At three o’clock that afternoon, Scott located the backpacker’s hostel. He parked outside, and then suddenly realized what he was looking at. He stood back and took it in, and took a photo with his phone to show Georgie.
Outside the building was a table with an umbrella; and the top quarter of the facade was painted orange. It was, he was certain, the building Georgie had seen in the crystal ball days ago.
He shook his head, impressed as always by just how accurate Georgie could be with her gift. It might have helped to realize earlier that backpackers were involved—but it had all played out well enough, in the end.
Better, maybe, because seeing Anton trying to create another health scare had given them more ammunition.
He found Anton lazing around the pool, and had a quiet word about mouse droppings, criminal mischief and termination of his Australian Visa. He quoted legal ramifications that had no basis in reality, but Anton didn’t know that. No longer cocky, he agreed to go with them while they talked to Jim.
Scott didn’t waste time. He picked up Georgie and Maureen, and then the four of them went to see Jim Beggs, confronting him in the kitchen.
Standing at the kitchen counter with bowls lined up in front of him, looking tired and decidedly cranky, Jim scowled at them. “Bit late for work, aren’t you, Maureen?”
Just as tired and completely over Jim’s nonsense, Maureen said simply, “Jim, be quiet and listen,” and looked at Scott.
“We know you were behind the flooding of the cafe last night,” Scott said, with a nod across the road. “Maureen will testify that you left the house last night at approximately two in the morning and didn’t return until just before a quarter to four.”
“If anything happened over there, it’s got nothing to do with me,” Jim said, his eyes growing hard and his chin jutting belligerently.
“Then there’s a little matter of a house brick through my sisters’ window. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
“No, I wouldn’t.”
“Let me lay this on the line for you, Jim. My sisters have been subjected to a string of bad luck for months now. So much so that it is starting to look like a little more than bad luck.”
“Not my fault.”
“Cockroaches?” Scott pointed at Anton. “Mouse droppings? Reports to the council about too many tables on the footpath?”
Jim’s eyes immediately found Maureen’s and his eyebrows lowered further while he glared.
“Yes,” she said, “I told them that was you, on Melbourne Cup day.”
“My sisters told me that you showed them through when they were looking for premises for the café,” Scott said. “I’m assuming you kept the key. And if you had access to interfere with the dishwasher, no doubt you could engineer some of the other things that went wrong. Either you or your mate, Ron Foley.”
“You’re not going to be able to prove any of that.”
“We’ll be dusting the dishwasher for fingerprints. I believe yours are on file.”
Jim’s lips tightened as he gazed belligerently at Scott. “Go right ahead.”
“We also have Anton’s testimony. And we have this.” Scott reached into his pocket and withdrew a piece of paper, which he unfolded and handed to Jim. “A list of some of your assets. I’m sure there are more, but these are all we had time to find in the time available.”
Jim snatched the paper from him and scanned the list. When he finished, he crumpled it up and then took a step toward Maureen. “You’re behind this. All the years I worked, and—”
“No,” Scott said, putting out a hand and moving Maureen behind him. “No more intimidation. Facts are facts, Jim. We’ll be meeting with Ron and Stan within the hour. You’re welcome to attend if you wish, in Stan’s office. Call him.”
Finally, Jim stopped pretending innocence. “What are you? Some kind of private detective?”
“No. Just someone with contacts.” Scott sent him a smile completely devoid of any humor. “We’re going to have a proposal ready for the three of you. If you want to come out of this with anything but a prison sentence—either for criminal mischief or tax fraud, or both—I suggest you listen.”
His work done, Scott took Maureen by the arm and left.
30
Sunshine
If looks could kill, Georgie thought, she and Scott would have been dead ten times over.
There were five of them crowded around the small circular table in the corner of Stan Lambert’s office. The men were silently reading through the single page that Scott had handed to each one of them.
One page was enough to make them all glance at each other in trepidation; a sheet of paper that contained a summary of business activities they had clearly thought were well hidden.
Stan Lambert, masking his shock well after the first knee-jerk reaction, was expressionless except for the cold dislike in his eyes. Ron Foley was the loudest, swearing and throwing the sheet of paper down before picking it up to read through it again, every so often stopping to glare at them. Jim Beggs simply sat there and stewed, his arms folded tightly.
Finally, Stan put the sheet of paper down, aligning it carefully with the edge of his desk. “Where did you get this information?”
“That,” Scott said, “I am not prepared to divulge.”
“All right. What do you want?”
Foley shoved his chair back from the table, looking ready to pounce. “You’re not going to—”
“Ron, don’t say a word. Let me handle this.” All Stan had to do was stare him down and Ron subsided, with a bit of muttering to save face. Stan’s gaze settled on Scott’s face, after a glance at Georgie that dismissed her as of no account. “What is your intention?”
“My intention,” Scott said, “is to ensure that the Australian Tax Office is anonymously notified of all these transactions, as well as some of the parties that were conned into parting with property for a price significantly under market value.” He paused, while Stan again held up a hand to quieten Ron Foley, and then added, “Unless…unless you are prepared to compensate certain people.”
There was a slight flicker of relief in Stan Lambert’s eyes, quickly hidden. This kind of negotiation, he understood. “Go on.”
“How can you trust him to do what he says?” Foley burst out. “How do we know that he won’t turn us in anyway?”
Lambert sighed. “First, we listen. Then we decide.” His eyes hadn’t left Scott’s.
“First, you can forget about the deal that includes the sale of the property currently being leased by Linda Malloy and my sisters. That isn’t going to happen.”
That got a reaction from all of them. As Scott’s brother had discovered, the sale and demolition of that building was a major factor in a planned development. The Gang of Four all had a finger in that pie.
“We’re in too deep.” Ron Foley waved it aside, fuming.
“Too late,” agreed Jim Beggs.
Stan Lambert simply said, “You can’t stop it now.”
“We can and will. If you had simply offered to buy out the lease,” Scott said, keeping calm, “or made a real effort to relocate the cafe in decent premises in the township, it wouldn’t have played out this way. But when you took on my sisters, you took on me.” He tapped the sheets of information in front of him. “And as I said, I have contacts.” He shot Georgie a quick look, and she managed to hide a smile. While the men around the table might fear a hacker like Scott’s brother, it’s unlikely they would have considered a gypsy fortune-teller a threat. “Once you resort to criminal activity to ruin someone’s business and force them out, you have to face the consequences.”
“We need that building.” Stan Lambert was not giving in easily. “We’ve agreed—”
“I know exactly where the negotiations stand,” Scott said. “I think you’ll find that the major player is getting cold feet.”
“You’re bluffing.”
Scott pointed at the phone on Lambert’s desk. “Contact Mr. Chan
g and see what he says. I’ll wait.”
At the sound of the developer’s name, Lambert blanched. “What have you done?”
“Let’s cut to the chase. I know that you’re in a precarious position with investments, loans, and property taxes. All of you.” Scott looked at each one of them. “You stood to make a killing, but only if things went well. I imagine that’s why you were reluctant to pay out the lease for both Linda Malloy and my sisters; you’re stretched way too thin. If I now make this public—any of it—then you’re all sunk. You’re looking at financial ruin and perhaps a prison term.”
Foley turned on Jim. “This is all your fault. I’d just about convinced Linda, offering her a deal to get out. We could have talked the other women into it too. But no, you had to take it too far.”
“You thought it was amusing enough when I started,” Jim shot back. “Egged me on, didn’t you?” He turned his angry gaze on Scott. “And if your sisters hadn’t thought they were better than everyone else, bringing in all that fancy stuff, taking my customers, they might not have brought this on themselves.”
“Jim,” Lambert said in an icy tone, “not another word. No admission of culpability. You want prison?”
This time it was Scott’s turn to hold up a hand. Georgie could see that he’d had enough of these men. “You blame each other later,” he said. “I’ll just tell you the conditions. They’re fairer than you deserve, and they’re non-negotiable. You agree and you get to lick your wounds and fight another day. You make trouble, and you’re gone.”
Stan Lambert tapped the paper in front of him. “Why don’t you just go ahead and report this anyway?”
“Because I want my sisters to be able to get on with their lives, not to be subject to court cases and legal proceedings for years. That’s the only reason you’re getting off lightly.”
Stan sat back and mirrored the body language of his friends, folding his arms and waiting.
“All right, we’ll talk about the tenancy. What else do you want?”
Scott told them what they wanted for his sisters, for Maureen Beggs and for Linda Malloy, handing each one of them another sheet of paper with his demands.
A great deal of name-calling and shouting ensued, but forty-five minutes later, he knew he had won.
By then, Stan Lambert was livid, but controlling it. Scott had a feeling that he would be drawing back from investments with the Gang of Four in the future.
Ron Foley broke a chair in a dramatic exit, but they knew that Linda would get something at least approaching a fair share of what was left of his investments after he’d sold off some profitable properties.
Jim Beggs was in a similar situation. There’d be some forced sales in his immediate future, but Maureen would never have to worry about money again — or work in her husband’s fish and chip shop.
Georgie and Scott left, drained but triumphant. They couldn’t wait to break the news that Coffee, Cakes and Crepes now had a new landlord, thanks to the title of the building being transferred to Linda Malloy. Scott was happy to let Ron Foley and Stan Lambert work that one out between themselves.
That afternoon, at five o’clock, there was a celebration at Coffee, Cakes & Crepes. In the space of twenty-four hours, emotions had run the full gamut. Georgie couldn’t keep the smile off her face, watching them all.
Lissa and Viv talked non-stop, unable to believe how things had played out, while Scott and Trev just smiled quietly, enjoying their happiness.
Linda closed her shop half an hour early, and entered with Maureen in tow. Apparently they’d had a lot to talk about, involving hidden properties and divorce proceedings.
The moment she saw Linda, Lissa pounced on her. “Our new landlord! How exciting!” She gave her an exuberant hug. “Bit of an improvement on the last one!”
Linda laughed, freeing herself to give Viv a hug too, and turned to Scott. “Did you tell them about the lease?”
“No.” He grinned at her conspiratorially. “I thought I’d leave that for you.”
“What?” Lissa put her hands on her hips and cocked her head, still smiling. “You mean there’s more?”
Linda nodded. “I’m extending your lease by three years, with an exit clause if you want to move to different premises. The first six months are rent-free, to compensate you for criminal damage, lost business and loss of goodwill.”
Viv’s hand went to her mouth. “Really? But that doesn’t seem fair. It wasn’t your fault that—”
Linda stopped her with a chuckle. “Don’t worry, Lissa. I’m not the one paying for it.”
Maureen came up to Georgie. “Georgie.”
Georgie put a hand on her arm. Maureen looked tired, but content. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s all been a bit of a shock, and I still feel guilty about what Jim did to the girls.”
When Georgie shook her head and started to speak, Maureen stopped her. “No, I have to bear some of the blame. I knew what was right and what wasn’t, and I’m sorry for that. But you and the girls—and Scott—you’ve all been so good to me, better than I deserve. So thanks.” She sighed. “Thanks doesn’t seem enough, really.”
Georgie pointed to Lissa and Viv. “Look at them. Everything has worked out just fine. Better than it would have before. It was a rocky road, but in the end, it was a good result, don’t you think?”
Maureen conceded the point. “When you put it like that. And when I think of how my life might have turned out, if I’d just stayed with Jim and put up with it…” She shuddered.
“Come on.” Georgie nodded to where Linda was popping the cork on a bottle of champagne. “Let’s join them.”
A good result, indeed, she thought, as she and Scott clinked glasses. She smiled around at the happy faces around her. “Here’s to a happy life ahead. And to next adventure on our trip around Australia. Maybe our next stop will be a bit quieter?”
Scott just laughed. “I wouldn’t bet on it, Georgie. But would you have it any other way?
No, she thought wryly. No, she wouldn’t. Life was for living, and she was certainly living it to the full.
Glossary
Georgie is swiftly becoming accustomed to the way Australians speak, but sometimes people from other countries can be scratching their heads at Australian idioms and contractions. So here’s a translation for you of some of the common terms used in this book!
ambo - ambulance officer, paramedic
Air con - air conditioning
Arvo - afternoon
Australian States and Territories:
QLD - Queensland
NSW - New South Wales
VIC - Victoria
TAS (or “Tassie”) - Tasmania
SA - South Australia
WA - Western Australia
NT - Northern Territory
ACT - Australian Capital Territory (in NSW)
Aussie, Oz - shortened form of Australia
Back-burning - creating a fire break
Big Banana - tourist attraction and information Center near Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
Bloke - man, guy
Bluey - common nickname for any male with red hair
Boardwalk - a timber walkway which can be built over rocks, sand or the forest floor
Bushfire - brush fire, wildfire, forest fire
Caravan - travel trailer
Cuppa - cup of tea
Chook - slang for chicken, also the nickname of the Bad Guy in this book
Fireys - Firemen - an affectionate term for volunteers who fight fires with the Rural Fire Service
Grey Nomads - retirees who travel around the country in RVs
Hi-vis - bright yellow or orange safety clothing, often fluorescent
Ice - crystal methamphetamine
Jayco - common brand of RVs
LandCruiser - 4WD Toyota LandCruiser, a popular choice to tow caravans in Australia
Macca’s - McDonalds Fast Food restaurant
Newsagent - newsstand
Nuro
fen, Nurofen Plus - painkiller tablets
paddock - a field
Panadol - similar to paracetamol & Tylenol - a common brand of painkiller in Australia
RFS - Rural Fire Service (a volunteer organization to fight the bushfires that rage in Australia every summer)
Staghorn fern - (also elk horn) a treetop fern that has evolved to grow in the Australian rainforest; does not need soil
scrub turkey - the Australian Brush-turkey. It has black body plumage, a bare red head and yellow throat wattle
Tradie - tradesman, anyone with a trade
Ute - utility truck or pickup
Waeco fridge - a common brand of portable fridge (car fridge)
Water dragon - a lizard that can stay submerged for up to an hour
From the Author
Yamba, where Viv and Lissa live, is lovely part of Australia, on the coast of NSW. If you haven’t yet had a chance to visit, I’d put it on your list! Stay for a while, hire a kayak and paddle around, or catch the ferry between Yamba and Iluka (I recommend the Sunday music cruise!) There are some lovely little cafes and restaurants in Yamba, but you won’t find Coffee, Cakes and Crêpes, since it’s entirely a product of my imagination— as is the ‘Gang of Four’!
The next book in the series takes Georgie and Scott further down south. They were heading for Mystery Bay… but Georgie’s instincts have them heading for an olive grove instead. She just can’t stay out of trouble!
Have you read Rosa’s story yet? Join my ‘Marg’s Updates’ list to download this free ebook.You’ll find out more about Georgie and her family...and see where she got her special gift!
http://georgiebgoode.com/margs-updates/
I also like to write to my readers with snippets of upcoming books and inside information about Georgie’s world!
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