Private Sydney (Private 12)

‘In a card that was under the door. I thought they were like, you know, tow trucks. My uncle drives one. He listens to police radio so he can get to an accident first.’

It became clearer now. We’d been deliberately targeted. But by whom? The glass repair company drumming up business? That didn’t explain the computer virus.

Mary offered to show Kristen Massey the video recordings we had up until the shutdown. Mark stayed with me.

‘You look tense, Craigy boy. Might as well have a seat. This could take a while.’

It was how he worked. Pressing buttons to get a reaction. Just like he did when we were teenagers in the same house. Back then he had the advantage of size and mates to belt me around.

Now he had a police force on his side.

‘Don’t think this is personal. Try seeing it from where I stand. You meet this couple, who could be serial killers for all you know, then you give them personal info on a young mother who’s struggling to bring up small kids while grieving for her dead husband.’ He sucked air in through his teeth. ‘Within hours she’s dead. And a baby she was minding vanishes.’

He wasn’t saying anything I hadn’t already told myself.

‘Work with me,’ he goaded. ‘There’s more. By some dumb luck, you don’t seem to have anything to help us identify them.’ He waved a hand in the air dismissively. ‘The most expensive, highest tech security cameras conveniently don’t record the crucial moments.’

‘That’s exactly what happened,’ Collette argued. ‘You’re making it sound like –’

‘You are deliberately obstructing justice? Or conspired to kill Louise Simpson? That would make you an accessory, Ms …’

‘Lindman,’ she answered, voice wavering as her eyes appealed to me.

I needed to stay controlled. ‘He’s trying to upset you. We haven’t done anything wrong.’

Johnny appeared with all the information we had on the Finches, along with everything he’d collected on Louise Simpson. His presence eased some of the tension.

He explained, ‘The address and names they provided are fake, the number’s disconnected and the email bounces. They didn’t pay us. The invoice didn’t go through.’

‘No surprises there,’ Mark mumbled.

Thankfully, Johnny didn’t mention the envelope of cash Gus Finch had produced, as there was no proof I’d given it back.

Collette printed out a dozen copies of the computerised digifit of the suspects she and Johnny had compiled. They were amazingly accurate.

She also provided the files on a memory stick.

‘Is there anything else?’ I asked, trying to appear unfazed.

Mark dumped a number of photos on the reception desk.

‘I want you to look at these and never forget Louise Simpson’s lifeless face.’ He turned to his team. ‘That’s about it. For now.’

Chapter 28

THE THOUGHT I MAY have helped the killer find Louise Simpson began to fester.

I studied the photos back in my office. Mark had done me a favour by leaving them. I could go over the scene and see if we missed anything at the time.

I heard a noise and looked up. Mary was leaning against the doorframe.

‘That could have been worse,’ she said.

‘He’s threatening to charge me with conspiracy to commit murder, obstruction of justice.’ I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling a wave of fatigue.

‘You haven’t been arrested yet. We can still prove him wrong.’

I sat back and focused on the ceiling. ‘Trouble is, I may be guilty.’