Last Known Contact

by Phillipa Nefri Clark

  “Explain.”

  “I found it unlocked this morning but am certain I locked it last night. Campbell also has mentioned this. The cleaners weren’t even on the floor so who is doing it?”

  “Security?”

  Ellie turned around, her slender body silhouetted against the city skyline. Exhaustion and worry lined her face and Ben longed to smooth them away. Ellie didn’t deserve this. She tilted her head, the barest smile of query touching her mouth and there it was. The fire in his veins as if never gone.

  “Ben?”

  “I’m going to find your father. I promise you.” How he’d crossed the room he couldn’t remember, but he was near enough to see some of the tension drain away. “I think he’s alive. There’s nothing pointing to anything else.”

  “But…Frank Barlow? And Campbell?” Her voice trembled.

  He reached out a hand and she came to him, leaned against his body until all he could do was inhale her warm scent and feel her relax as he wrapped his arms around her waist. The years apart meant nothing, not to his heart and body.

  “We can’t.” she whispered into his chest.

  She turned in his arms and he dropped them, letting her step away. Her colour was heightened, and she avoided his eyes.

  Say what you want. You feel it too.

  “We don’t know why Jack vanished so finding his last known contact is my top priority.”

  “Isn’t it Dennis?” Ellie dug around in her handbag, eventually finding a tissue, and drying her eyes.

  “Probably not. If he did see Jack last, I don’t believe it was at the pier. I’ve arranged with Meredith to speak to Jack’s staff at the house, see if any of them can add to the little we know about that day.”

  “Do you want me there?”

  “Nope. Let’s keep you out of this for the moment. Shall we go to Jack’s office?”

  Ellie nodded and led the way. Ben noticed Mark watching her as she passed the reception hub. Once inside Jack’s office, he glanced back. Mark was on the phone, eyes still on Ellie. Then he glanced at Ben, and hung up. Something to add to his own whiteboard at the station.

  “Nobody has been permitted in here since Dad left. Not the cleaners, or the staff, except for Joni, Dennis, and Paul.”

  “Paul?”

  “To check the safe with me and Dennis, and make sure the cameras were working. Some of the previous night’s footage had dropped out.”

  Ben went to the door and closed it. “Ellie, what’s going on with the surveillance? That’s not the first time I’ve heard about issues, and a lot of the footage Paul provided was low quality.”

  “He told me Dad rejected much of the last upgrades. But Dad is pedantic about security, whether here or at the house. Even my apartment building—it had to be one with top quality security systems and then he had it checked out before I bought it.”

  Yet you think he doesn’t control you.

  “How do you feel about Meg taking a look at the system? Discreetly.”

  “As long as Paul doesn’t know. Anyway, would you do your thing and see if I’ve missed something here?”

  “My thing?” Ben grinned. “Am I a mentalist now?”

  “Funny.”

  “Holmes?”

  “Not even close.”

  At least she was smiling again.

  Perched on the arm of a sofa, Ellie watched Ben open drawers, books, and papers. He wore gloves and replaced everything he touched. His eyes were focused on his job and barely a word had passed between them since he began.

  This gave her time to put jumbled emotions back into their box. He’d caught her at a weak moment, worried about Campbell and doubting everyone’s motives. His arms gave her much-needed strength, but that was all it could ever be. She played with her wedding ring. Time for it to go. As soon as Ben and his team had searched her apartment, she’d pack the remainder of Dennis’ things and send them to him.

  How long does a divorce take?

  “Ellie?”

  She glanced up. Ben held a photograph from Dad’s desk.

  “Why does Jack keep a photo of his first wife on his desk?”

  “I’m in it too.” Ellie joined Ben and took it from him. She loved the way Gabi smiled in this photo. “There’s only a few pictures of us together since I grew up.”

  “Most men don’t keep their ex-wives images in front of them.”

  “Dad isn’t most men. And besides, you know it wasn’t a lack of love which led to their divorce. Gabi needs freedom, and Dad needs security. Different personalities.” Ellie kissed her mother’s image and replaced the photo on the desk.

  “You’re a mix of them both.”

  “Stop it.” Ellie went back to the sofa. “Stop detectiving me.”

  “Not a word.”

  “Is now.”

  “Where is Gabi?” Ben stared at Ellie.

  “If you think she’s run away with Dad, forget it. Her life is on the sea and at her little cabin and she’s made it clear more than once she’ll never return to this world. And he will never leave it. Besides, I have tried to contact her every day I’ve been back, but she isn’t at her cabin and isn’t answering her phone. But I have the number of her closest neighbour who lives further up the river.”

  “So, call them?”

  Ellie rolled her eyes. “Did that days ago. Wind Drifter hasn’t been there for a few weeks, and last they heard, Gabi was heading off to work on illustrations of some rare bird around King Island. Or somewhere.”

  “You might have told me this earlier.”

  “I didn’t think it mattered. If there was a hint Gabi and Dad were together, don’t you think I’d be hunting her down?” Try as she might, Ellie couldn’t keep impatience from her voice. “I wish that was where he is, Ben. For a lot of reasons.”

  “Boss, a minute?” Meg was at the door, her face blank.

  Ellie jumped up. “Come in.”

  Ben nodded and Meg closed the door behind herself.

  “That warrant? I think you should ask for it.”

  Ellie’s hands clenched.

  “I can’t be certain without more time and equipment, but I’m betting Mr Boyd didn’t fall. Not without some help. I think he was attacked somewhere else and dragged to the steps.”

  45

  Perfect Plans

  Everything was coming together perfectly.

  Soon, very soon, he’d collect his final payment and do his own disappearing act.

  One more deposit.

  It was risky. Between Ben Rossi and the homicide squad, there was a whole lot of sniffing around going on. And Ellie thought she was some sort of amateur sleuth with her whiteboard and clever musings. But take care. Remember what happened to the old man who couldn’t leave things alone. He might have unfortunately survived the fall but talking wasn’t going to be an option for some time.

  Losing the top apartment overlooking the pier was disappointing. More for the thrill of it all than anything. After all, there was nothing more to do there, unless to steal the yacht and add yet another element to the mystery. Then again, boats weren’t his thing.

  He packed the last of his clothes. Travel light. Leave behind what you don’t need. Time to move on from the city he’d called home for a bit too long. There was no million-dollar view from this place, but a million dollars in a very secret account was about to make up for it.

  Bags packed, he wandered around the apartment. Not worth leaving any pointers about what he’d done or where he was going. What a shock it would be when they worked out he’d been right there in plain view all this time, always in the background.

  His phone beeped and he read the message.

  Cops think Boyd was pushed. And they’re going to her apartment.

  Time to go. This was happening a little too fast, but patience was his friend and he’d live out of his car if he had to. He’d be long gone from Melbourne before anyone worked out what happened.

  After fixing some loose ends.

  He opened the top
of his other bag. A rifle, handgun, bullets. He zipped it and slung it over his shoulder.

  “You have no right to be here harassing me, and even less right to arrest an innocent man!” Meredith screeched at Ben.

  He’d need to wear ear plugs if this kept up. He set the warrant on the coffee table in the living room where she’d taken him. “This gives us the right. You can let me do my job or spend some time in the back of the car and then the station.”

  Her mouth opened. And closed. Tears filled her eyes and he wanted to tell her to pull her head in. She was a big part of the problem and this behaviour only made things worse.

  “I’m sorry you are upset, Mrs Bannerman, but I’ve explained why and now I need access to the guest house. Afterwards, I will speak to your staff as already arranged, so please ask them to be available. Okay?”

  Meredith lifted her chin and crossed to the tray with brandy. “I am not okay with it, but you’ve made your position clear.” She poured a glass of brandy and swung back. “I want to know why you arrested Dennis.”

  “As I’ve told you, he drove his car while well over any limit in the world. Surprisingly, he made it to his destination without killing anyone. Do you know why he was there?”

  After swigging back a mouthful, she shook her head. “Dennis is his own man. What he chooses to do is up to him. But when I saw him last, he was going to send some emails and then sleep.”

  “What time was this?”

  She shrugged. “Late. Midnight or later. We’d drunk a bit and I went to bed.”

  “Any staff around to confirm a time?”

  “Dennis and I had a romantic dinner by the pool. Once it was served, they all left for the night. Only two of them live here anyway, and Dennis arranged for them to go to a movie in the city and stay somewhere nice. I didn’t even know he’d gone out.”

  “Have them available for a chat. I won’t be long.”

  Ben strode through the house and past the pool. There was a table there with two chairs. One of the staff stopped clearing it as he went past. The lifestyle of Jack and Meredith sickened Ben. Too much money, alcohol, and in Michael’s case, drugs. Yet the minute he got himself into trouble, his father turned his back on him. Damned hypocrite.

  As he closed in on the guest house, he forced his anger down. He had to be clear minded and controlled. And he couldn’t do this alone. Two uniformed officers waited at the door.

  “He’s not lying about being watched.” Ben directed a flashlight onto a curtain rod as one of the officers took photos. “Looks as dodgy as all hell, not at all professional, but this is in the right spot to let someone see his code for the safe.”

  They’d found the tiny camera hidden amongst the curtain folds in the bedroom. Not a brilliant disguise but one that was missed by a casual search of the room.

  Ben took the phone from the officer and messaged the photos to Meg. Someone wanted Dennis to be the fall guy.

  The rest of the guest house offered nothing. It was as clean as a place could be. Apart from the one camera.

  “Where does it lead?” One of the officers asked.

  “Good question and one I hope Meg can answer. I think those cameras are app based, so presumably whoever put it there has access. Might be watching us right now.” He gave the camera the finger and the officer laughed.

  Dennis Connor was guilty of drink driving. Probably of a whole lot of stupid decisions, not the least being his appalling treatment of his wife, none of which would result in further charges. He had a decent lawyer and might walk away from jail time, despite the high alcohol reading.

  Andy’s ringtone interrupted.

  “Did you see the pics I sent Meg?” Ben asked.

  “Dude, told you not to do that.”

  “Ha ha. Why are you calling?”

  “Got some results forensics results. How did the search go?”

  “Found a camera trained on the safe. He’s been set up.”

  “His lawyer is here and says the same.”

  “I’d like to keep him for a bit longer. See what else we can get from him.”

  “Then, you might be interested in where the bullet came from. The one that killed Frank Barlow.”

  Ben knew. His gut knew, and it rarely lied.

  “Dennis’ gun.”

  Andy sounded way too happy. “Got it in one.”

  “Then charge him. We’ll sort it out but for now, let’s keep him close.”

  After leaving the uniforms to prevent Meredith storming into the guest house, Ben met with Brenda, outside by the pool at his request. Until the whole property was searched, he wanted no risk of being overheard.

  They sat on either side of the now-empty table. Brenda gripped her hands together, eyes down, lips in a straight line. Nerves, or guilt?

  “Please relax, Brenda. I’m Ben, and all I want is to help find Mr Bannerman. Do you mind if I ask a few questions about the last time you saw him?”

  “Mrs Bannerman says I must.”

  “You’re not in any trouble and you are not obliged to answer any questions.”

  She glanced up, eyes uncertain.

  “It would help though.”

  There was the slightest nod and Brenda softened her mouth.

  “Thank you. I understand you’ve worked for Mr Bannerman for a long time?”

  “Since before he remarried. He is a good man. Works hard.”

  “Do you remember the day he disappeared? The last time you saw him?”

  She glanced away with a small shake of her head.

  “You don’t remember, or you don’t want to tell me?” Ben kept his voice friendly.

  “I…I shouldn’t say.”

  “It will help if you do.”

  Brenda looked Ben in the eye.

  “The last time was as he left for his taxi.”

  Taxi?

  “Do you recall the time?”

  “Exactly midday.”

  “That is exact.”

  “His driver was away with Mrs Bannerman’s commitments so he phoned a taxi and wanted to be sure he’d be at the pier in time.”

  “To meet Mr Connor?”

  Brenda frowned. “Yes. Him.”

  “Do you know which taxi company?”

  “No. He insisted he’d call and then told me he’d wait outside the gate. I closed the front door behind him.”

  “Why haven’t you come forward?” Ben kept his voice neutral.

  Brenda glanced over her shoulder.

  “Mrs Bannerman is in the house. Are you afraid of her?”

  Those hands were tight together again.

  “One more question. Do you remember what Mr Bannerman was wearing and carrying?”

  “Oh, yes. He wore his favourite sailing shirt and shorts. I remember because he had his gold pen in the top pocket. Because of the papers he had to sign. And he had his briefcase and the bag he takes sailing. I think he usually packs spare clothes in case of bad weather, extra shoes, and…”

  “And?”

  She suddenly leaned forward and whispered. “I think he took the last bottle of his special gin.”

  “What makes it special?”

  Brenda shrugged. “His son gave him a case of it before…well, you know. It was the only one left, which he kept on his desk in the library. It isn’t there now.”

  46

  Saving Himself

  Ellie sat in Jack’s place, alone at the boardroom table. The remaining board members had agreed, even encouraged her to take the role of CEO. One more down and the board would not be able to make decisions. Was this part of someone’s plan? Disable the executive and go in for the kill?

  But who would make such elaborate plans? There was no family left on the board, not until Dad came back. If Dennis was convicted of drink driving, he’d lose his position. There were rules set in stone about standards.

  Did the potential buyer have some insider working with them to bring the price down? Someone Ellie knew and worked with? Her stomach turned at the idea.

>   I don’t want this.

  She never had. Ellie’s calling was food. Not high business or dealing with a world crashing around her shoulders, but the thrill and controlled chaos of a restaurant. Ben was right. She would pursue it again. A tiny light ahead, the rediscovery of a long-lost dream.

  Just find Dad. Then everything would be okay again.

  Ben called.

  “Are you finished with Meredith?” She asked.

  “Almost lost my hearing, she yelled at me so much, but yes.”

  On her feet, Ellie pushed the chair in. “Anything worth telling me?”

  He hesitated.

  “Ben?”

  “There is, but I can’t say at this point. Nothing leading to Jack.”

  “I’m acting CEO.” Ellie headed for the boardroom doors. “So, no warrants required, just do what you need here.”

  “Do I congratulate you?”

  She almost snorted. “Get real. I’m done with this mess, but someone must keep things running. When will Dennis be released? I need to talk to him.”

  “I’m heading into an interview with him right now. And his lawyer.”

  Ellie stopped in the hallway. “Why?”

  “The bullet that killed Frank Barlow came from his gun.”

  Ellie slumped against the wall. “No.”

  “I’m sorry, Ellie. And it doesn’t mean he knows a thing about it, so keep this to yourself. He’s going to maintain the gun was stolen and perhaps it was.”

  “Am I married to a killer, Ben? What if he did kill Dad?” Her voice rose.

  “Then he’ll tell me. But my gut says otherwise.”

  A couple of staff approached, talking to each other. Ellie straightened and nodded to them. She was sick to the stomach of keeping up appearances.

  “Sweetheart?”

  “Why do you still call me that?” She forced her feet forward, toward the elevator.

  “Old habits. Should I stop?”

  “Probably.”

  “Are you telling me to?”