The Secrets that Lie Within (Taylor's Bend, #1)

by Elisabeth Rose

  ‘They didn’t know but the nurse said someone picked her up. Someone she was waiting for. A man.’

  ‘How could they let her go off with a strange man?’ Anger shortened her breath. ‘They knew she was in danger.’

  ‘They can’t stop her. She’s an adult and she’s not under arrest. Abbie, she knew the man.’

  Abbie was already punching Georgia’s number into her phone as he spoke.

  ‘The number you are calling is unavailable.’

  ‘Dammit. Her phone is off.’

  ‘Maybe she’s on her way here,’ said Rupe.

  ‘She’d phone me to collect her. She doesn’t have a car. Do you think she took a taxi?’ Abbie glared at him. Sometimes he could be incredibly irritating.

  ‘I don’t know and neither do you. But someone picked her up so she has transport. The hospital didn’t say it was a taxi driver.’

  ‘Aren’t you concerned for her safety at all?’

  ‘Abbie, she wouldn’t wait for someone to pick her up if she was being abducted.’

  ‘I’m going to the hospital to find out what happened. Someone must have seen who it was.’

  ‘Wait,’ he said sternly. ‘I need to report this.’

  ‘You can do what you like, I’m going to Wagga.’

  Abbie stalked into the house to collect her bag and keys. When she strode back through to the kitchen, Rupe had gone to the office. She hesitated a moment. Should she say something to him? Something conciliatory? He wasn’t a free agent, he had duties, rules to follow.

  When she reached the door to the office, she waited while he finished his call. He glanced at her but didn’t smile. He picked up a pen and made a few notes.

  ‘Will do,’ he said.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she said when he hung up. ‘That was rude.’

  He turned slowly. ‘I know you’re upset and worried, Abbie, but the Wagga police will go to the hospital and call me when they’ve got some information. It’ll be much quicker and they’ll be able to get more answers than you will, believe me.’

  Abbie rubbed her lips together, defeated. The burst of adrenaline-fuelled energy faded. He was right. ‘It’s hard not to do anything.’

  ‘I know. Why don’t you set up the back room as your studio?’

  She drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She could do that. See what she actually had and what she needed. The boxes of salvaged equipment were still in the car.

  The fax machine on the bench suddenly began whirring.

  ‘That might be the forensics report,’ he said. ‘They were going to send me a copy.’

  He scanned the pages as they came through, pausing on the last one.

  Abbie waited impatiently while he read. Finally he said, ‘The people who were in your house were also in Rita’s.’

  ‘We thought that.’

  ‘Yes, but it’s now definite. And the prints on the poker that hit her match the ones in the house. We won’t know who they all belong to until we find that pair though.’

  ‘They have to be Kaelee and Aaron’s, don’t they? No-one else has been in my house recently apart from you and me and Georgia, and two of us haven’t been inside Rita’s place.’

  ‘It’s a very high chance but we can’t say for sure yet. There is the mystery person in the silver car.’

  ‘Oh!’

  ‘Or persons,’ he added.

  ‘I never thought of that.’

  ‘It’s dangerous to make assumptions and jump to conclusions.’

  ‘I suppose so.’

  Abbie did as Rupe suggested and spent the next hour setting up one end of the large back verandah area with her easel and painting gear. An empty, long, low bookcase running under the windows was perfect as a place to put her paints and brushes. She’d salvaged a couple of drop cloths and she spread these on the bookcase and the floor under her easel. The new canvases were propped against the wall.

  Morning light streamed in through the big windows but would go by lunchtime, when the sun moved towards the front of the house. It was a nice, airy space to work though, and she was grateful to have it, grateful for Rupe’s generosity in taking her in.

  Where was Georgia?

  Why hadn’t she called? Who was she with?

  Rupe appeared in the doorway with two mugs in his hand.

  ‘Tea?’

  ‘Lovely, thanks.’ She took the proffered brew.

  ‘Is it okay here for you?’

  ‘Yes, it’s great. The morning light will be really good.’ She perched on the bookcase next to her remaining paint tubes. ‘Thank you, Rupe. For everything.’

  He shrugged and sipped his tea. ‘You’re welcome.’

  ‘Is there any news yet?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Where do you think she went?’

  ‘She might have called a friend. Any ideas as to who?’

  ‘Obviously not Sophie. I don’t know her Melbourne friends but I guess that’s possible.’

  ‘The father of her baby?’ he asked.

  Abbie’s hand jerked in surprise and a few drops of tea ran down the side of the mug. That hadn’t occurred to her at all.

  ‘She didn’t want to talk about him.’

  ‘So you have no idea who he is?’

  ‘Not a clue. Rupe, I haven’t seen her or talked to her for two years.’

  ‘I’m sorry but I have to ask.’

  ‘But why wouldn’t she tell me?’

  ‘She might not be ready.’

  ‘But I’m her mother and we …’

  ‘I know. But Georgia obviously has a lot going on in her life that you know nothing about. You can’t make her tell you everything as if she was a child.’

  ‘She is my child.’ But she wasn’t anymore, Georgia had stopped being her little girl when her father exploded their family into a million pieces. That monster of a man … Kaelee did the world a favour when she pushed him off those rocks.

  ‘Abbie?’

  She looked up quickly, consciously relaxed the fingers gripping the mug, unclenched her jaw. Rupe would be shocked if she told him her thoughts. ‘You’re right. Georgia’s an adult. Soon to be a mother. But she came to me, she wanted to see me and we were going along well until …’

  Rupe drank his tea calmly while she stifled the urge to cry.

  ‘She said something odd to me,’ she said, forcing her voice into steadiness.

  ‘When?’

  ‘While we were tied up and afterwards in the hospital. She said “I’m sorry” and “It’s my fault”.’

  ‘What did she mean?’

  ‘I don’t know. Maybe she thought it was because she was there Kaelee went crazy.’ She shrugged. ‘I don’t know.’

  The phone rang in the office. ‘That could be the call we want,’ he said and handed her his mug.

  Abbie hurried after him, ditching the tea mugs in the kitchen as she went.

  Rupe snatched up the phone on his desk. ‘Taylor’s Bend police. Senior Constable Perry.’

  ‘Rupe, it’s Vic Kostas. We talked to the nurse who saw your girl leave. She said she left just before ten this morning with a young man of Asian appearance, Chinese or Vietnamese, maybe. Slim build, about the same height as the girl. She didn’t see the car but he was waiting in the foyer and he kissed her and took her bag to carry. She seemed pleased to see him and they left. I have the address she gave the hospital.’ He read it out. Rupe wrote it down.

  ‘Okay, thanks Vic.’ He hung up and turned to Abbie. She wasn’t going to like this but it was better than an abduction.

  ‘Well?’ Her eyes were huge in her pale face, emphasised by the lack of hair. He wanted to grab her and hold her, protect her and comfort her from all the arrows hurtling towards her, but she wasn’t ready for that. Not from him, she wanted answers and she wanted results. She wanted Georgia found.

  He relayed the information. ‘Does he sound familiar?’

  She frowned. ‘I don’t think so. There was a Chinese family two doors along in Hornsby but the
boy was five years younger than Georgia. I know Sophie had an Indian boyfriend at one stage. She could have met anyone at university or in Melbourne. I don’t even know her housemates.’

  ‘Housemates?’

  ‘Yes, she said it was a share house and not good for after the baby comes.’

  ‘She could be heading back there. I have the address. I’ll ask if they’ve sent someone round to check.’

  He rang DS McGrath.

  ‘Yes, we spoke to someone at the house this morning,’ she said. ‘Naomi Peng. She said she hadn’t seen or heard from Georgia for over a week and as far as she knew neither had anyone else there. She’s only been there a month so doesn’t know any of them well. The other two, both men, were out and she didn’t know when they’d be back. Ben Phan and Guy Johnson.’

  ‘So either of those two men could have collected Georgia, and it would most likely be Ben Phan by the name and the description we have.’

  ‘We thought the same thing. It’s possible but he would’ve had to leave Melbourne yesterday or very early this morning.’

  ‘Right. Thanks.’

  He turned to Abbie but she said, ‘So they think a housemate picked her up.’

  ‘It sounds like it.’

  ‘Why wouldn’t she tell me?’

  He placed his hands gently on her shoulders, her body fragile under his fingers. ‘We know she wasn’t abducted. She was pleased to see whoever it was. That’s a relief, isn’t it?’

  She hesitated before replying, doubt clearly warring with the truth of his words. Eventually she nodded. ‘Yes, you’re right. It is. I just wish she’d contacted me. She must know I’m worried.’

  ‘I can’t give you any answers.’

  ‘I know.’ She straightened and he lifted his hands reluctantly. ‘Okay. Thanks, Rupe, you must have work to do. I’ll leave you in peace.’

  ‘I do as it happens, but I have the afternoon off. What will you do?’

  A little smile appeared for the first time. ‘My washing. I’d offer to do yours as well except I reckon it’ll take a few cycles to get rid of the smoke smell in mine.’

  ‘Thanks but yes, you can keep that to your own gear.’

  Rupe watched her go, the smile leaving his face. What had Georgia meant by those two remarks—apologies, really? Was she more involved with this than they realised? She had turned up out of the blue at a very convenient time, which was another coincidence. He didn’t like coincidences.

  ***

  Abbie was hanging out the washing when Rupe came to the back door.

  ‘Abbie, come here,’ he called.

  She pegged the blouse in place and walked across the rough grass of the yard. He needed to break out the mower.

  He stepped aside to allow her to enter.

  ‘The smell’s a bit better,’ she said. ‘Fresh air will do them good.’

  ‘In the kitchen,’ he said. ‘Visitors.’

  Crumbs, that would be one of the townspeople coming to see if they could help. And she hadn’t thanked Marlene yet. How remiss of her. She’d do it as soon as whoever this was had gone. Unless, as was likely, it was Marlene.

  ‘Who is it?’ she whispered but she was too late because he’d already given her a little shove towards the kitchen.

  ‘Go,’ he said.

  ‘Hello, Mum.’

  Abbie stopped, breath snatched away until air forced its way into her lungs and she was able to move forward and hug her daughter.

  ‘You … you …’ she muttered in between sobs. ‘I was so worried. Why didn’t you phone?’

  ‘Phone battery was flat. Careful.’ Georgia eased herself out of the embrace. ‘I’m bruised, remember?’

  ‘Sorry. How are you feeling?’ Flat battery? Was that it? She couldn’t borrow a phone from her friend? Use the hospital one?

  ‘Okay, considering.’ She turned and gestured towards the man sitting at the kitchen table smiling with perfect white teeth, whose presence Abbie hadn’t even registered until that moment. ‘This is Ben. He came to get me.’ She didn’t sound particularly pleased by his effort.

  ‘Hi.’ Ben stood up, hand extended. ‘Pleased to meet you.’

  ‘Hello, Ben. Thank you for bringing Georgia here.’ Slim, polite, neat blue and white checked shirt tucked into jeans.

  ‘Mum, for god’s sake. Ben’s a friend, not some stranger who gave me a lift.’

  A shadow passed across Ben’s smooth olive-skinned features. He smiled awkwardly. ‘We’re housemates,’ he said.

  ‘It’s still kind. It’s a long way to come.’ And unnecessary she could have added. Was Ben more involved here than she thought? He must think so even if Georgia didn’t.

  ‘We just came by to tell you that we’re going home and to collect my car keys,’ said Georgia. ‘Rupe said my car’s fixed.’

  ‘But you can’t drive all that way by yourself.’

  ‘I’m all right.’

  ‘I think your mum’s right,’ said Ben. ‘We should stay overnight and leave tomorrow.’

  ‘You can’t stay at my place, it’s not cleared by the fire department yet and it’s not safe,’ said Abbie.

  ‘I can stay at the hotel. Is it the Crown, on the corner?’ said Ben quickly. ‘Don’t worry about me.’

  ‘I’d rather Georgia stayed here, it’s more secure,’ said Rupe. ‘But I don’t have the beds for both of you.’

  ‘Fine, if you insist. Ben can get a room at the pub,’ said Georgia. ‘Have you any idea where Kaelee and Aaron are?’

  ‘Not so far, but we don’t think they’re still in the area. They had a few hours head start.’

  ‘Great,’ she said and slumped into the chair Ben had vacated.

  ‘It won’t be long before we find them.’

  ‘Sure.’

  Abbie shot Rupe a look.

  ‘I should do some work,’ he said.

  ‘I’d better see about a room.’ Ben followed Rupe out of the kitchen.

  ‘Do you want to wash your clothes? Mine smell awful.’

  ‘These are new,’ said Georgia. ‘Ben and I stopped off at a mall on the way.’ She stood up. ‘Which is my room?’

  Abbie led her to the bedroom Rupe had shown her the previous day. She leaned against the doorframe while Georgia took items of clothing out of the backpack and tossed them in a small pile on the floor. The unmistakeable smell of the fire filled the room. Abbie opened the window as wide as it would go then scooped up the bundle of clothes.

  ‘Thanks.’ Georgia picked up a dropped blouse and bra and followed Abbie to the washing machine. She dumped them in and looked around.

  ‘Are you painting in here?’

  ‘Yes, it’s not bad. I need to go to Wagga and buy some more paints and brushes.’ Abbie shoved the bundled clothes into the machine and added a liberal dose of powder. ‘Your things don’t smell as bad as mine. The door to your room was closed.’

  She told Georgia what she and Rupe had discovered in her bedroom. ‘She wanted to burn the house down but give herself and Aaron time to get away. It nearly worked except for Rupe.’

  ‘Mum, I need to tell you something …’ Georgia walked to the back door and peered out through the screen.

  ‘Is it about Ben?’

  ‘Ben?’ She turned in surprise. ‘No.’ Her tone changed to amusement. ‘Did you think he was the father?’

  ‘I didn’t know. Maybe. He’s dopey about you, that’s for sure.’

  ‘He’s not.’ The suggestion seemed to shock her. How could she miss something as obvious as that?

  ‘Of course he is. Why else would he come all this way to pick you up?’

  ‘He’s a nice guy?’ Georgia shrugged. ‘You really think so? I only think of him as a friend.’ She grimaced. ‘Not a lover.’

  ‘Poor Ben.’

  ‘He must know I’m not interested in him like that.’

  ‘Won’t change how he feels.’ Abbie leaned against the washing machine, arms folded.

  ‘Oh god—that’s all I need. I’ll have to
move out.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘I can’t stay there with him mooning around and the baby coming. Now that I know.’

  ‘You should stay until you finish your exams. You don’t need to start moving out now.’

  ‘I suppose so. It’s going to be awkward though.’

  ‘What did you want to tell me if it wasn’t about Ben?’

  For the first time in her life that Abbie could remember, Georgia looked guilty and unsure of herself.

  ‘I know Aaron,’ she said.

  ‘What do you mean? You knew him from before?’ Abbie straightened, took a step forward.

  Georgia nodded. ‘Mum, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it to get out of hand. It’s Kaelee. She’s completely crazy.’

  Abbie stared, shocked, aghast at the implications. ‘Are you saying you set this whole thing up? Why would you do that?’

  ‘I didn’t, not really. Not all of it. I didn’t know Kaelee was involved. We, that is Aaron and I, just wanted to frighten you, upset you.’

  ‘But why?’

  A stubborn and very familiar pout appeared. ‘You were always so distant. You didn’t care about me and how I was affected by what happened with Dad. You were too busy having your tacky affair with Uncle David and doing your precious painting. You didn’t give a damn about what I was doing or how I felt about anything. As long as I can remember, your art always came first.’

  The gross and childish exaggeration was staggering but the implication of what she was saying was even worse. ‘So you teamed up with those two maniacs to burn down my house?’ How could she do that? How could she even think that was a good plan on any level? And if she had been in on it, it had gone spectacularly wrong.

  ‘No, I didn’t! That was Kaelee. You saw what she was like.’ Resentment and defiance had gone again, washed away by guilt.

  ‘But how did you meet Aaron?’

  ‘I saw him at the trial and he contacted me after his sister died. It was so unfair.’

  ‘But did he and Kaelee know each other? How did they meet? Kaelee didn’t testify, did she? She wasn’t a witness. You would have known she was a victim.’

  ‘No, but she followed the trial really closely and she went along nearly every day but she never spoke to me. I remember thinking it was a bit odd that she was there so much, but I didn’t want to talk to her or anyone else so I didn’t mind that she kept away from me. I’m not sure but I think they must have met there as well. Kaelee knew us and told him. She’s very manipulative. Aaron’s frightened of her. He told me when we went out to try to go into town for petrol, and so am I now. She’s really scary.’