‘Did you know there was an overdose at Club on Elm around six months back?’ Josh asked. ‘The circumstances are similar to what the Homicide squad suspects happened to a deceased found near Club Hellfire.’
‘I’m not stupid. I know what’s going on.’
For a moment Josh studied Tina Scott, taken aback by her snappy retort. In her mid-fifties, she looked much older, probably because she was thin in every sense of the word. Skin hung off her like it was a size too big for her body. Her face was long, her chin pointed. Dark eyes were set deep. Her lips were a slit under a narrow nose. Harsh lines ran like a road map down her cheeks, falling into her neck. She made no attempt to enhance her plain features with makeup or colour her short grey hair. It seemed unimportant to her how she looked. Her personality too had that same like-it-or-lump-it tone.
Normally Josh was indifferent to his colleagues’ appearances – he was more concerned with their work performances – and was surprised by his own unkind thoughts. Despite the fact Tina Scott did not invite geniality, he should not be judgemental. Ignoring the sour taste in his mouth and the urge to make a cutting comment in reply to her rudeness, he took a deep breath and smiled.
‘I think we should consider sending a trained undercover operative into Club on Elm and attempt to score some drugs. Not one of the local cops, though, they’ll be known.’
‘Obviously,’ Scott snorted. ‘Brooke can do it.’ She said it as though there was no other option. ‘She’s recently UC trained and from Sydney, so she’s not known here. I don’t think she’s done many jobs, but we all have to start somewhere.’
Oh great . . . Tina Scott’s favourite. He’d seen them engrossed in regular conversations. Brooke was about the only person in the office it seemed the boss liked.
‘That’s fine. I’ll get onto making some arrangements regarding everything we’ve discussed.’ So far he had done the work, had made all the suggestions. It was time to throw it out there, see what he got back. ‘Have I missed anything?’
Scott shook her head, glanced down at the paperwork on her desk as though suddenly disinterested. ‘No, I was going to suggest exactly the same thing. Report back to me when . . . when you have more.’
Josh had been dismissed.
It was at that moment he realised something. Tina Scott had no idea. The woman was totally out of her depth, desperately treading water so as not to sink. She was covering her inadequacy with an attitude of arrogance and superiority. Clearly, she had met the academic guidelines for promotion but had neither the sense, nor the experience to back it up. Her aversion to Josh derived from resentment, jealousy – possibly even fear. He knew what he was doing; he was a competent and ardent investigator. Tina Scott was simply not.
CHAPTER 26
Lexie’s phone rang just as the roller doors lifted, granting her access into the Undercover Branch. Pulling into the closest parking spot underneath the building, she scrambled through her handbag, grabbing both phones. Her personal phone was ringing. She answered just before it rang out.
‘Hi Lexie, it’s Jason Fulton. Sorry to bother you on your holiday leave.’ Jason was a keen young uniformed officer from Bondi Junction.
‘That’s fine. What can I do for you, Jason?’ Lexie asked.
‘I’m not sure what to make of this. I took a call from a guy named Lenny who said he needed to speak to you urgently; he has important information about an investigation.’
Lexie’s stomach tensed. She didn’t know any Lenny. ‘Does Lenny have a last name?’
‘Apparently not.’
‘What did you tell him? Did he say what he wanted to talk to me about?’
‘No, he didn’t. I told him you were on leave, but he was very persistent. He said you’d be angry if you missed this opportunity. I told him I couldn’t give out your number but that I would try to get a message to you to contact him.’
‘Thanks, Jason, text me his details and I’ll call him later, see what this important information is about.’
‘Again, I’m sorry to disturb you when you’re off work, I just didn’t want to disregard the call in case it was important.’
‘You did the right thing. You’ll never get criticised for passing on information, or asking questions – at least not by me.’
Lexie thanked him and got out of the car. Rachel Dean pulled in beside her and they laughed when she got out of the car and saw their matching attire: denim shorts cut off at the knee, plain white T-shirts and identical black runners.
‘Seriously?’
‘Great minds think alike, hey,’ Rachel remarked. ‘Have you heard from Rocco since last night?’
‘He sent a text inviting me to the club tonight,’ Lexie told her. ‘There was no mention of my boyfriend being invited.’
Rachel laughed. ‘No surprises there.’
They fell into step beside each other as they made their way into the office area of the building.
‘I wanted to talk to you about something,’ Lexie said, her mind fast-forwarding to what she was going to say, not wanting to leave out any details of her conversation with Josh.
Rachel stopped walking, her face suddenly a map of concern. ‘Is everything okay?’
‘Yes, yes.’ Lexie shook her head. ‘Sorry, it’s nothing to be worried about, it’s about this job.’
Rachel led the way to her office through the old warehouse.
‘Take a seat and tell me everything.’
Sitting in a comfortable leather chair opposite her supervisor, Lexie told Rachel about how Josh may have stumbled upon information relevant to their operation.
‘What’s your boyfriend’s name?’
‘Josh Harrison, he’s a—’
‘Oh, I know Josh.’ Rachel waved her hand in the air. ‘He’s a great bloke. Bloody good sort too. I can see you two together.’ She smirked. Rachel was one of those people who seemed to know everyone in the New South Wales police force, and everyone knew and loved her in return.
‘I hope it was okay that I shared some information with him. It sounds like our respective jobs might be intertwined.’
‘Of course. Josh is completely trustworthy. That “if I tell you, I’ll have to kill you” attitude shits me to tears. Confidentiality is important, don’t get me wrong. But common sense should prevail. If we can scratch their back and they can scratch ours, how good is that?’
Lexie loved the way Rachel saw things. She was a straight shooter.
‘Who’s the commander of the strike force? I’ll give them a call, touch base and see what more I can find out.’
‘Detective Inspector Tina Scott.’ Lexie was mindful not to show any expression.
Rachel groaned. ‘Oh, that woman is a flip.’ A horrified look slipped over her face and she swiftly apologised. ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. Very unprofessional of me.’ Lexie glimpsed a ghost of a smile on her face. ‘I’ll speak to her out of courtesy, but I’ll deal with Josh. I’m sure he’ll be the one across everything anyway.’ She stood. ‘Now, let’s get a coffee.’
When they walked into the meal room, Batman and Sam, another UC, were standing at the kitchenette talking.
‘Oh good, you’re here, Batman.’ Rachel pushed them gently aside as she opened a cupboard and took two mugs out. ‘Hi, Sam,’ she added. ‘I’ll get this, Lex, you sit down.’
Knowing there was no point in arguing, Lexie took a seat at the end of the long white table in the centre of the room. But it should have been the other way around, Lexie thought, embarrassed. She should be making coffee for the boss.
‘Sugar, Lex, milk?’
‘Just milk, thanks.’
Carrying the mugs to the table, Rachel set one in front of Lexie and then took the seat next to her, instructing Batman to join them so they could discuss the next move in the operation. Sam, not being involved, took a seat at the opposite end of the table and began reading some documents.
‘We need to start organising things for the drug deal so we’re ready when Lexie gets t
he word from Rocco,’ Rachel said, glancing between her and Batman. ‘Lexie has uncovered new information courtesy of Detective Sergeant Josh Harrison. So we don’t rehash, I’ll verify details and fill you in after that.’
Lexie glanced at Batman, noted the unimpressed expression that crossed his face.
Rachel stirred her coffee and took a sip. ‘Before you go to the club later, I’d like you to photocopy the buy money and document . . .’ Her voice trailed off and her mouth fell open.
Lexie followed Rachel’s gaze to see what held such astonishment.
Oh no . . . You idiot!
Batman, who had just shrugged off the light jacket he’d been wearing, had forgotten about the blotchy pink marks spread across his neck – love bites. Or maybe he thought they weren’t an issue.
‘What?’ Batman seemed baffled as to why Rachel and Lexie were staring at him.
‘You have to be kidding!’ Lexie exploded. She exchanged an exasperated look with Rachel. ‘They’ll think I’m a friggin’ vampire. That is totally unprofessional.’
The penny dropped and Batman’s hands flew to his neck, self-consciously covering the marks.
‘Oh, I forgot about . . . Ah . . . I didn’t . . . But it doesn’t matter. I’ll just keep my jacket on.’
Lexie’s head fell into her hands. What was he playing at? Frustrated, she wondered if this was one of his ploys, an attempt to make her jealous. Had their kiss fuelled his desire enough for him to seek satisfaction in the arms of another? She didn’t care.
For some reason, besides her annoyance, Lexie felt a sense of relief. She had not wanted to ponder their kiss for fear of discovering a reluctant attraction to Batman. Now she recognised that was not the case, she had no need to feel guilty. There was nothing there. Batman was a childish boy who wanted someone else’s toy.
Rachel let out a shrill laugh, startling Lexie. ‘I . . . Um . . . I think . . .’ She glanced between the two of them. ‘I think that I don’t know what to say.’
‘I’m not going to the club with him looking like that.’ Lexie didn’t even try to hide her irritation. ‘And it’s too hot in there to wear a jacket.’
Batman rolled his eyes and shook his head, as though she was totally overreacting.
‘What, you think my neck is going to ruin the whole operation? Don’t you think Rocco will be turned on to think what a little animal you are?’
‘Okay,’ Rachel interjected, holding her hands up between them as though stopping a physical fight. She glared at Batman. It was the first time Lexie had seen her be anything but pleasant. ‘Batman, you should not turn up to work looking like that at any time. As Lexie said, it is unprofessional no matter what job you’re doing. Lexie can go to the club on her own tonight.’
Batman appeared more offended than embarrassed. ‘Are you serious? I’ll just wear the fu— friggin’ jacket. So what if I’m hot?’
Rachel glanced at Lexie, who was still glaring at Batman.
‘Are you all right with going it alone? I’ll have a surveillance unit nearby, in case they’re needed. I think having some time alone with Rocco won’t hurt anyway.’
‘I’ll be absolutely fine,’ Lexie said. Undercover operatives worked solo all the time. ‘I’ve worked undercover jobs alone before.’
Batman pushed his chair back suddenly. It scraped against the linoleum. ‘I respect you are the boss,’ he said to Rachel, ‘but I think this is over the top.’ He glanced pleadingly at the only other male in the room. ‘Don’t you think, Sam? So I have a few love bites. Big deal.’
Sam threw his hands in the air and stood up, backing out of the room. ‘Don’t bring me into this, mate.’
Rachel smiled at Batman, who was not happy at all. ‘Don’t worry, you won’t be bored,’ she said. ‘I have plenty for you to do here in the office.’
Batman groaned, but said nothing, and stared angrily at the wall.
Lexie held onto her smile until she left the room.
CHAPTER 27
Brad sat at his desk, closed his eyes and nursed his head in his hands, wishing his brain didn’t feel like it might explode at any minute. It had been a very long and traumatic day; another one. Was it any wonder he had a headache? He was physically and mentally exhausted, yet he was really craving a drink, an extra strong whiskey and ice, to dull the bloody images in his mind and help him relax.
It was a bad habit to get into, one he had criticised Josh about more than once, but he brushed away that annoying voice of warning. Instead, he wondered how many of the tactical people would be having a drink tonight in an attempt to process, or perhaps to forget, what they’d been forced to do today.
Brad tried to clear his mind, take a deep breath, but it was no use. His brain was scrambled. The vision of bullets pelting into Milton’s body was now taking precedence over the scene of the bombing. Images he’d rather forget; feared he never would. At least the pounding in his temples reminded him he was alive.
The seat squeaked opposite him. He lifted his head, glanced at Dani, who had just returned from talking to the critical incident team. He thought she looked as bad as he felt.
‘How did it go?’
Dani brushed wisps of curly black hair from her face. ‘They have their job to do. They were nice. I just wasn’t in the mood to discuss how I was feeling – or anything, really.’ She shrugged. ‘But I guess they get that all the time.’ She blinked slowly as though it was hard to keep her eyes open. ‘What have you been doing while I’ve been locked away having my welfare assessed?’
‘The boss told me one of our teams went out to the reserve where this person of interest was seen by the young wannabe cop, Mason. They collected six beer bottles for fingerprint and DNA analysis.’ Brad forced a smile. ‘I’ve also eliminated the painful reporter, Morris Murphy.’
‘He’s a creep. How?’
‘Murphy has an alibi. He was recording a story, surrounded by a news crew, prior to and at the time of the bombing. Apparently they weren’t far from the scene, which is why they arrived so quickly.’
‘Bummer. I still think he’s suss. It would be good to take him down for something, anything, just for being a repulsive person.’
‘So do I. He’ll stay on my radar.’
‘If anyone was willing to commit a crime to get a story, it would be him,’ Dani said, flicking through papers on her desk.
Brad studied her for a moment, noting her usually bright eyes looked heavy and dull. Her makeup had worn off and her olive skin looked pale. Brad’s own despondency was suddenly exchanged for concern.
‘Are you all right, Dani? I know it’s a silly question under the circumstances . . .’
Dani gave him a feeble smile and took a deep breath. ‘I will be. I just don’t know what to feel, to be honest. I keep replaying the scene in my head.’
Worrying about Dani was a good distraction – it meant Brad didn’t have to confront his own emotions.
‘I’m no psychologist, but that would be normal, I think. I’m doing the same thing.’
‘I just don’t get it,’ Dani said. ‘Why would Milton commit suicide by cop when he had an alibi? If he really wasn’t responsible for the bombing?’
‘He may not have been there, but that doesn’t mean he had nothing to do with planning it,’ Brad said. ‘Hopefully all will come to light as the investigation proceeds. We’ll probably never know what was going through his head, but he didn’t want to go back to gaol. He was high on alcohol and drugs. Don’t try to figure it out – it will do your head in.’
Now Dani was looking at him intensely. ‘And how are you, Brad? You’ve had the bombing and now this . . . Are you—’
‘I’m fine.’ Brad’s heart began pounding violently as soon as the words left his mouth. Oh, not this again, not now . . . He coughed, willed his heart to settle. This will not kill you . . . Ignore it. ‘I’m just tired, which is why I’m going home very soon.’ God, he could hardly breathe. Don’t make a fool of yourself. ‘You should do the same.’
/> Dani hesitated for a moment. Then she started to collect her things. Brad was thankful she accepted his words and didn’t linger, unlike Lexie, who always picked up on too much of what he was feeling.
‘Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow then.’
He watched her go, and concentrated on taking deep, slow breaths. Tomorrow was another day. Tomorrow they would discover a new lead, a new line of inquiry. All he needed was to see his family and have a good night’s sleep. What was that mantra of Lexie’s? ‘Fear is a parasite that will eat you alive, but only if you let it.’
Brad would not let it.
CHAPTER 28
It was some time after making the call to Bondi Junction Police Station and speaking to the young cop about getting in touch with Detective Lexie Rogers that the mobile rang. The killer glanced at the screen. It displayed: No caller ID.
Smart . . . no record of her number.
‘Hello.’
‘Is this Lenny?’ The female voice on the other end of the line was smooth, confident.
The killer smiled, spoke in a lowered voice. ‘Yes, this is Lenny. Is that Detective Rogers?’
‘It is. I got your message. How can I help you?’
‘I was given your name by a friend. I have information you will be interested in.’
‘In regards to what?’ Her tone was official, but there was something familiar about her voice. How could that be?
Glancing at the black and white image of Lexie Rogers in the paper, the killer decided the bullshit story would be general. She was not investigating the bombing if she was on leave, so there was no point mentioning that, or the shooting of the ex-Assassin bikie that had been on the news.
‘I have information about a big-time drug dealer in the Eastern Suburbs. I don’t like talking on the phone, so I was hoping we could meet, to talk. To be honest, I was hoping for some sort of reward – financial, that is.’ No crook came forward to give police information for no reason, so there had to be a motive, an angle, or it would seem suss.
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