by Brian Smith
‘No,’ said George, half rising from his chair as he leant across the table to confront Vern. ‘You have a problem and that problem lies squarely with Georgiou.’ He paused but, when the only reaction from the other side was for Mike to suck in a breath and thump his elbows on the table, he continued. ‘I told you Ted Horton was a man of integrity who would make a good delegate for your site and you accepted him. Recently the safety standards on the CityView site have slipped and slipped badly. Ted has pointed this out to Georgiou many times and the only response has been hostile rejection, reaching a crisis the other day when two workers were badly injured.’
‘What’s this got to do with last night?’ Vern asked.
‘We know Georgiou hired a hit man, who threatened Ted and, when he refused to compromise on his concern for the safety of our members, forced him to attend the site so he could be accused of attempted theft.’
Vern gazed earnestly at George. ‘That’s a very serious charge, George. Before I ask Mike to account for his actions, have you got any proof for your accusations?’
‘Ted can give you all the proof you need. Just ask him.’
‘Do you know the name of the man who threatened you?’ Vern looked directly at Ted who squirmed uncomfortably.
‘Never gave a name,’ he answered hesitantly. ‘Made ’is threats bloody clear, though.’
Vern shook his head sympathetically. ‘Nasty. And he told you Mike had hired him?’ Ted hesitated again, before nodding. ‘Strange,’ Vern continued. ‘Mike’s a simple builder. If you were ignoring his threats, then the simple thing for him to do was to carry them out – have you beaten up – not this scam to frame you. You don’t know where this man comes from or any of his pals, do you?’ Again Vern’s eyes were fixed on Ted who, this time, immediately shook his head. ‘No, I didn’t think you would,’ Vern said. ‘But these are very serious charges and the police are sure to want more from you than you’ve been willing to give us.’
Ted shot a puzzled glance at George. ‘You said no police.’
‘Call the police if you want,’ George said in a tone much milder than he had used so far. His face tightened and he added, ‘Of course we will deny any of this happened – a fabrication intended to discredit a union official blowing the whistle on site safety.’
Vern nodded understandingly. ‘This is how I see it, George. I accept that Ted is the good man you’ve told me he is. I accept he was coerced by a thug we can’t identify to act in ways Ted regrets. I’m not sure his regrets include actions beyond the attempted theft the other night, but we don’t need to go into that. I also don’t think we need to sack Ted.’
Vern glanced sideways at Mike, who had drawn in an angry breath and seemed on the point of voicing his objection. He reached over to put a restraining hand on Mike’s forearm before continuing. ‘On the other hand, it will be awkward for Ted to remain on our site and it seems to me that, as a gesture of reciprocal goodwill, you might arrange to transfer Ted as the delegate on another site not associated with Findlay’s. He’d go, of course, with our good wishes.’
Mike felt he was observing the playing out of a well-rehearsed script. George nodded his agreement, Ted looked mightily relieved, but Alan Reardon’s lips were taut with disapproval. Obviously he was not privy to the deal George and Vern had cooked up.
‘We’ll need an assurance Georgiou will lift his game on safety,’ George said.
Vern made no reply. Apparently this went beyond the done deal. He got to his feet, closely followed by George and the others. When Vern ushered them out of the room, Reardon hung back so that Fowler and Horton were already descending the stairs when he said to Mike, ‘I’ve been to see the WorkSafe people about the sling. I’d like a word.’
Vern frowned his disapproval, but Mike saw an opportunity to vent some of his annoyance with him. ‘Of course. Come back in here for a minute.’ He turned and walked back into the conference room but did not sit at the table, preferring to stand just inside the door. ‘What did WorkSafe tell you?’
‘Officially nothing. They wouldn’t let me look at the sling and said the investigation of the accident was ongoing. All I got, and all I needed, was a hint that could later be denied.’ Reardon lifted his head and a small smile flitted across his lips. ‘The sling was faulty all right. I’d say they don’t know whether it was damaged at the supplier’s end or yours. I’m also pretty sure the reason they’re being so secretive is because they think the damage may well have been deliberate. They’re nervous about the fuss such a finding will create when the damage to the sling is all they have and there’s nothing to suggest who might have done it or why. So they revert to their usual bureaucratic response – say nothing, drag their feet and hope something will turn up to save them from having to make a tricky decision.’
‘It was Ted’s pal, the one he won’t tell us anything about,’ Mike said with conviction.
‘You think so? Ted’s not the first union official to be threatened.’
‘Have they been having the same problems at Riverside? Is that why you’ve been spending time over there?’
‘I’d like to know why you’ve been targeted. It could tie in with the investigation I’ve got on now.’
‘What investigation?’
Reardon blinked his eyes and gave a straight-lipped grin. ‘Can’t tell you that I’m afraid, but if I find out anything that might interest you I’ll let you know. We should stay in touch.’ He took out a business card and handed it to Mike, who felt inside his wallet for one of his own. Reardon glanced at it before looking questioningly at Mike. ‘Our bosses have a very cosy relationship, don’t they?’
‘You don’t like that,’ Mike replied, eyeing him carefully.
‘Always good practice, when you’ve stitched up a deal on the quiet, to go through the negotiation in front of witnesses. Saves exposing yourself to the claim you’re in the pay of the boss.’ He paused and tilted his head to one side. ‘I’m pretty new around here, but if I didn’t know George to be straight, I’d suspect you had him on a retainer.’
‘You think that?’
‘Don’t play the innocent with me. You know it goes on. Maybe not as much as where I’ve come from, but we all know how much easier your life would be if you had someone in the Building and Construction Union looking after your interests. A good investment, I’d say.’
‘You’re wrong.’
‘Sure I am.’ He managed a tone that left Mike uncertain whether he was agreeing or asking a question. ‘But watch your back. I certainly have to watch mine. And remember, none of this conversation took place. I’ve risked enough by speaking with you. I’ve only done it because I think there’s a connection between your problems and mine. I’m not sure what that is.’ He turned to go with Mike following him. Freda Bradshaw stood in the doorway.
‘If you have finished, Michael, Mr McKenzie would like to see you.’
This time, when Mike entered Vern’s office, he was not contemplating the houses at the rear but standing in front of his desk with his face set and his arms folded across his chest.
‘You’ve been taking your time with that beanstalk. What are you two up to?’
‘He’s been to WorkSafe. He thinks they reckon the sling was tampered with and are worried about making it official without any evidence of who did it or how they managed it. It’ll be a good while before we hear from them.’
‘Is that all you talked about?’
‘Are you bothered that if I speak with a head office guy from the BCU and you’re not there to hear every word, it’ll somehow upset this cosy arrangement you have with George Fowler?’ Vern started to object but Mike continued. ‘Stop treating me as though I came down in the other day’s downpour. You and George had the transfer of Ted all worked out and you were happy to leave me like a bloody shag on a rock.’
‘Now, Mike, calm down. We’ve sorted everything out without any boats being rocked. You’re free to get on with the job and save the company. Concentrate on that and leave
the union to me. I’ve told you already, Reardon has form.’
‘You told me yesterday our backers were getting nervous. What are they worried about?’
Vern did not answer immediately but sat examining Mike carefully.
‘Interesting question. They’d heard a rumour CityView was in trouble. You know anything about that?’
‘No. It could be the same people who are trying to sabotage the site.’
‘These money men are always hearing rumours,’ Vern scoffed. ‘They’re paid to be paranoid. I sorted them out the other day.’
‘I’m not paranoid, but I sure as hell believe someone is trying to get at us.’
‘Mike, I’ll tighten security on the site so you don’t need to worry. Not about that anyway. What you do need to worry about is driving the project along now I’ve cleared the decks for you.’
‘And you’re not worried someone is out to make trouble for us?’
Vern shook his head. ‘If you really want to know, I think that thug you let go was working a protection racket. He’d recruited Ted as his inside man with a combination of cash and threats – more threats than cash after Ted started to get nervous. He was about to approach us for payment to stop the trouble at the site, but we’ve scotched that now. Back a bit, there was a lot of this going on. In those days it was the union officials, not outsiders, who ran the racket. No way would George be part of that.’ Vern raised his eyebrows. ‘But Reardon? Where he comes from there’s still a lot of it going on.’
When Mike began to respond Vern waved his hand dismissively. ‘Not for you to worry about. Get back to work and tell Bob Kennedy the gag I put on you last night stays. You can tell anyone who asks that the union has shifted Ted to another site – end of story.’
Mike had barely returned to his office when Bob Kennedy put his head in the door. ‘Well? What happened? Did Ted spill the beans?’
‘Vern and George Fowler stitched up a deal between them. Ted has been transferred to a non-Findlay site with nothing to be said about what happened here.’
‘You’re kiddin’.’
‘I wish I was. I don’t know what Vern and George have going between them.’
He thought of his conversation with Alan Reardon and checked himself. ‘I can tell you the new deputy secretary, Alan Reardon, wasn’t happy about it, either. We’re all sworn to secrecy. Vern wants you to know the gag he put on us last night stays, and you are to tell anyone who asks that the union has transferred Ted to another site.’
Bob gave a disparaging laugh. ‘Is there somethin’ about bein’ MD that makes their brains go soft? Vern’s been around the traps so long he must know he can’t stop the word gettin’ out.’
‘You mean you’ve already been talking?’
‘Those guys who tipped me off Ted was meetin’ someone at the Hibernian were at me first thing to find out what happened. Ted was missin’ from the site and despite our cover up they knew somethin’ had gone on here last night. What could I say?’ Bob pursed his lips. ‘I’m really sorry I let you down last night, leavin’ you to deal with the thug on your own. I’ve never had it in the bread basket that hard before. It still aches. And me jaw is sore as well.’ He reached out an arm to Mike. ‘But what about you?’
‘Just a bit stiff.’
‘You were great. The way you laid into him with the crowbar when you were on the ground was somethin’ to see. Gave me a new picture of you.’
‘Just a lucky break my hand closed over it.’
‘Let’s hope your luck holds.’
Bob hovered over Mike in a manner bordering on the paternal. ‘I hope you told Vern what that thug said to you before he slunk off. You’ll need to watch your back, I reckon.’
‘Don’t worry. You’re the second person to tell me that this morning.’
Mike didn’t explain it was Alan Reardon, not Vern, who had warned him and that his warning concerned a very different threat.
‘By the way, Vern thinks Bruno had us lined up for paying protection and we’ve put an end to that.’
‘Protection? Used to be a union stunt. Bruno’s not a member, is he?’
‘No way. Now let’s get back to our real jobs, making this site hum the way I like to hear it.’
After Bob had gone Mike stood up and stretched. Fortunately his bruises were out of sight and he could camouflage the pain. Lissa, who had waited up for him, had been shocked when she saw his battered state. It was good to have her fussing over him, recalling happier days. She had laughed when she was rubbing the ointment into his side. ‘If you are having an affair, she certainly plays rough. Does she bring out the caveman in you?’
‘No, having you massage me does that,’ he replied.
It was a pity the pain prevented him delivering on his claim. Lissa seemed disappointed, too. She lay silently beside him for a few minutes before saying, ‘Oh, I forgot. Mary rang.’
Mike struggled to sit up. ‘Not again. Is she badly hurt this time?’
‘No, nothing like that. Your good friend Shane has invited us out on Friday night – you, me and your dad.’
‘What’s this all about?’
‘Apparently he has to work at the weekend and won’t be around for your dad’s name day feast, so he’s taking us all to Café Filipo. They say it’s very upmarket.’
‘It’ll make a change for Shane to do something kind.’
Lissa turned on to her side and looked into Mike’s eyes. ‘You know, you’re very hard on Shane.’
‘You know what he does to Mary.’
‘Yes, I do. But Mary still loves him. She says that it’s only rarely they have a falling out, and afterwards he’s very apologetic and treats her in ways that make up for it. It’s not the way I’d want to live but maybe it’s preferable to leaving your differences unresolved and festering in silence.’
Mike knew he was expected to reply but couldn’t think what to say and settled for, ‘Maybe,’ before yawning and rolling on to his side so that he was facing away from her.
5
When Mike took an early morning stroll around the site he was pleased with the productive sounds coming from all parts and surprised by the greetings he received. Everywhere he went the men gave him a cheerful wave or an appreciative grin. He was never one of those project managers who cast a chill wherever they went, but this was extraordinary. When he arrived on one of the lower floors where the sparkies were running electric cable and mounting fittings, one of them called out to him, ‘G’day, boss. Don’t need to worry. No one ’ere’s goin’ to pinch anythin’,’ and his mates grinned knowingly.
Higher up, where several of the men were having difficulty levering into place a column suspended from the crane, one of them broke off when he saw Mike approaching and offered him the crowbar he was using.
‘Come on, boss. I hear you’re good at this. Got a strong arm, they say.’
‘Careful,’ one of his mates laughed. ‘Let ’im grab hold of that thing and ’e’ll take a piece of ya.’
Mike turned away but was still close enough to hear another mutter, ‘Got more balls than I thought.’
The further he went the more he felt he was making a form of triumphal tour so that, when he saw Bob Kennedy, he drew him into a secluded corner and demanded, ‘What the hell have you been saying about me?’
‘Me? Say about you?’ Bob feigned innocence with a smile designed to disarm him.
‘Yes, you! I can’t walk around here without being treated like I’m the new heavyweight champ. You told me you’d spilt the beans to a few of them, but this is OTT and then some. What have you said?’
Bob nodded and spread his hands placatingly.
‘They all wanted to know what happened and I had to tell them somethin’, so I concentrated on how you saw off Bruno. To cover my weak effort, I might have made him seem even tougher than he was and you know how word gets around.’ Bob winked at Mike. ‘Won’t do you any harm though, I reckon.’
Mike hurried back to his office, trying to avo
id any more encounters with his men. He was embarrassed, that was true. But surely he shouldn’t be ashamed that this embarrassment gave him a warm feeling and made it hard not to smile as he replayed some of the comments he’d heard. Besides, the sun was shining, it was not overly hot, the breeze was mild and the site was operating smoothly without any problems needing his attention. Why shouldn’t he smile?
It was only later in the morning, when Vern appeared in his office doorway with a concerned look on his face, that Mike’s contentment wavered.
‘Are you OK?’
Vern’s voice indicated much greater interest in the reply than was usual with such greetings.
‘Couldn’t be better.’
‘You don’t need to pretend with me. I didn’t notice anything the other day, but Freda did; she’s good like that. She said you were moving stiffly. I told her you were just miffed with me, but she was right.’
‘What?’
‘You didn’t tell me how close you came to being beaten up by the thug Ted had with him. I hear you did a pretty good job of looking after yourself, though. Quite a performance.’
Usually such words coming from Vern would have been delivered with a sarcastic tone and smile. Not this time.
Mike sighed. ‘I’m sorry we couldn’t keep the whole thing quiet and now it’s become ridiculous.’ He sat behind his desk and waited for Vern to revert to normal and complain about Mike’s failure to prevent the story spreading.
‘No, of course. I should have given you a better story to tell, rather than try to gag the two of you. My mistake.’
Mike was bemused. He had not met an apologetic Vern before and didn’t know how he should respond.
‘I thought I should take you out to lunch. Can you spare me an hour?’
This was not the first time Vern had offered lunch to Mike, but the relatively few previous occasions had been restricted to celebrating the completion of a qualification or a promotion.