The Delta Chain (28 page)

Another pause and a murmur from
the detectives.

O
’
Malley resumed:
‘
Two years ago
the Institute was relocated again
–
this
time to Queensland. And the first local unidentified floater was
found soon after, in Morrissey.

‘We are in no doubt, then,
with the additional light cast by Adam
’
s
anonymous caller, and our discovery that
Westmeyer
’
s boat was active at the time
of the drowning
–
that our answer lies at
the Institute. Wal? Over to you.
’

Hester moved to the head
of the table. The screen displayed a young man in military
uniform.
‘
Westmeyer graduated with
honours, in Medicine, from the Uni of Washington DC in the early
70
’
s. He volunteered for service in
Vietnam. This appears to have been in response to a now defunct
Defence Dept. initiative. In return for specialised military
service, outstanding young professionals could anticipate possible
Defence funding for their future special projects.
’

‘I
haven
’
t heard about that one
before,
’
said Brian Kavanaugh.

‘A little known endeavour,
long since abandoned,
’
Hester
replied.
‘
Westmeyer went missing in
action in
’
73 after a patrol he was with
was wiped out. He was found, along with an Australian conscript,
wandering the Mekong River 12 months later. He was discharged with
honour and returned to Washington where he received a Defence
scholarship, part of his deal, to study genetics and biochemistry.
He worked for a while with the Research division in Bethesda,
before being funded to set up his own laboratories.

‘The young Westmeyer was a
brilliant and creative scientific researcher, but he was also a
restless spirit with an attitude, and something of a womaniser. We
don
’
t know what happened during those
twelve months in Vietnam, other than he was supposed to have been a
prisoner. Strangely, there are no details pertaining to this in
Defence records.

‘By the early
90
’
s he
’
d moved
to Everglades City, with several financial backers and a blue chip
client list, spending much of his time lecturing and networking
with the international science community. At this point he appears
to have become more entrepreneur than scientist. Then, two years
ago
–
another move, across the Pacific to
Northern Rocks.
’

‘Any idea why he would
make a move like that?
’
asked
Kavanaugh.

‘On the surface of it,
economic considerations. However, given
Westmeyer
’
s link to these drownings, we
suspect there
’
s another
reason.
’

‘What about the other
members of Westmeyer
’
s senior
staff?
’
Adam asked.

‘Brian and Mike are
working on that,
’
Hester said,
‘
and they
’
ll have
profiles to hand in the next 24 hours.
’

Mike Stanley spoke
up.
‘
One early point we can share is that
Westmeyer
’
s long term chief of security,
Tony Collosimo, a native of Chicago, is also a Vietnam
veteran.
’

‘Same division?
’
wondered Adam.

‘No. Different division.
Different year. No indication they ever met over there. And
Collosimo
’
s a few years younger. But they
were both stationed in the Mekong Delta and they had the same area
commander. It doesn
’
t mean much
–
but it is another link between Westmeyer, and
one of his staff, with the U.S. Defence Department.
’

The pictures on the screen had
changed a number of times, showing a younger Westmeyer collecting a
biochemistry award, and now a recent aerial shot of the Institute
grounds.

O
’
Malley addressed the group once more.
‘
Strong circumstantial evidence, but it
won
’
t get us a court order to search the
Institute premises, and it
’
s hardly
enough to approach the U.S. Attorney Generals office about
Westmeyer
’
s history with Defence. We have
nothing concrete, which brings me to the strategy that Megan, Wal
and I have devised. A plan to gain access to the Institute,
legally, whilst our external investigation continues.
’
O
’
Malley motioned to
Hester.

The screen showed a data
analysis sheet, on the Institute
’
s
letterhead.
‘
This,
’
O
’
Malley informed them,
‘
is confidential research data from one of
Westmeyer
’
s labs, secretly faxed from
various locations to the media, and to educational and scientific
centres. The timing of this apparent act of sabotage
couldn
’
t be better for us. It offers us a
Trojan Horse, one we couldn
’
t have
created ourselves.
’

Flying low, the chopper cast its
shadow over the Range Rover. The vehicle stood in the clearing at
the end of the access road.

Through the open door of the
chopper, Trish Watts trained her binoculars on the vehicle and was
able to identify the make and registration number. She radioed the
information back to home base. As she did, Ron Mahoney changed
direction and altitude to search the other clearings in the
area.

Within the hour
they
’
d established that the four-wheel
drive was the only vehicle left unattended. It had been hired by
Kate Kovacs, in Settler
’
s
Gorge.

Mahoney began the flight
back to base while Trish used the radiophone to speak to Harold
Letterfield.
‘
They
’
re out here somewhere, Harold, and we all know that means
they
’
re in danger.
’

‘I
’
m organising a search right now with the State
police,
’
Letterfield said. Even as he
spoke, his mind played over the result of the last
search.

Westmeyer had agreed to
see Melanie Cail at her insistence. Collosimo escorted her to his
boss
’
office, and remained standing by
the door. Westmeyer was behind his broad desk, also
standing.

Jackson Donnelly hovered.

Although offered a chair,
Melanie declined. She thought to herself
–
well, if this is the way it
’
s
going to be, like a Mexican stand-off, then so be it.
‘
Further to what I said on the phone, Mr.
Westmeyer, the Brisbane Chronicle is planning a story-
’

‘We know that, Ms.
Cail,
’
Donnelly cut across her, speaking
through clenched teeth. Westmeyer gestured for Donnelly to hold
off.

‘Yes, well, the Chronicle
is sending their science reporter to cover the story, but
they
’
ve asked me to work with them, and
add some local colour to their report. What I
’
d like to suggest, and I thank you for agreeing to meet
with me on this, is that I spend some time on site, walking and
talking with you and your staff-
’

‘You have the hide of a
rhinoceros,
’
Donnelly cut in
again.

‘I
’
m sorry…?
’

‘Do you think
we
’
re such morons that we
don
’
t know it was
you
who faxed that
material, to hand yourself a big story?
’

Melanie glowered at
him.
‘
How dare you make such a ridiculous
claim. I certainly didn
’
t have anything
to do-
’

‘We know
you
’
ve been seeing Stephen and that you
had access to information in his apartment. Yet you have the gall
to come parading in here, wanting us to help you
profit-
’

‘I did no such thing and
I
’
ll take legal action if you make any
such accusation.
’
Melanie looked to
Westmeyer for support but was unable to read his expression.
‘
Look, I didn
’
t even
know about this until I received a phone call from my own editor,
saying he had Brisbane requesting assistance. I actually see it as
a way of trying to help-
’

‘Help?!
’
Donnelly spat the word.

Collosimo, listening
intently up to now, stepped forward.
‘
You
’
re saying you had no
knowledge of this?
’

‘Of course I
didn
’
t. And my personal relationships are
none of anyone
’
s business. What
proof-?
’

Before she could finish,
Collosimo answered.
‘
We have no proof.
But right now we
’
re regarding anyone who
has contact with our staff with a degree of suspicion. Mr. Donnelly
has a perception that, in addition to your possible access to the
data, you have something professional to gain in reporting this
story. And, true to his suspicions, you
are
here, advancing your
career prospects.
’

‘That
’
s not my intention.
’

‘You said you wanted to
help,
’
Westmeyer said.
‘
What did you mean by that?
’

‘If I spend time here, I
can report the situation from the Institute
’
s point of view, as it
’
s
unfolding. I can show this was an isolated incident, and that in
reality the Institute has excellent security measures in place. I
believe the staff here are professional and loyal and security
conscious. I won
’
t misreport, but if I
find the integrity here that I expect then my reports will convey
that. Yes, it
’
s a fantastic story for me,
but why not, at the same time, take the opportunity to show the
Institute in it
’
s best light.
’

Donnelly sneered.
‘
Bullshit.
’

Exasperated, Melanie
leaned toward Westmeyer.
‘
Do I have to
put up with
him
?
’

‘Tell me, Ms. Cail, would
you allow me to vet your articles?
’

‘Yes.
’

Westmeyer looked to his
security chief.
‘
Tony, what do you think
about this? From the security angle.
’

‘I don
’
t see a problem. While she
’
s on
the premises, Ms. Cail would be restricted to our low-level
security areas, she
’
ll be in the company
of staff, and my team will keep a watchful eye.
’

‘You
can
’
t be considering this,
William,
’
Donnelly said.

‘I
’
m going to give it a trial. But I expect a fully supportive
editorial slant, Ms. Cail. And nothing I don
’
t approve of to go to press.
’

‘Not a problem.
’
She shook hands with both Westmeyer and
Collosimo. Donnelly held back, his face a mask of barely controlled
indignation.

Later, Westmeyer called
Collosimo back to the office.
‘
You can
call in extra help if need be. I want Ms. Cail watched like a hawk
day and night, on site and off.
’

‘You still think
she
’
s responsible for the
leak?
’

‘Sure of it. And I
don
’
t believe for a minute she has any
intention of portraying us in a good light. Not newsworthy enough
for that foxy little superbitch.
’

‘Then why allow
her-?
’

‘I
’
d rather we had her close to hand. Better, Tony, to know
your enemies and lull them into a false sense of
security.
’

‘Have you told Donnelly
that was your plan?
’

Westmeyer chuckled.
‘
No. Sometimes I like to keep him on edge. It
keeps him sharp.
’

After Collosimo left, Westmeyer
leaned back in the wide leather chair and rubbed his forehead as
though it would erase his anxiety. Donnelly had been waiting and
listening in the adjoining executive washroom. He re-entered the
office, the trace of a self-satisfied grin on his thin lips.

‘I
’
m uncomfortable…with this plan of yours, Jackson,
’
Westmeyer said.

‘It
’
s necessary, and efficient. You know that.
’

‘I never wanted this sort
of …
thing
…to happen
more than once.’

‘This will be an end to
it, William. Trust me. We deceive the media into believing the
saboteur has been exposed; and to expedite matters, we create proof
that Melanie Cail is that saboteur, and we implicate Collosimo as
being involved. That gets Hunter off the hook. Then we do away with
Cail and the security man and the matter is at an end. No need for
you to give it another thought. You and Hunter have to concentrate
on the final stages of the project. You leave the nasty part to
me.
’