‘What’s the plan?’ Dani asked.
Brad was coming to realise that Dani liked to have a plan. ‘We get out of the car, go to the flat and knock on the door.’
Dani gave him a look. He laughed and reluctantly got out of the air-conditioned car. The smell of coffee and cakes from a nearby bakery made his stomach rumble. When had he last eaten? Not that long ago. He had to hang out a little longer. This overcompensating with food to stay off the smokes would be the death of him.
Dani came to stand beside him and they waited for a lull in the traffic to cross the road. Throngs of people, some in office attire, others in casual clothing, scurried like ants along the pavement, all in a hurry to get wherever they were going. A red bus pulled up in front of them and bipped its horn at a car parked in its zone slightly further along. The illegally parked car didn’t budge, so the bus, having no other option, double parked in the middle of the street to let passengers out. Brad and Dani glanced at each other, rolled their eyes and waited.
A moment later the bus moved on and Brad had a clear view across the street, straight into the entrance of Teddy Johnson’s block of flats. A familiar face caught his attention. His heart punched against his ribs and he grabbed Dani’s arm.
‘Get back in the car.’
Dani stared at him questioningly. ‘Why?’ She traced his gaze across the road. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Just do it,’ he said, a little too firmly.
Back in the car, Dani stared at him expectantly. She looked rather put out.
‘Can you see that girl with the shoulder-length auburn hair in the red top and blue jeans, walking this way on the other side of the road?’
Dani twisted in her seat, scanned the crowded footpath. ‘Ah, yes . . . yes, I see her.’
‘That’s Bernadette Kirk, my short-term partner, who is on sick report.’
‘Oh. Does she live here?’
Brad shook his head, now watching her in the side mirror. ‘No, she lives at Botany.’
Dani swivelled, looked between the seats to follow her progress. ‘I have to say, she doesn’t look real sick.’
Brad reached for a pair of binoculars he kept in the glove box and lifted them to his eyes. ‘See that white Commodore parked almost opposite us? I’m pretty sure that’s a surveillance car . . .’ He watched for a moment. The binoculars allowed him to zoom right up on the occupants’ faces. ‘It is . . . That’s Gary Langford, a guy out of my academy class, sitting in the passenger seat. He’s been a detective senior constable at Professional Standards Command since Moses was a boy.’ Brad shook his head. ‘He is a complete numpty.’
They watched Bernadette Kirk get into a blue Honda and pull out into the traffic. She was followed by Langford in the PSC car. Within seconds, both vehicles had disappeared behind them.
Dani’s and Brad’s eyes met. What was Bernadette Kirk doing here? Why was she coming out of their suspect’s block of flats? Was it a strange coincidence or much more than that?
Brad thought of what Berni had uttered just after the explosion. ‘This wasn’t supposed to happen.’ Were they just meaningless words said in fear and shock, or were they significant? Had she known about the bomb? Had things not gone according to plan? One thing was clear, however. Professional Standards Command was watching her.
‘I think we should speak to PSC. Find out what their interest in my old workmate is before knocking on Teddy Johnson’s door. We don’t know if there’s a connection between Kirk and Johnson – God help her if there is – and we don’t want to step on any toes.’
CHAPTER 42
Brooke clutched scrunched-up tissues in the palm of her hands and sniffled as she took the seat across from Josh. Mascara was smudged around her eyes. Her face, usually well done up, was devoid of all makeup and her skin was pink and blotchy. Although she appeared unconcerned with her appearance at this moment, Josh noticed the white shirt she wore tucked into skin-tight jeans was unbuttoned to display as much cleavage as possible.
Josh picked up his mobile, playing with it for a moment. ‘I’m just turning this onto silent so we don’t get disturbed.’
Brooke nodded and glanced down at her hands.
Josh placed his phone on the desk next to him. ‘So what have you got to say, Brooke?’
‘I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong, I swear! You have to believe me.’ She glanced up at him, pleading; a few of her eyelashes stuck together where her mascara had coagulated. ‘I was doing some homework. I just wanted to see what the club looked like inside and get a glimpse of Shadow, see what I could find out before going in tonight.’ She sniffed and tapped a tissue to the end of her nose. ‘I was trying to impress you, Jo— sorry, Sergeant.’
‘Well, Brooke, what you did ruined our operation and put at risk a much larger protracted investigation another section have been running.’ Josh concentrated on keeping his expression neutral, his voice calm. It was all he could do to hide his contempt. ‘What did you do, exactly?’
‘I went into Club on Elm before I went to the pub last night. I ordered a drink and asked for Shadow.’
Josh cringed. ‘Why would you do that?’
‘I was hoping to build rapport with him, like they teach you on the undercover course. I thought if I could set up a buy for tonight I would have a head start and everyone would be happy.’
Show-off. Prove how good you are, more likely. But you’re simply not a good UC. A good UC does not go off on their own accord, without permission. A good UC does not get picked as a cop.
‘I don’t know why they thought I was a cop.’ Brooke fidgeted with the tissues in her hand. ‘I don’t look like a cop.’
‘Crooks are suspicious, cagey by nature.’ Josh stated the obvious. ‘It’s a side effect of their profession. Your abrupt and somewhat arrogant approach would have set alarm bells ringing.’ He sighed. ‘You disobeyed police rules and instructions. You went into a target premises off duty, unauthorised and without backup, and tried to arrange a drug deal with no operational orders in place, therefore your actions were illegal. You put yourself in danger and, as I said, compromised our operation.’
Brooke started to cry, big, ugly, gulping sobs. He couldn’t tell if they were real or feigned. ‘I told the boss you asked me to go in and suss the place out before the job tonight,’ she told him between sniffles. ‘I didn’t want her to get too angry with—’
‘You what?’ Josh almost screeched, unable to believe the hide of this girl. ‘I did no such thing.’
Twitching in her seat, Brooke stared at him forlornly. ‘I know you didn’t, but if you don’t back me up I might never be allowed to do undercover work again. I thought you would do the right thing by me. I thought you’d have my back.’
Josh frowned. ‘Why would you think that, Brooke? I did not, and would not, tell you to go into the club other than during a controlled, authorised operation. You did the wrong thing and it seems you are now trying to put the blame on me.’ Josh was ropeable. And he hadn’t even started on the phone conversation with Lexie yet.
‘You’re a sergeant. You’ll only get a slap on the wrist. My whole career is at stake.’ Brooke tucked her short dark hair behind her ears and gave him a weak smile. ‘I thought . . . I thought . . . last night, you—’
‘Last night, you were drunk.’ Josh didn’t let her finish. ‘You woke me up when you stumbled into my flat – I’m still not sure why you were there when you have your own accommodation – and then this morning you answer my mobile phone and insinuated to my girlfriend that we spent the night together. Which you know is totally untrue.’ He had to keep a tight rein on his anger. He seriously wanted to throw something at her. ‘Why would you do that?’
Brooke’s demeanour altered, her body language moving from dejected to seductive. She leant forward, knowing this provided Josh with a clear view down her top. ‘I’m sorry about the phone call. I was just surprised . . . and disappointed you had a girlfriend.’ She sat back and crossed and uncrossed her legs. �
�I know you want me as much as I want you.’
Josh was taken aback once again, but he also had the urge to laugh. He didn’t, of course. If the situation weren’t so serious, it would actually be hilarious.
‘If you stick up for me, tell the boss that you asked me to go into the club, I will be yours for the whole time we’re here on this strike force.’ Brooke smiled, licking her lips suggestively. ‘I can blow your mind, believe me. Girlfriend doesn’t have to know and there will be no strings attached. Isn’t that what every man wants?’
Josh couldn’t believe this was happening – Brooke was attempting to bribe him with her body. ‘I am not interested in any type of relationship with you, Brooke. I am not going to lie for you either.’
There was another shift in her mood. Her lip jutted out and she began to cry again. Though Josh noted there was an absence of tears.
‘I know you’re fighting it, Josh. I’m a nice girl, really. I’ve just made a mistake. Please help me.’ Brooke was now begging. ‘Forget the sex bit. You’re obviously a nice guy and faithful to your girlfriend. I can respect that as much as it disappoints me. But can you please tell Inspector Scott that you told me to go into the club, otherwise—’ she put her hands over her face, ‘—I’ll be crucified.’
It didn’t matter what Brooke said. Josh was totally immune to her bruised expression.
She let out a sob of despair, then became suddenly animated. ‘Wait, I have an idea. You don’t have to lie.’ Brooke’s eyes grew wide, appeared almost excited. ‘We can say it was a misunderstanding; I took something you said the wrong way and . . . Oh, please help me, give me a second chance. I’ll be forever grateful.’
Josh took a deep breath. ‘I am not impressed with your behaviour in any way—’
‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry . . . I’ll—’
Josh put his hand in the air to stop her interrupting. ‘Let me finish. I am not going to lie for you. You stuffed up and did it completely on your own. Have a backbone and stand up for your mistakes. You can’t blame everyone else all the time.’ Josh shook his head. ‘And lastly – listen carefully, Brooke . . . Nothing has happened and nothing will ever happen between us. I am not interested in you and I am seriously concerned about your character, your mental state, if you think otherwise.’
Edging forward in her seat, Brooke folded her arms across her chest and narrowed her eyes at him. Aggression radiated from every pore of her skin. ‘What if I tell the boss you took advantage of me when I’d had a few too many drinks last night? That you won’t leave me alone? Who do you think she will believe, given that she dislikes you immensely and loves me?’ Brooke screwed her face up. ‘I can assure you, she won’t believe a word you say. I’ll make your life hell. I’ll ring your scrag at home and tell her about the affair we’ve been having. So, you have a choice. Do as I ask and back me up or,’ she almost snarled, ‘I get nasty.’
This girl was truly foul. She was like a cancerous growth, festering and rotting from the inside out. He would not allow himself, or others, to be subjected to her malevolence.
‘Okay,’ Josh said suddenly. ‘Let’s go and talk to the boss.’
Brooke’s face lit up. ‘Really?’
Josh stood, threw his hands in the air. ‘You win.’
He gestured for Brooke to accompany him. She jumped out of her chair, blocking the doorway. He came to stand in front of her, curious to know what she would try next.
Touching his arm gently, she gave him a victorious smile. ‘Thank you for this. I knew I could count on you.’
Josh nodded and warily moved past her. He knocked on Tina Scott’s office door.
She called out, ‘Come in.’
He pushed the door open and watched her assess them both critically. Though Josh noticed their boss’s gaze soften when it fell on Brooke.
‘What is this about?’ she asked, gesturing for them to take the seats across from her.
‘Brooke and I have just had a talk about the circumstances of her mistake regarding attending Club on Elm without authorisation. I’m here to tell you that – actually.’ Josh pointed his finger in the air, as though he had just thought of something. ‘One moment . . .’
Dashing out of the room, he returned a heartbeat later and held his phone in the air. ‘Better still, I think it would be simpler if you listened to our conversation yourself.’
Brooke’s face dropped. ‘You can’t use that . . . I wasn’t told I was being recorded . . . that’s illegal,’ Brooke protested.
Tina Scott held up her hand, fixing Brooke with a hard stare. ‘We are not in court, Brooke, so quit your objections, they have no substance.’ She tilted her pointed chin at Josh. ‘Let me have it.’
Josh pressed play and did his best to hide his satisfaction.
CHAPTER 43
Lexie arrived at Club Hellfire just before 9pm and was escorted to Rocco’s office by TJ. The club was open but patronage was sparse at this early hour; things didn’t get going until at least eleven o’clock and Lexie intended to be long gone before then.
As they crossed the dance floor, two scantily dressed girls busied themselves behind the bar, polishing glasses and wiping down counters. She saw no sign of Lucky, Erika, Johnny or Tiffany, which gave her a sense of relief. She had little energy for pleasantries, polite chitchat or anything requiring social etiquette tonight. In fact, she felt so flat, so desolate, even her nerves had abandoned her.
Just before they got to Rocco’s office, the door opened and Johnny stepped out in a cloud of cigarette smoke. Lexie coughed. Johnny bid her a brief good evening then, with a tilt of his head, continued along the corridor. That was a quick trip to Byron Bay, Lexie thought, her mind filling with questions and possibilites. Was this innocuous little man a drug courier? Could he be Kelsey Leech’s killer? Was he plotting the downfall of his brother? Was he really sleeping with Erika? Or was that just an unfounded accusation spat in the heat of an argument? Who could know – this dark and dangerous world of lies, deceit, corruption and power was a realm of its own.
Rocco gave Lexie a suitably cheerless smile as he got up from behind his desk and invited her into his office. ‘Thank you, TJ,’ he said, immediately dismissing the barman.
TJ slipped away without a sound.
‘I’ve heard the terrible news about your uncle. I cannot tell you how sorry I am.’ Rocco held his arms wide and moved towards her. ‘It is tragic, so tragic. He was a good man and if it’s found he met with foul play, I promise you, we will seek vengeance.’ He pulled Lexie into his arms and hugged her close.
‘Thank you,’ she said weakly into his shoulder. Rocco smelt of a blend of potent aftershave and cigarettes. Standing dutifully in the circle of his embrace, crushed against his chest of steel, she wondered how long was sufficient to endure Rocco’s show of sympathy. Rocco was wearing his platform shoes, so they were almost the same height.
‘You are one of us, now – part of my family. I will look after you.’ She felt his warm breath as he whispered this into her ear.
Then Lexie heard – and felt – Rocco sniff her hair. Uncomfortable, she stiffened and had to instruct her body to relax.
‘This makes me worried,’ Rocco continued. ‘The timing is so close after the bombing. I don’t know what’s going on.’
Not for the first time, Lexie wondered if Rocco knew more about the Assassins bombing than he would ever let on. Unexpected tears stung her eyes and she blinked them away. A wave of anger followed her sorrow. Rex’s senseless death had made her more determined than ever to put away the underworld creeps dealing drugs on the streets of Sydney and throughout Australia. And once she had done that, she would find out who was responsible for her friend’s death and make them pay. She began to tremble.
Rocco mistook this as distress and smoothed one hand over her hair while rubbing her back soothingly.
‘I’m all right,’ she assured him, slowly pulling back from his embrace. ‘But thank you, Rocco—’ Lexie said his name for the transmitter clipp
ed to her belt, ‘—for your sympathy.’
‘Are you sure you would not rather do this another time?’ Rocco was still holding her shoulders gently. His thumbs stroked the material of her T-shirt.
Lexie shook her head. Rachel and Batman had tried to dissuade her from going ahead with the deal tonight. However, Lexie had assured them she needed to: Rex started this job; she would finish it. She wanted him to be proud of her, wherever he was. And Lexie needed to prove to them, and herself, that she was able to pull herself together and get the job done, no matter what.
‘I’m here now, Rocco,’ Lexie said. ‘Besides, I need to stay busy, and Uncle Rex would expect nothing else.’
Rocco gazed at her admiringly. ‘You are strong, Lara, besides being beautiful and resilient. I respect that, which is why we will make a good team.’ When he saw her face drop, he let her go, throwing his hands up in surrender. ‘Now is not the time for that, I know. But one day.’ He gave her a twisted smile. ‘Just know I am here for you.’
Lexie nodded, feeling her body relax as though all the air from her lungs was being released in one giant gush. Rocco wasn’t going to make this hard for her. There would be no moves, no flirting tonight, out of respect for Rex. It did not diminish her grief, but she was grateful to have a reprieve from having to fend Rocco off.
‘Would you like a drink?’ he asked, moving towards the well-stocked bar in the corner of his office. ‘Perhaps a gin and tonic?’
‘Thank you.’ She could actually do with a drink. Just one. ‘That would be nice.’
Rocco mixed Lexie a drink, fetched himself a Mythos beer – it seemed to be the drink of choice around here – and guided her into the leather armchair on the other side of his desk. He was so caring and sympathetic that Lexie felt the first hint of guilt, of deception. She reminded herself it was just her mood, her state of mind, making her feel this way.
Fatal Mistake Page 24