Intruder

by Christine Bongers

  ‘Whoa,’ breathed Al. ‘Impressive.’

  Jimmy had nailed it. The smell made me automatically pick up my fork. Maybe eating wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

  Jimmy leaned across the bench and rearranged an errant piece of bacon with the tip of a knife. ‘Edie and I had a long talk last night,’ he said. ‘And I had a chat with your friend here this morning –’

  I put my fork down. Here it comes . . .

  ‘And it boils down to this – we all want what’s best for you.’ He pointed his knife at Al. ‘Even him, apparently.’

  Al shifted in his seat, seemingly uncomfortable with the sharp blade aimed at him.

  ‘We’ve cleared the air a bit and worked out some ground rules.’ Jimmy lowered the knife, but left it pointed in Al’s direction. ‘From now on, Mr Armitage uses the front door – and the lights – when he comes round.’ He stared blackly at Al. ‘And I let him live to visit another day.’

  Heat flared in my checks. Way to kill a budding romance, Jimmy. I couldn’t bear to look at Al, so I put my head down and pushed the fritters around with my fork.

  But Jimmy hadn’t finished. ‘We’ve also decided it would be best if you stayed here with Edie until the police get everything sorted.’

  ‘But –’

  ‘But nothing,’ he interrupted. ‘If we all close ranks, that prowler can’t reach you. And if he can’t get to you, he can’t hurt you.’

  ‘He got to Herc. That hurt me.’

  His lips thinned. ‘That’s not going to happen again. Edie will keep you safe when I’m not here.’

  ‘But babysitting me won’t keep Herc safe,’ I argued. ‘What happens when he comes home? We can’t keep him locked inside all the time, worrying that he might be baited every time we let him run around the yard. I can’t live like that.’

  ‘I agree,’ said Edie, surprising me. ‘That’s why I’ve called the security company this morning. They can install monitored cameras and security lighting today, before Herc returns. If the prowler comes near the place, we’ll catch him on tape. In the meantime, we roster ourselves twenty-four seven so that you’re never alone.’

  ‘No,’ I said firmly. ‘That will just make it harder for him to get to me.’

  Varying degrees of incomprehension registered on each of their faces.

  ‘I want him to come after me,’ I explained. ‘I want him to think I’m on my own, that I’m weak and helpless. That I have no-one looking out for me. Then we can flush him out into the open. It’s the only way we’re going to catch him.’

  Edie looked uncertain, a new expression for her. ‘Kat, you’re talking about making yourself a target –’

  ‘That’s right,’ I said. ‘We lay a trap for him with me as bait. We make it easy for him to reach me and we catch him in the act. Then we make him pay for what he did to Herc.’

  The kitchen bench erupted. I had to shout to be heard over the top of them.

  ‘I’m not a suicide bomber, okay? I’m not putting myself at risk. We just need to trick him into thinking I’m alone. Bait the trap. And let him walk right into it.’

  Jimmy shook his head, mouth set in a grim line. ‘No way. That’s not going to happen, so you can get that idea right out of your head.’

  ‘But tonight’s the perfect night.’ I was desperate for him to hear me out. ‘New Year’s Eve – the biggest night of the year for thieves and burglars. Bill said it himself. With Herc out of the way, the prowler won’t be able to help himself. He’ll think you’re off somewhere playing some gig –’

  ‘I will be off playing a gig, Katty. I told you that – the All-White Ball at the Showgrounds. That’s why you have to stay here with Edie.’

  ‘You could cancel,’ I argued. ‘Let him think you’re not home, but really be there waiting for him –’

  ‘I can’t do that. I’d never find a replacement. Every musician in this town is already booked. I have to go. I don’t have a choice.’

  That was it. I stood up from the table, measuring him with my eyes, letting him know how far short he’d fallen in my estimation. ‘We all have choices, Jimmy,’ I said flatly. ‘You just keeping making the wrong ones.’

  ‘Kat –’

  I turned away, speaking pointedly to Edie. ‘Can we go see Herc now, please?’

  ‘Katty, don’t be like that,’ said Jimmy. ‘You haven’t even finished your fritters.’

  I pushed the barely touched plate towards him. ‘If that’s your best effort at parenting, you can have it.’

  Then I turned on my heel and stalked out the door.

  Twenty-Nine

  I waited by Edie’s car, hoping that Al would come with us to visit Herc. But when Edie finally trotted down with her backpack and car keys, she was alone.

  ‘Where’s Al?’ I asked, reefing open the passenger door. ‘Isn’t he coming?’

  ‘No. He said to tell you he’ll see you and Herc later.’

  I got in, wondering what had gone on upstairs after I left. ‘He’s not still up there with Jimmy, is he?’

  ‘Buckle up.’ She smiled as I slumped against the car door. ‘It can’t hurt if they get to know each other a bit better, can it?’

  I didn’t know the answer to that, so I belted up and tried not to think what Jimmy and Al might find to chat about while I wasn’t there. Fortunately it was a quick drive to the vet, so I didn’t have long to squirm.

  Edie pulled up into a loading zone, and told me to jump out while she found a park. I ran into the surgery, almost colliding with Danny the vet and the armful of dog he was carrying across the waiting room.

  ‘Herc!’

  ‘Perfect timing,’ said Danny, placing Herc gently on the floor. ‘He’s been scratching at his cage, which is always a good sign. Thought I’d bring him out and let him stretch his legs.’

  Herc gave me a lopsided grin and shuffled towards me on wobbly legs, his tail swishing an unsteady beat. My eyes filled with a stinging heat as I sank onto the floor, scooping him into a giant hug and pulling his unresisting bulk onto my lap.

  ‘Oh, baby, it’s so good to see you.’ I buried my face into the scrunched folds of his neck, letting him snuffle at mine while I breathed him in.

  ‘He’s made an amazing recovery after being on the drip overnight,’ Danny said. ‘My guess is that he didn’t swallow too much of that poison, and what did go down pretty much came straight back up.’ He wrinkled his nose. ‘Salmon skins and snail pellets. What a combo. Enough to make anyone vomit.’

  A faint moan of pleasure rippled out from Herc as I ruffled his floppy chops. ‘The pellets were scattered across the grass inside our front gate. Maybe Herc was smart enough to suck up the dog food, and leave most of the snail pellets alone.’

  ‘That might explain it,’ agreed Danny. ‘A most discerning and very lucky fellow you have there.’

  ‘Hear that, Herc?’ I pulled his jowls up into a smiley face. ‘I can take you home now.’

  ‘Sorry, not yet, I’m afraid. He’s done well to get to this point, but he’s still weak and I don’t want to risk him taking a turn for the worse. Better if I keep him in for another day or so, okay?’

  I reluctantly agreed just as Edwina pushed open the door. Danny went through it all again for her benefit while I lolled on the floor with Herc, his massive jaw slung across my leg.

  When Danny had finished explaining, Edwina tossed a pen and dog-eared puzzle book into my lap. ‘Sudoku, cryptic and quick crosswords, and cryptosums to keep you occupied if you want to stay here for a while.’

  I flipped through the pages, not sure if I should stay with Herc while the prowler was still out there walking the streets. Cryptic crosswords were my favourite, but Edwina had already done most of them. There was only one left, and she’d started that one too. One down; five letters: Let in or let on. She had filled in the boxes with neat block cap
itals: ADMIT.

  I closed the book, all too aware of her presence behind me. If I was honest with myself, I’d have to admit that she’d had my back for as long as I could remember: when I was little, when my mum was dying, when they’d taken Jimmy away. Even when I’d rejected her, Edwina had never given up on me. I owed her something for that.

  ‘Uh,’ I cleared my throat. ‘Jimmy told me that, um, before this all happened, you were planning to give me Herc for my birthday.’ I fiddled with his ear, the silky folds slipping through my fingers. ‘I just wanted you to know that . . . I’m glad. He’s the best present ever.’

  She went still, and I forced myself to say the words I should’ve said a long time ago.

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘You’re welcome.’ Edwina relaxed back into her seat and stretched her legs out in front of her. ‘Are you planning to stay here for a bit?’

  Before I could answer, her mobile rang loudly from her bag. She quickly excused herself and stepped outside to take the call.

  By the time she came back, Herc had had enough of my obsessive fiddling, and had taken himself off to sprawl on top of a doggie mattress laid out in the corner.

  ‘Don’t take it too personally,’ said Danny as he saw yet another patient out. ‘They can be a bit like babies when they’re recovering from a major trauma. Too much handling tires them out.’ He nodded at Edwina. ‘You should both go home and let him get some rest. I’ll call you in the morning. Surgery’s shut for the public holiday, but I’m around for special customers.’

  Edwina thanked him before turning to me, her face intent. ‘That was Bill. He wants us to meet him back at the house. He’s found a witness who saw someone throw something into your yard last night. Just before Herc took that poisoned bait.’

  Thirty

  I tried texting Al and Jimmy, but neither of them replied. And Jimmy’s car was gone when we arrived home.

  Bill looked exhausted, trudging up the front stairs. His eyes were sunken and tired, but his smile was warm when Edie and I walked out to greet him.

  ‘Edie.’ He plonked a big hand on her shoulder, then turned to me. ‘Kat, there’s someone I want you to meet. He’s been a big help to the investigation, but coming here, talking to you is difficult for him –’

  The squawk of our front gate cut him off and a blue cattle dog shot into our yard. Shuffling through the gate behind him was Hoodie Guy.

  ‘Baden has something he wants to share with you.’

  I stared up at Bill, confused. ‘Baden?’

  The boy stopped in the middle of our front path, shifting from foot to foot and muttering as though looking around for an escape. His blue heeler whined at his obvious distress, licking his hand.

  ‘What’s wrong with him?’ I whispered to Bill. ‘Why is he here?’

  ‘Baden saw the warning that Al posted on the gate of the dog park early this morning,’ Bill explained. ‘He came to see us of his own accord. That’s a big thing for him, Kat. Try to understand –’

  ‘I don’t understand. Every time he sees me, he acts like I’m some sort of threat, or he bolts like he’s guilty of something.’

  Bill’s tone sharpened. ‘He’s not guilty of anything. Baden just finds it hard to be around people.’ He dropped his voice. ‘Talking to strangers upsets him. He’s making a huge effort being here, so the least you can do is return the favour and hear him out.’

  I opened my mouth, but Bill had already turned back to the agitated boy and dog.

  ‘Kat, just give him a minute, okay?’ said Edie. ‘Bill knows what he’s doing.’ Bill walked away, murmuring something that I couldn’t hear, his voice low and soothing. Gradually the whining and muttering quietened, and he led them both back up the path towards us.

  ‘Baden, this is Kat and Edie.’ Bill kept his voice low and reassuring. ‘Kat, Baden would like to tell you something.’

  ‘Don’t like cats,’ he mumbled, eyes fixed on a spot at least a metre away from me.

  I realised he was terrified. Then, without warning, he spun around and began pacing up and down the front path, his cattle dog glued to his heels.

  A wave of pity washed over me. What I’d mistaken for a threat was something sadder.

  Bill’s voice was gentle. ‘No, but you do like dogs, don’t you, Baden?’

  Baden swung back towards us, his gaze fixed on the ground, but I sensed Bill had gotten through to him. He continued pacing, but was now listening.

  ‘Omo’s been a great little mate for you, hasn’t he, Baden?’ Bill continued. ‘Always looking out for you, being there when you need him. You couldn’t ask for a better friend.’

  Baden ground to a halt in front of Bill, eyes tracing invisible patterns on the grass. ‘Shouldn’t hurt dogs,’ he muttered. ‘Shouldn’t put things in yards that hurt dogs.’

  ‘Did you see something, Baden?’ I asked softly. Bill put his hand on my arm, but let me go on. ‘Did you see someone put something in my yard? Last night?’

  Baden nodded, white-lipped, eyes unable to meet mine. A hand snaked out of his hoodie pocket, and rubbed the one wrapped around his little dog’s leash. His stubby nails were bitten to the quick; his hands, hairless and pale but for the nicotine stains on two fingers and a thumb.

  They weren’t the hands of the prowler, and with that realisation came a thick rush of remorse.

  ‘Took my precious,’ he muttered, the words jolting through me.

  ‘Like in Lord of the Rings?’ I whispered. ‘Like the ring that Frodo took from Gollum? Is that what you mean?’

  He mumbled something I didn’t catch, then turned towards Bill, the effort to meet the watch sergeant’s eyes, for even a moment, cording the muscles in his neck.

  Bill continued to speak gently. ‘Baden lives with his parents. They were robbed earlier the same night the prowler broke into your house. Whoever it was got away with cash and jewellery, including an engraved silver ring that Baden’s mum bought for him in New Zealand.’

  Edie made the connection. ‘That’s where they filmed Lord of the Rings –’

  ‘That’s right. Baden’s a big fan. Looks like the prowler might have picked up Baden’s ring – which, incidentally, he wore on his thumb, so it was probably big enough to slip onto the prowler’s index finger – then went on to Kat’s place. We found the same fingerprints at both houses –’

  ‘Saw my precious,’ Baden interrupted, his eyes scanning our front fence. ‘Last night . . .’

  ‘Where?’ I asked, heart constricting in my chest.

  His jittering gaze swung round and he nodded at the front gate.

  ‘Was it on the man you saw throwing something over our fence?’

  He nodded again, one short jerk of his head.

  ‘Baden,’ I started. He wouldn’t look at me, but he grew still so I knew he was listening. ‘Would you recognise the man if you saw him again?’

  His gaze skidded across mine and locked onto the eyes of his little blue heeler. As though encouraged by what he saw in them, Baden squeezed his own shut and nodded.

  ‘I think that’s enough,’ Bill said quietly. ‘Baden has done a great job coming forward, but right now I think he needs to take Omo for a walk. It’ll calm him down and I can meet him back at his place later with a police artist to work with him on a sketch.’

  Baden continued pacing up and down the front yard, as though finding comfort in the rhythm of movement and the closeness of his small canine friend.

  ‘I’ll see him home,’ said Bill, turning to Edie as he left. ‘I’ll talk to you later, okay?’

  She nodded, and watched him walk away.

  ‘Nice of Bill to come round and let us know what’s happening,’ I said.

  ‘Yes, it was,’ she said, tearing her eyes off him. ‘He’s a good guy –’

  The ring of my mobile cut in. I glanced at the screen.
‘It’s Al,’ I said to Edie. He’d finally returned my call. ‘This might take a while.’

  She waved me off and I wandered down the street, filling Al in on the latest developments.

  ‘You don’t sound that happy,’ he said. ‘Finding a witness for Herc’s attack is a good thing, isn’t it?’

  I was on autopilot, walking my usual route to the dog park. ‘Yes, but I’m not sure how good a witness Baden is going to make.’

  ‘Didn’t he see the whole thing?’

  ‘He did, but I don’t know, Al. He seemed freaked out the whole time. I mean, he was really trying to help, but it was hard for him.’

  ‘Sounds like you’re feeling guilty that you had him pegged as the bad guy.’

  ‘I am. He didn’t do anything. He was just different, and that’s an awful reason to turn someone into a prime suspect.’

  ‘Don’t be too hard on yourself, Kat. It’s not like you organised a witch hunt against him.’

  No, but after what I’d been through with Jimmy, I should have known better. ‘Anyway,’ I said, changing the subject. ‘What are you up to, Al?’

  ‘Uh, you know, being brave, talking to my girlfriend, stuff like that.’

  I laughed, liking the sound of my new title and all that it stood for. ‘Whoa, that is brave.’ I waited a beat. ‘Is she nice?’

  ‘Nah, she’s a tiger. Got her claws into me, good and proper.’

  I smiled down the line. ‘Yeah, well, watch out for her. She might be like that lawyer vine. Once she digs her claws in, there’s no getting rid of her.’

  ‘Fine by me. And I am watching out for her, Kat. You better believe –’ He broke off as someone in the background said something. ‘Hang on a tick,’ he said, before coming back on the line. ‘Look, I gotta go, there’s stuff I have to do. Do you reckon you could do me a favour?’

  ‘Yeah, sure. What?’

  ‘Could you walk Sequoia for me? I usually take her for an hour or so, when Mum’s at work, or else she goes nuts ripping up the flowers, pulling the washing off the line. Ditzy-redhead attention-seeking stuff like that –’