Work backwards—that was what Bob had always told Dave to do.
Backwards from the bank statements. As Dave looked, he realised the statements weren’t for Nefer Station, they were for Dunstan Kendal.
‘How’d you get these so quickly?’ Dave asked Bob, who was immersed in another trail of figures and brands.
‘Fax.’
‘I mean, how’d you get a warrant?’
‘Talked to the sarge at Wallina while you were having your tanty yesterday. He’s friendly with the local judge. All happened pretty suddenly. Course, there’s not much going on out here with these types of things, like there is in the city.’
Dave eyed the statements, then picked up a ruler and started to study the transactions. The dates spanned back over the previous twelve months. Blacking out the transactions clearly unrelated to sold stock, he quickly eliminated cash, groceries and day-to-day living expenses. That didn’t leave a lot.
‘Can’t see anything obvious here,’ he said as he flicked. ‘Lot of transactions at the pub and cash.’
Bob nodded. ‘I thought the same. Reckon we need to go and have a yarn to the local stock agent.’ He tapped a piece of paper. ‘This is a transaction put through the Nefer Station account, but I can’t find where the money has come into the bank account.’
Reaching for it, Dave checked the dates against the statements he had in front of him. ‘There’s nothing for that amount on here either.’
‘Hmm, so where’s that money gone?’
‘Another account somewhere?’
‘Most likely. Pretty sure that twenty grand won’t have been handed out in cash.’
‘The stock agent should have details of who the money was paid to.’
‘My thoughts exactly. Come on.’ Bob stood up and took his coat from the back of the chair.
Dave followed him out to the vehicle and climbed into the driver’s seat.
‘Hey,’ Bob said as Dave turned the key in the ignition. ‘Here comes your mate.’
Dave looked up and saw Spencer walking towards them, his hand held up to try to get their attention.
‘What’s going on?’ Dave asked as he switched off the engine and wound down the window.
‘Morning, fellas. Off somewhere?’
‘Introducing ourselves to the local stock agent.’
‘Ah, Peter William. Good bloke. You might have to make an appointment with him. He’s often on the road. Takes a while to get around to all the stations with the distances between them up here.’
Bob nodded. ‘We thought we’d hit the office and see what we found.’
‘You not heading home yet?’ Dave asked.
‘Kathy’s going to kill me. It’s the second dance practice I’ve missed this week. The finals aren’t that far away.’
‘I’d offer to be your practice partner,’ Dave said with a shrug, a grin on his face, ‘but I think you value your toes. Why’re you staying out a bit longer? What’s the go?’
‘Well, that’s what I’ve come to talk to you about. I’ve been speaking to Major Crash. You remember the motorbike accident I told you about?’
‘Hmm. You said they weren’t sure it was an accident?’
‘Yeah, that’s the one. The vic’s come around and he’s got no recollection of what happened. The guys have tried to talk to him a few times, but he just says he can’t remember.’ He stopped and tapped on the bonnet of the troopy. ‘Or if he does, he’s not saying.’
‘Such a suspicious mind,’ Dave said.
‘Funny, that’s what I’m paid to have. But listen to this. I’ll be interested to see what your take on it all is.’ He held up his pointer finger. ‘Number one, severe head injury.’
Dave nodded.
‘Two, there wasn’t any damage to the helmet.’
‘Yeah?’
‘Three, the helmet was on his head when he was found.’
Dave frowned. ‘That can’t be right. If he’s got a head injury, the helmet has to be damaged in some way. That’s the first thing that’s going to hit anything.’
‘That’s why no one is sure this is just an accident. I’m going back to the crash site to have a look around.’ He stopped and looked at Dave. ‘This is why I needed to tell you this. Dave, the medical report said this bloke had lineal bruising on his wrists that they’re not able to explain.’
There was a pause as Dave processed what Spencer had just told them. ‘His hands were bound?’ he finally asked.
Spencer nodded. ‘In a way we’ve seen before.’
Bob shifted next to Dave and leaned across the gear stick to look Spencer in the face. ‘Before?’ he asked, just as Dave said, ‘As in cable ties?’
‘Well, I think we need to keep an open mind but, yes, that was my thought. That’s the way these two blokes like to operate, and I haven’t seen anything like that in my area in years. Reckon it’s worth mentioning since we know Bulldust has been in WA.’
‘Interesting. And concerning,’ Bob said.
‘We have to let Major Crime know,’ Dave said.
‘Hold your horses there, cowboy.’ Spencer gave Dave a grin. ‘I’ve got some work to do on that first.’
‘You going out to the scene?’ Bob asked.
‘Yeah, the boys asked me to head out there, see what I can find. I’ve got the GPS coordinates. Only said a couple of days ago that I was looking for something to do, didn’t I?’
‘Where was the incident?’ Dave asked. His heart was pounding and, right now, all he wanted to do was get in the vehicle with Spencer and help him investigate the scene.
‘Up on one of the tracks that runs off the Great Central Road. Towards the Gun Barrel Highway. Fuel-truck driver saw tracks in the dirt and stopped for a squiz. That’s how they found him in the first place. Still breathing but unconscious. RFDS was brought in and they got him to Perth quick smart. He’d been there for only a few hours by the sounds of it. One lucky boy, if you ask me.’
‘And who is he?’
‘Bloke by the name of Victor Richardson. He was out on an adventure ride.’ Spencer shook his head. ‘Why the fuck people feel the need to do these types of holidays by themselves I’ve got no idea. Better off going in a group when you’re headed out bush away from any type of civilisation.’
‘Agreed,’ Bob said. ‘The number of times I’ve come across tourists with a flat tyre and no idea how to change it, out in the middle of the bush somewhere, defies belief.’
Dave asked, ‘Has anyone run a check to see if this bloke has links to Bulldust and Scotty?’
‘Got the fellas on that now,’ Spencer said.
‘Don’t you reckon you should wait until you get the answer?’
Spencer stared at Dave in amazement. ‘What, and let the scene be even more compromised than it is now?’
‘I don’t think another twenty-four hours will make much difference.’
Spencer leaned forward and poked Dave in the chest. ‘You’ve made him soft, Bob.’
‘I can’t claim that, Spencer. He came that way,’ Bob chortled.
‘Dave, have I taught you nothing? Another twenty-four hours and a crow might pick up something shiny, or the wind might blow away an important piece of evidence.’
Dave fiddled with the gear stick. ‘Maybe just make sure … Who’s going with you? I could come.’
‘No, mate. You’ve got to stay away—and you’ve got another job to do, in case you’d forgotten. I’ll head out there by myself. Doubt I’ll see anyone. Plus, I’ve got a sat phone and the Glock in my gun safe in the car. She’ll be right.’
‘Mate, these guys are dangerous.’
‘You think I haven’t worked that out? Don’t forget I was your handler when you were undercover. I was the one who briefed you on Bulldust. I’m more than aware of what he’s capable of. And let’s be clear, there’s no clear evidence that they’re around here.’
‘If you do come across them, don’t tell them who you are, just back away. Get in the car and drive out of there as quickly as you can.’
‘Dave, I didn’t come down in the last shower. And to come across them will be highly unlikely. I’ll ring you when I get back.’
‘When will that be?’
‘Tomorrow night at the latest. It’ll take me a good three or four hours to get out there, process it, then drive back again. I’ll probably camp out there the night.’ He tapped the bonnet again. ‘Right-oh, chaps. I’ll be getting on. See you on the flip side.’
Dave watched his old partner walk away.
‘Someone should be going with him.’ Dave turned to look at Bob, whose apprehensive face matched Dave’s unease. ‘He shouldn’t be sniffing around out there by himself. I’m not happy.’
Bob shifted back in his seat and indicated for Dave to start the engine. ‘Not your call, son. He’s a smart man. Been in the job a long time.’
‘I realise that, but you know, these two aren’t playing. I’ve looked in their eyes and seen how cruel they can be. They won’t think twice about getting rid of Spencer if they come across him.’
Twisting in his seat, Bob looked at Dave. ‘Can I reiterate to you again what your old partner said? That at this stage, there is nothing linking Bulldust and Scotty to this scene? There’s some minor evidence that a motorbike rider had cable ties around his wrists. Now, you’re a detective. How circumstantial is that evidence? Spencer will know if something’s not right and won’t go near it. Don’t worry about him. He’ll be okay.’ Bob nodded. ‘Come on, get that engine going and let’s go to see this Peter William.’ Bob sat back in his seat. ‘Take your mind off this shadowboxing you keep insisting on.’
‘I’ll just say this,’ Dave said, his hand going to the key, ‘cable ties is their modus operandi. I can list four people they’ve used them on—’
‘In Queensland,’ Bob interrupted.
‘Yes, but we know Bulldust is in WA.’
‘Do we?’
‘Fuck!’ Dave frowned heavily, knowing Bob was right. Irritation coursed through him. ‘Okay, okay.’ He held his hands up in defeat. ‘Let’s get on with our investigation.’