Missing (The Cass Lehman Series Book 3) (15 page)

‘A burger sounds great,’ I said. My stomach was rumbling. I don’t know if it was the familiarity of being at home or the sea air but I was always starving when I came back to Jewel Bay.

Mrs McCredie materialised at our table a few minutes later, her eyes bright and a slight flush to her cheeks.

‘Hello Anita, Cass, how lovely to see you. DI Steiner, what brings you to town? Nothing for us to worry about I hope? Nothing to do with that dreadful Brian Jenson? I can’t believe he got out!’

A hush fell over the tables around us as several sets of ears tuned into our conversation.

‘No, just catching up with some friends for lunch. Sightings have Brian Jenson heading for Melbourne and it won’t be long before he’s back in custody,’ Phil said, refusing to feed her curiosity.

‘Of course.’ Mrs McCredie’s head bobbed up and down a few times, trying to mask her disappointment. We placed our orders and she bustled away.

‘Is that the truth?’ Mum asked, dropping her voice to a low murmur.

‘Mostly. Natalia filled me in about the Jenson situation. I’m just making sure you’re OK.’

‘Ed asked you to check up on us?’ I asked.

Phil looked at me steadily, her blue eyes gleaming. ‘What’s the right answer to that question? If it’s yes you’ll be mad because he’s checking up on you. If it’s no you’ll be mad because he doesn’t care enough to check up on you.’

Mum snorted with laughter and I couldn’t help smiling, despite being annoyed that I was so transparent.

‘Ed didn’t ask me to check up on you, but he’s been following every bulletin about Jenson like a man possessed. It was Natalia who wanted me to check in and see how you’re doing. I rang your place. Gwen told me you’d probably come here for lunch. I’m a detective, remember!’

I smiled. It was good to know the local police were looking out for us.

‘I think we’re all a bit nervous, but there doesn’t seem to be anything to worry about. Natalia said he was spotted in Tailem Bend?’ I said.

‘He was. It’s an unconfirmed sighting, but I don’t think he’d be stupid enough to come back here. Every uniformed officer is on the lookout just in case, though.’

‘That’s good to know,’ Mum said. ‘Now, let’s talk about something else. Talk of that man will ruin my appetite.’

I pushed my plate away and rubbed at my distended stomach. I’d done it again. The hamburger and chips had been so good I’d polished off the lot, and now I was wishing I could find a quiet corner to lie down.

Phil’d eaten all her lunch too, but seemed none the worse for wear. I got the impression she could have put away two hamburgers without any difficulty. How the hell did she stay whippet thin?

‘How much longer are you in town, Cass?’ Phil asked.

‘I’m not sure. Maybe another day or two.’

‘Don’t rush back to Adelaide too soon. Ed can be a dick sometimes. You did the right thing not putting up with his shit. Let him miss you a bit.’

‘Did he tell you we’d had a fight?’

‘No, he’s just been as cranky as a dog with fleas.’ She smiled. ‘Well, I’d better be getting back to Fairfield. Don’t worry too much about Jenson if you can help it. I’m sure they’ll have him back in custody before you know it.’

‘Natalia’s exact words.’

Phil shrugged. ‘She’s right. Are you guys staying around town?’

‘No, we’re done. Time to head home I think.’

‘I’ll walk you to your car.’

We stood up. Mum stepped out from behind the table and snagged her foot on the chair leg in the process. She stumbled, making the glasses on the table rattle and dance. Phil reached out and grabbed her arm to steady her. Mum’s eyes went out of focus. I groaned inwardly.

‘Anita?’ Phil asked. ‘Are you OK?’

Mum blinked. The glazed look passed and she looked straight at Phil, gripping her by both arms. ‘Grace has a difficult time ahead, but she’ll get there,’ she said.

‘Ed told you about Grace?’ A shadow passed over Phil and her whole demeanour changed. Her shoulders went rigid and all animation left her face as she shut down her emotions.

‘What’s wrong with Grace?’ I asked.

‘Don’t fuck with me.’

‘I’m not.’

‘Let’s go outside,’ Mum said, looking around the café at the faces turned in our direction. ‘We’ll talk on the way to the car.’

The bite in the air hit us all like a slap as we walked out of the café. But it was warm compared to Phil’s expression.

Mum stopped when we were out of sight of the café.

‘Cass didn’t know, Phil. I had a vision when I touched you. Grace will make it through the battle she’s facing.’

‘I’m not sure I believe in what you do, Anita. No offence,’ Phil said. ‘But I hope you’re right about Grace. She’s in the middle of having chemo. It makes her so sick …’ Her lips pressed together and she looked down at her shoes, refusing to look at either of us. Eventually she sighed and raised her eyes. She managed a wobbly smile.

‘You need to come and visit us more. We’ll convert you yet!’ Mum said, her mouth twitching at the corners.

‘You lot are a bunch of weirdos, you know that? I was happy being a staunch non-believer until you came along and upset my comfortable ignorance. Thanks a lot,’ Phil grumbled.

‘You’re welcome,’ I said.

The three of us turned and sauntered along the main street. Phil’s phone buzzed. She tugged it out of her pocket and answered on the third ring.

‘Hi, how’d it go? … No … It’s all right. I’ll come home … It’s fine, really … Bye.’

‘Is everything OK?’ I asked, knowing the answer already. Phil’s face had creased into lines of worry.

‘Grace isn’t feeling very well. The chemo knocks her about.’

‘You go. You don’t need to walk us, we’re parked just up ahead,’ I said.

‘All right, I’ll leave you to it,’ Phil said. ‘You’ve got my number if you need anything, right?’

I nodded. I wasn’t sure what I could possibly need from her but it was easier to agree. She leant down and gave us both
another peck on the cheek before turning and walking back in the opposite direction. I watched her, aware that Mum was doing the same.

‘Grace has cancer?’ I asked. ‘Do you know what kind?’

‘Breast. She’s going to make it. I saw her sick but then I saw her with her hair grown back looking happy and healthy.’

‘Thank God. Was it just me or did that visit from Phil seem a bit odd?’ I said.

‘She was making sure we’re OK.’

‘I think it’s more than that. I think Natalia had her come meet us here so she could act as a kind of unofficial police guard while we’re out and about.’

‘You think we’re in danger?’ Mum said. There was an edge to her voice.

‘No, I don’t. If we were, Natalia would have put a proper police guard in place. Maybe she’s just being overly cautious.’

‘Or maybe Phil wanted to catch up with us to see how we were coping and you’re reading too much into it,’ Mum said. ‘Come on, I’m not getting any warmer out here and I want to get the groceries home and unpacked.’

We started to walk again. Our car was parallel parked on the side of the road about fifty metres further along.

It was a normal weekday in Jewel Bay. The tide of tourists that descended during the warmer months had dried to a trickle. Most of the pedestrians were locals getting on with their everyday business. They walked with purpose, not with the lazy dawdle of sightseers. The morning breeze had strengthened and was
coming straight off the southern ocean, putting an extra spring in everyone’s step as they hurried to get out of the cold. The sun was playing hide-and-seek with the white clouds racing across the sky. Bright sunlight would burst through momentarily, only to be smothered by the next cloud.

I inhaled deeply. It was good to be back by the sea. I loved the crisp salty air turning my nose and cheeks red from the cold. It made me feel alive.

We were nearly at the car when I linked my arm through Mum’s. ‘How about I make dinner for you and Gran tonight?’ I said. ‘What do you feel like?’

Mum turned to smile at me. She was walking on the side of the footpath closest to the shops. I was by the parked cars. In a heartbeat the expression on her face changed from pleasure, to surprise, to fear. I half-turned as I sensed movement behind me. A car door had opened and a man in a black hoodie stepped up behind me. I felt a sudden dull pain as something hard was thrust into the small of my back. I jerked my head around, trying to see.

‘Don’t turn around and don’t scream. I’ve got a gun.’ I could feel the gun trembling against my spine as his hands shook. With what? Nerves? Excitement? ‘If either of you makes a fuss, our darling prophetess Cassandra dies. Nod to tell me you understand.’

Mum and I locked eyes. I watched as her head jerked up and down like a puppet on strings. I copied her. My ability to think had completely deserted me. I knew that voice. I’d remember it until the day I died.

‘Get in your car. Cassandra will drive. I’ll be in the back and this gun will be pointed at your heads. If either of you tries anything stupid I’ll put a bullet in both your heads. Clear?’

We both nodded again. Mum got into the passenger seat and I walked around to the driver’s side. He stayed close behind me the whole way. My steps felt stilted and awkward. I wanted to make a run for it, but couldn’t take the risk. Mum was already in the car. I looked around, hoping someone would see us, would notice that something was wrong. A couple of people were walking towards us but they were too far away. Two kids were riding their bikes along the road, and a couple of cars drove past. None paid us any attention. We were ordinary-looking people getting into a sedan. Why would anyone notice?

We got in and Mum passed me the keys with shaking fingers.

Jenson sat behind me and brought his mouth close to my ear. ‘Drive.’

‘Where are we going?’ I asked.

He laughed. I wanted to throw up. I remembered that laugh. He’d laughed as he carved up his victims.

‘We’re going home. Your home is very important to you isn’t it, Cassandra? Mine was too, but you … you destroyed everything.’ He yanked my hair, and I gasped, swerving wildly on the road. He let go, and I straightened the car, my eyes streaming. His breathing was faster now. ‘You’ve been on my mind Cassandra, and in my dreams. Do you like knowing that I’ve been dreaming about you? I have special plans for your family. You took my family from me, what should I do with yours?’

‘Let them go,’ I said. The words came out jagged, like broken shards of glass, ripping at my throat and lips as they forced their way out.

‘Really? Do you seriously think I’d do that after what you did to me?’

CHAPTER
16

The Wellington Hotel dated back to Victorian times and its old-world charm had mostly been preserved. Dave managed to squeeze their car into a parking spot a short distance away.

‘Pity it’s not knock-off time, I wouldn’t mind a beer. This place has some good ones on tap,’ he said.

‘Bring back the good old days when coppers could sink a few brews at lunchtime and get away with it,’ Ed said.

‘Hear, hear.’

On foot, they wove through the midday traffic, making their way across the road to the hotel. The door opened into a front bar where a smattering of punters were seated on stools or leaning across the bar with beers in hand, talking in low murmurs. No one turned at the sudden draft of cold air or the arrival of two more patrons.

‘Hopefully Rick’s here. He’s managed the place for nearly a decade. Nice bloke. There’s quite a bit of temporary accommodation for homeless men in North Adelaide. Rick gets a few coming in here. He’s a lot more tolerant than most of the publicans. The pubs around here are too trendy for the old blokes and the managers don’t encourage them — they put off the younger clientele. But Rick treats people like people, no matter what their situation.’

‘Sounds like you know him well.’

‘Went to school with him. His younger brother Tony suffered from schizophrenia. He’d go off his meds regularly and end up on the streets. It didn’t matter that he had a loving family who cared for him and tried to make sure he had a roof over his head. The illness drove him away from them. A lot of people who end up in shelters have similar stories.’

Ed stared at Dave. He was beginning to think the body snatchers had paid Dave a visit in the middle of the night. He’d never heard his partner speak so seriously about anything remotely related to social problems and policy. He’d assumed that Dave’s main mental activity went into planning his next date. For the second time in as many hours Ed felt bad for underestimating the guy. He’d been fooled by his macho exterior and completely missed the social conscience lurking underneath.

‘Grab a seat over there and I’ll see if I can hunt Rick down,’ Dave said.

Ed watched as Dave waltzed up to the bar and began working on one of the barmaids. Dave said something and the girl giggled and blushed. Ed grinned to himself. Nope, no body snatchers.

After a few minutes Dave came back with another guy in tow.

‘Ed, this is Rick Mitchell. Rick, this is my partner Ed Dyson.’

They shook hands.

‘Thanks for talking to us. We want to ask a few questions about the homeless men who come in here,’ Ed said.