Novels 02 Red Dust (19 page)

Chapter 26

Craig watched the road carefully. Gemma sat beside him, trembling. Occasionally he could hear a stifled sob but when he glanced over Gemma shied into the corner of the vehicle.

'I'm not going to hurt you,' Craig said quietly. 'I'm the good guy, remember?' There was no answer so Craig didn't push it.

A little while later Gemma spoke. 'Why did he do it? I didn't do anything . . . I had no idea he thought . . .' She broke off, sobbing. It was obvious she was in shock. Craig brought the car gently to a standstill.

'What are you doing?' Gemma asked fearfully.

'I'm getting you a blanket from the back of the car. You're in shock and you need to be kept warm, okay? I'm not going to hurt you.' He handed her the blanket through the window of the car, careful to keep his hands away from hers.

'Is there someone I can call to meet us at the hospital?' Craig asked, getting back in the car.

Gemma nodded. 'Jess Rawlings.' She recited the number in a monotone.

Gemma looked out the window, grateful for the blanket but still shivering. She turned her head when she heard Jess screech through the phone and listened to Craig's reassuring words. She leaned her head up against the glass and thought about all that had happened.

'I'm going to be sick,' she said suddenly, and bolted from the car. Craig stood back until she was finished and then made sure she got back into the car safely.

'I can still feel him,' muttered Gemma.

'That will happen for a little while,' Craig said softly. 'Victims often feel their attackers for some time afterwards. But that will pass. It just takes time. Who attacked you, Gemma?'

'Jack. Jack Marshall. He's been working on Billbinya for the last few months.'

'When did he attack you?'

'What do you mean? It was tonight but I don't know the time.'

'Can you tell me what happened?' Craig asked gently.

'I don't really know. I went to the kitchen to get a drink and he was just there. He said, "Hello, Gemma" and he was . . . he was touching himself. I just knew I was in trouble. I tried to run but he chased me. He dragged me back to the . . .' Gemma took a shaky breath, 'to the bedroom. I tried to get away. I tried. Couldn't, couldn't get him off . . .' She began sobbing uncontrollably. Craig was silent. No matter how much training you were given, it didn't prepare you to get through an assault victim's first interview. Every interview Craig had done was difficult. The devastation etched in each victim's face broke his heart every time.

'Gemma, did he manage to penetrate you? I'm sorry, but I have to ask.'

Gemma shook her head violently. 'I pulled a gun on him,' she said.

Craig looked at her incredulously. 'You what?'

'I pulled a gun on him. He'd thrown me onto the bed and was trying to get my nightie up . . . I bit him on the wrist and then – ever since . . .' She took a halting breath. 'Ever since Adam died I've always kept a gun under my pillow or near my bed. I'm scared most nights. I've never told anyone, but I hate being in that big house by myself. I hear every groan and creak. And sometimes I think I hear his footsteps. The gun, it helps. When I pulled it out, Jack backed off and ran to the door. Then he looked back and said, "Ever get the feelin' you're being set up, Gemma Sinclair?" And then he left.' Gemma was shaking so violently now that Craig was beginning to get worried, but he had to follow up on Jack's remark.

'What do you think he meant by "set up"?' Craig asked.

'How the hell should I know?' Gemma cried. 'My life has turned to shit over the last year. I don't know anything anymore.'

'Gemma, have you double-crossed Jack somehow? Is that why he attacked you?'

Gemma looked at him, fury eclipsing the pain and desolation. 'No, I haven't. I suppose you're talking about the stock stealing? How dare you! I have nothing to do with this stock stealing. I've told Dave and now I'm telling you. I am not involved. Don't try and get me to say something just because I'm in a vulnerable state. I'm
not involved
.'

As they walked into the emergency department Jess darted over to them.

'Oh, my sweet. What has happened to you? Poor baby.'

'Jessie, I'm so scared.' Gemma fell towards Jess and hug ged her.

Craig stood back watching, taken by Jess's warmth and compassion. She really was something else. The friendship between these two was amazing. They were both so loyal, so supportive of each other.

Gently Craig said, 'We really need to get Gemma seen to, Jess. You can come with us, but please don't touch her anymore. We need to look her over for evidence.'

Jess quickly stood back from Gemma but didn't let go of her hand. 'C'mon, lovely, let's get this over and done with. Then I'll take you home. You'll never believe who the casualty nurse is tonight – Paige Nicholls. Amazing how that woman keeps popping up.'

'I'm going to see you to the doctor, Gemma, and then I need to check in with Dave. I won't be far away if you need me.'

Gemma nodded and they walked towards the casualty ward.

'Hi, Gemma,' Paige said when she walked in. It was obvious she'd been briefed on what had happened and was prepared for Gemma's bloodied face. 'Won't be long and we'll have you all fixed up. Just sit on the edge of the bed. I'll call the doctor now that you're here.'

Craig made his excuses and beckoned to Jess. 'I just need to ask a couple of questions, Jess,' he said, when Jess looked reluctant to leave Gemma's side.

'Go, I'll be fine, just come back quick,' Gemma said to her.

Jess followed Craig into the waiting room.

Craig flicked open his notebook. 'Do you know Jack Marshall?'

'I've heard Gemma talk about him but I've never met him,' Jess answered.

'Has Gemma ever indicated that he'd tried to hurt her before?'

'No. She said he was a bit odd, but that's all. We don't talk much about the guys that work on Billbinya when we catch up.' Jess was tapping her foot, anxious to get back to Gemma.

'Jess, is it possible that Jack was seeking revenge on Gemma for some reason?'

Jess stopped tapping, narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. 'And what does that question mean, Detective?'

Craig looked at her flashing eyes and was lost. 'Uh,' he stammered, trying to regain his thoughts. 'Is it possible Gemma could have double-crossed him at all?'

'Detective, have we met before?' Jess asked.

Thrown by the question, Craig blinked. 'Umm, possibly,' he answered. 'Maybe.'

'Yeah, I thought so. Last Friday night at the Jewel, wasn't it? Keeping an eye on us, were you?'

'Nothing like that. Had to go somewhere and have a drink.' Craig was beginning to get cross.

'Well, you listen to me. No matter how hard you try, you aren't going to be able to pin this on Gem. She didn't know what Adam was up to before he died and the only reason she knows now is because you bastards are hanging around like a bad smell. Now was there anything else? Because if not, I'd like to get back to my friend, who has had more than enough kicks in the gut in the last few months to last her for the rest of her life.' Jess started to walk away. 'Oh, and Craig – it's Craig, isn't it?'

Craig nodded mutely.

'When you get this bullshit about Gemma being a thief out of your head, I'd love to have that drink with you.' Jess flashed him a dazzling smile then turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Craig staring at her back, open-mouthed.

Dave had been through Jack's bedroom and hadn't found anything to indicate where he could have gone to. He'd collected an empty rum bottle from under Jack's bed and samples of hair from his pillow.

His phone rang, startling him.

'How are you going there?' Craig asked.

'No sign of him, and the dogs are gone too. Forensics are out here dusting for fingerprints and I've found an empty rum bottle – same brand that we found in the dogs' yard, and at the ruins – and a few hairs off his pillow. I've instructed the local officers searching for him to use unmarked cars, and to follow him rather than apprehend. I'd rather follow him and see if he leads us to anyone else or the stock. What do you reckon?'

'Sounds like a great idea. I just hope we can find him. He's done a real job on Gemma. She's scared witless. She pulled a gun on him in the end. She keeps one near her bed since Adam died. Her injuries are superficial mainly, but her arm'll be pretty sore for a while – pulled all the muscles in it when he was hauling her back to the bedroom – and she'll have some lovely black eyes from the bang on the nose. I spoke to both her and Jess, who met us at the hospital, and they have categorically denied any involvement or knowledge of stock stealing. And I have to say, I'm inclined to believe them.'

'Okay. Take down her statement, then you get back out here. We'll take a closer look at that dog enclosure tomorrow and impound the sheep yard panels. We can bunk down in the shearers' quarters.'

'No worries. See ya in a few hours.'

Chapter 27

Ben liked being in the office at night. It was peaceful and he was able to achieve a lot more when nobody else was around. Ned had given him his own car and a few clients over the past few weeks and Ben was finding that his workload had increased since taking on these extra customers. But it was better than riding around with Ned all day. Ned had become increasingly edgy and grumpy, and had told Ben he'd been having trouble with his stomach due to stress. Ben had noticed the older man had a tremor in his hands and there seemed to be a rash on his arms. It could be stress, but Ben was worried that it might be something more. He wondered if Ned was seriously ill.

Ben walked down the narrow corridor to the storeroom where the old files were kept. The feedlot contract that Adam had signed dated back three years, Ned had said. So that was four contracts he was looking for – the three that had been filled and the one that was due to be filled in the next few months. He wanted all the information at his fingertips when he met with Craig.

Running his fingers over the dates and sale numbers he found the first two without any trouble. Looking at the contract, Ben could see nothing amiss. They were signed by the state manager, Ned and Adam, and it appeared the cattle had been delivered and paid for. The third one proved much more difficult to locate. It should have been at the top of the archive box but Ben couldn't find it. Shifting a couple of heavy folders out of the way, he found another filing box pushed to the back of the shelf. Leafing through the contract and sale papers, he finally found the one he was after. He was surprised that it hadn't been filed correctly. Barb, the office manager, was usually meticulous about filing. Ben shrugged. Must have had a temp in at some stage who stuffed up.

Taking all three contracts back to his desk, he then went in search of the current contract. That one would be in Barb's office since it was still to be filed.

Flicking through the pages of the contract file, he found the one he was looking for and unclipped it from the folder and took it back to his office, thinking of Gemma. He kept seeing her face, hearing her voice. No woman had ever affected him this way. Ben couldn't wait to see her again. He was sure he hadn't imagined her moving closer to him in the shearing shed.
Next time,
he promised himself,
I'll
kiss her.

Shaking his head to clear it he sat down and carefully read through the contract. Trying to decipher the scrawled signature, Ben's heart almost stopped when he realised it was a woman's writing. Pretty messy for a woman, but it had the round loops that women often used in signatures. Looking closely, Ben saw a distinct G. Surely Gemma hadn't signed it. She'd looked so shocked when Ned had told her about the contract, but here was her signature in black and white: G.R. Sinclair.

Ben put the contract down and rubbed his eyes. There must be an explanation.

He picked up the earlier contracts and examined Adam's signature. His writing was virtually illegible; Ben didn't think there was any way he could have forged Gemma's name.

Ben put the four contracts in a large yellow envelope and headed out the door. He wanted to confront Gemma with these. He couldn't help her if she wasn't honest with him. He'd go and see her tomorrow.

Once Gemma was finished at the hospital, Craig took her statement. He was as sympathetic and compassionate as he could be but by the time everything was finished, Gemma was exhausted. She alternated between crying, being very angry and just wanting to go home.

Jess drove her to her house, insisted she take the sedative that Paige had given her and Gemma fell into bed. Jess sat with her until she fell asleep. Tomorrow they would go out to Billbinya.

The amount of traffic that Ben passed on the way to Billbinya the next morning amazed him. The quiet country dirt roads seemed to have turned into a drag-racing track. Two police cars had come up behind him, passed him and disappeared into the distance. Then he'd passed Dave and Craig and four other cars he didn't know heading back towards town. A truck carrying some Hereford cattle went past. The presence of the police cars made him wonder if some more stock had been stolen. Ben put his foot down and got to Billbinya as fast as he could.

When he arrived he saw Bulla at the shearing shed, letting out the sheep that had been left under the shed the night before. Bulla nodded and carried on with his work.

'Where is everyone?' Ben asked, jumping over the fence to give Bulla a hand. The stubborn sheep had decided they didn't want to come out from underneath the shearing shed and even Bulla's dog, Roady, had been baled up against the railing by an angry wether.

Bulla swore and threw a rock at the sheep. 'Gem's in town,' he answered.

'Oh, I was hoping to catch her,' Ben said.

'She'll be out with Jess this afternoon. Some pretty bad business went down last night and Craig had to take her in to hospital. C'mon, you stupid bastards, get out from under there.' Bulla crawled in under the shed. 'Go back, Roady.' He let out a piercing whistle and from nowhere a black and white collie dog flew over the fence, under the shed and started barking. 'Fetch 'im up, Mac, go back there.'

Ben watched as together Mac and Roady worked their way to the back of the shed and teamed up to push the sheep towards the small gateway. His curiosity got the better of him and he yelled under the shed: 'What happened?'

Bulla didn't answer straightaway. He worked his dogs quietly and quickly and within a couple of minutes the wethers realised they were beaten and ran through the opening. The two dogs followed the sheep out and accepted their pats from Ben with big grins on their faces. Bulla struggled out from under the shed and stood up. He groaned. 'I'm getting too old for this,' he muttered. 'Bloody Jack got to Gemma last night,' Bulla said, looking Ben in the face for the first time. 'He bashed her up a bit and Craig took 'er in to the hospital. Jess rang this morning and said she was up and about feelin' pretty sore but they'd be comin' out today. The bastard did a runner last night and the cops are on the lookout for him.'

Ben felt sick. 'Right, well then I guess you're a man down. I'll give you a hand until Gemma gets back. I need to stay and talk to her anyway. Garry about?'

'Nah, he's gone to town to get the supplies for shearing.'

'Righto, hand over the back-liner. I can do this if you want to get the other sheep back out into the paddock.'

Bulla looked at Ben for a second.

'I own my own farm, Bulla. I know how to do this.'

Bulla indicated with a nod of his head to where the backpack and spraygun were lying on the bench. 'There you go, sunshine. Hook in.' As he turned to walk away, he stopped. 'You're a bit keen on our Gem, aren't ya?'

'Yeah, a bit,' Ben answered candidly.

Bulla nodded. 'You'd be good for her.'

Ben shook his head. It didn't matter if he was keen on her or not. If she was involved with the stock stealing, he wouldn't touch her with a ten-foot pole. But, deep down, he still couldn't believe she was.

Jess had had the prescription given to Gemma at the hospital filled, then stocked the car with comfort food and alcohol. 'Right, Gem?' she asked as they pulled into Billbinya's driveway.

'Yeah,' Gemma answered softly. She didn't feel okay. She was scared. She didn't want to go back to the house. But Craig had said that was normal and Jess had promised to stay for a while. Pat would come and stay too, and Bulla and Garry would camp at the shearers' quarters if she asked them to. Plus, the shearers would be around for another week.

'Looks like Ned is here,' Jess commented as the shed and yards came into view.

Gemma looked. 'No, I think that's Ben.' A warm feeling shot through her stomach. 'I wonder what he's doing here on a Saturday.'

'Checking up on you, I'd reckon.' Jess smiled slyly. 'Think he's got the hots for you.'

'Uh huh,' said Gemma, shifting painfully in her seat.

They pulled up at the yards and got out of the car. Ben looked up and took a quick breath when he saw Gemma's face and bandaged arm. He finished the race of sheep, let them out, hung up the backpack and walked over to the girls.

'Been in the wars, Gem?' he asked, touching her gently on the shoulder.

'Yeah, a bit.' She smiled up at him, basking in the warmth of his concern. 'How come you've been roped in here?'

Ben's face sobered as he recalled the reason for his visit. He moved away from Gemma and turned back towards the yards. 'I came to talk to you and found that Bulla was a bit short-staffed so I offered to help while I was waiting for you.'

'Oh.' Gemma was confused by his sudden withdrawal. 'Well, thanks. I think I might be out of action for a little while with this arm.'

Ben spun around to face Gemma with an intense look on his face. 'Gemma, tell me truthfully: are you involved with stock stealing? Do you know anything about any of it? Any tiny little thing?'

Gemma recoiled and Jess moved in closer. There was a heartbeat of silence then Gemma's eyes narrowed. 'I thought you were different, Ben,' she choked out. 'I thought you believed in me. Well, stuff you! I'm not even going to dignify that question with an answer. We don't need your help. You can leave any time you like.' She stumbled back to the car, tears filling her eyes.

Jess stared at Ben. 'I must have pegged you wrong,' she said. 'I thought you were one of the good guys.' She turned to go to Gemma.

'Jess, I've found something with Gemma's signature on it that would indicate she is involved. If you guys want me to help you, I have to know everything. If Gem's involved then I need to know. I can't help if she is involved, but if she isn't then let's have a crack at working out what the hell is going on around here.'

Jess watched his face carefully. 'Finish up here and I'll have the kettle on at the house when you're ready to come and talk to us.' She turned and walked away.

Ben let out his breath and ran his hands over his face. Shit, what a bloody awful position to be in.

The girls were sitting at the kitchen table when Ben entered the house. Gemma had her back to him and wouldn't look him in the face when he sat at the table.

'So what have you got, Ben?' Jess asked. 'Why are you giving us grief?'

Ben opened the yellow envelope. Addressing Gemma he said, 'These are the contracts for the cattle that have been going to the feedlot. Craig asked to see all the sale contracts early next week. I particularly went to find these because I knew Gemma didn't know anything about the feedlot cattle. The first two are fine. They have Adam's signature on them, they've been filled, money paid, no problem. It's the last two I have a problem with. Gemma, your signature is on the last two contracts, but you told me and Ned that you didn't have any idea about them. Did you lie about not knowing about the contracts?'

Gemma's good hand shot out. 'Let me look.' Ben passed the contracts over to her. 'That's not my signature,' Gemma said without hesitation. 'Jess, can you pass me that pen and paper?' Gemma signed her name with a flourish and pushed the paper towards Ben. 'That's my signature – want me to show you my credit cards? That one,' she said, pointing to the contracts, 'is not mine.'

Ben looked at Gemma's signature and Jess took the contracts from Ben's hand to look. It was quite clear the two signatures didn't match. Ben smiled.

Jack was holed up in a cheap motel in Adelaide. It was off the main drag and he didn't think there would be much chance of anyone finding him here. Another five days and this would all be over. His brother had told him about the last big job they were going to pull when they had met the previous night. He wasn't needed until Friday so to have a week in a motel with nothing to do but drink rum and watch TV sounded great to him.

He'd snuck the dogs into his room. They didn't care about the luxury they were in – they were just pleased to have their master with them.

Jack couldn't stop thinking about Gemma though. He kept remembering the feeling of her close to him, the screaming. Jack couldn't understand why women's screaming and fear turned him on. He really had tried to control those feelings – until he'd met Gemma. She'd been too irresistible to ignore.

Jack shrugged. It would be over on Friday. He'd made plans to head bush and spend some time in stock camps with just the fellas. He needed to stay away from the ladies and the law for a while.

* * *

Gemma, Jess and Ben had moved to the lounge room to discuss what they all knew. Jess was in full flight. 'We need to find those bank statements. It's the only way that we can prove Gemma wasn't involved. I'd bet my last dollar that her name isn't on the statements.'

Ben listened to a rundown of the latest developments without comment. Jess finished by saying, 'The other thing I have found in the books is that the proceeds from the feedlot contracts haven't been going into the Billbinya operating account. I'm beginning to think that the money from that is hitting the bank account that we don't have access to.'

'So what we need to do is find the bank account the money went into and who owns it. See if the payments match the transaction history – is that right?' Ben asked.

'Hit the nail on the head,' Jess said. She nudged Gemma. 'See, I told you this one was smart.' Gemma rolled her eyes; they were about the only part of her that didn't ache at the moment.

'Well, I can do that without any problems,' Ben declared.

Gemma raised her head to look at him. Ben's eyes met hers and it was all Gemma could do to stay sitting on the couch and not throw herself into his arms for comfort.

'How?' she asked.

'Well, you know Barb, our office manager?' Ben asked.

'Yeah,' Gemma said as Jess suddenly whooped.

'Of course!' she shrieked. 'Why didn't I think of that? Oh Ben, you are clever – well done, mate.'

Gemma looked confused. 'What've I missed?'

'Ben can trace where the money was paid to, can't you, Ben?' Jess was almost dancing with delight.

'Yeah. I can ask Barb about last year's transaction. Although I'll only be able to get the account number and name – I can't track the transactions or anything like that. But it will give you something to work with.'