Challis - 01 - Dragon Man by Garry Disher Read Free Book Online Page A

Tension. Youd think, after all this time,
that hed never let the job get to him. But it did. He was surprised at the
hurt he still felt, after his name had appeared in the local paper. Police
harassment. What bullshit. And now someone was flooding the town with
leaflets, calling him a Nazi stormtrooper. Too gutless to say it to his face.

    He had a scanner in the car. He
switched it on. Someone was setting fire to mailboxes. That just about summed
up life, for him.

    * * * *

    Sergeant
Kees van Alphen, ashily damp from helping the Waterloo CFA unit put out the
fire in the womans pine tree, was shocked. Hed never seen anyone so
distressed. First it was a job getting her to step outside and talk to him, and
now she still couldnt get the words out. She was gulping, clearly terrified.
He stood with her on the verandah, wanting to say, Its only vandals, only
your mailbox, but her fear was so acute that he put an arm around her, patted
her on the back and said, Hush, hush, something his mother used to say.

    He felt awkward. He was no good at
this sort of thing.

    Then she twisted as if to get closer
to him and grabbed his free hand. He screamed. Hed burnt himself somehow. The
back of his wrist.

    The woman sobered. Are you all
right?

    Got burnt.

    She looked distractedly at the open
door behind her. I could dress it for you.

    Ill be fine.

    Behind him the CFA truck was turning
around in her drive. With a brap of the siren it was gone. The air smelt damp
and smoky. The roof of his police car gleamed wetly, and there was enough
moonlight for him to see steamy smoke rising from the charred mailbox.

    He sighed, fished out his notebook. Did
you see anything? Hear anything?

    No.

    Name?

    Clara will do.

    He shrugged, noted the name and put
the book away. New Zealand accent. He turned to go. Ill make a report and see
that one of our patrol cars comes by here every night for the next week or two.

    She had another attack of hysterics.
Youre not going? Youre not leaving me?

    Miss, the fires out, it was
probably kids, they wont be coming back. Theres nothing more I can do here.
Would you like me to contact someone for you? A neighbour? Family? Friends?

    He saw her close down, as if she
were suspicious of him. Who was she? What was eating at her?

    Why would you want to contact
someone? Who?

    Bewildered by her mood shift, he
replied, Well, someone who could stay with you, look after you. Family,
perhaps.

    She looked away from him. Theyre
all in Darwin.

    Darwin? From your accent Id have
said New Zealand.

    She shot him a look. A long time
ago.

    He didnt believe her, but didnt
push it. A neighbour?

    Dont know them. Besides, its
late. Cant you stay for a bit? I could put a dressing on your burnt hand.

    Im on duty, miss.

    Clara.

    Clara. Im on duty. Ill call in
tomorrow, around lunchtime.

    He could smell wet ash and smoke,
and see, in the moonlight, the pine-tree skeleton at the end of her driveway.
He opened the door of the police car and at once she wailed, Theyre out to
get me.

    Who are? Why?

    I dont know why. They are, thats
all. Its a signal.

    A signal.

    Theyre saying: Were coming back,
and next time well get you.

    He shut the door and walked back to
her. Clara, it was kids.

    I dont think so.

    Its been on my radio. At least a
dozen mailboxes torched between here and Mornington. No pattern to it, just any
old mailbox on a back road somewhere. Youre one of many.

    She wrapped her arms around herself.
Youre sure? Youre not trying to make me feel better?

    I swear it.

    She laughed, unclasped herself and
stared at the dim form of her hands in the half-dark. Look at me. Cant
control myself, shaking like a leaf.

    You need a stiff drink.

    Ill say. Scotch, vodka. You want
one?

    Im on duty, Clara.

    She stepped closer. Whats your
name?

    He said awkwardly, Kees. Kees van
Alphen. Its Dutch, originally. Theres a few of us on the force.

    Kees. I like it. She grinned. Justice
never rests with Kees on your case.

    Im generally