Private Sydney (Private 12)

Her face had become flushed and blotches extended to her neck. She was rubbing an index finger over her thumbnail repeatedly.

‘How long do you think someone’s been spying on us?’

I slid into the seat next to hers.

‘We don’t know yet, possibly a few days.’

Her attention turned to rubbing her palms. ‘I don’t know if this is important, but I just sort of met someone.’

‘How recently?’

‘Couple of nights, but it feels like months. We just seemed to click.’

It had to be the man I’d spotted her leave with. That could have been their first date.

‘Has he shown interest in your work?’

‘No but I met him here. In the office, the morning the door was broken.’

The man I watched greet her that night wasn’t one of the repairers. ‘Was he with the glass company?’

‘No, he was headed to his office early when I arrived and stopped to see if I was OK. He works in the next block. We got talking and he said he didn’t normally ask someone out so fast, but he thought we had a –’

‘Connection?’ I doubted it was a coincidence. The timing of the computer virus, glass damage and ‘accidental’ meeting were too convenient. If the repairers didn’t plant the devices, accessing Collette and gaining her trust could have been the purpose of the smashed door. ‘Let me guess. You’re interested in the same things, he likes what you like, maybe even grew up near you?’

The blotches on her neck reddened. ‘He’s from Tasmania. Devonport.’

Collette’s family came from Launceston. Like anywhere, a link to childhoods was a strong one. It was an easy ‘in’ for a scammer to develop instant affinity with a target.

‘What else do you have in common?’

‘He learnt to drive on a VW.’

Collette owned one.

‘And he listens to indie bands.’

‘Like the ones you have on your phone?’

She swallowed hard. ‘Is that how they knew about the raid at Dural? Has he been using me to get to …’ Tears welled in her eyes.

I suspected they’d been intimate but it wasn’t relevant. Whoever ‘he’ was could have accessed her phone when they were together or when she slept.

‘This is all my fault.’ She pushed the burner phone away. ‘I’m sorry I caused you all this trouble.’ Collette stood. ‘The keys to the office are in my bag. I’ll go get them.’

I rose and pushed the chair back into its place. I would bet money that Collette would never make the same mistake again. ‘You’re not in trouble and you still have your job. In fact, you’re our best chance of catching this character and finding out who he’s working for.’

She squinted, doubtful.

‘He doesn’t know we’re on to him. When are you due to see him again?’

‘Tonight. He is … I mean was … coming over for dinner.’

‘Everyone’s got to eat. Looks like you have a date to keep.’

Chapter 60

COLLETTE PASSED MARY on the way out.