The Delta Chain (27 page)

‘No. Different division. Different year. No indication they ever met over there. And Collosimo
’
s a few years younger. But they were both stationed in the Mekong Delta and they had the same area commander. It doesn
’
t mean much
–
but it is another link between Westmeyer, and one of his staff, with the U.S. Defence Department.
’

The pictures on the screen had changed a number of times, showing a younger Westmeyer collecting a biochemistry award, and now a recent aerial shot of the Institute grounds.

O
’
Malley addressed the group once more.
‘
Strong circumstantial evidence, but it won
’
t get us a court order to search the Institute premises, and it
’
s hardly enough to approach the U.S. Attorney Generals office about Westmeyer
’
s history with Defence. We have nothing concrete, which brings me to the strategy that Megan, Wal and I have devised. A plan to gain access to the Institute, legally, whilst our external investigation continues.
’
O
’
Malley motioned to Hester.

The screen showed a data analysis sheet, on the Institute
’
s letterhead.
‘
This,
’
O
’
Malley informed them,
‘
is confidential research data from one of Westmeyer
’
s labs, secretly faxed from various locations to the media, and to educational and scientific centres. The timing of this apparent act of sabotage couldn
’
t be better for us. It offers us a Trojan Horse, one we couldn
’
t have created ourselves.
’

Flying low, the chopper cast its shadow over the Range Rover. The vehicle stood in the clearing at the end of the access road.

Through the open door of the chopper, Trish Watts trained her binoculars on the vehicle and was able to identify the make and registration number. She radioed the information back to home base. As she did, Ron Mahoney changed direction and altitude to search the other clearings in the area.

Within the hour they
’
d established that the four-wheel drive was the only vehicle left unattended. It had been hired by Kate Kovacs, in Settler
’
s Gorge.

Mahoney began the flight back to base while Trish used the radiophone to speak to Harold Letterfield.
‘
They
’
re out here somewhere, Harold, and we all know that means they
’
re in danger.
’

‘I
’
m organising a search right now with the State police,
’
Letterfield said. Even as he spoke, his mind played over the result of the last search.

Westmeyer had agreed to see Melanie Cail at her insistence. Collosimo escorted her to his boss
’
office, and remained standing by the door. Westmeyer was behind his broad desk, also standing.

Jackson Donnelly hovered.

Although offered a chair, Melanie declined. She thought to herself
–
well, if this is the way it
’
s going to be, like a Mexican stand-off, then so be it.
‘
Further to what I said on the phone, Mr. Westmeyer, the Brisbane Chronicle is planning a story-
’

‘We know that, Ms. Cail,
’
Donnelly cut across her, speaking through clenched teeth. Westmeyer gestured for Donnelly to hold off.

‘Yes, well, the Chronicle is sending their science reporter to cover the story, but they
’
ve asked me to work with them, and add some local colour to their report. What I
’
d like to suggest, and I thank you for agreeing to meet with me on this, is that I spend some time on site, walking and talking with you and your staff-
’

‘You have the hide of a rhinoceros,
’
Donnelly cut in again.

‘I
’
m sorry…?
’

‘Do you think we
’
re such morons that we don
’
t know it was
you
who faxed that material, to hand yourself a big story?
’

Melanie glowered at him.
‘
How dare you make such a ridiculous claim. I certainly didn
’
t have anything to do-
’

‘We know you
’
ve been seeing Stephen and that you had access to information in his apartment. Yet you have the gall to come parading in here, wanting us to help you profit-
’

‘I did no such thing and I
’
ll take legal action if you make any such accusation.
’
Melanie looked to Westmeyer for support but was unable to read his expression.
‘
Look, I didn
’
t even know about this until I received a phone call from my own editor, saying he had Brisbane requesting assistance. I actually see it as a way of trying to help-
’

‘Help?!
’
Donnelly spat the word.

Collosimo, listening intently up to now, stepped forward.
‘
You
’
re saying you had no knowledge of this?
’

‘Of course I didn
’
t. And my personal relationships are none of anyone
’
s business. What proof-?
’

Before she could finish, Collosimo answered.
‘
We have no proof. But right now we
’
re regarding anyone who has contact with our staff with a degree of suspicion. Mr. Donnelly has a perception that, in addition to your possible access to the data, you have something professional to gain in reporting this story. And, true to his suspicions, you
are
here, advancing your career prospects.
’

‘That
’
s not my intention.
’

‘You said you wanted to help,
’
Westmeyer said.
‘
What did you mean by that?
’

‘If I spend time here, I can report the situation from the Institute
’
s point of view, as it
’
s unfolding. I can show this was an isolated incident, and that in reality the Institute has excellent security measures in place. I believe the staff here are professional and loyal and security conscious. I won
’
t misreport, but if I find the integrity here that I expect then my reports will convey that. Yes, it
’
s a fantastic story for me, but why not, at the same time, take the opportunity to show the Institute in it
’
s best light.
’

Donnelly sneered.
‘
Bullshit.
’

Exasperated, Melanie leaned toward Westmeyer.
‘
Do I have to put up with
him
?
’

‘Tell me, Ms. Cail, would you allow me to vet your articles?
’

‘Yes.
’

Westmeyer looked to his security chief.
‘
Tony, what do you think about this? From the security angle.
’

‘I don
’
t see a problem. While she
’
s on the premises, Ms. Cail would be restricted to our low-level security areas, she
’
ll be in the company of staff, and my team will keep a watchful eye.
’

‘You can
’
t be considering this, William,
’
Donnelly said.

‘I
’
m going to give it a trial. But I expect a fully supportive editorial slant, Ms. Cail. And nothing I don
’
t approve of to go to press.
’

‘Not a problem.
’
She shook hands with both Westmeyer and Collosimo. Donnelly held back, his face a mask of barely controlled indignation.

Later, Westmeyer called Collosimo back to the office.
‘
You can call in extra help if need be. I want Ms. Cail watched like a hawk day and night, on site and off.
’

‘You still think she
’
s responsible for the leak?
’

‘Sure of it. And I don
’
t believe for a minute she has any intention of portraying us in a good light. Not newsworthy enough for that foxy little superbitch.
’

‘Then why allow her-?
’

‘I
’
d rather we had her close to hand. Better, Tony, to know your enemies and lull them into a false sense of security.
’

‘Have you told Donnelly that was your plan?
’

Westmeyer chuckled.
‘
No. Sometimes I like to keep him on edge. It keeps him sharp.
’

After Collosimo left, Westmeyer leaned back in the wide leather chair and rubbed his forehead as though it would erase his anxiety. Donnelly had been waiting and listening in the adjoining executive washroom. He re-entered the office, the trace of a self-satisfied grin on his thin lips.

‘I
’
m uncomfortable…with this plan of yours, Jackson,
’
Westmeyer said.

‘It
’
s necessary, and efficient. You know that.
’

‘I never wanted this sort of …
thing
…to happen more than once.’

‘This will be an end to it, William. Trust me. We deceive the media into believing the saboteur has been exposed; and to expedite matters, we create proof that Melanie Cail is that saboteur, and we implicate Collosimo as being involved. That gets Hunter off the hook. Then we do away with Cail and the security man and the matter is at an end. No need for you to give it another thought. You and Hunter have to concentrate on the final stages of the project. You leave the nasty part to me.
’

Westmeyer winced. That was what sickened him: the sordid details he knew very well that Jackson Donnelly would enjoy.

Melanie drove back to her office. She couldn
’
t believe how well this was going. Eddie Cochrane would be thrilled. The Brisbane Chronicle bosses would be impressed. She was certain now she would get the Brisbane job.
Certain.

Donnelly was a problem. He was onto her. It would be a worthy challenge for her wit and her charm to manipulate the others in spite of his opposition.

Strangely, it did not occur to her to suspect she was being followed.

Daniel swam with the current, gasping for breath, allowing the pull of the river to propel his escape. His mind was surprisingly sharp given he was in the midst of a physical and emotional ordeal.

How had the Keepers found him? How could they already have been here in Northern Rocks, waiting? Even Daniel hadn
’
t known this was where he
’
d be headed
–
not until the news broadcast the day before yesterday.

And then it struck him: the news broadcast, with the photo of the girl he
’
d recognised. She, too, had been part of the Com. The Keepers had seen the same news program
–
and they
’
d guessed, correctly, that if Daniel also saw it then he would
’
ve headed for the town…

His heart sank. To have come so far... His only hope was to outdistance them with the river
’
s help. Adrenaline kicked in.

He swam harder and faster…

The road didn
’
t follow the path of the river. It twisted back on itself, switchback style, into the woods. At Warren Ethers
’
command, the Keepers split into two groups, each on opposite sides of the river. A police siren was heard in the distance.

Ethers led one group, Scanlon the other, and the two leaders kept in touch by cell phone. They scanned the water as they moved.

After a while, Ethers stopped and aimed his binoculars back toward the bridge. He could see figures, pointing out over the water. He could just make out what appeared to be a police uniform.
‘
Damn.
’

‘Cops?
’
asked one of the others.

‘Yes.
’

‘We can
’
t afford to have them asking questions-
’

Ethers cut him off angrily.
‘
I know that.
’

‘
I
’
m calling off the search,
’
he announced to the group.
‘
We
’
ll regroup later and set up watch points. For now we circle back into the town and blend in.
’

Later, Ethers made a call and waited for the First Keeper to answer.

It was not the news the First Keeper wanted to hear. His anger was crystal clear over the line.
‘
Make damn certain no one is apprehended. It
’
s essential to remain invisible. And Ethers, once the coast is clear again, get back down to the river. The boy
’
s on foot, he has no contacts, he shouldn
’
t be hard to find.
’

After the call, the First Keeper paced the oak panelled room that served as his inner sanctum. He went to the large double-window and looked out on the lush grounds and the wooded landscape that surrounded the estate. He reflected on the last time he
’
d had a runaway, a number of years before, and the unpleasant task of finding and then silencing that particular youth.