The Lost Swimmer (11 page)

So far Coastal had been professional. I felt that no one outside the investigation had heard anything, including Stephen. And the further into the fraudulent accounts I went, the more I wanted to sort it out on my own, not bring him into it. Particularly if, despite his denials, he was seeing Priscilla behind my back. The thought made my ribs burn – not only at the thought of him with Priscilla, but that I didn't want to turn to him for advice – the person I'd relied on for over two decades. I took more painkillers. Priscilla was high on my list of suspects and I wasn't going to have Stephen unwittingly feed her information if my worst fears were correct.

For breaks I would go through Stephen's computer checking his emails, scouring for evidence of an affair. There was nothing incriminating, but I did get an insight into his managerial practices, which showed me just how much more corporate and conservative he had become in the past months.

I asked our phone company to supply an online breakdown of all calls on our bills. I checked for stray numbers on Stephen's phone that he dialled repeatedly, ringing those I didn't know. They were work-related people and I was deeply uncomfortable as I prattled on, apologising for getting the wrong number.

I wrote to Margaret DiStasio and informed her that I wanted to assist in every way possible and had gone through the books and found more irregularities. She sent back a short, official reply: she would be contacting me in due course. Because I had acted as an investigator on other cases, I knew she normally wouldn't approach me until she'd gathered all her evidence. Ultimately with what was being uncovered in this fraud, whomever they found guilty would be turned over to the police for a criminal investigation. If they decided it was me, I could be stripped of everything. My job. My title. In a nightmare scenario, even my freedom. I needed to ensure I gave them all the information I found to convince them I was on their side and not the perpetrator.

•  •  •

‘Yoo-hoo, anyone home?'

Sally's voice trilled from the bottom of the stairs and Big Boy returned a volley of friendly barks. I quickly closed Stephen's computer and rose, my ribs aching from the sudden movement.

‘Just a sec!' Did she mishear me? The sound of the door sliding open and the tapping of her shoes on the timber floor made me hurry.

‘Hello, darling poochie babe.' Big Boy yapped back as though chatting.

‘Sally, how nice.'

‘Hope I didn't get you up? I feel it's been ages since I saw you and do you know I've just moved two streets away? Eagle Crescent, the other side of the golf club.'

‘Really? Where were you before?'

‘Geelong. Much quieter here. The air's so fresh I feel ten years younger.' She looked it too, radiant in a slip of a dress, tanned arms lean and strong. ‘I didn't want to disturb you but then I thought surely there's something I can do. Perhaps some grocery shopping?'

‘The local supermarket delivers everything. Even puts the heavy things straight in the fridge. So does the butcher. You've moved to a good area,' I smiled.

‘How about this one? I could take him for a W-A-L-K?' Big Boy sat eagerly at her feet.

‘Actually, that would be good. I can't go very far, and Stephen's so busy.'

‘Done. Now, how about I make you a cup of tea?'

It was frustrating having her so close but not trusting her enough to tell her my legal troubles. I kept reminding myself it wouldn't be her area anyway. But she was smart. Why was my instinct saying keep away?

Sally passed me a fragrant mug of tea.

‘I added honey. For good health.' She held a glowing golden jar to the light. ‘I found it at the organic shop.'

‘That's very thoughtful.'

To my surprise Sally waved a large ring under my nose, encrusted with rubies and emeralds. ‘I've been wanting to ask you about this. Do you mind?'

‘Of course not. It's beautiful.' I spotted the gems as fake the instant I saw them. ‘Where did you get it?'

‘Athens, a couple of years ago. It's about a hundred times more than I've ever spent on jewellery.'

‘Well, it's a treasure.' I didn't have the strength to break the bad news. The shops in Athens were notorious for their counterfeit jewels and the well-honed pleas of the shopkeepers who hung outside, waiting to lure the next unsuspecting tourist. Another fake staring me in the face – the world really was full of them.

Sally gave me an odd look, as though she didn't quite believe me. I tried not to blush under her gaze. ‘You must love it,' I continued.

Finally she smiled. ‘Yes, very much.'

I wasn't sure whether I'd just passed or failed a test, and it made me uneasy.

‘Well, I'd better get this fella to the beach.' Big Boy leaped up and clattered about, nails scrabbling across the floor.

‘Didn't you want to ask me something about the ring?'

‘Oh,' she turned, ‘I just wanted to know if the rubies and emeralds were real. I've read since that Athens can be a tricky place.'

I paused. ‘You could always take it to a gemologist.'

She raised her eyebrows. ‘But you're an expert, aren't you?'

‘At dating things. Using very sophisticated equipment. The ring's new,' I said. ‘You didn't think it was ancient, did you?'

Sally laughed gaily. ‘Of course not.'

‘It's a Byzantine design, a lovely one.' I fetched Big Boy's leash to barks of excitement.

Sally held the ring happily to the light. It was indeed a pretty fake. ‘Come on, Big Boy! Back soon.' She winked as she left.

‘Would you like to stay for dinner?' I called as an afterthought.

‘Not tonight, Bec, thanks anyway,' she lilted.

I was relieved when she disappeared down the stairs. Was I becoming paranoid or had there been more to the conversation than its immediate topic? Was Sally trying to catch me in a lie? And if so, why? And why hadn't I just come out and told her the gems were fake? I hadn't wanted to hurt her but now I regretted it, because it made me look deceptive. Truth was growing increasingly elusive and I was contributing; if I went down that path, I could get tangled in my own lies.

I
t was a brilliant autumn morning, the sky a deep, infinite blue. Crisp air hinted at cold nights and log fires just around the corner. I had called two days earlier and set the appointment, hoping I would be well enough to venture out alone for the first time since the attack. I was still dosed on painkillers but they were weaker and my doctor had given me the all clear to drive.

Just off the main road, the funky cafe was done up like an old-fashioned diner. Lunch was still hours away and the red vinyl tables were empty, as I'd hoped. I settled at the back of the cafe and ordered a coffee and waited, worrying as time stretched out whether I would be stood up.

Pam and Josie arrived twenty minutes late. I had wanted to see the two women individually but they had been adamant it was both or neither. They blustered in, new babies in tow. Two boys, tiny and perfect, swaddled in soft blue blankets.

‘They're so cute, thanks so much for bringing them,' I cooed.

‘Well, we could hardly leave them,' snapped Pam.

I was surprised by her edginess – the baby must be depriving her of sleep.

‘This is Oscar.' Josie presented her little boy to me proudly and I held his miniature hand, as tiny as a doll's. ‘Sorry we're late.'

‘And he's Lucas,' Pam mumbled, cradling her baby and sitting as far away from me as possible. ‘You know we're being investigated for serious misconduct?'

‘I had no idea!' In my own self-pity it hadn't occurred to me how far the university would take things. I understood now why Pam's mood was fragile.

‘I thought that's why you wanted to meet. Presumably they've contacted you as our Head? I told them you told me it was all right to set up the Athens account the way I did. But clearly it wasn't. You were wrong.' Pam bristled with hostility.

‘Pammy, I said not to attack before we know the facts.' Josie sat forward. ‘You're on our side, aren't you, Bec? It's so hard being on maternity leave – we don't see anyone.'

‘Of course I am.' I leaned forward too, trying to sound casual. ‘Were there any other accounts you set up?'

‘No. Should there have been?' Josie frowned and I saw she had developed a crop of new wrinkles since we had last seen each other. I hoped it was from her newborn and not from work, but Oscar was sleeping peacefully like a perfect child. ‘Both of us accessed the account in Athens and they're acting like we're thieves.'

This was news to me but it made things better. Safety in numbers.

‘We're not meant to talk to each other. Or to you,' added Pam.

‘Well, I certainly think it's best if no one knows we met.' I tried to keep eye contact with them both. ‘What exactly are they accusing you of?'

‘Don't you know?' Pam was immediately suspicious, and Josie cast her a worried glance.

I shook my head. ‘I've been on sick leave.'

‘Oh yes, we heard about the attack,' said Pam. ‘You seem okay.'

‘Four-broken-ribs okay.'

‘Ouch.' Josie touched my hand gently. ‘That must have hurt?'

‘Only till I was drugged. I'm healing and that's the main thing. It'll just take time.' I was wearing a long-sleeved shirt to cover my wounds; the scratch on my face was hidden under make-up.

‘So, why did you ask to see us? And why individually?'

‘Because I wanted to catch up with you both,' I lied. ‘I always find one on one better.'

‘You were always happy to see us together before.' Pam wasn't about to let it drop.

‘I can't disclose things,' I offered vaguely.

‘So, you
did
know? Why are you being so evasive?'

I hadn't counted on them being investigated as suspects, and I tried to formulate a new plan on the run. ‘I just want to support you however I can.'

‘See,' said Josie, eyeing Pam, ‘I told you she'd be on our side.'

Pam clearly wasn't so sure.

‘I think you should be very upfront with Professor DiStasio,' I said. ‘I've been an investigator myself, and it's always best when people are open and completely honest.'

‘Why wouldn't we be?' Josie looked baffled. ‘We haven't done anything wrong.'

‘Well, evidently we shouldn't have set the account up the way we did. But that should have been picked up by you,' Pam repeated to me.

‘Sorry. I seem to have let you down.'

Pam peered back, hostile. ‘And you clearly
do
know what we're talking about, Rebecca.'

‘I'm here to help. But I can't answer many questions,' I bluffed.

‘Then, how can you help?' Josie was wide-eyed with concern.

I turned to Pam. ‘So, you only set up the one account? You didn't have any need for a second or a third?'

‘No. Is there more than one? If there is, it's not ours.'

If Pam was lying, she was convincing; her confusion seemed real.

I shrugged. ‘I don't really know all the facts either.'

I was glad when they announced they had to get their babies home. The meeting had been a fizzer. I really didn't think that Pam and Josie were guilty of anything, let alone fraud. This should have made me feel better but it had the opposite effect. I had no idea who the culprit could be. Still, at least I wasn't the only one being accused of serious misconduct. Was anyone else at Coastal being investigated?

I would have to tread carefully interviewing my colleagues. If DiStasio found out, I could be accused of interfering in the case – that would be serious misconduct in itself.

Instinctively I felt that Priscilla should be my chief suspect.

•  •  •

The days were getting shorter, the weather colder. My mind was working feverishly as I steered the car to my meeting with Margaret DiStasio. I had convinced her to see me, even though she felt it was too early in the investigation. I knew if I pushed hard enough, she couldn't say no – and Loris Gant had given me his independent handwriting analysis, which I wanted to present to her.

I had seen Rachel, Robert and Constance, and not unexpectedly, I had crossed them off my list. I was reassured that they appeared to have no inkling that I was in trouble.

I had toyed with the idea of Melinda as culprit. She
had
gone on a sudden holiday, after all. But the thought was absurd. If Melinda were cooking the books she would have implicated Priscilla, not me. I wanted desperately to run things past her but she was still away and out of touch.

I worried whether Alison Wishart could be behind it – she more than anyone would have the expertise. It would be cunning to be the one who had found the discrepancies and be the perpetrator. It was a possibility that was worth full exploration and I couldn't wait to be well enough to resume work and have access to colleagues and, importantly, their offices when no one was watching.

DiStasio stood as I entered. She was a squat woman, grey-haired and overweight. Her walls were, predictably, lined with medical tomes but to my surprise there were also several stuffed animals. A wolf, a bear and its cub. The poor souls leered down, glass eyes glinting dully.

‘My hobby,' she said. ‘I find them on eBay. Refreshingly different to the human form.'

‘I guess they can't bite back.'

DiStasio smiled and showed me to a seat in front of her desk. She had the demeanor of an animal herself. There was something almost feral in the way her sharp little eyes watched me.

‘As you know, Professor Wilding, I've been asked to carry out an investigation into alleged serious misconduct.'

‘I want to cooperate as fully as possible,' I said. ‘I've been going over the accounts myself. I've found enormous irregularities and perhaps even some you haven't discovered yet.'