by Sarah Barrie
‘I guess Clint might be a good person to ask. Lee’s dad knew Rob for years.’
‘I’ll start there then. Do you mind if I get some work done as we go?’
‘Not at all.’
When he wasn’t on his laptop he was on the phone. They didn’t have much time for conversation, which was fine, but when they pulled up at the busy station, she had a pretty good grasp of how the case was progressing anyway.
‘You want me to wait and take you back to your place?’ she asked.
‘Would you?’ He dragged a hand over his face. ‘Come in with me. I won’t be long.’
She followed Ben as far as his office and Indy appeared. ‘You made it. Hi, Mia, everything all right?’
‘Yeah,’ Ben said. ‘We came back together. I just need to check in.’ He turned to Mia. ‘Why don’t you grab a coffee with Indy while I talk to the inspector?’
‘Sure.’
‘Let’s sit in here,’ Indy said, offering her Ben’s chair. ‘I’ll get you that coffee. Back in a minute.’
Indy disappeared and Mia looked around Ben’s office. Ordered but busy. Lots of paperwork, a computer, a clock. Nothing personal. All professional.
Stuart Perkins walked past and did a double-take when he saw her. ‘Mia Morgan. Helping us with our enquiries again?’
‘I’m just waiting for Ben.’
He looked around him, came in. ‘He doesn’t seem to be here at the moment. Anything you’d like to tell me while we wait?’
‘Oh, you mean how—according to your theory—I organised the hits on those hunters?’
He sat on the edge of Ben’s desk, looked down at her, eyes cold. ‘How about we talk about the hit you failed to pull off on Detective Bowden?’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘No? Then perhaps we should start by having a chat about Constable Shane Johnson—about how he ended up dead after giving you a hard time.’
Anger welled up hard and fast. ‘Shane killed himself!’
‘Getting out of your way after you let loose on him, right? You’ve got a temper, don’t you, Mia? Detective Bowden’s been giving you a hard time from day one of your sister’s investigation. You even assaulted him due to his questioning. You expect me to believe you accidentally shot at him last night?’
‘I don’t care what you believe you pretentious twat.’
He shook his head with a patronising sigh. ‘That smart mouth of yours is not doing you any favours.’
‘Want me to dumb it down? Are my words too big?’ she asked innocently.
He put his hands on the desk and leant over her with a sneer. ‘Why don’t you just save us some time and tell me the truth. I’ll get you on this anyway.’
She gave up on controlling her temper. ‘You expect me to tell you the truth? Right now I wouldn’t tell you if a bus was about to run you over.’ She pushed her chair back, glare boring into him. ‘The “truth” is that you’re nothing more than an immature, self-important little prima donna the real detectives are stuck babysitting and I wouldn’t trust you as far as I could kick you!’
His sneer deepened. ‘Keep it up. It’s going to bite you in the arse.’
Through the doorway, Mia saw Ben and Russ coming out of the inspector’s office. She went to step around him, and he grabbed her arm.
‘Did I say you could leave?’
‘You should let me go. I’ve got more muscles than you.’
‘Sit down!’ He used the pressure on her arm to push her at the chair.
‘I don’t think so.’ When she got up and he grabbed her again, her temper snapped. ‘I said back off!’
‘And I said, sit the fuck down!’ He snatched at her arm again, his grip painful.
‘That hurts!’
There was a blur of movement then smack. Ben’s fist landed loudly against Stuart’s jaw. He was against the wall with Ben’s arm across his throat in seconds. Stuart’s face was turning dark red, his feet barely touching the ground. Ben’s muscles were straining under his shirt, but he wasn’t weakening.
‘Ben!’ Russ snapped, as the rest of the team stopped to watch.
‘He assaulted my witness,’ Ben growled. ‘I want to know why.’
Stuart made a noise that might have been words.
‘Let him go,’ the inspector ordered.
Ben reluctantly removed his arm. Stuart dropped to the ground, clutching his throat.
‘This woman attempts to shoot you and you pin me against a wall?’ he gasped. ‘What is wrong with you? She almost blew your head off! When are you going to stop protecting her?’
‘That’s enough,’ Ben threatened over him as Indy returned.
‘What’s going on?’ she asked.
‘She should be under arrest,’ Stuart said, getting his breath back. ‘Why are we not doing anything about this? We have her paying a hitman and we have hunters being knocked off one by one. Her ex—a copper—was killed after an argument with her. And now she’s had a go at the head detective on this case. She has means, motive and opportunity. We’ve got a room full of detectives scratching their heads on something a kindergarten kid could figure out.’
‘He’s finally lost it,’ Indy said, astounded.
‘Perkins, Bowden, my office. Now,’ the inspector ordered.
‘He hurt you?’ Ben asked.
‘I’m fine,’ Mia told him.
‘Okay. I’ll be back in a minute.’
Mia watched them go into the inspector’s office. The door closed.
‘What did I miss?’ Indy asked.
Mia shrugged. ‘I wouldn’t cooperate. Can I ask you something?’
‘Of course.’
‘If you didn’t know me at all, if you didn’t trust Ben’s judgement, would you agree with Stuart?’
Indy took a moment to answer, finally nodded slowly. ‘You do have means, motive and opportunity, that’s true. But there’s no proof you ordered those hits. On the Ben part? That’s garbage. Ben wasn’t armed and you were. If you’d wanted him dead, he’d be dead. Stuart is just trying to show off, but his instincts suck and the hard work factor is non-existent.’
‘I noticed a few covered smirks when Ben whacked him.’
‘He’s not popular with everyone around here. He seems to think his connection to the commissioner means he can sashay around like he owns the place. A few of the officers are intimidated by it—mostly the younger ones—but the rest of us are just fed up with him. Doesn’t mean Ben’s going to get off lightly if Stuart files a complaint, though. He could be suspended for that sort of thing.’
Mia absently rubbed at the welts Stuart had made on her arm.
Indy frowned. ‘Stuart did that?’
‘What? Oh, yeah.’
‘Let’s get a photo.’
‘Why?’
‘In case we need it.’
By the time Indy got what she needed, the men were filing out of the office. All wore grim expressions. Stuart’s jaw was already swelling.
Ben crossed the room to where Mia and Indy were standing. ‘Thanks, Indy, I’ll talk to you later. Mia, let’s go.’
‘What’s happening?’
‘Let’s just get out of here.’
Ben was silent while they got into the car, his face thunderous and thoughtful.
‘Am I taking you to your place?’ she asked.
‘No, you’re taking me to yours.’
She didn’t argue. ‘What did the inspector say? Are you in trouble?’
‘It’s under control.’
‘You shouldn’t have bailed him up like that. I’m grateful, but Indy said you could be suspended.’
‘He had no right to touch you.’ He sounded so aggravated, almost possessive, and it made her feel safe, not threatened. ‘And I’m not going to be suspended—that’s not going to happen. They need me on this and they know it.’
They reached her house, and got out as the garage door slid closed behind them.
‘Well, we’re here. So what
now?’
‘I’m staying. We know Rob’s watching you, we know he’s planning something. I didn’t get a chance to organise anyone to be out here, so I’ll take the lounge.’
She knew he was already exhausted. He couldn’t watch her all night. ‘Ben, I’ll be fine. Dex will probably turn up at some stage.’
‘It’s not a problem. If you don’t mind, I’ll grab a quick shower and set myself up in the living room, get some work done.’
‘You don’t need to keep watch.’
‘I’m not leaving you here alone. I’ll sit in the car if you prefer, but I have reports to write up and preparations to make for tomorrow. I won’t bother you.’
She ignored his mood; he was beyond tired. And perhaps if she conceded, he’d sleep. ‘Okay, fine. Take a shower, do some work. The living room is all yours.’
‘Thanks.’
He went to the car, returned with a small bag and went into the bathroom. A moment later she heard the shower running.
Well aware of her limitations in the kitchen, she opened the fridge. She had bread in the freezer, and she decided some packaged deli meat, a couple of slices of cheese and a bag of salad in the fridge had the makings of toasted sandwiches. So she got to work.
She took the sandwiches up to the dining table when she heard him come out of the bathroom. Bare feet, track pants, a cotton tee that stretched over broad shoulders, and damp, ruffled hair.
Her mouth watered. How could he carry off sexy in that outfit? She was hungry and tired, probably—okay—definitely overwhelmed by the scene with Stuart Perkins. And as usual, when she felt that tug to Ben, her mood was all over the place.
‘I don’t cook much, you know that,’ she said, ‘but I can handle the basics. I’ve made us something light. Hope that’s okay.’
‘It’s great.’
She pushed his sandwich at him and pulled a bottle of merlot from the pantry, pouring two glasses and placing one in front of him before sitting down at the table. He took a bite of the sandwich she’d made him, watching her in silence, then took a sip of wine.
‘I wasn’t going to drink this but then I saw the label. Your wine choice is first class. Thank you.’
‘You endorsed it on our wine tasting. But that’s why you said it. Just returning a favour … or several. I know I usually appear far from grateful, but I am.’
‘And you don’t want to be, because of our history.’
‘I didn’t realise you thought I still felt that way. I don’t.’
‘You go to a lot of trouble to keep me at arm’s length, even when we’re not fighting. If it’s not about Ally, then what is it?’
She kept it simple. ‘You make me mad. A lot.’
He grinned into his glass. ‘That’s just sparks.’
‘What?’
The grin got wider as he put down his glass. ‘There you go, I did it again. Made you mad.’
‘I’m not mad,’ she replied, eyes narrowing at the amusement in his. ‘Exactly.’
‘Mad and—’ he lifted his brow and paused as she took a large swallow of her wine, ‘—nervous. You don’t want to have this conversation.’
‘It takes a hell of a lot more than a ridiculous conversation to make me nervous,’ she replied steadily.
‘Does it?’
She wondered if she’d issued some sort of challenge. Feeling anything but steady, she concentrated on her sandwich. When they’d finished, she got to her feet and picked up the plates. ‘I think I might shower too.’
‘I tried not to make any mess.’
She raised an eyebrow. ‘After your place? I almost felt compelled to ask if you were gay. The only other man I know who keeps his house that spotless is Miguel.’
Ben exploded with laughter. ‘No, Mia. I’m not gay.’ He got to his feet as a gleam came into his eyes. ‘Haven’t I made that clear yet?’
She backed up a step. ‘Okay, well, I probably shouldn’t generalise. You just keep things tidy. Good for you.’
‘I don’t. Leanne does.’
‘Leanne?’ She ignored the quick burn of jealousy. Ben wouldn’t have a live-in girlfriend and fail to mention her all this time. Would he? She was being ridiculous. She walked to the linen cupboard for a fresh towel as thoughts swirled in her head. There were a couple on the top shelf, but they were back from the edge. She got on her toes to grab one and felt the warm body behind her a second before his arm reached over her and pulled down a towel. When she turned he didn’t move, just held her gaze.
‘Any reason you’re crowding me, detective?’
‘Leanne’s my housekeeper. She comes in once a week. Her day was the same one you ended up at my place. The apartment doesn’t get dirty, but it does get untidy.’ He handed her the towel and walked back down the short hallway.
She released a long, steadying breath, and wondered just what he’d read in her face … and what had gotten into her. Annoyed and embarrassed, she had a very long shower.
When she came out, the house was quiet. Ben was sprawled on the lounge in front of the news channel. He’d fallen asleep. It was the most peaceful she’d ever seen him. After allowing herself a few moments to study him, she went around and closed the curtains and turned off the television. Then she got a spare blanket and very carefully laid it over him. It occurred to her the whole scenario was surreal. But as she stood there and watched him sleep, just for one more moment, something inside that she’d held on to for so long began to unravel.
CHAPTER
21
Ben knew something was up the minute he walked into the station. ‘Inspector wants to see you,’ Russ told him. ‘Said to tell you as soon as you got here.’
‘What’s this about?’ Ben asked.
‘There’s something we need to discuss,’ Stuart said. ‘Let’s go.’ He walked away and Ben was left with little choice but to follow him into the inspector’s office.
The inspector looked up from his computer as they came in and gestured for them to take a seat. ‘It’s been brought to my attention, detective,’ he said to Ben, ‘that you may not be handling elements of your investigation objectively.’
Ben’s gaze flicked to Stuart before returning to the inspector. ‘Want to share the specific allegations?’
‘I’ve had the commissioner in my ear condemning your actions yesterday and questioning your overall conduct in this case. He’s suggesting you have a personal relationship with Mia Morgan that could be compromising your objectivity. As I have to get back to him and convince him you’re still the best detective he’s got, I’d appreciate a report on what exactly has been going on.’
‘No problem.’
The inspector listened until Ben was finished, then was thoughtful before speaking. ‘So you’re still suggesting an officer—not just any officer but one on the taskforce, or at the very least with ties to this station—is working with Littleton.’
‘It certainly appears that way. I believe this Liam Jones covered up the murders of the first two Hunters Ridge girls as well as purchasing the phone Chapel used to contact Mia.’
‘But there is no Detective Liam Jones?’
‘Liam Jones is the alter ego of our dirty cop. I need to investigate this further. Detective O’Meara is assisting.’
‘If there is another cop in on this, I’m going to hang him.’
‘Inspector, with all due respect to Detective Bowden,’ Stuart said, ‘it seems to me that he’s basing all this on guesswork. He’s clutching at straws because he doesn’t want to point the finger at Mia Morgan. Liam Jones isn’t a cop, he’s Rob Littleton. We know about Boland’s ties to Littleton. Chapel probably got the phone from Boland just like he got the information from him.’
‘Boland confirmed he’d sent Ms Morgan in to pick up that information?’ the inspector asked Ben.
‘He said he would have someone contact her. Chapel contacted her.’
‘And she said she didn’t get the information, though she paid Chapel.’
‘She gave him
the cash and he ran.’
‘She didn’t get the information on the whereabouts of those men, but someone else did—the same night, and had them killed. Then shortly after that, she manages to find Rob Littleton in an area dozens of police had already searched. How did she know to be at that church? That’s an awfully big coincidence. Almost … unbelievable.’
‘It was one of a list of places the historical society had given her to photograph. I have a copy of that list in evidence.’
‘Then Littleton turns up, leaves her alone and goes after Detective O’Meara. That’s twice Littleton has just … left her behind.’
‘The first time he was ordered to by his peers. The second time he had no intention of letting her go, he just exercised what he believed would be the best course of action for killing Indy and capturing Mia. She also hit him with her car. Detective O’Meara witnessed that. Doesn’t seem to be a lot of collusion there, if that’s where you’re headed.’
‘Did you know Chapel sent her a message telling her the jobs were completed?’
‘What? No.’
‘Perkins checked her phone records. Chapel sent it after the Lomond and Marsden hits. Why would he do that?’
‘For the same reason someone wanted her photographed paying Chapel. Whoever this Liam Jones is, he’s setting her up for these murders—probably to stop any further investigation into what’s really going on.’
‘Right. And on that deal Littleton made her regarding your murder, you really believe her shooting at you was an accident?’
‘Yes.’
‘I think—’ Stuart began.
‘If you wouldn’t mind leaving us alone,’ Ben interrupted, ‘I need a private word with the inspector.’
Stuart looked at the inspector, who nodded. ‘Fine. I’ll just go write up an official complaint against you while I’m out there.’
‘Do it. And have Indy show you the one Mia Morgan’s only too willing to lodge regarding your rough treatment. She has some great photos to accompany it. See what good old Uncle Gav thinks of that.’
Stuart stared at Ben, jaw clenched. ‘Is that a threat?’
‘Bet your arse it is.’