Inheritance (38 page)

‘You wouldn’t want that, would you? Strangers noseying around, maybe looking in places you didn’t want them to look.’

Tom nodded. ‘You hit the nail right on the head.’

‘So you tried to stop it by having one of your mates lodge an objection to the plans.’

He hesitated, and then nodded. ‘Yeah.’

‘And when that didn’t work, you decided a fire might frighten her off.’

‘No, no, I didn’t do that.’ Tom shook his head vigorously.

‘When we searched your house, we found an almost empty petrol can. Under the washing machine. We found it when we removed the face panel. Funny place to keep your petrol.’ When there was no response he continued. ‘Then you sent her a couple of anonymous letters, but when you learned she planned on calling in a security service, you stopped. That was the last thing you wanted. Right?’

‘Well, what if I did?’ Deflated, he was whining now. ‘You get used to having a bit of extra money. We didn’t want to lose it. And it’s not as if Cassie needs the income from cabins. She’s got heaps.’

‘I see. Let’s move along then. Let’s talk about the paintings.’

‘I never had anything to do with stealing the paintings.’

‘You forget we’ve been talking to Stella. You left the door unlocked before you all went to Townsville, didn’t you?’

He hesitated before answering. ‘Yes.’

‘So you, Stella and Ben were all involved in stealing the paintings?’

‘I suppose you could say that.’

‘There was something else the three of you were involved in together, wasn’t there? Something that happened just before Ben died. What was it?’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ A foxy look came over his face again.

‘I think you do. It was something that caused you a lot of concern when Ben went missing. Enough for you to throw caution to the winds and make several calls to Stella, something you wouldn’t normally do. What was it?’

Tom shook his head. ‘There was nothing.’

‘Things could go much better for you if you help us with our inquiries.’

‘I tell you, there was nothing.’ His face set into a stubborn mask.

The inspector sat back regretfully. We’ll get nothing more from him today. He recorded the time of concluding the interview and switched off the tape recorder. ‘I’ll have this typed up and you can sign it. All right?’

Tom nodded his head, dejected again.

Cassie answered the knock at the door and ushered Inspector Bates out to the rear verandah where Mark, Rosie and Daniel sat over coffee.

‘Take a seat, Inspector Bates, we’ve all been waiting for you to join us. We hope you can tell us what’s been happening.’

He looked at her and then the others as he seated himself. ‘You wish everyone to remain?’ he queried.

‘Yes, we all need to know.’

‘Very well. As you know, we conducted a search of the rainforest on your property. I’m afraid we uncovered a large marijuana plantation concealed amongst heavy vegetation.’

Rosie’s hand flew to her mouth. ‘Oh, no.’

Cassie’s jaw dropped. ‘Marijuana? No. Surely you must be mistaken?’

‘No mistake, I’m afraid.’ The inspector looked solemn. ‘I take it none of you knew about this?’ He looked at each one in turn.

Daniel reached for Rosie’s hand and uttered a strangled ‘no’ while Rosie shook her head silently.

Mark frowned and shook his head. ‘Definitely not.’

The inspector continued. ‘This plantation was planted and tended by Tom Hanson who, in conjunction with Stella Hardwick, then sold the drug.’

‘There must be some mistake!’ Cassie exclaimed. ‘Tom would never do that. He’s been working here for twenty years or more. My uncle trusted him completely. And so do I.’

‘It’s probably because of this very trust that he was able to get away with it. And he may well have continued to do so if it hadn’t been for two adventurous children.’ Bates told them of his encounter with Larry and Gemma, and what they had told him. Daniel held one of Rosie’s hands while they listened.

‘But why would Tom do such a thing? I just can’t understand it.’ Cassie shook her head in bewilderment. ‘And with Stella, of all people. I had no idea he even knew her.’

‘Apparently they’ve been doing business together for the last four years. Maybe longer.’ He paused.

Rosie regarded him closely. ‘There’s more, isn’t there?’ she asked.

‘I’m afraid so.’

Mark interrupted. ‘Can you tell us what’s happened, what they’ve been charged with, perhaps just in informal language rather than an official account?’

‘Certainly. In plain words, Tom’s been charged with growing and selling marijuana, with conspiring with Stella Hardwick and Ben Drake to steal your paintings, Cassie,’ he nodded in her direction, ‘and also with lighting the fire at your cabins, and sending threatening letters to you anonymously.’

Cassie shook her head. ‘I find it hard to believe. Tom, of all people. Why would he do that?’

‘He didn’t want cabins on the property, it meant strangers wandering around. They could see things he didn’t want seen. No, he wanted things to remain as they were when your uncle was alive. He didn’t want anything to change. He actually had expectations that he would be left a share in Yallandoo, and then he would have been in a position to exert some control himself.’

Cassie had a sudden flash of memory, of Tom and Lorna standing stiff and unhappy after the funeral. No wonder they were so upset, they had just learned of her uncle’s will. She took a deep breath. ‘I see. Please go on.’

‘Stella has been charged with obtaining and selling marijuana and with conspiring with Tom and Ben to steal the paintings. That’s it, in a nutshell.’

Utter silence followed his announcement as they all digested his words.

Cassie’s mind raced round and round, like a squirrel on a treadmill, as she tried to piece it all together. ‘I don’t suppose there can be any mistake. You do have evidence of these things?’ she asked.

‘No mistake at all, I’m afraid. We found a petrol-can hidden inside the works of the washing machine in Tom’s house, and he has now signed a statement admitting all charges.’

‘But why? Why would he do these things?’

‘For the same reason that many crimes are committed. Greed. He wanted more money.’

‘But he received a generous salary, plus the house, and he always got a bonus at Christmas. And Lorna’s salary was quite good, too. They certainly never said anything to suggest they weren’t completely satisfied. I just find it so hard to believe.’

Cassie swallowed hard, fighting to control her emotions. ‘I’ve known them all my life…I…we…we were all friends.’ She spread her hands wide in a gesture of despair.

Bates pursed his lips. ‘It seems there’s more to it than the money, although there’s no doubt that was a strong motivation. During my interview with Tom, he made it plain he felt your uncle had passed him over in favour of Daniel. His words were actually very vindictive, towards them both.’

‘You mean he was jealous of Daniel?’ Cassie asked incredulously.

‘I’m afraid so.’

Rosie went pale. ‘That bears out what Mum was saying when I saw her earlier,’ she said slowly. ‘It all makes sense now.’

Cassie looked at her friend guiltily. ‘Oh, Rosie, I’m sorry, I haven’t been thinking about how you must feel about all this. These are your parents we’re talking about.’

‘It’s okay. Tell me,’ she asked Inspector Bates, ‘was Mum involved in all this?’

‘There’s no evidence to show she was.’

‘I see. Thank you. So what happens now?’

‘Tom will be charged with these offences in court tomorrow and a date will be set for the hearing.’

‘Will he be coming back here?’

‘I’m afraid I’ll be opposing bail. I’m sorry, Rosie.’

‘Don’t be sorry. I never want to see him again.’ Daniel put his arm around Rosie’s shoulders. ‘After all, Daniel could have died because of the fire.’

‘I’m going to recommend psychiatric assessment for him.’

‘You think he’s insane?’

‘I think he needs help to overcome the fixation he has regarding Daniel.’

‘But he will go to gaol?’

‘It’s up to the court, of course, but I would say, yes, most definitely.’

‘Good.’ Rosie gripped Daniel’s hand tightly, her face hard.

‘And Stella Hardwick, what will happen to her?’ Cassie asked.

‘She will most certainly receive a gaol sentence, a severe one, I suspect.’

‘And Ben Drake was involved in stealing the paintings, you said. What about him?’ Mark asked.

‘I’m afraid he’s beyond the reach of the law, he was taken by a crocodile. In the river just downstream a bit. We found…part of his body.’

Cassie felt nausea rising. ‘Oh, my God. How dreadful. What was he doing there?’

‘Fishing, apparently. If it was for any other reason, it’s unlikely we’ll ever know. And now,’ he rose from his chair, ‘I must go. It’s been a long day. If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me tomorrow. No, don’t get up,’ he said to Cassie as she moved. ‘I can let myself out. Goodnight all.’ He went down the steps and disappeared around the side of the house.

Mark was the first to break the silence after he left. ‘Well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but personally I could do with a stiff drink. May I, Cassie?’

‘Of course.’ She started to rise.

‘No, stay there. I’ll get them. What’ll everyone have?’

He took their orders and disappeared inside.

‘Well, that’s that,’ Rosie said. ‘I hope they throw the book at Dad. He nearly killed Daniel, and the worst of it is, he would have been happy if he had, by the sound of it. And everything else…’ her voice faded. ‘Anyway, I’ll get my things together and leave in the morning.’

‘Leave?’ Cassie shook her head. ‘I don’t understand. Where are you going?’

‘Who knows?’ Rosie shrugged, ‘I’ll just go.’

‘What are you talking about? Why do you want to go away?’

‘You don’t want a psychopath’s daughter around, one who’s been robbing you and tried to burn your place down.’ Rosie’s voice was thick.

Cassie leant towards her friend. ‘Rosie. What Tom’s done has nothing to do with you. We’re friends, for God’s sake. I’m relying on you to help me sort everything out. I’d be devastated if you left, idiot! So forget such a stupid idea.’

‘Are you sure?’ Rosie still sounded uncertain.

‘Of course I’m sure. Forget it. Good, here come the drinks. Thanks, Mark.’ Cassie smiled up at him as he handed them around. ‘Let’s forget about what’s happened for a while and concentrate on what’s going to happen next. I’m now left without a manager and I need one. Daniel, will you take the job? Same conditions as Tom.’

Daniel’s face lit up at Cassie’s words. ‘I certainly will, Cassie, I’ll be delighted to be your manager. Thank you.’

‘Great. That’s settled then. Talking of Lorna, I wonder how she is.’ Cassie looked enquiringly at Rosie.

‘She told me not to disturb her till the morning but I suppose I’d better go over and see how she is.’

Daniel stood up with Rosie. ‘I’ll come with you.’

Mark turned to Cassie as they left. ‘Well, it’s been quite a day, my darling.’ He stood up and pulled Cassie to her feet. ‘I’ve been wanting to do this for hours.’ He put his arms around her and bent his mouth to hers. After a very long, very satisfying kiss, Mark held Cassie at arm’s-length and looked into her face.

‘How are you coping, really, my love?’

‘It’s all so unbelievable, I suppose I’m still trying to come to terms with it all. Tom, of all people! I feel…shocked and…yes…betrayed. I trusted him so completely. And so did Uncle Len. And to think that all these years he’s been harbouring this…almost hatred, it must be. And possibly Lorna, too, according to what she said to Rosie earlier.’

‘You must be terribly hurt. It’s hard when people you love and thought loved you, turn out to be untrustworthy. And to such extremes.’

‘It’ll take a bit of getting over.’

‘I hope you’ll let me help you get over it. I’d like to be able to soothe the hurt away, but I know I can’t do that, it’ll take time.’

‘Yes. But having you here with me helps.’

‘I’d like to be with you all the time. I love you so much I never want to be away from you.’

Cassie turned to him, happiness singing through her. ‘Oh, Mark. I feel the same way.’

His arms tightened around her and he kissed her again, long and passionately, setting her heart racing again. When they finally parted, he led her to the seats and they sat down again. He took her hand and turned it over, then bent and kissed her palm.

‘I know this is probably the wrong time, but I’m so afraid of losing you again I can’t wait any longer. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Cassie, will you marry me?’

Cassie smiled at him. ‘I thought you never wanted to marry again?’ she teased him.

‘You changed my mind.’ He leant across and kissed her gently. ‘I’m waiting for your answer.’

‘Oh, yes, darling, yes!’

Mark stood and pulled her into his arms again, his lips seeking hers. Overhead, there was a brilliant flash of lightning and a loud clap of thunder that seemed to make the ground tremble. They sprang apart, staring outside.

‘Wow, I knew your kisses were awesome,’ he told her, ‘but that really made the earth move.’

***

Daniel removed his coat and shook the water from his hat, then placed them on the chair outside Sam’s door before entering the old man’s room.

‘Looks like this has set in.’ He indicated the rain sheeting down outside, restricting mid-morning visibility to a few metres. ‘Reckon the drought’s over.’

Sam nodded. ‘Yeh. Reckon so.’

They sat down and Daniel related the events of the previous evening, first the inspector’s story and then the news that a wedding would take place soon.

When he finished, Sam nodded with satisfaction. ‘Trouble’s all over now. Everything’s okay. So nothing came out about the secret place?’ he asked Daniel.

Daniel shook his head. ‘I don’t think either of those two will say anything about it. They wouldn’t want it known what they were up to.’

Sam nodded. ‘I think our secret is safe with us…and my totem.’

He held up an object for Daniel to see. It was the mummified body of a baby crocodile.