by Ian W Taylor
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
FRIDAY - DARWIN
Bill woke up in his motel room in Darwin early in the morning, flexing his back, his joints stiff after the long drive from Daly Waters the night before. He had arrived in Darwin at 10 p.m. and had found a small hotel on the outskirts of the city where he crashed for the night. He walked out of the motel, found a café nearby and ordered a breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon. After eating he took a walk around the city centre till it was time to meet up with Gertrude Billson. Jake had pre-arranged an appointment for him to meet with her at 8.30 a.m. to discuss Shoni’s case.
Gertrude had a small office in the north side of the city. She welcomed him and asked if he wanted tea or coffee. He requested tea and she invited him to take a seat in the office. She was a big cheerful woman in her middle fifties and after chatting to her about Barry’s case, Bill sensed that she was a professional who would take no nonsense from anyone. She advised him that she had made some enquiries about Shoni’s detention and had arranged an appointment to see the Officer-in-Charge of the Police Remand Centre at noon. Bill said he would meet her then at the Police Remand Centre. He left a message on Jake’s phone bringing him up to date. He wandered around the city centre killing time for an hour, bought a local newspaper and sat in a coffee shop until it was time to go to the Remand Centre.
Bill waited outside the Remand Centre till he saw the familiar bulk of Gertrude arrive and they walked into the Centre together. The Officer-in-Charge was expecting them and told them to sit in his office. He excused himself, left the room and returned a few minutes later with Shoni.
Shoni rushed over to see Bill. Tears were rolling down her cheeks as she hugged him.
The officer said to Gertrude. “She’s free to go. You must have friends in high places. Sam Popolo, the Assistant Commissioner, rang me half an hour ago to say that her arrest was a mistake and no charges would be laid.”
Relief flooded over Shoni’s body when she heard the officer’s words. He handed over her handbag and passport which had been confiscated when she had been locked up. She signed some release documents and walked out of the office hanging onto Bill’s arm as if she would never let go. Gertrude drove them back to her office and served them tea and coffee. Bill rang Jake, said a few words and passed the phone over to Shoni.
Shoni sobbed into the phone. “Jake, it’s so good to hear your voice. The police have released me. I’m so glad to be out of that awful place.”
“Shoni, I was so worried about you. Are you safe now?”
“Yes, I’m free to go. Oh, Jake, it was terrible. I miss you so much. “
“What happened to you Shoni?”
“These two men came to the hotel and just said I was under arrest and they were taking me to Darwin. They wouldn’t even let me pack my things. All I could take with me was my handbag and passport.”
“Listen, Shoni. You’ve been through an ordeal. The best thing is to fly back to Japan as soon as you can. I will meet you there in a few days’ time.”
“O.K. Jake, I just want to get out of this place.”
“I’ll fix it for you Shoni. Can you pass the phone back to Bill.”
Bill came onto the phone. “Bill, there’s a Qantas flight from Darwin to Tokyo going out tonight at 10 p.m. Can you arrange for Shoni to be on it? I’ll book the flight and she can pick up the ticket at the airport.”
“No problem Jake. I’ll drive her out there in my truck. I’ve got her luggage in the back.”
“I’m indebted to you Dad. Could you let me know once she has flown out?”
“Will do, don’t worry son. I’ll make sure she’s on the flight.” Bill disconnected the phone.