Last Known Contact

by Phillipa Nefri Clark

  “Do you know anyone in security I could run this quote past?” she asked, not looking up as she scrolled to the top again.

  “Show Meg. But I know it can run into thousands.”

  “How about close to two hundred thousand?”

  Ben whistled.

  “Mind you, it replaces lots of monitors and cameras plus updates whatever system we have. I know nothing about this sort of thing.”

  “How long since the last upgrade?”

  “Paul told me he requested one a year ago but Dad didn’t have the money. All kind of weird reasons, none of them true. Such as Meredith having a gambling debt he had to pay.”

  “Jack’s the gambler.”

  “I know. And he has wasted a lot of money with poker, but always keeps cash to cover himself. His play money.”

  “So why does Paul believe that stuff?”

  Ellie put the phone away. “I’ve known him for years. He worked for Dad before joining Bannerman Wealth Group, when Dad had another business on the side.” She took off her sunglasses as the car nosed into the Domain tunnel. “He’s always been there—by Dad’s side or doing what was needed but I never really knew him. I thought I did.”

  “What changed your mind?” Ben braked and swore under his breath as a truck slid into the lane in front of him.

  “He keeps lying about little things. Like Meredith gambling, and Michael’s costs skyrocketing, and not seeing Mark when I’d just watched them through a camera, arguing in the carpark.”

  Ben didn’t say anything, but his knuckles whitened on the steering wheel.

  “Perhaps he’s always been a liar. Look how he kept insisting Dennis was behind Dad’s disappearance.”

  “Is it a case of him believing Dennis is guilty, or is he taking advantage of the situation. Why don’t I run a background search on Paul?”

  They emerged from the tunnel into late afternoon sun, Ellie making a big deal of looking for her sunglasses to avoid responding. She was the best person to find out what Paul was up to.

  “I know you have your hands full, but I have a question.” Ben looked over Meg’s shoulder as she searched on one of her computers using a code which was gibberish to him.

  “Leave a note.”

  “What would it cost to upgrade the security systems in a large building.”

  “Ben.”

  “Say at Bannerman House.”

  “Are you donating so next time the CEO goes missing we get decent footage?” She still didn’t look up as her fingers flew over the keyboard.

  “Ellie is CEO now and she’d better not go anywhere.”

  “Heaps, dude. Lots of megabucks.”

  “Two hundred thousand?”

  She shrugged. “Depends on the quality. Who is the company they’re dealing with?”

  Good question. Ben sent Ellie a message to ask.

  “What are you doing, Meg?”

  “Answering questions when I said to leave a note. Aha!” She grabbed a mouse and clicked, and the screen filled with data. “I’m finding out where that camera was directing its signal.”

  “From the guest house?” Ben pulled up a chair and slid beside her.

  “Shh.”

  Ellie replied to his message. Rather than annoy Meg, he did an internet search. A landing page with a contact form appeared. No phone number or much else. He forwarded the information to Andy to check.

  “Right. Well that was fun.” Meg pushed her seat back and looked at Ben. “This sweet little thing gave up the number of the phone it was relaying to.”

  “Impressive. Is there a name attached to this number?”

  “There will be. What’s the name of the security company?”

  Ben showed Meg what he’d found and she raised both eyebrows. “Crap website. Probably a shell. Get Andy to take a look.”

  “Already doing so.”

  “Then go away and let me do my job.”

  “Call me.” Ben stood. “And if you’re going be here half the night, order some food.”

  “Leave your credit card and I will. Actually,” she grinned, “I’ll find your card details so toddle along. I promise to keep the spend to a minimum.”

  Andy met him at the door. “Got something from the gym. Clean Living Gym.”

  “The water bottles?” Ben headed for their desks with Andy spinning around to follow him.

  “They had a theft a week or so back. Gym bags, cash, and water bottles. A few dozen. They reckon it was someone they fired. A Dale Grant.”

  “Why’d they fire him?”

  “Smoker and lazy. Apparently, lied about smoking at the interview but was caught one too many times and given the boot.”

  “What do we know about Mr Grant?” Dropping into his chair, Ben woke his computer.

  “Not much. The address he gave them is fake. Have a description.” Andy sat at his desk and opened his notebook. “Wiry build, blonde hair, blue eyes, about one-eighty centimetres.”

  “Best lead so far. Anything else?”

  “Was always smiling but didn’t socialise. Even when working kept his gym bag close by and never let anyone touch it.”

  “Still nothing back on the fingerprint we found at the apartment?”

  Andy shook his head. “One more thing, guy had a personal hygiene issue. Always stunk of sweat.”

  Ben stared at his computer screen. Gym bag. Blonde hair. Wiry. Tall. But it was the stench of dried perspiration which took him back to the elevator in Ellie’s apartment building. The first time he’d barely glanced at the man as they passed through lift doors. The second time Ellie was avoiding the man in the foyer.

  “He runs around with a gym bag but doesn’t use the one here. I thought he was chatting me up one time then he told me he isn’t into older women.” That was what she’d said the other day.

  “Shit.”

  “Boss? Did you just use a bad word?”

  Ben phoned Ellie, hand over the receiver. “We’re going.”

  “I just got back.”

  The call went to message. “Ellie, this is urgent. If you are home, lock the door and stay inside. If you are out, get around people and tell me where you are. Phone me.”

  On his feet, Ben grabbed his jacket and keys.

  “Ben? Got a name for you on the camera from the guest house.” Meg hurried out. “Dale Grant. And he lives near Ellie. Like, really close.”

  50

  Caught

  Ellie had no intention of being out late. Not tonight. She’d do and say what was necessary to get more information from Paul, but then she was taking time for herself. Too much happened today for her mind to process and she needed to put it into some semblance of order.

  Back at her apartment she’d revisited Paul’s purchase order. She phoned two other security firms for quotes, arranging times to meet with both tomorrow at Bannerman House. If they had to spend so much, she owed it to the board and the staff to do due diligence. Paul would be put out, so she had no intention of telling him until then.

  She put some wine into the fridge to chill for later. The sliding door was open, and she wandered outside. Below, the traffic wasn’t easing. Pedestrians filled the pavement on both sides, a mix of workers going home and early diners coming out. The wine bar already had a line up.

  Sliding door locked, Ellie collected her handbag and let herself out. As she stepped into the lift, her phone rang. It was Ben. She tapped the ‘close door’ button.

  An arm stopped them and gym man forced his way in.

  Ellie instinctively stepped back.

  “Don’t answer.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “You heard me, Mrs Connor.” He hit the carpark button. “We’re gonna have a nice chat downstairs.”

  Was he high? Going to mug her? Except you don’t mug someone you know.

  His body odour was repulsive.

  “Where’s your gym bag?”

  “What?”

  “You normally clutch it against you as though there’s gold insi
de.” She lifted her chin, looking directly into his eyes. “It must be important.”

  “Shut up.” Sweat beaded his forehead.

  The floor buttons lit as they descended.

  “You’re gonna help me get a whole lot more cash than I’m already owed.” He spat the words.

  “Who owes you money?”

  Five more floors to ground.

  “Little Miss Ellie. Because of you, I’ve had to put my life on hold. Done things I didn’t want to.”

  “Do you know where my father is?”

  “No clue.” He crossed the lift to tower over her and she flattened against the back wall. “You stay quiet and come with me. Or I’ll kill you, and anyone else we come across.”

  The elevator stopped and as the doors parted, Ellie saw Ben’s face. She dropped to the floor.

  “Dale Grant, turn around slowly and put your hands in the air. I will taser you.”

  Between gym man’s legs Ellie saw the taser in Ben’s hands. He pointed it at the man’s body, but his eyes flashed to Ellie.

  “Go ahead. Idiot.” Dale grabbed a handful of Ellie’s hair and smirked over his shoulder. “Taser me and see how much it hurts her too.”

  Ellie’s fist flew upward, connecting with soft flesh between his legs. Dale screamed and buckled.

  She scrambled her way from the elevator onto the concrete of the carpark level, sliding across the floor until Andy steadied her. A second later, Ben dragged Dale out.

  Andy released her and Ben was there, enfolding her in his arms until the stench of gym man was gone, replaced by the familiar, safe smell she knew so well.

  Paul checked his watch for the third time. The table was at the back of the wine bar, away from the baby grand piano and the noise around the bar. But Ellie was late. He’d ordered a bottle of red, ready for a glass after the day he’d had. A couple of sips and some of the anxiety about where she was lessened.

  In the centre of the table, he’d placed a printed copy of the purchase order, his rationale statement, and a list of recent failures of equipment. It gutted him to think how much footage was lost thanks to poor connections or flawed cameras. He’d run through it once Ellie arrived. As soon as she signed the document, he’d place the order. Make sure nobody ever got away with crime again on his watch.

  He sent her a text. In the back corner. Nice glass of red awaits.

  She was probably making herself look nice, not that it could possibly be difficult. Ellie was one of those people who looked great in anything and he’d seen her in everything from jeans to a ball gown. Perks of working closely with Jack was keeping an eye on his gorgeous daughter.

  “Pour me one.” Ellie emerged through the crowd and slid into her seat before Paul could stand. “I am so sorry to be late.”

  “Not that late.” He filled her glass almost to the top. “Everything alright?”

  She was texting. “Sorry, remembered something I need Joni to do.” Ellie finished, put her phone away, and gave Paul a quick smile.

  He tapped his glass against hers. “To the future.”

  Ellie barely tasted the wine before putting down the glass. “Have you been here for long?”

  “Nope. Just arrived a couple of minutes ago. Sent you a message as soon as I found the table. Are you sure you’re okay? You look a bit…dunno.”

  “Tired? Sad?” Now, Ellie took a long sip of wine. “Both of those apply. I barely sleep worrying about Dad, and now Campbell’s in hospital, a bit of me is broken inside.”

  “And we’re no further along finding out who is behind this.” Paul picked up the purchase order. “Let me read you something. This is a list I made of all the footage missing thanks to equipment failure. Jack’s full movements the day he disappeared. And Dennis’. Campbell’s office being unlocked in the dead of night. And yours. Campbell’s fall.” He raised his eyes. “Shall I go on?”

  “I kind of feel it is closing the gate after the horse bolts.”

  “But what if anything else happens? If you say no…”

  “I haven’t said anything, but there are competing priorities, Paul. I’ve been dropped into a mess made by Dad and aided by two men who are unavailable to do so much as advise me. Even the Foundation has to be put on hold while I give my attention to my father’s business.”

  “Shall we have dinner?”

  “I can’t.”

  Paul pushed down a rush of annoyance. “You need to eat. Might as well be with a friend.”

  “I appreciate the offer, really I do. In half an hour I’m having a call with Michael’s case manager, so must be back in my apartment.”

  “What if I bring something up, afterwards?”

  Ellie sipped more wine, her eyes on the glass.

  Why won’t you look at me?

  “Or I can cook for you.” Surely, she’d accept one of his suggestions.

  With something like a sigh, Ellie put down her glass, and looked at him. Her face was serious. “I know you are looking out for me, but I have too much to do. And now I have to take time to find out where Mark is.”

  “Mark? What do you mean?”

  “Nobody has seen him since a few minutes after the police arrived on the executive floor. Joni has no idea where he went, even though she’d asked him to help out one of Campbell’s staff.”

  “You did say people could go home if they were upset.”

  “Not without telling someone! What if he’s missing now?”

  “And I could tell you exactly when he left if I had better surveillance. How about signing this now and I can complete the order tonight?” He pushed the papers toward her and felt for a pen in a pocket.

  She pushed them back. “Not tonight. Are you sure you didn’t see him leave?”

  “Why would I? We barely cross paths.”

  “Funny how we work with people and don’t always know much about them.” Ellie got to her feet and slung her handbag over her shoulder. “Short of looking up personnel records, I don’t even know Mark’s surname or where he lives.”

  Paul jumped up and came around the table. “Why not stay for a few more moments? Another glass of wine?”

  “Thanks, but I can’t miss this phone call. We’ll talk about the purchase order tomorrow.” With that, she merged with the crowd and was out of sight in seconds.

  He noticed he’d clenched his hands and forced them open. With a grunt, he returned to his seat and refilled his wine glass. Why wouldn’t she just sign the damned purchase order? Paul raised his glass to her empty chair. “Mark’s surname is Grant. Mark Grant.”

  51

  Changes Coming

  “I’m finished with Paul and going home now. I promise I’m fine, so goodnight. And thanks.” Ellie hung up after leaving a message on Ben’s phone. It was him she’d texted when arriving at the wine bar. It was the only way he said he’d let her out of his sight tonight.

  As soon as Ben was convinced Ellie was unhurt—apart from a slightly sore hand—he’d helped Andy finish the arrest. Dale Grant was doubled over, still moaning and wanting an ambulance. In the end, they’d called one, and Andy left with him.

  “Am I in trouble…for hitting him?” Ellie’s legs had finally stopped shaking but exhaustion settled on her shoulders. She knew the feeling was an aftermath of adrenaline and would push through it.

  “I’ll need a statement, but not necessarily about that. Do you want to come in now? Or we can talk here.” Ben was back to business, but she’d caught him glancing at her often enough in the last ten minutes to know he was struggling with what happened in the lift.

  Ellie had watched the ambulance leave. Uniformed officers followed and only Ben remained in the carpark with her. Other residents had been alarmed, some distraught, at the police activity, but they were dispersing. “Here’s the thing. I’m late for an appointment, so can I do the statement thing later?”

  “What appointment?”

  She’d chewed her lip as he stared at her.

  “Ellie, what are you up to?”


  “I’m meeting Paul at the wine bar over the road. He wants to discuss the purchase order and I’d already agreed earlier.”

  “Why?”

  “The truth?”

  “That would be nice.”

  “I want to see if he lies anymore. He doesn’t know it, but I have a couple of security firms coming to Bannerman House tomorrow to provide quotes. This isn’t my money, Ben. If Dad denied his last order—and I don’t know this yet—then I need to consider alternatives. Outsourcing if it gets the result we need as a company.”

  He’d half smiled. “Such a businesswoman.”

  She’d screwed her face up. “Nope. Doing what I’m trained to.”

  “Well, you’re good at it.” He’d walked with her to the doors. “Two things. Text me once you are sitting at the table. Phone me when you are back. If there is more than an hour between those events, I’ll come find you.”

  I don’t need a keeper!

  But the memory of Dale Grant, sneering at her in the lift, raised the hairs on her arms. She’d agreed to Ben’s request.

  Now, as she entered the apartment building, she couldn’t help looking over her shoulder. The concierge hurried over.

  “Mrs Connor? I’ll escort you to your apartment.”

  “Oh, you don’t need to…actually, thank you.”

  In moments she was in the apartment, door locked. She turned on every light, including the lamp over her bed and the bathroom lights. Then checked the sliding door was locked. It was.

  Phone on the kitchen counter with the volume up, Ellie opened the wine from the fridge and poured a glass. She needed to eat. The earlier events had played havoc with her stomach. Fridge door wide open, she scanned the contents. Hard cheese. Olives. Feta. Tomatoes. Garlic. Basil.

  It took five minutes to make the pastry for a pizza base and then she set it aside with a smile. Hands in flour made her oddly content. As she washed her hands, she zoomed in on the feeling. Images of a casual, yet quality pizza and pasta eatery danced around in her mind. Perhaps near the sea somewhere. And she’d buy a house big enough for Michael to live there. He’d need a full-time carer, but surely this was doable.