Kakadu Sunset (30 page)

‘I’ll just put your phone over here, okay? Snazzy case.’

‘Thank you.’ Gina nodded and closed her eyes. The soothing music played soft and low and she let her thoughts drift as the technician’s skilful fingers moved gently over her skin. Warm cloths alternated with cool liquid, and then her face was covered with soft gauze. The light was muted to a hazy grey through the gauze pads that pressed lightly on her eyelids. The sharp smell of a fruity cream drifted up as the girl worked her magic.

‘I’ll leave you to rest for fifteen minutes. All okay?’

Gina heard the sound of the door closing gently. For five minutes, she lay there alone and dozed lightly, aware of the low hum of voices in the next room. The music turned up louder as the door opened. Gina’s chair tipped back a little more as someone adjusted it. A muffled conversation buzzed around her. ‘Needed in the office . . . I’ll finish off here . . .’

She frowned. It sounded like Heather’s voice.

‘Okay, thanks. Just the facial to come off.’

‘Is everything okay with the children?’ she asked but there was no reply.

The door closed with a soft click. There was the sound of someone moving quietly around the room and Gina tried to open her eyes, but the gauze was stuck to her eyelashes. She tried to sit up but firm hands pushed her shoulders back gently.

‘Just relax. Everything’s fine.’

Dread filled Gina as a sharp sting pricked the skin of her inner wrist. Grabbing for her arm with her other hand, she ran her fingers over the spot as an icy cold travelled up her arm.

‘What was . . . –’ Gina opened her mouth to protest but a wave of nausea and giddiness overwhelmed her. Cold sweat ran down her neck and her mouth suddenly felt as though it was full of cotton wool. Her panic increased and her heart began to race as a strong cramp seized her belly. She wrapped her arms around her chest and shivered as weakness stole through her limbs.

‘I’m sorry.’ The woman sounded as though she was crying. ‘So, so sorry. But it’ll all be okay . . . I’m so sorry.’

Gina tried to call for help but no sound would come out. David was right. Someone was trying to hurt her. This was what he had warned her about.
Oh God, will I ever see him again?

And my babies
. She lifted one arm and managed to reach out; silver lights were clouding her vision.

Her hand was lifted gently between smooth, soft fingers as the husky voice faded in and out. ‘It won’t be for long and I promise I’ll take good care of Binny and Andrew.’

Gina shook as a final shiver wracked her and the soft grey light turned to black.

*

Parliament House, Darwin

David glanced down at his phone: four missed calls from Gina as well as a string of texts. He pressed her number on speed dial and held the phone to his ear, waiting for her to pick up as he flicked through the emails on his computer.

Gina’s phone switched to voicemail but he hung up without leaving a message. Knowing his wife, she would call back shortly. A day didn’t pass without them having at least one conversation – often three or more. Last night had been horrendous, back-to-back meetings until midnight. He’d intended calling Gina after they’d finished but it had been too late when he’d got back to his office and he knew she’d be asleep. He missed them so much; the house was as quiet as a morgue. David crossed the room and leaned on the doorframe, looking out into the adjacent office to where his media advisor usually sat. His desk was clear and his computer was switched off. He needed him now; they had a lot of work to do before Monday’s meeting.

‘Helen?’

His secretary looked up from her computer screen. ‘Yes, David?’

‘Do you know where Sean is?’

‘He’s been doing some work over in the technology unit.’

‘Can you get hold of him for me, please?’

‘Sure.’ Helen nodded and picked up the phone and David flashed her a brief smile and went back into his office. The media release prior to Monday’s meeting was going to be a key factor in ensuring that the right outcome was achieved.

But it would all be a waste if Fairweather had gotten to anyone else on this committee. Some of his colleagues were acting strangely; eyes downcast and unwilling to stop for a friendly chat as they passed in the corridors. If only he could get someone to confirm it, he’d have Fairweather up before a corruption hearing as soon as the vote was over. But he was too careful to take him on without hard proof. A throwaway line to him with no witnesses was not going to stand up in a court of law.

David crossed to the window and stared across the expanse of water in front of him. A breeze had whipped the waves into white caps on the harbour. The flag at the front of Government House snapped in the stiff breeze. The white gables reflected the strong morning sun, and tourists were wandering along the path that skirted the harbour. They didn’t have a worry in the world.

His shoulders sagged for a moment; it had all became too hard. The more time he spent fighting for what he believed was best, the more he became disillusioned by the power of people like Fairweather. No longer was it for the good of the Territory or Territorians. A parliament free of political corruption, where decisions could be made based on integrity and a balanced consideration of the risk for the environment, was never going to be the reality. He’d been idealistic and naive.

To the detriment of my family, and my life
.

Despite his uncertainty, David had still prepared thoroughly for the meeting on Monday. He hoped Russell Fairweather would be very disappointed with the outcome of the vote.

There was a light tap on the door and it opened before he could speak. His media advisor strode in, a smile plastered on his face.

‘Dave. The dragon lady –’ he inclined his head towards the outer office ‘– told me to get my butt in here.’ He turned the chair opposite David’s desk around and straddled it.

‘We’ve got some work to do, Sean. Thanks for coming over. I need your expertise.’

Before Sean could respond, the door opened and Helen walked in slowly. Her face was ashen and her hands shook as she put them up to her face.

David stood and hurried across the room. In the four years, he had worked with Helen, he had never seen her show any emotion. By the time he reached her, tears were running down her face. Cold fingers of premonition settled in David’s gut.

‘What is it? Helen, what’s wrong?’ She was shaking and turning her head from side to side. ‘Is it Gina?’

‘Oh David, I’m so sorry. It’s dreadful, dreadful news.’

9.15 am Friday
Police Headquarters, Darwin

‘Dead? How can he be dead?’

Kane stopped chewing his gum and clenched his jaw. He stared at the policeman across the other side of the large desk. The room was bare, a couple of filing cabinets were against the side wall, and the desk in front of them was clear. Apart from the low hum of the air-conditioning pushing out frigid air, the room was silent. Ellie shivered beside him and he reached across and put his arm around her shoulders.

When they’d driven along the waterfront from the motel, they’d seen the blocked-off street and the police vehicles. But they’d not suspected the connection between the crime scene and the reason for their visit to the police station. Not until they were informed that Panos Sordina’s body had been found beside the boat ramp by a couple of early morning joggers.

‘We’re trying to get in touch with Mrs Sordina. Do you know where we can find her?’

The colour drained from Kane’s face. Ellie squeezed his hand tightly and answered for him. ‘His mother died last night. In the hospital.’

‘I’m sorry to hear of your loss.’ But the detective’s voice was formal and he continued without a pause. ‘So, Mr McLaren. According to Mr Sordina’s phone records, you had been trying to call him for most of the night. One call registered as being answered. Did you actually speak to him?’

Kane nodded. ‘Yes. I did.’

‘What time was that?’

‘I’m not sure. It had to be well after midnight. My mother had just passed away. I wasn’t taking much notice of the time.’

Ellie squeezed his fingers again and he rubbed his thumb absently across her skin.

‘Mr Sordina’s phone registered a forty-second call from you at twelve minutes past one. Just before two o’clock, we have CCTV footage of you standing outside the door of the building where his office is located.’

‘That’s correct.’

‘A strange time to organise a meeting?’

‘We had agreed to meet on McMinn Street. He didn’t turn up so I went looking for him.’ Kane kept his voice steady. ‘He wouldn’t answer his phone all night. Christ, man, I had to tell him his wife was dead.’

‘Again, I’m very sorry to hear of your mother’s death, Mr McLaren.’

Kane nodded tersely.

‘So when was the last time you saw Mr Sordina?’

‘I’ve only met him on a handful of occasions. I haven’t seen him for at least two years but I had a big problem with the way he treated my mother, and I was going to speak to him about it. For all I know he fell in the harbour and drowned on his way to meeting me.’ Kane shook his head. ‘Christ knows, he sounded drunk enough on the phone.’

Detective Sergeant Garrett steepled his fingers on the desk in front of him. ‘Actually it’s interesting that you mention the harbour. That’s where he was. In the harbour before the tide washed him in.’ He stopped speaking and held Kane’s gaze for a full minute. Kane clenched his jaw. ‘However, he didn’t drown, Mr McLaren. The initial observation by the forensic pathologist indicates that Mr Sordina’s throat was cut. Your stepfather’s death was no accident. This is a murder investigation.’

‘A murder?’

Ellie’s fingers tensed in Kane’s hand as she expelled a soft gasp. Kane glanced at her; her face was white.

‘I have my mother’s funeral to organise and then I have to get back to work. If you want me, you have my number.’ He turned to Ellie and held out his hand. Relief filled him when she took it. ‘I know nothing more than I’ve told you.’

‘Thank you, Mr McLaren.’ Garrett nodded at Ellie before turning back to Kane. ‘Once again, I’m sorry to hear of your mother’s death. It’s been a very difficult night for you and I do appreciate you coming in.’

‘You can find me at Makowa Lodge in Kakadu. I have a job to go back to.’

Kane strode from the building. Ellie’s hand was still in his and she kept up the pace he set. They stepped out into the street and the noise of the morning traffic was a welcome distraction to the jumble of his thoughts. Kane stopped and looked down at her.

‘Bloody hell. What’s going on?’

‘Are you okay? I know you didn’t get on with Panos, but it’s still a shock.’

Kane shook his head. ‘It might sound hard, but Panos’ death has had no impact on me at all. I’m just grateful that Mum was gone and she didn’t have to deal with it.’

Ellie slipped her arms around his waist and leaned into his chest. Kane dropped his chin to rest on the top of her head and took comfort in her warmth. They stood silently for a moment outside the office block as the busy crowd pushed past them.

‘I’m going to have to leave for Makowa soon. Will you be okay?’ Ellie lifted her head and Kane stared into her clear, blue eyes. He wondered if she knew how much her support had helped him through those early hours this morning.

‘Kane. Stop looking at me like that.’

‘Like what?’

‘Like you’re wondering if I believe you. Don’t even go there. That man was so rude asking you those questions.’ Her hands tightened on his back. ‘You should put in a complaint.’

Kane shook his head with a rueful laugh. ‘He was only doing his job. I understand where he’s coming from. The timing sucks but he has to find out what’s going on.’ He put his hands on Ellie’s shoulders. ‘And the reality is that Panos
was
murdered. It was no drunken accident. When it hits the news, it’s going to be big.’

‘Kane?’ The tremble in Ellie’s voice sent a surge of protective warmth spiralling through him. He’d failed before and he wasn’t going to fail again. The thought of sending her back to the lodge alone bothered him. He suspected – no, he knew – that Sordina’s death was not a random killing. It was somehow tied up with what was happening at the farm. His mother had said enough to make him certain of that.

Ellie’s next words echoed his thoughts. ‘It’s too much of a coincidence, isn’t it? The fracking. Bill’s accident. Panos’ death.’ Tears filled her eyes as she looked up at him. ‘There’s someone behind all this. What are they trying to achieve?’

‘I don’t know, Ellie.’ He rubbed his thumb gently along her full bottom lip. ‘But I’m going to find out.’

‘Should we go back and tell that detective what we suspect?’ Ellie stood on her toes and brushed her lips across his. Her hair brushed against his face and he was filled with need. Kane wasn’t used to that feeling and a warning rippled through him as he held her.

What the hell are you doing?
He was leaving himself too open. Slowly he dropped his hands and the expression on his face must have mirrored his thoughts.

‘Not yet.’

Ellie lowered her gaze and stepped away. ‘You’d better take me back to the motel, so I can collect my car.’ She glanced down at her watch. ‘I’ll be cutting it fine as it is.’

‘I’m only going to do the essentials with the funeral home. I’ll get back as soon as I can. I want you to be very careful. Make sure you’re not alone at all. Stay around the rest of the staff till I get back. Don’t even go to your apartment. Okay?’ Kane tilted her chin up with his fingers. He couldn’t help himself. He leaned down and took her lips with his in a brief kiss. ‘Drive carefully. Okay?’

‘I will.’ Ellie held his gaze, her blue eyes steady.

Full of trust
. The cold feeling began at the base of Kane’s neck as Ellie’s eyes changed to the dark brown of Hawk’s. He took a deep breath and pushed away the growing panic before it could take hold of him.

2.00 pm Friday
Makowa Lodge

Ellie had plenty of time to think on the way back to the lodge. So much had happened in the short time since she’d driven down this highway. There’d been no mistaking the feelings that had consumed her when she’d been with Kane in the early hours of the morning. Not just when he’d held her. The intensity of his gaze in the motel bed had made her stomach swoop like it did when she put her helicopter into a steep dive. He’d let her into his head, into his heart, and she suspected that giving himself to her had been a huge step for him; as big a step as it had been for her.