trust himself when it came to making assumptions about a person’s innocence or guilt for the simple reason that he had been wrong on more occasions than he cared to remember. Bryce agreed to come into the station at midday and provide a statement. Nelson checked his watch again and decided that he would arrange the remainder of the interviews after he had briefed the prosecutors. He headed downstairs to the basement and made his way to the Parramatta local court next door via the underground tunnel that linked the two buildings.
Chapter 25
Detective Robards returned to Police HQ and took the elevator straight to the ninth floor to brief Crighton. The ninth floor housed around twenty of some of the most senior officers in the New South Wales Police Force and their support staff and Robards liked the ambience. Instead of the well worn commercial grade blue carpet evident on the other floors, the carpet here was new, a higher grade, and actually felt soft underfoot. There were prints on the walls, a large waiting area with lounges and the offices and meeting rooms which were spacious and light. This was where Robards pictured himself working, hopefully in as few years as possible.
He approached Superintendent Crighton’s office and was surprised to see his door open. Those who had worked with Crighton knew that he didn’t want to be bothered by anyone unless they either had an appointment or he wanted to see them.
“Can I help you Detective?” asked Pasha, Crighton’s administrative assistant, who seemed to appear out of nowhere and placed her diminutive yet imposing presence in front of the doorway. Robards realised he should have known better than to think the door was unguarded. It was never unguarded.
“Hi Pasha,” he said putting on his best smile for her. “I’ve come to brief the Super on the Fogliani case.”
“Is he expecting you?” she questioned, her dark eyes narrowing at him. Robards could see Crighton working away at his desk only five metres away, probably within earshot of the conversation, but ignoring it.
“Yes, sort of.”
“Alright,” said Pasha suspiciously. “Let me check if he’s available.”
Robards waited impatiently outside the office as Pasha spoke in hushed tones to Crighton. He briefly wondered if she and Crighton had ever got it on, but pushed the disturbing thought aside. Moments later Pasha returned and granted Robards permission to enter.
“Good morning Detective Senior,” Crighton said, without looking up as he continued to worriedly examine the latest budget report that showed the Homicide Squad was currently running at a three percent overspend for the financial year. Travel costs would have to be trimmed again.
“Good Morning Sir.”
“Where’s Detective Nelson?”
“He’s briefing the prosecutors. He asked me to provide you with an update.”
Crighton smiled briefly. If he read anything else into Nelson’s non-appearance he didn’t let on. He knew he wasn’t particularly well liked and that Nelson in particular avoided him where he could, but he didn’t lose sleep over it as he had bigger things to worry about.
“Good. There’s something that I’ve been meaning to talk to you about, but that can wait for now. Tell me how your case is progressing. I was pleased to hear that you have a suspect in custody already.”
“Thank you sir.”
Robards filled Crighton in on the case, updating him from the point where he was last briefed. He briefly recounted how Craig Thoms had been identified from the evidence found at the crime scene and how he had then been arrested. He told Crighton about the stalking group of friends and how Craig had, not-surprisingly claimed to have had nothing to do with the murder.
“Doesn’t sound like you’ll be getting a confession then,” stated Crighton.
“Not yet at least.”
“So what are your next steps Detective?”
Robards repeated what Nelson had told him almost verbatim. He also passed on Nelson’s
“Firstly, you can tell Detective Sergeant Nelson that I will decide how and when we deal with the media and not him,” said Crighton with a hint of steel in his voice.
“Yes Sir,” replied Robards, kicking himself for having been stupid enough to raise Nelson’s ridiculous request in the first place.
“Secondly, is there any evidence that this Thoms character is linked to any gangs or that this murder is gang related?”
“Not yet sir. We’re still looking at his background though.” Robards noted that Crighton seemed to exhibit a moment of disappointment.
“Well make sure you fully explore that angle. If this murder was gang related I want to know about it. The Foglianis may claim to be clean but they’ve got a long history with crime in this city.
“Yes Sir.”
“And if this does turn out to be the start of another Sydney underworld war then this becomes an even more important case and I want the Homicide Squad to be on top of it even though the Gangs Squad didn’t think it worth their while.”
Robards wasn’t sure if he fully understood but nodded emphatically. “And if it’s not gang related?”
“Then so be it.”
“Of course Sir.”
“What does Nelson think about Thoms?”
Robards thought carefully on the words he was about to use. He had already annoyed Crighton once and wanted to avoid an encore performance.
“Well, he doesn’t seem completely certain that we’ve got the right guy yet.”
“Why not? The evidence seems strong enough.”
“It is. I guess he just wants to be sure.”
Crighton got up and stood before his window, gazing at the Blue Mountains that rose up steadily out of the haze in the distance.
“And what’s your take on this case, Detective Senior?”
“I think he’s guilty and that it was probably a robbery or a drug deal,” replied Robards firmly. “I think our case will only get stronger.”
Crighton turned and looked at him as if sizing him up for a suit.
“You’ve shown a lot of promise in your career thus far Detective and I’m sure that if you continue to perform well, you will no doubt gain further promotions in the service.”
“Thank you Sir,” replied Robards, inwardly thrilled by the comment but wondering where the change in subject was leading.
“There’s something I’d like you to do for me. Call it a favour if you will.”
“Sir?”
“I’d like you to keep me personally up to date on this case.”
“Of course Sir. Nelson and I will keep you abreast of every development.” Robards replied innocently, even though he was sensed where Crighton was going.
“No, Detective you’re not quite catching my meaning. I want to know how the case is progressing and I also want to know what Nelson is working on so I can be assured that this case is on track. This would just be between you and me.”
“I see. But, if I may ask the question, why did you put Nelson on this case in the first place if you have concerns about the way he operates?”
Crighton smiled. “Because Detective Senior, if I had to get someone to investigate my own murder then it would probably be him. I have every confidence that he’ll get to the bottom of this case, but Nelson likes to do things his own way and sometimes his methods are, shall we say, unorthodox,” he said raising an eyebrow. “Lord
