Deadly Diplomacy by Jean Harrod Read Free Book Online Page B

not answerin’ the door, or the phone.”
    Sangster frowned as he closed his car door. “The DC’s just told me two Federal Agents are on their way from Canberra. They won’t get here until 4pm, so I can carry on here for another couple of hours.”
    “Good, because we’ve just made an appointment for you to see the British Consul. He should be here around 2pm.”
    “Not more Canberra folk.” Sangster sighed and looked at his watch. “Okay, but I must talk to Susan Chambers. Have you tried the Brisbane Echo where she works?”
    “Yes, but they haven’t seen her.”
    “Find her, Dave,” Sangster turned to go back into the hotel, “while I have another word with Danny Burton, the lad who found Ellen Chambers’ body.”
    “What do you make of him, Boss?” Dalton asked, quickly. “Bit of a hoon, if you ask me. He says Ellen Chambers gave him the come-on.”
    Sangster nodded. “He’s been hanging about the crime scene all morning, trying to be helpful. Even when he was supposed to be mowing the lawn, he was watching us. Convenient that he found the body, wasn’t it?”
    “Perhaps he knew just where to look?” Dalton warmed to this train of thought. “Perhaps he followed Ellen Chambers down to the jetty and tried it on with some force. She fought back, and things got out of hand.”
    Sangster looked thoughtful. “The barman said he saw someone walking behind Ellen Chambers on the path down to the jetty just before she was killed. It couldn’t have been Danny, he was still in the bar at that point.” Sangster pushed the revolving door.
    Dalton shuffled through behind him.
    “But that doesn’t mean Danny didn’t go down to the jetty, in the hope of getting some action.” Sangster turned to face Dalton. “He did leave the bar soon after her. Even if he didn’t kill her, he might have seen something.”
    “Yeah.” Dalton hesitated. “Look, about earlier, Boss. I’ve booked some counsellin’ … to fix my problem. I want to stay on the murder team, more than anythin’.” He sighed. “I just wish I could deal with it as easily as you do.”
    Sangster knew he had a reputation for being tough and remote amongst the guys. They were of the old school of policing; and let off steam with the help of the plentiful, local rum. But did they all think he found it easy because he didn’t join in? Irritated, he looked at Dalton, but he didn’t let fly. He knew Dalton had his work cut out at home: a wife with chronic fatigue and a couple of young kids to look after. But there was no point beating about the bush either; he wouldn’t carry passengers on his team. “You’ve got another couple of months to deal with it, Dave. Then that’s it.”
    Dalton nodded, glumly.
    Sangster checked his watch. “It’s manic back at HQ. The DC’s just rung to say he’s cancelled all leave and called everyone in.”
    Dalton gave a wry smile. “That’ll upset Roberts. He’ll have to give up his fishin’ trip.”
    “Roberts?”
    “DC Roberts. He was here, earlier.”
    Sangster frowned. “Do I know him?”
    “Course you do. He’s that bald, exercise nut. You know him, always in the gym. Transferred here from Melbourne about a year ago.”
    Sangster raised an eyebrow. “What was he doing here?”
    “He said he had a few days’ leave and was goin’ out on a fishin’ trip.” Dalton frowned. “Except, thinkin’ about it now, he wasn’t dressed for fishin’. He was wearin’ smart black trousers and a shirt.”
    “Was he now?” Sangster never could leave a loose end. “Better check he is on leave, Dave. Discreetly mind. Don’t go treading on any toes.”

8
    Jess winced as the edge of the paper sliced into her thumb and a drop of blood oozed out. Wrapping a tissue around the cut, she glanced out of the window at the sound of the plane’s engines revving up. In no time, airport buildings were flashing by as they accelerated along the runway and soared into the blue sky, rising south over Canberra.