Private Sydney Read online

  Arnie informed us that Eric Moss may have worked 24/7, but he was adamant that employees stay healthy and fit in order to avoid work injuries and maintain efficiency. Eric believed that by coming out for a game of basketball, they could get together and exchange ideas while getting fit. It was the same reason they had weekly barbecues for staff. There was no alcohol consumed on the premises, so employees visited the Contigovale pub, which maintained good relations with the residents as well.

  ‘Did Eric attend the social functions?’

  Arnie hoisted his trousers up. ‘He does barbecues but rarely visits the pub, unless it’s someone’s birthday. He’s usually working.’

  As we walked around, Mary asked if the staff lived on the grounds.

  ‘No, all hundred or so of us live in temporary housing in town. In fact, some of the staff were born and bred in the area.’

  ‘Do you work in shifts?’

  Arnie stared at his shoes and rubbed a scuff mark on the back of one leg. ‘Most are gone by seven at night. Eric discourages hours longer than that. We pool cars and come back to get an early start.’

  It meant the base was minimally staffed through the evening and night. ‘How many guards do you work with?’ Mary enquired.

  ‘Four in the daytime – sometimes we act as tour guides to officials – and a couple at night.’

  That seemed like minimal security for such a large organisation, particularly one with private government and defence contracts.

  It also meant that flights could come and go without scrutiny or knowledge of staff. And so could Eric Moss.

  Mary bent down and picked up a dead wasp. It was the only other form of life they’d seen, apart from Geoff and the security guard.

  Arnie continued to sing Moss’s praises. ‘One of the first things he did was build a public pool in Contigovale. The local council gave us all these awards for service to the community. You see, the young kids were leaving town, businesses were closing. That changed when we came here. With all the training crews we get through, thousands of people bring money into the local economy every month.’

  Clearly, Eric had ingratiated himself and Contigo Valley with local officials.

  For a non-profit organisation, it seemed Moss was more than generous with borrowed or donated money.

  Chapter 71

  MARY AND I RETURNED to the plane, ready to head back to Sydney. Geoff wasn’t there so we looked around the hangar.

  I turned to Mary. ‘Did you notice any security cameras?’

  ‘None.’

  It was alarmingly lax for an organisation with international interests and million-dollar equipment stored in shipping containers in the open.

  The hangar next door contained a helicopter, a Robinson R44.

  Geoff wandered in as I was checking inside the cabin.

  ‘Is this the one Eric Moss flew?’

  ‘Sure is. She’s on stand-by for search and rescue now.’

  Mary stepped back. ‘How often would Mr Moss take the chopper up? If she’d been mine, I’d have been in her at every opportunity.’

  ‘Come to think of it, not for a few months. We fly guests over the property in the Duchess.’ He became serious, almost morose. ‘Do you think Mr Moss is alive?’

  The question took me a little by surprise. ‘Are you worried he may not be?’

  ‘Just that this all seems out of character for him. I can’t shake this feeling something bad has happened. I saw him on Thursday and he seemed off. It was as if he was distracted. He didn’t say anything, but I knew something was wrong.’

  ‘We’re going to find him,’ I reassured the pilot.

  He took a deep breath. ‘You and Ms Clarke might as well grab a bite to eat at the canteen. I’ll come and get you once I’ve refuelled and done the safety check.’

  I mentioned again that I had to be back in Sydney as early as possible. I’d agreed to meet Eliza Moss and to be there in case the sting to catch Collette’s boyfriend went awry.

  Mary was waiting outside the hangar. We found our way to the canteen building, which was a large wooden log cabin, with tables on a verandah. Over freshly cooked burgers, we discussed what we’d seen.

  It bothered me that Moss could fly a helicopter and there was a landing pad by the shipping containers they flew over. Geoff had said that he had flown all visitors over the area in the last six months in the Duchess. Moss obviously didn’t want them landing.

  ‘Or he developed something that stopped him flying,’ Mary suggested.

  One thing was clear. The CEO hadn’t disappeared in his helicopter.

  ‘Maybe he was hiding something in those containers,’ I suggested. ‘He didn’t want potential investors finding out.’

  Mary wiped her hands on a napkin. ‘The only way to know for sure is to look ourselves before they’re moved or emptied.’

  The problem was, we were about to fly back to Sydney.

  Chapter 72

  WE WERE FINISHING our coffees when Geoff Andren walked into the canteen and grabbed himself a teabag and hot water from the urn near the ordering station. He slid into the chair next to Mary.

  ‘We have to delay take-off until morning. I’m sorry to do this to you, folks, but safety is my prime concern.’

  ‘Why?’ I didn’t understand. ‘We just flew here without any trouble.’

  ‘I found an insect lodged in the pitot-static tube.’

  ‘One insect. How?’ I wasn’t convinced it was serious enough to ground the plane.

  He sighed. ‘It can affect instrument readings. Have to be sure there isn’t a hive down behind it.’

  ‘He’s right, Craig.’ Mary seemed unfazed. ‘Better to make sure it’s cleaned out. That’s why they have such rigid safety checks.’

  ‘Is there any other way of getting back to Sydney?’ My first concern was Collette, meeting the man who bugged our offices without extra backup.

  Geoff blew across the top of his drink. ‘Someone might be able to give you a lift into Lithgow, and there’s the train, but no guarantees you’d get there any quicker. All non-essential crew here have been given leave until Sir Lang replaces Mr Moss.’

  ‘Explains why the place is so quiet.’ Mary looked over the rim of her white mug.

  ‘What about a hire car?’ I had to try to get back. Somehow.

  ‘No services around here.’

  ‘We’re better off staying.’ Mary reached over and patted my hand then raised an eyebrow at Geoff. ‘Anywhere we can sleep?’

  ‘Trainees’ accommodation. It’s where the police and army troops sleep during survival training. Each one’s equipped with gear and supplies.’

  ‘Let me guess,’ I said, ‘Gillies cancelled all courses too.’

  ‘No,’ Geoff answered. ‘From what I hear, trainees are the ones pulling out. In droves. Moss is the backbone of this place.’ He glanced around. ‘Hate to think what will happen to us all without him.’

  He took his cup with him and walked out, shoulders a little more rounded than before.

  As Mary finished her coffee, it became clearer.

  ‘Any chance the insect blocking that tube was a dead wasp?’

  She shrugged. ‘Johnny and Darlene have Collette’s boyfriend under control.’ There was a mischievous glint in her eyes. ‘And it’ll be a long night for us if we’re to get to that helipad site and back without being noticed.’

  Chapter 73

  I RANG JOHNNY and explained why we wouldn’t be back. He filled me in on the ultrasound billings from the Manly radiology practice. I agreed there was a good chance Louise Simpson’s impersonator had access to the facility or someone on staff. He assured me Collette was in good hands. They planned to see if the boyfriend tampered with her new phone, then track who he was working for. We should know then who had been bugging our offices.

  Next I texted Eliza to let her know I wouldn’t be back until the morning. I found myself looking forward to seeing her. I knew it had little to do with her disability. She was intelligent,
resilient, high-achieving but down to earth with no pretences. I liked her quirky sense of humour. In my world of obscenely wealthy men, trophy wives, celebrities, models, pop and movie stars, she was intriguing.

  I knew she was a client but it didn’t mean we couldn’t enjoy each other’s company while it lasted. The thing that bothered me most was the feeling that the news about her father was unlikely to be good. The pilot’s concerns echoed mine. If he was dead, chances were the body would never be found. Especially if he were somewhere remote on Contigo’s base or the parkland surrounding it.

  Mary searched internet maps and discovered the containers were approximately five kilometres directly south-west of our location. Most of the terrain we had seen from the plane was manageable. She collected dark overalls, night-vision goggles, water and other essential supplies.

  Geoff Andren was right. The cabins were equipped for any bush expedition.

  We dressed and waited until dark to head out. Mary had gone for a light jog around the perimeter and noticed a guard who looked military. His walk and build suggested he was in charge. It wasn’t unusual to have one professional and others to make up the numbers. Arnie was polite but hardly a threat if he challenged someone. He hadn’t even checked our IDs. Without that attention to detail, the chances were we could leave the main compound without being seen.

  Chapter 74

  OUTSIDE COLLETTE’S HOME, Johnny and Darlene sat in his black V8 Commodore. Collette had asked to have the place to herself tonight, so her flatmates were headed to the movies. On cue, the pair wandered out the front door and drove off in a compact Mazda.

  The target, who Collette knew as Callum Byrne, arrived early, carrying wine, flowers and a large gift bag.

  ‘Our boy’s a player,’ Darlene declared. ‘It isn’t only information he’s after. In my book that makes him a prostitute.’ She raised her can of Diet cola. ‘Here’s to locating his pimp.’

  Johnny made a mental note to hide the chocolates he’d bought for Darlene from the convenience store. He had ducked off for snacks while Darlene planted listening devices in the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen area in the hope Callum would give something away. It was more, though, for Collette’s safety. First hint of a problem, they would enter the house and get her out.

  Right now, the couple were in the kitchen. Callum was asking if she’d had any ‘brushes with fame’ in her work. She turned the question on him. ‘You first.’

  He started by telling her he’d met a few famous people. Jon Bon Jovi in New York once, Katy Perry down at Bondi, and taken a selfie with Russell Crowe when up near Byron Bay.

  Collette gushed that Callum was more handsome than the actor.

  He responded by wanting to know all about the famous people she’d met in her job.

  Collette said she’d signed a confidentiality agreement when she joined the agency and couldn’t possibly tell, but there were some major celebrities – she emphasised the words – who came to them for help.

  ‘She’s doing well,’ Darlene said. ‘Knowing how nervous she is, you can’t pick it in her voice.’

  Johnny hoped so. He opened a bag of crisps and offered some to Darlene, who declined.

  As the sun set, they heard a pop and both went for their car doors.

  Collette giggled. ‘The cork almost hit the glass cabinet.’

  Johnny and Darlene relaxed, knowing Collette was commentating for their benefit.

  ‘That bottle’s been opened pretty fast,’ Johnny said. ‘Maybe he thinks if she’s drunk, she’ll talk more or not notice him checking her phone.’

  ‘I sent you a song today but it didn’t go through,’ Callum said as glasses clinked.

  ‘My phone battery died,’ Collette replied. ‘Was thinking of getting it checked ’cause it’s been running down really quickly.’

  ‘No need for that – I can check on it. Why don’t you heat up the butter chicken? I’m starving.’

  Darlene grabbed a crisp from the pack. ‘Didn’t take him long. He’s definitely the one who put the software on it.’

  But Johnny’s attention had turned to a dark Ford sedan that was pulling up a block down the road. No one left the vehicle. When a car turned into the street, its lights silhouetted two large figures inside.

  He and Darlene slunk down, out of view. ‘What do you think they’re doing?’ she asked.

  ‘Not sure. Three of them makes serious muscle. Things just got a lot more complicated,’ Johnny said.

  Chapter 75

  THE CAR’S INHABITANTS hadn’t moved by the time Collette was ready to serve dinner. Alcohol flowed.

  Collette pressed Callum about his work. ‘How about we have lunch tomorrow? I can come to your office this time. Where is it exactly?’

  ‘Sorry, babe. I’m outside on jobs tomorrow. All week, actually.’

  The clang of forks on plates filled the silence.

  ‘You’ve never said what it is you do. I’m betting human relations.’ Collette sounded coquettish.

  ‘It’s pretty dull, really. I run a team of auditors. Your work sounds way more interesting.’

  ‘Hold that thought while I get the cheesecake.’

  ‘Indian food and cheesecake?’ Darlene groaned. ‘You did that, didn’t you?’

  Johnny shrugged. ‘Protein and carbs, it’s a good combo.’

  ‘Mind if I step outside to return a call?’ they heard Callum ask.

  ‘No problem,’ Collette answered.

  Callum emerged from the front door, phone to his ear and one in his hand. He bent down and deposited something on the front step, seemed to finish his conversation then returned inside.

  ‘We shouldn’t talk politics or religion,’ he began as glasses clinked again. ‘What about that poor baby who got taken? My aunt lives right near there.’

  Johnny sat a little higher, still watching the dark sedan. ‘Here we go.’

  The conversation inside continued. ‘It’s terrible. That poor mother. My aunt’s really shaken up about some maniac randomly killing women and babies.’

  ‘Maybe it wasn’t random,’ Collette said. A chair moved.

  ‘Tell me your theory,’ Callum said, ‘… on the lounge.’

  ‘Hang on.’ Johnny saw a man step out of the Ford. ‘I don’t have a good feeling about this.’

  The pair waited as the man approached. Darlene dialled Collette’s phone, which went straight to voicemail.

  Then the man crossed over to Collette’s side of the street.

  Johnny grabbed a hoodie from the back seat and quickly pulled it over his head, with the hood up. He collected the chips, and slipped out of the car without closing the door properly. He punched Darlene’s number into his phone so she could hear everything that transpired. Johnny loped along, hunched, stopping short of Collette’s house.

  The other man was holding Collette’s gate when Johnny sauntered into the yard next door.

  ‘Hey,’ he said loudly, pulling a chip from the bag. ‘They went to the movies. I can give them a message if you want.’

  The man paused for a moment before saying, ‘My mistake. I was looking for number 28.’

  ‘That would be the next block down,’ Johnny said and watched the man leave. The stranger headed straight back to his car.

  Johnny had already memorised the number plate when the car started up, did a U-turn and left at speed.

  ‘That was close. Didn’t like the look of him.’ Johnny spoke into his phone now.

  ‘And the bastard was after Collette’s phone. Loverboy left it on the step for his partner-in-crime. My guess is, the software was beyond him, which is why he had backup.’

  Chapter 76

  THE MAN SUPPORTED his injured arm by resting it inside his half-zipped jacket. After making a call with a burner phone, he walked slowly along Roseby Street. In the day, the historic Birkenhead Point shopping centre buzzed with activity. At midnight, Drummoyne resembled a ghost town. In many ways, the former rubber factory built in the 1800s belonged to the past.
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  He pulled in behind a tree when he saw movement in a doorway across the street. A car approached and the figure sat up. Headlights illuminated a small-framed male hugging a bag to his chest. The boy couldn’t have been older than seventeen, dossing on the doorstep.

  The man pulled his cap lower and donned dark glasses before crossing the road. His thoughts ran to the people he’d left behind. The family and friends he’d never see again. It was the only way to protect those he cared most about.

  ‘Someone will appreciate knowing you’re OK,’ he said, bending forward to hand the teen his phone. The pain in his shoulder and wrist clipped his breath. He cradled the arm tighter. ‘There’s enough credit to call home. Maybe a shelter for the night.’

  The boy wrapped filthy fingers around the offering. ‘Hey –’

  The man didn’t stop and continued on his way.

  He used his good hand to pull the jacket collar up to his ears. Avoiding the marina’s security cameras he levered himself over the fence to the locked facility. With nearly two hundred boats moored, this was the largest privately owned floating marina on Sydney Harbour. Every berth had its own water access and power. Exactly what he needed.

  The trawler-style hull made it easy to spot the boat he was after. A Riviera Clipper 34 motor cruiser. Water slapped between the boats and the pier. Ropes banged rhythmically on masts. The boats were covered in a cloak of darkness once clouds obscured the crescent moon.

  If everything went to plan, he’d be cruising through Sydney Heads in the next hour or so. Away from the city and everyone in it.