“What the hell,” I cried, “you scared the shit out of me.” She giggled a little then pointed to something further down the lane. I could see some sort of shadow also sitting beside the small lane, but it was too dark to identify.
“It’s Levinson’s Mercedes,” she said.
“Are they parked there?” I asked, beginning to walk toward it.
“No, it’s empty. I don’t know where they’ve gone. They just disappeared.”
“Disappeared?”. Just then something illuminated not just Steph and I, but her car, the Mercedes and the rest of the lane. As if to confirm any doubt about who it was, revolving red lights began to fan across the trees, cars and landscape as the patrol car came to a halt beside us.
“Steph?” A voice asked.
“Yah,” she replied.
“Chief wants to see you.”
“Pete, what are you doing here? How did you find me?”
“We got a call from Irene Higgins. Apparently, someone’s been sneaking a peak at her through a window. Some pervert looking to get his rocks off. We saw your car from the road.”
“Is that the only call you got?” I asked, but he didn’t answer, ignoring me.
“Anyway, Chief’s lookin for ya.”
“Thanks,” Steph replied and didn’t wait for any formalities. She jumped in the car and waited for me to climb in. Judging by the slam of her door, her frustration had grown considerably.
“Think someone tipped them off?” I asked as she swung the FX back onto the main road.
“I’d put a fiver on it,” she said, lighting a smoke.
“He’s up to something, I know it,” I said, looking through the window at the approaching street lamps.
“Of that, I’m pretty positive,” Steph said as she inhaled. Ten minutes later we were sitting in Rademeyer’s office.
6.
“Before I tell you about a phone call I just received, I just want to make it clear to you two that I am on your side. Despite whatever differences we may have had in the past, however you feel about my ability to run this police station or even what names people are calling me these days, I need you two to get it through your heads that I am on your side. I can’t help you if you don’t help me.” He looked at us from across his desk, all the years of stress clearly visible on his face tonight. I wanted to believe him, and I think on some level I did, but the doubt that lingered wouldn’t go quietly. It hung in the air between us, both sides of the desk aware of its presence.
When neither of us answered, he continued. “I received a call from William Reinhart. I trust you two know the name?” I nodded. “It seems that Commissioner Reinhart has a history with a certain Doctor that is currently doing some work up at Crab Apple.” I groaned inside, but when Rademeyer’s eyes flashed in my direction, I realised I had groaned externally. “Yes, Jim, that’s right. Levinson and Reinhart go all the way back to high school. And he’s been using his connections to conduct his research anywhere he damn well pleases.” Rademeyer stood, went to a shelf that hung on the far wall and rifled through a folder. He pulled out an envelope and sat back down.
“Chief, I wanted to-” Steph started but Rademeyer held a hand up, stopping her words. I felt a flash of anger and was about to say so, but then he looked at me.
“Do you really think I would ask for your help if I didn’t respect you as an officer, Jim? I know we have a history, but this thing is bigger than us and we need to put our differences aside.” He turned to Steph. “Steph, I don’t mean to be as harsh as I am to you. I respect you as an officer too, I really do. I don’t always have the right words, and to be honest, I get worried about you out there.” Steph’s jaw dropped and I thought she was about to fall out of her chair. “I have a daughter who’s about your age and it would scare the shit out of me if she was out there doing what you do. I don’t mean to stand in your way, it’s just,” he paused for a moment, looking down at the envelope, then continued,” it’s the father figure in me, I guess.” He handed me the envelope which I took, unsure of its contents.
“Chief?” I asked, hesitating.
“I know the rumours, I’ve heard them all, Jim. I know what was said when we finally nailed that bastard. That I held out on you, that I took your glory. Open it. Maybe it’s time for unanswered questions to be laid to rest,” he said, pointing at the envelope. I tore it open and read the single note that was inside. It struck me how old it looked; the paper yellowed around the edges.
To the Office of the Chief Commissioner of Police
Dear Sir,
It is with much pleasure and pride, that I am formally advising you of the apprehension of the wanted criminal known as the Daylesford Devil, responsible for the torture and murder of 14 Victorian citizens. The investigation and subsequent arrest had been made possible by a vast number of men and women, both in uniform and out and it is my honour to pass on their names to you in the attached list.
There are, however, two names that I would
