Jill dialled Rimis’s mobile number. ‘Boss, it’s me.’
‘What are you doing ringing me? You’re on leave. You’re supposed to be getting your head together.’
‘I drove to Katoomba today,’ Jill said.
‘That’s good to hear, the Blue Mountains are nice this time of year.’
‘While I was there I paid a visit to Grace Calloway’s neighbour. She remembered Robbie and Fin from when they were kids.’
‘I can’t believe I’m hearing this.’
‘Grace Calloway had a son from a previous marriage.’
‘Brennan, this is all very interesting but —’
‘You’ll never guess who the son was?’ Jill didn’t wait for Rimis to answer. ‘Patrick Hill,’ she said.
Silence. Then, ‘Go on.’
At last, she had his attention. ‘I told you Grace Calloway died recently. I’m trying to track down her solicitor to find out what was in her will, who the beneficiaries were and what sort of estate she left. I’m guessing the beneficiaries were Robbie and Fin. According to Maureen Hardcastle —’
‘Who the bloody hell is Maureen Hardcastle?’
‘She’s the ex-neighbour. I went to visit her. She lives in a nursing home in Katoomba. She was a bit cagey at first, wouldn’t let on too much about the family and said Grace Calloway had made her promise to keep the family secrets. When I got home and made the Patrick Hill connection I rang the nursing home and got her to talk.’
‘And how did you manage that? Or shouldn’t I ask.’
‘You don’t need to know the details, but let’s just say she was willing to tell me everything she knew after I had a few stern words with her.’
‘So, what was the Calloway family secret?’ Rimis asked.
‘Patrick Hill sexually abused Fin when she was a child. He was also the driver of the car that killed Fin and Robbie’s parents. Grace covered up for him and he was never charged. When he moved away from Katoomba he changed his name from Reilly to Hill. For obvious reasons he didn’t want Robbie or Fin to find him, or anyone else for that matter.’
Silence.
‘You there, boss?’
‘Yeah, I’m here. I was thinking.’
‘Robbie’s death has something to do with Patrick Hill. I’m certain of it. This could explain why Robbie moved to Glover Street. Somehow he finds out where Patrick is living and practically moves in next-door. And then who finds Robbie’s body in Callan Park?’
‘Patrick Hill,’ Rimis said.
‘Exactly.’
‘I think we might need to pay Mr Hill a visit. Why don’t you come into the station tomorrow? You and Rawlings can go and see him together. I don’t want you going on your own.’
‘Okay. I’ll come in early, it will be a good chance to clear my in-tray before we go to see Patrick Hill.’ Jill ended the call and punched the air with her fist.