Force of Nature (Aaron Falk #2)(72)

‘Jesus, I know all that!’ Definitely a glint of tears. ‘I just wanted to talk to her. That’s all.’

‘Okay.’ Bree put a hand out and rubbed Alice’s back. It felt a little awkward, and she realised they had never shared anything more than a handshake before.

‘I know she’s growing up.’ Alice wiped her eyes with her sleeve. ‘But she’s still my baby. You wouldn’t understand.’

No, thought Bree, picturing the broken bird’s egg, she supposed she wouldn’t. Her hand stilled on Alice’s back.

‘Don’t tell the others.’ Alice was looking at her now. ‘Please.’

‘They’ll want to know about the signal.’

‘There was no signal. I was wrong.’

‘Still –’

‘It’ll only get their hopes up. They’ll all want to try to call people. And you’re right about the battery.’

Bree said nothing.

‘Okay?’

As Bree let her hand fall from Alice’s back, Alice reached out and took it, her fingers firm against Bree’s knuckles. It was almost painful.

‘Bree? Come on, you’re smart enough to see that I’m right.’

A long pause. ‘I suppose.’

‘Good girl. Thank you. It’s for the best.’

As Bree nodded, she felt Alice drop her hand.





Chapter 18



Daniel Bailey looked small against the front of his sprawling mansion. Falk could see him in the rear-view mirror, watching as he and Carmen drove away. The wrought-iron gate guarding the property slid open silently to allow them to exit.

‘I wonder when Joel Bailey’s planning to come home and face the music,’ Falk said as they drove along the pristine streets.

‘Probably when he needs his mum to do his washing. I bet she’ll do it as well. Willingly.’ Carmen’s stomach rumbled loud enough to be heard over the engine. ‘Do you want to grab something to eat? Jamie won’t have left any food in the house before he went away.’ She peered out of the window as they passed a row of upmarket shops. ‘I don’t really know anywhere around here though. Nowhere that costs less than a mortgage repayment, anyway.’

Falk thought for a minute, weighing up his options. Good idea, bad idea?

‘You could come to mine.’ The words were out before he’d fully decided. ‘I’ll make something.’ He realised he was holding his breath. He let it out.

‘Like what?’

He mentally scanned his cupboards and freezer. ‘Spag bol?’

A nod in the dark. A smile, he thought.

‘Spag bol at your place.’ Definitely a smile, he could hear it in her voice. ‘How could I say no? Let’s go.’

He put the indicator on.

Thirty minutes later, they pulled up outside his St Kilda flat. The waves in the bay had been high and rough as they’d driven past, their white crests glowing in the moonlight. Falk opened the door. ‘Come in.’

His flat had the chill of a home left empty for several days, and he flicked on the light. His trainers were still by the front door where he’d kicked them aside to put on his hiking boots. How many days ago was that? Not even three. It felt like more.

Carmen trooped in behind him and looked around unashamedly. Falk could feel her watching as he did a lap of the living room, switching on lamps. The heater whirred to life and almost immediately it started to feel warmer. The entire room was painted a neutral white, with the few splashes of colour coming from the packed bookshelves that lined the walls. A table in the corner and a couch facing the TV were the only other pieces of furniture. The place felt smaller with another person in it, Falk thought, but not in a cramped way. He tried to remember when he’d last had someone over. It had been a while.

Without waiting for an invitation, Carmen seated herself on a stool at the breakfast bar that separated the modest kitchen from the living space.

‘These are nice,’ she said, picking up one of two hand-knitted dolls lying on top of padded envelopes on the counter. ‘Gifts? Or are you starting a weird collection?’

Falk laughed. ‘Gifts, thanks. I meant to post them this week but didn’t get to it with everything else happening. They’re for the kids of a couple of friends.’

‘Oh, yeah?’ She picked up the envelopes. ‘Not local mates, then?’

‘No. One’s back in Kiewarra, where I grew up.’ He opened a cupboard and concentrated hard on its contents so he didn’t have to look over at her. ‘The other died, actually.’

‘Oh. I’m sorry.’

‘It’s okay,’ he said, trying to sound like he meant it. ‘But his little girl’s doing well. She’s in Kiewarra as well. The toys are belated birthday presents. I had to wait to get their names stitched on.’ He pointed to the letters on the dolls’ dresses. Eva Raco. Charlotte Hadler. Both growing like weeds, he’d been told. He hadn’t been back to check for himself and suddenly felt a bit guilty about it. ‘They’re okay presents, aren’t they? For kids?’

‘They’re beautiful, Aaron. I’m sure they’ll love them.’ Carmen carefully returned them to the packages as Falk continued hunting through his cupboards.

‘Do you want a drink?’ He unearthed a single bottle of wine and subtly wiped a layer of dust off it. He was not a big drinker in company, and certainly not alone. ‘Red okay? I thought I might have some white, but . . .’