‘I said give it a rest, Constable,’ said Burke. ‘You’re getting yourself in a heap of trouble.’
‘Yeah. You are,’ said Piper. ‘And I don’t have to tell you squat.’
‘Really?’ said Arbor. He moved closer again, menacing.
‘Constable!’ said Burke.
But Arbor’s stratagem worked.
‘Hey, it’s no secret,’ Piper said. ‘There’s a few of us locals. Butch, one or two of the cockies, Clarky, old Bill Norman and his sons. It’s all above board.’
Arbor thought through the names. It might be any of them.
‘And Saturday night?’ he said. ‘They were all here?’
‘No,’ said Piper. ‘They’re mostly old farts. Saturday was the kids’ night.’
‘Then who?’ said Arbor. ‘Any of them involved?’
‘Yeah. If you must know,’ said Piper. ‘We’ve got a few youngsters coming through. A bit of new blood. They were all here on Friday. Josh Owens, Warren Simpson, Johnno Pike, a few others.’
Arbor stepped back, thinking.
‘And what about Hoggy?’ he said. ‘Harry Hogg? Was he here?’
‘Young Hoggy? Yeah, he was here.’
‘And is he one of you?’
‘Yeah, you could say,’ said Piper. ‘But he’s a bit of a useless prick. Never does as he’s told. And I’m not sure about his taste in sheilas, if you know what I mean. But with a bit of work, I reckon we can make a soldier of him.’
‘And what about his old man?’ said Arbor. ‘Henry? Is he involved?’
‘What is this? A fucking inquisition? Yeah, he might have been. Once upon a time. We don’t see much of him these days, though. He’s too busy making money, I reckon.’
‘Now that’s your lot, Constable. Now bugger off,’ shouted Burke. ‘Leave the man in peace. And if I see or hear from you again, it’ll be you that gets arrested. Do you hear me?’
Cole laughed. So did Piper. Arbor pushed his way past the publican’s laughter and back into the public bar.
‘There’s no stopping us, mate,’ shouted Piper. ‘We’re the future. We might not have had anything to do with this latest caper, mind you, but if you do find out who it was, tell him I’ll buy him a beer. It’s written in stone, I tell you. One day we’re going to take our country back.’
It would be easy enough, thought Arbor as he walked back onto Palm Street, to walk straight back in, pull up a stool out of sight of the detectives, demand a drink and give up on the whole damned charade. But he couldn’t. He owed it to Amira. And, besides, there was something inside him that wouldn’t let go, something gnawing at him about Chatton, about its people, about the whole fucking cesspool of a place.
He considered his options. It stood to reason. As vile as she was, as cruel as she was to her own, he now had to discount Matilda as a suspect. If they had no attachment to the NPL, then the Blairs had simply nothing to gain by killing Salim. The use of their shed had just set them up as unwitting scapegoats. Rusty Piper, in turn, seemed a man with a lot of wind but little else. That left him with the Hoggs. But which? Father or son? Either seemed possible. If Piper was to be believed, then things seemed to point towards young Harry. But, in Arbor’s own mind, the older Hogg seemed much more likely. He truly was a pig of a man and, on a good day, capable of anything.
Could it be so simple? Had it been before him all along? Was it possible that Amira’s strange smell had been porcine in origin? While the stink might be barely noticeable on Hoggy, it hung around the father like a haze.
Arbor took his keys from his pocket and headed for the wagon. It seemed like he was back where he’d started.
‘Hi, Danny,’ said Dotty Hogg. She was wiping cream from her mouth. ‘You’ve caught me breaking my diet. But I’m afraid you’ve missed Henry. He’s gone out.’
‘I can wait,’ said Arbor. ‘I’m here to see Hoggy, too.’
‘Well, come on in, then,’ she said. ‘I’m sure they’ll both be back soon.’
She led him into the kitchen.
‘Would you like a cuppa?’ she asked.
‘No. No, thanks, Dotty,’ said Arbor. ‘Do you mind? Where are they?’
‘Hoggy’s out on the combine, I think,’ said Dotty. ‘His dad, I don’t know.’
Arbor looked at his watch. But then he realised. This was his last stop. He had nowhere else to go.
‘Dotty, I was wondering,’ he said. ‘I’d like to ask you a couple of things. Before they get home.’
He gestured for her to sit.
‘It must be important,’ she said. ‘Are you going to read me my rights?’
‘No, of course not, Dotty,’ he said. ‘But, as I said, I need to ask you some questions. Some very important ones. Is that all right?’
‘I don’t mind, Danny.’
‘Great,’ he said. ‘Now, then. Now, you’ve heard about Salim Rashid, haven’t you?’
Arbor could tell she had no idea who the man was.
‘He was the newsagent in town, Dotty,’ he continued. ‘He was murdered. Just before Christmas.’
‘Oh, dear,’ she said.
‘And I think … I’m afraid … There’s no easy way to say this, Dotty,’ Arbor said. ‘I think his death might have had something to do with either Henry or Harry. With one of them. Maybe both.’
‘Oh, no,’ said Dotty. ‘Not my boys. No.’
‘Are you certain about that?’ asked Arbor. ‘Did you know that Salim owned the land that the piggery’s on? And have you ever heard of a group called the National Purity League? It might be something young Hoggy’s involved with. Something he might have kept from you. A secret.’
Arbor could see the poor woman struggle. But he decided to press even more. Surely she couldn’t be as feeble as she appeared.
‘Hoggy,’ he said. ‘You’ve never seen him with …?’
All he could think of were the stock instruments of the far right – flags, swastikas, Nazi regalia. He rattled them off to her. He could see her face growing pale.
‘I’m not going to stop, Dotty,’ he said. ‘You’re as well telling me.’
The woman hid her face in her hands.
‘Just don’t hurt him, Danny,’ she said. ‘Please. Don’t hurt him.’
‘Who? Where?’ said Arbor. ‘Where’s his bedroom?’
‘It’s just up there,’ said Dotty. ‘I’m sure there’s an explanation, Danny. My Hoggy … I’ve told you. He wouldn’t harm a fly.’
Arbor followed his nose down the hallway. He knew Hoggy’s room immediately. It had a ‘Keep Out’ sign and a padlocked bolt.
‘Dotty!’ he shouted. ‘It’s padlocked. Do you know the combination? Or am I kicking the door in?’
‘Just a sec.’
She scampered up the hallway and fiddled with the lock.
‘He thinks I don’t know,’ she said. ‘But I cracked the numbers years ago.’
She pulled the lock open.
‘There you go.’
She stood back, waiting for Arbor to move.
‘I can take it from here, Dotty,’ he said.
‘No. If you don’t mind, Danny,’ came the reply. ‘I’ve a fair idea what’s in there. Most of the time. But I don’t want … I’d hate for you to surprise me.’
‘Fine,’ said Arbor. He removed the lock and entered.
He had expected the worst – Nazi flags, images of WW2 atrocities, Nuremberg, Hitler, and the like – the kind of thing he had seen over and over on the crime channel. But he found none of that. What he found seemed far tamer, almost homely. But it still set his stomach turning. The trappings were specifically Australian – Eureka flags, national flags, the Southern Cross, photos of a few well-known politicians, and banners. Two banners, in particular, caught Arbor’s eye, one in blue and white – ‘WHITE DESTINY’ – and another, in pungent red and yellow – ‘ASIANS OUT’.
It wasn’t quite what he had foreseen, he thought, but at least he had an answer.
‘Hey, what the fuck’s going on?’ he hea
rd.
Arbor followed the voice. Standing in the doorway was Harry Hogg.
‘Hey, what’s the story?’ said Hoggy. ‘What do you think you’re doing? What right do you fucking have?’
‘Your mum,’ said Arbor. ‘Your mum gave me the right.’
‘Yeah, well, she shouldn’t have,’ said Hoggy. ‘She doesn’t belong in here neither.’
‘I need to talk to you, Harry,’ said Arbor. ‘About Salim Rashid.’
‘Yeah? What about him?’
Means. Motive. Opportunity. His fixation on Amira. It all made sense. Finally.
‘What made you do it?’ Arbor asked.
‘Do what?’ said Hoggy.
‘Don’t piss me about, Harry,’ said Arbor. ‘I’m losing my patience … Salim Rashid.’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Bullshit,’ said Arbor. ‘Ah, look, I reckon we’ll continue this at the station.’
He grabbed the boy by the arm and reached for his cuffs.
‘Continue what?’ said Hoggy. ‘I’m telling you. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t do nothing.’
‘He thinks … He thinks,’ Dotty’s voice was small and timid. ‘He thinks you killed a man.’
‘Who? Me?’ said Hoggy. ‘I didn’t kill anybody. No fucking way. Fucking let me go.’
The boy pulled away. He looked straight into Arbor’s face … and laughed.
‘What, you think it was me who killed the Paki?’
‘Well, didn’t you?’
Hoggy had a sudden air of defiance.
‘Hey, you’ve got the wrong end of the stick there, copper,’ he said. ‘Yeah, I was happy to see the back of him. So were a lot of people. But I didn’t touch him. You hear me? I didn’t fucking touch him.’
‘But you admitted it, didn’t you?’ said Arbor. ‘At the pub? On Saturday night?’
‘So?’ said Hoggy. ‘I might have said something. I can’t remember what I said. But, if I did say something, there was nothing in it. There’s nothing like a bit of danger to attract the babes, is there? You should know that. Jacinta Wallis reckons you’re a dime.’
‘But you know who did it,’ said Arbor.
Hoggy scoffed.
‘Yeah, well, suck eggs, pal,’ he said. ‘You won’t get any more from me.’
He pushed his way past Arbor and headed back down the hall. It was his contempt that sent Arbor over the edge. He drove the boy hard against the wall.
‘Who was it?’ he barked. ‘Was it one of your Purity League mates?’
Hoggy laughed again.
‘All I know is …’ he said. ‘All I know is, our precious Amira will be joining her old man pretty fucking soon.’
‘What are you talking about?’ said Arbor.
‘You’re not very smart, are you, copper?’ said Hoggy. ‘Letting Jacinta know where she is. Where’s your fucking head?’
‘Why, what did she tell you?’ said Arbor.
‘She didn’t tell me nothing,’ Hoggy continued. ‘But she told Josh, and Josh told Johnno, and Johnno told me. It’s no secret now. The bitch is out staying with Jenny Martin.’
‘And you?’ said Arbor. ‘Who did you tell? You must have told someone.’
‘I didn’t tell no one,’ said Hoggy.
Arbor could see Dotty watching, terrified. He leaned in close to the boy.
‘Listen, you little shit,’ he whispered. ‘If you’ve put those women in danger, I’ll come back and rip your fucking head off.’
‘You can’t do that,’ said Hoggy.
Arbor slammed Hoggy even harder. He could feel the wall ready to give.
‘And who’s to stop me?’ he said.
Now he could see some fear registering.
‘It was my dad,’ said Hoggy, stuttering. ‘It was my dad.’
Henry. It was Henry.
‘But why?’ said Arbor. ‘Why did he do it?’
‘Why?’ said Hoggy. ‘Because of the land, of course. It wasn’t the Paki’s colour if that’s what you’re thinking. The only colour my old man gives a shit about is the colour of money. He reckoned Rashid ripped him off. He was trying to get his deeds back. And stop him from cheating anyone else.’
‘And you? You must have been involved.’
‘Not much,’ said Hoggy. ‘Not really. I promise. I just moved him. After they were finished. And I splashed a bit of grog on him. The old man wanted to make it look like a racial thing.’
‘Damn you,’ said Arbor, pushing the boy harder still. ‘And where is your old man now?’
‘I told you,’ said Hoggy. ‘He’s gone to sort out Amira. She was there when he did her old man. But she got away. Dad said she was a loose end. For all I know, it’s a done deal by now.’
Arbor raised his fist, ready to connect. He was tempted to do something dramatic, maybe put his fist through Hoggy’s head. But he thought against it. He had what he needed and, besides, it wasn’t fair on Dotty.
He watched as the boy’s eyes changed from bright blue to shallow grey. His body fell against the wall of its own volition. Hoggy had given up all desire to fight back. The only movement from him now was the pool of pale yellow liquid forming between his feet. Arbor stepped back.
‘Oh, you sad little …’
The boy started to cry.
‘No, no, no!’ came a scream. ‘Leave my boy alone!’
Dotty. He had let the boy go just in time. The woman came at him suddenly, out of the kitchen, with the shriek of a banshee and a knife she might have used for boning one of their pigs.
Arbor felt the knife brush past his shoulder, thankfully no closer, before watching it imbed itself in the wall. The woman continued to tear at him.
‘Dotty!’ said Arbor, pushing her back, keeping her short claws out of reach. ‘Stop her,’ he said to the boy, reaching for his Taser. ‘Or I’ll zap her.’
‘You wouldn’t dare,’ mumbled Hoggy.
‘Just watch me,’ said Arbor.
His feet barely touched the ground. He dashed out of the house and raced for the paddy wagon.
‘You’re a prick, copper!’ the boy cried from the house. ‘What are you?’
Yeah, maybe I am, thought Arbor. But in seconds he had the paddy wagon tearing towards the main road. He thanked God he had Jenny on speed dial.
‘Danny. I thought …’ she said.
‘Jenny. Shush,’ he said. ‘Just listen. Is Amira with you?’
‘Yes. She’s at the table.’
‘Listen …’
Arbor continued, almost breathless.
‘It’s Henry Hogg. It’s him. And he’s found out. He’s on his way out there now. For all I know he might be there already.’
‘Amira!’ he heard Jenny call. ‘Lock the doors! Quickly!’
Then, for a moment, he heard just the sounds of doors closing and windows slamming shut.
‘Jenny?’
‘I’m here, Danny.’
‘Listen, I’m on my way. I’ll get some help. I’ll be there as fast as I can.’
‘There’s no need to panic, Danny,’ said Jenny. ‘I’ll be ready for him.’
She trailed off. Arbor tried Burke. Maybe the detectives were still in town. No response. He tried O’Reilly. The call went unanswered. So much for the sergeant’s offer. He thought of Nathan. He called his friend.
‘Hey, Danny. What’s up?’
‘Nathan, I need your help,’ said Arbor. ‘It’s Jenny and Amira. It’s Henry Hogg. He’s on his way out there. I think he … Hell, I don’t know what he has on his mind. But it can’t be good.’
‘Where are you?’ said Nathan.
‘I’m on the Whitney road. I’ll be back in town in five minutes.’
‘Pick me up,’ said Nathan. ‘I’ll be out front.’
‘Yeah, all right, then.’
Arbor hit the lights and siren. If not now, then when? He put his foot down.
As promised, Nathan was standing on the verge. He was holding a cricket bat and was t
alking to the Jones boys.
‘Hey, guys,’ said Arbor. ‘Do me a favour.’
‘What’s that, Danny?’ said Drew.
‘I want you to go and see Sergeant O’Reilly. Tell him that he’s needed out at Jenny Martin’s place. Tell him to get there as soon as he can.’
‘Do we get a reward?’ said Shane.
‘A kick up the arse. Yeah, I’ll buy you a Coke or something. Later.’
‘Cool.’
The boys raced off. Nathan jumped in beside him.
‘So, we’re it?’ he asked.
‘We’re it,’ said Arbor. He planted his foot again.
‘What about the Ds?’ asked Nathan. ‘It’s about time they earned their pay.’
‘I’ve been trying them,’ said Arbor. ‘I’m not getting an answer.’
He tried again. This time Burke answered.
‘What is it, Constable?’ she said. ‘I told you. We’re not interested in your half-baked ideas.’
‘Where are you?’
‘We’re just coming into Ashby. Why?’
‘Well, you’d better turn around. Henry Hogg’s on his way to Jenny Martin’s and he means to do Amira Rashid some harm.’
‘Bullshit. You’re …’
‘Fine,’ said Arbor. He ended the call.
‘That’ll go down well,’ said Nathan.
‘Like I give a fuck,’ said Arbor.
He tried Jenny again. There was no answer.
‘I should never have left them,’ he said.
They were ten minutes away. They were the longest ten minutes of his life.
Arbor pulled up behind the copse of trees on the Melton road and he and Nathan proceeded on foot. It was less than a hundred metres to the house and they had cover most of the way. Closer, Arbor could see the Land Cruiser and one of the utes. They masked the front of the house, but Arbor was sure he could see movement. He took out his Glock, for the first time in anger.
‘Christ,’ said Nathan.
‘I’m not taking any chances,’ said Arbor.
They crept a little closer.
‘Can you see anything?’ said Nathan.
‘No. Nothing,’ said Arbor. ‘You?’
‘Not a thing.’
Arbor pushed some bushes out of his path.
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