Two days later, Lara co-opted a willing Ellie to pick Brooke up from hospital in her car. She’d almost burst a gasket waiting to see Lara’s very interesting new companion. Next to a romantic entanglement this was the next best thing. Lara left her waiting impatiently in the car with Petey.
Now she was out of bed Brooke proved to be a tall girl, slim and pretty with her blonde hair brushed back from a narrow face and held with clips. Clutching a red handbag and an overnight bag she glanced warily at the people in the corridors and the crowds crossing the busy foyer. The bruising had faded to a dull yellowy grey but the dents in her psyche hadn’t and wouldn’t for a long time, the counsellor had warned Lara.
‘She may have nightmares,’ she’d said. ‘Her memory is coming back but nothing from that afternoon and night.’ Lara had nodded. She knew all about nightmares.
For her own part Lara kept a wary eye out for Branko or her brother. It was true Ivan had his appendix out, she’d rung the hospital and asked how he was. A concerned anonymous friend. He’d probably guess who, if anyone thought to tell him someone had called. He was due for release yesterday. No complications, the nurse said. A small part of her was relieved. He was her big brother, after all, and he’d endured the same parental disaster she had. The difference was he was the eldest male and in her parents eyes that made him a prince and Lara, Cinderella.
Brooke walked close by Lara’s side as they went to the car, her movements jerky and uncomfortable.
‘It feels odd to be outside. It’s hotter than I expected,’ she said. Her eyes moved rapidly, scanning the traffic and the pedestrians. Seeking out the men and watching them as they passed as though one might make a sudden lunge at her. ‘There are so many people around.’
‘None of them are interested in us,’ said Lara. ‘We’ll go home via your place to pack the things you’ll need.’
‘You’re very kind to do this for me,’ Brooke said for the umpteenth time. ‘I’ll never forget it.’
As soon as they came within sight of the parked car Ellie sprang out like a grey-haired, overweight jack-in-the-box and opened the passenger door. ‘Hello dear. I’m Ellie and this is Petey in the back.’
‘Hello, Ellie.’ Brooke bent to peer in at Petey. ‘He’s so sweet.’
Petey stared as only a toddler can, blank-faced, suspicious and unresponsive.
‘He’ll loosen up when he gets to know you,’ said Ellie. ‘He’s a chatterbox as a rule.’
Thanks to a stern talking to from Lara on the way over Ellie drove with less abandon than usual. She parked with exaggerated care outside the red brick apartment block in leafy Annandale Street and turned off the engine.
‘Petey and I will wait here,’ she said. ‘We can’t cope with lots of stairs. He’d take forever and I’d drop dead.’
‘Got the keys?’ Lara asked as she and Brooke approached the door.
Brooke nodded. ‘The police brought this handbag in for me. I mustn’t have taken it with me which was lucky because all my cards and stuff were in it. But not my phone.’
‘A lot of girls only take a small amount of cash, their phone and key with them when they go out. Safer that way.’
‘Lucky I was one of those. It was easy to get a key cut from the agents but the police organised to have the lock changed anyway just in case the guy knows where I live.’ Her voice shook on the last words. ‘I think I’ll have to move.’
‘Does it look familiar?’
‘It does. I’m on the third floor.’ Brooke led the way upstairs and turned right at the top landing. ‘Number 54.’
The poky apartment was the size of an average motel room. One room with a small kitchenette and a bathroom.
She went straight to the bed and pulled a medium-sized blue suitcase from under it. Fifteen minutes later Lara carried the bag downstairs for her. Brooke didn’t have much to pack and she was only staying a week or two at most. That had been made clear right from the start. Lara had prepared the larger of the two spare rooms at the top of the stairs but she had no intention of allowing Brooke to feel anything other than a guest. Welcome but for a finite time.
At home Ellie came in, ostensibly to help settle the visitor but really because she was a stickybeak of the highest order. Not that Lara minded. She was grateful Ellie supported the decision she still often doubted herself. Brooke seemed like a sweet, normal girl still shaken and damaged by her ordeal but who really knew? No-one. And the horrible experience she’d had could have affected her in ways yet to become apparent. Ways Lara was ill equipped to cope with, especially with a toddler to protect as well. This may prove to be a disastrous mistake.
‘I’ll make us all a cuppa,’ Ellie announced when Brooke had been shown her room upstairs and her suitcase placed on the straight-backed chair ready for unpacking.
‘I hope you’ll be all right on the stairs,’ Lara said. ‘They’re quite steep and the bathroom is on the ground floor.’
‘I’ll be fine, I’ll hold onto the railing. It’s a lovely house. My apartment is so tiny, it’s lovely to have the space.’
‘Okay. Come down to the kitchen when you’re ready.’
Lara left her to it. In the kitchen Ellie was rummaging in the cupboard looking for mugs and biscuits. Petey sat on the floor with a piece of chocolate and a massive grin.
‘Chocit, mummy.’ He held up a sticky hand.
Lara groaned. ‘You know I don’t like him to eat chocolate all the time.’
‘It’s just a little treat. It won’t hurt him.’
‘That’s not the point. He thinks he can have chocolate any old time and he can’t. I don’t want tantrums at the supermarket.’
‘I’ve never seen him throw a tantrum.’
‘No, he doesn’t as a rule but I don’t want him to start over chocolate.’
‘I love chocit,’ Petey announced and began singing a song to himself about chocolate. Lara wiped his face and fingers.
‘She’s seems like a nice girl,’ Ellie said in a loud whisper. ‘So pretty, poor lamb.’
Lara joined her at the bench and lowered her voice. ‘Yes. I hope I haven’t made a terrible mistake.’
‘You keep saying that but it’s too late now. I think you’ll all be fine. Got any biscuits?’
‘There’s banana cake in that tin.’ Lara took over making the tea while Ellie put the cake on a plate and sliced it.
Brooke appeared in the doorway. ‘My room is lovely. Thanks, Lara.’ She bent down to Petey. ‘Hello, my name’s Brooke.’
Petey studied her then shot a desperate look at Lara. He scrambled to his feet and ran for protection behind her legs.
‘Oh, I’ve frightened him.’
‘Maybe it’s the bruises,’ said Lara. The skin on her cheek and forehead was still stained. ‘Brooke’s face is sore,’ she said to him. ‘A bad man hit her.’
Petey peeped out carefully but didn’t let go. Brooke sat on a stool at the bench. ‘It doesn’t hurt much now but my ribs are still sore. They said it’s bad bruising rather than broken.’
‘Cracked ribs take weeks to heal if it’s that.’ Ellie plonked the plate of banana cake in front of Brooke. ‘I fell down some steps once years ago and cracked a rib. Couldn’t lift anything and couldn’t laugh.’
‘There isn’t much to laugh about at the moment,’ Brooke’s eyes grew large and luminous with unshed tears. She pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes and sniffed.
‘You’ll be surprised. Human beings are very resilient. Have some cake.’ Ellie picked up one of the mugs of tea Lara had poured. ‘Have the police told you anything? Are they getting anywhere?’
Brooke drew in a shaky breath but Ellie’s matter of fact manner was reassuring. ‘They’re not saying much beyond they’re investigating.’
‘Hmmph.’
Lara gave Petey some cake in a plastic bowl and sat him at the table. No-one knew Nick had dropped in two nights ago and she wasn’t sharing that information with these two. Ellie would grab it and go berserk with speculation, Brooke — well, she was an unknown quantity as yet. Teetering on the edge after her ordeal. No personal, private details were up for inspection just yet.
‘The detective in charge is really nice. Nick Lawson. And there’s another one, Marie something.’ Brooke’s mouth drooped. ‘If I could remember anything about that night it would help. But I can’t. I don’t remember anything after leaving work midafternoon.’
‘That’s a self-defence mechanism. Maybe if you don’t try too hard it’ll pop into your head,’ Ellie said. ‘Like when you can’t remember someone’s name and then bingo, when you’re doing something completely different there it is.’
‘Except Brooke had a whack on the head as well,’ said Lara. ‘It’s not quite the same.’ Not to mention the immense shock and trauma involved. Ellie really was a case.
‘I can remember most things now but there are still odd gaps. Plus I get headaches, which I never did before.’
‘That’s not surprising after having your brain bouncing about in your skull,’ said Ellie. ‘You’re still recovering. You need to rest.’
‘You can sit out in the backyard under the tree and read,’ Lara said.
‘I don’t want to be a burden on you, Lara. I want to help round the house. Or maybe in the garden?’
‘That would be good but you can’t do anything strenuous for a while.’
‘Cooking dinner and weeding isn’t strenuous.’
Lara smiled at the anxious expression. The girl was desperate to do the right thing. Ellie was right, they’d all get on well together. Petey came to the bench where they sat, carrying his bowl.
‘I want more cake, pease.’
‘Can he?’ Brooke asked. Lara nodded. Brooke quickly took his bowl and gave him another slice. ‘There you are, Petey. More yummy cake for you.’
‘Yummy cake,’ he said and stuck his finger into it. ‘I like cake and I like chocit.’
‘What do you say to Brooke?’
‘Ta.’
‘Good boy.’
‘He’s such a darling,’ Brooke said. ‘I’d like to work with small children.’
‘Are you doing a course?’
She shook her head. ‘I can’t afford to study and keep myself at the same time. I’ve been saving — trying to, anyway.’
‘It’s a good area to get into. They sure need childcare workers.’ Ellie heaved herself off the stool. ‘I’d better go, girls. See you later.’
‘Thank you, Ellie. It was lovely to meet you.’
Lara stood up. ‘Thanks, Ellie.’
‘You’ll be seeing plenty more of me. I’ll see myself out, Lara.’ Ellie waved as she disappeared down the hallway.
‘She’s a lovely person.’ Brooke drained her tea and began clearing the dirty crockery. ‘Does she have family?’
‘One single son — he might be gay but I haven’t asked — is in Canberra and one lives in Switzerland with his family. She misses them so she uses us instead.’ Lara smiled. ‘It works both ways.’
‘Don’t you have — ’
The phone started ringing.
‘Excuse me.’ Lara went to pick up. Saved by the bell. Brooke was about to ask about her own family and Lara wasn’t ready to confide. This would be Nick checking on them. His concern, for that’s what it was, warmed her and her pulse increased its pace from an amble to a jog as she put the phone to her ear.
‘It’s Nick. Is everything okay?’
Lara glanced at the other two. Brooke had begun stacking mugs into the dishwasher. Petey was still engrossed with dismembering the slice of cake.
‘Hi. Yes it is.’ Why were her legs suddenly rubbery? And her palms clammy. She wiped her hand on her shorts as she took the phone to the living room. Her skin prickled. Humid today, that would be it. And her voice was barely working. Ridiculous. Just because he’d called in and she’d invited him to dinner and he’d stayed. Why wouldn’t he with a free meal on offer? It meant nothing.
‘You’ll call me if you’re worried?’
‘Yes.’ Get a grip. Brooke’s here. He knows that, he’s doing his job. Remember that. Remember, full stop! This man is a cop.
‘I may drop by later.’
A crazy surge of anticipation flooded her body but she must not let herself step into an emotional minefield of her own making or anyone else’s. No way was she doing that again.
‘You don’t need to.’ A harsher tone than she intended.
‘I need to talk to Brooke.’ His was several degrees cooler by comparison.
‘Has something happened?’
‘A new lead. It might trigger a memory.’
‘She said she can remember most stuff now except what happened after she left work that afternoon.’ She gave the information grudgingly. What was their problem? Surely it can’t be that hard to find a man who drugged his dates? Brooke might not be the first and wouldn’t be the last. They needed to get their act together.
‘Good. We won’t give up on this, Lara. We’ll catch this guy.’
‘So you keep saying.’ When? That was the real question.
‘It’s the truth.’
Nick hung up, frustration making him slam the phone down. But the lightweight plastic couldn’t provide as satisfying a thud as he wanted. Those heavy old phones were much better, the type his grandparents had before technology overcame them and left them gasping in confusion. Big, hefty and black with a silver dial and a piercing ring.
What was with that woman? One minute she was friendly and relaxed the next he’d said or done something wrong and she was an iceberg. Dropping in on her a second time appeared to be a no-no. But this was police business and she was involved, whether she wanted to be or not, by the simple fact she was sheltering Brooke, the victim. He wasn’t visiting Lara. He was visiting Brooke. In fact he didn’t need to go at all. Marie could do it. She was the one who came up with the lead anyway, when she went back to the café. Internet dating.
His phone rang.
‘Someone here from the drug squad to see you, detective.’
‘Okay.’ He sighed. Probably coming to tell them to back off on some case that overlapped or to ask for cases files. Moments later a shaven-headed, square-built man in jeans and a T-shirt straining over bulging muscles appeared in the doorway. Another fitness junkie. In his case he’d exploded outwards as opposed to Marie who’d turned stick thin. Been at the steroids perhaps? He looked like a bull, ready for a fight. A barbed wire tattoo ringed his massive bicep. He held out a hand, smiled, ice blue eyes twinkled.
‘Steve Wingate. Drug squad.’
‘Nick Lawson. What can I do for you?’
‘Made any headway with that home invasion? The Lincolns? Wife and child threatened, husband bashed and tortured.’
‘Not really. Why?’
‘We’re looking at a group, relatively new on the scene. Making a play on the street.’
‘I thought the drug scene was pretty much sewn up by the local gangs.’
‘It is but these people have come in from interstate. Don’t know much about them but word is they were in Melbourne and got out after Tony Petrovic was killed.’
‘He was no loss.’
‘No but after he died it was a free for all. Did a fair bit of our work for us by bumping each other off. Some cleared out for new pastures.’
‘So what can we do for you?’
‘Keep us in your loop. If you come up with any leads we’d be grateful if you let us know.’ So they could jump in first? Or warn Nick’s team off? He’d been on the wrong end of these jurisdictional overlaps before. The drug squad generally assumed they took precedence over the local plods.
‘Got any names?’
‘Only one — guy known as Mack.’
Meant nothing to Nick. None of their informants had mentioned him.
‘Scottish?’
‘Could be, could be a nickname. Mack the Knife maybe?’
‘If we find who did this we’ll be making our own arrests.’
‘I’m just asking you to tell us first before you go in.’ The friendly smile eased to polite. He put a business card on the desk and held out his hand again. Nick shook it firmly.
‘I’ll do my best.’
‘Cheers, mate.’ One last penetrating stare then Steve nodded and left.
Maybe that was why they weren’t making any headway. Not the usual suspects. And if this Mack was connected to Petrovic they were dealing with a whole new level of ruthlessness. Another deep sigh escaped. God he hated this — paddling about in the murk of other people’s filthy lives, trying to clean up the muck they left behind them in their greedy struggle for power, status and money.
Maybe he should put in for a transfer sooner rather than later. Head out to some country town where the worst crime involved speeding or the odd break-in by kids. And die of boredom. What a choice. Deep down he knew it wasn’t a real choice at all. This was where he belonged and he liked the work on a gut level. Nothing more satisfying than clearing a case and bringing some scumbag to justice. Trouble was there was an endless supply of them.
Those bastards contaminated lives in a wide ripple effect. Like a toxic waste spill spreading far beyond the initial site and with a half-life of generations. Not just their victims and their families were affected but their own families as well. What chance did the children of these criminals have trained as they were from birth to break the law? Or rather to ignore the law and regard society and its guardians the police and the courts as the enemy. He wouldn’t go so far as to say it was in the blood but when push came to shove blood was thicker than water and these crime families rarely broke ranks.
And now Wingate announces that some of Tony Petrovic’s spin-offs have moved north. Bloody hell. As if they didn’t have enough of their own crims without the Melbourne overflow of effluence.
Marie came in and dropped into her chair. ‘What’s wrong with you?’
‘Had a visit from the drug squad wanting to know what was happening with the Lincoln case.’ He ignored the face she pulled. ‘Said word is some of Tony Petrovic’s crowd moved here after the shit hit the fan when he died.’
‘Does he think they’re involved?’
‘Could be. He wants a heads up if we find anything.’
She sniffed. ‘Rob’s on that with Brian.’
‘I know. I want you to visit Brooke today.’
‘Can’t. Not today, and tomorrow I’m in court for the Casey trial. That’ll go all day.’
He frowned, annoyed at her abrupt derailment of his avoidance plan. ‘Why not today?’
‘Specialist appointment we’ve waited four months for. I’ve told you.’
‘Right.’ She had and he hadn’t asked why. It was fairly common knowledge in the immediate team that Marie and her husband were wanting a family and having trouble.
‘Sorry. You’ll have to go or wait until the day after.’ She pulled a pile of papers towards her and began scribbling notes.
Nick stared at his computer screen pretending to be reading something while in reality his brain sorted through his body’s reaction to that annoying piece of information. His body had no understanding of his mind’s preference for avoiding Lara. His body warmed to the idea with gusto. His body clamoured to be near her, to smell her unique perfume, to feast on the sight of her body, hear her voice, earn a precious and rare smile. His mind, on the other hand, knew this was a crazy one-sided infatuation with about the same chance of success as his dear old ninety four year old grandmother had of becoming an astronaut.
It would be almost impossible to visit Brooke without seeing Lara but he could keep the contact to a minimum by speaking to Brooke alone. That would work. He leapt to his feet, causing the computer chair to shoot back and crash into Rob’s desk and Marie to exclaim, ‘What the...?’
‘Sorry. Chair slipped.’
She gave him a doubtful look as he left the squad room but said nothing, but then, she had her own worries. Weird how some women popped out babies easy as you please while others couldn’t and would give almost anything to have one. Lara clearly hadn’t had trouble conceiving, which given her abusive marriage was probably a blessing. A man like that wouldn’t accept his sperm weren’t up to the job. It would be his wife’s fault.
Lara. All roads in his mind led to Lara. All the neural pathways had been reconfigured the day he laid eyes on her. Might as well accept it.