Sucked In by Shane Maloney Page B

the full transcript?’
    As I’d hoped, the files had not yet been returned to the Coroner’s office. Even better, some included the evidence tendered at the inquest in addition to the finding itself. I told Pat I’d come straight over.
    â€˜We close in half an hour.’
    â€˜I’ll read fast.’
    But first I called Barry Quinlan’s office. I flipped open my diary as I dialled, expecting one of his buffers to organise the meeting with Phil Sebastian. The buffer, it transpired, was Phil himself.
    â€˜Murray,’ he cooed. ‘Listen mate, I’m sorry I missed you at Charlie Talbot’s funeral. It must have been a shocking experience, you being there when he, er, went and everything. I wanted to personally tell you how much everybody here appreciates the job you did with the arrangements.’
    â€˜Yeah, well,’ I mumbled. ‘It wasn’t the best of days.’
    â€˜Anyway,’ he moved right along. ‘As you’ve probably heard by now, I’ll be his replacement.’ He managed to make it sound like an onerous but inescapable burden, one he’d agreed to shoulder out of duty. ‘So Barry suggested we get together, the three of us, and have you brief me on some of the specifics of the demographic. He’s in Sydney at the moment, Telecommunications matters, but he’ll be back in Melbourne on Monday. How does ten-thirty sound, here at Barry’s office?’
    One time’s as good as another when you’re being taken for granted. ‘It’s in the book,’ I said, scribbling it into my diary. ‘See you then.’
    â€˜Before you go,’ he said quickly. ‘This thing on Sunday at Broadford town hall. I was thinking it might be a good opportunity to meet some of the locals. And to pay my final respects, of course. Two birds with the one stone, so to speak.’
    â€˜ Broadmeadows ,’ I said. The idea of him working the room at Charlie’s wake was too appalling to contemplate. ‘I can see where you’re going, Gil. But Sunday’ll be very much a family affair, know what I mean. Bit of a closed shop.’
    â€˜Point taken,’ he said. ‘Monday, then.’
    We kissed goodbye, I hung up and headed over to the library. The weather had changed yet again. The wind had dropped and the cloud ceiling had lifted to a high grey sheen. To the west, beyond the office towers of the central city, it was breaking open to reveal clear skies. By the look of it, Red would get his hoped-for wheel-time. As I walked, I fished out my mobile and dialled the other call-back number on my list. It belonged to Charlie’s electorate officer, Helen Wright.
    Helen had been hit pretty hard by her boss’s death. Not only because they’d been friends and workmates for many years, but also because she was now facing an uncertain future. Phil Sebastian owed her nothing and once he was securely installed, he’d probably dump her and use the job to buy some local personal loyalty. Such was the nature of political patronage, and Helen knew it.
    She’d called, she explained, to ask my advice.
    â€˜You’ve heard about Phil Sebastian getting the guernsey, I take it? Thing is, he’s been trying to get in touch with me. The electorate office is closed for the duration, so he’s been leaving messages on my voicemail. He wants us to meet as soon as possible, and for me to line up some introductions with branch secretaries. And, get this Murray, he wants to come to the wake.’
    Helen was not just a brick, but a mate. I’d do my best to steer her right.
    â€˜It’s up to you, Helen,’ I said. ‘You can always lie low for the weekend, plead family matters or whatnot while you make up your mind what you want to do. As for the wake, I’ve already spoken with him about that.’
    â€˜What did you say?’
    â€˜I told him to fuck off.’
    She laughed. ‘Nah, you