Flashpoint by Felicity Young Read Free Book Online Page A

Vince.’ Cam shuffled through the stack of files before him.
    She blew the fringe out of her eyes and leaned towards the desk, her eyes straining to look at the extracted file. He tapped at it with his pen. ‘This is the hoo-hah over the liquor licence for the footy club.’
    Leanne jumped to her feet. ‘But, Sarge, I tried to explain that to Sergeant Baker.’
    Sergeant Baker was Cam’s predecessor and was married to Vince’s sister. Upon his retirement he had taken off on a world cruise and was now conveniently incommunicado.
    â€˜I’ve no idea how that happened,’ she continued with a wail in her voice. ‘It’s gone into my file, hasn’t it?’
    â€˜The paper trail led to you.’
    â€˜But shit, Sarge –’ Her hand flew to her mouth. ‘Sorry, excuse me. Gosh ,Sarge, I wouldn’t do anything like that. I don’t even like beer and neither does Mum. Why would I put a dodgy liquor licence through for a lousy carton of beer?’
    â€˜Sit down, will you?’
    She sat with a heavy thump and crossed her arms.
    â€˜Don’t worry, I know you didn’t – and if Sergeant Baker thought you did, he’d have taken more action. Someone else compromised you to save their own arse, someone who’s been milking the system for too long. You’re just one of many who’ve been affected.’
    Cam shot Vince a look through the glass partition before delving into another file, producing a wad of complaints. ‘I’ve spent the last couple of days going through these,’ he said. ‘Do you know anything about the dangerous driving ticket issued to Ms Joanne Bowman last month?’
    Leanne shook her head.
    â€˜It was issued by Vince. Later Ms Bowman lodged a complaint against him for sexual harassment – though the complaint’s now been withdrawn. I’m going to have a word with her. I want to know why she suddenly withdrew it.’ He thought back to the scene in the science lab and the concoction in the vial. ‘She and her friend gave me the impression that Vince had been giving them a hard time.’
    â€˜I don’t know anything about that,’ Leanne said. She was obviously uncomfortable with his line of questioning; a bullying senior officer could make life hell for a probationer.
    â€˜There are scores of other complaints against Vince. I’m compiling the facts for an Internal Affairs investigation. You’ll have to do some serious thinking and get your liquor licence story straight. You might even be called to testify against him.’
    Leanne swallowed. ‘You mean become a whistleblower?’
    â€˜Any instances of sexual harassment need to be thought about, too. That was a fine example in the front office just now.’ He gave her an encouraging smile. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be behind you all the way.’
    The look on her face told him his reassurances didn’t count for much.
    â€˜You won’t be the only one. I’ll be speaking to the others.’ Cam took a sip of coffee. Leanne took it as a sign of dismissal and stood to leave.
    â€˜Hang on,’ Cam said. ‘We have Bell’s approximate time of death as late Saturday night to early Sunday morning. I want you to trace his movements over that weekend. Find out who was last to see him alive. Get his picture off the computer and start with the pubs.’
    Leanne glanced nervously in Vince’s direction.
    â€˜I can’t spare Vince. You’ll have to go alone.’
    Leanne sighed with relief.
    â€˜Off you go now,’ Cam said, reaching for the phone.

7
    Leanne looked again at the mug shot of Herbert Bell. It was surprising she didn’t recognise his face considering she’d spent almost her whole life in this town. A copy of a copy, the picture quality softened the harsh lines and angles of a face shaped by misfortune and alcohol. His thin grey hair hung down in a way that