‘She’s having renovations done,’ said Arlo quickly before Riley could ask what she meant.
‘I know what happened there,’ Riley said in a long-suffering voice. ‘Everyone does.’
Arlo caught Debra’s eye. Of course he did. Kids talked and when it happened it was the sole topic of conversation in town for months.
Mia and James had stopped talking and started listening.
‘That would be a good solution,’ said James. ‘Too easy.’ He smiled happily. ‘Saves everyone a lot of hassle.’
‘How much rent do you want, Mia?’ asked Arlo with a grin.
‘I’ve no idea. Carl will manage it for me. I don’t want to be involved when the roof leaks or the toilet gets blocked.’ She looked at Riley. ‘It’s inside, don’t worry.’
‘We should go up soon, honey,’ said James. ‘I’m getting tired. It was a long drive.’
‘Yes. I’m ready,’ Debra said. She stood up. ‘Come and say goodbye to us, Riley.’
‘I’ll wait here with Mia,’ said Arlo. He rose and gave Debra a kiss and shook hands with James. ‘Don’t worry, Riley and I will be fine,’ he said.
When they’d gone Arlo sat twirling the stem of his wine glass between thumb and forefinger. Mia had finished her wine.
‘Would you like another drink?’ he asked.
‘No, thanks.’
‘Mia … I really …’ He stopped, conscious of her dark eyes focused on his face. He wanted to close the space between them, a gap which seemed to have widened this evening to a distance greater than ever before. He wanted to kiss her again but didn’t dare touch her hand for fear of the feelings it might unleash. He wouldn’t be able to let go.
‘It wouldn’t work, would it?’ she said softly.
‘It could.’
‘I don’t see how. You have your life here and I have my life there. You have another priority at the moment too.’
Words eluded him. Everything she said was correct and irrefutable. Everything she said hurt more than he believed possible. How could that be after knowing her less than a week?
‘Would you like it to work?’ he asked.
She ran her tongue over her lips. And nodded. ‘But I don’t want to come and live here.’
‘I know.’
After a few moments he said, ‘I still want to follow the story. I think there’s a whole lot going on there.’
‘It could get dangerous if what we think happened really did happen.’ Her expression changed. ‘Don’t stir something up, especially with Riley here.’
‘I’ll be careful.’
She smiled. ‘Good.’
‘When can I see you?’
‘Monday?’
‘Would it be all right if I took Riley round to look at the house? That is, if you’re serious about renting it to us for the rest of the year.’
‘I might as well, seeing as there’s a tenant eager to move in.’
Arlo grimaced. ‘I wouldn’t say keen. I spent the day lugging boxes of stuff into the shed so moving it again won’t be much fun.’
‘You won’t have to move much to my place. I can leave the furniture if you like. The charity people haven’t picked it up yet. I can tell them not to come.’
‘That would be handy. I’ll have a look tomorrow.’ He didn’t have time to mess around moving house, there was still work to be done on the main story. ‘I’ve got to concentrate on the paper this coming week.’
‘There’s no rush. The work needs to be finished first.’
‘And then you’ll leave.’
She nodded. ‘You can call me if you find out anything about my father.’
‘I’ll call you anyway.’
Mia looked past him and smiled. Riley sat down.
‘Ready to go?’ Arlo asked.
‘I’m okay.’
‘Want to look at my house tomorrow?’ Mia asked.
Riley’s face brightened. ‘Sure.’
He was probably hoping there were still bloodstains on the floor.
‘Mia said she’d leave the furniture.’
‘Good. I bet it’s better than yours.’
‘It sure is,’ said Mia. ‘That couch of his nearly swallowed me whole.’
Riley grinned. ‘It’s like camping.’
‘Come on, it’s not that bad. You wanted to come and live here. You knew the conditions.’
‘Yeah. But you have to admit it’s pretty rough.’
‘No, I don’t. You don’t know what rough is …’ He felt Mia’s eyes on him and stopped. Neither the time nor the place. It never would be. What happened was finished and over with.
***
Mia went down to the dining room in time for breakfast the following morning. According to Meg, the hotel receptionist, she’d been the only guest when she checked in on Thursday. James and Debra would have left early this morning but now two men sat at separate tables, one concentrating on buttering toast, the other reading a newspaper. Three other tables had places laid. The football yesterday must have drawn guests.
The toast eater looked across as she entered the dining room, a brief assessment. Physically he was unremarkable, forgettable. Pale blue eyes, greying hair and an expressionless face added to the aura of a man who left no mark behind as he passed through life. A thin, unused-looking smile appeared.
‘Good morning.’ The voice was unexpectedly ordinary and friendly.
She managed a smile. ‘Morning.’ She sat at the nearest table with a place set, between the two men, and waited for the server.
The other man, on her right, younger with receding dark hair, glanced up but didn’t speak.
‘Are you here for long?’ asked toast man.
‘I’m not sure. Are you?’
‘No.’
She nodded. Fortunately the swing door to the kitchen opened and a blonde teenage girl bustled in to deposit a plate of sausages and bacon in front of the paper reader and take her order.
‘There was a frost last night,’ toast man said when she’d gone.
‘It’s been cold.’
‘What brings you to town?’ He picked up his cup and drank. ‘The game yesterday?’
‘No, it’s personal business.’ Who was this man? He seemed intent on talking. No way was she discussing her affairs with him, or anything else. Was she being overly jittery? Rude? She smiled to smooth the reply.
‘I see.’ He must have taken the hint because he returned to his neglected breakfast.
The waitress reappeared with the coffee and while she sipped, Mia checked her phone for messages. Nothing that couldn’t wait and nothing from Arlo. Not that there would be, she’d seen him a matter of hours ago and he had Riley to attend to and work to do on the paper today. He had no time for her.
With her peripheral vision she saw the chatty man push his chair back and stand up. ‘Take care,’ he said. ‘Goodbye, Joel.’
‘Goodbye, Lucian.’ It came from her left.
She looked up. They know each other?
‘Goodbye,’ she said but he was already opening the door and the next moment he’d gone.
She looked at the other man. Joel. He wasn’t eating, he was watching her as though she was a specimen in a science lab and his little smile was one of quiet satisfaction.
Chapter 13
She dragged in a deep shuddery breath. Was he another local with a cargo of hate for her father and by default, her? But if so, why was he eating breakfast at the hotel? Was he a guest? She’d assumed he was but perhaps not. Hannah’s wasn’t open until lunchtime on Sundays so maybe he had no other option.
The waitress burst through the swing door with Mia’s breakfast.
‘Scrambled eggs and toast,’ she said. ‘Would you like more coffee?’
Mia concentrated on the question. ‘Yes, yes please. Who was that man who just left?’
‘Mr Farage.’
‘Is he a guest of the hotel?’ Lucian Farage. They were on first name terms but hadn’t sat together.
‘Yes, he a
rrived last night. He has a motorbike. Must be freezing on one of those in this weather.’
‘Yes. Not my choice.’
‘I’ll bring more coffee.’
‘Thank you. Sorry, what’s your name?’
‘Cathy.’
‘Thanks, Cathy.’
Mia picked up a piece of hot buttered toast and put it down. Her appetite had gone out the door with Mr Farage when he left her here alone with the man on her right. She typed a text to Arlo Having breakfast at hotel. Creepy man here. Name’s Joel. but hesitated before sending it. She picked up the toast again and took a bite, then another. Sent the text.
Cathy came back with the coffee pot. ‘I’ll leave it here for you,’ she said.
‘Did the other couple leave early this morning? They’re friends of mine.’
‘Yes. They had breakfast at seven and left straight after. Going back to Sydney they said. It’s a long drive.’
Mia picked at the eggs. Her phone pinged.
R U OK? I can be there asap.
She sent back, I’m fine. Sorry just jittery. C U later?
He replied Lunch here 12? Work and R this morning.
Riley. Mia smiled. See the house after lunch?
Sure.
Mia finished breakfast and went out the rear door of the hotel to the parking area. A large black motorbike was parked against the wall, a silver sports car sat sleekly near her own car along with a small hatchback, a big four-wheel drive and a family sedan with a baby seat in the back. The bike looked like the one from last night and would be Lucian Farage’s. An educated guess would put either the sports car or the four-wheel drive as the other man’s. He was at a table set for one and he didn’t look the type to drive either a small or a family car.
Under the pretext of getting something from her car in case he was spying, she walked across the yard taking note of the other two cars’ number plates as she went. She opened the passenger door and sat inside with the glove box open but writing the numbers down on a shopping receipt she found in her bag.
Mia walked out the driveway and along the alleyway to the main street, completely deserted in the damp morning fog. Farage had been right about the frosty night. It was cold and she had no coat. She hurried to the guests’ door of the hotel and into the warmth. The dark-haired man, Joel, was coming down the stairs. No smile now.
‘Hello, Mia.’
‘How do you know my name?’
‘Is it a secret?’ He stopped. Dark eyes bored into hers.
‘How do you know who I am?’
‘Everyone in this town knows who you are, Mia.’
‘Who are you? Why are you here?’
‘Like you, I’m here on personal business.’ He held her gaze for a minute. ‘I agree with our friend Lucian. You should take care.’
‘Why? And of what?’ In Farage’s mouth the words were innocuous, a social cliché. This stranger made them into a warning.
‘I’d be careful who I spoke to if I were you,’ he said and walked away.
Breathing hard Mia raced up the stairs and when she reached her room locked the door behind her and put on the safety chain before sending Arlo another text.
***
Arlo wasn’t sure whether to be worried or not. Whoever this man Joel was he’d rattled Mia, but was that his intention or was he another of the Tony haters? All sorts turned up in town for the football. Some stayed overnight. Most didn’t. But an out-of-towner wouldn’t know who Mia was. This man warranted further scrutiny.
Riley still hadn’t surfaced at ten o’clock. Arlo had made good progress on the paper and was well satisfied with how everything was shaping up. He’d finally spoken to Sara Lucknow yesterday afternoon, taking her unawares by asking her about the road—she said she’d look into it—and then slipping in a question about why she’d changed her mind about the Greenhill development applications. Suddenly she wasn’t so amenable, stating briskly that she’d decided the development would be good for the town and ending the call. He’d contemplated phoning Myra Jessop while he was at it but decided not. Her refusal to talk said a lot and he didn’t want Rupe on his back about harassment.
All of which was very interesting and was filed away in his notes with the other snippets of information surrounding Tony and Glenda. As soon as the paper was finalised he could start asking more questions. Especially about who the two new councillors were and whether their views on the developments were well known and a factor in their election.
Banjo and the new stallion at The Grange filled page three along with a few snippets about some of the local doings. They still had room for something else but he’d get Georgia onto that, meaning he could spend time with Riley and Mia today with no guilt about neglecting the paper. He got up and went to the kitchen to make coffee. Still no sightings of his son. He opened the bedroom door quietly and peered in. A mound of bedclothes with no sign of life. Not surprising. Debra said he’d sleep all day if she let him and yesterday had been very tiring and emotionally draining for everyone.
Arlo closed the door gently. He should nip around to Hannah’s and buy something for lunch. It was after ten thirty now. She opened at eleven on Sundays and closed at four. Too early to go there although Tuan would be open at the bakery.
He scribbled a note for Riley on the unlikely chance he’d wake in the next fifteen minutes, and clad in beanie and warm jacket stepped out into the chill morning. Frost crackled under his feet as he crossed the patch of grass near the back door. The sun hadn’t fought its way through the fog yet but a brighter glow in the east indicated it was trying. Young Jack from up the road was walking his dog. For some peculiar reason he was wearing shorts and a parka with the hood up.
‘G’day, Jack.’
‘Hi, Arlo.’ Jack paused and the dog came up and sniffed Arlo’s shoes.
Arlo patted the sleek golden head. ‘Aren’t your legs cold?’
‘Nuh. Is Riley here yet?’
‘Yes, but he’s still in bed. He came yesterday.’
‘Katie’s been hanging out to see him.’ Jack grinned. ‘She thinks he’s cool.’
Arlo returned the grin. ‘So do I. Tell her he’ll be on the school bus tomorrow.’ Katie, thirteen and shyer than her little brother, would be mortified to hear Jack’s statement.
He started walking again with Jack by his side. As they rounded the corner an engine sounded in the still air.
‘That’s that cool motorbike,’ said Jack. ‘The BMW tourer.’
‘Do you know about bikes?’
‘Yeah. My uncle has two and he shows me his magazines. When I’m old enough I’m going to buy a bike. I can already ride one. Uncle Will lets me ride his dirt bike in the paddocks.’
The sound grew and the bike cruised into sight. The rider, in black leathers and on the black bike, had a sinister look viewed through the fog.
‘Have you seen that bike before? It’s not local, is it?’
‘Nah. Some bloke rode in yesterday afternoon. I saw him when I was taking Henry out.’ Henry was the Labrador padding at their feet, smiling. ‘He was here before though, ages ago.’
‘Same man?’
‘I s’pose. Same bike anyway.’
‘How do you know?’
‘Same number plate.’
Arlo nodded. ‘You’re very observant.’
‘Only because of the bike. You don’t see many like that around here. Only sometimes when those groups come through.’
‘Right. Do you remember exactly when you saw it last? Was it before Christmas?’
‘Yeah, we’d been to my grandma’s birthday party in Gundagai and it was coming down the main street when we got back so I had a good look at it as it went by.’
‘When’s your grandma’s birthday?’
‘October 29th but she had her birthday party a bit earlier on a Saturday afternoon and we got home on Sunday. I’d better get going,’ said Jack. ‘See ya, Arlo.’
‘Bye.’
Arlo continued on his way, smiling to himse
lf and filing the information away in his mind. Tony and Glenda had died on Monday evening, October 28th. The biker was in town at the right time but was the biker Mia’s strange man? Why would he come to Taylor’s Bend in winter? What sort of business would bring him through here? Jack would know if he was visiting relatives or friends. That bike attracted him like a bee to honey and he would have discussed its virtues with Uncle Will for sure. Will would know the man’s friends or relatives if there were any local to know.
Tuan’s bakery was a haven of warmth saturated with the welcoming smell of freshly baked bread. Arlo bought a loaf and an apple pie and spent ten minutes chatting to Tuan who was on the organising committee, about the refugees who were due to arrive at the end of the year.
By the time he left, Hannah’s café was open so he stopped in for a slab of his favourite vegetable lasagne. He was the first customer so the place was empty.
‘What did you want to tell me about Glenda?’ he asked as she packed the food into a take away box.
‘It was a few weeks before she died. She said she wanted Tony to get rid of the gun. She didn’t like having one in the house even though it was locked away. It made her nervous. It’d make me nervous too.’ She grimaced.
‘What did he say?’
‘He told her if she felt that strongly about it he’d sell it and take up some other hobby.’
‘Considerate man.’
‘He was.’
‘Did you mention that to the police?’
‘I did but he clearly hadn’t sold it, had he? It made it look as though there was friction where there was none.’
‘Hmm, but Rupe knew them. He knew what Tony was like.’
‘Too late now.’ She sighed.
‘Maybe. Maybe not.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Arlo …’ She frowned. ‘What are you up to?’
‘Nothing.’
She handed him his purchase and took the cash he gave her.
‘Thanks, Hannah. I’d better get home and see if Riley has surfaced.’
‘So that’s why the extra-large serving of lasagne.’ She laughed.
‘He’s a bottomless pit. See you later. Thanks.’
At home Arlo made coffee and drank it at the kitchen table. He had his notebook in front of him with the collection of jottings about Mia, her father and the various elements surrounding the case. He added:
A Light in the Dark (Taylor's Bend, #3) Page 14