Back on Track, page 33
On the trip from The Breakaways into town she’d spent her time carefully composing a text and selecting suitable photos, and once there’d been signal she’d pressed send. She’d been on tenterhooks ever since, wondering if she’d get any response. Dean would be at work so she wasn’t sure when he’d check his phone. She’d never messaged him during work hours before, had never had the need.
She sighed. Her phone was stubbornly devoid of any recent texts. She checked again that it was on silent and slipped it into the pocket of her pants.
Beyond the bus she caught sight of Ning. She had her phone to her ear and appeared to be speaking excitedly. That family of hers hardly left her alone for a minute.
“This heat is certainly different to the tropics, isn’t it?”
Judith moved along the seat as another couple from the tour joined her seeking the shade.
“Very dry,” she said. “Like being in an oven. I hope we don’t have to wait too much longer to get back on the coach.”
The driver walked out of the museum as she spoke.
“Thank goodness,” the woman said, fanning her face with a pamphlet.
They moved towards the bus and Judith paused at the sound of a siren. Coober Pedy had seemed almost sleepy. It wasn’t a sound she’d expected. The sirens got louder and their tour group watched as a police car sped by, followed by a rescue truck and then an ambulance.
There were worried faces and concerned comments but the bus driver remained upbeat.
“Accidents happen from time to time in a mining community but we’ve got a good rescue team.” As the sirens faded into the distance he encouraged everyone to climb aboard. “Don’t want to be late for lunch,” he said.
Ketty waited in the shade of the small verandah outside the entrance to the wildlife sanctuary. Their group had enjoyed another delicious lunch, this time in a tunnel that had once been part of an opal mine. She’d struck up a conversation with Belinda, who’d been serving their drinks. Belinda loved native animals and that had led Ketty to revealing Tien’s wish to see a real kangaroo. Belinda had mentioned the possibility of visiting some kangaroos recuperating at the local native animal orphanage. Then, after lunch while the rest of the tour group were visiting an underground church, she’d directed Ketty, Ning and Tien across the road for a quick visit to the kangaroos.
There were two joeys in special man-made pouches and three kangaroos recuperating from various injuries, along with some birds and a goanna, most to do with being hit by vehicles. Ketty suggested to Ning they not mention the goanna to Tien who thankfully was totally distracted by the kangaroos.
She was overjoyed to the point of being speechless as she held a joey in her arms. Ning and Ketty looked on like a pair of doting aunts. But the facility was small and once she’d had a quick look and taken several photos for Tien, Ketty had opted to wait outside for the other two.
It was quiet and she relished some time to herself. On the surface things seemed to be better between her staff – perhaps Birgit’s bad experience had been the catalyst to bring them together so there was a silver lining. And today at The Breakaways she’d noticed Judith and Lacey together, taking photos and appearing to be in conversation. She hoped it was a positive step and also that Ning would find the courage to talk to her family about continuing to work.
All hopeful signs for Ketty Clift Couture but that had highlighted something else. Judith had been right. Ketty had been missing in action quite a lot in the past few months. It was lots of small things, such as not meeting regularly to listen to her staff, heading off at short notice for long weekends with Carlos, handing some of her longstanding customers over to Lacey for the initial consult or to Judith for the final fit, not writing the personal notes for the eboutique orders and many more little things, but combined they’d meant her presence, her influence, the details that she added, the very essence that was the core of Ketty Clift Couture had been undermined.
And added to that Ketty wondered if Judith had been right about something else. What to do about Carlos was weighing heavily on her mind and, if she was honest, her heart.
Since Judith’s accusations about him Ketty had been taking more notice and there were small things that didn’t add up. Ketty had pushed them away but in the dark hours of this morning, in a patch of wakefulness, the seeds of doubt Judith had planted had appeared again. And today, after Ketty had seen Carlos press something into Lacey’s hand then he’d denied it, the seeds had germinated.
She’d waited for Lacey to move away from the painting they’d all been studiously taking in at the opal shop, then Ketty had asked Carlos what he’d given her. From the distance it had looked like a bank note. Lacey had money troubles and Ketty had thought perhaps kind-hearted Carlos had got wind of it and loaned her some. Lacey was very independent and wouldn’t accept it when Ketty offered but he’d looked insistent and Lacey startled, perhaps a little desperate. When Ketty had asked, he’d flatly denied giving Lacey anything, let alone money. If he could lie to her face about that, what else was he lying about?
And it was then Ketty had finally realised there could be some truth in Judith’s fears. Ketty had scratched around trying to remember what Judith had thought she’d overheard, a plea about keeping something from Ketty and not wanting to frighten her off.
After Carlos’s lie today, Ketty wondered about other things. She hadn’t questioned any of them at the time. There was the other day when he was talking to Felix. He’d denied it was her friend he’d been talking to but Felix had texted asking her to pass his number on. Now she wondered how many Felixes he knew in Sydney and what it had been about. He’d said not about his visa, but if it had been why would he not simply tell her? He’d been strange about it once before.
It was when he’d come back to stay after she’d broken her wrist. She’d woken from an afternoon nap to find Carlos at her kitchen table, papers spread everywhere. He’d been quick to pack them up but not before she’d seen it was something to do with a visa. He’d deflected her questions that time too. He’d opened a rather nice bottle of wine, she recalled, an expensive one from her special stash. It wasn’t true when Judith had suggested he was living off her. He’d given her the very generous travel voucher and he’d paid his own way when he’d stayed with her, but if Ketty looked harder there was probably an imbalance. She’d opened her home and her wallet without question.
Ketty had always had her own small doubts. How well did she really know Carlos when they’d not spent a lot of time together – but she’d always countered that with the ease with which their friendship resumed when they did meet up. It had always been like that but in the past Carlos had been working. Now he was retired and he no longer had strong family ties in Spain, and yet he’d been vague about what he saw for his future. In truth it was none of Ketty’s business what he did with his life but since he’d retired and spent time with her in Australia she was curious. She’d joked about Judith asking his intentions but maybe it wasn’t such a silly thing to do.
A distant siren drew her attention back to the street. Across the road people were coming out of the church so she assumed it was time to call Ning and Tien and join them. The siren grew louder and, as the other two women came out of the wildlife refuge, another police car raced along the street with siren and lights flashing. Coober Pedy was giving Paddington a run for its money in the siren stakes today.
forty
Day Three – Manguri Siding
Except that Judith had heard nothing from Dean, she’d enjoyed her day out and now she paused to take in the perfect evening. The bus had brought them back to the train and when they’d disembarked, instead of returning to their carriage they’d been greeted by stewards with trays of drinks and canapés. The sun was low in the sky and the heat of the day was ebbing with it. Fires crackled in strategically placed firepits and passengers stood nearby or grouped around picnic tables at bench seats, talking about their day.
Judith made her way to one of the tables where Ketty was seated with the woman she’d had breakfast with. They were alone and Ketty glanced up as Judith approached.
“Virginia, this is my friend and right hand in the business, Judith.” Ketty smiled and Judith felt warmed both by her words and their sincerity. It was as if the old Ketty was back, the pre-Carlos Ketty.
Judith said hello then tilted her head to listen. Surely that wasn’t a siren again, not way out there. Another bus rolled slowly into the parking area, its idling motor temporarily masking other sounds.
“Isn’t this magnificent.” Ketty waved her arm towards the setting sun.
“I suppose it has a kind of simple charm.” Virginia quirked an eyebrow.
Beau slipped onto the bench beside her and gave her a gentle nudge. “Come on, Mum. This trip has been pretty amazing.”
She sighed. “I suppose it has. And the bonus has been meeting Ketty again.”
“A bonus for me too,” Ketty said. “Oh, there’s Erik Visser. I wonder how he enjoyed his visit to his old home town.”
“Is that a siren?” Virginia said and they all listened.
“It is,” Ketty said. “I hope no-one’s unwell.”
“So much for the ambience,” Virginia snorted.
Beau stood. “I wonder what’s going on?”
Other passengers had heard the siren too. People were looking towards the track the buses had traversed. Jovial conversation slowed and became low murmurs as a large plume of red dust with blue-and-red flashing lights at its base moved steadily closer across the flat plain.
From the corner of her eye Judith noticed movement. Erik was skirting the edge of the crowd, slipping off towards the train. The sip of wine she’d taken soured in her stomach.
The police car braked to a stop in the parking area and cut its siren, the sudden silence revealing another siren in the distance. Thankfully there was a slight breeze that carried the plume of red dirt created by its hasty arrival away from the passengers.
Matt spoke to the police while other crew members tried to distract people with more drinks and food.
Judith noticed Erik had reached the side of the train now. He glanced back, then moved quickly along the track past the carriages.
“If I could have your attention, everyone,” Matt called and the crowd was instantly silent. He and the police constables moved closer to Judith’s group and Matt climbed onto the end of the bench seat. “The police would like to speak with Erik Visser.”
Judith felt as if her heart had stilled while around her there was an instant buzz of conversation. People looked around.
“If you know Mr Visser, can you let us know if you’ve seen him since you arrived back?”
“He just got off the bus,” Ketty said.
“Where is he now?” the policewoman asked.
Ketty shook her head and turned to Judith. “Did you see where he went?”
Judith felt the full force of every pair of nearby eyes on her. “To the train.”
Heads turned that way, including Judith’s. The silver carriages stretched out along the track, reflecting the sun’s golden rays, but of Erik Visser there was no sign.
Things happened quickly after that. The second police vehicle, a van with more police, arrived. Ketty gave them Erik’s carriage and cabin number and Matt took another crew member and led the way. The remaining staff and passengers were asked to stay where they were.
“I wonder what on earth has happened?” Ketty said as the rest of her ladies came to join them.
“It’s just like a TV show,” Tien said excitedly. “I told you there was something odd about that man. And he’s got a big head start on the police.”
“It’s a train parked in the middle of a desert,” Virginia said. “Where’s he going to go?”
“All those empty carriages and unlocked cabin doors,” Tien said.
“If I’m staying out here I need another drink,” Birgit said. “Anyone else?”
“Definitely,” Beau said and hailed a passing steward with a loaded tray. Soon everyone had a drink, whether they wanted one or not.
A police radio crackled and the remaining policemen got back in the van and drove it slowly towards the end of the train.
“I wonder why they want him?” Ning said, and for some reason they all looked at Judith.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I haven’t seen him since this morning.”
“It’s something to do with that box.” Tien nodded emphatically.
“It was full of opals.” Judith spoke quietly but she instantly had the attention of her group. She stared into her glass. “He said something about taking it back where it belonged but running out of opportunities.”
“He stole the opal!” Tien said.
Judith faced the surprised or questioning looks from those around the table. Only Ketty’s gaze was gentle, soft like an enveloping blanket.
“I got the feeling they were his opals but I really don’t understand any of it.”
“Poor Erik. I hope he’s okay.” Lacey’s voice was only a notch louder than Judith’s, her face creased in concern.
Lacey had liked Erik too.
“I think they’ve found him.” Birgit nodded towards the end of the train where a man was being escorted to the waiting police van. Matt and the policewoman were making their way back towards the passengers.
They stopped when they reached a high point close by and the policewoman asked for anyone who’d had interaction with Erik Visser on the train to stay and make a statement to police. “No-one panic.” She chuckled. “I have it on good authority the train’s not leaving without you. We just want to hear from anyone who may have noticed anything or spoken with Mr Visser.”
Matt said everyone else was free to return to their carriages. Not many people stayed – a couple who’d been on the return bus trip with Erik, and those from his section of the train who’d spoken with him. Turned out the only one who’d spent more than a few moments with him was Judith. By the time she’d finished speaking with the police it was almost dark. Everyone else had been asked to board the train and it was Matt who walked her back to her carriage. She felt so very sorry for Erik. He would have difficult times ahead.
Matt kept apologising that she’d been caught up in it all but she’d reassured him she was fine and that it was nobody’s fault. A few people gave her an inquisitive look as she passed through the lounge car but none of her group were there. She assumed they’d all be getting ready for dinner. Judith was desperate for a shower. Her towel and toiletries were in Birgit’s single cabin but she’d have to stop in at her own cabin for fresh clothes. She was almost to the door when it opened and Tien’s head poked out.
“At last!” Tien beckoned her wildly. “We’re all waiting.”
“Who?” Judith frowned but Tien had shot back into the cabin. She followed but was barely able to squeeze past the door. Ketty, Ning and now Tien were seated along the couch and Birgit and Lacey sat on the floor.
Tien began as soon as Judith managed to shut the door behind her. “I told you that man was stra—”
Ketty held a hand up. “We don’t mean to overwhelm you, Judith.” Ketty was obviously the spokesperson. “But we’re all desperate to know what happened with poor Erik.”
Judith looked at each expectant face. She was surprised Carlos wasn’t there but then he wouldn’t have fitted anyway.
“Sit down.” Ketty patted the couch beside her and Ning and Tien shuffled up to make more room.
“It’s all rather sad.” Judith suddenly felt heavy, as if her body had weights in it. She sagged into the narrow space. “When I spoke with Erik we mostly talked about wherever we were at the time and what was happening there. Nothing very personal. All I really knew about him was he used to mine for opals at Coober Pedy, that he was a widower, or at least I thought he was, and he’d moved away in recent years. Then this morning he did seem a bit…” Judith recalled the way he’d behaved. “Erratic. He wanted to show me his opals. That’s what was in the box.”
“Stolen opals!” Tien said.
“Not exactly. They were his and his ex-wife’s.”
“His dead wife,” Ketty said.
Judith shook her head. “Evidently she’s very much alive. They worked their claim for years. Had mild success but I gather it’s not an easy life and a few years back they took on a partner. Long story short, the wife had an affair with the partner. Erik walked out and took the opals that they hadn’t cashed in as his share of past and future earnings. Recently the wife filed for divorce and wanted half of whatever he had left.” Judith eased back against the couch. “Poor Erik became very bitter. He told her she could have them if she could find them.”
“I don’t get it,” Birgit said. “Why bring the boxful here if he didn’t want her to have them?”
“Did they find the box?” Tien glanced around as if it might suddenly appear in their cabin.
“It’s not on the train any more,” Judith said. “The police told me he sent his wife a map with the rail between Darwin and Coober Pedy highlighted. She knew he was coming – but not that the highlighted map meant he’d planned to scatter the opals along the way.”
There was a collective gasp.
“Of course he soon realised he couldn’t open any windows or doors when the train was moving.”
“And the box was in my cabin for the first two stops,” Ketty said.
“Yes.” Judith nodded. “When I came across him this morning he’d been trying to open one of the doors on the opposite side of the train. He’d planned to scatter the opal out there.” Judith waved a hand. “When he couldn’t do that he took the box with him to Coober Pedy and decided to tip them in a few of his old mates’ mines. He didn’t have a car, of course, and someone saw him and told his ex. She and the partner caught up with him as he was about to scatter some of the opal. There was a tussle and the partner lost his footing and slipped feet first into the mine.”
