Without You I Have Nothing (78 page)

_{Then, one morning, at
breakfast Peter accepted a phone call from Joe. After a long period of
listening attentively, Peter replied that he would be at the workshop at
lunchtime the following day.}

_{The family became
agitated when he related the gist of Joe's phone call saying Joe had warned him
that detectives had repeatedly called, demanding to know his whereabouts. He
insisted that he alone would return to answer the police questions.}

_{Extremely unhappy,
they felt divided in their loyalty to Jennifer and their desire to assist Peter.
He refused their offers of assistance saying Jennifer needed their loving
support.}

_{However, he had to
accept their insistence that he take four bodyguards with him and use one of
the company cars.}

_{When the question of
his return to Jennifer arose, he wept as he explained how much he loved her but
in spite of his Psychology Degree he was at his wits' end on how to break
through the barrier. He admitted how close he was to a complete breakdown until
Andrew dragged him to his feet and stood toe to toe with him glaring and
demanding that he not walk away from Jennifer.}

_{"Peter, you
bastard. You pride yourself on being The Little One yet you're prepared to walk
away from the person who has handed her life to you. Jennifer may be,” Andrew
was almost choking on his emotions as he glanced at Elizabeth's pale face,
"unwell but she is yours. I distinctly heard you swear 'in sickness and in
health'!"}

_{Peter wept as he
gripped his brother-in-laws shoulders. "I'm not abandoning Jennifer. No,
bloody way!  I'm returning to Sydney to guarantee there are no repercussions
for you all, for Blake Pastoral or any of my 'little army' who helped me rescue
Jennifer."}

_{The remainder of the
morning, he spent sitting with Jennifer, occasionally bending low to hug and
kiss her as, although she was deaf to his words and oblivious of his presence,
he explained why he would be missing for a few days and impressing on her that
he loved her more than ever.}

_{That same night he,
with his four bodyguards, drove to Sydney.}

_{It was almost midday
the next day when a familiar voice rang across the workshop. "Can't a man
get a car repaired here?"}

_{The clamor of the
workshop instantly died. There was an unearthly silence suddenly ripped apart
by the uproar of voices welcoming Peter.}

_{Eventually, he was
able to speak confidentially with Joe on the footpath. The look on Peter's face
when Joe asked about Jennifer was enough to warn Joe that this wasn't the time
to ask.}

_{Rudely ignoring the
question regarding Jennifer and totally unable to answer civilly, Peter began
planning for the police questioning.}

_{Recovering from the
shock of seeing Peter's unwillingness to discuss his wife, Joe listened to
Peter's plans before commenting. "You really are a sneaky bugger, Peter. Of
course, I can get that news crew who filmed our day on the harbor.}

_{"They will be
delighted to help. Only last week they called to tell me that a taxi driver
visited the studio and handed them envelopes containing large cash amounts with
the one word note 'Thanks'. The driver wouldn't reveal where the envelopes came
from and well, I can only guess and say, Peter - you are most generous.}

_{"Yes I have some
Italian reporter friends who would love to sit in on your meeting with the
police. They believe there is so much corruption in the police service thanks
to Dingo they will be delighted to get a scoop.}

_{"Now the Police.
They have approached no one - you are the focus of investigations. I agree
about being careful with their interviews so as soon as they appear I will
immediately take the steps you suggest.”}

_{Studying Peter's
gaunt face, he sympathized with Peter's intense strain. "I'll ring Maria
and then book a table for five at the Motel. The five will be Maria, Susie,
Bill, you and I.”  Seeing Peter's eyes cloud with emotion, he added. "We
need to fatten you up. Can't have anyone think we don't look after you."}

_{Unable to face the
apartment where he had shared so many happy hours with Jennifer and unwilling
to live in the rooms above the workshop Peter strolled up the hill to the
Motel.}

_{"Peter!  You're
back!  How's Jennifer?”  Susie was bubbling with happiness. Peter's black look
of despair didn't stop her, as she demanded to know what had happened to cause
his thunderous looks.}

_{Begrudgingly, he
explained Jennifer's mental state as he signed the register for three rooms. His
bodyguards would be staying with him, as his in-laws had demanded.}

_{Susie wasn't
impressed. "The Little One has given up, eh?  I told you to fight. What
happened when the battle became too difficult?  You fled. You really are
nothing more than a self-centered wimp."}

_{Her disgust was
obvious as she stormed to the door. "And I asked you to be my baby's
god-father. I must have been having a touch of senile decay.”  Angrily she
threw the words back over her shoulder as she disappeared. The arrow of hurt
hit Peter but he was unable to feel any more pain.}

_{Peter and his escort
made their way to their rooms but Susie didn't reappear to ruffle his feathers.}

_{Over dinner that
night, Bill showed why he had been a Commander in the Royal Australian Navy. "Should
the detectives question you about the sinking of 'The Pony Stable' or the
mysterious fire aboard the Arab's aircraft you are to send for me. I'll soon
put a flea in their ear and they won't ask again."}

_{Noticing Peter's
attempt to refuse his help Bill said nothing but later pulled Joe aside to
reinforce his ideas. "Keep a close ear on the proceedings and call me if
they ask about our naval expedition,” and he rocked with laughter.}

_{Once the dining room
was empty of guests, unbidden, Peter's bodyguards stationed themselves at the
doors. Then Maria and Susie ganged up on Peter refusing to accept his surly
answers when they mentioned Jennifer's health. Ignoring his anguished looks,
they demanded a complete report on her mental and physical health and refused
to accept short answers. They didn't rest until Peter was an emotional wreck. Weeping,
he gave them all the information they needed.}

_{Only then did they
sit, one on each side of him, supporting him in his anguish.}

_{Early the next
morning, three detectives walked into the workshop office demanding to see
Peter. They didn't notice Joe moving into the workshop where he reached for a
phone.}

_{"Mr. O'Brien, we
have a few questions we need to ask you."}

_{Wearily, Peter
struggled to his feet and politely suggested that the workshop office was not the
place for such business. He refused to go to the police station with them
unless they were arresting him and instead led them to the dining room of the
motel.}

_{Four Gurkhas, with
their blades concealed, escorted them. The senior detective expressed his surprise
until Peter explained that since the explosion he went no-where without his
personal bodyguards.}

_{As well, he had
tightened all security. The workshop, the BMW Dealership, the Lexus Dealership
and the motel were under guard 24/7. Indeed, he had strengthened the security
for the whole block with ex-British and ex-Australian Army personnel.}

_{Perplexed one asked,
"Why all that security, Mr. O'Brien?  Isn't that a trifle excessive?"}

_{Peter withered him
with a look of absolute disgust. "Someone tried to kill me by blowing up
my workshop. You dare to say I am being excessive!  Really, I'm surprised by
your childish innocence. What do you really expect me to do?  Wait for the next
attack?  Or has the NSW Police Service already arrested the people who made the
attempt on my life?"}

_{Red faced and
embarrassed the detective stumbled over his excuse. "What I really meant...
Isn't security for the whole block excessive?  Even the crèche and Pre-school
at the back of the block are under constant security."}

_{"I own the lot
and I will decide what is excessive!”  Peter's blunt answer stopped further
discussion as the detectives meekly followed Peter into the Motel Dining Room.}

_{The moment they saw
the room set up with TV cameras and lights, they tried to evade the interview
but four Gurkhas barred their exit.}

_{"Mr. O'Brien,
the news crew is unnecessary. We'll interview you when they have
finished!"}

_{"Oh no, you
won't!”  Peter's voice had the tone of a man in authority who intended
controlling the meeting. "The meeting is here, now and with both TV and
reporters present. I've not the faintest idea why you are questioning me when I
am the victim of a failed assassination attempt but sit down gentlemen and
let's get this interview started."}

_{Nonplussed by Peter's
attitude, the detectives began stuttering their way through their questions.}

_{Peter assumed his
inscrutable mask of the east and when the senior detective asked about his day
on the harbor, Peter merely nodded and one Gurkha left the room.}

_{Slowly Peter stood
and drawled, "Listen mate!  Am I under suspicion of committing some
crime?  A free, innocent man whose workshop was blown up in an attempt to kill
him is not allowed a day on the harbor without questioning by three detectives
who have proved they couldn’t track an elephant through snow with ink on its
feet.”  He turned to the reporters.}

_{“There’s no need to
be insulting!” came the quick retort.}

_{“Well have you
charged the people who tried to assassinate me?”  Peter was not impressed. "Am
I speaking slowly enough for your note taking?"}

_{Neither of the
reporters replied, merely holding up their recorders.}

_{"Do I need to
speak louder for the cameras?"}

_{One audio man from
the news crew merely gave the thumbs up but the arrival of the Commander who
made an impressive entrance halted any further questioning.}

_{"Who are you and
what right have you to be in here?”  The senior detective was irate at the
interruption. It was difficult enough under the glare of the lights of the TV
cameras and the attendance of reporters. Now this interruption seemed the last
straw!}

_{"I am retired
Commander Bill Williams Ex-RAN and I have arrived to stand with my friend,
Peter O'Brien. I believe that you want to question Peter about his day on the
harbor.}

_{"Peter was with
me that day and yes we followed 'The Pony Stable' downstream. We were in the
same bay as 'The Pony Stable' when the boat sank and a police launch rescued a
well-known criminal and his party . That is a statement of fact.}

_{"How it sank and
why it sank is beyond your powers of questioning gentlemen as it is a naval
matter and should you pursue your enquiries, ASIO will be informed and you will
all end up doing the beat in Bourke. That is no threat. That is a warning that
you have no right to be questioning Peter about his day's relief from the stress
of business.}

_{"Did you get all
that on film and on your recorders?”  Brutally businesslike, Bill waited for
the detective's reaction.}

_{One detective didn't
get the message and turned to Peter, "A number of men and women on that
boat were rescued. They disappeared after their rescue and no one has seen them
since. Mr. O'Brien can you explain this?"}

_{Bill roared with
laughter. "My god!  Now NSW detectives are asking a businessman to do
their work. Did you get that piece of footage?”  Bill directed his question to
the TV crew. A thumbs up showed they were successful.}

_{"So let me see
if I have got this straight. A police launch rescues Mr. Big of crime and his
male associates after his boat strangely springs a leak and sinks. The water
police, at the same time, rescue a number of women. Now everyone is missing. My
god, talk about Constable Plod. You have the hide to question Peter about the
missing people.}

_{"Look!  Some
common sense here wouldn't go astray. I respectfully suggest you try
questioning Santa Claus. Perhaps he is wrapping the whores as presents for good
little policemen.”  Bill's disgust at their ineptitude was obvious.}

_{"Commander,” the
senior detective interjected, "your facetious comments are not helping any.
We need to get some information. We suggest you leave."}

_{"Officer, if I
leave then so do you, the camera crew, Peter and the reporters. The meeting
will recommence in Fleet Headquarters, Sydney. Shall I ring for a naval escort
now?”  Bill stared at the detective until the detective looked away.}

_{"Mr. O'Brien! 
Can you explain your presence in the company of a large number of Asians?”  The
senior officer resumed the questioning.}