Cold Deception (24 page)

“I need you to help me do something.”

Julia sat across from Sally in Cafe Zippo. The late afternoon light struggled through the glass and wood front doors while the wind rattled them with increasing ferocity.

“What? What’s wrong? You look like death.”

“A good friend of mine from jail, Nessa, is in trouble. She’s up at the Chadbourne. I need to get her out.”

“The Chadbourne? What on earth is she doing there?”

Julia took in a deep breath and for the third time in as many days told the whole story. Sally listed with increasingly wide eyes and the occasional gasp.

“O’Reardon? He’s behind the whole thing? Oh Julia? I can’t… I can’t believe it.” She slumped her shoulders and tipped her head down, covering her face with her hands.

“You don’t believe me,” Julia said in a flat voice.

“No, no,” Sally said, grabbing Julia’s hands. “Of course I do. I just… I just, I’m having trouble with the idea of you going to prison for something you didn’t do? Why? Why did you do that?”

Julia dropped her gaze to Sally’s hands holding hers. “It seemed a good idea at the time,” she said in a small voice. “I was out of my mind. I…” She caught herself before the torrent of tears threatened to break out. “Look, it doesn’t matter. Nessa is up at the Chadbourne trying to find the DVD but Dylan reckons, after the cops get some legal advice and he gets back from Sydney in a couple of days, they’ll search the place. Nessa can’t be found there. O’Reardon’s also trying to get her to use again. She could bust and be on the way back to jail. I have to warn her.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Come with me to the hotel. We’ll have a drink or something and I’ll try to find her.”

“Are you sure that’s such a good idea? What if O’Reardon sees you?”

“What can he do in a public place? If you’re with me that makes it even harder. He won’t do anything to me. It’d be too dangerous and too obvious.”

Sally frowned, her eyes full of doubt. “I saw her up there not too long ago. Nessa. She looked like she wanted to be there.”

“She has until this time. That’s what she always did. That’s how she got him to let her stay. But she’s play acting which could get her into a lot of trouble.” Julia shifted in her chair and fiddled with the coffee cup in front of her. “There’s some kind of twisted dynamic happening between the two of them. In the past drugs have always drawn her back to him, but this time it’s revenge. He’s a bit harder to work out. The other women in jail always said Nessa was special to him. Whatever it is, he’s a sick fuck and we need to get her out of there.”

Julia sipped her coffee and watched Sally. Her face was troubled and she was pale. She’d been withdrawn even before Julia told her the whole story.

“Douglas told me he’s moving to the south coast.”

Sally jumped as if scalded.

“How are you with that?”

She shrugged. “It won’t be easy, but people move on.”

“Was that what you were arguing about at Dee’s party?”

Sally stared back at her with wide eyes. She opened her mouth but seemed to have second thoughts. “Yeah. He sprung it on me and I wasn’t prepared.” She cut through the air with her hand. “Let’s not talk about that now. What if you find Nessa? What then?”

“I’ll try and convince her to come with me. She has to. She just has to.”

*

“What are we doing here?” Sally pulled Julia back from the entrance of the Chadbourne Hotel. “You just dropped a bombshell on me about O’Reardon and now you want to have a drink in his bar? We need to get out of here.”

Julia let Sally pull her out of the way of other guests to the end of the grand veranda. Twilight shimmered through the stained-glass windows spilling color across the tessellated tiles. The wind howled making both women shiver.

“Come on, it’s freezing. Let’s go home. It could snow tonight.”

Julia shook her head. “I have to try and get Nessa out of here. Please Sal. I have to try.”

Sally shook her head, but followed Julia through the entrance into the foyer. They then veered left into the bar. Julia left Sal to buy some drinks while she did a quick scan of the place, then ducked around to the lounge, hoping she might see Ness on a couch in front of the fire. No such luck. It was a weekday so not many people were around. She made her way back to the bar, where Sally was sitting at a table, two glasses of lemon, lime, and bitters in front of her. Julia sat and sipped on her drink, still scanning the place.

“I’m going to check out the billiard room. There’s a doorway out there that leads out to O’Reardon’s apartment.”

She got up but got pulled back into her chair by Sal. “Are you out of your mind? You can’t do that. He’ll see you for sure.”

“So? What if he does? I’ll ask him to show me the DVD. I’ll tell him I don’t believe he has it. Be interesting to see his reaction.”

She took off again, oblivious to Sally’s whispered entreaties to stay where she was.

The billiard room was for guests only, but Julia ignored the sign and made her way past the sumptuous leather couches, wood-paneled walls and green blaze billiard tables to the back door that lead out to the covered car park.

She opened the door and stepped out, closing it behind her. In front of her was a walkway that lead down to O’Reardon’s apartment, while on her left was a corridor that was used as the disabled access to the hotel.

He stood in the shadows, as if waiting for her.

“Ah. Julia. How unexpected. What can I do for you?”

Her heart was pounding so hard she absently rubbed her breastbone with the heel of her hand.

“The DVD. I want to see it.”

His eyebrows rose. “Do you indeed? For what purpose?”

“You say the DVD shows what happened at the murder scene.”

Something flickered in his eyes. He nodded.

“Blossom didn’t kill Father Pat. So I want to see what’s on it.”

He stepped toward her and against her will, she moved back against the wall.

“Don’t make demands of me, Julia. Didn’t I make myself clear? I’ll hurt you and your family if you step out of line.”

“And then what? The cops will be on your doorstep in a flash if anything happens to me or anyone else. You think they don’t know about you? Even before I got out of jail, they’d been watching you.”

He grabbed her around the neck with one meaty hand and slammed her against the wall. She struggled to get free, pulling at his hand, desperate to get air.

“I wouldn’t do anything as obvious as what I’m doing now. You’re on parole. I can make life very difficult for you.”

Just at the point where she thought she’d black out, the billiard room door opened and a group of hotel patrons spilled out into the cold car park, laughing and chattering.

“Shit! It’s freezing out here,” said a man, pulling his coat around him. He stopped and stared at O’Reardon and Julia. “What’s going on? Let go of her.”

O’Reardon dropped his hand and Julia pushed him away, coughing and wheezing.

“Are you okay?” said the man. His friends were behind him.

“I’m fine,” Julia said between gasps of air. “Just a misunderstanding. Don’t worry about it.” She pushed past them, back into the billiard room, running to get Sally. O’Reardon was caught at the door, trying to placate his irate customers.

She found Sally, pulled her from her table. “Quick. We need to get out of here.”

“Did you find Nessa?”

Julia shook her head as the two of them ran through the foyer, out the front doors and down the stairs. The cold air hit Julia’s face like a fist. She was an idiot. Why did she think O’Reardon would suddenly comply with her demands?

“Come on, I’m taking you home,” Sally said. “Has Dylan gone to Sydney yet?”

Julia shook her head. “Tomorrow.”

“Drop it until he gets back. You can’t do anything about Nessa. You’ll just make it worse.”

Julia nodded, certain Sally’s warning was too late.

They came early, just as the wattle bird started up for the day. Later she would always shiver at that sound. A sound like a rusty gate, slamming shut.

Palmer, Senior Constable Grady, and a female police officer whose name she instantly forgot. Their faces were sombre and guarded. Except for Grady. His eyes darted around and a line of perspiration was on his upper lip.

“What’s wrong? What’s happened?” she asked as Dee ushered them into the lounge room and then was politely but firmly asked to wait outside by the young constable. Julia had been in bed when she heard the car drive up and the doors slam. She’d looked out her bedroom window and saw the three cops make their way to the front door like a line of funeral directors.

Not good.

“Yesterday afternoon at about five thirty p.m.,” started Palmer, “the body of John Henry Melville was found a little way off the Prince Henry Cliff walk. He’d been stabbed repeatedly. Can you tell me anything about that?”

Julia stared at him blankly. “John? The guy who lived in the cave?”

“So you know where he lived,” Palmer asked.

“But I haven’t been there.”

“How did you know about him?”

She hesitated, remembering the day on the track with Dylan. Something made her not want to mention their meeting and what it lead to.

“I can’t remember. Someone must have told me. I ran into him once on the Prince Henry Cliff walk.”

Palmer frowned. “Can you tell me what you were doing yesterday between the hours of eleven a.m. and five thirty p.m.?”

Julia stared at both men with a growing sense of panic. “You can’t think I have anything to do with this? Why on earth would I want to kill someone I’d met for less than a minute?”

“That’s what we need to find out, Julia. Can you tell me where you were?”

“I… I was here most of the time. Ma was here too, and Blossom.” She stopped suddenly. “I went for a walk…”

Oh, God. If they found out about her and Dylan, he’d be in big trouble.

“What time?” Palmer asked.

“About three thirty,” Julia said in a small voice. “But it was only for a little while.”

“Did anyone see you when you were out?” Palmer asked.

She hesitated then shook her head.

“We’ll need to speak with everyone who was in the house yesterday.” He rustled among his papers and extracted a plastic evidence bag.

“Can you identify this?”

Her heart hammered in her chest. The air became thick and hard to draw into her lungs. Her fake emerald earring.

“Where did you find it?” she said in a strangled voice.

“Next to Mr. Melville’s body. Is it yours?”

She nodded.

Palmer glanced at Grady who if anything became even more agitated.

“I think it would be best if you went with Constable Ryan so you can change, then come down to the police station for further questioning.

“But this is ridiculous. I didn’t have anything to do with stabbing anyone.”

“We’ll question you further down at the station.”

Toughen up. Think. You’re on your own now. Someone wants to hurt you.

“I won’t speak to you without a lawyer.”

The skin around Palmer’s eyes and mouth tightened. “That’s your right.”

Julia crossed to the lounge room door and opened it. Dee, Eleanor, and Blossom were crowded in the hallway.

“What’s happening, Julia?” Eleanor pulled her close, trying to put her behind her body. Julia could feel the tension in her mother’s muscles. A sudden wave of love consumed Julia as she realized her mother would now do anything for her, would try and protect her however she could.

“They think I have something to do with the death of a guy sleeping rough.”

“What? Why?”

“It will help if you get changed as soon as possible,” said Constable Ryan behind her.

Dee turned to the young policewoman. “Where are you taking her?” she said with fury in her voice.

“Down to the police station,” Julia said. “To help them with their inquiries. We all know what that means, don’t we?”

She made her way to her bedroom, the cop right beside her, leaving the loud arguments behind. Blossom was yelling at Palmer who was trying to placate her. From the sounds of it, without much success.

Cold ice settled into Julia’s bones. Someone wanted to frame her for the homeless guy’s murder. Was this O’Reardon’s idea? As she changed, the constable watched her. Just like jail. No privacy, no dignity. They couldn’t possibly think she was responsible. Her mind worked frantically. Where was Dylan? Did he know Palmer thought she was involved?

With a growing sense of disaster, she realized he was in Sydney and probably didn’t know what was going on. Or did he? Surely he would have warned her.

Most of yesterday she’d spent getting drawings done for Larissa. Eleanor and Blossom had been with her or in and out. They’d made comments and suggestions about her designs. And Dee had come home for lunch. But the pull of desire had been too much for her. When Dylan called after lunch and asked her to meet him at his place just before he left for Sydney, she couldn’t resist. The illicit affair she’d wanted had become reality.

She finished dressing and quickly rummaged around her dressing table for the other earring. It wasn’t there. She couldn’t remember when she last had them on. Dee’s party?

“Hurry now,” the constable said. “Let’s get going.”

Julia wouldn’t look at her or speak to her. She made her way back downstairs into a room of furious people.

“Detective Palmer, you can’t do this. You can’t.” Dee pleaded while Palmer become more and more stern and withdrawn. Eleanor and Blossom had cornered Grady who she surmised would rather have to face down an alley full of outlaw bikies armed to the hilt than two furious women.

“This is outrageous,” Eleanor stormed. “Someone turns up murdered so you go to the most convenient solution. Well, you won’t get away with it. We were stupid last time, stupid and naive, but no longer. Blossom, get my address book. I know a couple of Queen’s Counsels who’ll be only too happy to advise us.”

“Ms Taylor. I’m just doing my job. Certain evidence has emerged that makes it important for Julia to answer some questions. It would help a great deal if I could look at your kitchen knives.”

Eleanor drew in a deep breath. “No, no…” She grabbed Dee’s arm and stared at Palmer with a horrified look on her face.

“What, Ma? What is it?” Julia asked with growing terror.

“One of the Laguiole knives is missing. I noticed it last night when I was washing up.”

Palmer pounced on her words. “What does this knife look like? Show me.”

Reluctantly, Eleanor left the room then quickly returned with one of the wickedly sharp stainless steel knives. Palmer took it and glanced at Grady.

“The bee,” he said.

“They all have tiny bees on the handle. It’s the brand mark,” Eleanor said, faintly.

Julia stared at Palmer. He returned her gaze with one of sharp determination.

“Julia Taylor, I am arresting you for the murder of John Henry Melville. You do not have to answer any questions but if you do not answer…”

A loud roaring blocked out all sound.

No, no, no. She couldn’t go back. She wouldn’t.

Without thinking, she made for the doorway and ran. Out though the kitchen and into the back garden before Palmer caught her and held her.

“Julia, Julia stop, stop. This won’t help,” he muttered as she struggled against him. She was crying now, terror and panic clawing their way into her muscles and bones.

“Help me, help me,” she pleaded with him. “Don’t let them take me.”

The other cops surrounded them but Julia felt rather than saw Palmer wave them away.

“You have to go with us Julia. There’s no other way.”

Julia stopped struggling and stared into his eyes. She could feel her family hovering inches away.

“Can you contact Dylan?” she said. “I need to talk to him. Please, it’s important.”

Palmer frowned. “He had to go to Sydney for court. He should be back tomorrow. Why? Why do you need to talk to him?”

She shook her head. “I just need to talk to him. Can you contact him?”

“I’ll call him,” Dee said. “Right now.”

“You’re still under arrest, Julia. Do you understand that?”

“I understand that someone wants me back in jail. They won’t get away with it.”

The inexorable tug of Constable Ryan on her arm pulled her away from Palmer, but not before Eleanor grabbed her in a tight embrace.

“Don’t worry. We’ll get you out. We will,” she said fiercely. “I won’t allow anything else.”

*

In the end, it was only a night and a day, but it was enough. Enough time for the blackness to hover, just hover at the edges of her sight, ready to swoop in and clamor for blood.

She was prepared. She beat the dusty wings away and held on to her mind.

Not this time. I need you this time.

They took her to the station and waited for her solicitor to arrive.

“I told you. I won’t answer any questions until he arrives.”

“He’s coming from Sydney. He might not get here before the prison transport arrives to take you to Silverwater.”

Her stomach churned at the thought of getting into one of those filthy, claustrophobic vans, but if she had to do it she would.

“Then you’ll have to go down to Silverwater and question me there.”

Palmer grimaced but said nothing. But in the end her solicitor did arrive in time.

“That’s it?” he said. “That’s the sum total of your evidence? An earring worn by my client that her sister says she sometimes wore as well? Why didn’t you arrest Blossom?”

Campbell Walton, art lover and raconteur, was an old friend of her mother’s. A prominent Phillips Street solicitor, he’d dropped everything and rushed up to the mountains from Sydney after one phone call from Eleanor. Now he sat in the shabby interview room and glared at Palmer and Constable Ryan.

“Come on, Mr. Walton. Your client was convicted of stabbing a pedophile priest to death. A month after she gets out of jail, a lowlife drug dealer is found stabbed to death in her backyard. The same lowlife drug dealer she threatened after she warned him to stay away from her sister. Now another sex offender is found stabbed to death only meters away from her house and her earring found nearby. As well as that, the victim was stabbed with a knife from the Taylor house. Looks like enough to me.”

“Not nearly enough. It sounds to me as if someone is trying to set up my client in a clumsy and amateurish way. What surprises me is that you’d fall for it.”

Palmer shifted in his chair and dropped his eyes.

He didn’t fall for it, Julia realized. So what was this all about?

Campbell realized at the same time. “What’s going on here? What are you up to?”

Palmer rustled some papers around and sighed heavily.

“We have to follow procedure by the book. Ever since you got out of jail, Julia, disaster seems to have followed you. Now I don’t know if you are responsible or someone else wants to make it look like you’re responsible, but we need to take this investigation one step at a time.”

“One step at a time?” Campbell exploded. “And that includes sending my client back to jail?”

“How could we not, given all this evidence?”

Later, the magistrate agreed. She was denied bail and listed for the transport to Silverwater.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make an urgent application for Supreme Court bail,” Campbell said to her as she was taken to a holding cell. “We might be lucky and get a hearing tomorrow.”

She shook her head. “It’ll be all right. I’ll get through this. Been there before, haven’t I?”