Kakadu Sunset

by Annie Seaton

  Gina tried to call for help but no sound would come out. David was right. Someone was trying to hurt her. This was what he had warned her about. Oh God, will I ever see him again?

  And my babies. She lifted one arm and managed to reach out; silver lights were clouding her vision.

  Her hand was lifted gently between smooth, soft fingers as the husky voice faded in and out. ‘It won’t be for long and I promise I’ll take good care of Binny and Andrew.’

  Gina shook as a final shiver wracked her and the soft grey light turned to black.

  *

  Parliament House, Darwin

  David glanced down at his phone: four missed calls from Gina as well as a string of texts. He pressed her number on speed dial and held the phone to his ear, waiting for her to pick up as he flicked through the emails on his computer.

  Gina’s phone switched to voicemail but he hung up without leaving a message. Knowing his wife, she would call back shortly. A day didn’t pass without them having at least one conversation – often three or more. Last night had been horrendous, back-to-back meetings until midnight. He’d intended calling Gina after they’d finished but it had been too late when he’d got back to his office and he knew she’d be asleep. He missed them so much; the house was as quiet as a morgue. David crossed the room and leaned on the doorframe, looking out into the adjacent office to where his media advisor usually sat. His desk was clear and his computer was switched off. He needed him now; they had a lot of work to do before Monday’s meeting.

  ‘Helen?’

  His secretary looked up from her computer screen. ‘Yes, David?’

  ‘Do you know where Sean is?’

  ‘He’s been doing some work over in the technology unit.’

  ‘Can you get hold of him for me, please?’

  ‘Sure.’ Helen nodded and picked up the phone and David flashed her a brief smile and went back into his office. The media release prior to Monday’s meeting was going to be a key factor in ensuring that the right outcome was achieved.

  But it would all be a waste if Fairweather had gotten to anyone else on this committee. Some of his colleagues were acting strangely; eyes downcast and unwilling to stop for a friendly chat as they passed in the corridors. If only he could get someone to confirm it, he’d have Fairweather up before a corruption hearing as soon as the vote was over. But he was too careful to take him on without hard proof. A throwaway line to him with no witnesses was not going to stand up in a court of law.

  David crossed to the window and stared across the expanse of water in front of him. A breeze had whipped the waves into white caps on the harbour. The flag at the front of Government House snapped in the stiff breeze. The white gables reflected the strong morning sun, and tourists were wandering along the path that skirted the harbour. They didn’t have a worry in the world.

  His shoulders sagged for a moment; it had all became too hard. The more time he spent fighting for what he believed was best, the more he became disillusioned by the power of people like Fairweather. No longer was it for the good of the Territory or Territorians. A parliament free of political corruption, where decisions could be made based on integrity and a balanced consideration of the risk for the environment, was never going to be the reality. He’d been idealistic and naive.

  To the detriment of my family, and my life.

  Despite his uncertainty, David had still prepared thoroughly for the meeting on Monday. He hoped Russell Fairweather would be very disappointed with the outcome of the vote.

  There was a light tap on the door and it opened before he could speak. His media advisor strode in, a smile plastered on his face.

  ‘Dave. The dragon lady –’ he inclined his head towards the outer office ‘– told me to get my butt in here.’ He turned the chair opposite David’s desk around and straddled it.

  ‘We’ve got some work to do, Sean. Thanks for coming over. I need your expertise.’

  Before Sean could respond, the door opened and Helen walked in slowly. Her face was ashen and her hands shook as she put them up to her face.

  David stood and hurried across the room. In the four years, he had worked with Helen, he had never seen her show any emotion. By the time he reached her, tears were running down her face. Cold fingers of premonition settled in David’s gut.

  ‘What is it? Helen, what’s wrong?’ She was shaking and turning her head from side to side. ‘Is it Gina?’

  ‘Oh David, I’m so sorry. It’s dreadful, dreadful news.’

  Chapter 25

  9.15 am Friday

  Police Headquarters, Darwin

  ‘Dead? How can he be dead?’

  Kane stopped chewing his gum and clenched his jaw. He stared at the policeman across the other side of the large desk. The room was bare, a couple of filing cabinets were against the side wall, and the desk in front of them was clear. Apart from the low hum of the air-conditioning pushing out frigid air, the room was silent. Ellie shivered beside him and he reached across and put his arm around her shoulders.

  When they’d driven along the waterfront from the motel, they’d seen the blocked-off street and the police vehicles. But they’d not suspected the connection between the crime scene and the reason for their visit to the police station. Not until they were informed that Panos Sordina’s body had been found beside the boat ramp by a couple of early morning joggers.

  ‘We’re trying to get in touch with Mrs Sordina. Do you know where we can find her?’

  The colour drained from Kane’s face. Ellie squeezed his hand tightly and answered for him. ‘His mother died last night. In the hospital.’

  ‘I’m sorry to hear of your loss.’ But the detective’s voice was formal and he continued without a pause. ‘So, Mr McLaren. According to Mr Sordina’s phone records, you had been trying to call him for most of the night. One call registered as being answered. Did you actually speak to him?’

  Kane nodded. ‘Yes. I did.’

  ‘What time was that?’

  ‘I’m not sure. It had to be well after midnight. My mother had just passed away. I wasn’t taking much notice of the time.’

  Ellie squeezed his fingers again and he rubbed his thumb absently across her skin.

  ‘Mr Sordina’s phone registered a forty-second call from you at twelve minutes past one. Just before two o’clock, we have CCTV footage of you standing outside the door of the building where his office is located.’

  ‘That’s correct.’

  ‘A strange time to organise a meeting?’

  ‘We had agreed to meet on McMinn Street. He didn’t turn up so I went looking for him.’ Kane kept his voice steady. ‘He wouldn’t answer his phone all night. Christ, man, I had to tell him his wife was dead.’

  ‘Again, I’m very sorry to hear of your mother’s death, Mr McLaren.’

  Kane nodded tersely.

  ‘So when was the last time you saw Mr Sordina?’

  ‘I’ve only met him on a handful of occasions. I haven’t seen him for at least two years but I had a big problem with the way he treated my mother, and I was going to speak to him about it. For all I know he fell in the harbour and drowned on his way to meeting me.’ Kane shook his head. ‘Christ knows, he sounded drunk enough on the phone.’

  Detective Sergeant Garrett steepled his fingers on the desk in front of him. ‘Actually it’s interesting that you mention the harbour. That’s where he was. In the harbour before the tide washed him in.’ He stopped speaking and held Kane’s gaze for a full minute. Kane clenched his jaw. ‘However, he didn’t drown, Mr McLaren. The initial observation by the forensic pathologist indicates that Mr Sordina’s throat was cut. Your stepfather’s death was no accident. This is a murder investigation.’

  ‘A murder?’

  Ellie’s fingers tensed in Kane’s hand as she expelled a soft gasp. Kane glanced at her; her face was white.

  ‘I have my mother’s funeral to organise and then I have to get back to work. If you want me, you have my number.’ He turned to
Ellie and held out his hand. Relief filled him when she took it. ‘I know nothing more than I’ve told you.’

  ‘Thank you, Mr McLaren.’ Garrett nodded at Ellie before turning back to Kane. ‘Once again, I’m sorry to hear of your mother’s death. It’s been a very difficult night for you and I do appreciate you coming in.’

  ‘You can find me at Makowa Lodge in Kakadu. I have a job to go back to.’

  Kane strode from the building. Ellie’s hand was still in his and she kept up the pace he set. They stepped out into the street and the noise of the morning traffic was a welcome distraction to the jumble of his thoughts. Kane stopped and looked down at her.

  ‘Bloody hell. What’s going on?’

  ‘Are you okay? I know you didn’t get on with Panos, but it’s still a shock.’

  Kane shook his head. ‘It might sound hard, but Panos’ death has had no impact on me at all. I’m just grateful that Mum was gone and she didn’t have to deal with it.’

  Ellie slipped her arms around his waist and leaned into his chest. Kane dropped his chin to rest on the top of her head and took comfort in her warmth. They stood silently for a moment outside the office block as the busy crowd pushed past them.

  ‘I’m going to have to leave for Makowa soon. Will you be okay?’ Ellie lifted her head and Kane stared into her clear, blue eyes. He wondered if she knew how much her support had helped him through those early hours this morning.

  ‘Kane. Stop looking at me like that.’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘Like you’re wondering if I believe you. Don’t even go there. That man was so rude asking you those questions.’ Her hands tightened on his back. ‘You should put in a complaint.’

  Kane shook his head with a rueful laugh. ‘He was only doing his job. I understand where he’s coming from. The timing sucks but he has to find out what’s going on.’ He put his hands on Ellie’s shoulders. ‘And the reality is that Panos was murdered. It was no drunken accident. When it hits the news, it’s going to be big.’

  ‘Kane?’ The tremble in Ellie’s voice sent a surge of protective warmth spiralling through him. He’d failed before and he wasn’t going to fail again. The thought of sending her back to the lodge alone bothered him. He suspected – no, he knew – that Sordina’s death was not a random killing. It was somehow tied up with what was happening at the farm. His mother had said enough to make him certain of that.

  Ellie’s next words echoed his thoughts. ‘It’s too much of a coincidence, isn’t it? The fracking. Bill’s accident. Panos’ death.’ Tears filled her eyes as she looked up at him. ‘There’s someone behind all this. What are they trying to achieve?’

  ‘I don’t know, Ellie.’ He rubbed his thumb gently along her full bottom lip. ‘But I’m going to find out.’

  ‘Should we go back and tell that detective what we suspect?’ Ellie stood on her toes and brushed her lips across his. Her hair brushed against his face and he was filled with need. Kane wasn’t used to that feeling and a warning rippled through him as he held her.

  What the hell are you doing? He was leaving himself too open. Slowly he dropped his hands and the expression on his face must have mirrored his thoughts.

  ‘Not yet.’

  Ellie lowered her gaze and stepped away. ‘You’d better take me back to the motel, so I can collect my car.’ She glanced down at her watch. ‘I’ll be cutting it fine as it is.’

  ‘I’m only going to do the essentials with the funeral home. I’ll get back as soon as I can. I want you to be very careful. Make sure you’re not alone at all. Stay around the rest of the staff till I get back. Don’t even go to your apartment. Okay?’ Kane tilted her chin up with his fingers. He couldn’t help himself. He leaned down and took her lips with his in a brief kiss. ‘Drive carefully. Okay?’

  ‘I will.’ Ellie held his gaze, her blue eyes steady.

  Full of trust. The cold feeling began at the base of Kane’s neck as Ellie’s eyes changed to the dark brown of Hawk’s. He took a deep breath and pushed away the growing panic before it could take hold of him.

  Chapter 26

  2.00 pm Friday

  Makowa Lodge

  Ellie had plenty of time to think on the way back to the lodge. So much had happened in the short time since she’d driven down this highway. There’d been no mistaking the feelings that had consumed her when she’d been with Kane in the early hours of the morning. Not just when he’d held her. The intensity of his gaze in the motel bed had made her stomach swoop like it did when she put her helicopter into a steep dive. He’d let her into his head, into his heart, and she suspected that giving himself to her had been a huge step for him; as big a step as it had been for her.

  Meeting Kane had set her on the right path towards her own healing. Once they’d investigated this stuff at the farm, she would decide whether she could let the past go and focus on her future. It would take some time to figure out what that future held, and whether Kane would be a part of it.

  Slowly, slowly. A frown wrinkled her forehead as her father’s words echoed through her thoughts. He’d taught her patience as they’d raised the trees from seedlings, and as he’d sat with her in the shed, waiting for her chickens to hatch beneath the special lights they’d set up. She hoped that Kane had good memories of his childhood; he was going to need something to look back on to help him grieve for his mother.

  She stared straight ahead as she drove past the farm. Time for that later.

  The sight of the high phone towers looming ahead at Jabiru surprised her. Ellie had been so immersed in her thoughts that she’d paid little attention to the traffic. Now the short final leg towards the lodge awaited her. A pall of smoke hung in the still air of the early afternoon, indicating the seasonal burn-off was still going. Ellie slowed down as the smoke thickened, and cursed as she came to a line of traffic stopped ahead of her on the highway just south of the Bowali Cultural Centre. She slipped the car out of gear and pulled the handbrake on, settling back to wait. If the fire had jumped the road – which it looked like it had – she could be in for a long wait.

  Ellie put her head back and closed her eyes; she’d not had much sleep in the past twenty-four hours and she knew she had at least two flights to take up late this afternoon.

  It was a full half hour before the caravan in front of her began to move as the traffic was allowed through. She was just going to get back in time for her shift. The revving of a powerful engine came from behind her car and Ellie glanced in the rear-vision mirror. A black Mercedes SUV was almost nudging her bumper and a memory tugged at her. Mercedes? Where had she seen one of them recently?

  Once the traffic was flowing, the Mercedes accelerated with a roar and flew past her. Idiot.

  By the time she turned into the lodge and parked near her apartment, there was barely enough time left for her to run in and change into her work clothes. Despite what Kane had said, she had to go there to get changed. Terry was mowing along the edge of the car park but still trepidation filled her as she unlocked the door. She looked around carefully, but the place was as it should be. Changing quickly, she grabbed her work boots and locked the door before sitting outside on the steps and pulling them on. She’d have to run the pre-flight check before the three o’clock flight.

  The hangar was hot and the smell of smoke hung in the air. If this burn-off covered a large area, there wasn’t going to be much of a view for the tourists. She logged on and checked the weather forecast before stepping out onto the tarmac. A north-easterly change was forecast to arrive through the afternoon, which might clear the smoke. On the other hand, it could make the fires flare up more, and the flight would be a waste of time. Plus a change from the north could bring a thunderstorm, even in the dry season.

  Ellie picked up the phone and dialled the office. She tapped her fingers as she waited for Jock to pick up. ‘Hey Jock, it’s me, Ellie.’

  ‘Where are you?’

  ‘I’m over in the hangar. Did the Cooinda guys come over this mornin
g?’

  ‘Yeah they did. Had another flight booked, too, but they checked over both choppers before they left. You should find the paperwork over there.’

  ‘Yeah, see it. I just checked the forecast. What do you think?’

  ‘Hmm. I was just about to do the same. Give me a minute.’

  She waited as the sound of Jock pounding on the keyboard came down the line.

  ‘How many booked?’

  Ellie checked the schedule. ‘Looks like we’ve had a cancellation. Only one left. Henry.’ The name was familiar. There’d been a Henry a few days ago; tourists would often come back for a second flight when they stayed at the lodge.

  ‘Can it. Hang on, I’ll see if we can contact them.’ More keyboard clicking as he checked the guest register. ‘Sorry, no Henry staying here. Must be staying somewhere else. You’ll have to wait until he turns up.’

  ‘Okay, will do. Thanks, boss.’

  ‘No worries. I’ve got a meeting up at the park headquarters. Sorry but I gotta go, I’m late as it is.’

  ‘See if you can find a spare pilot while you’re up there. Okay?’

  ‘I’ll do my best.’

  Ellie flicked the light switch off and closed the office door. It had become darker; the combination of low cloud and smoke hanging in the air confirming that Jock had made the right call. She turned towards the tarmac to re-lock the gate she’d unlocked when she’d arrived. A shadow moved to her right and Ellie jumped as a man appeared in front of her.

  ‘Holy shit. You scared me.’ She took a quick breath.

  ‘My apologies. I thought you were leaving. I’ve got a flight.’

  Ugh. The same guy she’d taken up on Wednesday. Henry. Now she remembered him. He was the one who’d wanted to fly the chopper. He’d been more interested in the workings of the helicopter, the seats, the radio and the doors than any of the scenic spots they’d flown over.

  ‘Ready to take me up again, love?’ He was a big man, and he invaded her personal space as he leaned close. Ellie took a step back, trying to keep a polite expression on her face.