AMY KEEPS HER WAYFARERS on in the terminal. It’s early and the twenty-minute wait at the luggage conveyor puts her on edge—all these businessmen standing by, talking football and finance and about their children and the economy. They look at Amy like she’s a virus, and she feels the same way.
Her breakfast date is Detective Senior Constable Ray Blintiff. Ray’s a real piece of work. A terrifying thug who tries to hide it under neat hair and crisp collars. It doesn’t play. Blintiff is the second-in-command in the Licensing Branch, and the Licensing boys run Brisbane. They’re gangsters in uniform. Today, Ray’s waiting for her in the cafeteria of the Queen Street Coles building. He’s already halfway through his bain-marie fry-up, and he cuts a strange figure in the room: two feet taller than the old biddies around him, so big he can barely squeeze his legs under the table. He takes one look at Amy and says, ‘Christ, kid, you look terrible. Rough night?’
‘I was in Adelaide.’
‘Say no more.’ Ray dabs at his mouth with a serviette. ‘Take those sunglasses off. You’re scaring the grannies.’
Amy takes a long look around the cafe, then sits across from him. ‘I thought you fellas were supposed to be making good money these days.’
Ray laughs. ‘I love this joint. My mum used to bring me here when I was a kid. You should get yourself something. My shout.’
‘Sorry, can’t stay long. Colleen said you had some work for me.’
He lays down his fork. ‘Word from on high is there’s a bloke from down your way who has some police files he shouldn’t have. Not sure what he’s playing at, but it’s not a good look. Anyway, we need that stuff back before we let this bloke go.’
‘What’s his name?’
‘Bill Webber. He’s a Black fella, works in Gold Coast CIB.’
Amy leans in. ‘So, what do you need? Do you want the files back or do you want dirt on him?’
‘Either works. Both, if you can swing it.’
‘Who’s paying me?’
‘I’m paying you, sweetheart.’ Ray produces an envelope, lays it on the Formica tabletop. When Amy reaches for it, he places a hand over hers. ‘You have nice eyes, kid. You know that? I’ve never noticed them before.’
Amy pulls the money loose. ‘Thanks, Ray.’
‘You’re completely welcome.’
They’re all the same.
A pig is a pig is a pig.
Except you absolutely cannot fuck around with Ray Blintiff.
Ray kills people who do that.