by Cenarth Fox
Hughes stood looking out the window and spoke with her back to Jo. ‘If only you’d stayed at home. If only you’d followed orders.’ She turned to face the resident. ‘If your grandfather had given that order, would you have disobeyed him?’ That hurt. Jo didn’t answer.
Hughes picked up her bag. ‘I’m off to work. I know giving you an order is useless but here’s a bit of advice. Do not move from your flat, at all. I’ll let you know if there is any change in the DI’s condition. Do not contact the hospital or me.’ They looked at one another and Hughes softened a smidgeon. ‘Take care,’ she said and left.
Michael knocked on Jo’s door. She opened it and shocked him. Her eyes were red and swollen. She never wore much make-up because of her natural beauty but now she looked tired, untidy and distraught. He stepped forward, careful of her recent rebuff. Everything changed. She opened her arms and hugged him burying her face in his chest. They made it inside and sat on her popular sofa. He spoke.
‘I struggle to believe Pierre was attacked in a hit and run. But I have no mental capacity to even consider you were involved.’
She felt strange. To have someone give her their complete trust kickstarted her heart and again her tears.
‘Thank you, Michael,’ she whispered.
‘So, officer,’ he said, ‘give me chapter and verse and we’ll have this sorted in a jiffy.’
‘You and your jiffys,’ she said blowing her nose. She told him everything.
Billy arrived at Homicide with DI Rose in her office in conference with AC Crowley. The mood was sombre with officers busy. Justin Fletcher brought Billy up to speed. They were going through DI Richelieu’s old cases looking for anyone dangerous he put away. Even relatives of crims can rage at the jailing of their mate or loved one, and seek revenge.
Officers fell silent when DI Rose and AC Crowley entered the room. She spoke. ‘Thank you, please give your attention to AC Crowley.’ She stood back and he addressed the gathering.
‘It’s a bloody awful business and not knowing how it will end for DI Richelieu makes it worse. At present it’s not a homicide and if it becomes one, none of you will be involved.’ People murmured. ‘We’ve all seen reports on social media about an unnamed police officer’s car being impounded. Understand me. You are not to discuss the situation with anyone outside this room. No-one.’ He paused. ‘Is that clear?’
‘Sir,’ was the unanimous reply.
‘Online chat is already busy with gossip about who might be involved.’ He spoke slowly with emphasis. ‘Do not feed the gossip. Say nothing.’ He looked at them. ‘Let’s get to the bottom of this and keep our fingers crossed DI Richelieu pulls through. Understood?’
Heads nodded and the word “sir” ran around the room. Crowley and Rose left and the murmuring began. DI Blunt was the senior officer but Billy Hughes slipped into the role of leader. After all, she knew Pierre’s history better than anyone, and Blunt was a dick.
Billy looked at the list of possible attackers from Richelieu’s former cases. Two stood out. Three years ago Pierre arrested Duncan Bright, the younger brother of a vicious murderer, Andrew “Big Al” Bright. Big Brother evaded conviction until Richelieu outsmarted the youthful crim. Baby Brother blabbed resulting in Big Al going down. Apart from wanting to kill his sibling, Big Al swore vengance against the “Frog”. Andrew’s mates could carry out his wishes. Framing a cop to kill a cop was well within Andrew’s pay grade.
The second case was more recent and involved Jo Best. It happened in a townhouse in Port Melbourne where hired gun, Gary Black, was sent to frighten the older brother of a high-flying businessman. Unluckily for the crim, Jo and Richelieu arrived to interview the homeowner as a background witness to a murder committed by Black, not knowing the armed murderer was inside.
Unusually for the experienced crim, Black panicked and fired at the front door winging the expensive suit of the DI. Jo got inside and, with the help of the occupier’s little dog, Chester, arrested the shooter. He hated being knicked by a woman.
Even with an expensive defence lawyer, Black went down for murder and attempted murder. Gary hated the dog, its owner and the cops who busted him in the townhouse—the smarmy French git and the bird. Black knew a small tribe of criminal mates. They could easily arrange a sting for a cop to kill a cop; two birds with one stone.
Billy knocked on Rose’s door and interrupted the DI and AC.
‘Sergeant, what have you got?’ asked her boss.
Billy explained the two possible cases of revenge against Richelieu. The top brass mused over them.
Crowley was interested in someone else. ‘Tell me about Jo Best, but leave out the good character witnesses, Detective.’
Billy gave a full briefing. Crowley’s admiration for Jo meant he struggled to believe she was involved. ‘It can’t be her.’
‘But sir, she disobeyed a direct order,’ added Rose.
Crowley thought aloud. ‘We all know she’s the smartest detective in th squad; impetuous even stupid but smart. How could she make such a dumb decision to use her own car to kill anyone, let alone a fellow officer she clearly liked.’
Billy chipped in. ‘She clearly loved, sir.’
Crowley looked at Billy, then Rose who felt sick. He stood. ‘What a mess. I want to hear immediately you have news about DI Richelieu, and equally, anything about Jo Best’s involvement.’
A few yards away in the Gents, DI Callum Blunt, spoke quietly on his phone. ‘It’s all true. The silly bitch was dumped by French lover boy so she lost it and ran him over in her own car.’
‘You’re kidding?’ said the listener, DI Grant Steele, former head of Homicide and Jo Best’s first boss and nemesis. He and Blunt went back many years and made a good pair. They shared delight in the downfall of the woman who displayed more nous and detection skills than the two of them combined.
‘Call me when the silly bitch gets smashed,’ said Steele. He made no enquiry as to the health of the seriously injured DI.
Michael Chan spent a good ten minutes quizzing Jo on the events of the last 24 hours. She bared her soul. He would have preferred she bared her body. Michael asked Jo for phone numbers and company names. He made notes. His computer-like mind consumed, sorted and spat out results. He sat in a corner of Jo’s lounge and worked.
She made breakfast, entered carrying a tray, and saw he was on the phone with a Notebook on his lap.
‘When did this happen?’ asked Michael to his listener. ‘Okay, thank you so much.’ The other person spoke. ‘No, she’s fine and yes, I’ll pass on your message. Goodbye.’
‘Breakfast?’ she said. ‘Sorry, I’m fresh out of croissants.’
He didn’t rise to her quip but maintained a serious expression. ‘I have news,’ he said in a voice which made Jo’s stomach drop. ‘That was our friend, the Honourable Hooray Henry.’
‘Antony? In Paris?’
‘Oui.’
‘What news?’
‘He sends you his kind regards.’
Jo felt anger in her voice. ‘Michael?’
‘About a week before Pierre came back to Oz, he changed his will.’ Michael would have made a good TV Quiz host. The pauses built suspense. ‘It’s a codicil to his existing will.’
‘And?’
Michael began mansplaining. ‘It’s an addition to …’
The pressure kept building and Jo snapped. ‘Michael, I’ve got a law degree. I know what a bloody codicil is. Just tell me.’
‘Sorry.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Pierre’s left you his apartment in East Melbourne.’
Chapter 31
THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE and forensic science grind slowly. Jo’s car was examined as the possible vehicle used in the attack on DI Richelieu. She couldn’t explain the damage to the driver’s side headlight. The forensic officer extracted small amounts of material including what looked like hair and blood, no, were hair and blood.
Senior Sergeant McIntyre was the lead investigator and took a call from the scientist. ‘
We found small amounts of blood and hair.’
‘Would you expect that?’
‘Yes and no. If the victim was hit in the head, sure, but I understand the car hit his thigh and then ran over him.’
‘We reckon that’s what happened. Was there anything on the tyres?’
‘Still looking. Does the vehicle belong to a serving police officer?’
‘Yes, a senior constable from Homicide. And did you receive the material we collected from the victim’s home?’
‘Yes and we’re working on the victim’s DNA.’
‘And if the DNA from the blood or hair on the vehicle matches the DNA from the apartment, we could be in business.’
‘Possibly but as always it won’t happen in five minutes.’
‘I know that but if we’ve got a cop killing a cop, we need to know as soon as, please. Imagine the public outcry if we delay.’
‘No promises; I’ll see what I can do.’
From outside the hospital, Charlie Baldwin rang DS Hughes. ‘No change, Sarge. I was going to ask if I could come back to work. I’m twiddling my thumbs here. I gave the nurses’ station my details and they’ve promised to call with any news.’
‘Okay. See you soon.’
‘What’s happened at your end, Sarge?’
She hesitated. ‘Your colleague is still in the frame.’
Baldwin was adamant. ‘I don’t believe that. She’s a maverick, even a loose cannon at times but Jo Best trying to murder anyone, let alone a fellow officer, let alone a man she seriously fancies, is just not on.’
‘Your loyalty is commendable, Detective.’ Hughes got an idea. ‘Listen, how about you drop in on her and see what you can pick up?’
Baldwin objected. ‘You want me to spy on her?’
‘Make it a trip to prove she’s not involved in the DI’s accident.’
Baldwin preferred that suggestion. ‘Okay, I’ll give a go.’
Jo could not get her head around the news from Paris. She is a major beneficiary in Pierre’s revised will, drawn up about a week ago. Now he’s in Intensive Care close to death. If he dies, she inherits a multi-million dollar apartment, spitting distance from the CBD. Her flat, on which she has a mortgage, is worth a tenth of Richelieu’s pad, if that.
Michael was just as shocked. ‘And he told you nothing about this?’
‘No, nothing.’
‘Not even a hint?’
Jo lost it. ‘Oh Michael, please. Pierre leaves me his apartment so to say thanks, I kill him. Am I super cruel, incredibly stupid or both?’
‘Sorry.’
Exasperation took hold. ‘Pierre and I became close in Paris, and yes, our feelings got carried away because of the life and death situation.’
‘Life and death?’
Jo bristled. ‘Will you please stop nit picking? When Pierre was set free, he was jubilant. You saw him kiss me at the prison. He meant it.’
Michael spoke quietly. ‘I saw you kiss him and you meant it.’
They both felt flat. ‘I’m sorry, Michael.’ She returned to Pierre’s will. ‘But leaving me his apartment is mind blowing.’
‘And, as you detectives would say, a motive for murder.’
Smack! Jo felt her face being slapped hard. She gets a massive gift from her favourite DI who is lined up to be murdered—with her car! She despaired and wanted to shout at Michael but couldn’t because she knew he was on her side and always would be.
She wanted more details. ‘So what else did you find out?’
‘Not much. I got the feeling Hooray Henry either doesn’t know the full story or is playing silly buggers. What I do know is that Pierre’s brother-in-law, his wife’s brother, has control of his sister’s finances and Pierre continues to pay into some fund for her benefit.’
Jo struggled. ‘So, how is that relevant?’
‘I’m guessing but if Pierre’s wife is the main benefactor and Pierre dies, she will become extremely wealthy and her brother, with power of attorney, will have control of some serious funds.’
‘And where do I fit in?”
‘If whoever’s behind the attack can frame you for Pierre’s death, his entire estate, including your East Melbourne share, may go to his wife.’
Jo struggled to take it all in. Her questions were stopped when someone knocked. Was it a journalist listening to their raised voices, or a cop come to arrest her? A voice was heard.
‘Jo, it’s Charlie Baldwin. Are you there?’
She hurried to the door and Baldwin entered. He and Michael exchanged greetings.
Jo was anxious. ‘How’s the DI, Charlie? Any change?’
Baldwin shook his head. ‘Sadly, no, but they’ll call if there’s news.’
Jo slipped into sarcasm. ‘So, have you come to arrest me?’
He scoffed with a touch of anger. ‘Don’t be stupid.’
‘DS Hughes has me down for attempt murder.’
‘Don’t be a smartarse, Jo. I’ve come to see how you are.’
She studied him. ‘You never were a good liar, Charlie.’ He looked guilty. ‘I bet DI Rose sent you to spy on me.’ She paused. ‘Well?’
He knew she was smarter than him and their colleagues. ‘You’re wrong.’ Jo scoffed. He confessed. ‘It was DS Hughes.’
That made the situation worse. ‘Great,’ said Jo.
Michael butted in. ‘Can I make a suggestion?’ The others looked at him. ‘We know there was a hit and run which looks planned.’
‘It was planned,’ said Baldwin.
‘And we know DI Richelieu is critical and may not make it.’
‘Please tell us something we don’t know, Michael,’ said Jo.
‘There are only two possibilities here. Jo did or didn’t drive the car that hit Pierre. Rather than try and prove she didn’t, let’s find who did. That’ll clear Jo and uncover the killer.’
‘The DI’s still alive,’ said Baldwin, unhappy about everything.
‘Thank you, Michael,’ said Jo. ‘Spot on as usual.’
‘So how does this work?’ asked Charlie.
The geek explained. ‘The hit run was deliberate. The driver waited for Pierre who was lured to the spot using a false homicide report. Those facts point to multiple offenders and detailed planning.’
‘I agree,’ said Jo.
‘So we’re looking for at least two perps,’ said an interested Baldwin.
Michael continued. ‘But why kill the DI? Was it a crim seeking revenge? Is it related to Paris where Pierre upset crims and crooked cops? Who stands to gain from DI Richelieu’s death?’
‘I do,’ said Jo without thinking.
Baldwin stared at her. ‘What?’
‘Pierre’s changed his will and left me his East Melbourne hideaway.’
‘Bloody hell,’ gasped Baldwin. ‘That’s worth a mint.’ Jo immediately wished she’d kept her mouth shut. She looked at Baldwin begging him to say nothing. ‘How long have you known?’
‘About ten minutes; we’ve just found out.’
Michael continued. ‘But why frame Jo? This wasn’t a “let’s kill a cop” but rather a “let’s kill a cop to frame a cop”. So, who has it in for our favourite Senior Constable?’
Jo wasn’t convinced. ‘Sorry Michael, but why wouldn’t my enemies just kill me? Why go to all the trouble of setting up a detailed sting?’
‘Money.’
‘But I haven’t got any money.’
‘Pierre has. With him dead, you own expensive real estate. With you found guilty, you lose that real estate.’
‘So whoever attacked Pierre has to know about his will.’
‘Bingo,’ said Michael. ‘They know the will, they want Pierre dead and you ruined. If they succeed, all of Pierre’s wealth is theirs.’
Silence settled. Jo asked. ‘So who knows about the will?’
‘Tricky,’ said Michael in his deadpan way. ‘Potentially anyone working in the legal firm in Paris could know. Even the secretary who typed up the new will.’ They looked at on
e another.
‘So what do we do?’ asked Jo.
Baldwin’s phone rang. Everyone stopped. He answered, listened, nodded and grimaced. He wasn’t able to help the caller. Jo and Michael found it hard to breathe. ‘Okay, thanks. Goodbye.’
Jo sounded desperate. ‘Come on Charlie, please.’
‘The hospital is placing DI Richelieu in an induced coma. They asked me again about his family members.’
Jo whispered. ‘His mother’s dead and his wife’s in an asylum.’
‘Asking for family doesn’t sound good,’ said Michael.
‘I’ll get back to work and explain Michael’s thinking,’ said Baldwin.
‘It could be Homicide’s thinking too,’ said Michael.
‘And you’d better tell them about me and Pierre’s will,’ added Jo. ‘They’ll find out soon enough.’
Charlie took it all on board, nodded and Jo followed him to the door. He left, Jo closed the door and looked at Michael.
‘Okay partner, what now?’
‘I thought you were the Sherlockian expert.’ She twigged and they spoke together. ‘We eliminate the impossible.’
Baldwin rang DS Hughes to pass on the latest report from the hospital. ‘So what about Jo?’ asked Billy. ‘Did she tell you anything important?’
‘She’s working on proving her innocence.’
‘That’s not what I asked.’
‘Michael Chan is with her and has some interesting ideas.’
‘Tell me,’ ordered the increasingly frantic DS.
‘It’s complicated, Sarge. I’ll be there soon.’
‘Well feel free to speed.’ Hughes found DI Rose and relayed Baldwin’s news. The women discussed the possible revenge attacks while waiting for their “spy” to arrive.
‘I don’t want Baldwin talking to the squad until we know his news,’ said Rose. ‘This is way too sensitive to have gossip floating around.’
Billy saw Baldwin in the corridor and signalled. He entered Rose’s office and was told to close the door. He opened with the bombshell explaining Richelieu’s new will.