Deadly Obsession

by Karen M. Davis

  ‘I’m really sorry,’ Gus Riley apologised for the third time. ‘I’ve been in the Blue Mountains all day. I’m doing a carpentry job at Leura and my phone went flat. I didn’t know you wanted to see me until Matt told me when I got back to his place.’

  Gus Riley had the same cockney accent as his friend Matt Talbott. He was tall and skinny, all lanky limbs with goldfish eyes. He was also extremely nervous, by the look of his hands that were trembling in his lap. That could mean one of two things; he was uncomfortable with his predicament. Or he had something to hide.

  ‘I can’t believe it . . . about Melissa, that is. It’s so terrible. I didn’t think things like that happened here . . . in Australia.’

  ‘Bad things happen everywhere,’ Brad stated.

  Riley shook his head at Brad and then looked around the small interview room.

  ‘I’m not used to police stations,’ he said, trying to explain his obvious nerves.

  That was a lie. Lexie and Brad had done their background checks and knew that in the two years he had been in Australia this guy had been done for two assaults and been charged with one sexual assault complaint that had later been dropped.

  Lexie explained the interview procedure, then nodded at Brad to start the machine.

  ‘The time is now 9.55 pm on Thursday, 21 June 2012. This is an electronic recorded interview between myself, Detective Senior Constable Lexie Rogers, and Mr Gus Riley. Also present is Detective Sergeant Brad Sommers.’

  Lexie read off the list of pro-forma questions she almost knew by heart. Mr Riley answered without issue. She then gave him the official police caution.

  ‘Can we start by you telling me your movements last night?’

  *

  ‘What did you make of that?’ Brad asked Lexie as they sat facing each other at their respective desks. Predictably he was finishing off what was left of the now cold pizza.

  Most of the office had either gone home or were out following up statements and, besides Casey Blair, sitting in her little glass cell she called an office, they were all alone.

  ‘I don’t know,’ Lexie said, thoughtfully. ‘He was very edgy. And very quick to tell us that he’d entered Matt Talbott’s residence from the back where there was no CCTV coverage. So he’s given his alibi some thought. It also makes it hard to check he’s telling the truth.’

  ‘Yeah, well, he has been through this process before, so I suppose he would think that way,’ Brad said.

  ‘I’m disappointed he couldn’t shed any light on the red rose mystery,’ Lexie said, sipping on some water. ‘He didn’t see her with one and didn’t give her one.’

  Brad shovelled nearly a whole slice of ham and pineapple pizza into his mouth in one go. Nodding, he waited until he’d swallowed, then spoke.

  ‘I think we need to keep an open mind where Gus Riley is concerned. Do a bit more digging and find out more about him. He doesn’t stand out to me as a really bad guy, but . . . there’s something about him I don’t trust.’

  ‘There something about most people you don’t trust,’ Lexie joked.

  ‘You’re right,’ Brad confirmed. ‘I don’t believe that ex-husband of yours, either.’

  Lexie threw him a look.

  ‘You just don’t like Zack because of me. Remember the first rule of investigation: remain objective, do not allow tunnel vision or personal feelings to influence your thinking or professionalism.’

  Brad started laughing.

  ‘I agree with the objectivity and no tunnel vision et cetera. But who said that was the first rule of investigation? Are you making up that shit?’

  Lexie nodded with a grin.

  ‘Yes, I am. But you get my point.’

  Brad laughed again.

  ‘Now, back to Gus Riley.’

  Riley’s involvement with Melissa McDermott had been short and sweet, so he said. Originally from England, he now lived in Coffs Harbour with his girlfriend, the latter possibly explaining some of his nervousness. He was terrified his infidelity would get back to her somehow and had asked a number of times whether she would be contacted. They had assured him there was no need for that to happen. He had been extremely relieved and told them his story; or what he could remember of it.

  As they knew, Riley was staying with Matt Talbott – whom he knew from school – while he completed his work in the Blue Mountains. Last night he had been out catching up with friends and had consumed a fair amount of alcohol. When he returned to Talbott’s residence, he had found Melissa in the shower.

  Riley stated he had never seen her before and that when he had tried to help her out of the shower, she had come on to him. They’d had sex and she left; as simple as that. He admitted she was drunk, that they were both drunk, but they didn’t consume any liquor together.

  ‘I think Riley is just an opportunist,’ Lexie stated. ‘He comes back to where he is staying, finds a naked girl in the shower. She seduces him . . . or so he says, and then she leaves. It’s too easy!’

  A thought jumped into Lexie’s head.

  ‘I wonder if any of these guys who have had sex with the victim, including my ex, wore a condom? If she was that promiscuous . . . you know what I’m saying?’

  Brad raised his eyebrows.

  ‘We should have asked about that. I didn’t even think about protection. Clearly I’ve been married too long.’

  Lexie’s mobile phone rang. She dug it out of her pocket. Checking the caller ID, she saw it was Dani.

  ‘Hey, how are you doing?’

  Dani sounded breathless.

  ‘Not so good. My apartment got broken into. It’s totally trashed.’

  ‘Oh no. What happened?’

  Lexie’s stomach clenched. Poor Dani had only just lost her mum after a long battle with dementia. She really didn’t need this right now.

  ‘I did a few hours overtime and got home late to find the front door kicked open, my stuff everywhere and the word “slut” written in lipstick on every mirror.’

  ‘Oh my God,’ cried Lexie, appalled. ‘Have you reported it?’

  ‘Of course I have. They are just taking fingerprints now. But I don’t want to stay here tonight.’

  ‘When they’re finished, drive to my place. You’ve got my spare set of keys. I’ll be there as soon as I can. We got a murder today so I’m not sure when I can get away but . . . wait for me and stay at mine tonight. Okay?’

  Dani’s voice trembled, which was very unlike the tough girl Lexie knew.

  ‘No arguments from me, Lex. Problem is . . .’ There was a long pause. ‘The keys to your place aren’t where I left them. There’s stuff everywhere. I don’t know if they’re under something or they’re gone. I’m so sorry.’

  ‘Oh, shit.’

  Her friend knew Lexie was paranoid when it came to security. It would have killed Dani to have to tell her that. Lexie lightened her tone.

  ‘Did you have a tag with the keys, anything with my name on it?’

  A thousand thoughts spun through Lexie’s mind. Was someone trying to get to her through Dani? Don’t be stupid, she scolded herself. This is not about you. Besides, whoever broke into Dani’s wouldn’t know she had spare keys to Lexie’s apartment. Would they? Lexie unconsciously put her hand to her forehead, willing the interior dialogue to cease. Stop, stop, stop!

  ‘It just had your first name written on the tag, nothing else.’

  Lexie felt a small degree of relief.

  Brad touched her arm. He was staring at her with concern.

  Lexie put her hand in the air, shook her head and hoped he read that to mean, don’t interrupt.

  ‘It’s okay, Dani. I can get the locks changed just in case, no big deal. Just stay calm. I’ll see when I can get away. I’ll call you back.’

  Lexie replaced the received and looked at Brad.

  ‘Holy crap. Why does everything always happen all at once?’

  CHAPTER 12

  Lexie stared at Casey Blair and Brad Sommers with astonishment.

&nb
sp; ‘Are you sure I should leave? I’ve still got more work to do . . .’

  Having relayed her conversation with Dani to Brad and the Boss, they both insisted she knock off for the day.

  Casey sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. She looked as tired as Lexie felt.

  ‘Lex, you’ve done a good job. You were called in for that suicide at what, 5.30 this morning? It is now after 10.00 pm. Go home and look after your friend and get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow will be another long day. I’m leaving soon myself, and I’m sending Brad home too. There is nothing more we can do for today. Cakes and Grumpy are going to work through the night. They’re out chasing up some of the guys on the list of the victim’s ex-lovers. I want you to save your energy. I know you’re keen, but this investigation could be protracted. I don’t want you to burn out too soon. So, I’m ordering you to grab the last of the pizza, before Brad gets it, and go home.’

  ‘Too late,’ Brad said, sheepishly.

  Lexie stared at Brad’s generous belly and raised her eyebrows. Brad pretended he didn’t notice.

  Seventeen minutes later, Lexie was circling the block outside her apartment, annoyed that the parking spot she liked to think was reserved for her car was taken. In reality Lexie knew the space was usually free because not many cars were tiny enough to fit into it. But today, a duplicate of her own Hyundai Getz had stolen her spot. Slamming her hand against the wheel in frustration, she shone her headlights at high beam on the invader. The number plate was KEL 086. She hoped KEL wasn’t a new resident who was going to poach her regular park. Then it registered . . .

  That was Zack’s sister’s car. What was Kelly doing around here?

  A car beeped her from behind and another wave of irritation rushed through her.

  ‘Give me a break,’ she yelled to no one.

  She wasn’t normally this impatient or territorial. Putting her mood down to exhaustion, she took a deep breath, circled the block again and this time was lucky to find someone pulling out of a space just as her phone buzzed.

  Parking easily, she grabbed her mobile.

  ‘Dani . . .’

  ‘The taxi is out the front, Lex. Are you home yet?’

  ‘I’ll be there in a second.’

  Lexie grabbed her handbag and rushed around the front of her building to meet Dani. As soon as she was out of the taxi, Lexie could see how dishevelled her usually very together friend appeared. Wearing an old tracksuit that looked too big for her small body and tattered running shoes, her dark hair pulled into a messy palm tree on top of her head, Dani looked like she had just got out of bed.

  ‘Are you all right?” Lexie asked automatically, knowing Dani wasn’t and giving her a warm hug.

  Dani didn’t answer. She wasn’t a touchy-feely type of girl but she patiently endured Lexie’s embrace. Her arms dangled listlessly by her side as though the effort of hugging Lexie back was too much for her right now.

  ‘I wasn’t up to driving,’ she said, weakly.

  Feeling Dani tremble, Lexie decided to take control. She was good at control.

  ‘Come on upstairs. I’ll pour you a glass of wine and you can tell me what happened.’

  Dani followed her into the building and up the flight of stairs like an obedient puppy. When Lexie unlocked her front door and pushed it open, Dani froze.

  ‘Can you check it’s . . . it’s okay in there?’

  Lexie nodded, silently alarmed at how shaken up Dani was. The break-in had really scared the hell out of her.

  ‘Stay here. I’ll be back in a second. My apartment’s so small there aren’t many hiding places.’

  Dani didn’t smile at Lexie’s attempt to make light of her concerns.

  Carrying out her old and familiar ritual of performing a sweep of every room, including the wardrobe, cupboards, under the bed and behind the shower curtain, Lexie hated to admit that Dani’s fear and vulnerability was contagious. A prickle of unease ran down her spine and spread goose-bumps along her skin.

  Or was it the cold doing that? Feeling the night chill in the air, Lexie left all the doors in her one-bedroom apartment open and flicked on the heating. Once reassured everything was as she had left it that morning, Lexie returned to the front door where Dani was still standing motionless on the landing.

  ‘It’s all fine, come on in, sit down.’

  Dani moved sluggishly, as if she was in a trance. Lexie guided her to the lounge and hurriedly poured them both a glass of wine. Handing one to her friend, Lexie took a seat next to her. Dani gulped at the wine without looking at it, her eyes fixated on a spot on the carpet. Her despondency was concerning.

  ‘Do you want to talk about it?’

  Dani looked up as if surprised Lexie had spoken.

  ‘I think I’m in shock, Lex. Sorry. I’m not usually like this. I’m just really shaken up.’

  ‘I can see that and it’s totally understandable. Someone’s broken into your place and rifled through your things.’

  Lexie had never been burgled, but she had certainly attended enough break-and-enters to know how much the experience upset people.

  ‘They didn’t take anything, Lexie. It was a personal attack.’

  ‘What?’ Lexie asked, feeling the hairs on her arms suddenly stand on end.

  ‘ “Slut” was written on the bathroom mirror. “Die bitch” was scrawled across my mirrored robe, and the mirror in the hallway said, “Slaughter Sluts”.’

  ‘Holy shit,’ Lexie blurted out before she could stop herself. Dani’s reaction now made more sense. Taking a big gulp of wine, she welcomed the burn of the alcohol against the back of her throat.

  ‘All my makeup was smeared into the bathroom sink. There was a dead rat in the middle of my bed with its throat cut. Tampons were shoved down the toilet.’

  Dani shook her head as if still unable to believe it.

  ‘I’ll have to get a plumber to come and fix that up.’

  Dani emptied her wine glass. Lexie quickly refilled it.

  ‘My drawers were pulled out, my clothes were thrown everywhere, some clothing, mainly my underwear, was cut to pieces. Every wine glass I own was smashed into the sink. Plates were shattered all over the kitchen floor. The fridge was turned off so everything in the freezer has gone off. It was like some person had gone crazy, gone on a destructive rampage. If that isn’t personal, what is?’

  Lexie stared at Dani in shock.

  ‘Can you think of anyone who might have done this? You’ve been in cops for nearly ten years. You’ve locked up a lot of people.’

  Lexie was having a conversation with herself, it seemed. Dani’s gaze was now vacant, as she stared out through the glass of the balcony doors into the stormy night sky, her mind clearly in another place.

  ‘Maybe it was a case of mistaken identity?’ Lexie suggested, searching her mind for a logical explanation. ‘Dani, is there some crazed druggie, a psychiatric patient, anyone you’ve had dealings with lately, who has threatened you, or could be capable of this?’

  Dani shook her head but kept staring into the darkness outside. The wind had kicked up so hard that the rain, that had just started again, was blowing sideways, beating fiercely against the glass. Lexie noticed Dani shiver and got up to fetch something warm to wrap around her.

  ‘We’ll find out who did this,’ Lexie told her, as she left the room to grab the spare quilt from the end of her bed.

  Back in the living room, she spread it over Dani’s legs.

  ‘But until we do, you can stay here as long as you like. My sofa lounge is very comfy and it can be like an ongoing sleep-over.’

  Her attempt to cheer up Dani failed dismally. Her friend continued to stare hopelessly out the window. She stayed like that for a while and then, as if suddenly remembering something, Dani covered her face with her hands.

  ‘I had a vase of flowers on the coffee table; some beautiful red roses. All but one of their buds were cut off and crushed into the carpet.’

  ‘All but one?’

/>   ‘Yes, it was weird. One single rose was left on the pillow of my bed.’

  Lexie felt herself go cold inside. A single red rose? It had to be a coincidence.

  Momentarily lost for words, she covered her distress by taking a big mouthful of wine. She hoped the liquid would lubricate her vocal cords. When Lexie finally spoke she asked the most ridiculous question.

  ‘Who gave you the flowers?’

  Dani stared at her, incredulous.

  ‘Does it really matter?’

  Lexie waited for an answer.

  ‘Okay, Rod Bream came over yesterday and gave me the flowers. He has been doing his best to make up with me. He wants us to get back together, but don’t worry, I’ll never get over him cheating on me. Once a cheater and all that . . . I just wish he wasn’t such a goddamn gorgeous arsehole.’

  Lexie thought it best not to mention she’d run into Doctor Rod Bream at the hospital earlier, or the lingering embrace she had been subjected to. Her friend was right. The doctor was way too good-looking for his own good and could not be trusted where women were concerned.

  ‘So, he wants to get back together.’

  Lexie thought of the dead nurse and her reputation. She didn’t think Rod had cheated on Dani with Melissa. Rod had said he didn’t know Melissa, but Lexie couldn’t help but ask. She chose her words carefully, knowing they would undoubtedly sting.

  ‘Did Rod ever tell you about . . . about the girl?’

  Dani shook her head and stared at the ground.

  ‘I never asked any questions. I don’t think I wanted to know.’

  She raised her eyes to meet Lexie’s.

  ‘How can someone be brilliant enough to be such a good doctor but stupid enough to save texts from other women? Then leave his phone lying around unsecured for his girlfriend to read them?’

  ‘What made you look at his phone?’ Lexie asked.

  Dani pulled a face.