“Tell me what happened in London.” He said.
“London? You’re worried about that?”
“I’m CEO. Need to worry about everything.”
There was an uncharacteristic flash of anger in Ellie’s eyes as she leaned forward. “Acting, Dennis. Acting CEO. Once Dad returns there’ll be a whole lot of changes.”
“Meaning?”
“Why haven’t we hired a private agency to find him? Or given Paul resources to head one up?”
Dennis laughed shortly. “He’s not even qualified to watch monitors. And there is a police force looking for Jack, so why would we get in their way?”
“If you were missing, Dad would do everything possible to find you.”
“With your support?”
“Of course.”
“Even now?” He didn’t really want her to answer. “Anyway, what changes?”
“Dennis, even now I would be distraught if you simply disappeared with no trace. Aren’t you the least bit concerned about Dad? I understand you were meant to meet him that day and some people are speculating about whether you did.”
“I didn’t.” he snapped. “Which people?”
“You know, the best way to show the police and everyone else there’s nothing to hide, nothing any of us know about Dad’s disappearance, is to give the police what they want without them resorting to warrants.”
And there it is. What does she think she knows?
“Dekeles had no right to give them anything without permission. Are you protecting him?”
He watched Ellie closely but her expression was genuinely confused. “I just want Dad home. Or to know he’s okay. I have no reason to protect anyone or hide anything, and nor does Bannerman Wealth Group. Wouldn’t it be logical to make it easier for the police to help find Dad and get him home?”
“Not if he doesn’t want to be found.” Crap, he hadn’t meant to say that. He opened his laptop.
Ellie stood. “What do you know? Have you heard from him, or did he say something before he disappeared? Is that why you were arguing in the boardroom?”
“We were not arguing. Sit down and stop the drama. I just think you’re expecting him to magically reappear. If his disappearance is out of character, then you need to consider other options, baby.”
“Like what? If he was kidnapped, we’d have been given demands, and if he’d had an accident—”
“Or maybe he was depressed, Ellie. It happens.”
Campbell hurried in. “I’m so sorry to interrupt…oh, is everything okay?”
“Campbell, was Dad depressed?”
Dennis pushed his chair back and got to his feet. “What’s the problem, Campbell?”
“Apparently there are police onboard Sea Angel.”
“They can’t be there!”
“Actually, they can. I gave them permission and before you start, you know damned well I have the right to do so.” Ellie grabbed her handbag and swung away.
Dennis reached her at the door, bypassing Campbell. He put a hand on her arm and lowered his voice. “Whatever you’re up to, I’ll find out. And about London? Forget about any briefing because the way things are going, there’ll be no need to set up an office there. If there is no Foundation, there’s no need for London.”
Her eyes widened. She recoiled, shrugged his hand away and rushed out. He’d said too much today but it wasn’t his fault. No, it was all on Jack’s shoulders, wherever he was.
19
Unravelling Threads
It took every bit of self-control for Ellie not to run from the building in tears. She didn’t even know if it was anger, or fear of losing the Foundation churning inside. Ten minutes of fast walking later, she understood. Dennis was quite mad if he believed Dad capable of taking his own life.
Panic and fury fought for top billing as her brain went over and over Dennis’ words. He doesn’t want to be found…he was depressed…no Foundation.
Breathe, Ellie. Sit and breathe.
There was nowhere to sit along the busy street, so she took a few steps into a narrow alley, relieved it was empty. She leaned against a wall, forcing herself to calm down, aware her blouse was soaked with perspiration.
Why would Dennis threaten to close such an important and successful part of Bannerman? It made no sense, not commercially. If out of spite, it made even less sense.
Meredith and Dennis both wanted her out of their way and she could no longer pretend they weren’t together, or heading that way.
Did Dad know? “Oh, God.”
If he knew, would it be enough to make him…no. Jack Bannerman was one of the strongest people she knew and he loved life. He’d fought for everything he had and there was no way he’d simply hand it over. But something was terribly wrong at work, and it was time to take a step back and look at everything with less emotion.
She had to go back to the office. Find out what Dennis meant about the Foundation and involve the other board members in a discussion about getting some heavy hitting assistance finding Dad. Ellie glanced around to get her bearings. This little alley wasn’t familiar, but it looked as though it would lead to Collins Street. From there, a tram would get her home to fresh clothes.
The alley was wide enough for a single car and ran between two tall buildings. She hurried along the brick road, her footsteps the only sound. Halfway to the corner, something made her stop and glance back. Out in the bright sunlight, cars crawled along, and pedestrians rushed. Nothing out of the ordinary. Yet a shiver went up her spine. As she continued to the corner, her phone rang.
“Hi, are you alright?” Ben asked.
“Have you found anything more?”
“Straight to the point. But no. Are you able to come in to do that statement?”
“Now? Um, I’m going home to change and… Is later okay?”
The strongest sensation of alarm filled Ellie and she looked behind. There was someone there, so close to the wall they almost blended into it. And coming her way.
“Ellie?”
“I think I’m being followed.” Her voice was a whisper as she rounded the corner. Collins Street was in the distance and she picked up her pace.
“Where are you? Ellie, share your location please.”
She tapped her map app and sent it him.
“Are you alone?” There was tension in his voice.
“Apart from the man behind me.”
Ben cursed. “I’m sending someone now. Can you see people ahead of you? Is the street busy?”
“Yes. But it is miles.”
“No, sweetheart, it is only two hundred metres. I can see now. Keep walking, stay in the middle of the laneway, and make it clear you are on the phone to police. Say something, loudly.”
“Thank you, officer! Yes, I do love the dog squad and am so pleased they are around the corner today!”
“Ellie. Something realistic.”
She giggled. Some poor person was walking in the same direction and she was turning it into some scene from a horror movie. He’d probably be tasered for taking a short cut.
His footsteps were fast.
Louder.
Closer.
Her heart lurched when another figure stepped out of shadows ahead.
“There’s someone else. Ben, there’s two of them.” She almost tripped as the feeling drained from her legs. Her fingers slid into her handbag, searching, but if there were two men working together, what would she do? “I’m scared.”
“Listen to me. They are most likely just taking a shortcut, just like you are. But get as close to Collins Street as you can and if you feel threatened, I want you to scream help as loudly as you can. Okay?”
Ellie doubted she could get even a whisper out.
The man ahead moved directly in front of her, planting his feet with one hand up like a stop sign.
She veered to the other side of the alley, blinking to clear sudden tears.
“Ellie, hey, wait up, it’s me.”
“Paul?”
“There’s someone following me.”
Paul looked past her. “Stay put.” He charged toward the man behind her, who turned and ran back the way he’d come.
“Ellie! God sake, answer me.” Ben shouted through the phone. Ellie had lowered her hand with the phone to her side.
“Sorry. I’m okay. The man in front of me was Paul. Paul Dekeles. He’s chasing the other man though.”
“Get to the road and be visible.”
“Paul said to stay—”
“I’m saying get to people. Move now. Are you moving?”
“Yes. Paul’s gone back in the direction I came from.”
Ben spoke to someone on his end, then was back. “There’s uniformed officers not far from you. We’re on our way but stay with them once they arrive. Okay?”
“Okay. I’m not far now. Why would anyone follow me…I don’t get it?”
“Are you still wearing the grey skirt and white blouse? The uniforms will be looking for you.”
“Yes. And I’m at the street.” Ellie paused to let people pass. “There’s an outdoor café. I can stand near it. Lots of people.”
“Good thinking. I can see where you are on the map. Don’t hang up, I’m going to send your location to them.”
She found a spot close to the edge of the pavement, but hard up against one barrier of the café. Her eyes darted around, every man on the footpath a threat. She hated this.
“I’m less than five minutes away. Are the uniforms there yet?”
“No. But I’m safe. I don’t know where Paul is.”
“We’ll find him. Stay on the line, I’m talking on the other phone but will be back.”
She had no intention of moving. Her hands were clammy, and she rubbed one, then the other on her skirt to stop the phone slipping from them.
Two uniformed police sprinted through the crowd and she went toward them.
“Ellie Connor?” the male officer puffed, while the female officer got on her radio.
“Thanks, yes. But my friend is chasing whoever followed me.”
“A unit is on its way to the other end of the alley.”
Paul appeared at the entrance, head turning side to side until he saw her. He raced her way and both officers stepped in front of Ellie, hands on their holsters.
“He’s my friend.”
“Ellie, I said to stay where you were. I thought you’d been grabbed.” He skirted around the officers and threw his arms around her.
She wiggled out. “Paul, I’m fine and was on the phone to the police the whole time.”
“You should have done what I said.”
“No. She did what I asked. Which was to get out of a potentially dangerous position.” Ben, with Andy on his heels, emerged from the café side. He glanced at Ellie, then back to Paul, who opened his mouth, then shut it again.
People stared as they went past. Someone in the café had their phone out, videoing from what Ellie could tell. Great, back to being on the news again. She caught Ben’s eye.
“Before Teresa Scarcella and her crew arrive, can we go? I’m ready to do the statement.”
“Andy, would you take Ellie to the car? I’ll finish up here and be a moment.”
Ellie followed Andy to the other side of the café, where Ben’s car was double parked. She glanced back. Ben and Paul were in conversation, their body language puzzling. Almost as though they were enemies.
“Who was following Ellie?” Ben turned back to Paul.
“That’s what I just tried to find out. Little shit got a head start.”
“Description.”
“Dunno. Youngish guy. Darkish hair, maybe.”
“Very helpful.”
“Listen here, Rossi, I tried to catch him. He was almost at the first corner when I found Ellie, so don’t start—”
“Start what? You were closest to him. You are a security specialist. I think you can do better than a general description.” His voice was calm, business-like.
“I want to be sure she’s okay.”
“She’s okay. Height? Weight estimate? Clothes?”
“Happy to do a statement. Why don’t I come with you now?”
“Why don’t you and Constable Tan here find a quiet spot and she’ll ask some questions. I’ll call you if I need a statement. Which way did he turn from the alley?”
Paul stared past Ben toward the car. “Right.”
“How did you know where Ellie was?”
“I followed her.”
“Explain.”
“Nothing sinister, Detective.” The eyes now back on Ben’s face were hard. “She had a fight with her idiot husband and ran out of the building so I followed to make sure she was alright. But she suddenly disappeared behind a building and I happened to know the alley came out here. Closer to where I was.”
“You happened to know.”
“My city. Just as well I did. Don’t you agree?”
There was a challenge in Paul’s voice, in his stance. He was built like a fighter and wouldn’t be a good person to run into on a dark night.
Or in a dark alley.
“Ellie was relieved to see you. She was frightened.” Ben said.
“I should come with you.”
“Thanks, but Constable Tan is waiting for you. We’ll talk again.”
Ben walked into the café and bought bottled water. Before climbing into the car, he made sure Paul had done as he asked. Paul glared at Ben over the officer’s head.
Andy was in the driver’s seat, so Ben sat beside Ellie in the back, handing her the bottle of water.
“Did you still want to go home first?”
“No. No, I’d rather talk while it’s fresh. Thanks.” She opened the bottle and gulped several mouthfuls.
Ben reached over her for her seatbelt, careful not to touch her as he clicked it into place.
“Andy, station please. And why are you driving my car?”
“Double parking is illegal.”
“Don’t get a scratch on it.”
Ellie drank some more, then tried to replace the cap. Her hands shook so much that Ben took it from her and twisted it back on.
“Adrenaline. Happens to us all.”
She nodded, then turned a little so she was facing more to the window. A barrier between them. Again.
20
Revelations
Andy drove into an underground carpark. Ben was out of the car the moment it parked, and Andy opened Ellie’s door. The shaking was gone from her hands and the water helped push down an unwelcome wave of nausea. This was one shock too many and she longed to curl in a ball and sob.
The elevator doors opened, and they all got in, Ben and Andy in muted conversation. She needed to pull herself together. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirrored walls. Her skin was white. Worry lines creased her forehead and her eyes were like a startled rabbit.
“You are the strongest woman I know.” Ben spoke so softly. Had she imagined it? she thought she’d imagined it. But he was only inches away, between her and Andy, who was now on the phone. “This will all pass.”
She closed her eyes and inhaled to fill her lungs before letting the panic out with a long breath. The nausea lessened. Ellie opened her eyes as the elevator halted. Ben still watched her, his expression unreadable.
“Who wants coffee?” Andy cheerfully offered as he led the way out.
Ellie followed with Ben at her side. Her awareness of him was through the roof. How could he still see her as strong, after what happened to Michael, to them? Why would he even care after everything? Yet, he did, at least enough to help her through her fears. If only things had been different.
But they’re not. I wish I wasn’t here.
Andy went in one direction and Ben opened the door to the interview room. She dropped her handbag on the table and swung around as he closed the door.
“I’m not strong, Ben. And nothing will pass until we find Dad. I appreciate you
trying to make me feel better, but this can’t happen.”
“What can’t happen?”
“This…whatever it is.”
He perched on the edge of the table. “Let’s get something straight. I didn’t want Jack’s case dropped on me anymore than you want me involved, but it is what it is. We both want to find Jack, so we’re on the same side, Ellie.”
“For now.”
“I always have been.” He pulled out a chair and sat, gesturing for her to do the same. “How are you feeling?”
Ellie sat, arms crossed. She shouldn’t have made things personal. “I had a scare, that’s all. I’m fine now.”
“Can you run through the events of the last hour or so? From the time you left your building.”
Why does it matter when I left. How do you know I wasn’t shopping?
“I was walking and lost my bearings. The heat was getting to me as well, so I stopped just inside the alley for a breather. Once I worked out where I was, I figured I could cut through to get a tram home.”
“When did you suspect there was someone following you?”
A shiver ran down Ellie’s spine and she squirmed in her seat. “I got a feeling. I know it sounds silly, but it was like I was being watched. I turned around, but there was nobody there.”
“Go on.”
“I got to the corner and that same creepy feeling made me look again. This time I saw someone behind me. He was close to the wall but apart from that... My reaction was ridiculous because the city is full of people and lots of us take shortcuts…”
“But?”
“This whole thing with Dad is wearing me down, to be honest. Jumping at shadows. Except, he was following me, wasn’t he? And then he ran.”
Ben leaned back in his seat with a shrug. “Which may be nothing more than taking fright at Paul challenging him. He’s a powerful looking man and if he scared the other man…who knows? Did you get a proper look at him?”
Ellie shook her head. He’d been too far away and the alley had little natural light. “An impression of someone lean, tall. Definitely male. Sorry.”
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