by Fiona Tarr
‘We weren’t assuming Miss Thomas was at fault, more along the lines that she might be able to shed some light. Was Miss Thomas experiencing any issues at school? Any history of depression, anxiety, rage?’
‘Yes, but she was straightening her life out. Her father died in a car accident a few years ago. She was very much a daddy’s girl and his loss hit her hard.’
‘In what way?’ Detective Williams moved forward, making notes on her mobile.
‘She shortened her skirt well above regulation. Loaded up the make-up. Got in trouble with a few boys, if you get my drift, but she’d settled down lately.’
‘Look, we won’t keep you any longer Principal and we are sorry for the intrusion. I’ll touch base with Missing Persons and if we need to speak with teachers or students, we’ll be in contact.’
The Principal stood as Jack stood and they shook hands. ‘Please, if these cases end up being connected, let me know.’
‘Of course, I will. In the meantime, it might pay to do a little defensive behaviour training with the students. If the cases are connected, we might have someone targeting the area.’
The Principal nodded. ‘I’ll organise something at assembly. I’m sure our student guidance counsellor will know what’s best.’
The detectives made their way back to the car before Jenny spoke. ‘You think they are connected?’
Jack’s face said it all. ‘The chances of them not being connected are pretty slim. They knew each other, they live and went to school within walking distance of each other. I’d say we just got ourselves a case. Two missing girls is a possible kidnapping, sex ring, pornography ring, or hopefully not, a serial killer case.’
‘Not exactly how we hoped to nab this case, but at least you can work with Liz again.’
13
Liz suddenly wished she wasn’t wearing her old suit jacket and pants, but brushed the thought aside as she waited for the Principal. Linda gave her the evil eye from behind the reception desk, but Liz just smiled.
‘Liz. I hope your visit isn’t bad news.’ Mr Jacobs held out his hand and helped Liz from her seat in the waiting room. ‘I’m so sorry I kept you waiting.’
‘It’s fine Ned. I have some news. Maybe we can speak in your office? I have a few follow up questions for you.’ The Principal let her hand go as he led the way down the corridor to his office.
‘Please, take a seat. Make yourself comfortable.’ Liz noticed the door was closed this time as she sat on the sofa, near a coffee table at the side of the office. There was room for four people and Liz assumed this spot was reserved for small staff meetings and student, parent, teacher discussions.
‘Can I get you a coffee?’ The Principal moved to his desk and lifted his phone receiver, reading her mind in the process. ‘It’s decent. We have a coffee machine in the cafeteria and our hospitality students are trained to use it.’
Liz nodded, coffee meant a longer visit and she was hopeful of getting more information from the Principal if she could work a little Foxy magic on him. ‘No sugar thanks.’
‘Oat, regular or lactose free milk?’ Liz should have been surprised but she wasn’t. The school was a top-notch private college after all. ‘Lactose free would be great, thanks.’
The Principal gave a quick order over the phone and then joined Liz on the sofa. ‘What’s your news? Maybe we should start there.’
Liz had taken a call from Jack while in the waiting room and was still reeling from the news, but it would put more emphasis on her questions if she shared it.
‘Another girl, a social media connection to Gemma has also gone missing. Major Crimes will be picking up the case, but I consult for them on occasion.’ She was stretching the truth, but she knew there was no way Jack was going to get her off the case now. She just needed to convince him of that.
‘Oh, that’s terrible. Still no leads?’
‘There are a few and Major Crimes will work on tying the cases together now, which will ultimately fill in some blanks.’ Liz watched the man closely. He couldn’t be ruled out as a suspect after all. He seemed genuinely upset, but in no way agitated. That didn’t mean anything though.
‘I’ve just got a few questions to follow up on.’
There was a knock on the door. A short, stout woman in her early sixties came in carrying a tray of coffee and biscuits. She looked from Liz to the Principal, who had distanced himself a little and tutted under her breath.
‘Pop the tray on the coffee table thanks Brenda. Did you make the coffee yourself? You know how much I like your coffee!’ The woman’s frown disappeared, replaced by a bright smile. Liz wondered if her teeth were false, they were so perfectly aligned.
‘Of course,’ Brenda answered as she took the coffee and plate of biscuits off the tray and placed them on the table. ‘Let me know if you need anything else.’ She put the tray under her arm and left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar.
Liz resisted the urge to chuckle to herself, the woman was a shrewd one it seemed. Nothing got past her. Maybe she should have been talking with the cafeteria lady and not the Principal. No doubt she had all the gossip.
The Principal handed Liz her coffee before getting up to close the door once more. She was certain if it had a lock he would have used it. He returned to the sofa, as close as before and picked up his own drink, taking a sip before putting it back on the table.
‘You were saying.’ His curiosity was strange, but if Liz wanted information, she was going to take the opportunity.
‘I’m just wondering about Mr Jones. He seems very charismatic and I understand he is new to the school. What’s your opinion of him?’ Liz placed her coffee on the table and mirrored the Principal’s body position. He was turned toward her, his arm on the seat back, his legs crossed toward her, his chest pushed forward.
Liz was forced to wear pants and a suit jacket, but her blouse was a lilac purple, with low buttons. Her lace bra peaked just above the open collar as she sat upright, putting her best features forward. She watched the Principal gaze at her cleavage and then back to her eyes.
‘You are a very attractive woman Liz.’ Liz shrugged her shoulder slightly, watching his expression closely. ‘Can we continue this discussion this afternoon, possibly at my place?’
Liz reached for her coffee once more, taking a sip and licking her lips slowly to remove the milk froth before placing it back on the table. ‘Maybe, if we finish with formalities, that could be possible. I have something on after six, but I’m available until then.’
‘Jones has slept with at least two of the female faculty. I’m not sure he’s a threat to the female students, but he wouldn’t say no if given the opportunity.’
‘That isn’t a surprise, but are you okay with that? Have there been any complaints from students about his behaviour?’
‘None that I’ve been made aware of, but you could speak with the Chaplain, or the Student Counsellor. She’s in again tomorrow. I can arrange a time for you to see her if you like?’
‘I think that’s a good idea. I am a little concerned you still have him on staff if you can’t trust him around the female students though.’ Liz finished her coffee and stood, ready to leave.
‘Don’t judge me too harshly Ms Jeffreys. He’s new here and getting good music teachers that can engage with the students isn’t easy. He comes with great credentials, but now you’ve thrown a cloud over his behaviour, I’ll be keeping a close eye on him.’
Principal Jacobs collected a biscuit from the plate on the coffee table as he rose to see Liz out. ‘Since you are busy after six, I’m free after four here, if that works for you.
‘Won’t the school be locked up then?’
‘No, quite a few staff stay late to mark students’ work or host after-school private tuition. The front office door will be open, but Linda and the office staff will have gone home. Just show yourself in.’
Liz smiled as she wondered how many pretty mums had visited Principal Jacobs’s office after hours?
‘Thanks Linda.’ The woman seethed, but it couldn’t dampen Liz’s mood. She’d have some help on this case from the Police to do the leg work for her. Hopefully Gemma’s mobile would turn up.
Now she wondered if she should tell Mrs Richardson or wait for more concrete evidence, but she realised Jack was likely on his way there already. She could take a taxi or.... Liz pulled out her mobile. The call was answered after two rings.
‘Liz?’
‘Yes, you’ve finally programed my number into your caller ID. It’s a miracle.’ Liz teased and Jack chuckled.
‘What’s up?’
‘Are you on your way to see Gemma’s mum?’
‘No, not yet. I’ve been trying to get Belinda Thomas’s mum on the phone.’
‘What about her dad?’
‘No dad, died in an accident a few years back.’
‘Oh. Well Mrs Richardson will be at work now. I just wanted to speak with her again before you break the news about Belinda. She’s a little unsettled, if you know what I mean.’
‘Who wouldn’t be with their kid missing, but I get your drift. Do you know where she works?’
‘Yep. She’s a fulltime vet nurse at a surgery in Somerton Park. Pick me up and we can go together.’
Liz could hear Jack and Jenny chatting quietly over the speaker phone but couldn’t make anything out. She had a sneaking feeling Jack wasn’t too keen on a joint venture, but she wasn’t about to give him a choice.
‘I’m following this case through Jack.’ Liz’s tone was firm.
‘Yep, I get that. It’s just mixing Police visits with your agency isn’t necessarily going to go well with the Chief. That said, you know the victim’s mother better, so I’ll make an exception on this one. Where are you?’
‘I’m at Gemma’s school. I’ll meet you out front.’ She looked at her watch, twelve twenty-five. She had plenty of time to get back to Principal Jacobs.
‘We’ll be there in ten.’ The line went dead and Liz put her mobile back in her pocket. She’d forgotten to ask if the Police search had found anything yet but hoped Jack would have mentioned it if they had.
Like clockwork, within ten minutes Jack’s BMW pulled up outside. Jenny had the passenger’s seat, so Liz jumped in the back. The leather seat was less worn than the front bucket seats and Liz found them quite slippery on her suit pants. They weren’t woollen like she’d buy now, still old polyester blend from her early court appearance back in the day.
‘Thanks guys. The surgery is on Oaklands Road, just near the pub on the corner.’
‘Which side?’ Jack asked as he pulled the car out of the school parking lot.
‘North side.’ Jack nodded without taking his eyes off the road. ‘How’s the new partnership going?’ She grinned at Jenny who turned to face Liz as she spoke.
‘Good.’ Jack was noncommittal.
‘We’re doing okay. This poor fella here,’ Jenny thumbed in Jack’s direction, ‘misses his old mate, but he isn’t about to admit it.’
‘Don’t worry detective, your old partner misses you too.’ Liz returned Jenny’s mocking smile as Jack rolled his eyes.
‘I knew putting the two of you together in the same car was a mistake.’
‘Oh you love it. Two hot headed, hot bod females invading your personal space. It’s the stuff TV crime dramas are made of.’ The women both giggled like school girls.
‘Any news from your uniform branch?’ Liz quickly returned to business mode.
‘Nothing yet. They have started a search from the victim’s home to her school, but now they’ll extend it to the Thomas girl’s school and known routes to school.’
‘I’m not sure the phone will be the pivotal factor in the investigation, but it would be good to find it,’ Jenny offered.
‘I don’t know. Mobile phones are like girls’ diaries these days. Absolutely everything ends up on them.’
‘Good point.’ Jenny agreed.
****
The veterinary surgery was painted dark green with a big white cross on the fascia. Jack held the door open while Liz and Jenny walked through. He stepped inside just as a large, golden retriever pushed past him, the owner trailing along behind, the lead fully extended as he mumbled apologetically.
They all chuckled as the dog gagged and couched while disappearing through the doorway undeterred.
Liz saw Mrs Richardson look up from behind the reception desk, her face suddenly growing pale. She smiled to put the woman at ease, but she was already looking at the two plain clothes detectives with her.
‘Is Gemma alright?’ She could barely speak as Liz drew close to the counter.
‘It’s not bad new Mrs Richardson, but we have some news. Do you have a few moments?’ Liz touched the woman’s hand as it rested on the reception desk and she nodded.
‘Kylie, can you handle this for a minute?’ The room was full of animals and their owners. A love bird squawked loudly as Jack moved past the cage. He jumped at the unexpected noise and Detective Williams laughed aloud.
‘What!’ He gave her a gruff look. ‘I’ve never liked those things.’ Then he saw the owner’s face and proffered an apology.
‘Sure Valerie. I can handle it.’
‘Thanks sweetheart. I’ll be back as soon as I can.’
‘You take all the time you need. I hope they have good news.’ The girl smiled sweetly and took a clipboard and pen to the next customer in the queue, who was holding a crate with a fluffy white Persian cat in it. The cat hissed and snarled at Liz as she crooned to it.
‘Nice pussy cat. Not!’ She scanned the waiting room. ‘This place is jam packed. Is there a quiet spot we can talk?’
‘Yes, come through here.’ Mrs Richardson led the group through a hallway, past the toilets and out the back door to the parking lot beyond. There was a single tree growing up through the bitumen with a park bench underneath.
‘Is Gemma okay?’ she asked again, her tone desperate.
‘We haven’t found Gemma yet, but these two detectives are now working on her case.’
‘I’m Detective Cunningham and this is my partner Detective Williams. The case has landed with us for a few reasons Mrs Richardson. One, Liz here is very persistent and she’s been finding pieces of evidence that indicate, as you were already sure of, that Gemma may have found herself in a little trouble. The second reason is that one of her social media associates has also gone missing. We believe that both disappearances must be linked in some way.’
Liz helped Mrs Richardson take a seat. ‘What sort of trouble Detective?’
‘We don’t know yet Mrs Richardson. Maybe they both took off together after all, but we are treating their disappearance as suspicious for now.’ Gemma’s mother held back tears.
‘Do you mind if we show you a photo of the other missing girl?’ Jenny pulled her mobile phone out and showed the woman a picture of Belinda. ‘Does she look familiar?’
She stared at the screen, her eyes honestly hunting for anything that was recognisable. ‘I’m so sorry but I’ve never seen her before but like I told Ms Jeffreys, I work until five. When I get home, Gemma is always home, well she used to be, but where she goes right after school I can’t be sure.’
‘That’s okay Mrs Richardson. These questions are just part of the investigation. Ms Jeffreys tells me that there are those at Gemma’s school who thought she might have a boyfriend. Any idea who that might be?’
‘No. I’m sorry. She hadn’t mentioned anyone. She never went out on the weekends or anything. If she had one, she only saw him after school.’
Jenny took notes on her mobile. ‘That’s alright. We can check traffic cams and security footage around the school area. Any favourite shops you know of? Café, deli, coffee shop? Anything like that?’ Jenny
had her thumbs poised to keep typing.
‘There is a burger bar just up the road from here. It is a hot spot for her and her friends. Free wi-fi is the lure I think.’
‘Makes sense. We’ll start there.’ Jenny pushed the middle button on her phone and placed it inside her jacket pocket.
‘Mrs Richardson, if you think of anything else that might be helpful, please, give me a call. This is my mobile number. If you don’t get me, just text or leave a voice message. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.’ Jack handed her a white card with the South Australian Police emblem embossed on the top.
Liz raised an eyebrow, but said nothing in front of Mrs Richardson who was standing now and smoothing her skirt. She reached for Liz’s hands and clasped them tightly as Liz rose to join her.
‘Thank you so much for pushing this case Ms Jeffreys.’ Mrs Richardson was almost sobbing now. ‘If you hadn’t kept digging, they might have given up trying to find my baby.’
‘We’ll do everything we can Mrs Richardson. I’ll keep on this, don’t you worry.’
‘Thank you. I have to get back to work. Kylie will be swamped. Thank you detectives.’
‘No worries Mrs Richardson. You hang in there.’ Jenny patted her on the shoulder as she hurried back through the rear door of the surgery.
‘What’s with the card? You never gave me a card like that when I was helping out with Becca’s case.’ Liz eyed Jack who shrugged indifference.
‘You were being a pain in my arse. Mrs Richardson is just as much a victim in her daughter’s disappearance as her daughter is.’
‘And I wasn’t a victim in Becca’s murder?’
‘Okay! Okay you two. Back to neutral corners.’ Jenny put a hand on both their chests and both looked at her hand in unison. ‘Alright.’ She lifted both her hands away in surrender. ‘Geez you two should get a r......’ She let the last words drop, but smiled when Jack’s eyebrow rose and Liz giggled aloud.
‘I don’t need to remind you that you are still on probation Detective Williams?’ Jack offered with no real malice.