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intended victim? What
was the motive? Would the city detectives take long to arrest the guilty party?
Had Brigit’s condition improved? It had become a circle of questions that
yielded no answers.
     
    I had decided to return to the
office and have lunch with Emily when from around the corner appeared Ruth
Evans, the resident busybody, who would undoubtedly start bombarding me with
her usual umpteen-dozen questions. I had to grin and bear it. There was no
escaping her for she had already cornered me for the onslaught.
     
    ‘Oh, Tom, wasn’t it tragic what
happened to young Jake Reynolds? And poor Brigit, how is she coping? I’m afraid
all this nasty business has got the better of me.’
     
    ‘Yes, a sad time for all, Ruth. I’m
told Brigit’s condition is serious but stable.’ I knew Ruth was the type of
woman to thrive in such circumstances. I could only tolerate her in small doses
for her conversation was generally directed at the unpleasant side of life. Now
approaching her sixtieth year, she had a sharp eye and went to extraordinary
lengths to know everybody’s business.
     
    ‘I guess the police will be
questioning all the residents,’ she probed.
     
    ‘Probably, but I’m sure you’ll be
ready for them. I must go now and not hold up Emily for lunch,’ I responded,
thankful for this excuse as a means to depart.
     
    ~ * ~
     
    In
the company of his immediate superior, Senior Sergeant Ross Whittaker, Darren
Burke had just hung up after talking to Helen O’Neill when two city detectives
walked into his office to be briefed on the Jake Reynolds case. He gave them a
carefully detailed summary.
     
    ‘So there you have it,’ he said. ‘Not
a great deal of information at this stage.’
     
    Detective Sergeant Alan Forbes, a
plumpish and pale man of around fifty years with an intimidating presence and
steely eyes, was the first to respond. He had been appointed to head this
investigation based upon his uncanny ability to catch his man. His reputation
for solving difficult cases was unsurpassed.
     
    ‘On the contrary,’ he said, ‘there
are a number of leads to investigate. For instance, who associated with Jake
Reynolds and, for that matter, Brigit O’Neill? We need to determine if the
young Reynolds lad was the intended victim. And why did he choose this route
when danger signs along the cliff should have acted as a deterrent? We also
need to unravel the motive, means and opportunity. By investigating the
associates of these young people, we may discover the reason behind such an
act.’
     
    Forbes continued. ‘Motive, your
key ingredient, can derive from a multitude of reasons. With this in mind don’t
overlook the problem that Pedley’s concealed for years - its drug trade. Based
on known facts, together with the forensics report submitted this morning, I
tend to agree with your judgment, sergeant. It has all the hallmarks of drug
underworld repercussions as a result of young Jake Reynolds witnessing a
gangland murder. What intrigues me is what the lad may’ve overheard. You mentioned
underground networks and the distribution of drugs in your summary, but because
you couldn’t elaborate in more detail that secret will now be taken to the
grave.’
     
    Before Burke could acknowledge
these comments, Detective Senior Constable Paul Marsh intervened. Unlike his
counterpart, this thirty-something detective was a ball of fitness. Burke
guessed that he worked out at the gym, and judging by his pug nose he’d
probably gone a round or two in the boxing ring.
     
    ‘Initially we’ll interview
residents who live in close proximity to the crime scene,’ Marsh said. ‘This
will include the three properties adjacent to the cliff and the operators and
tenants of Harrison’s Caravan Park. It would seem a visit to Brigit O’Neill may
have to wait until her condition improves, but we can at least approach the two
respective parents for comment.’
     
    ‘I was on the phone to Brigit’s
mother when you