by Ray Smithies
‘The presence of Scorpio and Traffik at the same location!’ declared Forbes.
Marsh conceded that his boss may have got it right. Whatever the interpretation, it was indeed troubling times. The immediate future was as intriguing as it was unsettling.
~ * ~
W
ith Ferret’s funeral concluded and having returned to the police station, Forbes called on his task force to discuss the three-pointed star concept that had been provided by Tom Harrison. He was anxious to visit Brigit O’Neill following Harrison’s earlier phone call, but decided it was best left until tomorrow to give the girl at least one day’s rest to recuperate. While waiting for his men to arrive, he took the liberty of drawing the three diagrams on his trusty whiteboard. Finally, with everybody in attendance, Forbes turned to his captive audience to explain the theory behind this complex illustration.
‘Make no mistake, I have every reason to believe this is factual evidence to support the location of the underground network.’ He outlined the concept, with reference drawn to the Huesmann Historian Group.
‘But where on a Pedley map are we supposed to place this point four?’ questioned Doyle.
‘Harrison has since advised that an article they uncovered at the Advertiser pinpoints to a disused well being alongside the intersection of Pitt and Williams. Apparently the well was abandoned in 1903 and subsequently removed and filled in shortly afterwards.’ Forbes added, ‘There was also mention about the construction of a major drainage system that caused some havoc back in 1859. Apparently streets were renamed and reshaped and a number of businesses were relocated. Rather odd, to say the least.’
‘Has anyone been over to look at the intersection?’ asked Gallagher, ignoring his superior’s latter contribution.
‘I was there this morning but couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary,’ Forbes said.
‘Its one thing finding the site of this central star well, but it’s a further challenge to locate the exact positions of points one, two and three. I mean, they could be bloody anywhere on this circle,’ claimed Parnell.
‘Hang on a moment. In theory you’re correct but address the issue constructively. We know the whereabouts of point four. We also know the scale to be used and the circumference of the circle to be applied. The answer to the remaining points is undoubtedly governed by a further set of clues, which could very well be staring us in the face,’ Forbes responded.
‘And that could take forever and a day,’ groaned Parnell, forever the eternal pessimist.
‘I’ve called this meeting for some creative input, not for you to contribute in a negative way. So, does anyone have any thoughts on how we can tackle this matter?’
‘Yes, I do,’ offered Paul Marsh. ‘Piochsa Szabo shares a house with a person called George, who happens to be an IT specialist.’
‘That would be George Franklin, who has an office in Pitt Street,’ volunteered Burke.
Forbes frowned. ‘But how can he help us?’
‘He may have access to computer mapping.’
‘Meaning?’
‘It’s a program that enables a Pedley street map to be displayed on a monitor. By applying the correct scale in conjunction with the three-pointed star, we may be able to see the likely sites this circle makes contact with. What’s more, he could reposition the circle to any part of the map we want. I believe this would be better than using the photocopier.’
‘Excellent idea.’ Forbes realised he may have been a bit hasty in his judgment. ‘But not knowing the true point four location will only give us an approximation.’
‘Yes, true, but as I said, what’s to stop George playing around with numerous central star well points to see where the circles emerge?’ insisted Marsh.
‘Worth a try, Paul. Anything would be better than persevering with enlargements and reductions via the bloody photocopier. Can you arrange a meeting?’
‘I’m sure that wouldn’t be a problem.’
‘Try for today if at all possible.’
‘I’ll phone the Esplanade now.’ He picked up the phone.
‘Hello, Esplanade Hotel, may I help you?’
‘Yes, my name is Detective Paul Marsh. I wish to speak with Piochsa.’
‘One moment please.’
At the request of Forbes, Marsh put the phone on speakerphone. Following a wait of around twenty seconds, the irresistible voice of the Hungarian barmaid broke the silence.
‘Hello, Paul. Another nightcap perhaps?’
‘Hi Piochsa, I’m phoning about police business.’ Marsh was embarrassed to see his boss’s eyebrows rise.
‘Oh, no Sambuca. How disappointing,’ she teased.
‘Seriously, I need to see George, the person you live with. And by the way, you’re on loudspeaker.’
‘George would be at his office now. What’s this all about, Paul?’ enquired a puzzled Piochsa.
‘I’m hoping he has access to computer mapping to assist the police.’
‘I have no idea. Do you want me to phone and find out?’
‘Yes, please. And if he can assist, would it be possible to see him this afternoon?’
‘One moment and I’ll find out.’
Paul Marsh detected that Piochsa’s emotional state had made some headway. Unlike Thursday night, her voice now sounded composed and alert. Perhaps time itself is a healing factor, he pondered. His observation was best kept to himself, he decided. It wouldn’t serve any purpose to share this with present company, particularly Forbes.
Still they waited for her return. Two minutes became three. Forbes paced the length of the office, unable to keep still. He was the type to keep other people waiting and not be subjected to this reverse role. His watch read two pm.
‘What’s keeping that woman?’ he muttered.
Finally they heard Piochsa’s voice. ‘Are you there, Paul?’
‘Yes.’
‘George can help you but he’s busy for the next two hours. He suggested you call by his Pitt Street office at four o’clock.’
‘Thanks, Piochsa. I owe you a Sambuca,’ offered Marsh and then hung up.
‘Paul, I’ll accompany you at four,’ said Forbes.
~ * ~
Forbes and Marsh entered the offices of George Franklin and Associates slightly ahead of schedule. A bubbly young woman whose bleached hair went in every which direction greeted the officers at reception. She had huge expressive eyes that sat below two large streaks of bright orange eyeshadow. The use of heavy black mascara seemed to emphasise her light-blue eyes. It was as if her eyes were about to speak before her mouth opened. Looking almost comical, she was a sight to behold.
‘Can I help you gentlemen?’
‘Detectives Forbes and Marsh to see Mr Franklin please.’
‘I’ll alert his lordship that the police have arrived,’ she replied in a chirpy manner.
Chewing away on a piece of gum she unexpectedly blew a big bubble that burst on reaching its maximum size. The sound was exceedingly loud, which startled an unappreciative Forbes. By contrast Marsh was highly amused by her flamboyance. He nudged his superior in the side to lighten up.
Her big eyes looked at Marsh after she replaced the phone piece. ‘Georgie won’t be long - about five minutes. I hope he hasn’t been a naughty boy.’
‘Not at all. We’re here to seek his help,’ offered the grinning detective.
‘Boy, that’s a relief. I do worry about Pickles.’
‘Pickles?’
‘I give Georgie a different nickname for each day of the week. It helps create a happy environment. Today’s Friday so of course I call him Pickles.’
‘Of course,’ replied a highly amused Marsh.
Forbes simply glared at the receptionist, believing her to be some nutcase who was probably no more than thirty cents in the dollar.
She continued with the theatrics. A pencil now drawn to her mouth was swirling the gum within. She tried to blow another bubble, but with the extra effort both pencil and g
um were discharged from her mouth and came to rest on the desk in front of Forbes. Marsh burst out laughing at his superior’s astonished expression.
‘Sorry about that,’ she said. ‘I do get carried away at times. My mum always tells me I should concentrate on one thing at a time.’
Marsh nudged Forbes, as if to imply this was not the time to respond angrily.
‘No harm done,’ Marsh acknowledged.
The receptionist continued. Her mass of bleached hair and bright eyeshadow seem to emphasise her whacky character.
‘Now let me get this right, because I’ve been known to mix up the days and names. Monday is Punky Pooh, Tuesday’s Bugaboo, ah ... Wednesday’s Poopsie, um ... and Thursday’s Moochie. There, I got them all right! What do you think of -’ She was cut short by the sound of approaching steps.
A slim man of around forty stepped forth with an outstretched arm. He wore a grandfather top with rolled-up sleeves that was heavily printed with computer jargon. He seemed genuinely pleased to see the two policemen and offered a welcoming smile. He led Forbes and Marsh through to a rear office. When he closed the door Paul spoke for both he and Forbes.
‘What was that?’
‘That was Suzie. She’s a bit eccentric, but the public loves her. They’re entertained while they’re waiting for me to show my ugly face.’
‘You can say that again,’ said Marsh.
‘Who? Suzie or my ugly face?’ asked Franklin with a wide grin.
Forbes had had enough of the nonsense. He wanted to get straight down to business. ‘Mr Franklin, thank you for seeing us at such short notice.’
‘Cut the mister crap. Call me George - everyone else does.’
‘Certainly... George,’ replied Marsh.
‘So you’re the copper that Piochsa talks about,’ George said to Marsh. ‘I must say, she’s a good catch if ever there was one. Both intelligent and downright gorgeous.’
‘Couldn’t agree more,’ said Marsh.
‘Pity she doesn’t see anything in this computer nerd. Now, Piochsa mentioned something about computer mapping, so in what way can I help the force?’
‘Do you have access to this sort of software?’ queried Forbes.
‘Yes, I can download a program I’ve kept from my city days.’
‘Good. But in seeking your help we need to first inform you of some confidential information. This is highly classified and our discussion must be kept within these walls, understand?’ said the stilted and dramatic Forbes.
‘My word said the bird!’ responded George, trying to keep the matter lighthearted.
Forbes discussed at some length the submerged three-pointed star and its relevance to the subterranean passageways. He went on to explain that the site served as Scorpio’s southern headquarters and incorporated drug storage and a penal institution for those who threatened the organisation. Marsh was surprised at his superior’s tell-all approach.
‘Therefore the objective of this demonstration is to gain some idea where the three entrances may be found,’ Forbes explained.
‘And to think it was some fabled bullshit,’ said George, taking the mickey out of the pompous Forbes.
‘Okay, so what have we got, George?’ asked Marsh.
‘This particular program is called Map Focus and runs on Microsoft Windows,’ he stated, booting up his laptop. ‘The technology is around five years old, but it should serve the purpose of highlighting Pedley in all its present-day structure. It’s very user-friendly and has a multitude of functions, including the ability to add data to an existing map.’
‘In what way?’ asked Marsh.
‘Let’s say I wanted to know where bread could be purchased in Pedley. The system will respond by listing known bakeries and their respective addresses. We can produce maps of the entire town or specific regions as required. There is also the ability to zoom in and out, or in other words adjust the map to the preferred scale. We can focus on landmarks, street intersections, historic sites, water features and so on. The list is endless.’
Forbes asked, ‘Can you introduce circles onto the street map?’
‘Certainly, including squares, oblongs, triangles or whatever it is you wish.’
‘Excellent,’ acknowledged Forbes.
‘So let’s begin. First I need to enter a postcode to enable Pedley to come up on the screen. Now we’ll search by way of the intersection you have spoken of.’
George entered Pitt and the cross-street Williams to locate the desired intersection. To the surprise of Forbes and Marsh, it suddenly materialised on the monitor. With the intersection now centralised onscreen, it incorporated the remainder of Pedley in all four directions.
‘Now what was the scale you mentioned before?’
Marsh gave him the figures.
‘Good, it works! I was a little afraid it may only recognise a metric measurement and not imperial,’ declared George.
‘That’s clever of you.’ said Forbes.
‘You flatter me, detective. The system can be operated by a ten year old. Alrighty, what do you want next?’
Forbes produced a template of the three-pointed star. ‘For the purpose of this exercise the triangle is to the same scale as the map. I need you to duplicate this exact size and place it over the map.’
George took a measurement of the template and following a series of calculations he reproduced an exact replica on the screen. Under instructions from Forbes, he placed point four at the precise centre of the intersection and transcribed a circle from one of its triangular corners.
The three men studied the path of the ring. It encompassed the main CBD area. The circle was inscribed on a number of local landmarks, including the TGE Insurance building, Cunningham’s Nursery and Walters Pharmacy.
‘Keep in mind that point four in this example is most likely incorrect,’ said Forbes. ‘Remember the clue stated that it was alongside the intersection and not dead central. Therefore we need to move our star and circle to one side, but in which direction is anyone’s guess.’
George moved the superimposed geometric drawing ever so slightly to the left side of the intersection, together with a turn of the star. To everyone’s surprise the circle took on a whole new relevance. Gone were the previous sites, now replaced by a further set of landmarks. These included O’Riley’s Inn, the Pedley Showgrounds and Hill’s Automotive Repairs.
‘Bloody hell, it’s frustrating,’ Forbes said. ‘It wasn’t supposed to do that!’
‘Fair suck of the sav, detective. I’m only moving this star where you’re directing me.’
George was slightly annoyed with the policeman’s frustration. He again repositioned the central star well and predictably the circle displayed yet another new set of addresses.
‘We may be close to this point four,’ stated an observant George, ‘but locations one, two and three present a new set of challenges. One thing we do know is the first three points are of equal distance apart.’
‘That’s a clever deduction, but where in God’s name do you place these triangular corners?’ asked Forbes.
The three men contemplated the screen for a short while. Repositioning point four only brought frustration with these random selections and different outcomes. There was need to view the puzzle from a different perspective.
‘Buildings aside, what else do we have?’ asked George.
‘Streets?’ suggested Marsh.
‘Okay, let’s see. The circles in most cases cross Pitt, Green, Covert, Baker, Williams, Kelvin and Riley Streets. Doesn’t tell us much.’
‘Perhaps not, but we’ve been advised that back in 1859 a number of streets were repositioned and renamed due to the installation of some drainage system. I’m not sure if there’s any relevance to that project.’
Dismissing Marsh’s input, George continued to pursue further possibilities. ‘Then historical sites, maybe? I’ll check what Pedley has in town and their relevant addresses.’
George commenced a search and they watched the
hourglass perform its duty. The list finally appeared onscreen. A war memorial in Green Street, two early explorer sites erected in the Botanical Gardens and a Covert Street plaque in recognition of a mayor whose service to the community dated back to 1938. Others were mentioned, but with their locations positioned outside the CBD, they were quickly dismissed.
‘It just goes to show that without the exact location to point four it all becomes speculation,’ Forbes finally declared.
‘So where can you progress from here?’ queried George.