Scorpio's Lot (14 page)

Without disturbing Emily, I took
Helen and Brigit directly to site B8 in the second avenue of caravans. I opened
the annex door and quickly drew the curtains behind us before switching on the
light.

Emily had already arranged some
clothes, blankets and towels in the van to avoid drawing attention during
daylight hours. I thought this site would prove to be suitable, for not only
was it close to our residence but it was also sufficient distance from the
prying Ruth Evans in C3.

‘Try to get some sleep. I have a
spare key and I’ll check on you early tomorrow morning. Here’s my mobile number
if the need arises. Under no circumstances unlock the door for anyone and keep
the blinds drawn at all times. I’ve chosen this site because it’s close to our
residence and has both a shower and toilet facility.’

‘Thanks for all your help, Tom. I’d
hate to think where Brigit might be now if it weren’t for your visit tonight,’
Helen gratefully responded.

Brigit nodded in agreement.

~ * ~

The
following morning over breakfast I related the events of the night before to
Emily, who was understandably shocked at the extent of violence.

‘As if Brigit and Helen haven’t
already had enough traumas,’ she said.

‘I checked on them earlier and
both seem okay. They didn’t sleep too well but under the circumstances that’s
to be expected. I’m almost certain no one saw us arrive, but I’m thinking it
might be best to move them to a different site tonight.’

‘But why would you do that, Tom?’

‘I’m trying to keep a step ahead
just in case we were spotted. As soon as it’s dark enough we’ll move them
discreetly into C7. That site’s rarely used and it’s still close by.’

‘Tom, I don’t agree. This is a
matter for the police now,’ protested Emily.

‘And what are the police going to
do? You only have to recall my phone call with Forbes, who made it quite clear
he didn’t have the resources to provide protection.’

‘Yes, but he based that decision
upon speculation and not on what has since transpired.’

‘But they’ll only return Helen
and Brigit to the house and then we’re back to square one waiting for the next
assault. At least this way they’re hidden and safe,’ I added, trying to justify
my actions.

‘Rubbish! The police would have
to provide protection. For goodness sake, Tom, it’s their duty,’ Emily
insisted.

‘Oh, and where do you propose
they could be taken to? Bloody hell, we’re talking about the welfare of my
niece here, and I for one am not prepared to take that risk.’

‘I have no idea, Tom, but I’m
sure the authorities would have their best interests at heart.’

‘That’s your trouble, Em. You’re
too damn gullible. Do you really believe the Pedley cops could guarantee one
hundred percent round-the-clock sanctuary? I have my doubts.’

The heated argument was at a
stalemate and I had no intention of relinquishing Brigit’s cover.

‘Tom Harrison, you are one
stubborn man. The law is not yours to dictate, but more importantly, what do
Brigit and Helen have to say about all this?’

‘Brigit wants to lay low for a
while. She doesn’t trust Forbes, believing him to be nothing short of a
scaremonger. His interrogation techniques border on intimidation, she kept
telling me. She feels the publicity surrounding their disclosure will only make
the syndicate upgrade their assault.’

‘And Helen?’

‘Helen’s less convincing, but
concedes that she has no desire to return home immediately. She agrees that the
caravan park does provide a suitable retreat and is sceptical regarding the law’s
protection of Brigit. Both feel that lying low for a brief time has its merits.’

‘Very well, but I can’t say I’m
totally convinced. The decision is ultimately theirs, so they’ll have to live
with their judgment. By the way, where did you put the car last night?’

‘I parked it in the garage
because of the damage. I didn’t want to attract any attention. You know what
people are like and particularly with Ruth Evans on the prowl.’

With breakfast done I decided to
catch up on some unfinished plumbing work in the laundry block. This would be a
convenient way of keeping an eye on B8 and I could also see if anyone loitered
near the van. I knew that Helen and Brigit would keep the blinds closed and I
would visit them tonight regarding our next move. Communication for now would
only be by mobile phone. Trust nobody.

Through the laundry window I saw
Kurt Muller walking past on his way to the office. Unpleasant chap, I thought.
Probably about to complain of some trivial matter that had no immediate
solution. Poor Em, no one deserves the full brunt of his punishing tongue so
early in the day. I heard Kurt muttering something of no consequence, but more
importantly I observed he didn’t once look directly toward B8.

Around five minutes later I heard
the whining voice of Ruth Evans earbashing some unfortunate soul. Laying down
my tools, I peered through the window to observe the woman’s verbal onslaught.
Ruth Evans had no rival. Her mouth was like a machine producing hundreds of
repetitive parts per minute. So intense was her delivery she did not pause
between sentences and I wondered where her next breath would come from. If idle
chatter ever became an event at the Olympics, Ruth would win gold every time. I
didn’t recognise the woman she was talking to. Perhaps she was some local Ruth
had become friends with over time. The poor woman constantly nodded her head as
if completely hypnotised by Ruth’s verbal powers.

Without warning the unthinkable
happened. Something fell inside B8, causing Ruth to stop her onslaught. Both
women stepped a little closer to the caravan. Curiosity was Ruth’s trademark
and this situation wasn’t going to disappear without further investigation. I
had to think and act quickly, knowing I must intervene and take control of the
matter. I stepped outside to block their advance.

‘Ah, Ruth, pleasant sort of day,
don’t you think?’ I said.

‘Tom, we just heard a noise
coming from this van. With no residents occupying this one I think you should
investigate,’ insisted Ruth.

‘No need for alarm, ladies. We’ve
had a problem with rats over the last week in this vicinity, so I’ve laid traps
in three vans with the hope of catching some of the blighters. What you just
heard was one of traps going off, which has caused something to fall.’

‘They must be big rats to cause
that sort of noise.’

‘Yes, big and ugly. Would you
like to help me dispose of this one?’

‘Not on your nelly! Dirty
creatures that spread disease,’ claimed Ruth.

‘As you wish,’ I responded, a
little surprised that my tactic had worked so effectively.

‘By the way, Tom, this is my good
friend Marge Samson who lives in Pedley.’

We exchanged pleasantries and the
two women continued on their way. Ruth glanced back with an apprehensive look.
She then stopped, hesitated and scratched her head, giving the impression that
something didn’t sit quite right. I think my story was convincing enough, but
all the more reason to switch sites tonight. Half a minute went by and I could
still hear Ruth’s voice from a distance. That woman presented an enormous risk
in protecting the residents of B8.

~ * ~

The
consequence for failure had its price in the underworld. The efforts of Charlie
and his henchman would be dealt with in due course. The regional head was
furious when learning of the debacle and requested that Sol make a phone call
that morning in the presence of both Bradbury and Charlie. After the regional
head came on the line Sol changed to speakerphone.

‘You let me down, Charlie. You
failed to carry out a simple instruction. Two women and some unknown male
person are not what I would call formidable opponents and yet they managed to
elude your every challenge. What do you have to say for yourself?’

‘They got lucky, boss. It won’t
happen a second time.’

‘Wrong answer, Charlie! Luck didn’t
play a part. They were simply too clever. They kept a step ahead at all times
and maintained that advantage throughout the night. Tell me, did you recognise
this man and do you have any idea where Brigit O’Neill is now?’

‘Yeah, it looked like that
caravan guy Tom Harrison, but I got no idea where the O’Neill girl is now.’

‘I’m told you were both injured.
Would you tell me to what extent, as I can’t afford to have you both idle and
sitting around for days on end.’

‘Me arm was hit by some metal
thing, but I’m okay. Mick’s got a broken nose and some cuts to his head. He was
unconscious for a bit and I got him restin’ for a while, but he’ll be all right
in a day or two.’

‘And what about Harrison and the
women? Were any of them injured by any chance?’

‘The O’Neill girl had her arm in
plaster, but nothin’ else.’

‘You mean to say that one
middle-aged woman, a teenager with her arm in plaster and one male person were
your only resistance and you still couldn’t manage to get the upper hand? You
leave me speechless, Charlie!’ declared his boss.

‘Them’s the breaks, but we did
some damage to their car,’ replied Charlie pathetically.

‘Am I supposed to acknowledge
that remark as some sort of consolation?’

‘No, boss.’

‘I want someone to start checking
the local panelbeaters from tomorrow, just in case our friends decide to have
their car repaired. Additionally, I want you all to keep your ears and eyes
focused on the whereabouts of Brigit O’Neill. I believe she’s hiding in Pedley
and probably right under our noses, so we need to flush her out and bring her
to the underground. My guess would be the caravan park, with Harrison’s
involvement. That will do for now but no more failures. Should I have to warn
you a second time, Charlie, then action will be taken. I hope my point is taken
seriously,’ declared the regional head.

~ * ~

he persistent ring from his kitchen phone prompted James Slattery
to temporarily abandon some light chores in the backyard.

‘Good morning, Mr
Slattery. This is Detective Paul Marsh calling from the local police station.
There are some further matters we need to discuss regarding the Reynolds case.
Could you make your way to the station in, say, half an hour?’

‘Yes, I’ll see you
shortly.’

Upon arriving at the
station’s entrance lobby, James was greeted by Marsh, who immediately led him
through to his superior’s office and closed the door behind them.

‘Thank you for coming
at such short notice,’ welcomed Forbes.

‘Not a problem,’ James
said. ‘How can I help you?’