CHAPTER FOUR
Ellie took a sip from her double shot espresso and waited for the caffeine to work its magic. It was barely eight thirty and already a headache plagued her. It had started when she’d woken and remembered she’d been partnered with the Fed.
She stifled a groan. It wasn’t as if she had anything against him, personally. It wasn’t like it was the AFP’s fault her ex had turned into a bastard the minute he’d been accepted into its haloed ranks. He’d obviously had the potential to be a loser well before then.
It was just that his weakness hadn’t manifested itself until the acceptance papers arrived in the mail. Overnight, he’d morphed into someone she hadn’t recognized. The memories still made her angry, although in clearer moments, she grudgingly accepted how lucky she’d been to discover his inherent selfishness well before the wedding march had been played.
Fortunately, she wouldn’t have to deal with Clayton for more than the ride to work. Within moments of taking the seat beside her, he’d asked her to drop him off at the Westmead Morgue. He’d then proceeded to stare out the window. They’d spent the rest of the journey in silence. She’d been even more relieved when he’d told her he’d be at the morgue for most of the morning.
The only thing she’d been disgruntled about was that he’d looked good enough to eat in his tailor-made designer suit and crisply knotted tie. He’d offered her a casual wave good-bye with a smile that could have sold toothpaste and her belly had fluttered with nerves. If she was honest with herself, she had to admit it was her reaction to him that had her most out of sorts.
Luke sauntered in from the tea room, his usual brew of coffee in hand. Catching sight of her face, he shook his head. “Not a good way to start the morning, Coop.”
Ellie threw him a withering look. “You’d better watch your mouth, Baxter. I’m not in the mood.”
“Now, now, Coop. Don’t be like that. How could you be out of sorts with the sun barely two hours above the horizon? It’s not like you to come to work in a bad mood.”
She threw her hands in the air, her frustration evident. “Who knows? Maybe it has something to do with the unsolved cases piling up on my desk. Or the fact that Ben’s seen it necessary to bring in outsiders before we’ve even had a chance to put together something ourselves.” Collapsing back into her chair, she blew her breath out in an effort to relieve the tension that had her wound as tight as a guitar string. She looked up as Ben strode in.
“Where’s Clayton?” His eyes narrowed on her face. “You did pick him up, didn’t you?”
She only just managed to suppress a roll of her eyes. “Of course. I promised you I’d show him the utmost respect, and I am.”
“So, where is he?”
“He’s at the morgue. He wants to talk to Samantha. Obviously, Luke and I can’t be trusted to get it right.” She checked her watch. “I’m supposed to be picking him up shortly.”
“Don’t sound so enthusiastic, Detective.” He swung around to face Luke. “How’d you do with the TV stations? Any chance of keeping the story alive for a bit longer?”
Luke took another sip out of his coffee mug, his expression glum. “It’s a bit of a battle, Ben. The story broke two weeks ago.” He shrugged. “With no fresh leads and that big drug bust down at Kings Cross a couple of nights ago, they’re not that interested.”
He set his mug down on Ellie’s desk. She frowned at the wet puddle it formed amongst her mountain of paperwork. Luke continued, oblivious.
“I did manage to get the papers to run it one more time. They’re going to focus on the earrings. It’ll come out this afternoon. Let’s hope someone recognizes them. At least then we’ll have something to go on.”
Ben’s attention returned to Ellie. “How about the Ward girl? Anything new?”
She squirmed under his regard. “No, sir. Not yet, anyway. We tracked down Josie Ward’s supervisor. He’s been off sick the last couple of weeks. He showed us a copy of the security tape from her last shift. Unfortunately, there’s not much to see once she leaves the store. She heads off in the direction of the taxi stand with Drew McNeill and after that, there’s nothing.”
“Keep me posted, won’t you? Those poor families must be going out of their minds.”
Ellie held her breath as he turned abruptly and headed toward his office. With a sigh, she tilted her head up to meet Luke’s somber gaze.
“I can’t imagine what he’s going through.”
She suppressed a shiver. “Yeah. There but for the grace of God.”
“You got any kids, Coop?”
The question hit her without warning, as if she’d been whacked in the stomach with a baseball. Visions of Jamie flooded her mind, cutting short her air supply. She sucked in her breath and felt the blood drain from her face.
“Cooper, are you all right? Christ, you look awful.”
Luke bent over her, his eyes full of concern. Ellie struggled to regain her composure. “I’m fine. I’m fine. I just… You just…” She shook her head. “Forget about it, Baxter. I’m fine. I might just step outside for a bit and clear my head.” Her lips twisted. “I’ll go and pick up the Fed.”
She collected her coat and scarf from the back of her chair and headed toward the locker room to retrieve her handbag. She was almost outside the door when Ben called out to her.
“Ellie, I’ve just received another call from Jim Whitton.”
She frowned, searching her memory and coming up blank.
“The man I told you about a couple of weeks ago. His chest freezer’s gone missing. Actually, I should say he’s the latest victim. There have been a couple of earlier freezer thefts reported, haven’t there?”
“Yes,” she replied, relieved to have made the connection at last. “I’m still chasing up a few leads.” Tying her red woollen scarf around her neck, she pulled her coat on over her shoulders. “I’m on my way out to collect Federal Agent Munro.”
“You need to stop by. Take him with you. Whitton lives in Penrith. Clay will probably want to meet with the girls’ families this afternoon, anyway.” He handed her a piece of paper. “Here’s the address. Take Whitton’s statement. Make him feel like someone cares.” He grimaced. “And get him to stop phoning me, will you?”
She swallowed a sigh and forced a smile. “No worries, boss.”
Ben’s expression softened. “I know what you’re thinking, Ellie. You’re snowed under with more important things right now. We all are. But do me a favor; just go through the motions. Take his statement, make him feel important. You know what to do.”
She groaned aloud and shoved the piece of paper into the pocket of her trousers. Pulling her heavy black coat tighter around her, she slung her handbag over her shoulder and headed out the door.
* * *
From a distance, the red brick-and-tile bungalow reminded Ellie of the Ward house a couple of suburbs across. Similar in age and style, it wasn’t until they’d stepped onto the front porch that the similarities came to an abrupt end.
Junk of every shape, size and description filled the small entryway, all the way to the battered front door. Old newspapers, wooden boxes, cardboard and aluminium cans were crammed into every space and crevice. The place looked like a recycling plant.
Clayton gave the front door a dubious knock, its chipped and peeling white paint in keeping with the standard set by the entryway. They were met with silence. Glancing at Ellie, he shrugged and knocked again, this time louder.
“All right, all right. I’m comin’. I’m comin’. Hold ya horses.”
The rusted screen door opened with a noisy protest. A middle-aged man with an alarmingly large stomach that protruded over a pair of gabardine work shorts met them at the door. The skinniest legs Ellie had ever seen poked out from underneath. Seemingly oblivious to the cold July temperature, the man looked them over with bright, curious eyes.
“Mr Whitton?” Ellie held out her hand, grimacing inwardly as it was engulfed in a fleshy handshake. “I’m Detective Cooper, and this is Federal Agent Munro. We’re from the Penrith Local Area Command. We’re here about your freezer.”
“Jim.” The man grinned, showing an eternity of dental neglect. An odor that almost outdid the stench of the trash wafted toward her. “Call me Jim. Come in. Come in.”
She shot Clayton an involuntary look of distaste. He grinned back at her and leaned in close. “Don’t worry, Cooper. I’ve got your back.”
Spicy aftershave and warm, male smell assailed her. It was so at odds with the reek of the house, she felt dizzy. With a shake of her head, she forced a light reply. “It’s not my back I’m worried about. Who knows what horrors lie inside.”
She watched as Jim Whitton disappeared down the hallway and then she took a cautious step inside.
Clayton chuckled low in her ear. “Don’t tell me you’re scared.”
“Yeah, scared of catching some exotic disease no one’s ever heard of.” She looked around her again. “This place is a health hazard.”
With gritted teeth, she continued forward. More garbage filled the front room. A strange odor emanated through a closed door off to her left. She wasn’t game to open it.
They continued on through the house. Each room they passed was progressively smellier and fuller with garbage and other pieces of junk. One room seemed to be filled entirely with old glass bottles. There wasn’t a piece of uncluttered furniture in the place.
Jim Whitton waited for them on the back porch that had been enclosed with windows and a door. Surprisingly, compared to the rest of the house, it was only modestly chaotic. An old television sat in a cupboard with both doors missing. A threadbare couch was propped up against the wall with two building bricks replacing an absent leg. A large black cat sat curled upon it, eyeing Ellie and Clayton with suspicion.
“Snowball! Scram!” Whitton shooed away the cat that was very reluctant to move. He pushed at it with his hand. “Let these officers sit down.”
“We’re fine,” Ellie said hurriedly. “We won’t take up too much of your time. We’re just here to ask you a few questions about the chest freezer you reported stolen.”
“Me freezer, yeah. It was right over there. Right near me couch. You can still see where it used to sit.”
Her gaze followed in the direction of his grubby finger. She noticed a large, vacant space further along the wall. Dust gathered thickly around it, leaving it conspicuously empty amongst the junk. A rusted upright fridge stood beside it.
She looked around the porch. It was obvious he lived out here. The junk in Jim Whitton’s house had forced him outside. All that was missing was a bed. But maybe that’s what the couch was for…
Ellie suppressed a shudder as Clayton picked his way through the scattering of debris for a closer look. He gamely squatted near the vacant square. “When did you notice it gone?”
The man scratched a dirty fingernail across his unshaven chin before answering. “Nearly three weeks ago. I’d not long been home from a day at the tip and I came out here for a coldie. Couldn’t believe me eyes when I realized it was missin’. I called the local coppers and they told me they’d send someone around, but it’s been three weeks and nothin’. Haven’t seen hide nor hair of ’em. That’s why I kept ringin’ the Superintendent. I figured if anyone could get some action happenin’ it would be the boss.”
Ellie stepped a little closer, mindful of the stench emanating from him. “You work at the garbage depot. Is that what you mean when you say the tip?”
Jim chuckled. “Work? Yeah, I guess you could call it that. I’m a scab, darlin’. I scab from the tip. Where do you think I got all me stuff from? All me little treasures?” His arms spread wide, indicating the house full of junk. “It brings me in a pretty penny from the recyclin’ plant.”
Clayton coughed loudly behind her. Ellie suppressed a grin. Jim’s eyes suddenly narrowed. “You’re not gonna turn me in to Centrelink, are you?”
Ellie shook her head. “We’re not here for that, but if you’re earning additional unclaimed income, perhaps you’d better go and talk to them yourself.” Another whiff of the man’s odor reached her. Risking a tiny breath of air, she took out her notebook and pen and cleared her throat, suddenly anxious to get this over with.
“Anyway, talking about the freezer. It was a chest freezer, is that right?”
“Yeah, darlin’. Just a plain old Westinghouse. Had it for years. Weren’t worth nothin’. But I still want it back. Got nowhere to store me meat or me frozen vegies.”
Ellie was surprised he even knew what vegetables were, but remained silent. Clayton picked his way back to them.
“How do you think they got in?” he asked.
Jim’s brow creased in confusion. He stared back at Clayton. “Got in? Whatcha mean, got in?”
“I mean, how do you think they broke into your house? Were there any windows broken or a door smashed?”
Jim threw back his head and laughed. “Nah, mate, they didn’t break in. They didn’t have to. I don’t lock nothin’ around here. All they had to do was back a pick-up into me driveway and lift it straight off me porch. Me own fuckin’ porch. Can you believe it?”
Clayton’s jaw tensed and impatience flashed in his eyes. Ellie knew exactly how he felt. They were wasting time. They should have been over at Evelyn Ward’s or Robyn Batten’s—asking questions of the people who really did have something to worry about.
She stepped in. “All right, Mr Whitton, we’ll see what we can do. It was only meat and frozen vegetables in the freezer, is that right?”
“Yeah, darlin’. That’s all I keep in there. And the occasional loaf of bread and a tub or two of marge. But I had at least a month’s worth of groceries in there. That’s a lot of meat to walk off your porch. I’m on the pension, you know. I really wanna get it back.”
“Of course, Mr Whitton. We’ll be doing all that we can to find it.” Ellie pulled a card out of her wallet and handed it to him. “If you think of anything else, give me a call.”
“I surely will, darlin’. I surely will.”
Clayton picked his way over to the screen door which led to the back steps. Ellie followed behind him and breathed a sigh of relief that she’d avoided another trip through the house.
She made her way over the grassed area Mr Whitton was sure had provided access for the thieves. The heels of her boots sank into the damp ground. Lifting up the legs of her suit pants, she picked her way carefully through the mud.
Several sets of tire tracks marked the soft dirt. It was obvious he used the driveway, too. After three weeks of use, it was impossible to determine a single set of tire marks among the melee of tracks she saw.
With a sigh of resignation, she headed to the squad car where Clayton waited. When he slid into the passenger seat, she half smiled at him, her guard momentarily lowered. “What the hell did we do to deserve that? He’s an absolute loony.”
He grinned back at her. “Yeah, but it does look like something’s missing. I mean, the only clear space in that entire house is where he says there was a chest freezer.” He cocked his head at her. “I’m inclined to believe him.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t believe him,” she protested. “In fact, his story’s very similar to a couple of other cases I’ve been working on. In both of those, the freezers were reported missing from the back porch. Both of them are within a few miles of this place.” A reluctant smile tugged at her lips. “Someone’s obviously got a thing for chest freezers.”
“Let’s hope we don’t find one of our girls in them.”
Ellie gave him a disparaging look. “Sounds a bit Hollywood, don’t you think?”
“I don’t know what to think. But at this stage, nothing can be discounted. Hopefully Josie and Sally will turn up fine and all will be well.”
His face looked anything but hopeful. Coldness seeped into her veins. Despite her flippancy, the picture had shifted. The scenery now looked a whole lot more sinister.
The phone in her pocket vibrated against her leg and she pushed the thought aside. Tugging it out, she glanced down and recognized the number.
“It’s the boss.” She answered the call. “Hey, Ben. What’s happening?”
“Ellie, I need you and Clayton to make another house call.”
“Sir, we’ve only just finished with Jim Whitton. We haven’t even made it to the Wards’ place yet and then we’re off to the Battens’. If you can just give us another hour or two—”
“We’ve had a hit on the head shot. Someone phoned it in about ten minutes ago. Apparently recognized it in the afternoon edition of the paper. I think the close-up of the jewelry did it.”
Her heart picked up its pace. “Wow, that’s great. Do we have a name?”
“Yeah, the caller says the girl’s Angelina Caruso. She’s from Mt Druitt. Been missing for just over six weeks.”
“Who called it in?”
His voice turned grim. “Her mother.”