34

I fumbled with the key in the lock and literally fell into the house. Maggie sat at the table in the middle of what appeared to be the aftermath of a hurricane. She looked, to put it mildly, rather peeved.

I stood stock still as I took in the carnage around me.

‘Jesus, what happened? Have you called the police?’

‘This was the police,’ she said dryly, and waved a piece of paper in the air. ‘They had a warrant.’

‘Oh, bloody hell. How much worse can today get?’ I stormed over to the table and took the warrant to read.

‘“To retrieve information relating to the death of Gabriella Patricia Knowes.” Were you here? What did they take?’

I could see Maggie registering not only the state I was in, but also the halo of stench that surrounded me.

‘Whoa, back, girl. You stink. What the hell happened to you?’ She fanned her hand in front of her nose.

‘It’s a long story and I’d prefer to tell it after I’ve had a shower. Did they take much?’

‘They took quite a few things from your bedroom – folders, a document box. They also took your computer. By the way, whose is this?’ She tapped the laptop I’d placed on the table.

‘Gaby’s. Just as well I had it with me. I haven’t even had a good look through it yet. Shit, that fink Paul Frost must have told them I had Gaby’s things.’

The rather raised eyebrow and accusing look on Maggie’s face reminded me I had a bit to explain to her yet. What was the most concise version of events?

‘I went to see Lockie and he gave me access to Gaby’s personal things. He doesn’t have any faith in the police finding her killer, so he enlisted my help.’

‘That’s a rather curious development. Don’t you think it poses a little conflict of interest?’

‘Maybe, but the forensics team had already been through, so I wasn’t disturbing anything they hadn’t already had access to, if they’d thought about it.’

Maggie’s voice took on a serious tone. ‘I wasn’t just talking about the physical aspects of the case. You’re not holding any hope that this might help you get back with Lockie, are you?’

My jaw dropped. What an awful thing to say. Even coming from Maggie the suggestion was offensive to the point of disgust. How could she even think it?

‘Of course I’m not. I have got some sense, not to mention taste. I’m only doing a favour for Lockie and trying to clear my own name.’ I indicated the shambles. ‘God only knows I need to.’

I stormed off to the sanctuary of the bathroom and slammed the door shut behind me.

An indescribably divine shower and a set of fresh clothes later, I began to feel vaguely human and perhaps a little more rational. I owed Maggie a conciliatory cup of tea after my display of pique. She had only my best interests at heart and it galled me mightily to realise there was probably an ounce of truth in her comments. My rational being could never conceive of the idea of Lockie and me reuniting in the aftermath of Gaby’s death. In fact, the thought was really quite repulsive. But I had to admit some small fantasy self viewed Sam Shephard as a shining knightess on a white charger, restoring domestic bliss and happiness to Lockie Knowes and his shattered family. Life could continue now that Sam was here. It was truly ego run amok in Disneyland. Oddly, I was more embarrassed at the thought of Gaby – wherever she now was – being aware of those fantasies than Lockie. My, how the loyalties had shifted.

As well as getting my emotions on an even keel, the shower had also revived the need to address a particularly glaring betrayal. Paul sodding Frost! I couldn’t believe he’d dobbed me in, after all I’d done to help him. That sure as hell was going to be the last information I shared with him, bloody ingrate. I slumped down onto my bed and pulled out my mobile phone.

‘Frost.’

‘What the hell did you think you were doing? I do not appreciate having my home ransacked by your bloody mob. If you wanted Gaby’s stuff, why didn’t you just bloody well ask?’ I thought that dispensed with the pleasantries nicely. Next, I’d give him both barrels.

‘I presume that’s you, Sam. So kind of you to introduce yourself.’

‘Don’t go and get all high and mighty with me, you bloody rat. I’ve had a shit of a day and the visit of Lightfingers McGraw and his merry band of demolition men was not what I needed. I suppose you were there too? You could have at least tidied up after yourselves, or was that just your sick little way of getting back at me? An added bonus for no extra charge?’

‘Have you finished yet?’ he asked calmly. He may as well have invited me to stampede.

‘Oh, I’m only just warming up. If you think—’

‘Well, let me just save you the bother of wearing out your delicate little voice and say I had absolutely nothing to do with it. I haven’t told a soul.’

That left me gawping somewhat, but not for long.

‘Well how the hell did they know to search my house, then?’

‘This is a small town, Sam. You didn’t stop to think someone might have noticed Lockie’s ute parked outside your house? This place thrives on gossip. A little phone call here, innuendo there, and before you know it Lockie’s being accused of having an affair – with you. The Boss rang him up to find out what was going on and, considering the circumstances, Lockie wasn’t about to lie.’

My impending tirade screeched to an abrupt halt. There wasn’t much that could be said to that. How could I have been so naïve? Poor Lockie, the last thing he needed was to have tongues awag and his reputation tarnished. You could almost hear it: ‘It’s always the husband, the husband always does it. Got the Mrs out of the way so he could shack up with the ex.’ I could hardly blame him for covering his butt.

‘Oh.’ It was all I could muster. I was glad he couldn’t see the heat that had edged its way up my face.

‘Oh, is bloody right,’ Paul said.

‘Well,’ I said. ‘I haven’t had a good look – not that I’d be able to tell anyway with the mess they left behind…’ I was working on the principle of changing the subject. ‘Did the boys take anything other than Gaby’s stuff?’

‘Your computer, diary and several notebooks. They didn’t find Gaby’s computer. I take it you have that with you.’ Paul had a thanks-for-not-telling-me tone to his voice. Lockie must have fessed up about that too.

I chose to ignore the tone. ‘Yes, thank God.’

‘Well, might I make a small suggestion, then? In the interests of public relations and any chance of ever getting your job back, check out her computer and then turn it over to us, pronto, tonight. The last thing you need is a return visit from the Gestapo. Also, yet another warning: I suspect the Boss may be undertaking formal disciplinary proceedings against you … Are you still there?’

My world was starting to go a bit fuzzy around the edges again.

‘Yeah, I’m still here,’ I said quietly. ‘I didn’t think today could get much lower, but I’m on the fast track to hell.’

‘Hey, don’t be too down on yourself. This lot, for all their rank and brains, haven’t come up with a single useful lead of their own. If you hadn’t found the Telemax note we’d all be pretty bored and embarrassed right now. As it is, the Boss has been given the hard word from the bean counters and the staffing allocation has halved. So basically, we need any help we can get. Have you found anything of interest today?’

I pondered momentarily on the question. I didn’t have anything I could substantiate, just a vague sensation of a connection between Gaby’s death, her researching bovine TB and the sudden rash of cattle rustling. It was too coincidental to me. But I didn’t think Paul would want a hunch: proof was what he was after. I’d keep my feelings to myself for now.

‘No,’ I replied, ‘but I’ll let you know if I find anything of interest in Gaby’s computer. For now, I have a few ideas but nothing concrete. Can you do me a favour?’

‘It depends,’ he said, and I could hear the humour in his voice. At least I hadn’t offended him too much with my earlier outburst. ‘Can you come around in about an hour and pick up Gaby’s computer? I’m not in any fit state to face the Boss right now.’

I could feel the relief from the other end of the line. ‘Of course, Sam. In an hour, then.’