Zara told him about the strange vehicle and the woman seen running each day.
‘Hmm. I reckon they’re already in Barker. You’re right, you’re going to need to talk to your friendly policeman about this. Find out the best way to handle it. It’ll be tricky if he’s been warned off. By hell, Zara, be careful. This is bigger than even you hoped for.’
‘I will.’ She hung up and sat contemplating what Lachie had just told her. Visions of a man in a cage, shrieking with terror as rats bit and tore at his flesh came to her. Looking over her shoulder she quickly started the engine and put the car into gear and drove home, watching her rear-vision mirror the whole way.
Zara was going through her phone messages and stopped at Jack’s.
Can we catch up?
She tapped the phone against her chin as she thought. Maybe it would be easier not to see him until all this was over. She certainly didn’t want to put him in any danger. But then she thought about the last time she saw him, on the roadside as she broke down in tears, and remembered how good she’d felt when he’d pulled her against his chest.
Trying not to think too much, she sent back her answer: Am out of town at the moment. I’ll call you when I get back. Her fingers hovered above the keys, wanting to say something more, something to bridge the gap between them, but she decided against it and hit send.
Not strictly true, but she’d only just got home, and it was close to 9 p.m. She still had to get dinner and speak to Dave. She would call Jack tomorrow, if Dave said that was okay.
The second hand inched towards 10 p.m. and Zara slipped out of her house as it ticked over the hour and the clock hand hit the twelve.
Walking in the shadows, she opened the back gate and picked up a handful of rocks, before hurling them at his roof. This time it only took two throws to get him outside.
‘Lachie and I found Melissa,’ she told him as they huddled around the side of the house. ‘And you won’t believe what she’s doing. It’s a long and involved story.’
‘Hit me with it,’ Dave said, putting his hands underneath his armpits for warmth.
She filled him in on everything she’d found out that day.
‘So, this Spritz, he was her dealer, pimping her out for a while in Port Augusta. She’d known him for a while—longer than she first claimed.
‘Spritz was Ryan Kipling’s supplier for a few years and sold him the drugs that killed him. Long and short of the story: Spritz was worried that Melissa was going to grass him. She took Ryan’s death really hard and wanted revenge.
‘He knew she’d been on the gear before, but both she and Ryan had got off it before they conceived Paris, and Melissa hadn’t realised that Ryan was using again.
‘Spritz came to Barker once Melissa had moved back here. He said he wanted to rekindle the relationship they’d had before Ryan. He spiked her drink and then injected her—and that’s when you found her. Sounds like he was worried she would turn him into the authorities.’
‘Fuck,’ said Dave. ‘What a tosser.’
‘Melissa said it took her a long time after that to break away from him. She’s been clean for eighteen months, but he turned up at the halfway house she’s working at and they shacked up again. That was when he asked about having drugs sent through the mail to her. Not to Essie. To Melissa.
‘Sounds like this is how he works. Befriends a former user and asks them to take delivery of the drugs. Of course, he doesn’t want a user to get them because there’s every chance they’d take off with the drugs.’
‘They’d only do that once,’ Dave muttered. ‘And this fits in with the phone call I had from the AFP today asking if I knew if there had ever been any drug families living in the Flinders region. This Spritz obviously was in the area, even if only for a few weeks.’
A shower of rain came through and the wind tossed the leaves of the tree against the house, while Zara continued with her story.
‘She’s really proud that she managed to get away from him and get clean.’
‘So she should be.’
‘But,’ Zara held up her finger, ‘Melissa never thought he’d use her mother to access the drugs. She thought if she got herself clean, he wouldn’t have anything to hold over either her mum or her.’
‘I suspect he’s threatened either Melissa or Essie’s life. That’s how those lowlifes work.’ Anger filtered through his voice. ‘If someone threatened to kill your daughter, well, that would be enough to make you agree to receive a parcel of drugs.’
‘Yeah,’ Zara said. ‘That makes a lot of sense. He’s very charming, Melissa said, so he could have easily wooed Essie, then hit her with what he actually wanted once she trusted him. But the family isn’t that charming. Lachie told me about a source he had—they killed him by letting rats eat him alive.’
‘I’ve heard similar stories. They’re ruthless.’ He looked to the sky as a sliver of moonlight shone through the clouds. ‘He could’ve got to her that way, for sure.’ He was quiet. ‘Or there’s another possibility. He mightn’t have done either. He could have threatened Paris right from the start. I could see how that would work. Both women would be pliable if that had happened. He could have said he’d get her into the sex trade or sell her organs.’
Zara blanched. ‘God almighty.’
‘Yeah, we’re dealing with the dregs of society here. Look at the rat story. Okay, anything else you’ve got for me?’
‘Lachie’s looking into whether Spritz is related to Manuel Esperitzo.’
Dave nodded. ‘They’re an old and established drug family and I’m certain the family tree will end up back at Manuel. Really, I should be contacting the AC and seeking permission for Jack to talk to Melissa, but let’s see what Lachie comes back with first. The more evidence we get that this Spritz is connected to Esperitzo, the better chance I’ll have of making that happen.’
‘No worries. Have you seen that car around town yet? And the woman—the runner?’
‘Funny you should ask. I pulled her over today. You’re never going to believe this.’
‘What?’
‘We were wrong. It’s not the pimp following Essie, it’s the Feds.’
Zara slumped a little. ‘Oh my God, you won’t believe how happy I am to hear that. I was convinced it was Spritz and his gang by the time I left Melissa today. I guess the Feds are hoping the dealer is going to contact Essie?’
‘Spot on the money. My guess is they’re watching me as well. Making sure I don’t contact her.’ He shrugged. ‘Let ’em watch. They won’t find anything.’
Zara narrowed her eyes as she thought back over the past few days. ‘So, why are they driving past my place and taking photos?’
‘They’ll be watching you but, the thing is, there’s only one of them here, so you’re in the clear, just so long as you keep moving. Doesn’t appear to me that we’re the main interest. It’s mostly Essie, but if you’re close by, they’ll watch you too.’
‘Sneaky buggers.’
‘That’s the Feds.’
‘Actually, they’re really bad at tailing people.’
Dave laughed softly. ‘Sometimes out in the open is the best way to hide. If people see them, they won’t give them a second thought.’
‘Hang on, that doesn’t make sense.’
‘Which bit?’
‘What about the phone call to Essie? If it was the Feds, they must have known Kim was with her to ring right then.’
Dave nodded. ‘I’m not convinced that phone call was from them, and it was just lucky timing on the caller’s behalf. I reckon it was a reminder from Spritz, to keep her quiet.’
‘Can you put a trace on her phone? Actually, why wouldn’t the Feds put a trace on her phone?’
‘They may have,’ Dave said, glancing up as the drizzle became heavier. ‘I wouldn’t be able to find that out because I’m not supposed to have anything to do with this, remember.’
‘Here comes the rain,’ Zara sang, putting her hood up. ‘I’m heading off. Speak to you soon, if I n
eed to.’
‘Stay safe.’
The next morning Zara waited until after school drop-off and then knocked on Essie’s door.
Zara had never taken much notice of Essie’s house but, as she stood listening to the bell chime fade, she could see the garden was beautifully neat, as was every part of the house, except the front door. The paint was peeling in sections and the blue was so faded that it was barely recognisable.
That’s weird. If everything else is so tidy, why is the door like this?
The door opened and as Essie saw Zara, she tried to close it quickly.
‘I can’t talk to you,’ she said.
‘I’ve spoken to Melissa,’ Zara told her.
The door stopped closing and Essie looked out from behind it, her face hungry for information. ‘Really?’
‘Yes. Can I come in?’
Essie glanced around. ‘I don’t know …’
‘Please. I won’t stay long. What I do know, though, is you won’t have to live like this much longer.’
Not saying anything, Essie held the door open and let her in. ‘Is Melissa okay? I mean, is she …’
‘Yes, she is. Melissa is clean.’ Zara smiled at the older woman. ‘I spent a few hours with her yesterday. She’s trying to get herself healthy enough to come back into your life but she’s really worried that she’s going to cave and disappoint you again.’
‘Where is—’
Zara shook her head. ‘I can’t tell you that yet, but what I can say is that she’s running a halfway house for other people who are trying to stay away from drugs too. She’s doing it as a reminder to make sure she doesn’t slip back into that way of life again.’
‘Oh God, thank you.’ Essie dropped her head in her hands and started to cry. ‘I thought they had her.’
‘No, they haven’t. She’s safe and she’s got support where she is. But Melissa is just too fragile to come back here at the moment. I’m sure it won’t be long.’
‘She needs to come home,’ Essie sobbed. ‘I can help her.’
‘Not yet, Essie. Gently does it. If she slips up, knowing she’s put you through hell again could be enough for her to never get back on track. Let’s go and sit down.’ She guided Essie into the kitchen and looked around for a packet of tissues. Grabbing them from the bench, she put them on the table in front of Essie.
Then she sat and rubbed Essie’s back, while she cried herself out.
When she calmed down, Zara put a glass of water in front of her and took a breath. ‘Essie, I know you might not want to answer this question, but I really need you to. Can you tell me anything about the person who approached you about collecting the drugs?’
Essie shook her head, while wiping tears away. ‘Paris.’
Chapter 31
You’ve got a visitor in the pub.
Zara read the message from Hopper and frowned. She didn’t have time to talk to anyone at the moment; she was flat-out researching the Manuel Esperitzo cartel. The little Dave had told her wasn’t enough for her story. She needed history, names, similar cases.
What she’d found was horrifying.
The Esperitzo family had infiltrated Australia in the early 1990s. The patriarch, Manuel, was from Portugal, just as Lachie had suggested. He had five sons, who each ran a section of the business. They were involved in international drug trafficking, money laundering and organised crime across the world, but their links into Australia were strong.
The third most powerful Portuguese syndicate in the world, behind the José and Miguel families, Esperitzo was responsible for importing and distributing nearly fifty tonnes of heroin and large amounts of cocaine over the past five years and was currently the most active drug family in Australia. Zara was well aware that if they found out she was investigating them, her life wouldn’t go on much longer. And the same was true for Essie, Melissa, Paris and Dave, and of course Kim and Jack.
Shutting her computer and heading to the pub, she kept her eyes peeled for anything suspicious. Barker was quiet today. Even the Feds’ car had disappeared.
Pushing open the door, she saw Ted Leeson sitting at the bar, a rum in front of him.
‘Ah, here she is,’ Hopper said. And to Zara, ‘He’s come in just to see you. He never comes to town without me, so he must have some good news to share with you.’
Zara smiled and sat on a stool. ‘How are you, Ted?’
The old man looked at her blearily over the rim of his drink. ‘Don’t drink much when I’m out there on my own,’ he slurred. ‘But I gotta get the guts to come into town. That’s what this is. Dutch courage.’
‘I appreciate you coming in. Can I have a lemon squash, Hopper?’ she asked. To Ted she said, ‘Can I buy you a steak for lunch?’
‘Well, now, I haven’t had a steak for years. I’d like that.’
‘Come on. Let’s head into the dining room then. Two steaks, thanks, Hopper.’
‘Comin’ up.’
Zara guided Ted through the bar and out to the empty dining room set with tablecloths and cutlery. The room was cold; no fire going. Not many people ate lunch in the pub during the week.
‘How’s Deefer?’
‘Good as gold. Good watchdog, that one. Barked like a bastard when you turned up, didn’t he?’
‘Sure did. I thought if you were around you’d hear the noise and come back.’
‘Just wanted to check who you were before I showed myself. Sometimes I get people creeping around out there, seeing what they can pinch.’
‘Well, I’m glad you decided to come out and talk to me.’ She played with the salt shaker, twirling it around in her fingers. ‘Did you remember some information about Essie?’ she asked.
Ted brandished his glass around in the air, looking pleased with himself. ‘That I did. That I did.’
Putting her elbows on the table, Zara looked at him expectantly.
‘Well, the barbershop man she was married to, he wasn’t her first husband, I don’t think.’
Zara pricked up her ears. ‘Really?’
‘I’m sure she had a fella before that. Now, whether they were married or not, I couldn’t be sure.’
‘Did this other man work with you on the railways?’
‘Nah, nah, nothing like that.’ He waved his now-empty glass around. ‘Can’t quite recall …’
‘Would you like another drink?’
‘That’d be grand.’
Zara took the glass and went back into the front bar. ‘Same again, Hopper, please.’
‘I might lighten the load this time,’ Hopper said. ‘Maybe just a single shot rather than a double.’
‘Good idea. I don’t think he’ll notice.’ She leaned in towards Hopper and lowered her voice. ‘How much weight should I give whatever he tells me? He’s pretty far gone.’
‘I’d listen to him and see if you can verify the story somehow. He’s usually pretty spot on, but this is going back a while.’
‘He hadn’t been drinking when I went out there.’
Hopper nodded. ‘Sometimes he’s on the wagon and sometimes not. Depends on what week you get him. Guess you got a good day. I know that he has to have a few before coming to town.’ He handed her the drink. ‘But whatever he wants to tell you must have been important enough for him to make the trip to Barker without me. Long way to hitchhike.’
‘Okay, I’ll listen up. Thanks.’ She raised the glass towards him and he gave her a smile.
‘Get along and get your story, Zara.’
Zara put the drink in front of Ted and sat down again.
‘Thank you kindly, young lady. Oh, and look at this. Here’s lunch.’ He leaned back and let the chef put the steaks down in front of them both and grinned. ‘Fit for a king. Thank you, sir.’
He picked up his knife and fork, cut through the steak and popped a piece into his mouth, chewing with his eyes closed. Finally, he opened them. ‘That, missy, is a beautiful piece of beef.’
‘So, back to Essie …’ Zara prompted.
‘Ah, yes. See, this is all so long ago, I’m trying to remember if I’ve got everything right and I’m not mixing two different stories together.’
‘Yeah, sure is a while ago. Did you remember how Essie came to live in Barker?’
‘She was friendly with the service-station owner. Her and … whatever-her-name-was used to go to church together.’
‘Did you know Essie’s first bloke?’
‘Don’t think I ever did.’ He took another bite.
‘Do you know what he did?’
‘Reckon he was a bit of a drifter from all accounts. Drank a lot at the pub. A man’s man sort of fella. I got some recollection that he was a bit of a womaniser too. Used to go away a lot and leave her by herself. He’d be away for months at a time and you can’t tell me he was faithful to her while he was gone. A man has needs, you know.’
Zara took a sip of her lemon squash and popped a chip into her mouth, after dragging it through the gravy. She arranged her thoughts. ‘Where do you think he used to go?’
‘Well, I don’t rightly know, but I think he was a shearer.’
‘So, he would have been going to sheds all around the country?’
Ted nodded enthusiastically. ‘Yeah, yeah, that’s what he did, I’m sure.’
‘Okay.’ She scraped her fork around the mushroom sauce and ate another piece of steak, hoping Ted had more to tell her.
‘What was it like for shearers back then?’
‘A hard life, missy, a hard life. Always on the road, one shed following onto the next. It would have been tricky to take a woman on the road with him, that’s for sure. Not surprised she settled here and didn’t move on.
‘Lots of fights as the wide-comb dispute came in. See, shearers got pretty upset when the blokes from across the ditch came over and started using shearing gear that was larger than ours.’ Ted took another sip of his drink, lost in memories. ‘It was a nasty episode. Union blokes bashed the shearers who were using the wider gear. It was really all about pay and conditions. Pay and conditions.’
‘Turbulent times.’ Zara paused. ‘You seem to know a lot about it.’
‘You couldn’t miss the debate. The blokes would talk all about it at the pub and I’d listen.’ He lapsed into silence.
The Shearer's Wife Page 23
