‘Well, that’s a change; a bloke who can see the brighter side of life,’ said Noel. Regardless of the recent levity, his friendly countenance rapidly changed to a worried look. ‘Boss, this meeting tomorrow. The invitation list doesn’t auger well for a friendly chit chat, especially with Fisher and Hanson attending. Do you think Hanson’s onto something?’
Inspector Webster sat back in his chair and clasped his hands behind his head. After a moment of reflection he said, ‘I honestly can’t say but if I was a betting man, which I am, I’d say he’s gone absolutely nowhere with the investigation, and that’s probably why Paxton wants him there. As I said to Mathieson, I wait with baited breath for what will, no doubt, be a very interesting meeting.’
CHAPTER 26
Inspector Webster and Sergeant Elliott were the first to arrive at the third floor conference room. The room, rectangular in shape with heavy blue curtains hanging along one wall, was one of the few rooms in the building with a carpeted floor which happened to be a motley green in colour. Sergeant Elliott, his first time in the room, pulled back one of the curtains to reveal a set of windows overlooking a brick wall of a building a short distance away. He nodded in appreciation of the fine art work some clown had produced on the overlooked wall; a very large and meaningful painting of a finger. Sergeant Elliott smiled, closed the curtain and turned his attention to the rest of the conference room. The walls were adorned with plaques of different police forces and organizations, along with photographs of past senior police officers, while centered on the wall at the head of the room was an Australian Flag and a New South Wales Police Force flag. The rectangular conference table was of highly polished cedar and approximately ten feet long and four feet wide. There was a blue velvety chair at each end of the table, with another four similar chairs placed down each side. Several jugs of water had been placed at various intervals along the table and each chair had been provided with an upturned glass, a writing pad, a pen and an ash tray. In a corner of the room was a chair and a small table upon which a tape recorder had been arranged, a tape already loaded for operation.
‘Ten to,’ commented Inspector Webster after referring to his watch. ‘Everyone else will arrive at two minutes to ten; bet your life on it.’ Inspector Webster was wrong for at that moment the door opened and a gentleman was escorted into the room by a uniformed constable. The man was tall and lean, impeccably dressed in a dark blue pin striped suit, a white shirt and a dark blue tie. He wore a gold Omega watch on his left wrist and a gold bracelet on his right.
The constable looked around the room and, on recognizing Sergeant Elliott said, ‘Sergeant, as Mr. Lee needs to be escorted within the building, can I hand him over to you?’
Sergeant Elliott looked at Inspector Webster with a look of surprise before returning his attention to the constable. ‘Yes, by all means. Thank you, constable. Mr. Lee, I’m Sergeant Noel Elliott and this is my superior officer, Inspector Webster.’ Mr. Lee graciously shook the hands of both men and smiled.
‘My presence surprises you and for that I apologise. I thought my being here might prove uncomfortable for some people.’
‘Well, there’s no discomfort on my part, Mr. Lee. But I wouldn’t mind betting it’ll be bloody uncomfortable for someone else,’ said Webster, with a knowing grin.
‘Oh, no doubt you are referring to Superintendent Fisher,’ responded Mr. Lee.
‘Well, I don’t think he’ll be overjoyed to see you, which I can understand in light of the local gossip. I would say you’d probably be the last person on earth he’d want to see.’
Mr. Lee shook his head in disappointment. ‘Gentlemen, I never have and never will put out, as you say, a contract on anyone. I run a legitimate illegal casino and could not afford any bad publicity. I have no idea where the rumour started and if there is any reason to believe such a thing, it is a misunderstanding. However, I do look forward to seeing Mr. Fisher although I doubt my feelings are reciprocated.’
Next to arrive was Inspector Hanson, his short stature, bald head and habitual cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth a dead giveaway as to his identity. Like Webster and Elliott, Hanson was in civvies, his shirt hanging out of trousers that appeared to be at least two sizes too big. ‘Hi Simon, Noel. D’ya know what’s going on?’
‘No, not a clue,’ replied Inspector Webster. ‘I could guess but then I could be wrong, so let’s just wait and see. By the way, how’s the investigation into the bank robbery going. I hear Chief Inspector Rose handed it over to you?’
Inspector Hanson put his hands in his pockets and shrugged. ‘Simon, between you and me, it’s progressing about as fast as a three toed sloth. It’s proving to be a difficult case as none of the usual informants know anything about it and there’s not much to go on. But don’t tell Paxton that, he’s eager for results.’
At that moment the door to the conference room opened and a group of people crowded into the room. Inspector Webster immediately identified Chief Superintendent Paxton, Ron Lange and Sergeant Mathieson. There were two others with the group, a female constable and a policeman in a uniform wearing the rank insignia of an assistant commissioner. After the congenial introductions and pleasantries, people found their seats and waited for proceedings to commence.
It was Chief Paxton, standing behind a chair at the head of the table who bought the gathering to attention. ‘Gentlemen, if you please we’ll get this show underway.’ On taking his seat, Paxton looked around the table. ‘It looks like we’re only missing one person at the moment, and I think I can hear him now.’ The door opened and Superintendent Fisher entered the room, a look of concern on his face, a look to be quickly replaced by one of horror when his gaze fell on Mr. Lee. Superintendent Fisher’s initial impulse was to turn and run, but the cool voice of Chief Paxton halted any action Fisher may have been contemplating. ‘Relax Nigel, no-one is going to shoot you, well, not here anyway. Just take a seat and let’s get on with it.’
Chief Paxton continued. ‘Gentlemen, may I introduce Assistant Commissioner Garside. The Commissioner is here to ensure everything is correct on procedural matters and to answer any questions you may have at the end of the meeting. This get-together is rather important as it could possibly pre-empt a career change, at least for some of you. Also here is Constable Pauline York who will ensure the proceedings are taped and recorded appropriately. We will take a break after half an hour for coffee and comfort. One last point. For the sake of brevity I will not be using ranks, only surnames.’
With that, Chief Superintendent Paxton put on his reading glasses and opened a manila folder. ‘I have currently three topics listed on the agenda sheet; Chief Rose’s fraudulent use of the slush fund, Superintendent Fisher’s little extortion exploits, and the bank robbery.’ Whether by design or by accident, Paxton’s searching gaze over the rim of his glasses just happened to fall on Sergeant Elliott at the time he mentioned the topics.
For a moment Sergeant Elliott closed his eyes and let his head sink to his chest in despondency. Bloody Paxton, if Hanson doesn’t know who did the bank job, Paxton sure does, bet my balls on it, thought the Sergeant. He then raised his head and looked at Inspector Webster whose face conveyed no emotion.
Chief Superintendent Paxton continued. ‘I’m not going to bore you with what has become general knowledge. We all know, and have known for some time, Rose was taking cash from the informant’s slush fund to finance his horse racing and casino gambling habits. What some of you may not know is that Sergeant Mathieson here works directly to me and he has been conducting an investigation into the embezzlement of the fund for some time now.
‘The way Rose did this was to present to Fisher vouchers for approval for payment to informants who never existed. Normally vouchers are required to be accompanied by supporting documentation, a fact Fisher chose to ignore thus contravening Police Administrative Instruction 42A. Fisher knew what Rose was up to so decided to get in on the act by going to the Taipan Club and extorting money from Mr. Lee.
Mr. Lee believed that by paying Fisher, the Club would be immune to being shut down. Have you any comments, Mr. Lee?
‘Just a quick one,’ replied Mr. Lee. ‘Naturally after Mr. Fisher came to see me, I took steps to ensure his lasting support. On the night of his first pay packet, the whole transaction was photographed in detail thus providing me with an insurance policy.’
‘Don’t you mean you had the evidence you needed to blackmail Fisher, if the need arose?’ asked Inspector Webster.
‘Yes, I suppose so, but I prefer not to use words like extortion or blackmail, they sound so corrupt,’ replied Mr. Lee. ‘And you are forgetting one thing. Although I may have been in a position to exact remuneration, pecuniary or in kind, for the non-disclosure of certain information which may have discredited Mr. Fisher, the question as to whether I would have used that information is problematic. You see, in the legal sense, blackmail is a criminal offence and, regardless of what you may think, I am not a criminal. Apart from that, the blackmailer never ends up with a good reputation, and that’s something money can’t buy.’
Chief Superintendent Paxton took off his reading glasses and looked at Fisher. ‘So, you’ve compromised yourself on two separate occasions, initially by taking money from Mr. Lee, and more recently by doing exactly the same thing. It seems the only difference between the two incidents is that you were being photographed by two different photographers working for two different people with similar motives. I can take it, Mr. Lee, you are not blackmailing Fisher?’
‘No way in the world. I’ll admit I don’t like the man because it looks like I paid him his extortion money for nothing. I haven’t paid him for a couple of weeks now and the Club’s still operating so this leads me to believe I needn’t have gone along with his proposition in the first place. Correct?’
‘Probably not,’ replied Chief Paxton.
‘Well, as I said, I’m not blackmailing Fisher, but best of luck to whoever is. If you ever find him, or her, you can tell them I’ll buy them a beer or two. Are we allowed to know on what grounds he is being blackmailed, although I presume it’s for extorting money from the Club?’
Paxton looked at Fisher, who sat with his head down making a conscious effort not to look at anyone. ‘Everyone’s going to find out sooner or later, Fisher, so I may as well let them know now. Fisher is being blackmailed on two counts, receiving cash from the Taipan Club, and he’s been caught playing up on his wife.’ The seriousness of the first blackmail issue was overshadowed by the amusement of the second, a ripple of laughter percolating through the room. ‘Gentlemen, before we get any smart-arse comments, I think it might be a good idea to call a break for twenty minutes,’ said Paxton, placing his spectacles on the table.
****
Thirty minutes later everyone was seated and ready to progress. The familiar topic of discussion during the break was the future of Superintendent Fisher. There was little that could be done regarding Rose as he was dead, but Fisher was, indeed, alive and kicking, notwithstanding the rumour of his imminent demise. Again, it was Chief Paxton who set the meeting off. ‘Gentlemen, before cracking on to our third topic of discussion, Mr. Lee has identified a potential problem with which we may be faced with in the near future. Mr. Lee.’
‘Thanks Chief Paxton. As you know, marijuana has been readily available on the streets and is increasing in its popularity. Regardless of this popularity, it seems a niche is being created by harder drugs, primarily heroin. Where I have no doubt marijuana will continue to be sold on the streets, heroin is a different kettle of fish and I believe establishments, such as the Taipan Club, could be ripe for drug dealing opportunities. Chief Paxton, I’m aware the Police Department will shortly be setting up an independent drug squad and I would like to be involved in some way. Regrettably, the Taipan Club is located within a socioeconomic area in which the local environment may, and in no way do I wish to cast aspersions or denigrate the good inhabitants of the said area, contribute to, and may even precipitate the expansion of the heroin trade.’
Chief Paxton frowned and leaned back on his chair. ‘Mr. Lee, to put it, how shall we say, more colloquially, the Taipan Club is located with a brothel on one side and a tattoo parlour run by a bikie gang on the other. You have the idea the nature of the clientele of these two establishments may prove detrimental to your club’s standing within the community.’
‘Chief Paxton, your foresight and grasp of the situation is inspiring,’ replied Mr. Lee with a nod of appreciation.
‘Okay, let’s make some decisions. First off, Mr. Lee’s advice on the heroin trade. Ron, could you do with an undercover cop, someone to have contact between you and these places identified as potential dens of iniquity?’
‘Could never have too many. Do you have anyone in mind?’ replied Ron, drawing little circles on his pad.
‘Yes I do,’ replied Paxton. ‘Fisher, would you prefer two to four in Long Bay or go undercover?’
For the first time, Fisher looked up, the look on his face reflecting the distress of having just realised the precarious position his future was now in. ‘Hell sir, that’s a great option. Go to Long Bay and get rubbed out by some psychopathic killer who loves killing cops, or go undercover and end up at the bottom of the harbour.’
‘Well, don’t blame me,’ replied Paxton. ‘But I want an answer, now.’
‘Undercover. I’ll take my chances outside. You can’t hide while inside.’
‘Settled, and I think I can speak for Commissioner Garside when we acknowledge the fortitude and bravery you have shown in volunteering for such a hazardous position. Thank you, Superintendent Fisher. You’d better come and see me tomorrow morning and we’ll discuss the matter. Ron, you’d better come along too. Oh yes, I suggest you and Mr. Lee get together and have a chat as to the role Mr. Lee may be able to play.’
‘Excuse me, sir.’ It was Inspector Hanson who finally got the chance to enter the conversation. ‘All this has been very interesting, and you did mention the bank job at the beginning of this meeting. So far nothing has been in my bailiwick.’
‘All right Hanson, let’s talk about the bank job. How’s the investigation going?’ asked Paxton, satisfied that some meaningful decisions had already been made at the meeting. He abhorred meetings where nothing happened, or no progress made.
‘It’s progressing, sir. We have a few leads we are working on and I’m sure a breakthrough is imminent,’ Hanson replied, sorry now that he hadn’t kept his mouth shut.
‘Bullshit, Hanson. Your investigation is going as slow as a snail up a greasy pole and even if it wasn’t, I expect an answer, not the throw away response a journalist from the Channel Nine news could expect. I want you to collate all you have and pass it to Inspector Webster here. He’ll take over the investigation and he will get results, won’t you Webster?’
Inspector Webster sat with the shocked expression of a condemned man, the blood rapidly draining from his face. ‘Sorry, sir, but I can’t,’ he blurted out before thinking.
‘Why not? Anyway, I’m not asking, I’m telling, and you will get results.’ Inspector Webster glanced at Sergeant Elliott who looked pale, a blank, faraway look on his face. ‘One last point, and it’s not on the agenda, is the staffing of Day Street,’ continued Chief Paxton. ‘We are deficient one chief inspector, although we have a number of candidates for this position, and one superintendent now that the good Superintendent Fisher has volunteered his services to go undercover. I have already spoken to the Commissioner on this subject and our decision as to the appropriate action is pending. Sergeant Mathieson will conclude his investigation into the swindling of the slush fund, and I can confidently predict there will be nothing emanating from his report to tarnish the good name of Chief Inspector Rose. I think that just about covers all I wanted to say. Has anyone any questions?’
Inspector Hanson had, by his earlier question to Chief Paxton, appeared to have successfully negated any inclination anyone may have harboured to ask further questions, regardles
s of Paxton’s cordial invitation. Chief Paxton looked around the table and, as none were forthcoming, he said, ‘All right gentlemen, I thing that just about does it. My thanks to the Commissioner for his attendance and to Constable York for ensuring everything has been recorded. Mr. Lee, thanks for coming along and we shall see what we can arrange, keeping in mind you are running an illegal casino. Inspector Webster and Sergeant Elliott, I’d like to see you in my office at two o’clock this afternoon. Sergeant Mathieson, would you please escort Mr. Lee from the building.’
As they were walking down the corridor towards the lift, Sergeant Elliott couldn’t help overhearing Mr. Lee ask Ron how his niece had enjoyed her trip to Sydney and hoped she got back to Adelaide safely.
CHAPTER 27
‘Holy hell, I feel like I’ve been put through a washing machine. If I feel like this now, how will I feel this afternoon? You know, I’ve got this funny feeling old Paxton is going to lower the boom on us,’ said Noel as he and Simon made their way back to their office.
‘Yes, you can bet he knows more than he’s letting on,’ said Simon dejectedly. ‘When he was talking about the blackmailing of Fisher, he looked at Ron a couple of times and he stole a glance at you, as if trying to see what your reaction was to certain statements he made. As for the bank job, he could have discussed that with Hanson in private. To bring it up when he did made it completely out of context with the rest of the meeting. Lunch at the coffee shop?’
****
At precisely two o’clock there was a knock on the door to the office of Chief Superintendent Paxton. The knock elicitated a one word response. ‘Enter’. On entering, Sergeant Elliott immediately recognised the implication of the seating arrangement; two chairs in front of the Chief’s table. This was not a social visit, or even a cordial visit. This was a business only visit or, as Sergeant Elliott feared, a strips off visit. ‘Be seated gentlemen.’ Chief Paxton had changed from the civilian clothes worn at the morning meeting and was now attired in his uniform, silver braid abounding, a sight of seniority and authority. He turned his swivel chair around and gazed out the window onto Darling Harbour. Without turning back to face the two detectives, he said, ‘Gentlemen, I can’t help thinking there’s something very wrong going on here, and guess what? I’m about to find out, aren’t I?’
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