“Well, it sounds as though you have things all under control. I am sure your mother would have been happy to know that you are doing OK.”
He shook her hand and wished her success. So you know Joan Williams and she is taking over Frankie’s business. Now that is too much of a coincidence. Something is going on there. I wonder if Ben knows what his wife is up to?
“Goodbye Detective,” Staci said. What a wanker. He would have found out anyway. It will be all over social media by tonight. She opened up her twitter account and made a quick tweet “Black Diamond returns to manage The Paradise #paradise #blackdiamond”
C H A P T E R 5 6
Mike Slater had two loves; his sixty-foot charter ocean cruiser and money. He had purchased his boat in Seattle last year for one and a half million dollars. He still had most of it to pay off. When approached by the Lopez brothers in Mexico en route to New Zealand to bring back a hundred kilos of cocaine he thought they must be mad. However, the one million dollar trafficking fee was too good to refuse. He had picked up some American Tourists in Hawaii and hired a small crew and all he had to do was to make the drop in rural northland on the shores of Doubtless Bay.
It had been a breeze. He had dropped off the crew and passengers in Mangonui for lunch at the famous fish’n’chip restaurant while he did the drop. The same afternoon he got the message the pick up had taken place and he could collect his money from Steve Mills within a week.
Now everything had turned to shit! Steve Mills and his guys were arrested, the drugs were missing and he hadn’t got paid. Getting the job as Mill’s lawyer gave him access to Mills. But his first meeting had not gone well. All Mills could talk about was how Ben’s wife, Joan was the one who snitched on them. She was the one who called the cops. He was convinced she had an alterative motive. He had heard she wanted a divorce and was getting back into the sex industry. Personally Mike only wanted to know where the fucking drugs were and where his money was. Mills could only say that until the drugs were found, there would be no payout. Slater was pissed. He had done his job and got the drugs to Hihi. It wasn’t his fucking job to keep tabs on them.
He had promised the previous owner that he would pay the balance due on the boat this week. His boat was moored in the Gulf Harbor Marina in Whangaparaoa, north of Auckland. Tomorrow he would take the boat up to Mangonui and trace the shipment from the water’s edge to its new resting place, wherever that is. Mills said they stayed at Tiromoana where the drop off point was located and where the coke was stolen. He would call and make a reservation. He needed to check out the property. The stash could not have gone too far. It is not easy to move a hundred kilos of cocaine and keep it out of sight. He packed his overnight bag and pocketed his Beretta 9 mm Pistol, compliments of the Lopez brothers.
C H A P T E R 5 7
It had not gone well. The guests were milling around the property all day, sunbathing on the lawns, jumping in and out of their hot tubs, fishing off the rocks, and walking the bush tracks. It was like Piccadilly Circus. The sun was streaming down on her car and she knew that the bags would be getting steamy in all the heat. She didn’t dare open the windows in case anyone nosed about, so decided to move the car over by the concrete tank and under the shade of the Eucalyptus trees. I should never have taken the bloody coke out of the tank. I will have to wait until tonight to move it away from here.
In the office the phone was ringing off the hook. “Good afternoon, Tiromoana Cabin Resort,” she sang cheerfully.
“Yes, Mike Slater, here. I am coming up to Mangonui tomorrow and would like to book a cabin if you have one available. “
“I have guests checking out of one of the cabins at noon. You could move in anytime after two o’clock, if that suits.” She replied looking at her reservations on the computer screen.
“That is fine. Do you need a credit card to hold the reservation?”
She took the details and confirmed his stay. “See you tomorrow afternoon, Mr. Slater.” She hung up the phone. He sounded like a nice gentleman. Word must be getting around about my business.
She had a decision to make. Should she return the cocaine to the water tank or move it to another location? Either way could be dangerous. Joan knew about the tank and finding another location was going to be difficult. Also she didn’t expect to be free of suspicion. Counting the six guys who were arrested and another four people who had turned up looking for the drugs, she wasn’t stupid enough to think there wouldn’t be more. She had to pass the suspicion on to someone and somewhere else. If she didn’t hear from Joan by tonight she knew she only had one option. She checked her messages. Nothing from Joan, but there was a message from Detective Bromley – “please call me as soon as you get this message.” Fuck! Why can’t he just leave me alone? She dialed his number. “Detective Bromley, this is Audrey. You were wanting to talk to me?”
“Yes, Audrey. Thanks for returning my call. Do you have a moment to talk?”
“Yes Detective. What is this about?”
“Our inquiries have resulted in some new information pertaining to Frankie Perkins. We now know that she was in Hihi around the time she was murdered. “
“What! Exclaimed Audrey. “When was that?”
“Wednesday. “ He answered.
Audrey paused. “Wednesday? Isn’t that the same day the two Hispanic guys were here? I was fully booked on Wednesday night. She didn’t stay here. Wasn’t her body found in Auckland?
“We traced her phone to the Hihi Motor Camp. Apparently she booked a room there for the night.”
“Do you think she was here to meet with the Lopez brothers?”
“I was hoping you could answer that for me. Did you see her at all during the day?”
“No Detective. You and your guys were here confiscating all the guns in the men’s cabins. There was such a commotion I doubt if anyone would have noticed if she had been hanging around. Do you think it was the Lopez brothers who killed her?”
“We don’t know. By the way, we are doing a complete search of the Hihi Township, campgrounds and beaches tomorrow.
“Will you be searching here again too?” She asked
The detective paused. “I’ll let you know, Audrey.”
“I would appreciate it. I have a full house here and I really don’t want to disturb the guests.” Now what am I supposed to do? The drugs are in my car. I have nowhere to put them. I don’t dare drive around with them in my car. Shit!
“Thanks for your time, Audrey.” He hung up.
She poured herself a glass of wine and walked outside to the table overlooking the bay. I wish Joan was here. I miss her so much. I will call her tonight.
C H A P T E R 5 8
Joan and Staci were sharing an evening glass of wine over dinner at the Paradise. They had ordered in Thai from a nearby restaurant. Joan had converted half of her office into a seating area with a white leather sofa and round glass coffee table. Staci laughed at what she had achieved in one day. “You have made it like home.” She said. Her mother’s dark mahogany desk and chair were replaced with a modern glass desk and a white leather bucket seat. Joan’s iMac and flat screen 54” TV added to the modern décor.
After dinner Joan explained that she should go back to her house. She needed access to her own wardrobe and time to get the house ready to put on the market. Staci understood. “I have been thinking about selling my condo and moving into my mother’s house permanently. Why don’t you move in with me? “
”You know, Staci, I would love to but first I need to take care of a few things. I haven’t even been home since Ben was arrested. Why don’t we wait a week or so?”
Staci graciously agreed. They kissed goodbye and left their separate ways.
As soon as Joan unlocked the door to her house and turned on the hall lights she knew she had made a mistake. The house felt cold and clammy. She had left in such a hurry she hadn’t even put the dishes in the dishwasher. Wearily she walked into the lounge and turned on the light. At first her mind
couldn’t comprehend what she saw. He moved towards her.
“Joan Williams. My, my, you have been a busy lady. What with arranging your husband’s arrest, spending a week holidaying in Hihi where ninety kilos of cocaine has simply disappeared and then taking over a murdered woman’s business before she has hardly been put to rest. Rather too convenient don’t you think?
Joan didn’t flinch. “Who the hell are you? You are trespassing.” She took her phone from her pocket. “I am calling the police.”
“I am the police. Let me introduce myself. Detective Constable William Wiley.”
Audrey turned off her phone and sat down.
“What can I do for you detective? I am tired. I have had a long day. Can’t we do this another day? And, by the way, don’t you need a warrant to come into my home uninvited?
“I need to know what you are up to? And don’t play the innocent with me.”
“Listen Mr. Detective, if that is really who you are. Yes, I did report my husband’s whereabouts. The police came to my home looking for him. When I found him I reported it to the police. I had no idea that he was connected to any drugs until the police told me. As far as Frankie Perkins. I was in Hihi all week and only returned the day of her funeral. I am helping her daughter, Staci, take care of the business at her request. I hope that answers all your questions and please leave. I need to get some sleep.”
“I am not stupid. I know you are behind the missing drugs. I would be extra careful if I were you. Don’t think that you are safe with your husband and the others behind bars. You have a Mexican drug Cartel and an angry Cobras gang on your trail not to mention the law. Whoever finds the drugs, rest assured, you will wish it was the police; the others will have no mercy.”
Joan’s phone started ringing. She looked. It was Audrey. “I have to get this Detective. You can show yourself out. You obviously know the way.” She answered the phone as he shut the door behind him.
“Audrey, “ she sighed. “You won’t believe the day I’ve had.”
C H A P T E R 5 9
Putting the drugs back in the water tank was really her only option. Her conversation with Joan last night had calmed her fears. She was a godsend -the love of her life. Joan was so excited about running the Paradise. Everything they had talked about, planned, dreamed and strategized was coming to fruition. Joan told her about Detective Wiley’s home visit and his threats about the drug cartel and the Cobras. They agreed he was just fishing and could know nothing. They had left no trail. Even if they knew Frankie had been in Hihi around the time of her death, they couldn’t place her at Tiromoana. It was time for Plan B to go into effect.
By nine o’clock Audrey could hear police sirens and dogs barking down at the Hihi Township a mile away. She was pleased knowing this latest effort would bring no results but thankfully keep the police preoccupied and away from Tiromoana. She had a busy day with guests checking in and out like yoyos. She also wanted to give her car a good clean. The damp cargo stored in the hot, locked car for twenty-four hours had left a nasty odor. It was almost three o’clock when her chores were done and she could take a sandwich, sit outside on the front lawn and relax for a moment.
She saw him walking up the front ridge from Honeymoon Beach, a tall, good-looking man in his fifties. He was clad in white linen trousers and navy blue shirt carrying a canvas bag and wearing a wide, white smile. “Good day to you. I am Mike Slater. I have a reservation.”
“Did you swim here?” she asked wondering why he would arrive via the beach.
He laughed. “No I anchored my boat in the bay and rowed to shore.” He pointed to the beautiful white cruiser fifty yards off shore.
“How on earth did you know which beach led to Tiromoana?” she asked knowing that you couldn’t see the cabins from the bay.
“I did my research, namely Google earth and GPS” he chuckled. “Gotta love technology.”
Audrey led him into the office and checked him into the Kiwi Cabin. Something wasn’t right. She could just feel it. No one had ever entered her property from Honeymoon Beach. It was a difficult climb up the clay hill and not one that would be acceptable as a guest entrance.
“By the way, I pulled my dingy up onto your beach. Do you think it will be safe there?”
“I couldn’t think of a safer place today. You may have noticed the police are doing a full search of the Hihi Township and the surrounding beaches. In fact they are likely to be checking out your boat as we speak. “
“What are they looking for?” he asked sounding interested.
“You must have heard on the news last night about the missing cocaine. The police think Hihi is the center of the biggest cocaine haul in New Zealand history.” She chuckled. “We are famous now.”
“No, I missed the news last night. Getting my boat ready for the trip.” He explained. “I wondered what was causing all the commotion in the bay.”
“It has been going on now for over a week. At least they have finished searching our properties on the peninsula. They even used drug dogs. Found nothing, of course. She handed him the key. “Let me know if you need anything.” She said politely.
As soon as he left the office she did a little research of her own. She was right. Mr. Slater’s sordid background was documented by numerous newspaper articles. The most recent one troubled her the most. He was the newly appointed lawyer for Steve Mills. Why would he show up here? Why did he play dumb about the case?
Audrey returned to her cottage and poured herself a glass of wine. A glass of wine was her thinking companion. As she sipped the last drop she knew what she must do.
C H A P T E R 6 0
Detective Wiley was on the hunt. His conversation with Joan was frustrating. Her calm demeanor confused him. Was she innocent? Was it truly a coincidence that she was involved in every aspect of the case? He looked at the next name on the list, Audrey Wetherby. A name mentioned often in conversation with Bromley. Checking her background he could see why. She had been linked not to one previous crime but many. She was the owner of The Three Suites when two men were murdered. Hemi Heke was found guilty and, by coincidence, was now Ben William’s cellmate. I wonder what he has to say about her? A year later, two more murders and a suicide took place at Tiromoana and now she had one of the country’s biggest drug trafficking scandals taking place in her back yard. Follow the murder trail!
He called the Kaikoe Prison and set up a meeting with Hemi Heke for mid- afternoon, afterwards he would continue up north to Hihi. It was time to talk to Audrey Wetherby. He put in a call to Bromley to see how the search was going. He was told nothing so far. They still had the beaches to search. Wiley could hear the dogs barking in the background.
He arrived at the prison at three o’clock and was taken into the visitor’s room where Hemi Heke was sitting at a small table. He was a big man, member of the Black Power and tattooed from head to toe. He didn’t look pleased to see him. “What do you want?” he asked Wiley. “Finally realized I am innocent?”
“Actually, I want to talk to you about your case.” He replied. In particular, what you know about Audrey Wetherby.”
“Don’t know the woman.” He said
“She was the owner of The Three Suites where the men’s remains were discovered.” He reminded him.
“Never met her. She was a friend of my mother’s. Why are you asking?”
“It seems that dead bodies keep surfacing where she lives. I am working on a big murder drug case. Her name is all over it. Just wondered if you thought she might be involved in your case too.”
Heke looked stunned. “Fucking hell! You are saying she murdered those guys? She got away with it and I got life in fucking prison! She is a dead woman.”
“Hey, hang on a minute. I didn’t say she did it. Just that it seems like a coincidence that her name keeps surfacing around any major crime up north.”
“I’ve got my contacts out there,” snarled Hemi. “If she murdered those two guys, I have ways to find out!”
&nb
sp; “Leave it to me.” Said Wiley. “That is my job. I am on to it. If I need any help I’ll let you know. In the meantime, keep your head low and your mouth shut. Understand?”
“You get back to me,” he demanded. “I need something to get my case reopened. I was framed. If it was that Audrey woman, she is dead!”
When Detective Wiley left the prison he had a new respect for Audrey Wetherby. She is a brave woman setting up a member of the Black Power for her murders and getting away with it. Now she has taken on a Mexican Cartel and the King Cobras. This time her luck is running out.
C H A P T E R 6 1
Hemi Heke returned to his cell and paced. His mind was racing. The owner of The Three Suite, Wetherby, is a middle-aged woman. My aunty used to work for her as a housekeeper. She always said nice things about her. Surely she couldn’t have killed those guys? They say the pigs on her property ate them and their bones washed up in her storm drains. Did she feed them to the pigs? It was just too difficult to put his head around it.
“What’s got your titties in a tangle?” asked Ben Williams watching his cell mate wearing out the floor.
“You don’t know a woman, Audrey Wetherby, do you?”
“The name sounds familiar. Why. Should I?” Ben replied
“Just wondered, is all,” Heke said. “I just had a meeting with a cop who said she may be tied up in your drug case. Are you sure you don’t know her?”
“Why were you talking to a cop about my case?” Ben asked
“Because she owned The Three Suites where the bodies were found. The bodies of the men they said I murdered. I never did it. He thinks she framed me.”
“Fuck mate. That’s shit! And the cop thinks she has something to do with my case?” Ben suddenly realized he had a lead to the missing drugs. He needed to get a message to his lawyer. “What did you say her name was?”
The Murder Trail: The Audrey Murders - Book Three Page 10
