Tumble Creek

by Louise Forster

  ‘No! I don’t want him anywhere near me or Claudia ever!’

  Brock gave Sofie a patient look, then turned to her daughter, ‘Claudia?’

  ‘I’m with Mum!’

  Sounding fierce, Brock laid it out for Jett, ‘Take my advice and do as they ask, or there will be consequences.’

  Eyes wide, Sofie gasped. Coming from a police detective that warning had to mean something.

  Claudia lifted her head and twisted around to look at Brock.

  Jett’s face paled. Still the bastard had the audacity to ask, ‘Are you threatening me?’

  Takumi came in, he was just as quick at assessing the situation. ‘Detective Stewart,’ Takumi acknowledged his superior.

  ‘Mr Olsen, go with Sergeant Edward, I’d like to ask you a few questions.’

  ‘Wait!’ Sofie cried out. ‘I want to know—’ she leaned forward, angry, her eyes narrowed in on Jett, watching out for any flicker or change in his expression, ‘—how did you know about my house? How, Jett?’

  ‘I—I word got around.’

  Sofie let go of Claudia. Fuming, she closed in on Jett. ‘You’ve been speaking to my mother,’ she hissed accusingly. ‘She hated you from the start, but I’m not stupid, Jett,’ she snapped out his name with contempt. ‘You’ve ingratiated yourself with my parents. They saw your fancy clothes, Italian shoes, your styled hair and thought, it takes money to look like that. Their hated son in-law has made something of himself.’ She didn’t miss the briefest change in the back of Jett’s eyes. Guilt. ‘Get out of my sight, you miserable human being.’ Sofie turned her back on him and opened her arms for Claudia.

  ‘Mr Olsen, it would be easier on everyone if you went to the station.’

  ‘What questions?’ Jett asked, voice on edge.

  ‘It’s just routine. We’re talking to everyone who knows or has heard about Ms Dove’s house.’

  Seconds later Takumi escorted Jett out to the police car.

  Unable to move, Sofie stared at the spectacle playing out as Jett questioned the need to get into the police car. Of course it didn’t work. Takumi simply shrugged in a please-yourself kind of way, but adding a whole bunch of words which Jett didn’t seem to like. Patience ready to snap, Takumi slapped his hand on Jett’s head and pushed him down into the car.

  ‘Mum?’ To get her attention, Claudia yanked at Sofie’s T-shirt. ‘Tak’s not going to punch Dad in the jaw is he?’

  ‘Are you worried about your dad getting hurt?’

  ‘Shit no, I don’t want Tak to get into any trouble.’

  ‘Oh, okay then, I don’t know.’

  ‘Sergeant Edwards can sometimes get impatient, but he’s not an idiot,’ Brock told them as he waited for the police car to leave. He ushered them to the back of the restaurant, and that’s when Sofie spotted Jennifer, her worried frown quickly disappearing as they headed her way down past the kitchen. They left Brock’s side and hurried into Jennifer’s open her arms for some great hugging and loving.

  ‘I was getting a drink upstairs. I came down as quickly as I could. But you were doing such a great job giving Whatsisface the business, I didn’t dare interrupt. Had you backed down for some unfathomable reason, I would’ve been at him so hard he’d need emergency treatment. But you both did great, and I’m so very proud. Thank goodness it’s over now. Whatsisface is gone.’

  Claudia gave a half-hearted giggle through her tears. ‘Whatsisface? You’re funny, Aunt Jenn.

  ‘Yeah well. I never could call Whatsisface, by his real name, now I know why, he’s a prick.’

  That made Sofie smile. It should’ve made her laugh, but she just couldn’t find any humour in this sorry episode, after all, fourteen years ago she’d made the monumental decision to marry an idiot. Claudia had no say in her predestined life, so she had every right not to laugh. There was no way to fix this, except maybe forging adoption papers. Now there’s a thought. Feeling a presence behind her, Sofie pulled out of the hug and tucked Claudia in with her aunt, then she walked straight back to Brock who was giving them time and space.

  ‘Babe,’ he murmured. He held her tightly, shoved his face in her neck, and kissed her there. ‘It’s over now, for both of you, I’ll make sure of it.’

  ‘Thank you, Brock.’ He straightened, giving Sofie a moment to focus on his face. He didn’t look happy. ‘Are you okay?’

  Brock held her upper arms. ‘I’m personally involved. So far there’s no case against Jett if at some point that changes, it’ll get tricky. That’s all. I care about you and Claudia. You matter a great deal to me.’ Then Brock’s thoughts turned inward, and chuckling, he added. ‘Claudia’s growing on me, she’s one feisty girl.’

  Liking the sound of that, Sofie smiled, which helped her racing heart to ease. ‘I’m so glad you were here. And God, I’m so sor—’

  ‘Sofe!’ Brock said, his tone warning, demanding her full attention. ‘Don’t you dare say sorry. There’s not one thing you should be sorry about—not one!’

  She gulped and did her utmost to stay strong and not fall in a blubbering heap. ‘Okay, for what it’s worth, he’s never done this before. I’m thinking his easy money pool has dried up, and now he thinks he can get it here. He knows about my house, how would he know that?’

  Taking in that information, Brock’s eyes hardened. He stared over her shoulder, processing. She guessed police did that with snippets of information, trying to piece the puzzle together, hoping there weren’t any bits missing.

  ‘Okay,’ he quietly said and kissed her forehead, then he ushered her to the stairs that led to the flat above the restaurant, affectionately called The Penthouse.

  The stairs creaked and Sofie looked up to see Claudia rush back down. She smiled. ‘What is it, sweetie?’

  Claudia didn’t say anything, but stopped a tread above them, her red-rimmed, troubled eyes on Brock. His soft ones on hers. Then he asked, ‘You okay?’

  ‘I hit my dad.’ Claudia shook her head and nodded at the same time, which was quite a feat. Then she lunged at Brock, her arms went flying around his neck, she buried her face in his shoulder and broke into heartbreaking sobs.

  Hesitantly, his arms went around her back. Brock’s awkwardness didn’t faze Claudia. And in his own rigid way, he did his best to comfort her. Sofie was ready to burst into tears, and quickly put a hand over her mouth to cover an involuntary sob. Brock twisted his head to look at her, brow scrunched causing deep lines above the bridge of his nose; his eyes were a mixture of ‘what’s going on?’ and ‘what do I do?’ Sofie was in no condition to help. Then he asked again, ‘Claudia, you okay?’

  Tears trickled down Sofie’s cheeks at the same time Claudia’s weeping subsided; she sniffed a few times, then silently nodded into his chest.

  Slowly, she moved back, stepped away, wiped the tears from her face and said, ‘Thank you. I’m okay now, I’ll just go and …’ She waved her hand towards the top of the stairs. Before she left, Claudia hugged and kissed Sofie, muttering, ‘See you tomorrow, Mum.’ Then ran up the stairs to her aunt Jennifer who was waiting on the landing.

  Sofie raised her arms and let them flop to her sides. ‘You sure you want to get involved with a couple of weeping women?’

  ‘Now more than ever,’ he grinned.

  ‘Are you nuts?’

  ‘Definitely, but not the kind you’re thinking of.’

  ‘You—’ she waved a hand at him ‘—you have to stop being so nice. I mean, fancy having to deal with me and my ex as well as Claudia,’ Sofie said, voice breaking. She couldn’t stop the embarrassment creeping back inside her, she hated it, it made her stomach hurt. ‘Probably everyone in town thinks you’re dealing with maniacs or something.’

  ‘Sofe, none of it was your doing, and not your fault.’ Soft eyes peering into her face, he cupped her jaw and neck. ‘You’re feeling history fall on you like a sledgehammer, and shit is stirring around in your head. Stop thinking. You can’t change anything, the past is done. It is what it is. To a certain degre
e, you can control the future. But even then, you’re thrown a curve ball, and suddenly you have to rethink and come up with something different.’

  ‘You’re right, but it’s so hard. Claudia is …’ Unable to say what was on her mind, Sofie shook her head.

  ‘You feel guilty?’

  Sofie caught his eyes and nodded.

  ‘Babe …’ Brock gave her a small, but very warm and understanding smile. ‘That bloke Jett, you marry him knowing he behaved like that?’

  ‘No! I wouldn’t have gone near him.’

  Brock merely gave her a look and said, ‘Right.’

  ‘Who made you so clever?’

  ‘You did, Babe.’ He chuckled. ‘You okay now, mostly?’

  ‘Yes thank you.’ She gave him a weak smile. ‘I suppose it’s too early for a gin and tonic.’

  ‘Yeah, and I have to get back to the station.’ He gave her a sexy, lopsided grin. ‘See if Takumi has left Whatsisface in one piece.’

  ‘Oh shit!’ Sofie cried.

  ‘I’m kidding—I’m kidding. Relax,’ he ordered with a grin.

  ‘I’ll try. Before you go—I don’t want to leave Claudia alone tonight,’ Sofie told him.

  ‘Wouldn’t want you to either. Claudia needs you.’ His gentle eyes held something she couldn’t quite get a fix on, and despite everything, heat curled inside her. ‘Babe, do what you want, whatever makes you feel comfortable, but look ahead, not back.’

  ‘I’ll stay here with Claudia.’ Face against his hard chest, she hugged him and mumbled into his shirt, ‘I’ll miss you … very much.’

  ‘Yeah … me too. Go see to Claudia. I’ll call you later,’ he sweetly rumbled, then dipped his head to kiss her, warm and deep, but not for long. When he pulled away, he brought his hand up to her face and, eyes following, he trailed the back of his hand down her cheek and along her jaw. Another swift kiss and he was gone.

  Chapter 9

  Brock didn’t want Jett to feel intimidated, so instructed Takumi to sit at the back of the room and to leave the door open. Looking forward to pushing Jett for answers, he sat at the table opposite him and switched on the tape recorder and read him his rights.

  ‘Would you like a lawyer present?’

  ‘What? No!’ Jett complained loudly.

  ‘If you can’t afford legal representation, we can call someone from Legal Aid.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous, I can afford my own lawyer,’ Jett huffed, taking offence.

  ‘You’re happy to answer my questions?’ Brock asked.

  ‘I’ve got nothing to hide,’ Jett answered, crossing his arms in a show of self-inflated bravado.

  Brock could see straight through his act and went ahead with a plan that had formed on his way back to the station. ‘Your cooperation will help.’ He kept eye contact with Jett, unable to comprehend that this piece of shit once had the most beautiful, amazing woman in his life and he just fucked her over. ‘On my way here, I had a chance to think.’

  ‘Yeah right, of course you did,’ Jett said, his posture spewing forth bravado and smugness.

  It gnawed at Brock to have to use Sofie’s and Claudia’s names in the same room with this cretin. Unfortunately, it was going to be unavoidable.

  ‘Both your ex-wife and daughter want nothing to do with you. Before the situation gets out of hand, I suggest you leave them alone. If you don’t, and if it ever gets that far, they have witnesses to back them up in court.’

  ‘That’s rubbish, all I wanted was to talk. Sofie’s house was demolished and I came to see if she was all right … and Claudia too of course. ’

  ‘Naturally, you’re her father.’ Jesus, he hated saying that.

  ‘That’s right. And I should report you. You were threatening, and way off limits as a police officer telling my daughter to move away.’

  ‘Um, she was about to punch you on the jaw, and I was doing my job, getting the situation under control. If you want to make a formal complaint, go ahead. I’ll get the paperwork myself.’ Brock studied him closely before adding, ‘But remember, the force looks into me, they’ll definitely look into you, uncover everything there is about you.’ Going by Jett’s subtle facial changes and the hands he couldn’t keep still, yeah, Brock had the lying bastard.

  ‘I don’t think that’s necessary.’ Jett waved a dismissive hand.

  Brock went on politely, giving Jett a false sense of security. ‘They’ve been through a lot lately. It’s been an emotional time for them, losing the house the way they did.’ Elbows on the table, he leaned in. ‘Is there anything you can tell me about their house? Do you know of anyone who would want to exact revenge on Ms Dove—and her daughter of course?’ Brock asked, keeping his demeanour and voice as neutral as possible.

  Jett squared his shoulders. ‘I have no idea and she is still Mrs Olsen, you know—.’

  Was he insane? It took effort, but Brock managed to stop himself from shaking his head. He gave a slight shrug instead. ‘Well, that might be a moot point as you are divorced and—’ Brock skewed his face and hoped he managed a curious expression ‘—didn’t you marry someone else?’

  Jett lost some of his bluster. ‘That was a mistake, we all make them, right?’

  ‘We sure do.’ Brock chuckled, thinking, I’m so going to nail your balls to the barn door. ‘You like Tumble Creek? Think you’ll be staying a while?’

  ‘I would have stayed with Sofie and Claudia, but …’ Jett gave a little shrug.

  Brock didn’t answer, only inclined his head, and kept a short leash on his rage. This guy sitting opposite staying with Sofie and Claudia would not happen as long as he had breath.

  ‘But yeah, can’t, her house is a pile of rubble.’ Jett let slip the barest of smiles, it was gone in a blink, but Brock hadn’t missed it. ‘Heard it on the grapevine, came into town to get Sofie to come back to Sydney. She could easily buy a place and we could start fresh.’

  ‘I see. And your ex didn’t want to cooperate so things got a little heated.’ Brock heaved an impatient sigh and, chin down, eyes fixed on Jett, kept his temper under control and leaned back in his chair. ‘Just your ex? You’d like your daughter to stay here, with her aunt. Is that what you’re saying?’

  ‘Yes, exactly. I can see you understand. Claudia’s old enough. I’m sure she has friends here. She’d much rather stay.’

  ‘Really, you’ve talked to her about that?’

  ‘Er … no, but she’s my daughter, I know what she’s like.’

  ‘Yeah, besides, teenagers can be difficult.’ Brock mentally kicked himself, getting emotionally involved and taking this shit way too far.

  ‘Difficult, are you kidding?’ Jett rolled his eyes. ‘A pain in the arse more like. She punched me in the face then kicked me.’ Frowning, Jett rubbed his jaw.

  A real father would’ve been damned proud of his daughter showing so much righteous strength. ‘I suggest you don’t text Claudia. Don’t go anywhere near either of them and definitely no more arguments or I will have to charge you with harassment, or disturbing the peace, or both—on two counts.’

  ‘Sofie was just being emotional, she’s highly strung and never known what’s best for her. I’m here to make sure she gets the best.’

  It took every ounce of Brock’s SAS training not to leap over the table and strangle the egotistical arsehole with his bare hands. He gripped the armrests of his chair and continued with what he had left, his trump card. Okay, here we go.

  ‘So, you know nothing about a truck ploughing into your ex’s house on Lavender Lane other than what you heard on the “grapevine”. What grapevine would that be, Jett?’

  Jett’s eyes darted everywhere except at Brock, which meant he was panicking, and that meant it took him a while to come up with a story.

  ‘Don’t tell Sofie, but I ran into her mother. Elizabeth begged me to get Sofie to come home. Her mother needs her … um … misses her.’

  ‘Her mother, right, I see.’ Brock nodded, Sofie was right, he had spoken to her mother.
‘Do you know, or do you have any knowledge, no matter how remote, of anyone who would want to run a truck into Ms Dove’s house? Does she have any enemies?’

  Jett’s eyes slid away then, realising his mistake, quickly brought them back. ‘Of course not, I mean, who would do something like that on purpose?’

  Too late, your shifty eyes gave you away, you lying bastard.

  Brock leaned over the table again, getting close, intimidating. ‘Yeah, what sort of arsehole would do that, and to Sofie of all people?’

  The CCTV footage sent to them from the service station where the truck had been stolen was too blurry. Takumi had already blasted the manager for not upgrading their equipment. At least they could’ve kept the lens clean.

  ‘If you haven’t got anything else, I suggest you let me go,’ Jett mouthed off.

  The pompous arse.

  Brock couldn’t hold him any longer. Perhaps they’d discover more if Jett was out and about. He was cocksure and arrogant enough to make a mistake.

  ‘Of course. I think that about wraps it up.’ Brock pushed his chair back. ‘Before you go, where are you staying? Just in case the department wants you to answer more questions, I doubt it, but you never know.’

  ‘I’m at the Creek Motel.’

  ‘Ah, good people run that place. You staying long?’ Brock asked, friendly like.

  ‘I haven’t decided yet,’ Jett said, his voice full of authority.

  ‘I hope you enjoy our beautiful town.’

  Standing by the window, Brock and Takumi waited until Jett Olsen was out of sight.

  ‘How the fuck did you keep your hands off that sick bastard?’ Takumi didn’t wait for an answer and, voice low, he asked, ‘What do you think?’

  ‘We’re police officers, and I think early one morning, Jett Olsen got it in his tiny brain to steal a truck and drive it to Tumble Creek to demolish Sofie Dove’s house. And I’m starting to get a handle on why.’

  ‘You gonna share?’

  ***

  Claudia thrashed and twitched most of the night. Sofie had no doubt that, along with her Goth make-up mask, Claudia’s night-time restlessness was made worse by confronting her father. She’d had words with Claudia about the text messages, and her sweet girl didn’t want her mum to have to deal with them as well. She also didn’t want the texts to wear her mother down and then be persuaded to have an ‘amicable’ get-together. Unfortunately, Claudia had deleted all the text messages moments after receiving them. But in future, if there were anymore, she would show them to Sofie. What to do about it all? Sofie would have to tread carefully, she’d start with researching the problem and, if necessary, talk it over with someone without Claudia finding out. As if Claudia were privy to what she was thinking, Sofie received a kick to her shin. She’d be black and blue by morning.