Private Oz (Private 7)

The girl nodded and slowly Julie loosened her grip.

Chapter 61

THE THOROGOODS HAD booked out the entire restaurant for Greta’s birthday party. A hundred guests. I had to admit the place was a great choice. Icebergs is ultra-chic, sits on the side of a cliff, has an amazing, panoramic view back across a stretch of ocean to Bondi Beach.

Justine looked stunning in a tight-fitting white cocktail dress. She’d put her hair up and wore a delicate, jeweled head-band, Audrey Hepburn circa Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

I felt her tug my arm and she led me toward a balcony across the room, plucking two champagne flutes from a surf dude who’d brushed his hair and put on a uniform for the night.

“Greta seems to be having a fun time,” I said. She was dancing with Brett and did look happy, a champagne glass in one hand, laughing at something her husband was saying close up to her ear.

“It’s good to see. Hasn’t had the best time recently.”

We stared out at the darkness broken by the lights of Bondi, a half-moon revealing the silver shimmers of a calm ocean.

“Ice,” Justine said suddenly.

“What?”

“We seem to have a thing for ice, you and me. You took me to the Ice Bar and now I get you here, Icebergs.” She produced a gorgeous smile.

I looked into her eyes. “Where next?” I said. “Would you like dinner somewhere with Ice in the name?”

“Ah,” Justine said. “I’m flattered but …”

“Sorry.”

“No, don’t be. But …”

“You’re taken … lucky man.”

“It’s Jack, Craig. Jack Morgan. We’ve been …”

I raised a hand. “No need. I didn’t realize, Justine.”

There was an awkward silence, then she said, “So, Craig … How did you end up here, doing what we do. This crazy job?”

“Nice diversion, Justine!” I laughed. “Long story.”

“Got time.” She took a sip. I turned, leaned on the balcony. “I was born in England. Mom died when I was twelve. I never knew my father. I was sent to Australia to live with my uncle and his family.”

“And why PI work?”

“Ah, well that was thanks to the love of a good woman.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“I studied Law, but when I actually got round to practising it I found it bone dry. At the same time, I met my future wife and fell in love. Becky was a free spirit and pushed me into trying something I really wanted to do. So, I set up my own company: Solutions Inc.”

It was clear Justine knew something of what happened to my family and trod carefully around the subject … “Another?” She

held up her champagne flute.

My cell trilled. I recognized the Private Sydney number. “Darlene … you’re working late.”

“Sorry to ring you at the party. Just had a call from Police HQ. There’s been another murder.”

Chapter 62