Читать книгу Payback - Harvey Cleggett - Страница 19

CHAPTER

10

Arriving back at the office, both men found Delwyn in the conference room viewing the crime scene video, her expression indicating she was troubled by what she saw. For the next fifteen minutes they gave her an update on the day’s progress, including the salient points associated with Gerald’s autopsy report. Following that they suggested further actions that needed to be taken, including reinterviewing Mario’s family along with his two workers. Ballard emphasised it was here the breakthrough, if one existed, would occur.

Delwyn agreed, then checking her watch, muttered she had to attend a media briefing with the Assistant Commissioner. Gathering her folder and bottle of water, she bolted out the door, calling out encouragement over her shoulder. John looked at Ballard, shaking his head. “You wouldn’t catch me doing that job for all the money in the world. She earns every dollar I’m telling you.”

Ballard stood up. “Wait here John. I want to assign some background research to Susan, see what magic she can come up with.”

Senior Constable Susan Deakin was the newest member of John’s unit and one of the most intuitive detectives Ballard had ever worked with. Fresh out of Investigator Training, she displayed an almost Sherlock Holmes ability to accumulate and analyse facts. With a capacity to rapidly absorb information from a brief of evidence, or dig into background evidence applicable to a case, she was a rising star with a great future as a member of Homicide.

At first Ballard and John were concerned her attractiveness and single status may pose problems in the squad. What they didn’t count on was her unshakable determination to prove herself, a trait often associated with red heads, of which she was a proud member. A number of squad mates found out the hard way she could mix it with the men while still maintaining her obvious femininity. Further to that, it wasn’t long before word got out she was in a committed relationship with a uniformed officer. From that point on she was just another member of the unit, albeit one who at times wore short dresses, oblivious to the glances from other members.

Ballard ushered her into the conference room as John raised a hand in greeting.

“Hello Susan. We need a lead. Anything to get momentum on this case.” Over the next five minutes he gave a concise briefing of the actions undertaken so far.

Susan wrote copious notes in her day book, asking probing questions at pertinent points, including one from left field. “Could this be a relationship gone sour, say Mario bedding the shooter’s girlfriend?”

Ballard and John hesitated, not having considered the crime could be the result of a romantic liaison gone wrong.

Susan shrugged. “Cleopatra? Look at the havoc she caused? Failed romances will do it every time. Crimes of passion over women can be incredible motivators in the wrong minds.”

The two senior detectives sat shaking their heads, not wanting to concede such base motivation could result in this brutal act, but mutually agreeing it had to be considered.

Ballard was the first to respond. “Susan, sometimes these investigations need a woman’s perspective. I want you to do what you do best. Check Mario’s bank accounts for unusual withdrawals, mobile phone records for any patterns. Include his wife in this. I wouldn’t think she had the strength to do the actual deed, but she may have arranged for someone else to do it for her. See if she’s taken out any insurance policies on Mario. Sweat the two workers with Bobby, see what comes up there. Check on recent customers. Did any of them owe Mario large sums of money. Was he into drugs or gambling? Cast the net as wide as you can justify.”

Susan flashed an anticipatory smile at both men. “While it’s horrible such a crime’s been committed, I love getting my teeth into investigations like this. It’s why I joined the job.” Collecting her folder she hurried off to begin work.

John called out as she was about to leave. “Don’t forget to go home at some point.”

Ballard ran his fingers through his hair. “I think we’ve unleashed a bloodhound.” Jotting down several notes he said, “I’ll update the Case Narrative if you knock over some of the forms. Half an hour should see me out.”

John paused. “Yep. We knew today would be fact finding. I’ll pull a police car and head home as soon as I’m done.” Grinning wickedly he added, “Oh, don’t forget to say hello to Nat for me.”

Ballard waved a dismissive hand in mock disgust.

Both men went to their desks, logging onto their respective systems, ensuring every pertinent fact collected during the day was recorded for the intelligence of the detectives working the case. A briefing would be conducted in the morning to bring them up to speed.

John left thirty minutes later with Ballard finishing shortly after. Picking up the telephone he dialled Natalie’s mobile. “Hello Nat. I’ll be there in twenty minutes, say around 6.45. Did you miss me?”

“Darling, every minute of every day I miss you. You’ve turned my ultra simple life upside down and I love it.”

“Me too. See you soon.”

He sat for a moment looking at the photos of his son, daughter and Natalie on his desk. He reached forward, briefly touching all three, feeling yet again the stab of pain caused by the separation from his daughter, Laura. He gazed out of the window and down into the grounds of the Melbourne Grammar school, watching several boys playing cricket on the oval. He wondered which one of them may be Australia’s next Prime Minister; the school having produced three since 1858.

Breaking from his reverie he crossed to his locker, grabbing a fresh towel and his toiletries before heading for the wash room. Five minutes later, face rinsed, teeth cleaned and hair combed along with a splash of aftershave, he was ready to meet his future wife.

Just as he was about to head downstairs he hesitated, returning to his desk to ring his sister. “Hi Sis. Recover from this morning?” He held the phone away from his ear as she responded. Grinning he said, “Glad to hear it. Now the reason I’m calling… things are looking a bit grim here so I won’t be home for a day or two. Are you staying over?” Kathryn confirmed she was as she loved having the farm to herself, which included long sessions of strength training in the gym.

“Well young farmer girl, would you ring Alan D and ask him to bring his ride-on over for five or six hours mowing. Get him to put the bill on my tab? I’ll be at Natalie’s tonight, tomorrow night and perhaps even the next. Take care and yes, before you remind me, I’ll give Nat your love.”

Waving goodbye to the remaining detectives, he headed to his car.