A BLIND EYE

by John Henderson

  Ron spent the next twenty minutes explaining the sad story of infidelity and extortion already related to Simon in Hyde Park. Strangely, no-one seemed as surprised as Simon had been when they learnt of the blackmailing of a politician’s wife. When he had finished, Ron turned to Sue. ‘Sue, you saw the incident between Fisher and Porter at the Club. Apart from the physical attack, what did you make of the episode?’

  Sue looked at her glass of wine and decided she didn’t need a refill, just yet. ‘Well, it seemed pretty clear to me Fisher thought his friendship with Louisa, or whatever you like to call the relationship, was a lot better than what she thought it was. The animosity between the two was solely of her bidding. She had it in for Fisher, and I get the idea the poor bloke didn’t know why, and probably still doesn’t.’

  ‘No wonder,’ exclaimed Noel. ‘Poor Louisa ends up being blackmailed by Agnes Fisher just because Agnes finds out her ever loving husband was being dragged off to bed, not reluctantly, by the amazon with an inflated libido. And the idiot had to brag about it to all and sundry, not that that appears relevant.’

  ‘Now, hang on a sec,’ said Simon. ‘Don’t let’s forget, we’re hearing all this third hand. Let’s go through it slowly and try to work out what’s happened and the sequence of events. I doubt we will ever be able to come up with the rationale behind what’s gone on, so let’s try and keep it simple.’

  ‘I’ll agree to that,’ replied Ron. ‘It’s easy to take everything at face value and come to some conclusion that may not necessarily fit the facts.’

  ‘Okay, let’s assume Noel’s right about Louisa being blackmailed just because Agnes finds out her devoted hubby may not have been so devoted. Mr. Fisher and Louisa Porter are having, or had, a tryst to put it more eloquently. Porter, Louisa I mean, doesn’t want word of the affair to either get back to her husband, who is a State politician, or for the affair to become public knowledge. Let’s look at the first reason first,’ said Simon.

  Georgie leant forward holding her empty wine glass with both hands. ‘Porter, Mr. Porter, that is, is reputedly going places with his political party and the higher he goes, the higher she goes, on the social ladder anyway. I’ve no doubt she doesn’t want to jeopardize the marriage and the associated prestige, or her husband’s career all because of her easy virtue and overactive hormones.’

  ‘Hell, I never thought the wife of a politician would consider her position prestigious,’ Ron remarked. ‘Anyway, if whatever Mrs. Porter is up to did get back to Mr. Porter, I’d say it would be most likely everyone else on the planet would know, including his political party. It doesn’t matter who you are, you can’t keep any misbehaviour secret forever in this town, irrespective of however scandalous or trivial. And yes, I know such revelations haven’t adversely affected the political standing of politicians busted for the same thing, State or Federal. However, don’t let’s forget, there’s always the chance someone in the party may take the moralistic high ground and try to crucify the bloke.’

  ‘Sounds good to me,’ said Ron as he tossed his empty beer can into the new metal garbage bin that had recently replaced the dilapidated plastic one. ‘We still haven’t any idea as to how Agnes Fisher found out about her husband’s affair, nor do we know what evidence she is holding that will prove the affair did take place. Such proof must exist or Louisa wouldn’t pay her off.’

  ‘No, I can’t agree to that. Agnes doesn’t need evidence as all she has to do is ring the editor of the Daily Mirror, tell him who she is and what’s going on and it will be all over the front pages. You can bet your life the paper won’t take the time to verify the story, and who knows, Louisa may make page three,’ said Simon as he took Georgie’s glass and refilled it. ‘But it seems as though things have got so bad for Louisa that she’s now gone to Mr. Lee to see if there’s a way of having the problem removed. I think we all know Mr. Lee isn’t about to assassinate Agnes, or anyone else for that matter, even if he does want to help Louisa, which he no doubt does. Apart from running a very successful business that has attracted some very influential patrons, Mr. Lee is proving to be an invaluable asset in his cooperation with police to set up a drug squad. So, no way in the world is Mr. Lee going to throw away all that effort. And who knows, if he continues to keep his nose clean, one day he may even front the Licensing Board.’

  Sue emptied her glass and placed it on the table in front of her. ‘So really it boils down to finding a way to stop Agnes Fisher from blackmailing Louisa Porter.’

  ‘Spot on, Sue. I suggested we get together for this little chat because you girls know what goes on in a girl’s mind far better than us mere males. Apart from blowing Agnes away with a Magnum, I haven’t a clue how to go about it,’ replied Ron indifferently. ‘Any ideas?’

  ‘Simon, did I hear you say a while ago that Chief Paxton had asked Fisher if his wife played around?’ Georgie asked.

  ‘Yes, he did mention it to me after he had spoken to Fisher. Fisher had told him he didn’t think she did, but there were times when Agnes didn’t come home at night, the excuse being she’d spent the night at a girl friend’s place.’

  ‘Holy hell. And of course, hubby believed her. How naïve can you get,’ replied Sue with scorn. ‘It all too easy. All we have to do is find out who Agnes is screwing and blackmail her to stop blackmailing Louisa.’

  ‘Yeah, but just one second. Aren’t we taking it just a little bit for granted that she is playing around?’ asked Noel, sceptically.

  ‘Noel, believe me, Agnes is playing around; I’ll bet my booties on it,’ replied Sue, with conviction.

  ‘See, told you, Simon. Nothing beats women’s logic,’ said Ron, suitably bemused by the simplicity of such a scheme to unravel such a complex situation.

  ‘Seems more like a daisy chain to me,’ responded Noel. ‘The further we go into this, the more people we will find being blackmailed for one reason or another.’

  ‘Well, I for one would like to know how Agnes found out hubby was up to no good. I wonder if Louisa’s husband, what’s his name, Robert, that’s it, Robert Porter, I wonder if he knows what’s going on?’ Simon said as he tossed another empty beer can into the growing pile of empties discarded into the garbage bin. He contemplated for a second, then reached for the Esky.

  ‘That would be an interesting question,’ remarked Ron with a thoughtful look on his face. ‘Why don’t you ask him?’

  ‘And just how do we get to have a chat with a politician. The only time you ever see them is during an election. Once they’re voted in you never see or hear from them again unless, of course, they get a ministerial portfolio. And if they’re at ministerial level,’ said Simon getting a tad hot under the collar, ‘they have this inflated opinion of themselves and will never give a straight answer. And if you ask why they don’t give a straight answer, it’s because they never deign to listen to anyone they regard as being their intellectual inferiors, which, of course, are us plebs, the very people who put them where they are in the first place. And as far as answering a “yes” or “no” question, they are completely incapable as they believe no question could be so simplistic,’ said Simon with a tone of disgust.

  ‘Well, pardon me. Sorry I suggested it,’ Ron said defensively. ‘I take it there are no politicians on your Christmas mailing list?’

  ‘Gee, Ron, how perceptive, but I don’t hold politicians in high regard. And you’re probably right with your suggestion to go and ask Mr. Porter if he’s aware his wife’s been shagging a police superintendent. If he does know, it won’t come as any great surprise and if he doesn’t, well, he should. What do you girls think?’

  Georgie, who needed no time to think about the question, was quick to respond. ‘Robert Porter wouldn’t know what day of the week it was, let alone if his wife was jumping into bed with someone. Men, including politicians, are so stupid when it comes to deception. They really think they are so smart with their extra marital goings on. Look at Mr. Fisher. He wouldn’t have a clue his wife not only knows a
bout him but is making money out of it. And Porter, being a politician, wouldn’t be able to lie straight in bed anyway.’

  Sue poured herself another moselle and said, ‘I agree with a lot of what you just said, Georgie, but I bet Mr. Porter does know but won’t say anything because it would be a case of the pot calling the kettle black.’

  ‘You mean, you think the redoubtable Robert Porter, MP, is playing around on his wife?’ asked Noel, becoming more perplexed as the conversation continued.

  Sue shrugged, raised her eyebrows and nodded. ‘Who knows for sure? We can sit here and speculate until the cows come home whether someone’s jumping into someone else’s bed. But don’t forget, Porter is a politician, and that in itself opens up a can of worms. I agree with Ron. Let’s go and ask Bob Porter what he knows. Maybe it would be a good idea to get everyone who’s involved together for a real good punch up to see who’s between the sheets with whom. That would include the Fishers, the Porters and we could bring in Mr. Lee as the referee.’

  Simon smirked at the idea. ‘Sounds great. We just push them all into a steel cage and watch the feathers fly. No, let’s be a little more subtle for the moment. Noel and I will try and get to see Mr. Porter, and Ron, can you have a quiet word with Mr. Superintendent Fisher, if you can find him? He seems to have vanished off the planet over the last few days. Let’s see if we can get sufficient info together to persuade Agnes Fisher to take her claws out of Louisa. If we can’t, Louisa may make life pretty tough for Agnes, if not pretty short.’

  CHAPTER 30

  Andrew and Noel sat under an umbrella of a footpath coffee shop in Macquarie Street. From where they sat they could see the old building of the State Parliament on the other side of the street. They had just ordered the usual, one flat black and one cappuccino when a tall broad shouldered gentleman, dressed in a dark brown suit and wearing a gaudy paisley tie, approached their table. Noel looked at the man and had a sudden thought flash across his mind; no, I don’t want to trade my Holden for a Ford.

  ‘Inspector Webster?’

  ‘Yes. Mr. Porter?’

  ‘That’s right. I believe you wanted a chat. I can only spare a few minutes, so if we can get straight into it.’

  ‘Before we start. This is my sergeant, Sergeant Noel Elliott.’ Mr. Porter nodded to Noel and sat down at the table just as the two coffees arrived. ‘Coffee, Mr. Porter?’

  ‘No thanks.’

  ‘Mr. Porter, we need to ask you some very personal questions regarding yourself and your wife. Naturally you are under no obligation to answer, but they may prove significant in a case of alleged blackmail currently under investigation.’

  ‘Who’s blackmailing who?’

  ‘Never mind that at the moment. Mr. Porter, are you aware that your wife, Louisa, is a patron of the Taipan Club in Forbes Street?’

  ‘Yes, I know she goes there occasionally. Why?’

  ‘Have you heard the name Nigel Fisher before?’ Simon asked as he absently stirred his unsugared coffee.

  ‘I think Louisa may have mentioned it. Look, can we stop beating around the bush and get to the point?’

  Simon shrugged. ‘By all means, Mr. Porter. We’ve received a report claiming your wife has been on very friendly terms with a Mr. Nigel Fisher.’

  ‘Oh, cut the crap, Inspector. My wife has been, and probably still is, screwing Detective Superintendent Fisher and yes, of course I know about it.’ Simon looked at Noel who was about to take a sip of his coffee; he missed and spilt half the cup over a neatly ironed white shirt and light blue tie.

  ‘Bugger,’ exclaimed Noel and tried to rectify the damage with a paper napkin.

  ‘You knew about it?’ asked Simon, amazed at the direction the discussion was now headed.

  ‘Look, Inspector, let’s not cloud the issue. Of course I knew. So did Agnes.’

  ‘Well, it’s obvious Agnes knew what hubby was up to. We weren’t sure if you knew. But how did Agnes find out?’

  ‘Good God, that’s easy. I told her. Simon rested an elbow on the table, held his head and tightly screwed his eyes shut for a moment.

  ‘I suppose you know there is now an allegation Agnes is blackmailing Louisa. Seems if Louisa doesn’t pay up, Agnes will go public that the wife of a prominent parliamentarian is picking up men at an illegal casino and having her way with them. It’s of little consequence whether your wife and Fisher are still at it or not. Either way, it augurs badly for the political career of an aspiring politician if it became common knowledge, wouldn’t you say?’

  ‘Agnes is bluffing. She would never do anything like that. As far as Louisa is concerned, I suppose it does sound a bit unrefined,’ reflected Mr. Porter. ‘But let’s face it, it’s not as though she’s committing a capital offence. And really, Inspector, whatever Louisa is up to, it isn’t life threatening, is it?

  ‘Strange you should use those words, Mr. Porter. We’ve had word your wife has made an approach to a third party in an attempt to have the problem eliminated, if you get my drift,’ said Simon as he finished his coffee.

  ‘I’m sorry, but I think I’m losing the plot here. Are you trying to tell me Louisa is looking for someone to do a job on Agnes?’

  ‘Seems so,’ replied Simon, simply. ‘Does it really surprise you to think Louisa would go to so much trouble and expense to keep your reputation in tact?’

  The question Simon had asked required nothing more than a “yes” or “no” answer but, being put to a politician, Simon was not too surprised when he received a question in response. ‘Just what are you two gentlemen trying to achieve?’ Simon could see that Mr. Porter was getting a trifle angry.

  ‘Mr. Porter, we’re trying to obtain sufficient information to present to Agnes Fisher that will convince her that it is in her best interest to cease blackmailing your wife. Louisa has your best interest at heart and she is paying the blackmail to protect your career.’

  Mr. Porter frowned and shook his head. ‘Eminently altruistic. Let’s keep everybody happy, the Party included. But before we go any further, you say you want information that may persuade Agnes to back off. Well gentlemen, I may be able to help you there. Agnes is a nice lady trying to stay afloat at a social level way beyond her economic means. When I found out what Louisa was up to, I told Agnes, certainly not thinking she would stoop so low as to blackmail Louisa.’

  ‘How did you find out about Louisa?’ Noel interrupted.

  ‘Well, it wasn’t hard to work out something was up as I do keep an ear close to the ground. Louisa would say she was going to the Club; sometimes she did, sometimes she didn’t. I know a few people who spend some time there, and irrespective of what you may think, they’re not all criminals. Anyway, let’s just say I heard it on the grapevine. Does that answer your question, Inspector?’

  ‘Yes, admirably, thank you, sir. And how did you get to know Agnes?’ Simon asked.

  ‘I met Agnes at a restaurant in Double Bay. It was some social function although I can’t recall what it was in aid of. As it turned out, we found we had something in common, which, of course, we did as both our spouses were jumping into bed with each other. It didn’t surprise her as she had expected something was going on. Anyway, they say what’s good for the goose so Agnes and I became good friends. It started off on a plutonic basis, I suppose it still is, but with a little adultery thrown in. Hell, it’s not like we didn’t have the opportunity, what with Louisa and Nigel going at it hammer and tongs. I still believe we have a good friendship and would be very surprised if Agnes would wish to bring my career down.’

  ‘You mean you and Agnes….’ Simon didn’t get to finish the question.

  ‘Yes,’ replied Mr. Porter.

  Simon looked at Noel and said, ‘It looks like Sue was right on the button about Agnes, but I would never have guessed who she was having it off with. So, Mr. Porter,’ Simon continued, turning to the politician, ‘I would say you have a very loyal wife who’s trying to protect your career, in spite of her infidelity. And irrespective o
f your feelings for Agnes, it certainly appears she’s not providing you with a great deal of support, what with her threat to go public.’

  ‘Yes, I can see that now. Maybe I’m a bit of a bastard, but it’s not like I’m the only politician to have an interest in women. At least I’m involved with only one woman, even if that woman is blackmailing my wife who’s probably paying the blackmail with my money,’ said Mr. Porter in a vain attempt to display some virtuous attributes. ‘Hell, I could name a few politicians on both sides of the House who would make the most of any opportunity presented. And that includes both men and women. Good God, Inspector, it’s not as though I’m shagging the Parliamentary Whip or the honourable member for wherever, is it?’

  Somehow the conversation was over. Mr. Porter shrugged and looked at his watch. Both Simon and Noel looked at each other, a look of bewilderment on their faces, both struck dumb by the politician’s revelations. It was Mr. Porter who broke the impasse. ‘I’m sorry, gentlemen, I think I may have surprised you.’

  ‘To say the least, Mr. Porter. I must admit, I didn’t quite expect our conversation to be so forthright and I honestly can’t think of any further questions at this moment. If it comes to that, I’m having trouble getting my head around what you’ve just told us. I think it’s probably a good idea if the Sergeant and I go away to some quiet spot and do a bit of thinking. You realise we are trying to protect all involved in this sordid little story. Hopefully after we’ve determined who’s in whose bed when the music stops, we can sort it out without blackmail or assassination.’

  ‘Thank you, Inspector Webster. I appreciate your sensitivity in dealing with this case,’ said Mr. Porter as he got up from his chair and took a card from his coat pocket. ‘If you do have any more questions, please give me a ring. The number is a private telephone that will get you straight through to my office.’ With that, Robert Porter, MP, walked away along Macquarie Street towards Hyde Park.