Flood country

by Robert Maddison

  ‘Go back to where you’ve got the kid stashed and wait to hear from me. I want to see what Jack’s mates back in Dawson do now. If they back off we can let her go somewhere close to home tomorrow. The boss said not to hurt her—the last thing we want are coppers all over this.’

  ‘Gotcha,’ said Georgia.

  Chapter 42

  Pete Wellsmore’s phone rang. It was Lisa. He contemplated not answering but then did. ‘G’day Lisa, how are you darling?’ he said.

  ‘I’m ok, dad. How about you?’ she said with concern.

  ‘I’m better,’ he said, recalling his conversation with Vinnie from very early that morning and assuming that the evidence should already be recovered.

  ‘I still think you should let me know where you are so I can come there and we can talk this through,’ she tried to insist.

  ‘Just give me a few more days—till the dust settles a bit—then I’ll come to see you and we can maybe go away for the weekend or something to put this all behind us,’ Pete said.

  ‘From what you’ve told me, I’m not sure it’s going to just go away,’ replied Lisa.

  ‘You never know, Lisa, you just never know. I’ll call you soon.’ He was feeling more confident now that Vinnie was sorting out that bitch O’Regan and getting back his incriminating information.

  Chapter 43

  Pip decided that rather than drive out to Mary’s place, she’d fly; that way she could do some aerial surveillance before approaching the homestead. It took only a few minutes flying before Lyndon came into view. She slowed the chopper and did a wide, low circle. Nothing looked out of place. The dogs came running to investigate and the chooks headed for cover, probably thinking the chopper was a wedge-tailed eagle. There was washing on the clothesline and a car in the carport. Pip spied an open area about 200 hundred metres from the house and put the chopper down gently. She shut the systems down before cautiously opening the door of the chopper and clambering out.

  Silence. Well, other than the dogs and other animals. Choppers are loud and if there was someone home they would usually be out to see what was going on by now. Curious, Pip thought.

  She walked quietly toward the homestead, feeling very exposed across the open area. Mike’s warnings were still ringing in her ears. She’d forgotten to bring a gun; not that she would use it anyway, she thought.

  Approaching the front of the house, she called, ‘Is there anyone here? Hello.’ Then again, as she moved around to the rear of the house. No answer. There must be a logical explanation. Maybe they got the days mixed up? Or took ill?

  Pip approached the back door and opened the screen. The back door itself was wide open. She peered inside, repeating, ‘Is there anyone here? Hello.’ No answer. Pip shuddered as she took a tentative step into the kitchen and dining area. This was feeling very creepy, she thought. Pip saw a carving knife on the kitchen bench and armed herself with it. Rationalising, she thought no-one ever locked their houses out here so maybe Mary had gone to work in a second car and her husband was probably out doing farm chores.

  By now Pip had moved through into the lounge room and could see a long hall heading off to the bedrooms, she assumed. I’m trespassing, she thought. What was that—a noise coming from one of the bedrooms. Pip froze, listening intently and trying to fight off the feelings of fear and panic.

  There it was again. A sound, like someone dragging something across the floor. Then a soft murmuring sound. Pip continued to listen—still frozen to the spot—trying to decide whether now was the time to run. There it was again, a little louder this time. Then a distinct knocking sound. There was definitely someone here. A groan. Pip had a black humour moment—thinking, I hope I’m not disturbing something intimate!

  Then she heard it, an unmistakable call. ‘Help me’. Pip rushed down the hall opening doors as she went until finally she opened one and saw Mary lying on the floor looking plaintively up at her, hair dishevelled, red face and tears running down her cheeks. ‘Please help me,’ said Mary.

  Pip placed the knife on the bed, kneeled down and said with concern, ‘Mary, what happened to you?’

  ‘Someone came early this morning, just after Gerry left with the last of our cattle to take them to the sales. I was getting dressed ready to leave to meet Mike. He walked straight in here wearing a balaclava and said, “We know you’ve got something you stole from the office—is this it?” He was holding up the envelope I’d put the CD in to give to Mike. I’d left it on the kitchen table. I told him to get out and he gave me a back-hander across the face,’ she said, raising her hand to her bruised cheek.

  ‘Can you get up?’ asked Pip, offering to help her off the floor. Mary accepted Pip’s help and slowly raised herself up onto one knee, wobbling as she did so.

  ‘I knew I shouldn’t have told anyone about that stuff I found out about Pete Wellsmore. How did they find out it was me Mike had spoken to?’ she asked.

  Pip helped Mary upright and then to move slowly toward the door and down the hall to the kitchen.

  ‘What happened after he hit you the first time?’ asked Pip.

  ‘I remember seeing stars with that first hit. He had such an evil voice. I was terrified. Then he came over and grabbed the back of my hair and pulled it back sharply. He had a knife and was so close I could smell his dreadful breath. “Now think carefully before you answer this,” he said, “does anyone else have a copy?” I’m sorry, Pip. I was so frightened he was going to kill me, or go after Gerry maybe. I just told him the truth that this was the only copy,’ she sobbed.

  Pip put her arm around Mary, ‘There, there, Mary; you did what anybody would do. He got what he wanted and now you’ll be alright,’ Pip comforted her.

  ‘I’m not sure what happened next,’ said Mary. ‘He must have knocked me out cold because I came to here when I thought I heard a helicopter, which I suppose was you arriving.’ Mary felt her head tenderly and then exclaimed, ‘Ouch’ as she found a large lump on her scalp.

  ‘Do you want an ice pack for that bruise or the lump?’ asked Pip.

  ‘That would be nice, thanks. There are some ice packs in the freezer and you’ll find tea towels to wrap them in under the sink,’ Mary told her.

  Chapter 44

  Sharon and Mike’s flight touched down in Dawson just after 5.30 pm and once clear of the terminal they both turned their phones on. Mike’s beeped immediately so he checked the text messages. There was one from Pip as he had hoped. It was short and to the point. ‘Call me when you land.’

  ‘Hmm,’ said Mike. ‘Don’t like the sound of that. Pip wants me to call her. Wonder what’s wrong?’ He called her and she filled him in on what had happened to Mary and that she had stayed there until her husband Gerry returned.

  ‘Mike, they knew she was the one and took the evidence. How did they know that? You said you’d told no-one else?’ said Pip.

  ‘Got me puzzled I have to confess. You were the only one I told, unless they’ve got our phones tapped!’ answered Mike.

  ‘Well, we’re back at square one now, unless we can get hold of that incriminating information she got off Wellsmore. Where is he?’ Pip asked.

  ‘Seems like he’s our only option now,’ said Mike. ‘I presume he’s at home, although I doubt he’ll cooperate with us. I’ll give it a go even though I don’t think he’ll help. Oh, and Pip, have you heard from Jack?’

  ‘No,’ she said, angrily, ‘and I’m not wanting to either.’

  ‘I still can’t believe he’d walk away like this. I reckon there’s something else going on there,’ said Mike.

  ‘Maybe,’ is all Pip replied.

  ‘Sharon and I might come around to your place, if that’s alright, to have a yarn,’ suggested Mike.

  ‘Sure, good idea,’ said Pip. ‘I think we need it.’

  As they were driving to Pip’s, Sharon decided to ring Luke and give him the latest, including that there was no evidence now. ‘Luke, I have some bad news and some worse news.’

  ‘Ok, tell m
e the bad news first,’ he said, enjoying her humour despite the circumstances.

  ‘The whistleblower’s been bashed—she’ll be ok—and,’ she paused for emphasis, ‘the evidence we needed is gone.’

  ‘These people are really desperate now, aren’t they? On the positive side I think I have enough to convince my boss now that this warrants our involvement. Leave it with me. If he says ok I suspect I’ll come up there under cover because the longer they don’t know this has escalated to our involvement the better. They’re becoming more brazen and that overconfidence means a mistake is just around the corner.’

  ‘Ok, buddy, thanks. Keep me posted,’ said Sharon.

  Chapter 45

  Jack’s taxi arrived at Ange’s place. He extracted himself from the front seat, thanked the driver for getting his bag for him and walked gingerly toward the front door which was flung open as he approached. Ange was standing there glaring at him. ‘I hate you Jack Miller. How could you do this, you bastard. My little girl is in the hands of some thugs. She’s probably dead already. I can’t believe you would jeopardise us for some frickin’ story. And what happened to you?’

  Jack hesitated under the onslaught, although he couldn’t blame her. ‘I’m sorry Ange. I didn’t think the story was this big. It never occurred to me that they might come after you guys. This,’ he said, gesturing at his sling, ‘was from a car accident I had last week, although after this I’m now certain it wasn’t an accident at all.’

  Jack walked up the front steps and met Ange. She threw her arms around him. Ouch, he thought. ‘Oh Jack, I’m so scared. We should call the police. They’ll know what to do.’

  ‘The caller said that if we did that… well, he suggested we not do it, if we want to see her alive again.’

  ‘I can’t just sit here. I’ll go mad. Richard is in Perth with work and seeing his family, his mother is not well, so I have no-one to lean on,’ said Ange.

  ‘If you want, I can stay here; on the couch,’ he hastened to add, ‘until we hear something.’

  ‘That would be great,’ smiled Ange weakly.

  Chapter 46

  Mike, Sharon and Pip convened their impromptu council of war. Pip produced a cask of red ‘cooking’ wine. Mike asked for a cup of tea instead.

  Sharon outlined the discussions they’d had in Sydney and how Luke was now trying to get approval to come and investigate further under cover.

  ‘That would be good,’ said Pip. ‘I’m not cut out for this cloak and dagger stuff. I was scared out of my wits at Mary’s place today.’

  ‘The priority now is to find Pete Wellsmore. He’s our only hope—unless Mark can convince ICAC to step in—although even if they do impound his computer, emails and files they may find nothing. We need to check on his whereabouts first thing tomorrow,’ said Sharon.

  ‘Might be best if you try to find him first off,’ said Mike. ‘I’m not sure he’ll warm to me after what I accused him of in that meeting the other day.’

  ‘Ok, I’ll do that first thing tomorrow,’ Sharon responded.

  A lull settled over the table as they each contemplated their drinks and the recent events. Sharon saw the note from Jack. ‘Is it alright if I read this, Pip?’

  ‘Sure, nothing personal in there,’ she replied, with feeling.

  Sharon read the letter, a puzzled look appearing on her face as she said, ‘You know, Jack and I used to be real good mates; we shared all our wins, and our woes, and when I heard he’d gone I couldn’t believe it. He’s not a quitter. I reckon the last sentence in this tells us something. “There are some things in life that are more important.” She read it out to them then looked up. ‘If I know Jack, he’s been forced to leave under threat. They’ve done something to him that’s more important than this.’

  Pip jumped in. ‘His daughter, Jennifer,’ she said excitedly. ‘She’s his pride and joy. Surely they wouldn’t stoop to that level to make this go away?’

  All three exchanged glances and answered in unison, ‘Oh yes they would.’

  Sharon recovered the quickest from this epiphany moment. ‘Pip, you need to call him. See if this is why he left and ask what we can do.’

  ‘I’m not sure he’ll speak to me. I’m willing to give it a try though,’ said Pip.

  ‘Do it now. There’s no time to lose. We need to know if he’s being coerced as that will affect what we do next,’ said Mike.

  Pip looked hesitant. ‘Even if we’re right, do you think he’ll admit it?’ she asked.

  Sharon responded, ‘All you can do is ask, and if we’re wrong…’ She didn’t finish the sentence. They all understood that if their hunch was wrong Pip was about to get news she didn’t want on the more personal front.

  Pip took the phone into the lounge room and called Jack’s mobile. He answered after several rings, sounding cautious. ‘Hello, who is it?’ he asked.

  ‘Jack, it’s me, Pip.’

  ‘Oh,’ he said, clearly surprised. ‘You got my message then?’

  ‘Yes, we did,’ she said, matching his tension. ‘Jack, what’s really going on? We think that maybe they’ve done something to make you leave. Is that true?’

  Jack hesitated before answering, thinking of his options here. ‘No, I just thought this had gone far enough. My little ‘accident’, arson, dogs getting shot et cetera. It’s not worth that. We need to let this go. I’m sorry.’

  He didn’t get the reaction he was expecting. ‘Bullshit, Jack. You came up here, made yourself out to be some sort of white knight, charmed the maiden and then suddenly went weak at the knees. We don’t buy it.’

  The honesty was quite disarming, again, reflected Jack. ‘Pip, I can’t tell you what’s going on, alright, just leave it alone.’

  ‘It’s your daughter, isn’t it? They’ve taken Jennifer, haven’t they?’ Pip fired at him.

  ‘Oh God, please don’t interfere. I can’t risk Jen,’ he confessed.

  ‘Jacky boy, we wouldn’t do anything that might endanger her. You just tell us what you need us to do. We’re here for you,’ Pip offered tenderly.

  ‘Thanks. They just said don’t go to the police and if we all back off then we’ll get her back safe and sound. That’s all I’ve got to cling to.’

  ‘Ok, you sleep on it, and we’ll have a chat here. I’ll call you first thing tomorrow,’ Pip said.

  ‘Thanks. Talk to you then,’ he said, and despite the situation couldn’t help getting a warm inner feeling from her words about charming the maiden.

  Pip returned to the kitchen. The others were chatting but immediately looked up expectantly.

  ‘You were right, Sharon. They’ve taken Jennifer and told him not to go to the police or else. They said that if it all goes quiet up here they’ll return her to him safe and sound.’

  ‘I can’t believe these people. This must be a very big pie we’re fighting for,’ said Mike.

  ‘What a bunch of cock suckers; excuse me, but I’m very seriously pissed off here now,’ Sharon erupted.

  Pip joined in, ‘We can’t do anything that jeopardises Jennifer, no matter how annoyed we are.’

  Mike smiled. ‘Pip’s right. What we have to do is make them think we’re off the case—create a smoke screen—until hopefully Jennifer is returned.

  ‘How can we do that? We can’t put an advert in the paper,’ said Sharon.

  ‘No, but we can do the next best thing,’ he smiled. ‘We can visit a few of the local watering holes and make out we’ve given up—decided it’s too hard to fight. That way it will get back to whoever they are via the bush telegraph within hours I’m guessing.’

  ‘I like it,’ said Sharon. ‘Let’s target the pubs and clubs and talk to the best gossips in town.’

  They quickly drew up a list; the Royal and Terminus Hotels, the RSL, and the Bowling and Golf Clubs. After deciding who would visit each venue, either alone or in pairs, off they went on Operation Smokescreen, as Mike had labelled it.

  Mike’s first port of call was the Royal Hotel on hi
s own. He immediately saw the GrowOz regional manager Steve Robertson and a few mates in the corner drinking and placing bets on the greyhound races from Dapto.

  Mike saw Robertson notice him as he arrived and thought—I know you’re in this up to your neck, buddy so take this bait. He took a seat at the bar and ordered a middy of ‘new’. Been a while since I’ve had a beer, Mike thought—suppose it’s for a good cause. He started chatting to Megan behind the bar. She and her husband had bought the pub two years ago. They’d tried to make it more up-market; but soon discovered that the regulars just wanted it how it was and went back to cheap counter meals, happy hours and the occasional musician in the back bar.

  ‘Hey, Mike, haven’t seen you in here for a while,’ said a cheery Megan.

  ‘Sure enough, Megan, haven’t been out and about for ages. Drought’s kept me at home. Now there’s not much left to save,’ he replied.

  ‘What brings you in tonight?’ she asked.

  ‘I was hoping to catch Pete Wellsmore. Wanted to tell him I’m sorry about his health issues and for accusing him of some wrong-doings at that meeting a couple of weeks ago. I got some bad advice, so I wanted to apologise. I see he’s not here so if he comes in could you tell him I’m looking for him?’

  ‘Happy to. Yeah, sure was a surprise to hear about him taking sick leave,’ said Megan.

  Mike finished his beer and said goodbye to Megan. He walked to his car, which was strategically parked so he could see into the bar. As he was settling into the driver’s seat he saw Robertson go up to the bar to get another round of beers. He was chatting to Megan. ‘Come in spinner,’ said Mike as he started his car and eased toward his next destination.