The Road Back: A Novel

by Di Morrissey

  Chris was taken aback. ‘That’s terrible,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘But it could have been pure coincidence, Mac. Don’t you think you’re drawing a long bow, linking Carmichael to what happened to me? I mean, it doesn’t seem feasible that a business tycoon like Alan would try to harm me.’

  ‘That’s not all, Chris. Once I’d remembered that case, I did a bit more research. And guess what? I found another similar story. This time it was a journalist from Adelaide and it only happened a couple of years ago. Evidently he was looking at a questionable rezoning application for another of Carmichael’s projects in one of the suburbs when he was killed. The brakes on his car mysteriously failed and he ran into a telegraph pole.’

  Chris said nothing as his blood ran cold. Two journalists who’d been investigating Carmichael’s activities, both killed in road accidents.

  ‘I think that Carmichael is bad news, Chris,’ said Mac emphatically.

  ‘But Mac, it could still all be a coincidence,’ said Chris, though he wasn’t sure he believed this himself.

  ‘You know what they say, once is an accident, twice is coincidence, and three times is a pattern. I reckon that this is definitely part of a pattern. Two deaths that we know of and the attempt on your life, and the connection between all three is Alan Carmichael,’ said Mac seriously.

  ‘There’s another death connected to him as well,’ said Chris. ‘The murder of my mother’s friend Jimmy Anderson in Indonesia all those years ago. Carmichael has to bear a lot of the responsibility for that, too.’

  ‘Well, the way I see it, Carmichael doesn’t like people nosing around his operations, so someone doing a book that rakes over his past is not going to be welcome.’

  ‘You know, when I spoke to him first for the magazine article, he was polite and in no way threatening.’

  ‘Changed, though, when he found out that you were going to write a book, didn’t he? Got his lawyer on to you, and then you made it clear that you weren’t going to be warned off. I can’t help but think that Carmichael has it in for you.’

  ‘If you’re right, Mac, then what am I going to do?’

  ‘Up to you, Chris. Do you call his bluff and ignore what’s been going on? Or do you let Carmichael know right away that you’re dropping him from the book?’

  ‘What a mess. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so bull-headed and told his solicitor I was going ahead with the book with or without Alan’s agreement. I wonder if I should talk to Evan or Mark as well as David.’

  ‘And what are they going to say? They might be horrified by what Carmichael is doing, or at least what we think he’s doing, but all they can say is that you either take a chance and press on, or back off.’

  Chris’s heart sank as he realised there was really only one path he could take. ‘I suppose you’re right. Mac, if I was working on my own, I’d keep going, but here with Megan and Mum . . . I can’t take that chance.’

  ‘Do you think you should talk things over with Georgie before you make a decision?’

  ‘Of course I’ll speak with her about my decision and what that will mean for my book, but the bottom line is that I can’t risk my family’s safety. I’ll notify Carmichael’s solicitor right away and tell him that I’m backing off from including him in the book in any way.’

  Mac was quiet a moment. ‘I think that it’s probably for the best, Chris.’

  Chris rang off and then dropped his head into his hands. His life seemed to have become a pattern of one step forward and three back. He picked up his phone and called Georgia to tell her what Mac had found out and what he had decided as a result.

  ‘So do you want to drop the book?’ she asked quietly.

  ‘Well, not the whole idea, I can’t! I mean, this is my future. I need to do it. But the trouble is that without Carmichael in it, the book loses much of its impetus. He’s the big name.’ Chris swallowed the lump in his throat. ‘Oh, I don’t believe this. I feel I’m not getting anywhere.’ He drew a shaky breath.

  ‘Yes, you are. The other three people you are writing about are important Australians too, so maybe the publisher won’t have a big problem with your omission of Carmichael, although I agree it is a pity. Let me talk to the powers that be and see what they say.’

  ‘Oh, Georgia, I feel every time my life starts to get back on track, something gets in the way.’

  ‘That’s nonsense. If both you and Dad think that Carmichael is behind this intimidation, then you are doing the right thing by backing out to protect your family. You have no choice. But I’m confident that I will be able to talk the publisher into letting you continue with the book. Things will work out, I promise you,’ said Georgia emphatically.

  ‘You’re so supportive, Georgia. I really appreciate it. Now I just have to get Megan organised to go to Perth. The flights are a bit fiddly. I can put her on the plane to Sydney, but she has a few hours’ wait there for the Perth flight. I suppose she’ll be all right.’

  ‘I can understand that you might feel nervous about letting Megan out of your sight, especially after her rainforest adventure, but it’s hardly a major problem. What if I meet Megan at the airport in Sydney and keep her company until her Perth flight, and then I get the next flight up to Coffs? I’m sure I can swing that.’

  ‘Are you sure? It seems a lot of bother, but Megan would love to be able to spend some time with you. And so would I, Georgia. That’d be wonderful if you came up. Thanks. I can’t wait to see you.’

  ‘I’m opting out for a few days. I managed to finalise two deals and get the contracts signed, so I’m due a bit of a breather, plus I’ll visit Mr Difficult Author in Woolgoolga to justify my trip. And I’ve treated myself to a new camera lens.’

  Something occurred to Chris. ‘Hang on, Georgia, I’m wondering if it might not be safe for you to come until I send a message to Carmichael’s solicitor to say that I’m dropping him from the book. I’ll get on to Duncan’s brother to do that first thing tomorrow. Even then it might be a bit risky,’ Chris said quietly.

  ‘I’m still coming up,’ said Georgia, defiantly. ‘Anyway, I miss you,’ she added. ‘There. I promised myself I wouldn’t say it, and I have.’

  Chris felt a warmth surge through him. ‘That’s the best news I’ve heard in weeks,’ he said. ‘And I miss you, too.’

  ‘It’s going to work out, Chris. Really,’ said Georgia softly.

  *

  Chris felt that he had never been so pleased to have a weekend arrive. The past week had been a nightmare, but there had been no further incidents. Now he was happy just to be able to spend the next couple of days at home. However, on Saturday afternoon Alex persuaded him to go to a local football match. He arrived home from the game to find Susan sitting in the kitchen looking thoughtful, an untouched cup of coffee beside her.

  ‘Hi, Mum. I popped in to see Frenchy on my way home. Sends his regards.’ He glanced at Susan. ‘You look distracted, what’s up? Is everything okay?’ Chris suddenly felt worried.

  Susan touched his hand reassuringly. ‘Yes, everything’s fine. I just had the most amazing phone call, that’s all. I’m trying to tell myself that it really happened.’

  ‘Really? Who was it from?’ asked Chris, curiously.

  ‘I’m still a bit stunned. Thomas Anderson rang me here.’

  Chris had to sit down. ‘The Thomas Anderson? Jimmy’s brother? Thomas Fairfax Anderson. Good grief. What did he have to say?’

  ‘He said that as soon as my email was brought to his attention, he had to ring me straight away. He was pretty shocked.’

  ‘I’m not surprised, after what Norma said. I suppose that even after all this time he would want to know what really happened to his brother. How did he react to the news that Jimmy’s death could have been prevented?’

  ‘He said he always felt that the family never received a proper explanation about his brother’s death, which is why he went out to Indonesia himself. He also said that the family was pretty sure Jimmy had formed a romantic attachment wi
th me, going by his letters home and my letter to his parents. That was why he wrote to me all those years ago. Now he says he’s very grateful that I took the time to write to him, to let him know what I’d found out from Norma.’

  ‘Well, I hope he felt some closure, to use the cliché?’

  Susan shook her head. ‘I don’t know about that. I feel like I’ve stirred up a hornet’s nest. I could tell on the phone that he was very tense.’

  ‘About what?’

  ‘Alan Carmichael, of course. I made it quite clear in my email that while those violent gangs had been responsible for Jimmy’s death, Alan was connected with them and had prior knowledge of what would occur that night. I did say I was shocked and surprised by this new information, and so I thought he, too, might like to know Jimmy’s death was not an open-and-shut case of misadventure. It saddened me that it might have been prevented. Actually, I rather think I suggested that Jimmy’s death was due entirely to one man’s fanaticism.’

  ‘So did he ask you any questions specifically about Alan?’

  ‘Not really. I got the impression that he might know who Alan was already. Maybe he’d looked him up after I mentioned him in my letter. I suppose these wealthy businessmen all know of each other.’

  Chris shook his head. ‘Mum, Alan is a big fish in a small pond. Thomas Fairfax Anderson is an enormous fish in a very big pond. I mean, he has to be in the top dozen or so of the richest men in America. Carmichael’s International Industries is not in his league. So how did the conversation end?’

  ‘He’d like you to ring him so he can chat to you.’

  ‘Me?’

  Susan explained, ‘When he asked how I’d found out this information, I told him that you had been researching a book which included the period we’d all spent in Indonesia, and how your research had led you to Norma and her story. He asked when your book was coming out and I said you were having a few problems which could delay its release, problems we both thought were caused by Alan Carmichael. I didn’t elaborate.’

  ‘Thomas Fairfax Anderson wants me to ring him. That’s amazing. Did he leave a number?’

  ‘Yes. His direct line.’

  ‘Good grief, Mum. You seem to be connected with the most incredible people. Maybe my conversation with Thomas Anderson could put a whole new slant on things.’

  ‘I’m not sure how, but give him a ring.’ Susan gave her son an encouraging smile.

  Taking a cup of coffee, Chris looked at his watch and hurried to his study.

  As he waited for Thomas Fairfax Anderson’s personal assistant to see if Mr Anderson was available to speak with him, Chris sipped his coffee. He knew he shouldn’t hold his breath. Anderson’s call to Susan might just have been a knee-jerk reaction, in which case Anderson might not really expect him to call back from Australia. But less than a minute later a slightly breathless voice came on the line.

  ‘Tom Anderson here. Sorry for the delay, I’ve just arrived back from my gym. Trying to stay fit at my age is getting harder to do. Now, it’s Chris, isn’t it? Susan’s son?’

  For one of the few times in his professional life, Chris felt overwhelmed. ‘Ah, yes, sir. Chris Baxter. I really appreciate you taking my call.’

  ‘No, I’m very grateful that you called back so promptly.’ Anderson paused. ‘Terrible business what happened to my brother in Indonesia. I loved him. Reconciling his death was always difficult for my parents. Although they were proud that Jimmy had joined the Peace Corps, they never understood why he stayed on in Indonesia after the other members of the corps had returned home when all that political turmoil broke out. Jimmy assured them that he was far removed from the troubles, but clearly that was not so. I don’t think my parents ever got over his death.’

  ‘I can understand that,’ said Chris quietly.

  ‘I’ve learned from your mother that Jimmy’s death was not a random incident but the result of a planned robbery that went wrong. I’m actually glad my parents aren’t alive to know this terrible truth.’ He paused for a moment. ‘And what’s even more galling is that the man who was involved in Jimmy’s death is someone who has gone on to make a successful career for himself as a property developer, someone who has acquired wealth and status after denying my brother the same opportunity. I find this a hard pill to swallow.’

  ‘I can well imagine. Are you aware that I’ve had problems with Carmichael?’

  ‘Your mother alluded to that, but suggested that I talk to you about it.’

  ‘To be frank, Mr Anderson . . .’ Chris began.

  ‘Please, call me Tom.’

  ‘Tom,’ said Chris. He briefly explained how he had been writing a book about the men who had been with his mother in Java in 1968.

  ‘Three of those men have been very cooperative, but Alan Carmichael has not. When he learned I was writing the book, he shut the door on me.’

  ‘It is his right to maintain his privacy, of course,’ Anderson said. ‘I’ve had many people wanting to write my biography, but I have discouraged them because when I want my story told, I’ll do it myself. Not that I have any time to write a book.’

  ‘Yes, I understand that. But Carmichael had his lawyer send me a letter warning me about writing the book. Perhaps foolishly, I sent him a letter back saying that I would go ahead with the book with or without his cooperation, although I would refrain from saying anything defamatory about him.’

  ‘Did he accept your compromise?’ asked Anderson.

  ‘I didn’t hear anything more from his lawyer, but my family and I have subsequently been intimidated,’ said Chris, and then explained about the loosened wheel nuts and the mysterious blue car.

  ‘Can you prove that Carmichael was behind them?’

  ‘No, I can’t, but a friend of mine, an ex-journalist, has discovered that two other investigative journalists who were separately looking into Carmichael’s business affairs over the years were killed in road accidents.’

  ‘Now that is a coincidence. You’re quite sure of those facts?’

  ‘Absolutely, and I didn’t want my family or my friends exposed to any more intimidation, so I had my lawyer send another letter saying that I was no longer interested in including Alan Carmichael in my book.’

  ‘I see. Has anything suspicious happened since then?’

  ‘No, but the letter has only just been sent. As a further precaution, I’m sending my daughter over to the other side of the country to stay with her mother.’

  ‘Pleased to hear that. So tell me, Chris, how do you feel about what’s been happening to you?’ asked the financier.

  ‘Very angry, as you can imagine. My agent is hopeful my book will still be published, but I feel it has been substantially weakened. Because of his position, Carmichael knows that he can do what he likes, including mounting a long and expensive litigation which I can’t afford to fight. Now I’m beginning to think that he is literally getting away with murder.’

  ‘How have your other books been received, Chris?’

  ‘This is my first one. I was previously a journalist, however times are tough in the media and I’m a single father with a teenage daughter, so I was hoping to switch to writing books so I can give Megan a stable home life.’

  ‘I see. It’s a shame that you won’t be challenging Carmichael, but that is a difficult thing to do without concrete proof, and as you have explained, that is very hard to get. Thank your mother again for letting me know what happened to my brother, and I hope things work out for you, Chris.’

  ‘Thanks again for taking my call,’ Chris replied and rang off, pleased that Thomas Anderson had taken the trouble to speak with him, but disappointed that the conversation had not led to anything.

  ‘What did he say?’ asked Susan as Chris walked back into the kitchen.

  ‘Nothing much really, but he was pleasant and polite in that friendly American way.’

  ‘Well, I’m glad I wrote to him.’ She looked at her son. ‘Now what?’

  ‘Y’know what, Mum? I’m go
ing to take a bit of a break. Megan’s off to Perth and Georgia is coming up, so I’m going to spend a couple of days with her. I’ve even organised some time off, so I’m going to take each day as it comes.’

  Susan smiled. ‘That’s a very good idea, especially as I shall be away myself. David and I plan to go over to Core Creek farm again. He says he’s interested in looking for some land to buy.’

  ‘What, to farm?’

  ‘Yes. He thinks he would like to develop a project of his own. Tells me that he’s getting sick of travelling.’

  ‘Well, good for him. Seems a lot for him to take on, though.’

  ‘Rubbish. Your sixties and seventies can be very productive and exciting times. We’re looking at an interesting project that will keep us on our toes.’

  ‘We? Are you investing in this?’ asked Chris, a little concerned.

  ‘Not at all. But I’m excited by David’s ideas. He’s interested in bush foods and he wants not only to grow them successfully, but to find an innovative way to market them. He’s met a couple of young indigenous agriculturalists who have been growing bush foods for years, and they want to work with us.’

  ‘And you want to be part of this? You’re amazing, Mum. Always up for something new.’ Chris grinned admiringly at his mother.

  ‘It won’t be all work,’ said Susan. ‘We’re planning to do some travelling around Europe too.’

  Chris gave her a hug. ‘Yes, I remember your hint about Italy. I think it’s wonderful.’

  ‘What’s wonderful?’ asked Megan as she came into the kitchen.

  ‘Bunny and David are thinking of starting their own farm.’

  ‘What! And leave Neverend?’ Megan looked stricken. ‘Are you going to sell this house?’

  ‘Of course not, sweetie,’ soothed Susan. ‘David is just looking for some land for an agricultural development.’

  ‘Well, don’t you do anything while I’m away, will you,’ insisted Megan. Then she added, ‘If you have a farm, can I ride there? Maybe keep Squire there?’