“She didn’t want her position back? Didn’t want to be Jack’s right hand again?”
Paul glanced at the photo again. “It wasn’t that simple. Anyway, she has a big heart.”
“You’ve been with Jack for a long time.”
“My whole working life. He’s a good man.” Paul faced Ben again. “Look, I want to find him. I’ve spent hours driving to all the spots I’ve ever seen him at. Spoke to the barman at his favourite drinking hole. And some of the men he plays golf with. I’m working my way through a list of contacts but…”
“Go on.”
“What if he’s dead? I mean, how will Ellie cope?”
“Do you think Jack’s dead?”
“How can it not be a possibility? Jack’s wealthy beyond measure. He stands between certain people who want his money and power. Even at the board meeting, Dennis made it clear he’s getting impatient.”
“Enough to kill his father-in-law?” Ben said. “What exactly happened at the board meeting?”
“It was more after than during. The others were stuffing themselves with food while Jack, Dennis, and Campbell got into something at the far end of the boardroom table. I got a coffee for Jack, not that he noticed. He and Dennis were having words.”
“As in?”
“Well, I remember Campbell saying he’d do the paperwork and he left. Then Dennis was on about Jack’s decision affecting a lot of people, especially Dennis. Jack told him to shelve it and they’d speak privately on the yacht.”
“Do you know what they were discussing?”
Paul shrugged. “I stay out of the business. Was only in there because I do a security update each meeting. But Dennis was agitated. This was three hours before Jack disappeared.”
Ben glanced at the monitors lining one wall and Paul nodded. “Impressive, isn’t it. The control room is downstairs, but I keep an eye on things.”
“How long do you retain surveillance tapes?”
“Not tapes these days. But, a while.”
“Can you get me any from the boardroom meeting?”
“Should be able to. I’ll get someone onto it.”
“Have you checked to see when Jack left that day?”
“I’m an idiot. Should have been the first thing. Sorry, Detective, I’ll get you some footage.”
Once Ben left, Paul swivelled his chair so he could stare at the photograph on the wall.
6
Message From The Missing
Ellie dragged herself into the elevator of her apartment building. Emptiness and exhaustion battled for her attention and her shoulders slumped beneath the weight. She’d been out by car, going to Dad’s golf club, his Brighton box on the beach, a hotel he occasionally stayed at when he wanted some personal time. Nobody knew anything.
Then, she’d taken to the streets of Melbourne on foot, visiting every coffee shop, bookshop, and bar he liked. At one of the bookshops she’d seen a man at the back of the store in a designer suit with short cropped grey hair and her heart flipped, but then he turned. Not Dad. She’d hurried from the bookshop before she made a fool of herself by falling apart.
Now, as the elevator doors began to close, a man squeezed between them. Mid-twenties with curly blonde hair, he wore a singlet and track pants and carried a gym bag. She’d seen him once before, but there was also a familiarity about his face she couldn’t place. Probably had seen him more than once and not paid attention.
“Thought I’d missed it.” He grinned, positioning himself close to Ellie. Too close. “Need a shower something bad.”
She agreed but put on the smile she used for strangers. Polite and remote.
“Hey, I know you.”
Ellie looked at the ground. She wasn’t up to questions about Dad.
“You live a few doors up from me.”
“We’re on the same floor.” Ellie relaxed and offered a friendlier smile.
“You’ve noticed me.”
Did you just flex your muscles?
“Guess you would. I work hard for this body.”
Instead of laughing, she managed, “I’m married.” At least for now.
“Good for you. I’m not into older women. But nice to know you’ve checked me out.”
With a soft whoosh, the doors opened and gym man stepped out. Ellie counted to three then exited, hoping he’d kept walking. Older woman. Since when was thirty old? He unlocked a door to the left, grinning when she glanced at him.
Her corner apartment was the opposite direction and she let herself in, not sure whether to laugh or cry. Instead, she opened the only remaining alcohol—the French champagne and toasted herself.
To old women who are married but not married.
Shoes off, a mouthful of not-as-bad-as-she-expected bubbly warming her stomach, Ellie stood in the middle of the living room. If Dennis was gone, then this was all hers again. She’d owned the apartment for longer than she remembered and made the mistake of allowing him to add what he called ‘improvements’ with furnishings and art. Better than his preference of selling it and moving to the same suburb as her father, which Dennis considered a good idea.
The evening sky was red and gold and she longed to sit outside. How she loved Melbourne, the city she’d been born and raised in. From here she could see toward Dad’s house.
The champagne was suddenly tasteless and she put the glass on the table beside the phone.
The answering machine blinked.
She’d go out and get dinner and a bottle of real wine and come back and sleep. Take a pill and block it all out just for one night.
Her hand hovered over play. It would be a telesales call.
She touched the button.
“Honey. It’s Dad.”
7
A Clue
Ben almost bumped into a man rushing out of the elevator as he stepped in. They both apologised, then went their separate ways. The doors closed behind Ben, amplifying the stench of dried sweat he’d noticed coming off the other man. Normally people got sweaty after the gym, but the bag and clothes indicated he was on his way to one.
Ben stared at his reflection on the mirrored sides, straightened his tie and combed his too-long hair with his fingers. Get it cut. Shave the stubble.
Why do you care what she thinks?
Ellie’s floor. He turned right and headed to the corner apartment, where he tapped. “It’s Ben.”
“Not locked.”
He raised his eyebrows and let himself in. The sliding doors to a long, wrap-around balcony were wide open and Ellie was outside, leaning against the rail.
Ben glanced around. Glass windows on both sides with incredible views. A gas fireplace set in the middle of a lowered living area. White kitchen with nothing on the benches. Not like the colourful mix of fruit bowls, herbs hanging to dry, and assorted bowls she used to keep there. And the minimal furnishings and rather odd pieces of artwork were new. New to him.
“This is all mine again, it appears.” Ellie watched him from the sliding door. “If you know anyone who likes these sorts of furnishings, the whole lot will be going. Not my style.”