Private Sydney (Private 12)

Mary came around and propped herself against my side of the desk, arms folded.

‘You didn’t beat that woman or stab her to death. If you hadn’t given them the address, they could have got it from any computer geek or hacker. If the killer plucked the number from the White Pages, you wouldn’t blame Telstra.’

Mary was right. Again.

‘This morning I did let emotion overtake logic. Look what it did to Louise Simpson, her kids. And it could cost all of us here at Private our jobs and reputations. Maybe more.’

‘All I know is, if you’re looking back, you’re going in the wrong direction.’ She leant closer. ‘A mother wants her child back. Louise’s family need justice. We can deliver both. Deal with the rest later.’

I splayed my fingers on the desk and stood, grateful to be working with such a professional team. Mary had made it clear this was no time for regrets.

‘You’re right. We put everything into finding baby Zoe. Non-urgent cases go on the backburner. We’ll refund any clients who aren’t happy about it.’

‘One more thing,’ Mary added. ‘Collette could use one of your pep talks.’

I’d known Mary long enough to understand what that meant. Mary had noticed Collette was upset, but talking emotions with a colleague wasn’t her forte.

‘Thanks for the heads-up – I’ll go see her. And we need everyone in the conference room. Five minutes.’

Chapter 29

I FOUND COLLETTE in the kitchenette. When I walked in, she quickly fussed over the coffee machine.

‘Thought we could all do with a caffeine hit,’ she managed.

The red, puffy eyes were impossible to hide. It was easy to forget Collette was only twenty-two and had no experience in the force or the legal profession. She had knocked on the door with enthusiasm and what Becky would have called ‘loads of gumption’.

She had drive, and a strong will to learn and take on extra tasks. And she was a good public face for the business. Caring, an attentive listener and a keen observer; the precision of the digifit images confirmed that.

‘Rough day,’ I said, popping a pod into one of the two machines. ‘We’ve got a staff meeting in the conference room in five.’

She avoided eye contact. ‘I’ll make sure everyone’s hydrated and fed.’

Her hands were shaking, so I offered to help.

‘You have a seat at the table and I’ll get this going.’

The simple offer was enough to break her resolve.

‘I’m so sorry about that poor woman. I keep seeing her face … What those people inflicted.’ Her voice rasped. ‘And the baby.’

Like a pressure valve releasing, she erupted into tears. I handed her the cup I’d made and grabbed some milk from the fridge. So far, I’d been careful to shield Collette from graphic crime scene photos. There was no need to see them in the jobs she did. But Mark leaving the photos had delivered the desired effect.

‘The Finches looked so harmless. I mean, I was totally taken in by the story. About how they lost all those pregnancies.’

You and me both, I thought.

I placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘You aren’t responsible. None of us is.’

She stared at the milk carton. ‘That detective thinks we are.’

I didn’t want to go into the background, just gave her the essentials. ‘Mark Talbot and I have history. It’s policing 101. Shake a tree and see what falls out.’

Collette looked up, her brown eyes wet.

‘Are we the only tree he’s got?’

‘So far. Which is why I need you to step up. We all have to.’