Melanie was asleep, the kitten tucked up in its bed again. Such a good little creature, thanks completely to Melanie’s bonding and attention. Vince closed the door with a smile. He’d never have seen himself having a cat in the house but Robbie was already part of the family.
Now that she’d settled for the night, he returned to the kitchen where the laptop was open on the table. So was the yellow envelope. He slid out the phone which was charged and on but needed a password. He’d have to get some help with it and soon, because this phone might be the one that caller referred to. The caller who’d threatened David. No suspicious messages or calls were on either David or Susie’s phones from the crash.
The first letter might be addressed to Mrs McCoy but could hold important information.
It was from David to the principal and filled with apologies.
When I told you the company I part own was in trouble I wasn’t completely honest. It is in trouble but not financially. I hope I have handed you this letter but if not, please accept my deepest apology for misleading you and for taking advantage of your kindness.
Since learning about my business partner’s plans to undertake future criminal activities I have had no choice other than to accumulate as much money as possible in order to buy my own business and begin a new life with my family, which you will understand, mean everything to me. All owed monies will be deposited into the school account prior to the start of the next term; however Melanie will not be returning as our new home will be too far away to commute.
And so on.
Vince stared at the paper without seeing the words.
Why hadn’t David spoken to him about this? Surely he’d know an ex-copper would have contacts who could help?
Except I’d made it impossible for him.
The lump in his throat refused to budge. He’d pushed David away for years—ever since he’d become Pickering’s partner while he should have been supportive. David must have felt so alone.
There was a thud outside and his head flew up, listening.
It wasn’t repeated.
On his feet, he checked the back door was locked then opened the front door and stepped out.
For a few minutes he stood still in the dark, watching and listening. A passing rain shower was clearing, and the clouds scuttled away. In the distance, a donkey brayed and closer, a night bird carried on, disturbed perhaps by some small predator. Once the cold bit his fingers too hard he retreated to the warmth in the cottage, locking the door and rattling it to be certain. In the living room, he checked the windows and then extinguished the remains of the fire with water from a bucket. In the morning he’d clean the area out and start over.
He made a pot of tea, staring at the will folded on the table as the kettle heated.
That first or the letter which accompanied it?
Tea made, he settled at the table.
There was much he didn’t understand about David’s plan. Susie and Carla were best friends so presumably he’d not shared his concerns with his wife. Did he expect her to cut ties once they moved? Unless Susie knew the reason, she’d never turn her back on someone she loved. Or did Susie know about whatever activity Pickering was getting into?
It was a copy of a will prepared by a different lawyer than the one Vince had dealt with up to now and was for David. He was clear about leaving everything to Susie and in the event of her untimely death, to Melanie. There were instructions that if they both died before Melanie was of age that she should be in Vince’s care and custody.
Around his chest, a band of pressure made it difficult to breath. It wasn’t a heart attack but a different kind of grief. One for all the lost time and misunderstanding.
I might have saved them both.
The letter was handwritten from Susie and dated the day before the accident.
Dear Dad,
Hopefully, we have caught up recently in person and talked about all of this but if not, I need you to know I never stopped loving you. Never.
He blinked rapidly.
You are harder on yourself than anyone should ever be. Until you forgive yourself for Mum’s death, I fear for your mental health. The reality is she had an illness and died. If you’d been there she would still have died, Dad. Ask yourself if she’d have wanted you to blame yourself after all this time?
Marion was the most forgiving person he knew.
The band around his chest loosened.
But I’m not here to tell you off for the millionth time about that. This is about Melanie. David is leaving PickerPack. I don’t know all the details, but I get the feeling Brad doesn’t know and that there is something going on which has soured their working relationship. Despite what you think, David is ethical, and I’ve always quietly agreed with you that Bradley is not. He takes advantage of Carla’s need for a child by discouraging her from working again which means that although they are Mel’s godparents, I would not want them having custody of Melanie.
A long sigh left Vince’s lips.
David insisted I put this in writing so there can be no doubt. He’s done a new will and you know me… hate the things so I haven’t read it or changed mine yet. David wants to take Melanie and me somewhere on the weekend to see something. I think it is to do with buying land like I mentioned a while back.
Once we get back I’m coming to visit, whether you like it or not. I’d rather tell you face to face that nothing matters more than knowing Melanie will come and live with you should anything happen to us. There, I said the scary stuff!
Anyway, nothing bad is going to happen but I feel so much better with something written down. Melanie is our world, and she couldn’t be in safer hands than yours.
Love you, Daddy,
Susie
‘She couldn’t be in safer… safer hands.’ Vince held the letter against his chest. ‘I will protect her with my life, Susie.’
‘We’ve got the last location of the truck carrying the shipping container.’ Liz hurried into Terry’s office. ‘Stopped for refuelling only an hour ago so local law in New South Wales are gearing up to pull it over. He will be just inside the border with Queensland.’
‘Hardy had better be in that container.’
‘Pickering’s staff are turning on him. Third one in a row confirmed that container was off limits for everyone other than him and Farrelly. There’s a big bin for cardboard at the very back of the driveway and right at the bottom was a box from a portable air filtration unit. No sign of it on the premises so unless it went home with someone, odds are it is keeping Hardy’s air breathable.’
Any sense of exhaustion was replaced by low grade adrenaline. Liz could smell the chase.
Terry answered his phone and held up a hand for her to stay. After a minute or two he hung up, amusement on his face.
‘Mrs Hardy apparently just took muffins out to the uniforms watching her and said that she heard from her son. He wanted her to know he was going somewhere safe, and that Roscoe had instructions about her future financial security.’
The image of the elderly woman, cane in one hand and muffins in the other waiting for a police officer to wind down their window was priceless. ‘I really don’t know what to say.’
Terry laughed. ‘Then wait till you hear this. She told Malcolm she’s accepted a better offer, one from a developer, and that she does not need his filthy money.’
‘Good for her. Don’t suppose she knew where he called from?’
‘Not yet. It was to her mobile, so someone is chasing it up with her telco.’
Pete stuck his head in. ‘Got warrants for Pickering and Farrelly’s respective homes. Seeing as he didn’t bother to show up at the warehouse, what’s the odds Pickering has skipped town?’
‘Have you tried calling again?’ Liz asked.
‘Just then. Phone’s off.’
She headed to the door.
‘I’ve also put Mike from Spironi’s into room three. He’s calmed down and wants to talk to you, Liz,’ Pete said.
‘Does he have anything left to say? Where are you going?’
‘Farrelly’s house.’
Terry followed them. ‘Pete, I’ll head up looking at Pickering’s house. Liz, speak to Mike and then reset the whiteboard based on all our newest information. And call me if anything comes up.’
Some of the earlier adrenaline faded. ‘Are you sure he asked for me, Pete?’
Both men laughed on their way out.
‘Fine. Just leave me here with the waiter who blames Vince for everything.’ She muttered. ‘But if he yells at me…’
One of the other detectives grinned at her as she stalked past.
Mike didn’t yell anymore. He was measured as he apologised for not being more forthcoming when she’d first come to Spironi’s. ‘Just protecting my customers, and my staff.’
‘I get that. But if there’s anything you know about that night then please don’t hold anything back,’ Liz said.
‘Poor Marco. Bit stupid taking money but he wasn’t a bad kid or anything.’
‘Do you know who gave him money?’
‘Someone was in the alley a few days ago and told him to keep his mouth shut about the argument. Gave him a grand and said there’d be more… but warned him the money would go toward his funeral if he said anything.’
‘Did he describe this person?’
‘Said he knew them.’
He knew Pickering.
‘Too late now but I’m going to get security cameras out the back and everywhere I’m legally allowed.’ His face was grim. ‘Didn’t take it seriously and Marco has paid.’
‘Marco’s death is not your fault. When I came to see you that first time, you mentioned you took the Weavers and Pickerings to their table. Do you recall anything, no matter how small a detail, which struck you as odd?’
He nodded. ‘It’s why I’m here now. Mr Pickering arrived a while after everyone else. Maybe twenty minutes later. And he left before they did.’
‘By how much time?’
‘At least half an hour. Mrs Pickering asked me to call a taxi, but Mr Weaver insisted they’d drop her home.’
David was on that road because it was the straightest route from the Pickering’s house to theirs. Pickering would have known they wouldn’t let Carla take a taxi. He wanted them on that stretch. This was cold, calculated murder.
‘Mike, you’ve been very helpful. Is there anything else you want to tell me?’
He shook his head and she excused herself.
She’d spoken to Pickering. Vince had. Pete had. The man had never once said a word about Carla being dropped off. Why would anyone hide that? And where had he been?