He thought back to Spencer’s words about changes that so many coppers had made and how they never quite satisfied the wives. Dave wondered if Mel was one of those women who couldn’t be satisfied. If so, there really was only one choice. Not wanting to think about that anymore, he changed the subject. ‘Anything interesting happen yesterday after I left?’
‘Lorri charged two twenty-three year olds with growing the green stuff down on the Avon River.’
‘Ah, she got them! Good on her, she’ll be happy with that.’
‘She had a bit of a grin on her face when she came in last night, for sure.’
‘All through the video evidence?’
‘Yep. Pretty hard to deny it was them when their sorry faces are looking straight down the lens of the surveillance camera. And she also got the numberplate of the motor vehicle they were in. The DPP have charged them already and their hearing is next week. Hope the magistrate doesn’t give them bail.’
‘You’ll have to shout her a beer for me.’
Bob turned to look at him. ‘You can do that yourself when you get back, son. You’re not going anywhere for too long.’
Tapping his fingers on his knees, Dave nodded. ‘I’m not worried. Bulldust and Scotty might be dangerous, but they’re gutless when it comes to showing their faces to the law. They won’t want to risk being caught. I just want the whole saga to be over and done with.’
‘I get that. The stockies over there are good fellas. You know some of them. They’ll have you covered.’
He swung the car into the airport drop-off and came to a stop. Dave got out and picked up his bag and looked at Bob over the roof of the vehicle.
‘Good luck,’ said Bob, holding out his hand. ‘Stay safe and have a good flight.’ He checked his watch. ‘I’m off for a meeting with Dicko.’
Dave grinned, knowing that was code for a parmi and a beer. ‘Cheers. Let me know if there’re any developments with Kev and everything up north.’
‘That’ll still be here when you get back, son.’
‘Gives me something else to think about, instead of worrying if Bulldust is out for my scalp.’
‘You just said you weren’t worried.’
Dave threw his bag over his shoulder, feeling his shoulder protest. ‘Maybe a bit,’ he said quietly.
Bob nodded. ‘Sure, then, I’ll call you if anything develops. Don’t reckon too much will happen there for a while though. Wouldn’t be clever to strike again when we’ve just been there.’
‘Thanks, Bob.’
‘No worries, son.’
Dave walked towards the terminal without caring that Bob had called him son, knowing he had a mate who had his back.
Chapter 22
Disembarking from the plane felt like déjà vu to Dave. He hoisted his duffle bag over his shoulder and started to disembark with the rest of the passengers. Someone bumped into his back and Dave turned to eyeball them.
A pretty blonde girl smiled at him. ‘Sorry,’ she said. ‘Everyone is always in such a hurry to get off the plane, aren’t they? So much pushing and shoving.’
‘Yep, you’re right there,’ Dave said, looking around.
He’d been watching for familiar faces since he’d arrived at the Perth airport. Or people who might be following him. So far, so good.
While he’d been waiting to board, he hadn’t stopped walking the terminal—he had been like a shark, moving all the time. Watching, waiting for prey, except this time he would be the prey. He knew if he kept moving, he’d pick up on a tail soon enough.
The ticket he’d been issued was in cattle class, but he had two empty seats next to him. He watched people, not bothering with the movies or music, settling back in his seat and scrutinising every face that walked up and down the aisle.
By the time they landed, he knew every face from economy class.
As he was herded off the plane by the tide of people around him, he spotted Senior Sergeant Justin Parker, his handler at Nundrew, standing in the arrivals lounge. Next to him were two blokes built like rugby players, both wearing stock squad uniforms.
A grin broke out on Justin’s face when he saw Dave. ‘It’s good to see you, man,’ he said, grabbing Dave’s hand in a strong grip. ‘Really good to see you. Especially looking as well as you do.’ He gave Dave’s chest a slap. ‘Shoulda seen him when I last did,’ he said to the two men standing next to him. ‘He was broken, for sure! Dave, meet Detective Sergeants Josh Becker and Dane Hill. They’re your protection for the next few days.’
‘Good to meet you, fellas,’ Dave said, shaking hands with them before pulling Justin into a manly bear hug. ‘Good to see you too, mate.’
‘Come this way,’ Dane said, pointing to a door marked for airport staff only. ‘We’ve got a car waiting down there.’
‘What’s the back entrance about?’ Dave asked, following the three men and nodding at the airport cleaner who opened the door and let them through.
‘Just a precaution,’ Justin said as they clattered down echoey stairs. ‘Because Bulldust and Scotty are still outstanding.’
Dave frowned as he saw the unmarked car with dark windows. ‘You heard something I haven’t?’ he asked. ‘They got a contract out on me?’
‘Haven’t heard that on the street and we’ve got eyes and ears out there. Nah, the judge ordered this, so don’t get too alarmed by our friendliness! Just doing what we’re paid to do.’
Josh took up the commentary. ‘We’ve got you in a hotel on the outskirts of the city and we’ve put security measures in place there too.’
‘Has there been any sighting of them at all since they shot through?’
‘Not a whisker. It’s like they’ve disappeared from the face of the Earth.’
‘Where do you think they are?’
‘My gut feeling,’ Justin broke in, ‘is that they’ve headed out deep into the bush. Holed up on a station where there’s no one else around. Pretty easy to hide out there if you want to. We’ve been watching their bank accounts and there’s no movement on them. My guess is they’ve had cash stashed somewhere, or money in accounts we haven’t managed to trace yet.’
Dave looked out the window and saw they were going to take the Story Bridge over the Brisbane River.
‘What about Bulldust’s daughter?’ Dave asked.
‘We kept an eye on her for a while, thinking Bulldust might get in contact, but there was nothing there either.’ Justin looked over his shoulder at Dave. ‘She’s starting to make a new life in Sydney. Got a unit and made some friends. Took her a while to get on her feet.’
Dave nodded, remembering how close Bulldust and Shane had been. He was sure the news that her father was a crook and a killer had come as a dreadful surprise to her. That type of information would take a bit of getting your head around. Especially when some of the last words she’d heard from Bulldust were: ‘I did it all for you.’
The car turned into an underground carpark and came to a halt next to a lift.
‘We’ll be waiting for you when you come back down,’ Josh said.
‘Where’re we going?’ Dave asked. ‘Thought we were headed to the hotel?’ He was in need of a shower and a quick kip.
Justin got out and indicated for Dave to do the same. ‘Surprise.’
‘Don’t like surprises.’
‘You’ll like this one. Come on.’
They rode up in the lift in silence. When the door slid open, Dave realised they were on the top floor of the police department building. Standing in front of the commissioner’s office.
Commissioner Bryce was on his feet, his hand extended. ‘Welcome, Detective Senior Constable Burrows, welcome,’ he said. ‘Come this way.’
‘Thank you, sir,’ Dave said, glancing around. What the hell was he doing here? He followed the man into his office where a framed certificate was on the commissioner’s desk.
‘We want to express our thanks. We here in Queensland are very grateful for the work you did while putting yourself on the line.
Unearthing the bad apple we had among us.
‘I would’ve loved to have been able to present you with your award in public, but it was better to keep it inhouse to protect your identity, considering the other parties are still outstanding.
‘Detective Senior Constable David Burrows, I’m presenting you with the Commissioner’s Commendation Award for Bravery.’
Dave felt a rush of embarrassment and pride. ‘Thank you, sir,’ he said as they shook hands again. ‘Thank you.’
‘You identified people responsible for the murder of three innocent men, occasioning an attempt on your own life, and we are proud to have you in the force.’
Justin, Commissioner Bryce and the young female constable, who were the only people in the room, clapped and Dave couldn’t help but reflect on how great it felt to be appreciated, and how horrible it was when you weren’t.
‘Right-oh, we’re off to the coppers pub just across the road. You’ll be safe with all of us there,’ Justin said, nodding to a stone building. ‘Got close protection and surveillance outside, like we will at the court. Not taking any chances with you; you’re not getting murdered on our watch!’
‘Fucking hell, cheers for that,’ Dave said incredulously. Living in Western Australia, away from the reality of the court case, he hadn’t thought much about Bulldust and Scotty and the threat they posed. Now that threat was in his face and he couldn’t ignore it any longer.
‘And while we’re talking about the court, just so you know, you’ll be taken in and out through the sallyport.’
Dave frowned; that’s where the prisoners entered and exited. Not usually witnesses. They were certainly being cautious.
‘Look, fellas, can we catch up for drinks after the trial? It’s nice that you’re being so friendly and all, but I’m feeling like the bloody prime minister with this personal security team!’ Dave said, looking first at Josh and then at Dane, walking either side of him.
‘Don’t worry. We’ve got this pub being watched within half a k radius. And I reckon you’ll be on a plane straight back home again as soon as the judge dismisses you, so we gotta make the most of having you here now.’ Justin pushed the door open and let Dave walk through. ‘Need four XXXXs, love,’ he said to the bartender.
Dave put his hand in his pocket to get out his wallet.
‘Don’t bother,’ Dane said. ‘Your money isn’t any good here. You’re with us now.’
‘Cheers,’ Dave said.
The bartender lined up four XXXXs and Justin picked up his. ‘Here’s to you, Burrows. Good job.’
Dave nodded and held his beer up in a ‘cheers’ gesture, then took a long sip.
‘What’s going on over in your neck of the woods? I hear you’re with the stockies now? That should suit you,’ said Justin.
‘Haven’t been there long, but I caught a case up north.’ He explained that it sounded like Spinifex Downs was being targeted and that some station owners resented the Aboriginal stations for receiving government funding for bores and purchases of cattle when they didn’t.
‘Same issue over here,’ Josh said as he put his beer down and nodded for the woman to line them up again. ‘It’s a shame that some people think like that, but I can understand why they do. Some stations run like clockwork—you know, the people have a lot of pride in what they do and everyone in the community helps out. Others are just an excuse to funnel money into the local communities.
‘Two different sets of rules for two different people. I can understand why the white owners might get upset.’
Justin turned to Dave. ‘How’s your wife going? She was pregnant last time I heard.’
Dave took a long sip of his beer then put it on the mat. He realised that since he’d got on the plane, he hadn’t given Mel any thought. He’d been consumed with watching people and thinking about the evidence he was going to give.
‘Yeah, due any day.’ He took another sip. ‘Gotta admit, things are a bit rocky with everything that’s gone on.’ Looking down at the counter, he wiped the condensation from his glass. ‘And coming over here didn’t help matters.’
‘You won’t be the first or the last, mate,’ Justin said, clapping him on the shoulder. ‘Have another beer. And let’s order some steak so this bloke can get an early night and be on the money for tomorrow.’
‘Stand back, please,’ the guard called as Dave got out of the police car flanked by Justin, Dane and Josh.
There wasn’t really anyone to stand back—all the media crush and interested people were out the front of the court and now here he was, where all the prisoners stood, waiting to be taken into the courtroom.
‘Mate, we’ll be here when you’ve finished,’ Justin said. ‘Good luck.’
They hustled him inside to a windowless room, where Hal McCure waited.
‘Dave, we’ve had one day of court proceedings so far. Both the DPP and the defence have given their opening statements,’ Hal told him. ‘First Class Constable Joe Ross will be in the dock, on your right, when you walk in; however, there is a partition between him and where you will be seated. He won’t be able to see you. The court is closed for your evidence, so there will be no one in the public gallery. The defence lawyer is Reeve Perkins. A good enough criminal lawyer, but not the best. You will be known as Detective X.’
‘Okay.’ Dave’s knee jiggled up and down and he realised that he was nervous.
‘Let’s go.’
Having been sworn in, Dave took his seat and looked at Hal McCure. Hal would question him first, then the defence.
‘Detective X, can you tell me in your own words how you came to be working in Nundrew for the Highwaymen mustering team?’ Mr McCure asked.
‘Yes, sir. I was approached by a Senior Sergeant in my unit asking if I would be willing to go undercover and infiltrate the Highwaymen mustering operation to gather evidence they were committing the crime of stock stealing.’
Mr McCure walked down to the dock and stood in front of Dave. ‘That’s very brave of you. How did you become employed by Ashley Bennett, also known as Bulldust?’
Dave explained about the meeting in the bar where he had fought two of the Highwaymen’s employees and the unexpected breakfast meeting with Bulldust the next morning.
He outlined in detail the legitimate musters he was employed on and the illegitimate ones. He talked about the other employees and how Bulldust came to own people, to make sure they were indebted to him, so he could control them.
‘And how did you meet the accused?’ Mr McCure asked, waving his hand towards Joe.
‘The first day I arrived in Nundrew, I knew I had to create a scene to get the attention of the police. I flogged the bike I was riding down the main street above the speed limit and then parked it on the verandah of the pub—in a place you normally wouldn’t park. Joe Ross was one of the police officers who came to ask me to move it. We had words and I ended up being taken into custody.’
‘So, to be clear, Joe Ross did not know you were an undercover policeman?’
‘He did not.’
‘Who in Nundrew did know?’
‘Senior Sergeant Justin Parker was my handler.’
‘I see. And what was Officer Ross’s role within the police station?’
‘Objection, Your Honour,’ Reeve Perkins broke in. ‘How would an undercover policeman know that? He wasn’t involved in the day-to-day running of the police station.’
‘Sustained.’
‘I’ll rephrase. Can you tell us what Officer Ross’s role with the Highwaymen Mustering team was?’
‘I believe it was to vet potential employees and pass on information which may help the Highwaymen decide what stations to hit. Any type of information that would make it less likely they would get caught.’ He paused. ‘Basically using police privilege to help criminals.’
‘No further questions, Your Honour.’
Reeve Perkins rose slowly and walked to stand in front of Dave. ‘You and my client didn’t have the best relationship, did you?
’
‘I was in town to do a job. That involved me having a few run-ins with the law. It was always Joe Ross who arrested me.’
‘Mmm. And I wonder how we can believe testimony from a policeman who lies. After all, that’s what you did, didn’t you? Came into town under a false name, gave a false story as to who you were and what you did? Pretended to be a drifter, from all accounts.’
A flutter of anger filtered into Dave’s stomach. ‘I did what the police department asked me to do.’
‘Which is just what my client did. And now, well, here he is on the stand.’ He raised his hands in a ‘go figure’ gesture. ‘Detective X, where are you stationed?’
‘Objection!’ Mr McCure jumped to his feet before Dave could answer. ‘We’re not here to identify the witness.’
‘You’re skating on thin ice, counsellor,’ the judge glared at Mr Perkins.
‘I apologise, Your Honour.’ Mr Perkins paced the floor before looking at Dave. ‘Detective X, I put it to you that when my client picked you up, after you were shot, you assaulted him.’
‘That is incorrect.’
‘You assaulted my client and twisted his words to suggest he said he was taking you to Bulldust.’ Mr Perkins voice became louder.
Dave matched his tone. ‘No, I did not.’
‘Objection, leading the witness!’
‘Sustained.’
‘Again, Detective X,’ his tone was sarcastic now, ‘I put it to you that my client was actually taking you to hospital and you were delirious from blood loss.’
‘No. He stated he was going to take me back to see Bulldust as we were driving in the opposite direction to the hospital.’
‘The fact is you were badly wounded. Blood loss causes confusion. How could you possibly know or remember what was going on?’
Dave’s voice was loud and tight. ‘I remember exactly what happened that night. I’d been shot and had to flee for my life. The moment I thought I’d found a sanctuary, with the police … and then it was clear I’d got into a dirty copper’s car—’
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