Fatal Impact (33 page)

59

T
he following morning, Oliver took homicide detective Steve Schiller with him to interview Christian Moss and Ryan Chapman about the real estate deals in Cressy. Craig Dengate had tried to force Len to sell his property to PT before killing him. They still had no idea what drove Craig to commit suicide or who he was so afraid of. Why he had said he was a dead man.

Oliver referred to these interviews as ‘chain rattlers’. He’d ask what they knew about Craig Dengate and his business dealings, keeping his knowledge about the Cressy properties to himself. He would then casually mention rumours of dodgy real estate deals and see how they reacted. Anya would love to have been a fly on that office wall.

Anya left Jocelyn to sleep in, and went to the motel where Alison Blainey was staying. She had a lot of questions to answer about her connection to whatever MIV was, and why she was negotiating with PT. Was POWER even aware? Was it part of their strategy? And why had she offered Len help when she knew PT would ruin him, based on the way they sued anyone who they claimed infringed their GM patents? It seemed inconceivable that they could sue farmers for unknowingly fostering PT seeds that had blown onto their properties, but logic, morality and the law were mutually exclusive at times.

Anya parked in the car park. A restaurant was attached to the motel. As she pulled on the handbrake, a figure caught her eye. Alison Blainey stepped out in sunglasses and looked around. She appeared to be waiting for something, or someone. What caught Anya’s attention was that she didn’t have a bag with her, and hadn’t stepped out for a cigarette. The time ticked over to 8 am.

Anya waited in her car to see what Alison was doing.

A black sedan pulled in. Alison crossed the car park and got into the back seat of the car. Tinted windows obscured any view inside. Anya craned to record the number plate and texted Oliver from her mother’s mobile.

The sedan remained stationary and a few minutes later, the POWER worker alighted. The car pulled away, then stopped. The back window wound down and Anya could make out the face. Graham Fowler leant out. He said something and Alison laughed before he wound the window back up. The car drove off.

‘Nothing like schmoozing the enemy,’ Anya muttered. The pin-up girl for environmentalism and anti-GM campaigns was a fraud.

Alison looked around and headed back to the motel. Anya was quickly out of the car and following. Blainey entered the restaurant and headed for the ladies’ room. Anya took the opportunity to go in after her. Alison washed her hands. She stood straight when she saw Anya.

‘Hi.’ She grabbed some paper towel. The bruises on her face were more purple today. ‘I heard about your mother, and I hope she’s doing all right. What happened to Len, oh my gosh, I heard his brother was involved. That’s horrific.’

Anya agreed. ‘I don’t know if you heard; Len Dengate left everything to my mother.’

The news didn’t take her by surprise.

‘You must be a little nervous.’ Anya began to wash her hands.

‘Excuse me?’ Alison dabbed one of her bruises with a little finger.

‘I mean, suing a huge organisation like PT. Mum is pretty angry about their seeds contaminating Len’s crops. We’re lucky to have you on side.’

‘I’ve been called away on another case but I’ll put our best people on it, I assure you.’

Anya turned off the taps and shook the excess water into the sink. ‘The MIV is more important then.’

The environmentalist scrunched the paper towel.

‘I’m sorry, I’m preparing for a speech at an Antarctic conference. If you’ll excuse me.’

‘Maybe you forgot. You met with Christian Moss, and talked to Graham Fowler about it.’

Anya blocked the exit. ‘I’ve seen the proof.’ She waited for the words to sink in.

Alison tried to sidestep but Anya stood in her way.

‘Did you take a bribe, or were you always going to back down?’

Alison bit her top lip and a crease formed between her eyebrows. The effect was particularly unattractive. ‘That’s defamatory. I negotiate. It’s what I do best. As a result, Mawson Island is safe. The penguins, seal colonies, all of it. The Antarctic teams can stay and do their research undisturbed.’ She continued justifying her actions. ‘Clarkson Evergreen were always going to build a vault. China has planned it for decades. Global warming and climate change accelerated the schedule. You’d have to be blind not to see it coming. So you fight it or get the best possible deal for the environment.’

‘You were supposed to fight for the environment. What about all the great work you’ve done to raise awareness of GM? How can you turn your back on that?’

Alison surged forward. ‘Don’t lecture me. I’ve been doing this job for years. Life’s about compromise. Sacrificing land around here is nothing compared to saving Mawson Island.
I had a chance to save something priceless and I took it.’

‘You sold out the people here for a vault? Do you think they – or their children – will thank you?’ Anya was still uncertain as to what the vault was to contain.

‘Who else has the power and money to build the most comprehensive bank of seeds in the world? Samples from every single plant ever known to have grown on the planet. In the case of man-made or natural disasters, countries can replant their own native crops and flora.’

Suddenly, it made sense. The structure was akin to a defence fortress. The Doomsday Vault was a precaution against nuclear war or global destruction. The memo had said it had to be private, isolated, secure and impenetrable. Disaster-proof. It all became clear. Whoever owned the world’s seed bank controlled the entire food supply.

‘Are you that naive? What’s to say China will give seeds to countries that criticise or disagree with their policies? Or a country that can’t afford to buy back its own seeds?’

‘You don’t get it. They’re custodians with foresight. The vault will be the largest and most extensive in the world. Countries volunteer to send their seeds. They want to pay to have them stored.’

‘Is that what you choose to believe? PT doesn’t follow rules. They commit fraud, scientific fraud, and have no ethics. You told us. Governments are afraid to cross them. Look at their track record.’

‘Grow up, Anya, this is the real world. It’s called politics and everyone plays it. This time I did it well and POWER gets the credit for saving a natural treasure. It was a win-win situation.’

Anya tried to control her rising anger. The notion that it was even possible for PT to buy an island in the Antarctic region was abhorrent.

A woman entered the toilets and took in the scene. ‘Everything okay in here?’ She bore a striking resemblance to Alison, and the accent was similar.

‘Fine, Kim. I was just coming.’

‘Excuse me, I’m Anya. You are?’

‘Kimberly. Alison’s sister.’

Anya suddenly identified the mysterious buyer in Cressy. Kimberly Oscrow. Alison had been in on the deal with the others from the start. This wasn’t just about a moral victory. She had orchestrated a million dollar deal in her sister’s name.

‘Congratulations on the Cressy real estate windfall. Twelve months waiting really paid off.’

Alison’s face suddenly appeared pale. ‘What are you talking about?’

The sister seemed to freeze, unsure how to react.

‘Quite the team, you all made. And even Craig Dengate kept quiet about it. So did Mincer Leske. I wonder if he knew you were in on the Cressy deal when he assaulted you. Or was that some kind of set up to gain sympathy and get publicity?’

The colour returned to Alison’s cheeks and she closed the bathroom door to any potential interruptions.

‘Ally, let’s just go,’ the sister pleaded.

‘Don’t say a word, Kim.’ She turned back to Anya, inches from her face. ‘What the hell are you accusing me of?’

Anya held her ground. The lawyer was on the defensive. ‘Corruption, fraud, misrepresentation, working for PT to get Len Dengate’s land. There’s also falsely accusing Madison Zane’s group of starting the fire that night when Mincer Leske was behind that too.’

‘Years in this business taught me to be realistic. As soon as the food poisoning went public, Len Dengate was out of business. His case would have brought unprecedented publicity to POWER in this country and PT would have got what they wanted.’

Anya could barely believe the moral vacuum in which this woman existed. The masquerade had conned a lot of people. ‘You don’t care about POWER or PT. You saw a chance to make money and grabbed it.’

‘You think the work I do is forever?’ Alison bleated, ‘The moment I hit forty, POWER will want someone younger and prettier to front the cameras. The money Kim and I made is what POWER owes me. It’s my superannuation and they won’t have contributed a cent of it. Like I said. Win-win.’ Her sister handed over a bag, which she threw over her good shoulder. ‘My conscience is clear and I haven’t done anything illegal.’

Anya shrugged. ‘POWER, the Independent Commission against Corruption, the general public and even the department of public prosecution may all disagree. Once that happens, do you think Graham Fowler will still be chummy with you?’

Alison’s body stiffened. ‘He won’t cross me. He knows the damage I can cause him and PT,’ she snapped, face ruddy.

The lawyer had to have some dirt on the company and CEO that made her so sure.

‘Funny, that’s what Len said. If he went down, he’s take PT with him. Maybe you’re fulfilling his prophecy. Ironic, really.’

Alison stared at the wall, for once lost for words, then stormed out with Kimberley Oscrow in tow.

Satisfied with her own ‘chain rattler’ interview, Anya rang Oliver. ‘They’re building a Noah’s Ark of seeds?’ She tried to fathom the true significance. ‘They own the original seeds, and can genetically modify any and every one of them and patent the results. They could hold the world to ransom.’

‘I’m picturing Graham Fowler stroking a white cat with Chinese officials while he laughs maniacally.’

‘Oliver, none of this is funny. Len, Craig, Patsy were collateral damage. They’re dead because PT’s end goal was so important.’

Whoever owned the food supply had ultimate power following war and natural disasters. Starving people didn’t want cash, they needed food.

‘I know. We arrived at Moss’s electoral office, where he’s supposed to be. Place is locked up. I’m heading your way now.’

‘Okay, I’ll meet you at the cafe.’ She hung up and stopped to unlock the car door.

Something sharp pressed against her back.

A man’s voice whispered in her ear. ‘One sound and I won’t hesitate to shove this between your shoulder blades.’

60

A
nya took a breath and felt the sharp blade cut through her shirt.

‘When we get to the car, you’ll get in without a fuss. Your mother needs you to cooperate.’

Anya’s eyes desperately searched for anyone who could help her.

‘Where is she? She’s got nothing to do with this.’

‘She knows about the land, just like you do.’ The voice was menacing but she couldn’t recognise it, or see the man’s face. ‘She’s where no one will find her if you don’t cooperate. Her little medical problem could relapse at any time.’

A dark sedan was parked outside the restaurant.

Heart racing in her chest, Anya had no choice. The knife jabbed until she was shoved forwards into the back seat, hands behind her. Cable ties dug into her wrists as they snapped tighter. Her bag and keys landed on the seat next to her. If he’d left them behind, someone would know she was in trouble.

The man quickly climbed into the front, separated from her by a screen. The front and back door locks clicked simultaneously.

The car pulled out slowly, then accelerated as it hit the road.

Anya turned to see if anyone was following. They were the only ones on the road. She struggled with the ties. The man had a knife, she knew that. Her mother had been safe at home when she left. Was she still there, or had she been taken?

Maybe they were after the USB. There could have been something more incriminating on it that she hadn’t yet seen. Oliver had it anyway. She had nothing to bargain with.

She tried to think of a way out.

The car turned off and Anya recognised the road. They were headed to Len Dengate’s house.

The wheels clunked over a bump and her head hit the ceiling. She struggled to get her hands free, but every movement only tightened the plastic cables.

When she failed to turn up at the cafe, Oliver would have to know something was wrong.

Anya tried to slow her breath and think of a way out. If she could release the lock, she might get the door open. She looked up and saw they were turning off onto the road to Len’s house.

Anya moved to the right and reached down to her bag. Her mother’s phone was inside. For the first time, she was grateful for having such long limbs.

The screen between the front and back seats lowered.

‘What the hell are you up to? Sit where I can see you.’

She slid the phone under her thigh and tried to engage the man while she did her best to dial for help.

‘Why do you want Len Dengate’s property? What’s on it that’s worth killing for?’

‘You’re the one with all the answers.’

Before the screen raised again, she recognised the voice. Ryan Chapman.

The car jolted over a pothole, and despite her lunging to grab it, the mobile slid to the floor. She was filled with dread.

They pulled into Len’s drive and Anya knew she had to take whatever chance she could to get away. She tried to remember the exact layout of the house. The car stopped. The car door opened and she saw Chapman’s face. Taking a handful of Anya’s hair in his free hand, he yanked her to her feet and nudged her again with the knife into the house.

From the corridor she could see that the house had been ransacked.

The rug had been discarded but the blood stain was still prominent on the floor. Jocelyn was in the kitchen, tied to a chair, her mouth stuffed with a gag.

‘Sit down!’ Chapman shoved Anya down into another chair.

The photo of Patsy and the group was missing. Kitchen drawers were upturned and their contents dumped across the floor. The wide-screen TV had been separated from the wall and smashed.

‘Are you all right?’ Anya asked her mother.

Jocelyn’s eyes were watering, but she nodded.

‘Shut up!’ Chapman turned to Jocelyn. ‘Where did Dengate hide it?’

He ripped out Jocelyn’s gag. It smelt like vomit.

‘We don’t know what you’re talking about. I thought you wanted me to sign over the deed.’

‘That’s only part of it.’ He stepped forward and slapped Jocelyn hard in the face. She toppled sideways to the floor. Anya lunged forward then felt the knife on her neck. ‘Tell me or I swear .
. .’

He hauled Jocelyn to an upright position.

‘Where is the computer and where did he keep the files?’

‘What files?’ Jocelyn said. ‘I honestly have no idea.’

He raised his hand again. ‘Everything he had on me.
I know about Jerry Dyke’s emails.’

There had to be something more incriminating than they’d already seen.

‘Wait!’ Anya said. ‘She doesn’t know anything about it.
I found a USB when she was in hospital.’

Chapman turned his attention to her. ‘Where is it? You have five seconds.’

‘I don’t have it with me. I put it back under the chicken pen, where Len buried Patsy’s log books,’ she lied. ‘The police have them. They know all about the cancer in the mice. And that Reuben Millard didn’t kill Patsy. They’re probably searching your house right now for proof. It won’t be long until they find us here. They don’t have the USB though. That’s still under the floorboards.’

‘That’s bullshit.’ He began to perspire. ‘Millard would never talk. You’re lying.’

He put his face close to Anya’s. She could sense his fear. He had taken a risk leaving Jocelyn alone. If he hadn’t called someone to check the pen, he had to be working alone right now. So she hoped.

‘You’re right. Millard didn’t say much at all. The police worked it out themselves. Mincer Leske was the key.’

Chapman began to pace the room. ‘I told Fowler he was a screw up from the start. You can’t trust someone who plays off both sides.’

Anya tried to buy time to keep them both alive. As long as Chapman wanted the USB and was too afraid to leave them alone, she might be able to bargain with him. ‘What the police couldn’t work out was why you paid him to bash Alison Blainey and set fire to PT after including him in the real estate deal?’

‘You don’t get it. Mincer was a low-life. Hell, he was blackmailing Fowler. The piece of scum said Millard gave him incriminating evidence that would bring PT down. He wanted money. Fowler wanted Alison Blainey intimidated and roughed up. If anyone questioned her motives taking on PT for Len Dengate, it would look like the anti-environmentalists had tried to stop her. Mincer was happy to do it for a price. And it worked.’

‘What about the protest?’ Anya could see he was panicky. She needed more time for someone to realise she and her mother were missing. The phone was still in the car. She wasn’t able to get to it and call for help. Keeping Chapman talking was their only hope.

He moved closer with the knife. ‘I’m going to ask you nicely one more time. Where is the USB?’

‘The police have it,’ she finally admitted.

‘Liar!’ He punched her in the face. The force threw her sideways and he hauled her back up. Her cheek and jaw throbbed. Blood dripped from her lip.

Jocelyn squealed. ‘Stop it! Your fight’s with me, not her.’

Anya could see he was at breaking point. She tried to get him to focus. ‘I think PT wanted Mincer to start a fight at the protest. Get more good publicity for Moss and the company. Everyone would need it once word of the plan to buy Mawson Island got out.’

He squatted on his haunches and waved the knife. ‘You don’t get it. Tasmanians were crying out for PT to build in the area. They’ve resurrected the local economy. The people want PT.’

Jocelyn interrupted. ‘Not when they discover what the food does. Diseases, cancers, food poisoning. Your boss will be out on his arse.’

‘And that’s the point,’ barked Chapman.

He dialled a number on his phone. Whoever it was didn’t pick up. He pitched the phone against the wall in frustration.

Anya’s cheek throbbed and she swallowed blood. She could see he was about to lose control.

Jocelyn kept his attention. ‘Moss probably wants to distance himself from you. All those years of loyalty and hard work were for nothing.’

‘You’re as stupid as Dengate. This was never about Moss. His career is over. Mr Progress spread himself too thin and he doesn’t have the backing anymore. No one wants to back a loser.’

Anya thought about who had paid large contributions to Moss’s last election fund. State elections were a year away. ‘You didn’t call Moss. That was Fowler who wouldn’t pick up. If Moss looks like losing, they’ll want to replace him with a new candidate. Someone loyal to their cause.’ Clarkson Evergreen and PT was courting government officials as part of their business plan.

Chapman moved closer to Anya. ‘Like I said, this was never about Christian Moss.’

‘There is a little problem about all the illegal activities,’ Jocelyn challenged him.

‘We’ve done nothing illegal,’ he hissed and moved over to her. ‘By law, GM trials only have to go for three months. Millard’s study went beyond what’s required. If he hadn’t gone to prison and the results had been made public, PT would have had to pull out of the state and go elsewhere. Then where would we be? Hundreds of millions of dollars down the drain.’

‘We’d be a lot better off,’ Jocelyn answered. She was slightly slurring her words. Anya wondered if she’d had her hydrocortisone injection before being taken.

‘I didn’t know you could live in two places at once,’ Jocelyn managed. ‘That’s a lot of capital gains tax you’ve just avoided. A public enquiry might want to know how you and some of your cronies managed to make a fortune selling land to PT a year after buying it for a steal. Molotov cocktail? Not very sophisticated.’ She tutted.

He grabbed the knife and stuck it under her chin. ‘You’ve got nothing.’ He turned his face to Anya. ‘I want that USB. Or I kill her right now.’

‘Bogus building inspections,’ Jocelyn goaded. ‘Craig was afraid you’d all be caught. Mincer Leske had nothing to lose. He wanted the money for his son before he died of his cancer.’

Anya saw the whites of Chapman’s eyes flare. He drew blood from her mother’s neck.

‘So the bastard was dying. For a fee, he was supposed to light a small fire, not burn down half the feed lots and make the environmentalists out to be terrorists. The moron couldn’t even get that right and burnt himself to death.’

He dug the knife deeper and Jocelyn began to pray out loud.

‘The police know about the capsules!’ Anya blurted out. She had shown Oliver the printouts after the visit to PT.

Chapman eased the pressure on the knife blade.

She continued, ‘It took twenty-four hours for them to dissolve in Patsy’s bottle. Police are at your home and office as we speak searching for the others.’

Chapman started pacing again, sweating heavily now and moving the knife between his hands.

‘We’re tied up, it will give you a head start,’ Jocelyn urged. ‘There’s no phone here. You have a car. We don’t.’

Ryan seemed to come to a decision. He collected the keys and stepped back.

Anya believed he would save himself and leave them alive.

Then he stopped. Christian Moss stood in the doorway.