Private Oz (Private 7)

She snatched the notes and gulped her vodka and tonic, looking around as she swallowed. “A few nights ago, I had a client I recognized from TV. He’s a politician, seen him on the news. He was in several nights in a row just before the cameras were taken out. I recorded one of the sessions.”

“Do you know his name?” Justine asked.

She shook her head. “Called himself Pete, but I know that’s crap.”

“Describe him,” I said.

“He’s a big, rough bastard. I was lucky. The night after he was with me he beat up one of the girls. He’s banned now. He’s old … about forty. A big fat thing, spiky silver hair. I noticed he had a bit of a limp.”

I stared at the girl, shaking my head slowly.

“What?”

“You’ve just described the government minister, Ken Boston.”

Chapter 117

WE SAW RUTHIE to a cab and walked quickly back to my car. Closing the door, I pulled out my cell and punched in Pam’s number. No response. I went to put in her home number, saw Justine staring at me and put the phone down.

“I was calling Pam,” I said, “but maybe it’s not the smartest …” Then I came to a snap decision. Turning the key in the ignition, the car sprang to life. I hung a right onto the main road in the direction of the freeway.

“Where are we going?” Justine asked.

“The Hewes’ house is only ten minutes from here.”

Chapter 118

GEOFF WAS SO drunk it was a minor miracle he made it home without totaling his car or failing a breath test. He’d started drinking that afternoon after speaking to Ken Boston.

Pam had also gotten through half a bottle of red. She saw him walk a little unsteadily into the lounge and just knew there would be trouble. She took it carefully. “Hi, darling.” She pecked him on the cheek. “You eaten?”

Geoff shook his head. “Not hungry, babe.” He sounded excited.

“You look pleased, honey. What’s happened?”

“Oh, just the biggest break I’ve ever had, Pam.”

She stared warily at his b

ack as he walked over to the drinks cabinet, poured himself a generous whiskey and meandered back to the sofa, swirling the drink in the glass.

“So, you going to tell me?” she asked enthusiastically, and sat in the opposite sofa, leaning forward, arms folded on her knees. She realized Geoff was actually more drunk than she had at first thought.

“You know Al Loretto? Big businessman?” he began.

Pam nodded. “Heard of him.”

“Yeah … I should think you have. He’s a huge name. I do some work for him from time to time. Anyway, he knows lots of influential people.”

Pam nodded and kept looking keen.

“Some of the guys he knows have been … well, indiscreet.”

“How?”

Geoff waved his free hand in front of him. “Oh, don’t worry about that, babe. Let’s just say, Al has evidence, which I helped him get.”

Pam said nothing.