The Peppercorn Project (19 page)

‘Call if you need me to help you with Bob,’ she said.

‘No worries, will do.’ Hugo flicked his hair back and walked to the bar.

Matt sat in the seat vacated by Hugo and turned to talk to Fletcher.

‘What the hell was all of that about?’ Isabelle hissed.

Leah scowled. ‘I told you before, Issie, you don’t want to get mixed up with Hugo Thompson.’

‘I happen to work with him. It’s not like I can avoid seeing him.’

‘Be careful, that’s all I’m saying. He’s trouble.’

‘In what way?’

‘Does there have to be a particular way? Guys like Hugo are cut from identical cloth.’

Her belly clenched at the memory of the way he’d touched her at the creek. Maybe she’d been right to be wary of his attentions. She swallowed nervously. ‘What’s that supposed to mean? He’s been nothing but friendly so far.’

‘He’s always friendly when he wants to take a woman to bed.’

Isabelle gasped. So there was a reason for the warning sounds which kept going off in her head whenever she was around him.

Leah leaned forward and fixed serious eyes on Isabelle. ‘I’ve known Hugo all my life and he was always up to something dodgy or sleazy. I’m sure he kissed every girl in our year level at school – except me. And lately there have been rumours.’

Isabelle narrowed her eyes. ‘What sort of rumours?’

Leah looked around and lowered her voice further. ‘Drugs.’

‘You think he’s on drugs?’ Isabelle whispered.

‘Not
on
drugs.
Dealing
them.’

‘But he’s a
doctor
!’

‘Exactly. Which means he should know better.’

*

Matt felt like he’d arrived late to the party and missed a vitally important piece of information. Seeing Hugo sitting beside Isabelle, his arm draped possessively over the back of her chair, caused something hot to bubble up inside him. He had no claim over Isabelle, but he did not want Hugo Thompson coming in and staking his entitlement like a gold digger marking out his territory.

Matt had met Leah and Hugo when he first arrived in Stony Creek, but he had no idea there was so much obvious animosity between them. Whatever it was, the scene between them now was not pretty. It was clear Leah did not like the man one little bit. Matt had also overheard Leah’s warning to Isabelle to be careful.
Of what?
In the next sentence, he heard the word ‘drugs’ and his ears pricked up further. Was Leah suggesting Hugo did drugs? He wanted to ask, but now was not the time, not in front of the kids.

Matt hardly knew Hugo, but he wasn’t the kind of guy he’d normally be mates with. Hugo was a sweet talker, and the conceited hair flick was odd, but that didn’t mean he was on drugs, and he didn’t look or act like he was. Matt’s brain was in a jumble. Had he misheard Leah? Maybe she was talking about someone else. The best thing to do would be to put the whole thing out of his mind or he would have Leah criticising him for playing the city cop again.

Their meals arrived, including an extra for Matt. He smiled his thanks, first to Leah, then Jane. Both women gave him a cheeky grin. What were they up to?

Leah raised her glass in a toast. ‘Congratulations on making it through your first week at work.’

Isabelle relaxed back into her seat. ‘You make it sound like I wasn’t going to survive.’

They clinked their glasses together and Matt noticed Isabelle’s hand shook slightly when she gave him a friendly smile.

‘How was school this week,’ he asked, turning to Fletcher. He needed to stop looking at her.

‘All right, I guess.’ He shrugged. ‘It’s getting better.’

‘Made any new friends?’

‘Yeah. Everyone’s really cool actually.’

‘Do you reckon any of them might want to get on board with the mountain biking club?’ Matt asked.

‘Yeah, a couple of them are super keen.’

‘Fantastic. We should get started soon then,’ Matt said.

‘We still haven’t got a bike,’ Isabelle interrupted, laying a hand on his arm.

He gripped his glass instead of reaching out to ease the frown forming between her brows. ‘I haven’t forgotten,’ Matt said softly.

‘Oh. Okay.’ The flush in Isabelle’s cheeks spread down her neck.

Mietta wriggled in her seat, desperate for her chance to talk. ‘Okay, princess, it’s your turn. How was
your
week?’

As Mietta spoke about her week at school, Matt marvelled at her similarities to Isabelle. Her blonde hair bounced around her face, her hands waved around as she spoke, her blue eyes sparkled. She was animated and full of stories. Like Isabelle, it was obvious she made friends easily and people liked being around her.

‘And finally it’s your turn, Issie,’ Matt said. ‘How was
your
first week at work in your new job?’

He listened intently, asking the odd question, but mostly remaining silent as Isabelle filled him in on her week. He was pleased she made barely any mention of Hugo. Perhaps it was coincidental he had shown up at the pub.

Something snaked up Matt’s spine. He did not believe in coincidence.

*

Their dinner finished when Mietta yawned and knocked the remains of her drink flying. She began to cry when she saw the fizzy drink had mostly landed in Matt’s lap. Matt called for Joe to come over to clean up the spill.

‘I’d say that’s our signal to leave,’ Isabelle said, standing and taking Mietta’s hand. ‘I’m so sorry about the mess, Matt, Joe,’ she said, as she touched the older man lightly on the arm.

‘It’s all right, love. It’s good to see you and your little family out with your friends.’ Joe gave her a big grin.

The women hugged first, then Leah sidled up beside Matt and leaned towards him. ‘Why don’t you offer to walk her home?’ she murmured.

Matt raised his eyebrows and stared down at her. Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

‘Are you playing matchmaker?’

‘I’m helping things along.’

‘Meaning?’

‘I know you’re besotted and I can see she’s falling for you. I’m speeding things up.’ Leah gave everyone a cheery wave and walked out the door, leaving Matt speechless.

‘Thanks for joining us for dinner, Matt,’ Isabelle said.

‘It was lovely. Um, I’ll walk you home if you like.’

‘Thanks, but there’s no need. It’s only around the corner. I’m sure Fletcher can protect us if we run into any trouble.’

‘You’re right. I’m sure he can,’ Matt replied. He touched her arm and felt the smooth warmth of her skin beneath his fingers. ‘I was wondering if I could pop over and see you tonight.’ He checked his watch. It was still early.

Her brows furrowed, but he saw her curiosity was piqued. He was about to explain why he wanted to come over when his phone rang. Pulling it from his pocket, he glanced at the screen. It was Geoff.

He held up a finger and shot her an apologetic look. ‘Sorry, I need to take this.’

‘Mate,’ Geoff said, ‘I think you might need to head over to the hall. We’ve got trouble.’

‘What’s up?’ Matt asked Geoff when he arrived at the hall minutes later. He had run the whole way from the pub, no doubt leaving Isabelle confused about his hasty departure.

‘Have a look in there,’ Geoff said, pointing

The last time Matt had barged into the building, he was holding Fletcher by the arm. Matt stuck his head around the corner of the door and withdrew in surprise. The room was full of people, their voices animated and angry. There were at least fifty of them gathered.

‘What the hell’s going on?’

Geoff shook his head. ‘No bloody idea, mate. I was heading home from the pub myself and saw all the cars. I thought I’d investigate and this is what I found.’

Matt frowned. ‘There’s no crime against people meeting together.’

‘Well no, obviously not, but have a listen to them. There’s a lot of rage in that room. I called you for back-up. Thought we should head on inside and make our presence known.’

Matt raised his eyebrows. ‘Now who’s thinking like a city cop?’

Geoff puffed out his chest. ‘I want to keep the law and order here in my town as much as you do. And I don’t like it when a group of angry residents are having a meeting and I’m not privy to what that meeting is about.’

‘So you have no idea?’ Matt asked.

Geoff shook his head. ‘None whatsoever.’

Matt was worried about Geoff’s blood pressure. He took the lead and walked into the room. The air conditioner was barely functioning and fans circled above his head, working hard at stirring the stale air. They were ineffective and only worsened the smell of body odour.

It took ages before Matt had everyone’s attention. Gradually the voices faded as people stopped talking.

‘G’day, everyone.’ He kept his voice upbeat. ‘What’s going on here?’

A middle aged older couple approached him. He knew they lived in one of the larger homes in town, but couldn’t remember their names.

‘Good evening, Sergeant,’ the woman said. Her voice dripped honey. ‘We were only having a little meeting about the issues going on here in town since the Peppercorn Project families arrived.’

Fear clutched at Matt’s gut. What was going on? This was something bigger than minor thefts at the primary school. He cast his eyes around the room. There was no sign of any of the new families. Something was up and he did not like the feeling he was getting. He looked around for Rachel, but couldn’t see her. Where was she? She was always in the centre of whatever was happening in town.

‘What kind of issues?’ he asked, keeping his voice controlled.

‘Drugs,’ the man stated emphatically. ‘Specifically, methamphetamines.’ He pronounced the word slowly, enunciating each syllable, as though it was still unfamiliar on his tongue.

Matt’s heart sped up. The temperature in the room felt like it had risen several degrees. ‘Give me specifics,’ he demanded. Sweat prickled as it ran down his back.

‘John Macka’s kid got offered drugs the other night,’ the man said, indicating another man in his mid-forties on the other side of the room, another local farmer.

John spoke up from where he sat and his voice wavered. ‘I’ve got a seventeen-year-old son. He’s a good kid. He just finished his exams. He and a bunch of his mates were hanging out at the clubrooms after the cricket last Saturday, and he came home and told me drugs were being handed around like lollies out the back.’

‘What kind of drugs?’

‘He said it was something called “shard”,’ John replied.

Matt froze. Shard. Another name for ice.

‘Some kids were taking tablets, and some of them were smoking it.’

As he had been predicting, it sounded like the ice age had come to Stony Creek.

Another woman stood. ‘My daughter was at that party too. She said one of her friends tried it and she hasn’t slept in six days since. Is that possible?’

Matt stopped himself from groaning aloud. He wished the town had let him run drug forums so they were prepared for this. ‘Ice gives young people a feeling of grandiosity – like they’re powerful, indestructible, super-human,’ he said.

‘That’s how my daughter described it.’ The woman’s voice rose in fear. ‘She said her friend was acting like he could do anything. It scared her. Her friend’s normally really quiet.’

He sighed. It was often the kids with low self-esteem who tried the drug and got hooked because it gave them a new found self-confidence – until the delusions started, followed by the paranoia, the hallucinations and then the anxiety, which too often ended in tragedy.

But he wasn’t going to tell the people that. Nor was he going to tell them stories of ice users who couldn’t remember doing a hundred and fifty in a sixty zone and killing a pedestrian, or addicts holding a knife to their mother’s throat when she refused to give them money to fund their habit. He had plenty of stories, but right now they needed calm, not hysteria.

It was silent except for the whirring of the overhead fans and the occasional cough.

‘So who wants to explain what any of this has to do with the Peppercorn families?’ Matt asked evenly.

John puffed up his chest. ‘Until the Peppercorn Project, we’ve never had an issue here in town with drugs.’

Matt didn’t want to burst his bubble and tell him he was probably wrong and that this was just the first time the issue had erupted to the surface. But he also had to admit that the timing of the arrival of the new families made it look suspicious. And he didn’t believe in coincidence.

‘So do we know where these drugs are coming from?’ a woman’s voice called out from the crowd.

‘Yeah, that’s what I want to know!’ someone else shouted. Another scared mother, judging by the sound of her voice.

‘More importantly,’ a third voice called out, a man this time, ‘how are we going to get rid of the drugs?’

Animated voices joined in, everyone asking questions.

‘I say we need to get rid of the Peppercorn families!’ A male voice boomed loud above the din.

Matt stepped back as though he’d been physically punched in the chest. Beside him, he heard Geoff’s sharp intake of breath. Loud arguing ensued, each person louder than the last in an attempt to have his or her opinion heard. Matt held up his hands and slowly counted to ten. It took that long before he had their attention again.

‘One at a time. Give me evidence. Who has proof any one of these new families are dealing drugs to your kids?’

Voices shouted and again Matt held up his hand. It was like speaking to a bunch of preschoolers. He pointed to a raised hand, scratching around in his memory for the woman’s name. He came up blank.

An ancient-looking woman stood unsteadily, her gnarled hands gripping the back of the seat in front of her. ‘My name is Edith Patterson. My husband George and I live near one of the new families. The one with all the kids. Now I know most of you think I’m a cranky old thing and I know I don’t get out much these days, but my mind’s still sharp as a tack. Can’t say the same for George’s. Anyhow, let me tell you, there’s been strange things going on since they arrived. I wake up to find gates on our property are open and someone has moved sheep from one paddock to another. I have to padlock the hens’ enclosure at night because someone keeps letting them out and the foxes keep getting them. Little things have gone missing – nothing major, but enough old farm machinery to notice it’s gone. The dogs bark more than usual at night, and I reckon someone’s prowling around. I can see their house from mine, and there’s always lights on in the shed – day and night.’ She leaned forward and lowered her voice. ‘I reckon that might be where they’re making the drugs.’

For an old woman, Edith was very persuasive. Matt admitted her concerns sounded valid. He’d take a trip out to her farm to investigate.

‘Why is this the first I’m hearing about it?’ he asked. ‘Why haven’t you reported it?’

‘I did,’ she replied. ‘When Isabelle Cassidy was out caring for George the other day I told her and Dr Hugo to pass it on to you.’ She paused for dramatic effect, rocking back on her heels. ‘I wonder why she didn’t tell you.’

Matt frowned, wondering the same thing.

Another hand shot up. ‘What about that black family? Has anyone checked their mail? They probably get the drugs shipped directly to them from wherever they’re from.’

He glared at the ignorant person who had spoken. ‘That
black
family, as you call them, are a professional couple from
Melbourne
. And if they
were
receiving drugs in the mail, I can assure you they wouldn’t make it through border security.’

‘What about Isabelle Cassidy?’ a woman’s voice cried out. ‘She’s from Torquay. That’s near Geelong. Apparently, Geelong is the ice capital of Australia. And we know nothing about her ex-husband. What if he’s working behind the scenes or something?’

Matt nearly lost his patience then. Geoff placed a hand on his arm, trying to restrain him, but he shook him off. ‘I think you all need to take a damn hard look at yourselves and leave the detective work up to Senior Sergeant Monahan and me. We will investigate everything you’ve mentioned, but I can assure you, we won’t only be looking at the Peppercorn families. If drugs are coming into Stony Creek, they’re coming in right under your noses. And being distributed by a source you’d least expect.’

He spun on his heel, strode to the exit and slammed the door behind him.

*

After Isabelle trudged home from the pub, she put Mietta into bed and took a long shower. As she allowed the hot water to cascade over her head and shoulders, she prayed her swirling emotions would wash down the drain. She hadn’t been ready for the way another man could make her feel, but being around Matt made her viscerally alive. She remembered the way her skin had tingled when he touched her lightly on the arm. She remembered how a long-forgotten warmth had spread through her body when he smiled at her, the way she craved the feeling of his lips against hers.

‘Stop it!’ she spoke aloud, her voice trapped by the steam in the bathroom.

She jammed the taps off, towelled herself dry, and put on her pyjamas. She needed to talk to someone, but who? Who would understand her crazy thoughts? Who would tell her whether it was possible to still be in love with Dan and fall for another man?

She had dried her hair, brushed her teeth and covered her face in moisturizer, when there was a light tap at the front door. She frowned. Matt had said he wanted to come over later, but then he’d taken that phone call and left in a hurry with no explanation. She opened the door and at the sight of him standing there, her heart began to race again.

‘Hi.’ In the darkness behind his massive silhouette, the crickets reached a crescendo.

‘Sorry to drop over so late. Is Fletcher up? I’ve brought the bike over for him.’

‘Come in. He’s in his room, but he’ll still be awake.’

Aware her thin cotton pyjamas left little to the imagination, Isabelle wrapped her arms around her chest as she led the way down the narrow hallway to the kitchen. She flicked on the kettle. ‘Cup of tea?’

‘That sounds perfect. Just what I need.’

‘Everything okay?’

Matt ran his hands through his hair and scratched his chin. He leaned back against the cabinets and crossed his ankles. ‘Fine.’

She raised her eyebrows. He looked like something heavy was weighing him down.

‘Police business,’ he said. ‘All sorted now.’

‘Fair enough.’

Isabelle looked up to see Fletcher standing in the doorway. Matt turned. ‘G’day, mate. Glad you’re still up. I’ve got something to give you.’

She saw the look of interest pass across Fletcher’s face. ‘A puppy?’

Matt smiled at her. ‘No. I wouldn’t do that without checking with your mum first.’

‘What is it?’ Fletcher asked.

‘Go and see. It’s out the front. It’s too big to bring inside.’

Fletcher looked across at her. Isabelle shrugged and pretended she had no idea what it might be.

‘Go on,’ Matt urged. ‘Go and see for yourself.’

Fletcher ran up the hallway, opened the front door and seconds later he exclaimed in surprise. A slow smile spread across Matt’s face. He held out his hand and she took it gingerly. ‘Come and check it out.’

They walked to the front door and Isabelle’s eyes widened. When Matt had said he would give Fletcher one of his spare bikes, she’d expected a rusty old mountain bike. This one looked brand new. Either that, or Matt had meticulously cared for it.

Fletcher was still staring at it, his mouth open in awe. He looked from Matt to Isabelle and back to Matt, as if receiving a bike was the nicest thing anyone had done for him. Isabelle’s chest constricted. Dan used to come home from work regularly with gifts for the kids.

‘Can I take it for a spin?’ Fletcher asked.

‘Oh, I don’t know,’ Isabelle said. ‘It’s too dark now.’

‘Issie,’ Matt said. ‘There are no cars. Fletch will be safe riding up the street and back again.’

‘But he hasn’t ridden a bike since he was a little boy,’ she argued.

‘Mum! Give me some credit,’ Fletcher growled. ‘I’m not a kid any more. I reckon I know how to ride a bike.’

Isabelle conceded defeat. Matt put his hand on Fletcher’s shoulder and together they wheeled the bike out the gate and onto the road. It was a long time since anyone touched Fletcher in a fatherly manner, and her heart thudded in her chest, worried Fletcher would pull away. On the contrary, he appeared to enjoy it. He mounted the bike and took off. Wobbling at first, he soon found his rhythm.

Matt returned to her side. ‘You’re going to have to stop worrying about him so much, Issie,’ he said gently as they watched Fletcher ride up and down the street outside the house. Each time he rode past them, he grinned like a Cheshire cat.

She sighed. ‘I know, but it’s not easy.’

‘I’m sure it’ll get easier as he gets older.’

‘I don’t know,’ she said. ‘There’s more to worry about when they get older. If I’m like this now, how am I going to be when he starts driving? Then there’s all this talk about drugs, which scares me.’

Matt frowned. ‘What talk about drugs?’

Isabelle shrugged. ‘Nothing specific.’

‘Has Fletcher been offered drugs?’