Scorpio's Lot by Ray Smithies Page B

point where a full-time team is warranted, backup should
be made available via city headquarters,’ Forbes added.
     
    The remaining constabulary could
sense an air of friction escalating between their two most senior-ranked
officers.
     
    ~ * ~
     

     
     
    I
    n
the presence of Bradbury and Charlie, Sol was calling the regional head to ask
about the fate of Brigit O’Neill. A silence came over the room as he began to
explain the situation, being mindful not to omit any important detail.
     
    Charlie appeared agitated and was
pacing the room, much to the annoyance of Sol who frowned at him to stop the
distraction. Sol knew Charlie possessed a cruel streak and would be hoping the
boss would issue orders to spill blood.
     
    ‘So there you have it,’ Sol said
into the phone. ‘We think the O’Neill girl should be handled differently.’
     
    ‘I totally agree,’ responded the
regional head. ‘A further elimination’s not the answer, and besides, it may be
totally unnecessary if Brigit O’Neill is found to be holding no incriminating
knowledge. I already have enough issues to deal with.’
     
    ‘Then what should we do?’ asked
Sol.
     
    ‘Okay, this is how we’ll handle
it. Charlie and one of his men are to go to the O’Neill residence tonight and
bring the girl to the underground, where you’ll await my further instruction.
Brigit must be blindfolded and under no circumstances is she to be harmed.’
     
    ‘And what if her mother creates a
problem?’
     
    ‘Deal with it sensibly but
nothing too vicious, just enough to immobilise her. And leave the woman in the
house. I don’t want two kidnappings to contend with.’
     
    ‘Okay, boss. I’ll have Charlie
and Mick there around ten,’ responded Sol.
     
    ‘Give me a call tonight after you’ve
dealt with it,’ instructed his superior.
     
    ~ * ~
     
    Driving
to the O’Neill residence I couldn’t help but think that good deeds deserve to
be carried out in more favourable weather. It was nine pm and bloody cold.
Tonight Jack Frost would be spreading his cover again, resulting in chilblains
and frozen tap water come morning. I made a mental note to search for that
elusive hot water bottle when I returned home.
     
    Helen opened the front door,
obviously startled to see me standing there looking so miserable in the cold. ‘Why,
Tom, what a pleasant surprise. Please come in and warm yourself by the fire.’
     
    ‘Thanks, Helen.’
     
    I followed her through to the
lounge room, where I found Brigit seated in a club armchair pulled up to the
edge of the hearth.
     
    ‘Hello, Tom, long time no see,’
said Brigit, gesturing to the chair beside her. ‘Grab a seat and get some
warmth, you look like you need to thaw out.’
     
    ‘Hi, Brig. You’re looking far
better than I expected.’
     
    ‘Yeah, much better now. I amazed
the doctors with my quick recovery. Something to do with being young and in
reasonable health, they kept telling me.’
     
    ‘And how long will the arm be in
plaster?’
     
    ‘About six weeks.’
     
    An uneasy silence came over the
room. The sound of crackling red gum seemed to intensify. It was Helen who
redirected everybody’s attention away from the hypnotic fire, for she sensed
that at nine o’clock on a cold winter’s night this was no ordinary visit.
     
    ‘So, to what do we owe the
pleasure?’
     
    ‘There’s a delicate and serious
matter to discuss,’ I said. ‘I’ve come here tonight as a relative and friend
who’s very concerned about everyone’s safety. Helen, it’s very difficult for me
to know where to start because you’re not aware of all the facts.’
     
    Helen frowned. ‘What are you
implying?’
     
    ‘I believe this would be best
handled if I could just have a quick word with Brigit first.’
     
    Helen appeared agitated and
grudgingly left the room.
     
    ‘Brigit, I believe your life is
in danger from the same people that instigated Jake’s murder.’
     
    ‘You can’t be