Deadly Secrets

by Sarah Barrie

  ‘He’s lucky too. Got more lives than a cat, I reckon.’

  ‘I reckon you’re right.’

  ‘Did you figure out where he found the poison?’

  ‘No, but I’ll have a better look when I get home later.’

  ‘Better. You wouldn’t want him finding it again.’ Katrina studied Jordan, hesitated slightly, then asked, ‘Jordan, are you well?’

  ‘Sure, why do you ask?’

  ‘You just…oh, I hope this doesn’t sound insulting, but you don’t look it.’

  ‘I’ve been worried about Mack.’

  ‘But I haven’t seen you in town for weeks.’ At Jordan’s look, she smiled and shrugged. ‘Mind my own business?’

  ‘There’s just nothing to tell.’

  ‘If you say so. Why don’t we have some lunch?’

  ‘No thanks.’

  ‘Well what about taking Mack for a little walk. He’s well enough. Just go easy and keep it very short.’

  ‘Okay. Katrina…thanks. I might not have had him all that long but…he means a lot. So thanks.’

  ‘It’s what I do,’ she said brightly. ‘I’ll boil the kettle. When you get back we’ll have a coffee.’

  Jordan wandered down the main road with Mack at her heels. She smiled down at him, just so relieved he was recovering. But what now? What was to stop him being baited again? There was one very good reason to kill Mack: to get to her. Her freak wanted to follow through with his threats. How much longer could she keep everyone out of this?

  She yawned and shook her head to clear it. The lack of sleep was making her paranoid, sick — she wasn’t thinking clearly and she knew it. Although they hadn’t gone far, she was suddenly exhausted. She needed to head back.

  ‘We should get her another car,’ Carol told Joel as they shared a table at Mary’s café. ‘You know she and Matt are saving for their wedding and we might get a better deal on two if we do it while I’m getting mine.’

  ‘She’ll want to pick her own car, love.’

  ‘So we’ll take her with us…Joel, look.’ She pointed across the street through the cafe window at Jordan, who was head down, walking aimlessly along the road with Mack. ‘She looks so unhappy.’

  Joel shrugged sadly. ‘I don’t know what to do. You know I’ve tried to help her. Even if she’d talk to Madi we might have a chance at getting through, but you know what Madi said: it’s like trying to have a conversation with a brick wall. She just isn’t interested. She won’t pick up the phone, won’t open the door when I turn up; even when she’s cornered she doesn’t listen.’

  ‘She’s going to have to listen!’ Carol took her eyes off her husband to get another look at Jordan and shook her head. ‘I didn’t realise…this is partly my fault. I’ve been so preoccupied with Madi at the hospital…I’m going over there this afternoon to make sure she gets a decent meal.’

  ‘She probably won’t let you in.’

  ‘Rubbish. I’ll break in if I have to.’

  Joel summoned up a smile. ‘Well, if anyone’s going to get through to her, it’ll be you.’

  ‘Where’s Reid?’

  ‘He’s been tying up some things in the city. He has been calling.’

  Carol huffed. ‘That’s not going to cut it. He should be here.’

  ‘He said he’ll come when he can.’ He watched Jordan disappear down the road and stood abruptly, leaving his meal barely touched. ‘I’m not hungry. You?’

  ‘No, love, let’s get home. I’ve got cooking to do.’

  Jordan had expected another note, had looked for it when she got back from Katrina’s. What she hadn’t expected was the welcome anger that shot through the general haze she’d been walking around in for so long. And it built with each sweep of the message.

  YOU MADE ME HURT YOUR FRIEND. YOU MADE ME HURT YOUR DOG. KEEP THEM AWAY. NOTHING CAN COME BETWEEN US.

  Between them? The only thing she wanted coming between them was a loaded rifle. She dragged her hands over her face, forcing her eyes to focus. The combination of shattered nerves and exhaustion was overwhelming. But she had to do something, because doing nothing hadn’t stopped this freak from hurting Madi, from hurting Mack. And she just knew it wouldn’t stop him hurting whoever or whatever else he decided was in his way.

  ‘So what are you going to do, Jordan?’ she asked herself.

  A noise outside had her snapping to attention and she reached automatically for her rifle. Cautiously, she approached the door, watched Carol struggle out of the car with enough containers of food to challenge any standard refrigerator and dropped the rifle on the table with a resigned sigh. Now she was going to have to play the ‘I’m fine’ card.

  Carol reached the veranda and sent Jordan a thin-lipped stare, while her eyes stirred with something Jordan recognised as determination. Then it was gone, replaced with her famous, no-nonsense, ‘let’s get to work’ expression. Jordan groaned silently, knowing she was about to be managed.

  ‘Hi Jordy, just thought you might like some leftovers. Why don’t you sit yourself down and I’ll heat you something up?’

  ‘No thanks,’ she croaked and cleared her throat. ‘Aunty C, this isn’t a good time…’ She glanced to the mountains, and wondered if he was watching.

  Carol moved past her and deposited her load of bags and containers on the kitchen bench, glanced at the rifle, then faced Jordan. Eyebrows raised, she gave her the ‘have you forgotten your manners’ look, yet another one Jordan recognised.

  ‘Want a tea?’ she asked reluctantly in response.

  ‘That would be lovely! No, you sit there, I’ll make it.’

  ‘Why? Are you scared I’m gonna lace it with something?’

  ‘No, I’m scared you’re going to fall over. Sit.’

  Jordan sat and waved a hand at the fridge. ‘Watch the milk. I make no guarantees as to its safety.’

  Carol filled the kettle, expelled a long breath and sat down next to Jordan, put an arm around her, and squeezed. ‘My girl, look at you.’

  ‘I’m not yours.’

  ‘Oh yes you are, and I’m glad of it. I am, Jordy. And we’ll all get through this. You should talk to Madi. She’s about as sparkly as you are. You’ve always been so close.’

  ‘I’ve spoken to her on the phone.’

  ‘But you won’t go and see her. She’s worried about you.’

  Jordan grimaced. ‘It’s better I don’t.’

  ‘I disagree. You need some company.’ Carol looked around as though noticing something for the first time. ‘Speaking of…I saw you walking Mack in town earlier. Where is he?’

  Jordan took a steadying breath. ‘He’s got to stay at the vet’s a bit longer.’

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘He ate some poison.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘And undoubtedly somehow that will be my doing too because I’m the strung-out junkie with the loose grip on reality.’

  ‘Are you?’

  Jordan shook her head. ‘Please just go, Carol.’

  ‘No.’ She got back to her feet and made the tea, then set one down in front of Jordan. ‘Look, you’ve never been a liar. And I can’t say I’ve ever seen you this…depressed. So what is it?’

  ‘You’re gonna have to believe what you want. And you really can’t be here. Go home.’

  ‘Your hearing playing up? You’re not kicking me out until I’ve had my tea — and my say. You look atrocious. Either we resolve this or I’m going to do whatever it takes to force you into some sort of program.’

  Jordan dropped her head in her hands. ‘This is pointless.’

  ‘No it’s not!’ Carol slapped her hands down hard on the table. ‘Enough is enough. You talk to me, madam. You talk to me right now!’

  Jordan looked up, and as she did, caught sight of the newest note still sitting on the table. When she saw Carol’s gaze follow hers, she leapt to her feet to grab it, but Carol snatched it out from under her grasp. ‘What’s this?’ she demanded.

  ‘It’s nothing.�
��

  Carol read it, frowned and looked up slowly. ‘What is this?’ she repeated.

  ‘One of my non-existent notes,’ she muttered, looking into her tea.

  ‘One of…I don’t…who sent you this?’

  Oh, what the hell? She’s never going to let it go now. ‘Same person who sent me all those, I reckon,’ and waved at the stack on the dresser. Carol moved and read through them once, then again.

  ‘Jordy…’

  She shrugged. ‘I know.’

  ‘So why didn’t you…why would you just…?’ At Jordan’s disinterested stare, Carol folded her arms and tapped a foot, waiting for a proper response.

  Eventually Jordan caved. ‘I tried…at first.’

  ‘But Joel and Reid didn’t believe you. And Madi…this person hurt Madi?’

  ‘So he says. Because he told me, in the first note, to keep everyone away and I didn’t, and Madi was here and then he tried to kill her.’

  Carol’s mouth fell open. ‘That’s why you said it was your fault? How is that your fault? Where were these?’

  ‘He usually leaves them where you found that one.’

  Carol blinked and stared. ‘In the house?’ Her words came out as a squeak.

  ‘Most of the time.’

  ‘He’s been in your house?’ she repeated in disbelief.

  Jordan shrugged again. ‘Mack was locked in my bedroom with me the night he got poisoned.’

  Carol had turned pale. ‘Jordy, what’s wrong with you? You don’t even sound worried about it.’

  ‘I’m tired, Carol!’ She dropped her head into her hands and rubbed her face. ‘I’m just so tired. I almost wish he’d just…’

  ‘No. Oh, my baby girl. No. Get in the car. Now.’

  ‘I can’t! And you can’t be here. Please go, Carol. Please. I’ll tell Harry. I promise.’

  Carol closed her eyes and took a deep breath. ‘I’m sorry, Jordy, but you’re in no state to be making rational decisions. We’re not doing this your way, and as for these,’ she waved the notes at her, ‘just trust me when I tell you that right now I’d love nothing more than for this mongrel to make an appearance. No one hurts my girls and gets away with it. We’re going to find out who this is, and we’re going to make him pay. Car. Now.’

  She walked to the door, notes still clutched in her hand. And waited.

  ‘Well I think that’s about all I need for now,’ Harry told Jordan and Carol as they finished up. ‘It really concerns me that you didn’t come to me with this in the first place, Jordy. We could have been chasing up leads by now.’

  ‘I was going to.’

  He came around the desk and gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze. ‘Don’t be alone in that house until we figure this out. I’ll be ’round in the morning to check the place out, ask a few more questions. I want to start the ball rolling from this end first.’

  ‘Okay. But Harry…be careful.’

  He squeezed her arms again and smiled. ‘I’ll figure it out, Jordy.’

  Jordan attempted a smile and nodded.

  ‘Thanks Harry,’ Carol added.

  ‘No problem. Are you still going to come tomorrow night?’

  ‘The Halloween Party?’ Her gaze shifted to Jordan. ‘Oh yes. I think it’s just what we all need. And yes, I’ll be baking those cookies.’

  ‘Know how to make my day.’

  When the women left, Harry’s smile dropped and he went over the notes again. He didn’t like this. He didn’t like this at all. He’d thought Jordan would catch a break now that Hal Carter had been arrested. So what was this? What the hell was this? Without hesitation, he picked up the phone.

  ‘Easton.’

  ‘Reid, Harry. Carol’s just dragged Jordan down here to see me.’

  Reid expelled a long, unhappy breath. ‘What’s she done now?’

  ‘Done? Nothing. That’s the frustrating part.’

  ‘I’m not following.’

  ‘I need your opinion on something and your eyes on some evidence I’m faxing through. I’m worried about Jordy, and the fact is I think I’m going to need your help with this one.’

  ‘Fine, I was on my way down this afternoon anyway. Send it through.’

  Reid read and reread the copies of the notes, put it together and dropped his head in his hands. What had he done? He’d been so quick to think the worst. Jordan had been confused, scared, and he’d convinced himself it had been an act — the pathetic out of a drug user. But she’d been telling the truth: Madi’s crash hadn’t been an accident and some crazed stalker had been terrorising Jordan.

  And he knew who it was. Would she accept his help? Perhaps she’d never forgive him, but he’d be damned if he would let anyone else take care of this.

  He picked up the phone and called Harry back. ‘It’s Brian Dunmore.’

  There was a pause while Harry digested the information. ‘But Brian’s gone. I’m still looking into it but so far I’ve got nothing. The notes were supposed to have been from Hal.’

  ‘It’s Brian, listen…this is someone from Jordan’s past. The notes call her ‘Angel’. That was written on a photograph in Jordan’s lounge room: a note from her father. And the flowers she was receiving…she told me they were her favourites because her father used to get them for her. This person was around back then and in close contact with the family. We know Brian had an inappropriate infatuation with Jordan that led her father to firing him. He had access to the drugs found in Jordan’s system. In the notes he’s claiming to have killed Beau Davison. Put it together. He’s close by, and he’s watching her. He can’t be allowed to get near her.’

  ‘Reid, the notes were left inside her house. A few days ago he poisoned the dog — the dog that was in her bedroom with her at the time.’

  Something like ice settled over Reid’s entire body. ‘He was in her bedroom? Is the dog…?’

  ‘It was close, but he’s alive.’

  ‘Bag the notes up and courier them here. I want them analysed for evidence. Where’s Jordan staying tonight?’

  ‘Carol’s got her. She and Joel won’t let her out of their sight.’

  ‘I need to do a few things from this end. With everything we’ve got on Dunmore, I can get a full scale search organised, then I’m on my way. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

  Reid ended the call and, with a sense of real urgency, dialled another number. ‘Kelly? Reid…no, I won’t be making the bar tonight. I need another favour.’

  A few minutes later, he answered Kelly’s return phonecall on the first ring. ‘What do you think?’ he asked without preamble.

  ‘What do I think? I think if I was Jordan I’d be kicking your arse. She was telling the truth.’

  ‘The arse-kicking will have to wait. Right now I need to know what I’m dealing with.’

  ‘He’s obviously obsessed. Messages and gifts, surveillance and trespassing, threats and even the belief that the victim needs rescuing are classic stalker behaviours.’

  ‘Give me a profile.’

  ‘From these specifics and my own experience, I’d guess you’re likely looking for a middle-aged male with psychiatric and probable substance abuse problems. You’d be looking at someone who’s socially awkward, anxious, with low self-esteem and we can assume he probably harms himself, so you may see signs if you look hard enough. Could already have a criminal history.’

  ‘Sounds about right. I know who he is, I just need you to tell me what he’s thinking, what he’s going to do.’

  ‘I can throw some terms at you: Borderline Personality Disorder, Obsessive Relational Intrusion…but what it all comes down to is he’s looking for a more intimate relationship with Jordan and threatening to cause harm. He’s likely highly unstable, violent and delusional. What you can count on is that he’s incapable of regulating his emotions and is malignantly narcissistic, meaning he’s incapable of empathy for others and completely wrapped up in his own fantasy.’

  ‘You’re not reassuring me here, doc.’

  ‘I do
n’t mean to. Reid, you want my opinion: this one’s going to act. This sort of thing can go on for years, but from his rate of escalation and the degree of evident psychosis, I don’t think you’ve got long to figure this out. He keeps referring to a timeframe. He’s on a schedule. You don’t get this guy…he’s going to hurt her.’

  ‘He’s already a suspect in three murders. We’ve got a warrant for his arrest and Tony’s arranged the go-ahead to assemble a team. Can you be on it?’ He heard her shuffling papers — she knew what he was asking.

  ‘I can clear my schedule,’ she assured him. ‘Somehow.’

  ‘Thanks, Kel. I’m heading down there tomorrow and hoping to get people on the mountain first thing the following morning.’

  ‘I’ll head down with Brett, who you’ll obviously call next. Reid, be careful.’

  ‘Of course. And thanks again.’

  ‘Maybe this time I can be of some actual help.’

  ‘That wasn’t your fault. I was so stuck on the idea she was just making excuses. Annabelle was always making things up.’

  ‘I know,’ Kelly’s voice was sympathetic, ‘and I understand. Still… don’t expect Jordan to be happy to see you.’

  ‘I don’t need her to be. I just need to keep her alive.’

  ‘Does she know about your sister?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘If you want any chance of making things up, that would be a good conversation to start with.’

  ‘Assuming she doesn’t just throw me out again.’ But of course, he had no intention of letting that happen. Not if there was any chance at all of fixing this.

  ‘I would have thrown us out too, in her situation. Jordan’s no pushover. She’s tough and she’s smart, and that’s in her favour dealing with this. We’ll keep her safe.’

  ‘You’ll keep her safe…while I go after the bastard that’s done this.’

  As they pulled up in front of Carol and Joel’s beautiful federation-style home, Jordan tried arguing with Carol one last time. ‘Carol, I need to go home…there are things I need to do. Katrina told me Mack will be okay to pick up tomorrow. I’ll be fine.’ I need to sleep before dark…please God.

  ‘It shouldn’t have gone on this long!’ Carol snapped, slamming out of the car. ‘You’re so darn stubborn and independent. Those traits can be faults, you know. Come on — inside!’ Jordan followed reluctantly as Carol pulled out her mobile, dialled and opened the door at the same time.