‘You’re not following your usual routine, which is making Johnson desperate, and we believe that’s why he tried the Lenny approach. Johnson is content because he has made contact with you and will be meeting you next week. However, his father is putting the pressure on him. The trial is in two months and he’s running out of time. Vincent mentioned during this phone conversation that he has someone else out there looking for you.’ She paused, stared at Lexie. ‘It’s too dangerous for you to carry on, don’t you agree?’
Lexie remembered what had happened to Rex. Was it worth it? The thought passed quickly. She didn’t take this job to be a shrinking violet, to be intimidated by evil men; to back down when the going got tough. She had survived so far. She could not live with herself if she didn’t finish what Rex had started. His hard work, his life . . . it had to be for something.
Lexie assembled her thoughts, tried to get them straight. She had to sell a pitch to Rachel, convince her she be allowed to stay on this job.
‘Teddy Johnson, is after me, right?’
Rachel nodded.
‘If Johnson works at the club, he may have already seen me – as Lara. If Johnson and TJ are the same person, he has definitely seen me. TJ is the one who returned the sex DVDs. This is about Amitt Vincent, not the operation on Rocco’s drug syndicate. If they had even the slightest inkling Lara Wild was a cop, was really Lexie Rogers, I’d be dead by now. Johnson, and whatever other hitman Vincent has employed to find me, is looking for Lexie Rogers.’
Rachel stared at her as if waiting for the punch line.
‘Can you see what I’m saying?’ Lexie felt lightness in her chest. ‘Nobody is looking for Lara Wild. She doesn’t live in Lexie’s flat, she doesn’t work at Bondi Junction Police Station, she doesn’t mix with cops. Lara doesn’t do anything Lexie Rogers does. And she certainly doesn’t look like her – even my mother hardly recognised me.’
Rachel shook her head, still unconvinced. ‘I understand where you’re going with this, though I don’t think . . .’ Her voice trailed off as she became thoughtful.
Lexie looked deep into Rachel’s blue eyes, willing her to get it. ‘Rachel, right now, Lexie Rogers is only safe being Lara Wild.’
CHAPTER 49
Detective Gary Langford met Lexie, Batman, Rachel and Ron Barrington on their arrival at the Professional Standards Command, where the multi-agency meeting was being held. He ushered them into a lift and besides the initial introductions, instigated no further conversation. As the doors opened on Level 3, they followed Langford down a long corridor. Today Lexie wore casual attire: ripped-at-the-knee blue jeans, a black T-shirt and matching runners. Her long black hair hung straight down her back and around her eyes; she wore the usual heavy black eyeliner.
Brad, Dani and Marty Wells were waiting for them in the conference room. Dani had already seen Lexie’s metamorphosis and showed no surprise. However, Brad and Marty stared for a long moment before they realised who she was. It was reassuring to know her masquerade was convincing.
‘Oh wow!’ Brad gasped, moving towards Lexie. ‘You look so different.’ He gave her a hug.
‘Still hot though,’ Marty added, kissing her cheek.
‘Just as well, it seems,’ Lexie replied. ‘Not the hot bit – I don’t want to be looking anything like Lexie Rogers right now.’
Brad patted her arm and Dani kissed her cheek. Then Lexie watched Dani’s eyes widen as Rachel introduced her to Batman. Batman, somewhat awkwardly, extended his arm and shook the hand Dani provided. No one but Lexie seemed to notice the tension sizzling between them. What was going on there? Lexie made a mental note to find out.
‘We’ve met before,’ Batman said. ‘I can’t recall where, though. Nice to see you again.’ He looked at the floor, suddenly mesmerised by the carpet.
Dani excused herself to use the ladies’. Everyone else seemed to arrive at the same time and quick introductions took place. There was a detective from Homicide and a tall inspector from Professional Standards. Josh and his boss, Detective Inspector Tina Scott, who looked as happy as a woman on death row, joined them on a large screen via video link-up. Lexie had spoken to Josh earlier, giving him an update on the developments in her situation. He had not been happy about the decision to go ahead with the job knowing there was someone out there trying to kill her. Although after a short, heated discussion, he relented, realising nothing he said would change Lexie’s mind.
Lexie took a seat between Brad and Dani, who had returned.
‘You’re quiet,’ Lexie said, nudging Dani with her elbow. ‘Is working with Brad getting you down?’
Brad tugged gently on Lexie’s long hair in protest. Dani seemed only able to muster a forced smile. Her eyes remained straight ahead. It was most unlike Dani to be in a sour mood.
‘Okay, let’s get started.’ Rachel, who was chairing the meeting, welcomed everyone and got down to it. ‘Thanks for your attendance today to discuss our collective investigations.’
Much begging, debating and deliberation had taken place before Lexie had convinced Rachel and Ron that the operation could not be completed without her. Her plan ticked all the boxes and kept her on the job. They had decided Lexie and Batman would attend the party at Rocco’s home tomorrow night as intended. They would locate Teddy Johnson – a few discreet questions to the right people would guarantee his identification. Once they had a visual, Lexie would contact Rachel and give her a description. When the teams moved in, Batman and Lexie would be arrested, along with Johnson, Rocco and the others, to make the procedure appear authentic. Rachel had also told the officers in charge of the other operations a very basic version of the circumstances regarding the proposed hit on Lexie.
‘You have all agreed with our suggestion to wind up our jobs simultaneously,’ she said now. ‘This will ensure we get the desired results. It also eliminates the risk of tip-offs.’
Heads nodded around the room. Lexie’s thoughts strayed to Rex. She remembered the night he turned up at the flat crazy with worry to tell her about the contract on his life. It had all seemed so unbelievable, now here she was in the same position. And look what had happened to poor Rex. She had rung Sandy, his daughter, and left messages of condolence. Lexie had also wanted to find out funeral details, but Sandy hadn’t returned her calls.
‘So we’re all clear about how each agency fits into the grand scheme of things?’ Rachel said. She took a deep breath and referred to the whiteboard behind her. ‘We, at the Undercover Branch, have been conducting a protracted investigation into a drug syndicate being run from Club Hellfire at Kings Cross. Lexie and Batman here are our operatives.’ Rachel looked at Lexie and then Batman, seated behind her. Most eyes in the room followed. She did not mention Rex. There was no need.
‘Our main targets are criminal identities Rocco Sanitouris, Angelo “Lucky” Mavaris and Lucky’s brother, Johnny, who has come under notice as their drug runner. He is also a suspect in a homicide investigation.’
Glancing towards the video screen, Rachel continued. ‘Detective Inspector Scott and Detective Sergeant Harrison are leading Strike Force Viscount, a drug operation in Byron Bay. Johnny Mavaris has visited what we highly suspect is a safe house in the hinterland of Byron, where a local drug identity, Shadow – real name Richard Little—’
Everyone sniggered. Brad nudged Lexie’s arm, tilting his head in the direction of Langford, who remained expressionless.
Rachel smiled, and shook her head as she looked at Brad. ‘As I was saying, Shadow resides in what we suspect is a drug house.’ She studied the whiteboard and pointed at a flow chart she had drawn earlier.
‘Strike Force Lister – the investigation into the Assassins bombing – is represented by second OIC Detective Sergeant Sommers. Their suspect is Teddy Johnson, who we believe is linked to Club Hellfire and our targets. Johnson has also been identified as Amitt Vincent’s son, who has been ordered to carry out the hit on Lexie, the only witness in his murder and attempted murder trial, in two months.�
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Again, eyes strayed to Lexie. She kept her gaze on Rachel.
‘Detective Sommers, in a bid to locate Teddy Johnson, was directed to a barman at Club Hellfire, TJ – Travis John Cowell – who we thought may have been an alias for Johnson. As it turns out, fingerprints have confirmed they are not the same person – I’ll let Marty Wells talk about that a bit later. TJ turns out to be the boyfriend of the Professional Standards Command’s person of interest.’
Rachel let out a long breath, took a sip of water. ‘Oh boy, I hope that made sense.’
They talked logistics regarding the execution of simultaneous search warrants and proposed arrests before Rachel handed the reins over to Marty.
‘As Rachel said, fingerprints from the Department of Defence have confirmed Teddy Johnson and TJ Cowell are different people. However, they do know each other: they were in the army together for a short time. They were also dismissed together for apparent drug supply.’ Marty held up two pictures. ‘These are their army recruitment photographs.’
He walked to the camera and showed Josh and Tina Scott the pictures. They shook their heads to confirm they did not know either one of them.
‘I have only in the last hour received these images, so could you all please pass them around, have a good look and speak up if you have seen either of them before.’
There was a protracted silence while numerous sets of eyes took in the pictures, followed by the shaking of heads. The female inspector from Professional Standards confirmed she recognised TJ Cowell, their target’s boyfriend.
Lexie was handed the photographs and studied them carefully. The two men were similar in appearance: both had short blond hair – predictably military-style cuts – lean muscular builds and were nice looking. Although, she hated to admit it, Teddy Johnson was the better looking of the two. In fact, he was almost pretty. Looking at him made her stomach turn.
‘Lexie?’
She glanced up and noted everyone was watching her expectantly.
‘Oh . . . sorry . . . That’s TJ. I met him at Club Hellfire. The other guy – Teddy Johnson . . .’ Somehow, Lexie said the name without derision. This man wanted to kill her. This monster blew up a bunch of innocent people to get to her. He was a killer, a beast, and she couldn’t wait to bring him down. She committed his face to memory then pushed the picture away. ‘I’ve never seen him before in my life.’
• • •
The multi-agency meeting was over. Most people had left. Dani and Batman had disappeared. Ron Barrington had gone to another meeting. It was now only Rachel, Lexie and Brad sitting in a semicircle, sipping coffees and teas supplied by Professional Standards Command.
Lexie could see Brad was worried. ‘What’s wrong, Brad?’
He frowned at her. ‘I’m concerned about you going to Rocco’s party tomorrow night; you know, the element of danger that no one else seems concerned about.’
‘We’ve been through everything, Brad,’ Rachel assured him. ‘Lexie’s safety is paramount. This has been approved from above and the operational orders have been written up. We’ve all agreed – at the moment, Lexie is safer being Lara Wild, and we need her at the party to confirm all our targets are in attendance before we move in.’ She flicked blonde hair out of her eyes. ‘Imagine if Lucky, or whoever, arrives late and sees the police cars . . . they would tip off Shadow, tell him to ditch the drugs and then hightail it out of there. We can’t afford any leaks before arrests are made. It could stuff up all our hard work.’
Brad fidgeted beside Lexie. He seemed restless and looked pale; there was more worrying him than he was letting on. Lexie remembered Dani’s warning that her partner was struggling.
‘Don’t worry about me,’ Lexie said, rubbing his leg. ‘Don’t you think I’ve had my quota of drama for one lifetime?’
Brad was thoughtful, his face crinkled with concern. ‘You really do look different with black hair and green eyes and all that makeup but . . . this is dangerous shit.’
‘I knew it was dangerous shit when I put my hand up for this job, Brad.’
‘Yes, well, besides the bunch of drug dealers you’re working on, now you’ve also got Teddy Johnson to worry about. He blew up a bikie clubhouse. He has to be crazy – and ruthless.’
Lexie really didn’t want to go through this all again. She had spent hours talking through everything with Rachel and Ron.
‘Teddy Johnson is looking for Lexie Rogers, not Lara Wild. He won’t even be thinking about Lexie Rogers tomorrow night because he would never expect her to be at Rocco’s party. Now stop worrying.’
‘What if Berni Kirk is there with her boyfriend and picks you?’
‘Brad, you didn’t pick me.’ Lexie tried to hide her frustration. ‘When I walked into this room, you did a triple-take before you realised it was me. And you were expecting me, so I don’t think Berni, who is too wrapped up in her own importance, is going to recognise me. We’ve talked about that scenario and if she’s there, I’ll steer clear. Remember, I’m only going to be there for an hour before you guys move in. I should be able to stay out of trouble for that long.’
Brad rolled his eyes. ‘Yeah right. This is you we’re talking about.’
Lexie flicked him in the arm with the back of her hand.
‘You and Dani are violent women,’ he complained, wincing and rubbing his arm. ‘Where is my partner, by the way?’
‘Don’t know. Where’s mine?’
Rachel, Brad and Lexie shared an inquisitive look, eyebrows raised.
‘I hope she comes back soon, because we have a statement to take at Ashfield—’ Brad glanced at his watch, ‘—in half an hour.’
A light bulb flickered at the back of Lexie’s brain. ‘I grew up at Ashfield . . .’ It was Rocco’s voice. ‘Things were different then . . .’
Amitt Vincent had lived at Ashfield for many years. Did Teddy Johnson live at Ashfield with his father? Or did he live elsewhere with his mother?
Lexie’s brain was spinning, trying to piece together whatever it was that was just beyond her awareness, an important detail hovering just out of reach. She sprang out of her chair, grabbed the picture of Teddy Johnson from a nearby table and studied it intently. What was she missing?
Snippets of information flashed through her mind. She was on the brink of something . . . Think, think, don’t lose it, Lexie told herself. Brad said Teddy Johnson’s fingerprints were found on a bottle of Mythos beer. Rocco, Johnny, Tiffany, TJ, Lucky . . . she had seen them all drinking that brand.
Lexie studied Teddy Johnson’s pretty features
Had Teddy Johnson been different then?
CHAPTER 50
As darkness descended, the temperature nose-dived, bringing relief from the heat of the day. A soft, salty breeze floated in through Lexie’s bedroom window and Van Morrison played on someone’s stereo outside as she studied her reflection in the mirror.
Lexie had received a text message from Rocco telling her the dress code for tonight’s party was ‘cocktail’. In a mild panic, Lexie dashed to the shops in search of an appropriate outfit. She had brought only limited clothes with her when she had moved into her undercover flat and a cocktail dress was not among them. There was an elegant black evening dress hanging in her wardrobe at her flat in Clovelly, but she could hardly skip over and fetch it under the circumstances.
The emerald green dress she found in a little boutique in Randwick was perfect. The fabric was soft, and moulded against her body like a second skin. The colour enhanced her contact-green eyes. Spaghetti straps fell into a plunging neckline, revealing just enough cleavage. Gathering at the waist, it dropped in a straight line to above the knee. She was going with the less is best theory and wore no jewellery besides a black choker around her neck. Then she added her favourite pair of silver heels – not too high. She didn’t want to tower over Rocco.
Lexie parted her hair in the middle and it hung in gentle black waves down her back. Her makeup was all Lara Wild – heavy eyes and big red lips
. The silver clutch purse she carried contained only her keys, work phone and gun.
Earlier, Lexie had spoken to Josh. Their conversation had been tense and they had avoided talking about what tonight might bring. The danger their work entailed danced between them like shifting shadows neither wanted to acknowledge. Once this job was over, they would be together again. Life would get back to normal.
The phone ringing startled Lexie. She checked the screen. Batman was downstairs. Her stomach fluttered with nerves. It was time to round up the herd and fence them in.
Locking the door behind her, Lexie carefully negotiated the three flights of stairs in her heels. Batman, parked in a no standing zone at the front of the building, let out a loud wolf whistle when he saw her. The old flirty Batman was back, it seemed.
‘Looking good tonight, Lara. You scrub up well.’ He gave Lexie a lingering appraisal as she got into the car. ‘God damn. I am one lucky son of a to have you as a girlfriend.’
Lexie smiled, took in his suit and tie, and returned the compliment. ‘You don’t look too bad yourself, Dylan.’
Batman did look good. She could not deny he was handsome. Lexie now realised she had never been seriously tempted by Batman’s infatuation with her. His attention was flattering, but she could not consider being with anyone but Josh. It had always been Josh.
Now she sensed a hint of the old camaraderie they had once shared.
‘Okay,’ Lexie said, gazing at the side of Batman’s face as he pulled the car into the street. ‘What gives? Something’s different with you . . .’
Batman glanced at Lexie quickly, then back at the road. ‘How did you – oh, it doesn’t matter. Before we go to the party tonight, I just want to say I’m sorry for being such a dick lately. Yesterday at the briefing, realising how serious this is – that your life is really in danger – threw me. I thought about all you’ve been through and was ashamed of my childish behaviour.’ He looked sheepishly at Lexie as he pulled up at a red light. ‘I hope I didn’t cause too much trouble between you and Josh. He’s a good bloke. I’ve just been a jealous arsehole.’
Fatal Mistake Page 28