Ellie didn’t make it to the house. Dennis returned her call from the police car as she exited Burnley Tunnel.
“I didn’t hurt Jack. You need to know that.”
“Dennis, I have no idea what to think. I saw the gun on Sea Angel. If you didn’t put it there, who did? Who else had access to it?”
“Thing is, I changed the combination on the safe when I moved in. So, unless someone was looking over my shoulder, I have no answer.” His voice was strained.
“Do you need a lawyer?”
“Dunno. Do I, Ben? Ben shrugged so let’s hold off for now.”
“Okay.”
“Can we keep this quiet?”
As she took an exit to turn her car around for the second time, Ellie couldn’t restrain a short, cynical laugh. “Not a chance. I was doing a live interview with Teresa Scarcella and she told me—on air—that you were about to be arrested. How the hell did she know?”
“God. Why were you doing that?”
“Why were you and Meredith out on a romantic date? Why did you move out without a word? And why didn’t you try to find Dad? Dennis, why didn’t you?”
Back on the freeway toward the city, Ellie gripped the steering wheel, every muscle tense. The silence dragged. He’d messed up from the moment Dad vanished and if he really didn’t have a hand in it, Dennis had still failed to do his job.
“It doesn’t matter now. I have to go.”
“Wait, what doesn’t matter?”
He’d gone. At least Ben had him and if there was anything to be discovered, he’d do it. What Ellie needed to do was put together this jigsaw puzzle and find all its missing pieces.
From here, the view was every bit as good as he’d been told. On a perfect day like this, the horizon barely blurred where sea and sky met. The land around Port Phillip Bay expanded out, curving around the vast waterway until it disappeared from the reach of the human eye. Mornington Peninsula on the far side, and to Port Lonsdale should he follow the coastline to his right.
He dared not go onto the balcony and be discovered. The apartment was for sale and there was a degree of risk in being here. Made the adrenaline run faster through his veins.
Heightens the experience.
And the experience was what he wanted now. No more dead-end job serving others. Soon he’d have it all. The future stretched ahead the way the ocean did from his vantage point.
Below, the carpark near the pier hid little from this vantage point. As surrounded as it was with heavy bushes and trees, his view was unencumbered. Amongst the four cars there was a police unit. Forensics. He’d seen it drive in and watched with interest as three officers went over the area where Frank ran into him the other day.
Fortuitous. A good word and accurate description of the moment Frank recognised him. Pity for the old guy, but exactly what was needed at the time.
The police moved along the pier, checking the boards and sides. Only one yacht was tied up today. Sea Angel. The owners of the others must have got tired of being questioned. Would these police find anything else? He’d left nothing. Nothing he didn’t intend for them to find.
His phone rang and he turned from the windows. “Yes.”
“She’s arrived.”
“Thanks. There’ll be a bonus for you.” He disconnected. Yeah, a bonus bullet. Nobody was getting between him and his dreams. Nobody.
“Mark? Where is everyone?” Ellie stopped at reception on the executive floor. He was the only person in sight, even Joni wasn’t around. All the offices were empty.
“Lunchtime.” Mark looked up from his keyboard. “Did you need a hand with something?”
“No, but thanks. Just getting some things from my office then going to the boardroom. It is free, isn’t it?”
Mark tapped on his screen. “Hm…yes. No meeting scheduled there until five today.”
“Oh? What meeting?”
“Mr Boyd and Mr Connor are meeting with Mr Van Doran, and Ms Langford.”
“And they are from where?”
He shook his head. “I only booked the room on Mr Connor’s instructions. And have a note here for it to be a private meeting.”
Private about what?
“Dennis may not be back though.”
“Oh dear. Was he arrested? Is he being blamed for Mr Bannerman’s disappearance?” Mark jumped to his feet.
“No, so calm down. He is simply helping the police with a line of enquiry. Why don’t you get yourself a coffee or something and I’ll hang around here.”
“Are you certain? I’d love to run downstairs and get a juice.”
“Go. I’m only going into my office.”
Once Mark was in the elevator, Ellie tapped on his keyboard, but he’d locked his computer. She’d have to ask Campbell about the meeting.
She’d barely stepped foot in her office since coming back from London. A pile of folders filled her in-tray. Ellie stood at the window as the quiet of the room calmed her jangled nerves. Her phone kept beeping as messages came through and she switched it off.
The reception phone rang and she picked it up on her desk. “Bannerman Wealth Group, how may I help?” She perched on the edge of the desk.
“Stop the sale from happening.” The voice was male. And muffled.
“Who is this? What sale?”
“That’s for you to find out. Your daddy was keeping secrets from you.”
“Okay, tell me who this is or I’ll hang up.”
The man laughed. “I know where to find you. And your brother. Stop the sale.”
“Wait—” Ellie dropped the phone and covered her mouth to prevent a cry from forming.
The elevator dinged. “I’m back, Mrs Connor.” Mark called.
All the feeling left Ellie’s legs. She couldn’t move or speak. The dial tone taunted her from the phone on the floor. Stop the sale. Stop the sale.
“Are you all right?”
Ellie jumped. Mark was at the doorway.
“Oh my, you look as though you’ve seen the metaphorical ghost!” He saw the phone and scooped it up. “Whatever is wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
Unwell? There wasn’t a word for how she felt. But the circulation returned to her limbs and she managed to drop her hands and shake her head.
“Shall I make coffee? Or a glass of water?”
“Water, yes water please.” Ellie sank onto her chair as Mark ran out. She found paper and pen and wrote everything she remembered. His words, hers. His strange voice, his laugh. The time of the call. Was nothing going to stop this madness?
“There you go.” Mark placed a glass in front of Ellie. “Do you want me to call someone?”
“Thanks. But no, I’m fine. Just some news I wasn’t expecting.”
Mark gave her an odd look. As though he didn’t believe her.
Stop jumping at shadows.
“When Campbell gets back, please let him know I need to see him.” She stood. “I’ll be in the boardroom.”
The phone rang and Ellie stepped back. “I’ll let you get back to your station.”
He nodded and disappeared but still Ellie felt uneasy. She sipped on the water. It tasted bitter. She tipped the remains into a potted plant in the corner. After gathering a notepad, she locked the door of the office.
The minute she was in the boardroom she dialled Ambling Fields. As she waited to speak to Kerry, Ellie tossed her notepad onto the end of the long table. From behind Joni’s extra desk, she dragged out a wheeled whiteboard.
“Mrs Connor, how may I help?”
“Hi, Kerry. How is Michael?”
“I was just with him, actually. He is in good health.”
“But?”
“Still withdrawn. Past experience tells me it might be a day or two until he settles down.”
“Please let me know if there’s anything you need. Anything.”
“Was that all?”
“No. I need to ask about security. I understand some patients have private security available and wondered if our father made such facilities part of Michael’s package?”
“Exactly why are you asking?”
“Um…I guess with all the media attention on Dad’s disappearance, there might be some attempt to bring up Michael’s history—”
“I saw your interview with that woman.”
“And that is what made me think about security. They have no scruples and will do anything for a story.”
“My advice is to avoid speaking with them, instead of putting yourself into such a risky position which might very well impact on your brother.” Kerry’s tone was judgmental and abrupt. “No, Jack Bannerman did not make provision for additional personal security. We do have secure premises, as you well know.”
When this was all over, Ellie intended to make some changes. Michael needed a new assessment to see if there was any chance he could come away from residential care. At least some of the time. She’d asked in the past but the answer was always no. His level of need was too great to be managed at home.
“I will speak to our head of security and arrange for him to call you, if that is suitable?” Somehow, Ellie kept her voice pleasant. “His name is Paul Dekeles and he will discuss your process to provide Michael with private security. Until we find Dad.”
“Very well. I hope you do find him because he has much to explain.” Kerry disconnected the call.
Ellie stared at the phone in her hand, mouth open. No filters there. She dialled Paul’s number, which went to voice mail.
“Paul, I’d like to speak about some security issues if you can call back. Or in the next couple of hours I’m in the boardroom so can meet you there instead.”
She’d probably end up with Campbell and Paul at the same time. Ellie left her phone on the table and turned the whiteboard to get better light. On its shelf were coloured markers, an eraser, magnetic pins, and a long ruler. Everything for a board meeting. Or a giant mind map. She picked up a marker.