Kakadu Sunset

by Annie Seaton

‘You need to eat something.’ She tipped her head to the side and observed him as they took the lift down to the car park.

  Kane grasped the small bag of his mother’s belongings that the nurse had given to him as they’d left the ward. All he wanted now was to get through the next few hours without a panic attack. He was deathly tired, his emotions were in a mess, and there was a constant prickling in his scalp. He was doing the best he could to cope. He turned to Ellie when he realised she’d asked him a question. ‘Sorry?’

  ‘Do you want me to pick up some Maccas on the way to the harbour?’

  ‘No thanks.’ The thought of food made his stomach churn. A feeling of detachment from the real world precluded any normal activities like eating or sleeping. Even talking was difficult. Kane’s feelings were heading in a downward spiral but he made the effort to look at Ellie and answer her. ‘Coffee will be fine.’

  They stepped through the sliding doors onto the kerb. The bright light shining over the hospital entrance bathed it in a surreal glow and sharpened the corners of the building. An ambulance was backing into the emergency bay with its lights flashing and the blue light made macabre shadows on Ellie’s face.

  Kane took a deep breath and held Ellie’s arm as they crossed the road towards the car park. ‘Come on. Let’s get out of this place.’

  He drove behind Ellie in his Jeep and followed her towards the city. She took the last turn before the city precinct and turned into Tiger Brennan Drive. The motel was down on the harbour – not the exclusive side of Cullen Bay, but down towards the semi-industrial area where there was a push to make it more attractive to tourists. As Kane followed her small car through the deserted streets, he came to a decision. After they reached the motel and he had seen Ellie safely inside, he was going to find Panos.

  Now. Tonight. Kane didn’t care if it was the middle of the night. The death of your wife was not the sort of news anyone deserved to hear over the phone.

  Ellie swung her little sedan through a wide archway one street back from the waterfront. Kane parked on the road and walked into the small car park at the side of the motel. The receptionist had promised the keys would be left in the door of their rooms. He pulled his phone out and scrolled down to Sordina’s number as he walked across the road.

  This time Sordina picked up after a couple of rings.

  Finally.

  ‘Panos, it’s Kane. Where have you been? I’ve been leaving messages for you for the last twenty-four hours.’

  ‘Wha . . . who?’ The voice was slurred and Kane clamped his lips together in anger. It was obvious now. His wife had died while he was out on a binge. Not only a gambler, it seemed Sordina had a drinking problem as well.

  ‘It’s Kane. Are you in the city? I need to see you.’ Kane kept his voice calm, holding back the harsh words that were on his tongue. He glanced across at Ellie. She stood silhouetted in the doorway of one of the rooms.

  ‘Iss the fuckin’ middle of the night.’ Panos sounded like a petulant child.

  ‘I need to see you now,’ Kane repeated. ‘Where are you?’

  ‘My office. I was asleep.’

  ‘Meet me at the 24-hour McDonald’s at the harbour end of McMinn Street.’ There was no way he was going to his office to meet his stepfather, he’d end up fucking killing him. But the McDonald’s was around the corner. He’d met his mother there a couple of years ago on his final deployment. Kane’s voice was icy and calm. ‘I’ll be there in ten minutes. And Panos? Walk there. You don’t sound as though you are in any fit state to drive.’

  ‘Wass it for?’

  ‘Be there. Ten minutes.’ Kane slipped his phone back into his pocket and walked over to the motel room where Ellie had stood in the doorway. The door was still open but he couldn’t see her. He poked his head inside. ‘Ellie?’

  She looked up from the small kitchenette on the other side of the room.

  ‘I’ll be back in half an hour. I’m going to tell Sordina that –’ Kane cut his words off. He couldn’t bring himself to say them. Mum was gone, but he couldn’t yet put it into words.

  ‘So you found him? Do you want me to come?’

  ‘No. I need to do this on my own.’

  She gave him a sad smile and walked over to the door with him. ‘I’ll wait up for you till you get back.’

  ‘You don’t have to.’

  ‘I want to.’

  Kane looked down at her. He wondered if she knew how much it meant to him, having her there with him tonight – or rather this morning. ‘Thank you.’

  *

  Panos Sordina landed on his knees as he missed the single step from his office to the street and his iPhone flew from his hands, skittering into the gutter in front of the wheels of a dark car parked at the kerb. ‘Bugger.’ As he scrabbled around for the phone, the vehicle’s headlights came on, almost blinding him. He put a hand up to shield his eyes and shook his fist at the driver.

  ‘Bloody wanker!’

  He spotted the phone in the gutter and bent down to pick it up. His head swam. Taking a deep breath, he made a conscious effort to clear his mind, but that last mouthful of whisky he’d drunk before passing out at his desk had been one too many. He leaned across the gutter and retched. The whisky burned his throat as it came up, the sour smell of his own vomit disgusting him.

  What the fuck did his stupid stepson want this late at night anyway? He slipped his work phone into the pocket of his trousers. He’d expected the call to be from Fairweather, but the other phone had been silent for two full days. Panos reached into his shirt pocket and pulled it out. He needed to beg; he didn’t want out – that had been a stupid thing to say. He needed the money.

  Panos stumbled along the footpath as the car took off quietly ahead of him. He pressed the shortcut for Russell and then noticed the time on the screen: two o’clock. It wasn’t night, it was the middle of the fucking morning. What the hell did Susan’s son want him for?

  Kane McLaren, bloody war hero, had made it very clear from their first meeting that he didn’t think Panos was good enough for his mother. At the time, he’d just moved into her house in Cullen Bay. Now Susan was at the farm, living in that bloody falling-down house where it had all begun. It was probably what Kane wanted to front him about, but for God’s sake why at this time of the morning?

  ‘What do you want, Panos?’ Fairweather didn’t sound as though he’d been woken. Maybe he never slept.

  ‘I’m sorry. I was out of line the other day.’ He pulled himself straight and forced a worried tone into his voice. ‘I hear the vote went our way.’

  ‘Our way? We’re finished. Remember?’ Fairweather’s chuckle was almost friendly.

  ‘No, no. I’ll help you. I’ll do whatever you say. I’ve been a loyal friend to you, Russell.’

  ‘You had your chance. It’s too late now.’

  ‘I’ll come and see you. Tomorrow.’ Panos knew he couldn’t do what Russell wanted but he could bluff his way through. ‘I’m sorry, I was wrong.’

  ‘Panos? I’m sorry too.’ With that enigmatic comment, the call disconnected.

  Shoving the phone into his trouser pocket with the other one, Panos brushed his hands down the front of his shirt and then wiped his mouth.

  The salt-laden air from the harbour hit him full in the face as he rounded the corner and he sobered a little more. The garishly lit McDonald’s on the corner of McMinn Street was empty. No sign of Kane. He’d better bloody turn up.

  First thing tomorrow, he’d call Russell again.

  He crossed the road to the small park at the edge of the harbour. He often sat there when he got sick of being in his office, and he knew there was a tap down the steps near the boat ramp. He’d get himself a bit presentable and wash this bloody awful taste out of his mouth.

  A vehicle cruised along the street behind him and pulled to a halt as he hurried across the grass. As he sluiced cold water over his face, Panos shivered. The row of industrial buildings was in darkness and all was silent. The garish blue
light of the Fishermen’s Co-op lit the far end of the street as it flashed every few seconds but its customers were long gone.

  He straightened up and stared over the inky black water. The lights of distant fishing boats twinkled silently back at him. To the north, just beyond the horizon, were the Tiwi Islands. If Russell wouldn’t listen to him, maybe he could get on a boat and disappear there. Or into Arnhem Land. He had some cash in the office.

  But there was Susan to consider.

  The door of a vehicle swung open with an ominous squeak. He looked up. A tall man stood on the footpath above him, clad in black. The light was behind him and his features were hidden beneath a dark cap pulled down over his hair and covering his face. The man pulled a torch from his pocket and shone it into his eyes.

  Now he couldn’t see a damn thing.

  ‘Kane?’

  Panos took a step into the darkness. The air stirred subtly as the man jumped over the rocks in a swift, panther-like movement. Suddenly his hands were held tightly behind his back and he had been twisted around to face the water again. Tears sprang to his eyes as the man grabbed his hair, pulling his head back almost at right angles to his spine.

  He tried to make out his attacker’s face but all he could see were dark eyes staring down at him impassively in the dim light.

  Guttural sounds came from his throat as he tried to protest.

  ‘It’s a long time since I’ve killed anyone like this.’ The words were delivered in a harsh whisper.

  The assailant kicked the back of his knees and let go of him at the same time. Panos fell forwards, his forehead hitting a rock at the base of the low rise to the footpath. With a soft grunt he lay on his stomach. Terror filled him as the man above him spoke again.

  ‘The crocs are going to enjoy their breakfast today.’

  ‘Kane? Is that you? Please, I’m sorry.’ But there was no response.

  Before he could move, strong arms looped behind his elbows and he was dragged across the small car park, his legs flailing uselessly on the rough bitumen. The assailant paused for a moment to unhook the chain across the boat ramp, and Panos looked around desperately. A single vehicle with an empty boat trailer was parked beside the concrete ramp. A wild hope surged through him.

  ‘Help me,’ he croaked. He looked out to the harbour, but the lights of the fishing boats were far from the shore.

  ‘Stand up.’

  The man yanked him to his feet and his head spun. Vomit filled his throat again and he gagged.

  ‘You filthy bastard.’ The voice was louder this time and Panos closed his eyes as fear took over.

  The man in black looked away at the water swirling onto the concrete ramp. Panos could hear the incoming tide lapping against the rocks; it was almost to the top of the boat ramp and the night feeders were stirring with the influx of fish.

  The man pulled a knife from the harness on his ankle and smiled. Panos’ bladder let go as the pale moonlight glinted on the long blade. The strong smell of urine surrounded them.

  ‘You fucking coward.’

  As he waited, expecting to feel the cold blade of the knife, a couple of pebbles rattled down the ramp behind them. The man turned swiftly, dropping into combat position, the knife poised to attack. His head swivelled quickly from side to side as he scanned the car park above them. Panos’ last hope dissolved as a scrawny cat slunk away and disappeared into the dark gap between the two buildings on the far side of the car park.

  ‘Enough.’ The man spun around on his haunches.

  After one long swipe across Panos’ neck, the man stepped to the side to miss the spray of his blood. With a wet gurgle, a bubbling choke and a final expulsion of air from his lungs, his life was over. His vision faded and he welcomed the blessed darkness.

  Chapter 22

  4.00 am Friday

  Harbourside Motel, Darwin

  Ellie paced the sparse motel room, wondering when Kane would be back. She couldn’t sleep; like him, she was wired – the two cups of coffee she had while waiting added to that. She briefly considered using her phone to read the attachments on Emma’s email, but knew her concentration wouldn’t be good enough to focus. Her mind was full of sadness for Susan and sympathy for Kane. A muscle had been pulsing in his cheek ever since she’d arrived at the hospital and she knew he was putting up a strong front. She was glad she’d made the effort to drive to Darwin. There’d been no one else there for him; he was a loner.

  She flicked through the dozens of cable TV stations for a while before leaving the television tuned into an old black and white movie, more for company than an interest in the movie. She must have drifted off to sleep despite the caffeine because a light tap on the door and Kane’s voice roused her a while later. Ellie opened the door and he walked in slowly. His face was pale and his eyes were dark.

  ‘Hey, come on in.’ She kept her voice soft. ‘I’ll make you a coffee.’

  Kane put his keys down on the small table next to the sofa where Ellie had been curled up. He sat down and leaned forward, staring down at the floor. ‘Thanks.’

  She didn’t want to pry so she left him sitting there and went into the small kitchenette. What Sordina had said, how he had reacted to Susan’s death, was none of her business. She glanced across at her iPhone sitting on the bench; it was just before four o’clock. All was quiet as she waited for the water to boil.

  By the time she returned with two cups of coffee, Kane had rested his head back on the sofa and his eyes were closed. She put the mugs on the small coffee table and sat beside him. His dark lashes fanned his cheeks and Ellie let her gaze travel over his face. The hollows in his cheeks appeared gaunt tonight and a rush of feeling ran through her. She wanted to put her hand to his brow and smooth his hair back and tell him everything would be okay.

  But it wouldn’t. His mother had died and he had to work through the grief. She thought back to what Susan had said about Kane needing a friend. She could be that; she would be there for him. Apart from her friendship with Heather, Ellie kept distant from most people. Even her relationships with her sisters were distant most of the time. This feeling of wanting to comfort Kane, and be here with him, was very unfamiliar.

  Ellie’s eyes were heavy and her eyelids slowly closed as she let Kane rest.

  The ringing of a phone on the floor beside them roused her a short time later. Kane jumped to his feet and looked around the room, a frown wrinkling his forehead and his shoulders tense.

  ‘Your phone?’ he said.

  Ellie shook her head as she reached up and pulled her hair back from her face. ‘No, it’s not mine. Mine’s in the kitchen.’ She looked down at the plastic bag on the floor and frowned. ‘It’s in with . . . with your mum’s stuff.’

  Kane reached into the bag and pulled out a small dark red phone. He looked at it for a moment before flipping it open and putting it to his ear.

  *

  ‘Hello? Who is this?’ He didn’t recognise the number. Who the hell would be ringing his mother at this hour of the morning? It certainly wouldn’t be Panos, would it?

  ‘Is that Mrs Susan Sordina’s phone?’ It was a man’s voice, deep and authoritative.

  ‘Yes. Who is this?’

  ‘To whom am I speaking?’

  ‘Who wants to know?’ Kane wasn’t telling anyone who he was until they identified themselves first. He knew he was being rude but he couldn’t give a shit. Not after the night he’d had.

  ‘My name is Detective Sergeant Garrett from the Darwin Metropolitan Command. I need to speak to Mrs Sordina as a matter of urgency. Is she there, please?’

  Kane dropped to the sofa beside Ellie, conscious of her gaze on him.

  ‘This is Kane McLaren – her son. And no, she’s not here.’ He couldn’t bring himself to elaborate, not yet. ‘What’s this about?’

  ‘I need to speak to Mrs Sordina personally.’

  ‘I’m sorry, you can’t.’

  ‘I have to. It’s an urgent matter.’

  ‘She’s
not . . . here.’

  ‘Can you tell me where I could locate her, please? As I said, it is a matter of urgency.’ The man’s voice was firm.

  ‘Where are you?’ Kane ran a hand over his eyes.

  ‘I’m at police headquarters in Smith Street.’

  ‘Look, I’m in Darwin, I’ll come in to see you, okay? I can’t . . . I can’t talk now.’

  ‘Very well. I’m on the sixth floor of the NAB building. Say, about nine?’

  ‘Fine.’ Kane disconnected and put his mother’s phone on the table. He leaned back and the tired sofa sagged beneath his weight.

  ‘Is everything okay?’ Ellie shook her head. ‘Sorry, stupid question. I know it’s not.’

  ‘That was the police. They wanted to talk to Mum.’ Kane shook his head and looked away. ‘What now?’

  Ellie reached out and her fingers held his arm gently. Kane looked down at her hand against his skin, uncertain of this feeling that was rising in him. Something about Ellie touched him, bolstered his confidence. He relaxed his shoulders as the warmth of her fingers travelled up his arm and eased the tension. His gaze swept over her and he was surprised when the warmth turned into the unexpected flaring heat of desire. Her eyes were wide as she looked at him, and tinged with dark shadows.

  ‘Thanks for being here, Ellie.’ Kane dropped his head slowly and rested his forehead against hers. ‘You didn’t have to come, but I am really glad you’re here with me.’

  Ellie leaned into him and he spoke honestly. ‘I’m shattered. If I don’t get some sleep, I’m going to be an absolute cranky bastard and there’s so much to do tomorrow . . . I mean today.’

  ‘I probably should get some sleep too. It was good of Jock to give me the extra day off. I’ll need to leave at noon to head back to work.’

  Kane brushed his thumb across her cheek and let it linger on the soft skin. ‘You probably didn’t need to book two rooms. I could have bunked here on the sofa.’ He pushed himself to his feet and looked down at her. ‘But it’s been good having you here with me.’

  Ellie stood and slipped her hand into his. ‘Stay.’ A smile glimmered in her eyes and her mouth tipped up on one side. ‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t mind if you want to lie down here with me. It’s crazy to go next door.’