Kate greeted Anya with a worried expression. “We need to talk.”
“Are you looking at the Harbourns?” Anya removed her shoe covers and discarded them in a police-issue plastic waste-bag outside the gate.
“That’s what I wanted to see you about.” Kate led her down the street, beyond the border of the scene.
“We found a property out west they go to a lot. A search of the place turned up a list in Noelene’s handwriting. A number of addresses and phone numbers.” She shoved her hands in her trouser pockets. “Yours was on it.”
She showed Anya a photocopy. Her home address and car registration were written down, along with an asterisk and the words LIVES ALONE. Suddenly Anya felt lightheaded and leaned against the nearest fence.
“Keep reading,” Kate urged.
Anya scanned and saw Natasha Ryder’s name and address, along with the same addendum. LIVES ALONE. Further down, she stopped at the name and felt as if her world was crashing in.
CRICHTONS YOUNG KID LIVES WITH HER EX. UNFIT MOTHER???????
The number, street and suburb were accurate.
“God, Kate, they know where Ben lives.”
The detective moved to her side. “It’s okay, Hayden spoke to Martin and he’s taking Ben to stay at his friend’s house for a few days. Ben will stay in the classroom with his teacher until Martin gets there.”
“He can’t come to stay with me anymore,” she sniffed. “This can’t be happening.”
“Look, it’s not as uncommon as it seems. Noelene’s boyfriend works for motor registry and we suspect he used their database to get most of the info.
“Going by the amount of drugs we found in the family home, these guys are into dealing as well as selling weapons from the armed robberies. That’s how they can afford to pay for Gary’s medical fees in cash.
“We’ve treated them pretty much as opportunistic idiots, but they’ve got more than a few angles going that make money. Noelene obviously wants to protect it all.”
“Why would she collect all our addresses? She can’t be planning on wiping out half the police, doctors, prosecutors and their families.”
“We think she got hold of the personal details in case she decides to bribe the boys out of trouble. They’ve also got Natasha’s parents, brother and aunt on the list.”
“That won’t mean anything to Martin. He won’t understand. Instead, he’ll use it to stop me from seeing my son. God, Natasha is already dead.”
Kate put her hand on Anya’s shoulder. “That family holiday had an effect. Hayden tells me Martin was pretty concerned that you were all right.”
Anya coughed and processed what Kate had said.
“Did they have any police names?”
“Hayden and Liz Gould, her husband and kid’s names too. Mine wasn’t on the list so you’re welcome to stay in the spare room for a few days if you want. You know I’m barely there.”
It didn’t seem such a bad idea. They could look out for each other. Besides, Anya didn’t fancy going home alone, not now.
“Do you think it’s necessary?”
Kate kicked the ground. “I don’t want to scare you, but whoever killed Natasha knew what they were doing. It was an assassination: short, quick, no witnesses. It doesn’t fit the Harbourn style and, thank God, she wasn’t raped. It doesn’t add up. But put it this way, misery enjoys company, so they say.”
Anya knew the detective well enough to know that this was the closest she would come to admit being concerned.
“Do you promise to tidy up?”
Kate held her hand over her heart. “Scout’s honor I’ll try not to be messy. But only if you agree to water the pot plant.”
As annoying as Kate would be to share a house with, it made sense. “There’s been enough carnage lately. The plant just got a reprieve.”
The detective’s phone rang and Kate answered it. “Just told her now, she’s still here…We’ll be there some time after two.”