Page 74 of Chasing Blue
“So, what did you come here for? What did you want to ask me?” I ask the two cops.
“Who’s the blonde?” Edmonds asks.
“His ex. They split up eighteen years ago can you believe? We all lived up in Palmers Bay back then. Jack finally came to his senses, left her toxic arse swinging and hooked up with Scarlett. Eden then announces she’s pregnant and the baby’s Jack’s. Him and Scarlett are over before they even got started. She goes off to Uni in Sydney and he stays in Palmers and settles into parenthood, but refuses to get back with Eden. Eden gets her hooks into someone else, moves up the coast, and leaves Finn with Jack to raise. They moved down here when work got tight up North, and unbeknown to Jack, so did Scarlett after Uni. They recently reconnected, Eden has obviously heard about it and turned up on her broomstick yesterday arvo, out of the blue, and full of bullshit concern for Jack after hearing he’d been in the hospital Friday night, and claiming to have nowhere to stay. Numpty here let her stay at ours, and already, we’re seeing why that was a bad idea.”
“You fucking done?” I ask my sister. “You found that number for me yet, or done anything to earn the overtime I’m paying you to work today?”
“Don’t come at me because once again you’ve fucked up where that . . .”
“Fuck me!” I shout, finally having enough. “Can you just get me Scarlett’s number?” I turn my question to my sister who silently passes me a piece of paper. “How did you even know to come looking for me here on a I? What is it you actually want?” I turn to the cops and ask.
“We were just doing a drive-by, checking Newcombe hadn’t been here. Saw your sister’s car, and I thought I’d come and have a chat. Good job I did, seeing as it’s the first you’re hearing about what’s happened,” Edmonds looks pointedly at Bashford and says.
“Can I ask what kind of threat he made for you to come out here and check on me?”
“At this stage I can’t, but we just wanted you to be aware that in light of what happened Friday night, and then to Ms O’Brien’s property last night, you might want to take some extra precautions until we’re able to apprehend Mr Newcombe.”
“Again,” I add. “So you can apprehend him again, right? Because you had him once, then you let him go,” I finish, not even attempting to hide the sarcasm in my voice.
“He has contacts up the chain of command. I won’t lie, strings have probably been pulled, plus, there’s talk of counter-charges being brought against your brother because of the apparent unnecessary force that was used to pin Newcombe down until the police arrived.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Afraid not.”
I turn to look at my sister. This is the last thing Shannon needs. “I’ll call Shann,” she mouths to me. I nod in return.
“Does Shannon know about this?”
“He was spoken to at the hospital. We don’t think Newcombe has a case, he’s just posturing.”
Thank fuck for that. Pushing my fingers through my hair, I stare at my dog curled up in bed and try to get my thoughts in order.
“Is Scarlett all right? He didn’t make any threats to her? Is she safe? I’ve just been to her apartment, and she wasn’t there.” My gut once again churns as it hits me she might be in danger because of this lunatic.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s sleeping. There was a lot to deal with at her showroom, and they were waiting on a glazier when I left last night.”
I shake my head, scratch at my jaw, and rake my fingers through my hair. Frustration sets in that I’ve not been able to check in with Scarlett.
“Can I make another request?” I ask the cops, continuing before giving them a chance to answer. “Next time you send someone to talk to me, make sure it’s me they actually talk to, and not whatever random opens the door?”
Bashford bends back down to stroke Mick.
“Noted,” Edmonds says as he hands me a card. “Just keep your wits about you, yeah, and call Scarlett. She was upset she couldn’t get hold of you last night.”
“Fuck,” I sigh out as I stare up at the ceiling while pulling at my hair. “Yep, gonna get right on it now,” I assure the cops.
They leave and I pick up the office phone and call Scarlett’s number, it goes to voicemail.
“Babe, seriously. I’m so sorry. I’ve only just found out what happened to your showroom. I’ve lost my phone. I think it might be at yours still. Call me back on this number or on the numbers I’m gonna text you. They’re Finn’s and Milly’s, but I’ll get back to you.”
I end the message and set the phone down. It’s not even ten in the morning, but I already feel drained.
“Sorry, Mills, end of year accounts are gonna have to wait. I need to check in with Scarlett, then go and get Eden’s head out of her arse and find out what the fuck she’s up to.”
Leaning back in my chair, I stretch out my arms. When I straighten, I notice a second number on the piece of paper Milly gave me.
“What’s this?” I ask.
