

  “Paul? Thank you. But how on earth did you order this?”

  “It is your favourite, right?”

  “It is.”

  “Then eat.”

  He was already devouring his waffles. Ellie stared at him for a moment, then picked up a fork, famished.

  Food helped. She savoured every morsel, then finished the coffee with a sigh.

  “Earth to Ellie.”

  “Sorry, Paul. That was delicious, thank you.”

  “Pleasure. I ordered more coffee while you were worshipping your breakfast.”

  Ellie laughed.

  “Good. Better than looking so distraught all the time.” Paul put his hand over one of Ellie’s. “We’re going to find Jack, okay?”

  With a nod, Ellie withdrew her hand. “We were talking about Dennis.”

  “Oh. Him. He moved out of your apartment about three weeks ago. Into a hotel. Then the day Jack disappeared, Meredith had a melt-down and begged him to move into the guest house. Something about being afraid on her own.”

  “Rubbish. She has staff. And she could have asked you to provide security.”

  “She could have.”

  “What has she done to find Dad?”

  “Stared at her reflection at the bottom of a glass a lot.” Paul piled their plates on top of each other. “Sorry. That was insensitive. I don’t know, Ellie.”