Eye for an Eye (32 page)

‘I understand
your predicament, sir, but I’m afraid I’ll still have to take your
details, and inform you that an offence of this nature carries a
fine likely to exceed $10,000.

Colwyn smiled,
putting on his most charming manner.

‘Let’s go into
the cabin for a moment, shall we?’ He wanted the chance of a quiet
word, away from the younger officers and the damning evidence on
the deck.

‘Look, isn’t
there any way we can sort this out, Geoff? I’m sure if I can track
down the young fellows who gave me the fish they’ll accept full
responsibility, and you’ll still get your arrest, as it were. They
came from over Lochmara way, in a yellow clinker-built dinghy with
an Evinrude on the back. It couldn’t be too hard to find them.’

‘We’ll
certainly be on the lookout for them, but you do realise, don’t you
sir, that it’s possession of the fish that constitutes an offence,
not just catching them. I’m afraid the law has a long arm when it
comes to protecting our fisheries from people who think they can
take what they want. Now if you’ll just give the boat keys to Mr
Jones here, this vessel will be impounded down at the marina
pending a court hearing. Should the court find you guilty, the boat
and all its contents will be forfeited to the Crown, along with
whatever vehicle you used to get to the marina.’

Colwyn felt the
blood rush to his face then equally rapidly drain away.

‘OK, Geoff, if
that’s how it has to be. I understand that you’re only doing your
job. Look, how about I give you the money for the fine now - would
that make it all go away? I can give you $10,000 in cash right here
and take care of the whole thing.’

The Fisheries
Surveillance officer drew in a sharp breath. ‘Be very careful, sir.
That sounded suspiciously like a bribe.’

‘No, no!’
Colwyn was beside himself. ‘I just want to do what’s right! If I
have to pay the fine, let me pay the damn thing, OK? I’m not
suggesting that you’d run off with the money for God’s sake.’

‘I’m very glad
to hear it, sir,’ said Geoff implacably. ‘Now I’m asking you to
accompany me to our vessel where I can take down your full
statement.’

‘Yes, yes, all
right! Can you just give me time to gather up my personal
belongings? I’ll be there in a moment.’

He needed just
a few vital minutes to grab the cash he’d hidden in the cabin’s
secret bulkheads and stuff it into his bag, then they could take
the boat and be damned. He hadn’t finished paying it off anyway.
The cash was the essential thing.

‘I’ll wait here
for you, sir.’

Colwyn’s
control snapped.

‘Now look! Piss
off and wait outside! I told you, I’ll be there in a moment!’ He
shoved angrily at Geoff’s chest, trying to push him out of the
cabin. ‘Get out, damn you!’

With little
effort, Geoff grabbed Colwyn’s arm and twisted it up behind his
back.

‘Now you’re
being obstructive, sir - and I am empowered to arrest you. That
push you just gave me constitutes an assault on an officer and will
be viewed extremely seriously by a judge. Let’s go, shall we? You
will be transported to Blenheim Police Station where you will be
taken into custody pending a full investigation. If found guilty of
the assault you are likely to serve a term of up to twelve years.
For the breach of fisheries regulations the fine could be up to
$250,000 and forfeiture of all associated chattels. Kevin, come and
keep an eye on this gentleman, please. Simon, bring his boat in
when you’re ready, OK?’

He marched
Colwyn off the Angel Lady II and across the jetty to the Fisheries
vessel, sitting him firmly on a bench-seat in the cabin. Kevin sat
solidly on the opposite seat, watching him from behind mirrored
sunglasses.

The powerful
boat wake foamed behind them as Colwyn stared aghast at the
receding hull of the Angel Lady II.

His hopes, his
dreams, his nest-egg of cash - all were disappearing forever into
the twilight of a fading day.

A group of
young Maori lads celebrated in the local pub that night, lifting
their beer glasses in a salute to the blonde woman at their table.
She raised her glass in return.

‘Cheers Matai,
and all the rest of you. You did a great job out there today. Ever
thought of taking up acting as a career instead of fishing?’ They
laughed.

‘Nah, not
unless Peter Jackson does a re-make of Moby Dick, eh?’ said Matai
with a grin.

‘Don’t forget
my contribution,’ said Pete. ‘Those calls to the Fisheries officers
didn’t make themselves, you know. You guys could have got caught if
I hadn’t sent the inspectors off in the other direction. And the
timing for the tip-off on Colwyn was critical too.’

Matai giggled.
‘No worries, mate, you did the business all right. Cheers, Robyn,
we got the bastard, eh?’

‘Yeah, guys,’
Robyn chuckled wickedly. ‘We got him GOOD!’

***

END

I hope you
enjoyed Robyn’s adventures. For up-to-date news on the latest
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