Force of Nature (Aaron Falk #2)(40)

‘If it’s about the action, you’ll have to take it up with our lawyers,’ she said.

‘Sorry?’ Falk realised too late he’d made the mistake of sitting on an ancient couch so squashy he had to fight to keep his feet on the floor. He clutched discreetly at the arm to stop himself sinking further.

‘Aren’t you from Executive Adventures?’ Her words came out a little thick and she touched her swollen lip with the tip of her tongue.

‘No. Police.’ Falk introduced them by name only. ‘We’re assisting Sergeant King.’

‘Oh. Sorry. I thought I saw you yesterday with Ian Chase and assumed . . .’ She didn’t finish.

Carmen looked at her. ‘You’re taking legal action against Executive Adventures?’

Jill swirled her mug. No steam rose from the liquid. It looked like she’d been holding it for some time.

‘Not BaileyTennants, directly. But the insurance company covering the trip has sent a letter of intent. I can’t say that I blame them.’ She looked from one to the other. ‘And that’s separate from any action Alice or her family may choose to take, obviously.’

‘Has Alice Russell’s family come up here?’ Falk asked.

‘No. She has a teenage daughter who’s staying with her father. He and Alice are divorced. We’ve offered them assistance, obviously, whatever they need. But apparently it’s better for Margot – that’s the girl – to be somewhere familiar than wringing her hands up here.’ She looked down at her own hands. The nails on her right hand were broken, Falk noticed. Like Bree’s.

‘Is your brother still here?’ Carmen said. ‘His car’s not outside.’

Jill took a deliberate sip from her coffee mug before answering. Definitely cold, Falk could tell from her expression. ‘No. You’ve missed him, I’m afraid.’

‘Where’s he gone?’ Falk said.

‘Back to Melbourne.’

‘Business demands?’

‘It’s a family matter.’

‘It must be something urgent, to call him away with all this going on as well? Not ideal.’

Jill’s face tightened with annoyance before she could help it, and Falk suspected she agreed. ‘He didn’t make the decision lightly.’

‘You don’t need to go too?’

‘His immediate family. Not mine.’ Jill went to take another sip, then thought better of it. ‘Sorry, where did you say you were from again?’

‘AFP.’

‘I thought the state police were handling this? I’ve already spoken to them.’

‘It’s multi-agency,’ Falk said, looking her in the eye. ‘We’d be grateful if we could go over a couple of things.’

There was a tiny pause. ‘Of course. Anything to help.’

Jill put the coffee mug on a side table next to her mobile. She checked the blank screen of her phone, before turning it over with a sigh.

‘It’s like a phantom limb, isn’t it?’ Carmen said.

‘I think having that bloody phone with no coverage was actually one of the hardest things out there,’ Jill said. ‘It’s pathetic, isn’t it? It would have been easier having nothing, at least it wouldn’t have been such a distraction.’

‘Did you know Alice had taken her mobile with her?’ Falk said.

‘Not until the first night. I wasn’t completely surprised, though. Alice is a bit like that.’

‘Like what?’

Jill looked at him. ‘Like someone who might bring her banned phone on a retreat.’

‘Right,’ Falk said. ‘And do you know who she tried to call out there?’

‘Triple zero, obviously.’

‘No-one else?’

She frowned. ‘Not that I know of. We needed to save the battery. Not that it made any difference. We never got through.’

‘At all?’ Falk said.

‘No.’ She sighed. ‘God, I was so angry when she disappeared with the phone. We were relying on it, even though it was useless. But it seems ridiculous now, sitting here. I’m glad she has it. I hope it helps her.’

‘Will you be staying up here while the search goes on?’ Carmen said. ‘Or are you heading back to Melbourne as well?’

‘No. I’m staying until she’s found – safe, I hope. Daniel would have stayed as well, but –’ Jill ran a hand over her face, flinching a little as she touched her bruise. ‘I’m sorry. This is all new territory for us. I’ve been with the company twenty-nine years and we’ve never had something like this happen. Honestly, these bloody retreats.’

‘More trouble than they’re worth?’ Falk asked, and Jill managed a faint smile.

‘Even when they go right. Personally, I’d rather people got on with the job they’re being paid for, but you can’t say that in this day and age. It’s all about a holistic management approach now.’ She shook her head. ‘But, Christ, this is a nightmare.’

Behind her, the large picture window rattled and they all looked over. The rain spattering against the pane, distorting the view.

‘How long have you known Alice Russell?’ Falk said.

‘Five years. I hired her, actually.’