Chapter 77

 

 

After hearing that Brad couldn’t find Bernadette at the café or that every time the detective phoned her it went to voicemail, Lon rushed to the Western Times. Nothing.

Her unit. No go.

He’d given her the code and a card for his place. He flew back there. Nothing.

On the remote chance she’d driven to Letty’s place, he closed his apartment door and bolted for the elevator.

The first thing he noticed when he stepped from his high-rise was the hot easterly branding his skin and flapping his shirt. The second was unmistakable—a gun barrel in his back.

In close, the stale breath in his ear told him to look towards to the visitors’ car park.

A Chrysler’s front doors opened. Skinny Ray and Sumo stepped out.

“Impeccable timing,” said Ray, strolling past Lon. “Shall we,” he added, indicating the building.

They entered Lon’s apartment, and Ray drifted over to the window and looked across to police headquarters. Outside, an empty cigarette packet flew past his face. Down Adelaide Terrace towards the river causeway, fronds atop of palm trees shook like pom poms. He turned back into the room and pointed to his feet. Sumo shoved Lon onto his knees and handed his boss a semi-automatic. Ray pushed the handgun into the back of Lon’s skull, forcing his face towards the floorboards.

Lon noticed dirt in the board joints.

“My niece is missing,” said Ray.

The easterly whistled. The whole building hummed.

“Does that justify putting a gun to my head?”

“Ewen is missing. Celty is missing. I have a feeling their paths have reconnected. You are Ewen’s best friend. The gun stays where it is.”

“Some cops across the road use binoculars.”

“Who cannot see through one-way windows.” He pushed the barrel harder onto Lon’s skull. Ewen, where is he?”

Lon’s mobile.

“Hand it to me,” demanded Ray.

“Change of plan,” the voice on the phone said. “You’ve searched the obvious places for her. It’s now up to our detective. Drive to the farm ASAP. We need to protect the asset.”

“Your friend may find it difficult waking up tomorrow let alone getting to the farm,” explained Ray.

“Who’s this? No…the accent…I’ll guess. Hello, Ray.”

“So nice to hear your voice, Frank…”

Lon felt the gun lift from his head. Along with everyone else, he stared through the windows as dust outside the building obscured the police complex, darkened the street and advanced towards the CBD.