by Annie Seaton
‘What’s that water?’ Ellie jumped as Kane’s voice intruded on her thoughts. For the first time, he was showing some interest in what was below.
‘That’s one of the tailing dams at Ranger – the uranium mine.’ She turned the bird further to the east and dropped lower. ‘Look at this.’
Kane let out a low whistle as the barren landscape appeared below them. A huge circular hole cut a swathe more than three kilometres wide through the greenery.
‘Ugly, isn’t it? It’s been there since I was a kid.’
‘How come they’re allowed to mine here? I thought Kakadu was a World Heritage site?’
‘It is. There have been so many close calls since it opened, but the authorities won’t shut it down. There’s just too much money involved.’
Kane grunted.
‘And it’s not just uranium. Do you know there are applications to mine for oil and gas on more than a million square kilometres up here in the Territory?’ She’d learned all this from her mother at Em’s place. ‘And seabed mining too.’
‘I don’t know much about it.’ Kane nodded briefly and looked away, obviously losing interest. ‘I’ve been . . . away.’
Seeing Ranger from the air made Ellie all the more determined to find out what was happening at the back of the old farm. One blight on this beautiful landscape was enough.
Once they were safely on the ground beside the hangar, she shut everything down, and Kane eased himself stiffly from the helicopter. As he began the post-flight checks, Ellie noticed that he was favouring his right leg and had a slight limp. He was different to the usual light-hearted jocks who arrived to fly the choppers here.
Military? Of course. There was a feeling of the services about him. She could imagine him in a uniform. It was just something about him, something that didn’t go with the bare chest, the gum chewing and the casual attitude he was trying so hard to put across.
‘Can you finish up here while I do the paperwork?’ she asked.
‘No problem, babe.’
Ellie strode across the hangar, but paused before she went into the office. ‘Kane? Do me a favour. My name’s Ellie. Nix the “babe”.’
She turned without waiting for his answer but she could feel his gaze on her back as she closed the door.
Chapter 2
Thursday
Panos Sordina’s Office, Darwin
‘We’ve got a problem,’ Panos Sordina said into the phone as he swung his chair around and looked out over Darwin Harbour. It was the beginning of the busy winter season and tourists were milling through the park on the foreshore beneath him. He waited a moment for a response, but none came. ‘Hello? Are you there?’
‘I am.’ The voice was icy.
‘I just had a call from the guys on the ground. One of the yellow Makowa Lodge helicopters was snooping over the property this afternoon.’
‘So? Probably some tourists up for a scenic flight.’ Fairweather’s voice was disinterested, but Panos knew better than to underestimate the man at the other end of the phone.
‘The chopper came down low over the drill site. Twice. You know that Peter Porter’s daughter Ellie is a pilot there? And on top of that, my bloody stepson has turned up unannounced.’
‘Why would he go to the property?’
Panos immediately regretted his slip, and rushed on. ‘Kane was an officer in the fucking Army. He’s not stupid. All he’d need to do is take one look at what’s happening down the back and it could all go to shit.’ Panos wiped his shaking hand down the leg of his trousers. The blasted air-conditioner in the building must be playing up again. It was the middle of bloody winter and he was drenched in sweat. ‘We don’t have a licence to be drilling yet.’
‘You didn’t answer my question. Why would your stepson go there? How does he even know the place exists?’
‘His mother is living there.’
Cold silence.
‘My wife. I . . . I had to –’ Panos’ words ran together as he stumbled on. ‘Money is a bit short again. Some bad bets. I had to sell . . . I sold the house in Darwin and I had to move her somewhere.’
‘I’m not happy, Panos. And you know what that means?’
Panos swallowed. He well knew.
Meeting Russell Fairweather at the Darwin races six years ago had seemed like an amazing opportunity; to get out of the gambling hole he’d found himself in – and maybe even get ahead. At first it had been like a ‘get out of gaol free’ card. His debts had suddenly evaporated, and Fairweather’s money and influence had opened doors for him that he had never dreamed about. But getting involved with him had turned into the biggest mistake of his life. If he had known that accepting a ‘loan’ would have brought him to the hell he lived in today, he would have dealt with the men who had threatened him. He had soon learned that Fairweather considered himself beyond the law, if there was money to be made.
‘So what should I do?’
‘Pull yourself together to start with. The drilling continues. In two weeks the government committees will have voted on the boundary change and the licence, and everything will be legal anyway. And then your farm will include a section of the river and a few hundred more acres. If your stepson becomes a problem in the meantime, I’ll deal with him. The same goes for Ellie Porter.’
Cool as a cucumber, that’s what Fairweather was. But it was all right for him. His name wasn’t on any of the documents. Even though Fairweather was behind the whole deal, there was nothing to indicate that he had any involvement.
‘But I don’t want any more mistakes. Are you listening to me, Panos?’ The voice was ice cold. ‘This project is worth millions, and I won’t have it jeopardised by any more of your fuck-ups. Understood?’
‘Yes, I –’
Fairweather cut him off. ‘Enough. Where are you calling from?’
Goosebumps rose on Panos’ arms. ‘My office phone. Look, I –’
‘When will you ever learn?’
Sweat trickled down his neck onto his collar, and he lifted his hand to undo the top button of his business shirt and loosen his tie.
‘I sometimes wonder how you attained such a position of responsibility.’
Panos gulped but didn’t reply. If it hadn’t been for Fairweather’s payoffs and generous ‘donations’, he would never have been elected to parliament in the first place.
‘Since you have called me from your office, I want you to sit at your desk and make some calls. Pull out the phone book and ring fifty of your constituents and tell them what a wonderful representative you are.’
‘I’m sorry, but –’
‘Bury this call, Panos. Fifty. Now. And don’t ring me from this number again. You have a phone. Use it.’
‘Yes. I will. All right.’ Panos pulled the handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his brow.
‘Now. Right now.’
The call ended and Panos turned to the window and stared at the view in front of him. Was it too late to back out? Maybe he could resign. Just walk off the place. That might work. But where would he go? It would have to be the farm. That was where the problem had started, and now it had come full circle. He’d been a fool. A greedy fool. And now Fairweather had him by the balls.
The phone rang again before he could make his first call.
‘Yes?’
‘Panos, there’s an Ellie Porter on the line for you. Shall I put her through? She said it was important.’
Panos covered his eyes with his free hand and took a deep breath. He swallowed the bile that burned in his throat. ‘Take her number please, Ellen. I’ll call her back in a while.’
*
The driver sitting in the silver Mercedes in the short stay car park at Darwin Airport turned the key in the ignition. The rumble of the powerful engine muted the sound of the traffic on the Stuart Highway as they turned south onto the busy road. In the back seat, Russell Fairweather slipped his gold iPhone into the inside pocket of his jacket.
‘Where to?’ Mick flicked him a gl
ance in the rear-vision mirror.
Russell stared through the window, thinking; Panos’ call had blackened his mood. ‘Take me to Parliament House.’
Without a word, Mick took a right at the next set of traffic lights and turned back towards the city. The traffic was heavy as they drove along the beaches east of the CBD. Five minutes later, he turned onto Mitchell Drive heading for State Square.
‘Take the car back to the apartment and wait for me to call. Organise one of the others to drive me around for the rest of the week. I need you down at Kakadu to deal with some issues.’
Mick gave him a slow nod, his eyes cold and empty. He was a tall, good-looking man, with short-cropped blond hair. Mick had worked for him for several years now and was tasked with handling the ‘small’ problems that occasionally plagued his business dealings. Russell didn’t know whether Mick’s cool disregard for human life came from his military experiences, or whether he had genuine psychopathic tendencies, but he had proved a loyal employee, and followed orders without asking questions. Personality wasn’t a prerequisite.
When they pulled up, Russell climbed out of the car and strode across the square to Parliament House without a backward glance.
As he entered the main door, his mood was eased somewhat by the deferential nods and greetings directed his way. Once the changes were approved, it wouldn’t matter what that meddling Porter bitch saw. The mine was going to be lucrative for the Territory, and that was the card he would continue to play with this idealistic man. If he was difficult to persuade, then less subtle means of persuasion may be necessary.
David Johnson, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, was waiting in the foyer. As soon as he saw Fairweather striding across the marble, he excused himself from the group of men he was talking to. They shook hands and then headed for the elevator.
‘Russell, an unexpected pleasure.’
They emerged from the lift at the rooftop bar, which was beginning to fill with politicians and staffers as the day drew to a close.
‘What will you have to drink?’ Johnson nodded to a couple of men as they pushed their way through the crowd.
‘Glenfiddich. No ice.’ Curious glances were being directed their way.
When their drinks arrived, Russell lifted his glass and observed the honourable member. Johnson’s usually impeccable white shirt was creased and his tie was slightly askew. His hair was tousled and his six o’clock shadow gave him an unkempt look. In contrast, Fairweather shaved twice a day. The whisky warmed his throat and he leaned back into his chair. He brushed his hand down the immaculate crease in his Armani trousers.
‘So, Russell, what was so urgent that you had to meet with me tonight?’ Johnson said, putting his glass on the table.
‘I wanted to bring you up to date on stock market trends.’
Johnson looked at him curiously.
‘My contacts in Asia are predicting some changes in the market over the next few weeks.’
‘Yes, I’m aware that the stock market is moving in response to the situation in China.’
‘It’s not my place to tell you what to do, David, but I’m sure you can see that it’s important to get this exploration licence through as a matter of urgency.’
‘I don’t see the connection.’ Johnson sipped his drink and frowned over the rim of the glass before he shook his head. ‘And the more discussions I have, the less inclined I am to support this project.’
‘That would be a grave mistake. You grew up at Ranger so you know how beneficial mining is for the Territory. It needs your support.’ Fairweather stared at him, jaw set and a pulse ticking in his cheek. ‘And I’ve given you a lot of support over the years – financial support.’
‘Please don’t treat me like a fool, Russell. Your generous support of the party gives you no more say than anyone else. I am considering my decision very carefully and I won’t rush it. You have been most generous in sharing your market knowledge and I am grateful for that.’ Johnson put his glass down and folded his arms. ‘I remain to be convinced that the impact on the environment will be balanced by economic gain. Coal seam mining is controversial and may not be the right direction for the Territory.’
Russell leaned forward and lowered his voice. ‘No.’
‘I beg your pardon?’ Johnson held his gaze steadily. ‘No, what?’
‘David, I believe you recently signed off on a seabed mining contract. Are you aware that was with one of my subsidiary companies? I’ve heard you have been trying to reverse that approval. Not a good look for the Chief Minister to make such an error of judgement. There are whispers that you were bribed. I would hate for the media to hear about that.’
‘That’s a lie.’
‘The media would love it.’ Russell sat back and watched the perspiration bead on the Chief Minister’s forehead.
‘Leak what you want.’ Johnson’s gaze was openly hostile now. ‘It will be just another accusation in the torrent of negativity against the party lately.’
‘I have more than a passing interest in this approval, David.’ Russell stared at him and disgust at Johnson’s ethical stance snaked through him. ‘The Chinese economy and the fall in the US dollar are losing this project – losing the Territory – a million dollars every day. The preliminary tests have indicated a massive seam of coal. The fracking must begin.’
‘Or losing you money?’ Johnson’s gaze was openly hostile now. ‘You assured me you had no pecuniary interest in this project.’
Anger rose in Russell’s throat and he narrowed his eyes. He was unused to people challenging him and he held his temper.
‘A naive assumption, David. But of course, no one would ever find any association between me and the project, so don’t waste your time looking.’
‘In hindsight, I’m not surprised.’ Johnson’s laugh was bitter. ‘But your gain or loss – or any threats you make against me – are irrelevant to my decision. Of course I can see the economic benefits, but we’re talking about coal seam gas mining at the edge of a World Heritage-listed national park. There’s a lot more investigation to be done before I – or the committees – will make a decision either way. One thing you may be certain of is that I will act appropriately and ethically.’
‘David, David.’ Fairweather shook his head and Johnson’s eyes narrowed at his tone. ‘It’s rather late for you to start playing the environmental card. Do you think I care about the opinions of a bunch of do-gooders beneath the sway of some rabid greenies?’ He put his glass down on the polished wooden table with a sharp click. ‘There are just two things you have to do.’
‘Two things?’
‘You will ensure that the boundary change is approved next week. And then it will be an easier matter for the drilling licence to be granted.’ Russell let a satisfied smile cross his face. The licence was merely a formality; drilling had already commenced but Johnson didn’t need to know that. One of the benefits of drilling in the wilderness; there was no one to snoop – or there hadn’t been until that Porter woman had flown over the site.
He continued. ‘It will be easy for you with your charismatic leadership, Chief Minister. I believe there are several other committee members working towards a suitable outcome too. Trust me, I will do whatever is necessary. I want this finalised in two weeks.’
‘Are you threatening me?’
‘Not yet. I am merely protecting your career. And trust me David, I will do whatever it takes to get what I want.’
‘Not yet? You need to be careful with what you’re saying, Russell.’ Johnson leaned forward, his mouth set in a straight line.
Fairweather finished the last swallow of his whisky, allowing himself a moment to appreciate its smoky burn. The man clearly needed a reminder of precisely where he stood in the scheme of things.
In short: under his foot.
He pulled out his iPhone and sent a text to Mick to send a driver. He’d heard enough.
‘I’m afraid that I have another appointment this evening. It’s
been lovely to see you, David. Do give my best to Gina, won’t you? She’s almost due to have another child, I hear? And your other children, of course.’
Johnson’s eyes widened and followed Russell as he stood.
‘Do you know that I’ve been reading the most terrible things about childhood accidents in the papers recently? I do hope you look after yours very well, David.’
Johnson put his glass down and stood up. The sudden pallor of his face told Russell that his meaning had been understood.
‘Thank you for the drink, David.’ He looked over his shoulder as he walked away. ‘You have two weeks. Don’t let me down.’
Chapter 3
Thursday
Makowa Lodge, Kakadu National Park
The tiki torches along the edge of the garden flickered in the early evening breeze and a whiff of sandalwood oil drifted across to Ellie as she walked through the lodge grounds. She made her way past the pool and glanced down at her watch. After half a day spent travelling, and then the emergency call, she really hadn’t felt like going out. The lingering worries about her mother clung to her like a sticky cobweb. Ellie tried to push the thoughts away, but it was impossible after the call she’d just taken from Panos Sordina.
He’d been friendly. Way too friendly.
‘Sold up? No, in fact Susan and I are moving back there for my retirement. She’s already living there.’ The hearty laugh and the booming voice had seemed overdone to Ellie.
‘And you’re doing some work there?’
Dead silence.
‘Why would you think that?’
‘I saw a couple of trucks turn off there this afternoon.’
‘Oh yes. Ah, I’m putting another dam in. I’m going to get the farm back up and running.’
She didn’t believe a word. That was no new dam she’d seen from the air. ‘So it’s nothing to do with exploration? Didn’t look like a dam when I flew over there.’
His bluff and blustering response filled her with even more unease.
‘Exploration? A ridiculous idea, wherever did you hear that?’