by Brian Cain
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
Early Monday morning Jason called David Kelp; they met at Jason’s office at seven am. Jason explained the situation to David who listened in disbelief. Jason knew this was the tip of the iceberg with Banks and many people had suffered the same ordeal, leading them to bend to his requirements or fall from grace. Jason’s compulsion led him to contact Inspector Sloan, who had conducted Malinda’s murder investigation. David was worried that he also may be part of the corruption, but Jason felt Sloan was a man to be trusted. On contacting Sloan at police headquarters, Sloan felt an inner calling to immediately attend Jason’s office at his request. Sloan took Trout, his partner for some years with him. Neither of them knew the basis of the call, but they both felt excited when they climbed the stairs to Jason’s office. Jason explained what had happened to a very concerned looking Sloan. “Harrogan has been under scrutiny by the National Crime Commission several times over the last few years; no wonder he’s still there with friends like Banks. This is a very serious situation,” said Sloan.
“Can we rely on your help?” asked Jason.
“Most definitely, but I’m not sure how deep this goes in the department. We’ll have to tread very carefully.”
“We need concrete evidence to put them where they belong,” commented David.
Jason nodded as he spoke. “I think this could be of great advantage to us.”
“If you have any ideas, let’s hear them,” said Sloan anxiously.
“Banks and Harrogan are coming here at one this afternoon. If I lead them on, we can video and record the whole thing. Once we have that, I suggest we leave confronting them till this evening at a meeting of the APP where I am to give a speech. This will be covered by the media, probably a little more than they expected now.”
One side of David’s mouth curled upwards as he smiled. “Do you think you could get the prosecutor to witness this Sloan?”
“I think we should keep it amongst ourselves, as I mentioned before. If Banks is in on this, who knows how deep it is.”
“If we get this on video, would you be willing to make an arrest for what looks to be a plain case of extortion and attempting to pervert the course of justice?” asked David.
“Of course, it would be a pleasure,” replied Sloan.
Jason spoke. “That would be bad enough for them. If Banks nominates me for a seat on the APP he is misleading the party. If he’s caught red-handed doing all this and is arrested in front of the media, his downfall will serve a good purpose. I really want to make federal representation, on the grounds of fairness and honesty for everyone. I don’t look upon this as hindering me, but helping me.”
“What do you think is the best way to collect this evidence?”
Jason picked up the phone, he punched a few numbers; Tom’s phone rang. Tom’s hand appeared from under the sheets of his bed, he pulled the receiver to his ear buried deep beneath the bedclothes. “Who is it?”
“Tom, it’s Jason. I have a little job for you.”
Tom looked at his clock. “I had a big show last night, I’ve only been in bed for four hours.”
“Bring enough gear to make a nice clear recording of talking voices from about, five metres. Bring the video gear down to, just one small camera will be fine, be at the office as soon as you can. Oh, you’ll need the multi core, you will be in another room.”
Tom threw the clothes of the bed. “That’s really weird Jason, what’s going on?”
“You’re about to become a spy.”
“Oh yeah, far out. I’ll be there in half an hour.”
“Good, I’ll see you then.” Jason put the phone down. “We’re in business gentlemen. All we need are our star players, Banks and Harrogan.”
Debra was puzzled by the frantic preparation for their arrival. Tom made a small hole in the corner of the wall for the mic leads and multi core for the video. The camera was hidden, but covered the whole room from one corner. A monitor was set up next to the recording equipment, in an adjoining office. Everyone could see and hear what was going on via the monitor. To get to Jason’s office, Tom had to walk through Debra’s office. He found Debra to be a big distraction; she was wearing a low cut dress exposing her ample bosom. Every time Tom went to speak to her it turned into a jumbled mess. Debra thought Tom was wonderful, with his long flowing hair and bushy beard. Debra’s dress was very short; every time Tom came through the office, she just happened to be bending over for some reason. She wanted to make sure he noticed her. Jason and Tom were listening to some test recordings when Tom asked. “Is Debra married?”
“No.”
“Does she have a boyfriend?”
“Wouldn’t make much difference, considering the display she’s putting on for you this morning. Hardly her usual behaviour. Why don’t you go and ask her out, then we can all stop walking around with lumps in our trousers.”
“Oh, I don’t think she would go out with me.”
“You’ve got the tact of a bulldozer, haven’t you? The only thing she hasn’t done is rape you and she’s probably thinking of that. She’s asked me three times if you’re married or have a girlfriend. She’s made a mistake on every single document she’s shown me, please, I need her full attention.”
“I’ll give it a go, just for you though.’
“Yeah right.”
Sloan, Trout and Kelp returned at twelve thirty. Sloan had two uniformed officers with him as well. He said they could be trusted. Jason showed them what they had prepared. Sloan informed them that Harrogan had prepared some false breath analysis and radar gun documents that morning. He had found the documents on Harrogan’s desk, but the individual departments had no record of them on computer or in the files. This meant if Jason did not go along with them and made a complaint, they could deny it ever happened and Jason would look equally as silly. He had made copies of the documents should they make an arrest. It was five minutes to one; Sloan, Trout, the two uniformed officers and Tom filed into the spare office in front of the monitor. Tom spoke to Jason just before he closed the door, “I asked her out, she said yes.”
“You’ve only told me once, she’s told me six times.” Jason slammed the door. He smiled at Debra as he walked through her office.
“The Mayor and a friend of his will be here shortly, send them straight in Deb.”
“Tom asked me out tonight,” was the reply.
“Deb ... Please ... I know Tom asked you out. I’m so happy for you if that’s what you want. I have written it in my diary. Now, please remember, that I know, Tom asked you out.” Jason closed his office door, lent on it and rolled his eyes in the air.
Banks and Harrogan walked in at five past one, Harrogan had a good look round before he closed the door. They sat in two strategically placed chairs in front of Jason’s desk. Harrogan threw some documents at Jason.
“Take a look at that long-hair, I hope you’ve had a good think about things, we’ve given you enough time.”
Jason picked up the documents; they were the ones Sloan had referred to. “I blew two four on a breath analysis unit.”
“Yep, I reckon you were that pissed you didn’t know what you were doing. Had you in custody for four hours, now do we get co-operation or what.”
“I can’t remember that. What is it that you want of me?”
“Ah, that’s more like it Jason,” said Banks. “When I gain office in Canberra, you won’t regret this. Harrogan will be minister for police, you can see what advantage that would be.”
“Mmm. Please go on,” commented Jason.
“You’re very wealthy, a small campaign donation for the party, say, five hundred thousand dollars. We could buy a better campaign with that kind of money. I have certain people in the party I can rely on, in the same position as you, so we’re pretty safe.”
“Five hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money Fred, how safe?”
“The leader of the party will be stepping down at the meeting tonight. No one is aware of this; he made a slight mistake. He
doesn’t want it affecting his family. Other members of the party have similar problems, enough to make sure I’m safe. I’ve been working a long time on this Jason. Your money will assure an unbeatable campaign. That’s how safe.”
“If I brought the money to the meeting tonight, that would make you look pretty good wouldn’t it Fred?”
Harrogan and Banks wore large smirks. “If you do that, you are assured that Harrogan will forget all about this and we will be in business.”
“I’ll have something there for you.”
“Excellent, remember, you’ll be the star attraction when you give your speech.”
“Yes Fred, I think you might be right.”
“You’re not as dumb as I thought you were long-hair,” said Harrogan as they rose to their feet. I’ll just keep these documents on file just in case.”
“I’ll see you this evening Jason,” said Banks as he walked out.
“I can’t wait,” said Jason, still seated at his desk as the door closed.
Sloan, Trout and the two uniformed officers were fuming. The two uniformed officers insisted they assist at the arrest of Harrogan. They all watched a replay of the evidence. Sloan spoke above the monitor. “Now comes the hard part, I will leave getting an arrest warrant till as late as I can today. What time is your meeting with the A.P.P. Jason?”
“Seven pm in the conference room of the Hilton, Victoria Square.”
“All four of us will see the prosecutor at five sharp with the evidence, we’ll only use a copy. You lock the original up. Kelp can accompany us to file a complaint on your behalf, this will force them to act immediately. By the time we see a judge, we should have the warrants by six, this will give very little time for Harrogan’s friends to alert him. That’s if he has any and I will be very disappointed if he has. If I can’t get a warrant, we’ll do it without them.”
“Tom,” said Jason. “Do two copies of this now, give one to Sloan and the other to me. I’ll lock the original in the safe. The Hilton has a wall video screen at the back of the stage, I remember from playing shows there. It will come in very handy tonight.”
Jason received his formal invitation to the A.P.P. meeting by courier that afternoon. An attached letter told him the meeting started at three in the afternoon and was closed to all outsiders until seven, when he was to give his speech. It outlined what the speech should contain, a brief recital of his success in music, with this success carrying into his industrial life. Fred Banks would introduce him. The invitation was for J. Brinkly and friend. He rang Anita Powel who very excitedly accepted his offer to accompany him. Jason wore a pin stripe suit; Anita wore a black evening gown, leaving very little to the imagination when she removed her full length bright red overcoat. They waited to be called in the basement bar, not far from the conference hall. Sloan and Trout sat quietly in a corner. Sloan waved a piece of paper at Jason when he caught his eye. A man in a black suit walked up to Jason and asked him to accompany him into the meeting; it was six fifty-five pm. They were led in and seated at the head of the complex next to Banks. “You have the money with you?” whispered Banks.
“I’ve got something with me you’ll never forget Fred,” replied Jason.
Banks smiled, stood and addressed a microphone mounted on the wooden stand bearing an A.P.P. coat of arms. “I am sure that our speaker tonight will need no introduction, a bachelor of classical music from the Adelaide University. A world wide ambassador and legend for our country in rock music, as we have seen in the news over the last few days. An honest and intelligent industrialist. It gives me great pleasure to introduce, budding member of state, Jason Brinkly.”
There was much applause as Jason took to the microphone, some members who had followed his music over the years stood in respect of his achievements. He waited for complete silence, he sipped some water from his glass, adjusted the lapel of his jacket. Waited a little longer, then spoke. “I never wrote out a speech, because whatever I have to say comes from me, so I see no point in writing beforehand. I would like to thank you for inviting me here, to move in a circle that has never been open to me and for which I had no notion till now to move in anyway. On taking my father’s position, I find the world is a place of good people, but sometimes they are dominated by the bad. I know I was given a goal in life, I don’t think we are put here just because we are here. Recently, as you would have seen in the media, I was given the opportunity to help some people who had been guided a bit off track. It didn’t take much, just a few bad people in the wrong place and we were all in trouble. I can relate that to my bands, there may be five or seven members in a band, but it only needs one to set it off balance. All the band members may be good, but then there are the indirect influences to deal with. Crooked recording companies, greedy management, to say nothing of too-often heavy-handed media critics, who can destroy something good with the wave of a pen, driven by indirect influence from above. This is not to say that these things in the right hands can’t do a wealth of good as well. It’s all down to the right people and good people. When Fred approached me about this some days ago, I wondered if I could make any difference to this party. If my actions could really do something to help everyone, or at least all those that wanted help for the better.” Jason paused to sip his water. There was complete silence, Jason had everyone captivated. He saw Sloan and Trout had gained access to the room and stood in the back corner. “I was sent here tonight, as all the good people who come to me were sent; I didn’t have to find them, just recognise them. With you people before me, we will take mankind where it has never been before, to harmony and co existence. I would like to ask the master of ceremonies to play this video for us, to show the way we will be conducting ourselves.” The same black-suited man who had led him and Anita into the hall took the video Jason produced from his jacket pocket. Banks looked puzzled as curtains on the stage parted exposing a full wall screen. The onlookers stared in amazement at what they saw and heard. Only seconds into the video Banks jumped to his feet.
“Turn that off now!” Two men from the head table had flanked Banks; Sloan and Trout moved forwards and pushed their way in front of them. They produced their identification. The two men flanking Banks quickly sat down again.
“Frederick Banks, I am Inspector Sloan, this is Inspector Trout of the Adelaide central CIB. The master of ceremonies will turn the video back on please.” The screen lit up as the video continued. Banks was making loud outbursts; he attempted to leave but was blocked by Sloan. The tape finished.
Banks was screaming at the top of his voice. “When my lawyers are finished with you, you won’t know what hit you!”
Sloan raised his voice aloud. “Frederick Banks, I have in my hand a warrant, issued by this state for your arrest! You are under arrest for the extortion of five hundred thousand dollars from one Jason Brinkly! Also for attempting to pervert the course of justice! You do not have to say anything, but anything you do say, will be taken down in evidence and may be used against you in a court of law! Take him away!” Two very spartan uniformed officers handcuffed Banks and led him from the building. They had previously witnessed the meeting at Jason’s office. Sloan walked up to Jason.
“Harrogan is being arrested now by the star force. I have been asked to apologise for his conduct by the police commissioner. I do believe he is going to see you himself tomorrow; he’s been after Harrogan for a long time, he wants to handle this himself. I’m sure your conduct will be well covered in the press. When you get to Canberra Jason, give them one for me.” He shook Jason’s hand and left.
The silence was finally broken by the hum of many voices as Sloan left. A distinguished looking gentleman, grey haired but remarkably young looking, approached Jason with his hand out.
“Terry Denman, head of the Australian People’s Party, leader of the opposition in Australian Parliament. What we had arranged tonight will have to be re-evaluated. You just had the newly elected party leader arrested. I must re-convene the meeting, could you please wait
outside till called, I think we may have something to ask you.”
Jason left with Anita for the bar to smiles and nods from members of the party as he passed them. As soon as Anita got out the door she ran to a phone. She returned some minutes later to him in the bar.”
“Too late for the front page, but stop press will be big. Front page Wednesday. I have to keep them informed. Isn’t this exciting; I’ve only known you a couple of days and already you have made me the biggest name on the paper.” Jason sat quietly sipping his water looking and listening as she rambled on. It seemed you didn’t have to say much when Anita was around. The same black-suited man beckoned him after an hour had passed. Anita was not permitted in as the meeting was internal affairs for party members only. He was led to the same chair he had sat in before. Terry Denman was at the microphone.
“Jason, we listened carefully to what you said earlier. You then did something we have been trying to do for months. Removed someone who has been holding not only us, but many people in this fine city to ransom. This is not the first time I have seen you in action. I just happened to be walking my dog in the park when you addressed your workers. I felt lifted in your presence then and even more so now. We have a by election in the federal seat of Parkin where you reside. It had been Banks’ idea you run for that seat at this coming election. It seems strange that we all agree that is the only good idea he’s had and it led to his downfall. I’ve been re-instated as leader of the party. The government hold the seat of Parkin. We had three nominees for the seat, all have withdrawn. Your name has been forwarded and endorsed. You were then elected as our representative for the seat, with a one hundred percent vote. I ask that you accept our support and run for the seat of Parkin in this coming by election. If we win the seat, the government will no longer have a majority in the house, as they rule by only one seat. This would force them to go to an early federal election. If they lost that by a margin of two more seats to us, the Federal Government would fall in Canberra. The APP could be as far away from governing this country as the Parkin by election. We ask you to stand for that seat. We anxiously await your decision.” There was complete silence as Jason took the microphone. He hesitated, taking in the silence and sipping his water.
“For my father, whom I believe was in line to stand here. For my wife and mother both taken so needlessly and for my daughter who I want to live with more to hope for in her future ... For all Australians, I accept that challenge.” The hall broke into uproar, members stood on tables cheering and clapping, dancing around. Terry Denman shouted into the microphone.
“This meeting is adjourned to the bar for celebration.” On reaching the bar, Jason informed Anita of what had happened.
She grabbed her coat. “Sorry Jason, but I have to get this typed up for the paper. This is really big.” She ran out the door; Jason watched helplessly through the window as she climbed into a taxi and it zoomed out of sight in the night air. He was inundated by well wishes, it seemed every one there wanted a bit of Jason, but he was unable to get a bit of the only person there he really wanted to; she had left.