‘Listen to the old man.’
‘Yeah, all right. But the Disney Channel?’
‘Let her be. What would you prefer? Something with subtitles?’
‘Nah. I hardly ever watch telly,’ said Arbor. ‘I prefer music.’
‘What? Taylor Swift?’
‘I said music.’
‘I think we should get her to bed. She looks bloody uncomfortable there.’
‘Okay,’ said Arbor. ‘Do you want me to carry her? It’d be a shame to wake her.’
‘Yeah, if you like. Just be careful.’
‘Where’s her room?’
‘Down the end. It’s not far.’
Arbor slid his arms under Amira. Despite her stocky build, he found her light and easy to lift. He carried her along the hallway to her room. Jenny already had the light on.
‘Just lay her on the bed,’ she said. ‘I’ve got the doona.’
Arbor did as she asked, then stood back as Jenny covered the girl.
‘If the last few nights are anything to go by,’ she said, ‘that’ll be her until morning.’
She walked to the door again and waited for Arbor to leave before switching off the light. She followed him out and closed the door.
They stood there, in darkness, close, waiting for the other to move. Arbor could feel his body stiffen.
‘How’s about a drink?’ said Jenny, finally.
‘Good idea,’ said Arbor. ‘But I didn’t bring any. I thought …’
‘No, I thought the same. I’ve made a point of not drinking with Amira around. But, after hours … What do you reckon? Do you drink plonk?’
‘I can do.’
‘I’ve a pretty ordinary merlot stuck away somewhere. But it’ll do.’
They relocated to the kitchen. Jenny opened the bottle and poured.
‘Cheers,’ she said.
‘Cheers.’
‘I noticed you didn’t bring your tools,’ Jenny said eventually. ‘What’s that about?’
‘Ah, yeah,’ said Arbor. ‘I don’t have any. Well, I do, but they’re …’
‘It’s all right, Danny,’ said Jenny. ‘I’m only joking. I didn’t really expect you to.’
‘I can still do the pipes for you,’ said Arbor. ‘I’ll just do them some other time.’
‘Yeah, no worries,’ said Jenny.
She moved closer. He could feel the heat of her forearm on the back of his own.
‘You’re not a bad bloke, Danny Arbor,’ she continued. ‘You’ve got … integrity. That’s what it is. That’s pretty rare.’
Arbor couldn’t help himself. He laughed.
‘You reckon?’ he said. ‘I reckon you can’t know me that well.’
‘I’m serious,’ she said. ‘Look at what you’re doing for Amira. You won’t find many who’d do that.’
‘I just couldn’t see what else to do,’ said Arbor.
‘That’s what I mean,’ said Jenny. ‘Integrity … So how long will you be staying in Chatton, Danny?’
‘I don’t know,’ said Arbor. ‘Until October next year, I reckon. It’s usually a twelve-month stint.’
‘I reckon that’ll be plenty of time,’ said Jenny.
‘Plenty of time for what?’
‘For me to get to know you.’
Arbor blushed.
‘Yeah … I guess,’ he said. ‘If you like.’
‘You know, a girl can get mighty fed up stuck out here on her lonesome,’ said Jenny. ‘And I guess a bloke might as well, eh?
‘Yeah, I guess,’ said Arbor.
‘Do you have someone, Danny?’ she said. ‘Someone special? In the city?’
‘No. No one,’ Arbor said.
Jenny laughed.
‘I’m not much good at this, am I?’ she said.
‘What do you mean?’ said Arbor. ‘Good at what?’
‘At coming on to you,’ said Jenny. ‘You can tell, can’t you? That I’m trying it on?’
‘Is that what you’re doing?’
They laughed again. Now Jenny blushed.
‘You’re doing fine, I reckon,’ said Arbor.
‘So, Danny Arbor?’ Jenny asked. ‘What do you say? Are you up for it?’
‘Yeah, I reckon I might be,’ said Arbor.
Jenny rose and took his hand.
‘Come on, then,’ she said. ‘Let’s take this somewhere else.’
‘Lights on or off?’ she asked.
‘Off.’
‘Okay.’
She closed the door. They stood there, basking in starlight.
‘Your skin is shining,’ said Arbor.
Jenny laughed.
‘I hardly know where to start,’ she said. ‘It’s been so long.’
‘Yeah, well, don’t ask me,’ said Arbor. ‘It’s probably just been as long for me.’
‘Really?’ said Jenny. ‘I thought they’d root you ragged, a famous footy star like you. I bet you’ve had lots of girls.’
‘Hardly. And remember. I was in rehab for yonks. Not much happened then. But, listen. I need to tell you something,’ said Arbor. ‘That female cop. Burke. I …’
‘Don’t worry about it, Danny,’ said Jenny. ‘We’ve all sinned.’
He looked at her. He could feel her watching him too. She moved closer and kissed him softly.
‘You’re not nervous, are you?’ she asked.
‘No … Not at all.’
But he was. He felt her hand on his shirt, fingering his buttons.
‘Come on,’ she said, taking hold. ‘Come and lie on the bed.’
He did.
‘I reckon this might be nice, Danny,’ said Jenny, snuggling up to him. ‘If we can get our acts together.’
‘Yeah, I reckon it might.’
Slowly, deliberately, Jenny raised her knees and peeled back her skirt.
‘What do you think of my legs?’ she asked.
‘Yeah, they’re not bad,’ said Arbor.
He took what felt like a risk and stroked her thigh. She took his hand and directed it.
‘I used to play footy too,’ she said. ‘A long time ago, mind. I played on the wing. I did a lot of running. You were a ruckman, weren’t you?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Slack.’
He could feel the warmth of her fingers, the warmth of her leg. He felt even more heat as she guided his hand under her skirt. With her spare hand, he could feel her fumbling with his belt. She was calling all the shots, he thought, but it didn’t seem to matter.
‘Oh, stuff this,’ she said, with a laugh. She sat up. ‘Come on. Let’s get our gear off. Is that okay with you?’
‘Yeah, sure.’
In a moment, clothes were flying across the room – shirts, pants, underwear – until both were lying naked on the bed. Arbor could see now that Jenny looked every bit her age, but with that age, he decided, came beauty.
‘So, Danny,’ she said. ‘Do you still want me?’
‘Yes. Yes, I do.’
‘Well, I reckon you should kiss me first.’
He did.
‘I like sex in the summertime,’ said Jenny. ‘I don’t like getting under the covers. And I like the sweat. See? It’s like a little river running between my boobs.’
Arbor traced the line with his finger. Jenny laughed.
‘We’re an odd pair, aren’t we?’ she said. ‘You don’t mind? Me being that much older than you?’
‘No. I kind of like it, I reckon.’
‘I’m not too pushy for you?’
‘No.’
‘I thought that when I met you. I couldn’t imagine you with someone your own age. Someone like Jacinta, say.’
‘Christ, no. Would you believe she tried it on with me? I didn’t know what to do.’
Jenny laughed again.
‘Besides,’ said Arbor. ‘I reckon by then I already had the hots for you.’
‘Really? No way. You’re just flattering me.’
‘I don’t think so … So how is it you’re by yourself? I mean
… I mean it, Jenny. You’ve got it. I reckon you could have any man you wanted.’
‘Yeah, but most men aren’t worth having, Danny. I had one, once. He died. Cancer. End of story.’
‘Sorry.’
‘It wasn’t your fault.’
‘Is that the tatt?’
‘Yeah, that’s him. Come on. Let’s not turn this into a misery session.’
She drew closer to him and ran her hand across his chest.
‘I reckon you’re about ready again,’ she said.
‘Yeah, I reckon I am.’
‘We’ll take our time, this time, eh?’
‘Yeah, okay.’
‘Come here, then.’
She pulled him towards her.
‘That’s it … Kiss me, Danny.’
Their contact was light and sweet. And true.
MONDAY
When it came to sleeping arrangements, they thought it prudent that Arbor should bed down in the lounge. Just in case, said Jenny. Just in case Amira went wandering in the night. Neither sofa could contain him, so he stretched the cushions in a line, predictably a line still not quite long enough to accommodate his full length. His height, he thought sometimes, was a curse. But it was comfortable enough and he felt relaxed. He could feel her absence, the space where she had been, but he filled it with thoughts, of tomorrow and of what the future might hold.
He woke parched, with his body soaked in morning sun, and with Amira standing over him.
‘Morning, Danny,’ she said.
‘Morning.’
‘You needn’t have bothered, you know. I heard you both last night.’
‘Yeah, sorry about that.’
‘I’ve heard worse, Danny. I am a teenager.’
Even so.
‘What time is it?’ he asked.
‘Six-thirty.’
Bugger, he thought. He had only had three hours.
‘What’s for breakfast?’
‘I’m making eggs. Do you want some?’
‘Sounds good.’
‘Oh, Danny,’ said Amira.
‘What’s that?’ he said.
‘I was wondering. Your questions. Yesterday. Did I help? Was I any use?’
‘Yes, Amira,’ he continued. ‘You helped heaps.’
‘Good.’
‘No thoughts on that funny smell yet?’ he asked.
‘No, nothing yet,’ said Amira.
‘What about Jenny,’ he said. ‘Is she up yet?’
‘No, not yet.’
‘I think we’ll let her sleep, eh? I might grab a quick shower.’
‘Okay.’
He returned to find the table set and the meal prepared. Breakfast was an omelette quite unlike anything he had tried before.
‘Thanks, Amira,’ he said. ‘That was delicious.’
‘No worries.’
He wanted to get on, to try and catch the Ds early, but he didn’t want to leave without speaking to Jenny. He decided on coffee. That would be a nice way to wake her. And he hoped that Burke and Cole, too, were making a tardy start to the day.
‘You don’t mind, do you?’ he asked. Amira had started on the dishes. ‘You don’t mind staying out here for a couple of days yet? I want to sort some things out in town before you come in.’
‘I don’t mind, Danny,’ said Amira. ‘Jenny’s been great. In fact, I don’t know if I want to go back. Even then. There’s not much there now, if you know what I mean.’
‘Yeah, I get you. How does Jenny take her coffee? I don’t even know how she takes it.’
‘White and one.’
‘Thanks. Do you want one?’
‘No. I’m fine.’
Arbor poured the coffee, then made his way down the hallway to Jenny’s room. She was still asleep. He placed the mug on the table and sat beside her. He decided against waking her, so he sat, watching.
‘Morning, Danny,’ she said. Her eyes were still closed.
‘I thought you were asleep.’
‘I was.’
She opened her eyes now, and smiled.
‘Have you been up for long?’
‘Long enough. Amira made me breakfast.’
‘How is she?’
‘Fine. Well enough, I think.’
‘Are you …? Do you have to go?’
‘Yeah, I reckon I’d better. I’d better be getting on. If I want to catch the Ds before they shoot through.’
‘Are you going to see Matilda?’
‘Yeah, that’s the plan.’
‘Be careful, Danny.’
‘Yeah. I reckon I’ll have to wing it if the other Blairs are there. Fingers crossed, eh?’
He found himself kissing her, something long and soft and tender.
‘Mmm,’ she said.
‘I’ll be back this arvo,’ he said. ‘As soon as I can. And I’ll ring you.’
‘Okay.’
‘I’ll see you, then,’ he said, standing. But he didn’t move. He stood there, trapped in her spell.
He was first in, which gave him the opportunity to create the illusion, at least, that he was hard at work. He was walking a tightrope, he knew, and had spent far too much time away from the station. He would need to make things right with O’Reilly before testing the man’s patience just one more time.
He heard noises from the residence. It meant that the sergeant was up and would soon be joining him. Sure enough, the connecting door opened and O’Reilly entered. He headed straight for the kitchen and filled the kettle. Arbor thought it best to remain silent.
‘Do you want a cuppa?’ asked the sergeant, grabbing a second mug.
Arbor was surprised. Offers like this were rare.
‘No, thanks, Sarge,’ he said. ‘I’m fine.’
But O’Reilly persisted with the two coffees.
‘We’ve a visitor back there,’ he said. ‘A bloody nuisance. He kept me up half the night.’
‘Uh-huh,’ said Arbor. ‘And who’s that?’
‘That Webb mongrel,’ said O’Reilly. ‘Nathan. He’ll be needing some breakfast, I reckon. You can sort something for him or you can send him on his way. Either way is fine with me.’
The sergeant laughed.
‘Christ,’ he continued. ‘He wasn’t half causing a stir at the pub last night. I had to lock him up for his own good.’
‘Why? What happened?’ said Arbor.
‘I think he might’ve had a few too many,’ said O’Reilly. ‘But I’ll let him tell you. I’m sure he’ll have his own slant on things. Here.’
O’Reilly passed Arbor a coffee.
‘Take this in to him,’ he said. ‘Mind you, it’s more than he deserves.’
Nathan was stretched out on the bunk, awake and, as far as Arbor could tell, very, very sober.
‘Morning, Nathan,’ said Arbor.
‘Morning, Danny,’ said Nathan. ‘I hope you had a better night’s kip than I did.’
‘Yeah, I think I might have.’ He thought of Jenny, but didn’t want to mention her. Not at this stage, anyway.
‘I thought you might be hungover,’ he said, offering Nathan his coffee. ‘From what the sarge told me.’
‘Yeah? Is that what the old bastard said? I didn’t even have a drink. I didn’t get a chance to.’
‘Why not?’
Nathan thought for a moment and then laughed.
‘Ah, me and Sean,’ he said. ‘We thought we’d wind up that Piper prick. We went into that lounge bar.’
‘Yeah? And what happened?’ Arbor laughed. ‘He wouldn’t serve you?’
‘Nope. Not even a bag of nuts. He made us stand there for ages. Then he told us to fuck off.’
‘He was that blunt?’
Nathan tasted his coffee. It was clearly missing sugar.
‘Fuck, Danny,’ he said. ‘That’s gross. So, what’s the story? Am I stuck here? Or can I leave?’
‘You can leave.’
‘Great,’ said Nathan, rising. ‘Look, thanks for the poison, mate, but I reckon I’ll get a b
etter cuppa at home. Can I score a lift?’
‘Yeah, I can manage that,’ said Abor. ‘Just give me five, eh? I want to have a chat with the sarge.’
‘Yeah, all right,’ said Nathan, with a grin. ‘I’ll just nip next door for a beer while I’m waiting.’
The friction between Nathan and O’Reilly was tangible. It spoke through the air and was conspicuous in the total lack of eye contact or recognition. But as he reached the front door, Nathan took a parting shot.
‘Wanker,’ he said, under his breath.
O’Reilly didn’t quite hear him, but Arbor did. He laughed.
‘I’ll be out in a minute,’ he said.
He returned to O’Reilly. The sergeant was playing solitaire on the computer.
‘Sarge. I was wondering …’ Arbor said.
‘Yeah, what?’ said the sergeant. ‘What is it this time?’
‘It’s …’
Arbor thought it best to be up-front for once.
‘Well, Sarge. You know I’ve been chasing the Rashid girl? Well, I found her. She’s out at the Martin place. But she’s in a bit of a state, so I didn’t want to bring her in. I thought it best to leave her with Jenny … Miss Martin.’
The only sign that O’Reilly had heard was the silence. His fingers had stopped tapping.
‘And you took all this on yourself, did you?’ he said, eventually, without looking up. ‘Without talking to anyone?’
The tapping resumed.
‘Yes, Sarge,’ said Arbor.
Now O’Reilly looked up. In his eyes, Arbor could see himself desked for life. Nathan would be walking home. But the tongue-lashing didn’t happen. Instead, O’Reilly’s voice softened.
‘Well?’ he said. ‘So what’s the story? Come on. It won’t tell itself.’
Arbor found the guts to continue.
‘The thing is, Sarge. From what I’ve learned from Amira, well, it seems as if the Ds are off on totally the wrong track.’
‘Is that right?’ O’Reilly said.
He leaned back in his chair. A smile appeared. He appeared to be enjoying the news.
‘As you said, they’ve got some notion that Rashid was tied up in some kind of Pakistani mafia ring. But I don’t think it’s that at all. It’s something much more local. Something to do with the Blairs. Or the Hoggs.’
‘Well, which is it?’
‘I … I’m not sure yet. I …’
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