couldnt have been as fucking smart as he thought he was.
I had a sense that the women, despite their loathing for each other, might suddenly team up and put me out of the game. I was trying to think fast enough to ask the right questions while I still had them, but there were a lot of pieces to put together. Andrea moved to the bar, pulled out an ice-cube tray, twisted it and let three cubes drop in a glass. The rest fell on the floor. She poured a couple of fingers of Teachers into the glass and took a drink. She bent down and picked up a couple of cigarettes and examined them for useability.
Just then the mobile rang. I answered and forgot that I still had it on Broadcast.
Cliff, Bob announced for all to hear. I hope it worked because we cant hang around here much longer. Sligo never showed up. He called in sick. What
Peg Hawkins swore and came at me with her fingernails hooked like talons. But shed taken in too much vodka, too early in the day, too quickly. She slashed but missed, lost balance and fell heavily. Andrea laughed and kicked her in the ribs with a heavy boot.
Whos dumb now, bitch? she said. He fucking fooled you, didnt he? I knew Colind never spill his guts. She landed another kick. Peg rolled away, right into the broken glass. A long shard bit into her upper arm and the blood ran, staining the white dress. Andrea laughed again and headed for the door.
I missed a beat, still holding the squawking mobile, looking at the hard-shelled, elegant woman reduced to a weeping wreck on the soggy carpet. I cut the connection and moved out into the passage. Amanda tried to block Andreas way but the ex-policewoman had too many moves for her and Amanda ended up on the floor. But Andrea had to press a bell to open the door and that gave me time to catch her. I went through the door with a strong grip on her arm as a counter to her attempt to twist me sideways and get a well applied boot to my shins.
We were locked together, sweating and panting in the perfumed garden. I pressed her up against the trellis with a forearm under her chin and a knee in her groin. My bruised ribs were shrieking and I knew I couldnt hold her there for long.
Our faces were close together and the sour, tobacco odour of her breath was strong in my nostrils.
One answer to one question, Andrea, and you can walk away from all this.
Whats that, arsehole?
Who tipped you off in Sydney? Who sent you running up here to Peg and the money?
Thats two fucking questions and I dont know the fucking answers.
You got a phone call. Eve told us.
I felt the strength go out of her but I held on tight in case she was faking. Eve, she said. Poor old Eve.
Who?
I dont know. Some woman.
A woman?
Thats right. Another surprise for you is it, arsehole? You think only men can fuck people around?
No, I said. I dont think that.
Bet your arse. This woman said the Ramona Beckett thing was being investigated and that my name had come up. She said these hard types… ease up, youre fucking choking me.
I relaxed the pressure, a little.
… were coming to see me and Id better get out of it and grab everything I could lay my hands on before it all turned to shit. Let go!
I released her, she spat in my face and ran away. I leaned back against the trellis, wiped my face with the back of my hand and closed my eyes for a second. When I opened them Peg Hawkins was standing by the open grille. She had a white handtowel pressed against her cut arm and the blood was just beginning to seep through it. Her dress was stained and spotted. She was pale but she was fighting for control.
What now? she said.
I shook my head and stood straight, looking back at her. Do you know who killed Ramona Beckett?
I dont know and I dont care.
Why did Beckett go on paying after Johnno died? Why wasnt he off the hook then?
Johnno was a sadistic, twisted creep, but he was smart. He had Beckett on tape.
Wheres the tape now?
Wouldnt you like to know!
Yeah, I would, but I do know something. Peg. I reckon that moneys going to stop coming.
Why?
I reached into my jacket pocket and took out the miniature tape recorder Id activated just before Id pressed the Satisfaction buzzer. The red light was showing and the tape was still running.
Ive got a tape of my own, I said. Does that make me smart, too?
Whatre you going to do with it?
Play it to Colin Sligo for one thing.
She sagged against the grille. Oh, Jesus, she said. Dont do that. Please dont do that. I can get along without the money from Sydney, but Colin can put me out of business here.
Youd better get that arm looked at. Ill do a deal with you, Peg. I wont play the tape to Sligoor only an edited version. Ill do everything I can to keep you out of it.
What do I have to do in return?
One, dont contact Sligo today. Two, tell me where Andrea Craigs likely to have gone.
Peggy Hawkins was a woman of spirit. Despite her distress and her wound she managed a harsh, genuine laugh. Fuck me, she said. Ill have to trust you.
Thats right.
Sure I cant interest you in Amanda or Chantelle? I can scrub up pretty well myself too.
I dont doubt it, but no.
Not queer, are you, Cliff?
What do you think?
She sighed. The breasts heaved. She was almost back in business. No, I understand men better than anything else. Ive watched you. Youre a hair, eyes, mouth, tit and leg man. Johnno was much the same before he got old and fat. Dont get old and fat, Cliff.
Ill be careful about fat.
Youve got a deal. In fact I think Ill take myself off somewhere for a while.
Good idea.
Andreas got a girlfriend in Byron Bay. Name of Jackie. Shes a hooker who works out of a duplex opposite the main beach. I think her name might be Jackson, Im not sure. Anyway, thats the name she uses. Things should be quiet there about now. I dont know the address, but Andrea doesnt know that I know.
Thanks, Peg.
She pressed the buzzer and the message began: This is Satisfaction, an escort service and…
18
I used the mobile to call Bob and Max who were heading back towards Broadbeach.
Howd it go? Bob said. Hope I didnt call back too soon.
No, the timing was about right. It worked pretty well. I think weve got what we need. A couple of loose ends. I need a drink, mate. I can see something called the Honolulu Bar dead ahead. Thats where Ill be.
You all right?
Yeah, fine. Its lucky I like beating up women.
I was on my second vodka and tonic (the first was a silent toast to Peggy Hawkins and after that I couldnt see any reason to change drinks), when Max and Bob came into the bar. It wasnt quite as bad as it soundedthere was less bamboo than youd expect, fewer fake leis, and only one poster of Elvis as he appeared in Blue Hawaii.
They took stools on either side of me. Bob ordered a beer and Max a mineral water with lemon. I downed my drink and ordered another. This is no good, I said. Ill have to swivel my head so Max can see what Im saying.
