The Wildwood Sisters

by Mandy Magro

  Why the heck not, Reni? It’s loads more fun that way. And who knows? You might get even more than you’d imagined.

  Renee smiled softly at the recollection. Scarlet truly was a wise soul. Maybe she should, for once, follow her free-spirited sister’s advice. Opening her laptop, Renee felt a massive bubble of anticipation. She had planned to scout for new properties in Melbourne that she could add to her growing portfolio but instead she typed in ‘Properties for sale, Opals Ridge and surrounding areas’, and was pleasantly surprised when eighty-seven listings popped up. The bubbles of anticipation turned into a rush of enthusiasm. She didn’t need to live in the city to make the income she had grown very accustomed to, she could make a very comfortable income here in Opals Ridge too.

  Where there’s a will there’s a way…

  ***

  Pulling up beside where Ralph was hard at work in the dozer, Dylan held up the small esky and pointed to it. Inside he’d packed ham and salad sandwiches, chocolate chip muffins his mum and Annie had made yesterday, and a few cans of Coke. Ralph nodded and gave him the thumbs up. Dylan parked his Land Cruiser under a nearby jacaranda tree, so he and Ralph would have some shade, and then jumped out and sauntered over to the place his new dam would be, followed by Bossy, who’d been riding shotgun on the passenger seat.

  The loud drone of the dozer suddenly ceased and Ralph leapt from the driver’s seat. ‘So how’s it looking, buddy?’ he called out.

  ‘It’s looking bloody excellent, Ralph. I can’t believe it’s already taking shape.’

  In the six hours he’d been at work, Ralph had achieved a lot. He joined Dylan at the edge of the dam wall he’d been working on and gave Bossy a friendly pat on the head. ‘Yup, I don’t mess about.’ He pointed down. ‘I’m packing the soil up nice and tight to give you good firm foundations. We don’t want the bugger to give way once the water’s in there.’

  Dylan used the toe of his boot to gently tap at the top of the dirt Ralph was compacting. It was almost like kicking cement. ‘She’s pretty solid.’

  ‘Told you, I don’t mess about,’ Ralph said, chuckling. ‘Come on, let’s eat before I chew my own arm off. I’m starving.’

  Dylan shook his head and laughed. ‘You’re always bloody starving. You must have hollow legs or something because I don’t know where you put it all.’

  Sitting down in the shade, the men unpacked the esky and began devouring the goodies inside. Dylan had even brought Bossy her own sandwich. This she inhaled in three seconds flat, and then lay down beside them, minding her own business other than the very occasional sneaky look to the side, knowing full well it was bad manners to bother humans while they ate.

  Not much more was said while Dylan and Ralph filled their bellies. After a minute, the hum of an approaching diesel engine made Bossy look up. The noise was coming from the fence line that separated the property from Craig’s.

  Spotting his neighbour, Dylan gave a wave. Craig waved back as he pulled up in the shade of a tree.

  ‘Was he all right about you doing this?’ Ralph said quietly, smiling in Craig’s direction as he stepped out of his vehicle. ‘He looks a little pissed off. And we don’t want to be pissing off the town copper, no siree.’

  Dylan grinned. ‘Craig always looks pissed off. Comes with the territory of being a copper I think, and everything else he’s dealing with too—you know about the separation? He seemed fine about the dam when I asked him about it the other day. Said as long as I wasn’t taking his water allocation it didn’t bother him.’

  ‘Hey boys, how’s it going?’ Craig called out. He jumped the fence and stopped to inspect the beginnings of the dam in typical investigative copper style—eyebrows scrunched, hands on hips, eyes taking everything in.

  ‘Yeah, good.’ Dylan held up a can of soft drink. ‘Wanna join us for a drink? Only got Coke though.’

  Craig nodded, leaving the dam behind him, and strolled over. He took the can from Dylan’s outstretched hand, remaining standing as Dylan and Ralph sat. ‘Thanks, mate.’ Bossy jumped up from where she was lying, went over to Craig and leant on him, almost bowling him over with her eighty or so kilos. Craig chuckled as he gave her a few taps on the head. ‘You look ferocious, don’t ya Bossy, but you’re just a big teddy bear to those that know you.’

  ‘Day off?’ Dylan said, smiling at the way Bossy was lapping up Craig’s attention.

  ‘Nah, I’m on late shift today.’ Craig took a swig from his Coke and then pointed back to the massive hole in the ground. ‘Did you check with the council before doing this, to make sure there were no approvals you needed first?’

  ‘Sure did. They were very supportive of it, actually. Said it’s a good way to save on water usage.’

  Craig nodded. ‘Just don’t want either of you getting into any trouble. The council’s so bloody fussy with their rules and regulations.’

  ‘It’s all good, Craig,’ Ralph said lightheartedly. ‘I’ve built plenty of dams before. I know the rules and Dylan’s following the council’s guidelines.’

  ‘Well, it’s good you’re the man on the job then.’ Craig was squinting, but it was hard to know whether it was from the sun, or because he was just in a bad mood. ‘You don’t want a half-arsed job, hey Dylan.’

  ‘Definitely not. But Ralph’s a pro at jobs like this so no worries about that.’

  ‘That’s good to hear.’ Craig sculled the last of his can, burping loudly at the end of it. ‘I better be off, got a bit to do before I head into the station. Just wanted to check in to see how it was looking—’ he smirked playfully, ‘—and to make sure you weren’t doing anything against the rules.’

  ‘It’s all above board, Officer,’ Ralph piped in, chuckling.

  ‘Good lads,’ Craig said, smiling for the first time. Turning, he crushed the now-empty can and tossed it into the back of Dylan’s ute with a clutter. ‘Catch you both later, and don’t be doing anything I wouldn’t do.’

  ‘Any further luck finding out who’s cutting my fences?’ Dylan called after him—slightly annoyed that Craig had taken it upon himself to use the back of his ute as a bin.

  ‘Nope, but I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as I have anything substantial. You just do your job, Dylan, and let me do mine, and it’ll all pan out just the way I expect it to,’ Craig replied, not bothering to turn around as he headed for his four-wheel drive.

  ‘Right, okay, thanks,’ Dylan said a little curtly. ‘For nothing,’ he mumbled under his breath.

  Ralph leant into his space. ‘Shit man, was that a little bit of attitude I could hear? What’s up?’

  Dylan grunted. ‘No idea. I’m just tired of feeling like my problems here don’t matter. Some bastard is trying to ruin my livelihood—and getting away with it—while Craig takes his own sweet time to find out who it is. It’s like he’s lost all interest in the job he used to take so seriously. I reckon he needs a holiday or something.’

  ‘Yeah, the poor bastard, can’t help but feel sorry for him. It’d be hard losing your wife and kid to another bloke,’ Ralph said before shoving the last of his sandwich in his mouth.

  ‘I’ve tried to talk to him about it, but he clams up and just says he’s better off without her…but that’s just the bitterness talking I reckon.’

  ‘Understandable. He’s been a different man since Louise left. But what do you do? The bloke’s obviously heartbroken. Anyways, with the amount of bloody cameras you’ve put up around the place, I’m sure you’ll catch whoever’s responsible soon,’ Ralph said while pointing to a camera perched high up in the jacaranda tree above them. ‘How in the hell did you get that one up there?’

  Dylan’s frown broke as he grinned. ‘With great difficulty. I almost fell out of the bastard of a thing trying to get the camera attached—haven’t climbed a tree in years.’

  Ralph looked impressed. ‘Well, hurrah to you for not breaking a leg, mate. What are you up to tonight anyway? Wanna come down the pub for a couple?’

  ‘Nope, and I’v
e got a good reason why I can’t, too.’ Dylan tried not to smile like an idiot as he pretended to clean an imaginary smudge off his sunnies.

  ‘And what’s that? You got a hot date?’ Ralph replied, lightheartedly shoving Dylan as he laughed out loud.

  ‘Kinda sorta something like that,’ Dylan said, grinning.

  ‘Holy shit! Really? Who?’

  ‘Renee Wildwood.’ Her name felt so good rolling off his tongue.

  ‘No! Really? She’s turned into an absolute stunner. I almost didn’t recognise her at the Studs and Fuds the other night!’ Ralph poked Dylan in the ribs. ‘I wondered if there was anything going on between you two at the ball—especially when you disappeared around midnight. Go you good thang!’

  Dylan recoiled from the jab in the ribs, laughing. ‘She’s only coming over for a barbecue and a swim, nothing serious. And Mum and Annie are going to be there too. So it’s not like anything’s gonna happen.’

  Ralph wriggled his eyebrows. ‘There’s always afterwards, when your mum and Annie have gone to bed.’

  ‘Oh lay off, Ralph, it’s not like that. She’s a mate, and that’s that,’ Dylan lied.

  ‘Oh come on, stop trying to play it down. Remember, I know you. Any chick coming to your pad is pretty serious, Dylan. I don’t think you’ve had another woman in the house since Shell, have you? And you can’t include your mum in this either.’

  Dylan shook his head, his smile fading. ‘Nope, I haven’t. You don’t think it’s wrong of me, do you? Like I’m disrespecting Shelley in some way?’

  Ralph put his arm around Dylan’s shoulder and gave him a manly squeeze. ‘Mate, in no way are you disrespecting Shelley. I reckon it’s great you’ve got a new lady friend. It’ll be good for you, and for Annie. As much as it hurts sometimes, the world keeps on spinning after people pass away. It’s a fact of life.’

  ‘You really reckon I’m doing the right thing?’

  ‘I sure do. It’s about time you got on with your life, buddy.’ Ralph gave Dylan a few hearty slaps on the back. Stepping back, he smiled, his eyes full of mischievousness. ‘Has she said any more about introducing me to that friend of hers she told me about? Tia, I think her name was?’

  Dylan laughed. ‘I’m not sure yet—it’s only been a couple of days—but don’t worry. I’ll be sure to let you know.’

  Ralph gave him the thumbs up. ‘Great stuff, thanks mate. It can get a bit lonely playing the bachelor all the time. Believe it or not, I want to find me a good woman to settle down with soon. This single life is getting old.’ He pointed over towards the bulldozer. ‘Anyhoos, I better get back to it.’

  ‘Okay mate. Thanks for the pep talk.’

  ‘Any time,’ Ralph said. ‘That’s what mates are for.’

  Dylan watched him wander back to work as he packed up the esky. It was good to know both his mum and Ralph thought it was time to move on with his life. He just hoped Annie felt the same.

  CHAPTER

  19

  Pulling up out the front of the police station, Renee felt as though she could quite easily throw up. She took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly, trying her best to calm down. So many emotions were churning inside her right now—fear, anxiety, uncertainty—and somewhere within all that there was also hope that what she was about to do would lead them to Scarlet’s killer, that somehow Craig would see something hidden within the words that she hadn’t.

  She turned the ignition off and grabbed the diary out of her handbag, but didn’t open the door yet. For a minute she sat with it in her lap, tears starting to make her vision blurry. Blinking them away, she traced her fingers over the writing on the front, her heart aching. Was she doing the right thing by handing it in? She knew she should, that there might be some evidence inside, but part of her didn’t want to let it go—it was the very last piece of Scarlet’s thoughts and feelings she had left.

  Before she could change her mind, Renee carefully placed it back in her handbag before tugging the strap over her shoulder. Then, determinedly, she opened her door and stepped from the car, making sure to blip it locked before she strode towards the station’s front doors. They automatically slid open and she stepped through them. Craig was standing at the counter, sorting through paperwork. He looked up and smiled.

  ‘Hi, Renee, I was wondering if you were going to make it today.’

  ‘Hi, Craig, yeah, sorry, got waylaid at home helping Nan with a few things.’

  Craig leant on the counter with his forearms. ‘So what is it I can help you with?’

  Renee stepped forward on shaky legs as she reached into her handbag. ‘Well, I found this the other day—’ she placed the diary on the counter in front of him, ‘—and I was wondering if you could have a read through it for me, see if maybe you can pick up on any clues.’

  Craig placed his hand on top of it and slid it towards him, his eyes widening as he read the words on the front. ‘Is this—?’

  ‘Yup, sure is. It’s Scarlet’s diary.’

  Craig picked it up. ‘Have you read it?’

  Renee nodded. ‘I have.’

  Craig remained staring at the diary in his hands, his expression stern as he slowly shook his head as if in shock. ‘Stupid question really.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Anything you want to talk to me about?’

  ‘Sadly, nothing substantial, but I did find out she was in love with a man other than Billy Burton…’

  Craig glanced up at her, his eyes wide. ‘Go on…’

  ‘…Frustratingly, she didn’t name him.’

  Craig groaned. ‘That’s a bugger. I wonder why she was being so secretive.’ He went quiet for a few brief moments before he sighed and spoke again. ‘Have you told anyone about finding it?’

  ‘Only Dylan.’

  Craig’s eyebrows scrunched together. ‘Dylan Anderson?’

  Renee nodded. ‘He’s the one who talked me into bringing it to you.’

  ‘Well, he’s certainly correct in telling you to. This could contain the evidence we’ve been looking for.’ He leafed through the first few pages. ‘I’m gathering your grandparents know you’ve found it?’

  ‘Um, no, and I’d prefer it if they didn’t know, just until you’ve had a read through it and seen if there is anything worth investigating. After Nan’s recent heart attack I don’t want to burden her with any more stress, unless it’s completely necessary.’

  ‘Completely understandable.’ Craig turned it over in his hands. ‘We searched everywhere for this thing back when she first went missing.’ He placed it on the desk beside him. ‘Where’d you find it?’

  ‘I was out exploring Wildwood Acres the other day and I found it hidden under the floorboards of the old hunter’s shack.’

  Craig’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Lucky find.’

  Renee half laughed. ‘It certainly was.’

  The door behind Craig opened and a young copper walked through. ‘Hey boss, sorry I’m a bit late. The missus needed me to drop her at some Tupperware party thingy.’

  Craig turned. ‘Hi Jake, no worries mate.’

  Turning back to Renee, Craig glanced at his watch. ‘Sorry to cut this short, but I have to be at an appointment. I’ll be sure to let you know if anything grabs my interest when I read through it, okay?’

  ‘Okay, thanks Craig, I really appreciate it.’

  ‘Don’t thank me, it’s my job to make sure the bad guys are caught.’ He gave her a hurried smile as he gathered his keys from the desk. ‘And don’t forget to give me a shout about those photos too.’

  ‘I certainly will, when I get a spare minute.’ Renee gave him a quick wave as she headed back through the sliding doors and into the late-afternoon sunshine.

  There, she’d done it, and it felt good to know the diary was now in the hands of the law. Back when it had all happened, Craig had been very diligent in trying to find out who was responsible for Scarlet’s disappearance, so she knew he’d do his very best to gather any sort of clues he could from the diary.

  The intense g
lare of the setting sun made it hard to see the unfamiliar road ahead. On either side of the bitumen, endless fields of sugar cane swayed in the late-afternoon breeze, the fluffy pink flowers at the top of each cane reminding Renee of fairy floss.

  Her mouth watered with the recollection of sucking on a piece of the cut cane stalk, the delicious raw vanilla flavour that is unique unto its own. She and Scarlet had loved the taste as kids, often riding their pushbikes to a nearby cane farm to nick a piece, and she wondered if she’d still love it just as much now. Only one real way to find out, but not right this minute. She had herself a date with one very sexy man.

  And his daughter and mother—considering she lived next door Renee gathered his mum would join them for the barbecue. Butterflies swarmed her stomach. Holy crap. She had tried not to think about this fact all day, but now she was on her way to Dylan’s, it was terrifying. What if the two most important women in his life didn’t like her? Her belly did cartwheels with the thought. All she could do was be herself and hope for the best—and hope the little gifts she had brought along for Claire and Annie would help to break the ice.

  Not far up ahead the winding blacktop ended, the asphalt appearing to dissolve into red dust. Remembering Dylan’s warning to be very careful of the roos at this time of the day—apparently the long dirt road to his place was full of the unpredictable marsupials—Renee slowed down to seventy, even though she was still officially in a hundred zone.

  Sitting up at the steering wheel like an old person with bad eyesight, all the while trying to find some shade from the sun visor, she kept a keen eye out for the turn-off to Ironbark Plains. Holding up her hand in a bid to give herself a bit more vision—it would be awful to have to call and cancel because she’d driven into a bloody cane field—she slowed even further as she hit the dirt. Just as she left the asphalt behind, a B-double truck that had been following her made use of the wide unlined road and overtook her, the truckie taking great pleasure in perving at her as he passed. She gave him a friendly wave, understanding it would get quite lonely being out on the roads day in day out with just the radio for company. He tooted his horn as he thundered past, Renee slowing down even further as she was almost swallowed up by the truck’s trail of swirling red dust.