After Ariel: It started as a game (32 page)

‘We can’t be sure of that, Anthony. She has an alibi for the time of death, but she could be acting in collusion with someone.’ I didn’t believe that, but I wanted to see how far he would go to defend her.

He flipped his notebook open. ‘She’s genuinely grieving for her cousin and there’s absolutely no evidence to suggest that she was involved in any way whatsoever. Her bank accounts are healthy and she has her own unit which she finished paying for two years ago. She sold her car before she returned overseas where she’s been for the past year. Musical experts say she’s regarded as being the foremost flautist in the country. Why would she want to murder her cousin or get together with someone to do that?’

‘Apart from the inheritance, no reason whatsoever, Anthony. I don’t believe she’s guilty either, but I still think there’s a link between the two murders.’ I changed tack. ‘Are you “seeing” Pamela?’

He looked back at me; I could see the wheels turning. ‘I’m taking her to dinner tonight.’

‘Okay, well be discreet about it. If it turns out that she’s our perp, then you’ll swing as well, right?’

‘Yes, Ma’am.’

What was the point in pushing my Senior Sergeant? Pam was innocent of any wrong-doing and as far as I knew, possibly still in danger from her intruder. What better bodyguard than her personal “assassin”? And sex has a way of finding its targets regardless of the circumstances. ‘Any further news on the Maxwell case?’

‘Only the chip shop owner reporting –’ His phone chirped. With an apologetic glance, he took the call and then flashed a smile which, had I been younger and single, would have curled my toes. Well, to be honest, a smile like would curl any woman’s toes, right? 

‘Ariel Maxwell came in on Virgin Flight
VA 951, landed Friday, 4.30pm, at the domestic terminal. The airport management are making their CCTV footage of the arrivals hall available, particularly the luggage carousel!’

At last we were getting somewhere. No wonder the Roma Street transit centre had been a washout. ‘Wonder how they came in from the airport? If they were on the air train from Brisbane domestic terminal we might just get lucky, and then there’s the cab rank over the road.’ Police HQ is opposite the Transit Centre.

‘I’ll get on it right away, Ma’am. Oh, and the magazine, Kings River Life doesn’t appear to have any connection with the case.’ He picked up his notebook and our takeaway cups.

‘Good one, mate. Let me know when the tape comes through. And by the way, it’s “Susan.”’

With a wide grin and a wave of his huge paw, he vanished. At last, a breakthrough and now we might be getting somewhere. On the verge of doing a mental jig, I remembered.
Please God, let David be safe.

Evan poked his head through the door. ‘Hamilton just told me about the airport CCTV.’

‘Yes, it’s great. Now we’ll get somewhere, with any luck.’

‘Calls coming in from everywhere, Susan. People reckon they’ve seen Ariel with everyone from the man in the moon to Santa Claus!’ He slapped a file down on my desk and threw himself into the chair. ‘I can’t leave here without these cases being solved. I’ll never forgive myself if I have to go out to Warwick before they’re finished.’

Only a week before Evan left for his country posting and the hierarchy would come down on us like a ton of bricks if we hadn’t gotten a result, but three days in and we hadn’t a viable clue or a suspect in sight for either murder.

‘What do you reckon about Alex Humphries? Do you think he knows more than he’s telling?’

‘No, I don’t think so and I doubt he had anything to do with his daughter’s death, but he certainly has it in for Pamela.’

‘Have you spoken to her yet?’

‘No, I haven’t had a chance, but I’ll ring her tonight.’ I leaned back and rubbed my eyes. I gave him the latest news about Pamela being vouched for by police manning the road block at the Maxwell murder.

‘Well, that’s a relief. I expect Hamilton will be pleased about that!’ He adopted his paternal expression. ‘You need to go home. We’ll let you know if anything breaks. Reports coming in all the time, so there’s bound to be a break soon.’

‘Well, so far the sod’s managed to cover his tracks – the mobile, no airline ticket in her handbag, condoms presumably flushed, sheets washed, dishes done. Do you think he actually planned it?’

Evan remained silent for a while, rubbing his hand over his jaw. ‘No. I think it was love play which got out of hand. I reckon the cleaning up in the house was done before they went out, so Ariel’s parents wouldn’t know she had someone there for the night.’

‘Hm. I think you could be right, but I still think the Humphries killing is tied in somehow.’

‘Okay, so give it to me.’

‘Right. Apart from my gut you mean?’

‘Yep.’

‘There’s something about the broken neck...well, more about the
power
involved in both murders. It would take a great deal of strength to do that. The Humphries woman was incredibly fit, as strong as most men but she got overpowered and her neck broken.’

‘Are you basing the connection between the cases on the strength of the perp then?’

‘What are the chances of there being two separate strongmen loose in the West End within the same twenty four hours?’

‘Still, it doesn’t mean squat unless you can marry them up.’

‘Trust you to shoot me down in flames!’ I laughed and poked my tongue out at him.

He grinned. ‘I’m not saying you’re wrong, and we all know about your famous intuition, but even for you, this is a stretch. If it was the perp from the park, how would he know where she lived? I’m playing Devil’s Advocate here.’

‘Well, for a start almost anyone she worked with. Adam McIntyre stalked someone else into bed that night. Roma station has confirmed that, and the only thing missing is Humphries’ best camera. Doesn’t that say he wanted what was in it? The SD card?’

‘Hm. Perhaps he was disturbed before he could look for anything else. He had to come through the front door though, because there’s no sign of a break in and it was unlocked.’

‘It was a cold night so why would she go outside again? She hasn’t got a pet to let out for a pee. No, he must have got her to open it. A simple knock would do it and from what Pam said, the chain wasn’t on when she got home, so either Humphries forgot to put it on or she deliberately opened the door to a caller. Easy peasy.’

We stared at each other for along moment and then burst out laughing.

‘Look at us! We’ll solve this one on our own yet!’ I chuckled. ‘We know that the last time anyone – apart from the taxi driver – saw Marigold alive, was when she left the Concert Hall. The driver says he waited until she got inside the house and shut the door and he didn’t see anyone hanging around. He was probably counting his money and didn’t really look, but he maintains that he always checks that his female passengers get inside their houses before he leaves and even though he’s a weedy little creep, he’s also a grandfather, so I believe that. We can’t find anyone who saw someone following her, so the perp had to know where she lived, which brings us back to her workplace or friends.’

This time we both sighed.

Evan looked at me intently. ‘Why don’t you go home and get some rest, it’s almost home time and we’ve a big day tomorrow. You’ll tell me what else you’re hiding when you’re ready.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Come on, I’m a husband and father of four – well, five in six months time. I recognise “the look.”’

‘Five! Good heavens, mate, don’t you know what’s causing it?’ I asked, trying to sidetrack him. ‘Congratulations, to you both.’

‘Thanks, Susan. And I’m right, aren’t I?’

I contemplated lying through my teeth, but Evan and I had started out as constables together. He was one of the few male officers who had supported me all through the debacle that was my first marriage to David. I owed him. ‘Yes, you’re right. David doesn’t know yet and heaven only knows how he’s going to feel about ‘double the joy” again.’

‘For crying out loud! Really?’

‘Yep and at my age. At least the doctor’s pretty sure its twins again. I’ve an ultrasound booked for this Friday. I only hope David’s home to go with me.’
Oh, my love.

‘You know Genevieve and I will help all we can, even though we’re going to be in Warwick. It’s no more than two hours from here.’

‘Yes, I know and thank you, Evan. I’ve always appreciated you have my back.’

‘And you mine.’  He stood, came around the desk and put his arm around my shoulders to give me a squeeze. ‘I’m on call tonight and I’ll make sure you hear any excitement that eventuates. You haven’t heard from David yet?’

‘No, nothing. Pete Moffat is dodging my calls too. But David said before he left, he’d phone as soon as he’s coming back. He
promised
. No matter the time of day or night.’

‘You know you can rely on David, Susan. If they’re flat out on a case up there, then he might not be able to call. I know you’ll hear as soon as he can do it. I know it’s hard but just sit tight. I have a lot of faith in David and you should have too. Now get home and rest up, mate.’

I got to my feet slowly. Being home on my own didn’t appeal one bit, especially with my suspicions about David’s safety, but I had to feed the animals, phone the girls and definitely get some rest. Perhaps I would call Melanie and coax her into coming over for the night and if she hesitated, I’d pull the older sister’s prerogative and twist her arm. If that didn’t work, I was sure I could find something with which to bribe her.

Like chocolate.

CHAPTER 35

Feast or Famine

Pam

Tuesday, 4.30PM

I rushed out of the restaurant like a madwoman, so eager to get home, shower and get ready for my date with Anthony that I barely said goodbye to anyone. Ally would have loved to corner me for a talk but as she closed in I hissed, ‘Got a date, have to talk to you later.’ Her face lit up, but before she could fire questions at me I took off, almost running to the car. First stop, Goldie’s house to meet the locksmith, then home
. Let’s hope the bugger’s not going to be late.

A handsome young rooster was waiting by a tradesman’s van as I drove up. While he changed the locks on the back, front and garage doors, I wandered through the chaotic house again, trying not to look impatient. Even though Goldie had died here only a little over two days ago, I still felt that she would walk in the door at any moment. I’d have to ask Susan about when I could get a firm in to clean the whole place. Whatever, the house didn’t feel bad anymore and I was able to relax and make the locksmith, a cheerful youth with the rather odd name of name of Bergil, a cup of coffee. Whistling happily, he handed me the invoice, took my cheque and passed me the keys to everything. ‘What do you want to do with the old ones?’

‘They’re no use to anyone. You can take them back and use them somewhere else if you like.’ I handed the keys over and he put them into a cloth bag with the old locks.

As I drove home, relieved to have gotten that out of the way, I thought about the luncheon. I’d had a great time catching up with my friends and meeting new musicians. Craig Douglas was an interesting man and I’d enjoyed spending time with him. He was contracted with the Pacific for the next six months, so I’d get to know him when I got back from the UK. Vlad, Bill and Lance had all made time to talk to me. Was I mistaken or had they not only treated me as a “star” but flirted with me as well?

They’d
all
asked me to dinner and Bill had invited me to go sailing with him when I got back from the UK.
Woo hoo!
Sailing? I’d never have picked him for a yachtsman in a month of Sundays. Without regret, I had declined, aware of Craig Douglas watching me. Would he make a move as well? I chuckled. When a woman finds someone she’s interested in after a long “man-less” drought, does she give off some sort of pheromone that tells the rest of them she’s desirable? No men around for yonks and then you have to beat them off with sticks!

The girls from the orchestra were all friendly and seemed great fun, so the trip out west in two months time boded well and a great surge of happiness went through me. Things were looking up! A new man on the horizon, a thriving career – note in that order! –
and
my agent told me she was negotiating for another CD for Decca! What more could a girl want?

The car seemed to find its own way into my parking spot under the block of units which kind of surprised me as it hadn’t been there before. I dragged out my bag, locked up and raced for the lift nearly knocking down my elderly neighbour who was just stepping in, dragging one of those little wheeled trolleys full of groceries after him.

‘Young lady, I’ll have you know I got here first so you don’t have to flatten me to make a point!’ 
Uh?

‘I’m so sorry, Mr Uqhart, I’m just excited. Heavy date tonight!’

He peered at me over the top of his glasses. ‘Oh it’s you, Pam. Hear you did well on Saturday night.’

I punched the button for the first floor. ‘Thank you Mr Uqhart, I’m just so relieved it went off well, but now...well, my cousin was killed the same night, so things aren’t too good,’

‘Ugh.’ He shook his head, not meeting my gaze. Some people are embarrassed by death and don’t know what to say. ‘Goodnight Pam.’

I didn’t wait to see him shuffle into his unit, but raced to my door. Keying in the security code, I put the chain across and threw my keys into the coloured glass bowl on the kitchen table.  Six o’clock and I had an hour and a half to get ready.

Singing in the shower is not usually my thing, but this time it was different. Squawking merrily, I slapped gel around like it was going out of style, dried myself, hurled powder in every direction and then, wrapped in a towel, examined my wardrobe with a rather jaundiced eye. I threw several pairs of slacks and jeans on the bed, but nothing “grabbed” me. An electric blue wrap-around dress which I hadn’t worn for years cried piteously from its position at the very end of the row. Hoping it would still fit I tried it – Hallelujah! – make up and high-heeled sandals. At 183cms, finding a man who was around 195 meant someone “up there” had finally heard my pleas. I could actually wear heels!
Oh for heaven’s sake, Pam; it’s only the first date.