Jenny knew there were a few reasons people chose to be a security guard. Some were purely bullies. Any excuse to tell people what to do and use force when they didn’t comply.

  Others were genuine peacekeepers, trying to avoid conflict and keep everyone safe.

  And then there were those who always wanted to be cops, but for whatever reason, didn’t get there. They liked to solve mysteries, unpack puzzles. She studied Don’s expression, wondering which he was.

  The security guard rounded on Kieran. ‘Okay.’

  ‘No way!’ Kieran surged to his feet.

  ‘Sorry mate. But if you’ve done nothing wrong, this will all be sorted.’ He crouched down in front of Catherine. ‘Can you find that report the police want? You know the one they need, right?’

  ‘I don’t know...’ Catherine’s eyes lifted to Kieran, then shot back to Don’s as he spoke.

  ‘I’ll take responsibility Cat.’ He gripped her hands in her lap. She squirmed. ‘It might be time to cut this one loose.’

  Kieran glared at Don’s back. ‘This is crap mate. I’m being set up. You know me. Do something.’

  Don joined Kieran as he struggled to rise against his partner’s firm hold. ‘Maybe it is.’ Don sighed. ‘But you and Hudson are already on your last warning. I was willing to cut you some slack, but hampering an investigation into Emma’s death is a different story.’

  ‘I want my CWU rep. This is bullshit.’

  Jenny interrupted Kieran’s tirade. ‘Don, did you say Hudson? Do you mean Luke Hudson?’

  ‘No. Kieran’s partner in crime is nearly always Chad Hudson.’

  Jenny knew the name couldn’t be a coincidence. ‘Is Chad Hudson on roster this week too?’

  ‘Haven’t seen him, but they usually have the same swing.’

  ‘Can you check?’

  Don considered her question a moment before crossing to the computer on Catherine’s desk.

  Jenny held her hand out in front of Kieran’s face. ‘Keys?’

  He jutted his chin out and scowled. ‘They’re in my locker.’

  ‘Well, let’s go and find them.’ Jenny watched Catherine vacate her seat so Don could use her computer. ‘Can you take Catherine’s statement while I go with Penny to inspect the Navara?’

  Her partner’s face contorted as he considered Catherine, wrapped in her own arms and huddled in the corner trying not to be seen. ‘I think I’d feel more comfortable the other way around.’

  Jenny knew there was only one thing Philips disliked more than a gruesome crime scene and that was dealing with fragile emotions. Catherine was going to need gentle coaxing if they wanted to get her talking.

  ‘Sounds like a plan.’ She joined Don at the receptionist’s desk as he finished tapping keys.

  ‘Hudson didn’t turn up for his shift,’ Don said.

  Jenny didn’t need to wonder why. But if Chad Hudson was missing from work, why did Kieran turn up? Did he take his shift so he could keep Catherine quiet?

  Don shuffled out from behind Catherine’s desk.

  ‘Thanks Don. Could you go with my partner and our tech?’

  Don hesitated a moment.

  ‘I’ll just get the report and ask Catherine a few questions,’ Jenny reassured him.

  Don eyed Catherine a moment. ‘No worries. On my way.’

  Jenny waited for Don to pull the door closed before perching on the edge of Catherine’s desk. The receptionist eased back into her seat. The rattle of the chair wheels and the hum of air-conditioning filled the silence as Jenny considered where to start.

  ‘You said Emma was your friend.’

  Catherine’s hands gripped tightly in her lap.

  ‘She was, and a good one.’

  ‘Then help me figure out how and why she died.’

  Chapter 13

  Nellie’s eyes shot up from her computer as they entered the station. Jenny lifted the countertop and stepped back as Philips guided Kieran White through.

  ‘Interview Room One is empty.’ Nellie pointed down the hall.

  ‘Great. I’ll take him through.’ Philips nudged Kieran.

  ‘I’m not talking without my union rep.’

  ‘This isn’t a workplace issue anymore.’ Jenny studied Kieran’s sullen expression. ‘Domestic violence, workplace harassment—those, your rep might have been able to help you with, but we are talking about a suspicious death, Mr White. Murder or manslaughter could be on the table.’

  ‘I told you. I didn’t hurt Emma.’

  Jenny ignored him as Philips led him away, still grumbling under his breath.

  O’Connell peered over his reading glasses. ‘You eaten?’ Jenny’s stomach answered him. ‘You and Philips can grab a late lunch. Where’s McGregor taken the Navara?’

  ‘We still haven’t interviewed Jed about the flight back, and Philips said he’s friends with Kieran and the Hudson boys, so we couldn’t use his garage.’

  ‘That didn’t answer my question.’

  Jenny waved toward the rear of the police station. ‘I told her to park it under the carport out back for now. We wouldn’t have brought it back with us unless we had to.’

  ‘You did the right thing.’ Sergeant Mackenzie appeared from his office. ‘At least it’s clear of radiation, but we need to process it before we interview Kieran White.’

  ‘Penny found a piece of black plastic she believes could be from the body bag and she’s assessing the dented bullbar for paint residue from the ambulance. We’ll know more once she finishes unpacking her lab gear and runs some tests. We should have results in the next few hours.’ Jenny’s stomach growled again.

  She needed to eat, but she wanted an update even more. ‘Has anyone found Chad Hudson?’

  ‘Not yet.’ Sergeant Mackenzie pointed to the door as Philips appeared. ‘Get some food. Both of you.’ Philips headed straight for the gun safe. Jenny joined him.

  O’Connell spoke to Nellie. ‘Did you find anything in the vehicle disposal reports the receptionist emailed through?’

  ‘Nothing yet, but I’m still running all the registration numbers.’

  ‘Okay. Luke Hudson is coming in at 3pm for an interview. I’d like you and Philips to take it.’

  Jenny closed the safe. ‘Before or after Kieran?’

  ‘We’ll decide when he gets here.’ O’Connell focussed his attention on his computer screen as Sergeant Mackenzie spoke.

  ‘Hopefully McGregor has something by then. Did you get anything other than the report from the receptionist?’

  ‘Catherine Preston has been dating Kieran White since he started working out at Bulgunnia. She was unwilling to press charges, claiming they were having a domestic dispute.’

  Sergeant Mackenzie crossed his arms over his chest. ‘You sound sceptical.’

  Jenny considered the scene. ‘I think they were arguing about the report. Or maybe even what Kieran had done.’

  ‘You believe she knew Kieran stole the victim’s body?’

  ‘I don’t know. When we arrested Kieran, Catherine claimed he wouldn’t have hurt her. They were all friends. Besties even. According to the receptionist, she was going to be at Emma’s wedding.’

  ‘Have they set a date?’

  ‘Not that I know of.’ Jenny indicated toward Nellie once more. ‘Emma wanted that list. My guess is we might get some answers there.’

  Sergeant Mackenzie ushered her from the office. ‘Grab some food, then let’s see what we can dig up.’

  ‘Speaking of which.’ Nellie spoke as her eyes snapped from the paper in her hand to the computer screen. ‘At least two of these registrations are for four-wheel-drive vehicles which have changed hands through private sale.’

  ‘That’s impossible.’ Sergeant Mackenzie hurried to check Nellie’s findings. ‘Mining vehicles are sent to well-known auction houses.’

  ‘You and I know that.’ Nellie pointed to the screen as Jenny joined them. ‘But these two definitely didn’t. A roadworthy isn’t required for cars and regular road vehicles in SA, so all we have is the stamp duty payments at the rego office and regular ownership transfers.’

  ‘Find out who signed the disposal notices.’

  ‘Will do Sarge.’

  ‘Then check if any heavy vehicles, tractors, trucks... anything we can track through a roadworthy, has changed hands the same way.’

  O’Connell removed his glasses and joined them. ‘Doesn’t sound like much of a motive for murder.’

  ‘And it doesn’t explain the radiation exposure,’ Jenny added.

  Philips closed his locker door. ‘It could be they aren’t cleaning the contaminants from the vehicles properly. Maybe that’s why the victim noticed the tailing dam volumes weren’t right.’

  Jenny opened her locker and removed her vest. ‘It’s possible, but according to Penny, the radiation level in the dam isn’t enough to cause the level of radiation sickness our victim suffered.’

  ‘Get some food, then get back to do the interviews.’ Sergeant Mackenzie lifted the counter pass-through and held it for Jenny and Philips. ‘I’ve got to give a statement to the paper.’

  ‘Gwen will be all over this.’ Jenny was surprised the woman wasn’t tottering in on her six-inch heels already.

  ‘She was. Photos of the crashed ambulance. An interview with Gerry.’ Her boss rolled his eyes. ‘I better give her something before she makes up a story of her own, especially considering Luke and Chad are involved.’

  Sergeant Mackenzie disappeared. Jenny turned her confused gaze to O’Connell. ‘What have Chad and Luke got to do with Gwen?’ Her stomach growled again.

  O’Connell laughed. ‘For crying out loud. Get some food into that noisy gut.’

  Philips slapped her on the shoulder gently. ‘Yeah. Before you mix up hunger pains with gut instincts and send us on a wild goose chase.’

  Everyone laughed, but stopped as Penny entered from her makeshift lab, better known as the lunchroom, with an evidence bag in her hand and smile on her lips.

  ‘Positive match for the body bag. Your boy in there definitely stole the victim’s body.’

  Science didn’t lie, but Jenny couldn’t help wondering why Kieran and Chad would go to so much trouble to steal a dead body when all they were doing was possibly avoiding contamination controls or stealing mining equipment for private sale. It made no sense. There had to be another explanation.

  Chapter 14

  The interview room was cool and stark. Not the ideal place to talk to someone grieving the loss of a loved one. No soft lounge area, no relaxed chairs with a coffee table and snacks.

  Jenny eased into the stiff plastic chair opposite Luke Hudson as Philips distanced himself from the sobbing fiancé.

  ‘I can’t believe it. Em’s dead.’ Moist blue eyes regarded Jenny. ‘How? When can I see her?’

  It seemed Sergeant Mackenzie’s effort to keep the stolen body from the newspaper succeeded, at least so far. Gwen wasn’t known for her cooperation with the police. There was constant animosity between her and Sergeant Mackenzie, but the whole town knew it was all show.

  Behind the scenes, they dated on and off. It wasn’t something small-town gossip missed.

  ‘The case is complicated Luke.’ Jenny shuffled her chair in as Philips passed Luke a box of tissues as though he were contagious.

  Jenny scowled at her partner. He shrugged. She focussed her attention on the grieving fiancé as he blew his nose and wiped his eyes.

  ‘Luke, Emma’s death is being treated as suspicious. We’d like to record this interview for our records. Do you have any objections?

  ‘Suspicious?’ He shuffled his chair in and edged forward. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘We’ll cover the details we can, as soon as you approve the recording.’

  ‘Do I need a lawyer?’

  ‘You’re not under arrest.’

  ‘That doesn’t mean I don’t need a lawyer though, does it?’

  Jenny barely contained her frustration. Why did everyone distrust the police so much? She was trying to find out if Emma was deliberately exposed, or if they were dealing with a radiation event.

  She reminded herself that Luke didn’t know that.

  ‘Luke, you are entitled to a lawyer but while we wait, whoever is responsible for Emma’s death is getting further away. Covering their tracks. Our chances of finding them will be greatly reduced.’

  ‘Responsible. You think someone killed her?’

  ‘I’m not saying that. Can you acknowledge we’ll be recording this interview, then we can explain.’

  When Luke remained silent, Philips read a brief statement while Jenny rearranged the contents of a manila folder. There were no pictures of the victim. Only a few photos Penny snapped from inside the plane. They were still waiting on lab results from Emma’s vomit. The file contained the mining vehicle registration and sales information Nellie confirmed while Jenny was at lunch.

  There were no leads, no motive and no cause of death yet. So far, they were running the investigation on thin air. Jenny hoped Luke might be able to shed some light on the case.

  ‘Firstly, I’m very sorry for your loss. I was talking to Emma when she collapsed.’

  ‘What happened? I got off shift at the mine early when I got the call, headed back to town and came straight here. No one has told me anything.’

  ‘Emma was vomiting. She said she thought it was morning sickness.’ Jenny watched Luke stiffen. ‘You did know Emma was pregnant?’

  Silence hung a moment. Luke’s expression softened, but Jenny could see him thinking.

  ‘She said she had news. That must have been it.’ His hand wiped over his face. ‘I can’t believe she’s gone.’

  ‘Luke, we haven’t completed a post-mortem yet.’ She didn’t mention they couldn’t. ‘But early tests indicate Emma died of acute radiation poisoning.’

  Not strictly true, but Jenny knew Penny wouldn’t raise that flag unless she was convinced it was plausible.

  ‘That doesn’t make any sense.’ Luke scratched behind his ear. ‘Em is always careful. She works out at the Bulgunnia Mine and radiation levels out there are minuscule. How did she get exposed?’

  ‘That’s what we are trying to find out. One of her co-workers told us she was leaving Foresight Mining and seeking work elsewhere. Emma mentioned that to me on the plane too. Did she have a new job lined up already?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Can you explain why she flew back into Adelaide, rather than drive from Bulgunnia to Coober Pedy to meet you?’

  ‘She usually flew back to Adelaide to catch up with her mum before flying here. The mining company covered the cost, so why not?’

  That matched with Emma’s story about taking the flight regularly.

  ‘We’d like to review all Emma’s communication to search for other possible causes of exposure. Maybe she had a job interview somewhere? Do you have access to Emma’s email accounts?’

  Luke sat back and dropped his blue eyes to his hands. ‘No, sorry. We kind of keep that stuff private still.’

  ‘Do you have her email address? We can request a warrant.’

  His eyes lifted, but Jenny noticed his hands gripped together tightly in his lap. ‘Yeah. Sure. But she used her phone. The only computer she has is at her mum’s place. Maybe she can help.’

  Jenny watched as Philips noted the details. Then gauged if now was the time to explain to Luke that his brother was missing and likely stole his fiancé’s body.

  ‘Luke.’ A frown creased his face at her tone. ‘Do you know where your brother is?’

  ‘Chad?’ Luke leant forward and rested his elbows on the table between them. ‘What’s Chad got to do with this?’

  Luke’s expression told her now wasn’t the right time. She skirted the issue carefully. ‘We aren’t sure yet, but he and Kieran work out at Bulgunnia and Emma’s co-worker, Catherine, has provided us with a vehicle disposal list that Emma was chasing.’

  Jenny watched Luke’s eyes narrow as she opened the manila folder and presented the list. ‘After close investigation, we can confirm that Kieran and Chad, and possibly others, were taking vehicles due for disposal and selling them privately.

  Luke barely glanced at the list before flopping back into the plastic chair. His narrow shoulders shook with his head. ‘That’s got nothing to do with Emma’s death.’

  Did Luke know what his brother was doing? Was he involved? If so, why was he keeping it to himself? Maybe if he knew what his brother had done, he’d say more. There was only one way to find out.

  ‘Luke, we’ve arrested Kieran, and we are chasing Chad, not only because they’ve been stealing mining equipment, but because they stole Emma’s body.’

  Luke’s eye shot up to meet Jenny’s. He ran his fingers through his thick hair as his entire body quivered.

  ‘No. No way. Chad is a lot of things, but why would he do that?’ Luke’s face contorted.

  Jenny leant forward and tapped the now closed manila folder. ‘To cover up Emma’s cause of death.’

  Luke opened his mouth, then clamped it shut tight enough to make his lips disappear.

  ‘Luke, if you know anything about the thefts, a lack of decontamination of the vehicles or anything that could help us find out what happened to Emma, then you need to talk now.’

  His arms closed tightly over his chest. ‘You said I wasn’t under arrest.’

  Jenny knew what was coming next. ‘That’s right but helping us is the best chance of recovering Emma’s remains and finding out how and why she died.’

  Luke studied Jenny a moment, then slid his chair back. ‘I’d like to go home now.’

  Chapter 15

  Jenny rested on the corner of her workstation, jaw set, fists clenched as Philips guided Luke Hudson from the station.

  As the glass door closed behind him, she rounded on O’Connell. ‘Did we speak with the victim’s mother yet?’

  O’Connell removed his reading glasses. ‘Adelaide detectives gave the death notice. We have the statement they received, but they didn’t find any personal effects or documentation relevant to her death.’

  ‘Can I call her mother?’

  ‘After you interview Kieran. Find out where Chad disappeared to and if he knows where the body was dumped.’

 

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