Deadly Diplomacy: Jess Turner in Australia (Diplomatic Crime Book 1)

by Jean Harrod

  “Don’t let your feelings cloud your judgment, Jess.”

  “Of course I won’t,” she snapped. “I told you, I plan to get that diary to the police before lunch. By then, I’m hoping they’ll have the initial autopsy results on Ellen Chambers. Oh, and I’m going to dodge the media for a few hours, if that’s okay?”

  “Sure, we’ll be fine until they start fretting about their lunchtime bulletins.”

  She picked up her lipstick. “By the way, when I talked to the journalists yesterday afternoon, one of them was a complete pain. He kept on and on about whether any of us knew Ellen Chambers, and whether she’d worked for the British Government.”

  “What was he getting at?”

  “You tell me.”

  Simon paused. “Who was he?”

  “He never told me his name. Or the media outlet he worked for. He bombarded me with questions, and slipped out. But I got the distinct impression he knew something about Ellen Chambers that I didn’t.” She hesitated. “Then I had a wander down to the jetty. What a chilling experience that was.”

  There was a pause. “Look, I’ve got to attend HC’s dinner this evening. But I could fly up to Brisbane tomorrow afternoon to give you a hand, if the High Commissioner agrees.”

  “No need. I’m fine.”

  “Jess...”

  “I tell you I’m fine.”

  “All right. Let’s talk again later... By the way, great job on the media, Jess. Thanks.” And he hung up.

  She snapped her mobile shut. Why did he have to sound so surprised about that?

  *

  The lift doors slid open. Scanning her mobile for messages, Jess frowned as she hurried across the lobby. She’d left two messages for Nigel, and he still hadn’t rung back. She’d expected him to be too busy yesterday with the Foreign Secretary’s visit to keep phoning her. But she was surprised he hadn’t called at all. That wasn’t like him.

  She became aware of an animated buzz of voices and looked around. So many guests seemed to be checking out. Her ears pricked up at a distant wailing noise. Was that a siren? A police siren?

  Threading her way across the lobby through guests and suitcases, she searched all the faces, looking for Susan. Would she suddenly appear like yesterday?

  Her eyes stopped on a familiar figure at reception.

  Was that Chen Xiamen? He had his back to her, but she recognised that dapper suit and the way he puffed himself up to look taller. She looked around for the rest of the Chinese, but Chen seemed to be alone. Should she go over? But when he turned and she saw his face, she instinctively slipped behind a marble pillar out of sight. Gone was the relaxed mask of yesterday. His lips were pursed tight with temper as he marched towards the main entrance and out of the door. She hurried over to the window and was just in time to see him jump into a taxi and drive off. What was all that about?

  She lingered in the lobby for another few minutes in case Susan Chambers showed up. When she didn’t, Jess walked over to the dining room to get some breakfast. At the entrance, she picked up a local newspaper from the stack on the counter and waited to be seated. The tables, covered in white linen cloths, stretched the length of the room in neat rows all the way to the terrace doors. But hardly any of them had been laid. There were only two waitresses on duty, and they both looked flustered. Her mobile rang and she answered.

  “Morning, Jessica.”

  Langhurst’s friendly voice made her smile. “Ah, good morning, John.”

  “I just wanted to check you’re still coming to the Convention Centre at 12.30?”

  “Yes, I’ll be there.”

  “Good. Where are you now?”

  “At the hotel, grabbing a quick breakfast before I check out.”

  There was a pause. “I feel useless waiting for news,” he said. “Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to help?”

  “Not as far as I know.” Then she remembered what Simon said. “Are you still planning to attend the High Commissioner’s dinner in Canberra this evening?”

  “Yes.” Langhurst’s voice was businesslike now. “I’m going to duck out of the Conference later and get the four o’clock flight to Canberra. I’ll be on the first plane back in the morning, so I won’t miss much.”

  “Excellent. I’m sure the High Commissioner will be delighted to see you.”

  “Right, well if there’s nothing I can do, I’ll see you at 12.30, Jessica.”

  “You will,” she replied, brightly, and hung up, just as one of the waitresses came over.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting, Ma’am.” The words seemed to stutter out of the woman’s mouth. “We’re, well, we’re all behind... we just can’t believe it.”

  There was something about the woman’s shocked face that made Jess ask: “Can’t believe what?”

  “Haven’t you heard?” The woman leaned closer. “There was another murder at the jetty last night.”

  Jess felt her stomach turn. Please don’t let it be Susan.

  “Danny Burton,” the waitress went on. “He was shot, just like that Minister yesterday afternoon.” Seeing Jess’s blank expression, she whispered: “Danny was a gardener here. He’s the one who found Miss Chambers’ body yesterday morning. Who’s going to be next? That’s what we’re all wondering. We’re terrified to go out of the hotel.”

  Jess didn’t know what to say or do. Should she go down to the jetty? Phone Inspector Sangster? Was he down there already?

  “Follow me,” the waitress said.

  Numb, Jess followed her to a small table and sat down.

  The waitress poured her a cup of coffee, and disappeared.

  Jess got up again and walked over to the doors at the far end of the dining room. Stepping out onto the terrace, she could see the jetty. Should she go down? She could see uniformed officers milling around and the crime scene cordon up again. Thinking she’d only get in the way, she went back to her seat and pulled out her mobile to call Sangster. Was he already down there? If so, he wouldn’t want to be disturbed. She took a sip of coffee, but it tasted bitter in her mouth. She started flicking through the newspaper again, but she couldn’t concentrate.

  “Morning, Jess.”

  She jumped up when she saw it was Sangster. “I’ve just heard about Danny Burton.”

  He pulled out a chair and sat down. “He was shot last night. A single bullet to the back of the head, and a knife to the heart.”

  “Just like Anthony Harris?” She shuddered. “Why would anyone kill Danny Burton? Did he murder Ellen Chambers?”

  Sangster shook his head. “But I think he knew who did. And that’s why he was killed.”

  “Do you have any idea who?”

  “No.”

  She sat back in her chair and studied Sangster’s face. There were deep lines etched around his eyes and mouth that she hadn’t noticed yesterday. Three murders and the police didn’t seem to have a clue. Then she remembered the shadowy figure on the path last night. “What time was Danny killed?”

  “Around midnight. Why?”

  She sat forward. “After I phoned you, I saw someone on the garden path, about half way down to the jetty.”

  His eyes narrowed.

  “It sounds ridiculous, but I had this feeling that someone was watching me while I was sitting on my balcony. So, I went inside.”

  “What time was that?”

  “11.30. I remember the time because the late TV news had just started.”

  “Did you get a look at whoever it was?”

  She shook her head. “I heard a rustling in the bushes and saw a shadow on the path. But it was too dark to see.” She paused. “Where was Danny’s body found?”

  “In exactly the same spot as Ellen Chambers’.”

  “The same place?”

  His eyes flashed. “This man’s confident. Real confident. He shot Anthony Harris in broad daylight outside the police station under our noses. Now, he’s taunting us by putting Danny’s body in the same place as Ellen Chambers’. He thinks we’re all
idiots.” His mobile vibrated for the second time since he’d sat down. He glanced at the caller ID but didn’t answer. “I have to go.”

  She nodded.

  But he didn’t move. “Have you heard from Susan?”

  “Not yet. I hope to God she’s all right.” Jess could hardly hear his reply for the racket behind. Turning, she saw the two little girls from the beach yesterday sitting at the table behind with their mother. They were banging their spoons on their cereal bowls for a game.

  “Didn’t she say she’d ring first thing?” he repeated.

  Jess nodded and he looked away, to hide his annoyance.

  For some reason, Jess’s logical mind turned to another loose end that had been bothering her. “Tom, did the Federal Police question Ellen Chambers about taking bribes from the Chinese? Is that how she found out they were on to her?”

  He looked up. “What makes you think she knew?”

  “Why else would she have been afraid of you all?”

  He frowned. “As far as I’m aware, she was under technical surveillance. That means they were monitoring her phone calls and emails, but not following her. So I don’t see how she could have known.”

  Jess frowned. “Well if the Federal Police didn’t tell her, could someone else have told her? Someone on the inside?”

  He caught her drift. “Anthony Harris, you mean?”

  She nodded. “He was the Federal Minister responsible for energy resources and mining. So he would have been close to the deal and players in every way.” She paused. “If he’d been having an affair with her, surely he’d have told her the police were onto her? Maybe he even challenged her about what she was doing? Maybe that’s why he was killed too.”

  He nodded. “It’s possible.”

  She couldn’t help but ask the next question. “So was Harris the father of her unborn child?”

  Sangster shifted on his chair. “I’m expecting the lab results any time.”

  Jess sighed with frustration. “So what does Mrs Harris have to say? Did she know her husband was having an affair?”

  He stiffened. “She’s in Singapore, on business. She’s travelling back today.”

  Jess suddenly felt a familiar weariness seep through her. “It’s so tragic for the family.”

  He nodded and looked at his mobile. “I have to go,” he said again. Still he didn’t move.

  “So what has Chen Xiamen said?” Jess asked. “And the rest of the Chinese?”

  Sangster’s eyes turned steely. “We have to wait for the Chinese Ambassador and the PM’s China expert to get here from Canberra before we can interview them.”

  That’s when Jess understood the depth of his anger and frustration. He was trying to carry out an investigation in the dark, and she knew how that felt. “I didn’t know the Chinese were staying here,” she said.

  Sangster looked at her. “They’re not; they’re at the Riverbank in town.”

  “Well I’ve just seen Chen leave here.”

  He frowned. “Did he say where he was going?”

  Jess remembered Chen’s face. “He looked furious about something, so I didn’t speak to him. I just saw him talking to the receptionist. Then he went out and got into a taxi.”

  Sangster’s mobile vibrated again, but he just looked at her.

  It was her turn to feel uncomfortable now and she took a sip of coffee.

  “I’m sorry for being bad tempered yesterday, Jess” he said.

  Surprised, she put down her cup. “Oh that’s all right.”

  “No, it’s not. I was rude... I’ve no excuse. It’s... well, it’s just this job sometimes.”

  Jess nodded and leant back in her chair. She knew an olive branch when she saw one. “And I’m sorry about the diary, Tom.”

  The bleep of an incoming text message sounded, and he picked up his mobile.

  Hearing a shriek of laughter, Jess turned and saw one of the little girls jump down from her chair. The other followed suit and they chased each other up and down until the little one careered into Jess’s table, spilling coffee, and knocking Sangster’s notepad onto the floor. Jess glanced down as the pages fluttered open. Such amazing sketches.

  Sangster banged his phone down on the table and stared at the two children. “Listen, you two. Sit back up at that table and do what your mum tells you.”

  The two children scampered back into their chairs and sat with their heads bowed.

  “You were saying, Jess?” He leant down and picked up his pad.

  Jess smiled at the girls, then at him. “I said I was sorry about the diary, Tom.”

  Sangster studied the Consul. She looked her usual cool self this morning. Only the dark circles under her eyes suggested she was feeling the heat too. His vibrating phone distracted him and he checked the caller ID. This time he picked it up. “Have you got those autopsy results, Anderson?”

  He couldn’t hear the reply over the racket from the two kids, who were now wailing. He got up and walked out into the lobby to take the call. “Right, go on,” he said.

  “We’ve rushed through the Ellen Chambers’ autopsy first, Tom. The cause of death was drowning.”

  “Right.”

  “And that cracker of a bruise on her left cheek, well, he broke her cheekbone with that punch and probably knocked her to the ground; she’s got three cracked ribs on her right side. The index and middle finger of her right hand are broken too. She fought hard.”

  “A-ha.”

  “And she’s got a hairline skull fracture and bruises consistent with her head being banged repeatedly on the ground. Oh, and you remember that marking in the centre of the bruise on her cheek. I think it may have been made by a ring, with a small stone in the middle. From the angle of impact, I’d say he was right-handed.”

  “Was she pregnant?” Sangster asked, quickly.

  “Yes. You were right about that – 16 weeks.”

  “Is Anthony Harris the father?”

  “We’ve just finished him and sent his DNA to the lab.” Anderson sighed. “As soon as I know, you’ll know.”

  “It’s real important.”

  “We’ve been working right through the night.” Anderson’s tone was almost accusatory when he asked: “Is Evans still at the jetty with corpse number three?”

  “Yep. Same MO as Harris. A bullet to the back of the head. Clean and clinical. Then a stab wound through the heart.”

  “This psycho likes to get his rocks off on the job, doesn’t he? Bit of a joker too, positioning the body in the same place as our first victim. He’s taunting you, Tom.”

  Sangster stiffened. “He’s confident, I’ll give you that. That’s why I need those autopsy results.”

  “We’re going as fast as we can.”

  “Good, because I don’t think he’s finished yet.”

  “Well you’d better catch him quick, mate. Our overtime budget can’t stand any more of this.” And Anderson hung up.

  *

  Jess watched Sangster go into the lobby to take his call. She hoped he wouldn’t be long; she wanted to get off to Brisbane. She took another sip of coffee. Putting the cup down on the saucer, her eyes were drawn to his notepad that lay next to it. She glanced over at the door. No sign of him. Leaning over, she turned the notepad round and flicked through the pages.

  What she saw made her gasp; page after page of drawings, with such fine detail bringing scenes to life. He’s the real deal, she thought. Fascinated, she stopped at one of Ellen Chambers lying dead on the flat sand. Her eyes were so lifelike, and yet so dead.

  “So, what do you see?”

  She looked up at Sangster, as if seeing him for the first time. It was hard to believe there was such an artistic soul behind that gruff exterior. “Sorry, I was curious. These are really good.”

  He picked up the notepad.

  “There’s something about the way you’ve drawn her eyes,” Jess went on.

  He looked at her.

  “She’s clearly dead, yet you’ve captured a sor
t of light in them.” She paused. “Oh I think I see what you mean. You think she recognised her killer? Is that what that light signifies?”

  He looked stunned that she understood. “Do you deal with many bodies in your job, Jess?”

  “Some.” She looked away. “You know, immediately after death, I think it’s possible to see pain or fear or shock on people’s faces and in their eyes.” She felt a little embarrassed. “I don’t know, maybe it’s just the shock of realising they’re on the point of death. But it’s there sometimes.”

  He studied her until she felt uncomfortable again. “I must go. I’m checking out now, and moving to the Riverbank, where the Western Energy delegation are staying. I’ll be able to work out of the British Consulate-General.”

  He nodded. “That seems sensible.” He went to leave. “Let’s touch base later.”

  “I’ve got appointments all morning. But I could come to the police station around 2pm, if that suits, Tom?”

  “That’s fine.” He hesitated. “You know, you’re the only link with Susan and that diary now, Jess. She’s in danger while she still has it. So...”

  “So I’ll ring you as soon as I hear from her, Tom.”

  He nodded and walked away.

  18

  Back in her room, Jess’s head was teeming with questions. She went over to the window and looked towards the jetty. The police were still down there, with the beach cordoned off again. But she couldn’t see Tom anywhere. Was he right, had Danny witnessed Ellen’s murder? Is that why he was killed in exactly the same place?

  Conscious she was running late, she looked at her watch and went over to her cabin bag that lay open on the rack next to the wardrobe. Pushing her wash bag inside, she turned to the bedside cabinet for the photo of Jack and Amy.

  She froze.

  Her frantic eyes darted around the room until she spotted the photo lying on the bed. What was it doing there? She stood still. The bed was still unmade, so the cleaners hadn’t been in. As she looked around, the hairs rose on the back of her neck. The bottom drawer of the dressing-table was open.

  Someone had been in her room.

  She ran over to her cabin bag and searched it. Nothing missing. Grabbing her briefcase, she looked inside. Her laptop, memory stick and camera were all still there. Again, nothing missing.