Kakadu Sunset (27 page)

David’s throat closed with disappointment but he kept his expression bland as the chairman called the meeting to a close. David had voted against it; he would not succumb to threats. Fairweather had got to others in this room – maybe more than one. David looked around, but not one member would meet his eye. Bill Jarragah’s eyes were closed and perspiration ran down his face.

David closed his office door and collapsed at his desk, staring at the picture of Gina and the children next to his computer. Uncertainty rippled through him. Had he made a mistake sending them away? Should he have kept them close where he could look out for them?

The dropped gazes and the outcome of the vote had convinced him that Fairweather’s reach was great. They were solid men of integrity in that committee and more than one of them had obviously been bought. He couldn’t believe that Bill Jarragah had voted for the boundary change; but if Bill had sold out for money, he would be very surprised. His passion for his land and love of country had made Bill a valuable member of the environmental committees in which he’d represented the clans since before David had been in parliament. There must be another reason for his decision. He was counting on Bill to speak strongly against the exploration licence.

Pressing his thumbs onto his eyelids, David tried to ease the band of stress that was beginning to tighten on his temple. The last thing he needed was a stress migraine.

And no Gina at home tonight to massage my neck
. David glanced down at his watch before taking a swig of water from the bottle on his desk.

He pressed the speed dial on his mobile and stared out the window as he waited for her to pick up. The square below was empty and leaves whirled around in the strong wind. He knew she’d be waiting for his call.

‘Hi, darling.’ Her voice soothed him even from afar. ‘Sorry, it took me a while. I forgot to get my phone out of my bag before I got into bed. It’s full of rubbish.’

‘For a change,’ he said. He had never known anyone to carry as much in a handbag as Gina did.

‘I need a new one.’

‘A new handbag?’ David smiled to himself. He knew what was coming next.

‘Yes, I think a trip to Florence is called for.’ He could hear the laughter in her voice and then it disappeared. ‘Is everything okay there, darling? How did the meeting go?’

David ran his hand through his hair. ‘The boundary change was approved.’

Gina was silent.

He cleared his throat and injected a smile into his tone. ‘Having a good rest?’

‘Yes. I had lunch with Ellie today.’

‘Good, I must thank her for catching up with you. How are the kids?’

‘They miss you, David. I’ve booked them into the crèche tomorrow afternoon. I’m going to have another facial.’ Gina’s voice faded out for a moment.

‘You there, Gina?’

‘Sorry, I thought I heard one of the kids, but it was just the wind. It’s really blown up here tonight.’

Premonition crawled along David’s spine. ‘You’ve locked the doors? And the windows are shut?’ There was no way Fairweather would know he had voted against the exploration. Surely not.

‘Yes, David. I listen to you.’

‘It’s windy here too. I have to go now,
bella
. I just called to tell you how much I love you.’

‘Mi manchi
, David.’

‘I miss you too. All three of you.’ David made a snap decision as he stared into the night. ‘Gina? How would you like to take a trip back to Tuscany for Christmas? I am sure your mother would love to see our new little one.’

The squeal that came through the phone brought the smile back to his face.

‘Really? Oh David, that would be wonderful.’

‘We’ll start planning it when you’re all back home next week.’

‘
Mwah
. Have I told you today I love you?’

David smiled as the sound of kisses came over the phone. ‘Yes, but you can tell me as much as you like.’ The phone on David’s desk buzzed. ‘
Bella
, I have to go. Say hello to Ellie for me when you see her next and Gina . . . Take care, okay?’

‘We will. Love you, darling.’

David disconnected, slipped his mobile into his pocket, and reached for his desk phone.

‘Yes?’

‘David.’

His stomach clenched and a metallic taste filled his mouth.

‘Russell. I didn’t think I had given you my direct line.’ The chuckle that came over the phone sent a shiver down David’s spine.

‘No, I don’t believe you did, David.’

‘What can I do for you? I was about to leave for an appointment.’

‘Yes, I believe you do. The member for Berry, I believe? A good man.’

Jesus Christ. Did the man have the whole fucking committee in his pocket?

‘I wasn’t aware that my schedule was public knowledge.’

‘Don’t toy with me, David. You won’t be happy with the consequences.’

‘Listen to me, Russell.’ David bit out the words. ‘You will not tell me what to do. Is that clear?’

‘No, David. You listen to me. I’m very unhappy with the way you voted in the meeting earlier. I thought we had an agreement.’ Fairweather’s voice was like steel.

‘We had a discussion, there was no agreement.’

‘And I told you what might happen if you didn’t understand my side of the discussion. Perhaps I wasn’t clear enough.’

‘Oh, yes. You were mighty clear.’ David held the phone so tightly he could feel his fingers going numb.

‘I know you have hidden your little family away, but don’t underestimate me, David.’

‘That is one thing I will never do, Russell.’ David kept his voice firm and strong, despite the cold chill that was running down his limbs. ‘I’m only going to tell you this once: Leave my family alone. And don’t underestimate
my
integrity. I will always do what is best for the Territory.’ There was stony silence at the other end of the phone. ‘Now, as I said, I have a meeting. Good night.’ David dropped the phone and it hit his desk with a clatter.

*

Russell Fairweather slipped the phone into his tailor-made jacket and brushed an invisible piece of lint off his trouser leg before turning to his driver. ‘I am very pleased you brought the Mercedes tonight, Mick.’

‘My favourite, Mr Fairweather.’

‘And your helicopter flight went well this morning? I have another couple of little jobs for you down in Kakadu.’

‘It was very satisfactory. When you need me to follow through, I have a plan in place.’ For the first time Mick smiled. ‘Those R44s would be very easy to fall out of.’

‘Good. You’ll need to take an off-road vehicle down there tomorrow. I’ll let you know the details later.’

‘My pleasure.’ Mick’s expression was bland again.

‘Did you keep the little souvenir you retrieved from Bill Jarragah last night?’

A single nod. ‘It’s in the cooler on the back seat.’

‘Well done.’

Russell pulled his phone from his pocket. There was one more loose end to tie up.

It was opportune that David had secreted his little family down at Makowa Lodge. And such a happy coincidence that Ellie Porter was working there too. Now to ensure that Bill Jarragah would jump to his bidding a second time.

Thursday night
Darwin Hospital

Susan Sordina held on for another day. She passed away just after eight o’clock the following night, Kane by her side as the final rattling breaths struggled from her frail chest. He remained with her for a long time before he let go of her cold hand and called for the nurse. Panos had not been located. They’d even sent the police to his office but his secretary said he’d gone out and not told her where he was going.

Ellie was sitting outside in the chair where she’d been all day, a cold cup of coffee on the floor beside her. She had supported Kane, talked to him, held his hand and been there with coffee each time he’d come out for a break. Her legs were curled up beneath her, and her head tipped back on the hard plastic chair. Kane stood at the door, took a deep breath and composed himself. He clenched his jaw and swallowed. Later he would give in to the grief of losing his mother, but first he had to find Sordina, the gambling lowlife, and tell him his wife was dead.

Rather than driving back to Kakadu that night, Ellie talked him into letting her book two rooms at a hotel down on the harbour front. It made sense; he had to notify his stepfather, and when he had done that, there were more arrangements to make in the morning. Jock wasn’t expecting them – she’d phoned earlier and explained the situation – and as Ellie pointed out, he was tired and it wouldn’t be safe driving on the highway.

‘You need to eat something.’ She tipped her head to the side and observed him as they took the lift down to the car park.

Kane grasped the small bag of his mother’s belongings that the nurse had given to him as they’d left the ward. All he wanted now was to get through the next few hours without a panic attack. He was deathly tired, his emotions were in a mess, and there was a constant prickling in his scalp. He was doing the best he could to cope. He turned to Ellie when he realised she’d asked him a question. ‘Sorry?’

‘Do you want me to pick up some Maccas on the way to the harbour?’

‘No thanks.’ The thought of food made his stomach churn. A feeling of detachment from the real world precluded any normal activities like eating or sleeping. Even talking was difficult. Kane’s feelings were heading in a downward spiral but he made the effort to look at Ellie and answer her. ‘Coffee will be fine.’

They stepped through the sliding doors onto the kerb. The bright light shining over the hospital entrance bathed it in a surreal glow and sharpened the corners of the building. An ambulance was backing into the emergency bay with its lights flashing and the blue light made macabre shadows on Ellie’s face.

Kane took a deep breath and held Ellie’s arm as they crossed the road towards the car park. ‘Come on. Let’s get out of this place.’

He drove behind Ellie in his Jeep and followed her towards the city. She took the last turn before the city precinct and turned into Tiger Brennan Drive. The motel was down on the harbour – not the exclusive side of Cullen Bay, but down towards the semi-industrial area where there was a push to make it more attractive to tourists. As Kane followed her small car through the deserted streets, he came to a decision. After they reached the motel and he had seen Ellie safely inside, he was going to find Panos.

Now. Tonight
. Kane didn’t care if it was the middle of the night. The death of your wife was not the sort of news anyone deserved to hear over the phone.

Ellie swung her little sedan through a wide archway one street back from the waterfront. Kane parked on the road and walked into the small car park at the side of the motel. The receptionist had promised the keys would be left in the door of their rooms. He pulled his phone out and scrolled down to Sordina’s number as he walked across the road.

This time Sordina picked up after a couple of rings.

Finally
.

‘Panos, it’s Kane. Where have you been? I’ve been leaving messages for you for the last twenty-four hours.’

‘Wha . . . who?’ The voice was slurred and Kane clamped his lips together in anger. It was obvious now. His wife had died while he was out on a binge. Not only a gambler, it seemed Sordina had a drinking problem as well.

‘It’s Kane. Are you in the city? I need to see you.’ Kane kept his voice calm, holding back the harsh words that were on his tongue. He glanced across at Ellie. She stood silhouetted in the doorway of one of the rooms.

‘Iss the fuckin’ middle of the night.’ Panos sounded like a petulant child.

‘I need to see you now,’ Kane repeated. ‘Where are you?’

‘My office. I was asleep.’

‘Meet me at the 24-hour McDonald’s at the harbour end of McMinn Street.’ There was no way he was going to his office to meet his stepfather, he’d end up fucking killing him. But the McDonald’s was around the corner. He’d met his mother there a couple of years ago on his final deployment. Kane’s voice was icy and calm. ‘I’ll be there in ten minutes. And Panos? Walk there. You don’t sound as though you are in any fit state to drive.’

‘
Wass
it for?’

‘Be there. Ten minutes.’ Kane slipped his phone back into his pocket and walked over to the motel room where Ellie had stood in the doorway. The door was still open but he couldn’t see her. He poked his head inside. ‘Ellie?’

She looked up from the small kitchenette on the other side of the room.

‘I’ll be back in half an hour. I’m going to tell Sordina that –’ Kane cut his words off. He couldn’t bring himself to say them. Mum was gone, but he couldn’t yet put it into words.

‘So you found him? Do you want me to come?’

‘No. I need to do this on my own.’

She gave him a sad smile and walked over to the door with him. ‘I’ll wait up for you till you get back.’

‘You don’t have to.’

‘I want to.’

Kane looked down at her. He wondered if she knew how much it meant to him, having her there with him tonight – or rather this morning. ‘Thank you.’

*

Panos Sordina landed on his knees as he missed the single step from his office to the street and his iPhone flew from his hands, skittering into the gutter in front of the wheels of a dark car parked at the kerb. ‘Bugger.’ As he scrabbled around for the phone, the vehicle’s headlights came on, almost blinding him. He put a hand up to shield his eyes and shook his fist at the driver.

‘Bloody wanker!’

He spotted the phone in the gutter and bent down to pick it up. His head swam. Taking a deep breath, he made a conscious effort to clear his mind, but that last mouthful of whisky he’d drunk before passing out at his desk had been one too many. He leaned across the gutter and retched. The whisky burned his throat as it came up, the sour smell of his own vomit disgusting him.

What the fuck did his stupid stepson want this late at night anyway? He slipped his work phone into the pocket of his trousers. He’d expected the call to be from Fairweather, but the other phone had been silent for two full days. Panos reached into his shirt pocket and pulled it out. He needed to beg; he didn’t want out – that had been a stupid thing to say. He needed the money.