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Back Man at the Window Save as PDF
Chapters (61)
  1. Cover
  2. One
  3. Two
  4. Three
  5. Four
  6. Five
  7. Six
  8. Seven
  9. Eight
  10. Nine
  11. Ten
  12. Eleven
  13. Twelve
  14. Thirteen
  15. Fourteen
  16. Fifteen
  17. Sixteen
  18. Seventeen
  19. Eighteen
  20. Nineteen
  21. Twenty
  22. Twenty-One
  23. Twenty-Two
  24. Twenty-Three
  25. Twenty-Four
  26. Twenty-Five
  27. Twenty-Six
  28. Twenty-Seven
  29. Twenty-Eight
  30. Twenty-Nine
  31. Thirty
  32. Thirty-One
  33. Thirty-Two
  34. Thirty-Three
  35. Thirty-Four
  36. Thirty-Five
  37. Thirty-Six
  38. Thirty-Seven
  39. Thirty-Eight
  40. Thirty-Nine
  41. Forty
  42. Forty-One
  43. Forty-Two
  44. Forty-Three
  45. Forty-Four
  46. Forty-Five
  47. Forty-Six
  48. Forty-Seven
  49. Forty-Eight
  50. Forty-Nine
  51. Fifty
  52. Fifty-One
  53. Fifty-Two
  54. Fifty-Three
  55. Fifty-Four
  56. Fifty-Five
  57. Fifty-Six
  58. Fifty-Seven
  59. Fifty-Eight
  60. Acknowledgements
  61. About the author

‘While he’s in Australia you know we have the authority to speak to him on legitimate police business.’

‘You’re a Western Australian policeman, correct?’

‘Yes.’

‘We’ve been polite to this point. This base is under Commonwealth jurisdiction. You’re not a federal policeman. No one is compelled to answer your questions. Take your complaint to the federal police where I’m sure they will put all their resources at your disposal to solve, what, a urinating in public charge? Try to get some perspective, Detective Sergeant Cardilini.’

‘Fine, I’ll wait until he leaves the base,’ Cardilini said.

The captain shook his head in disgust, ‘You have a minute to get off the base or I’ll have you escorted off. And, just for my pleasure, please try to resist the men I send to help you on your way.’ He disappeared through the door.

The sergeant smiled broadly as he picked up the phone, ‘Send Smith and Jolly to the captain’s office,’ and as he hung up, ‘hand-to-hand combat trainers,’ he said, smiling at Cardilini and Salt.

Cardilini turned to Salt and nodded for them to go.

‘It would be a pleasure to have a drink with you off the base sometime, Sergeant. Pass that on to your captain too.’

‘Yes, sir. I’m sure he’ll be interested.’ The sergeant looked at his watch.

The corporal leant on the gate without lifting it, smiling at Cardilini and Salt waiting in the car. Two thickset men jogged towards them. One went to Salt’s side, the other to Cardilini’s and pushed their pulpy faces close to the windows. The corporal held the gate a little longer and then pushed it open. Salt drove through.

‘That went well,’ Cardilini said to an unresponsive Salt. ‘Were you aware it was Commonwealth property?’

‘No, sir.’

‘Williamson will have to go and see his family at some point. We’ll catch him then.’

‘You haven’t told me why you are wanting to speak to Private Williamson, sir’

‘He’s an exceptional marksman that was at St Nicholas a few years back.’

Salt sighed and increased his concentration on his driving.

‘Wild-goose chase. You think?’

Salt added another level of concentration to his meticulous driving.

‘It’s a question. I expect your answer,’ Cardilini said.

‘I don’t even believe there are wild geese, sir. I think you’re inventing them.’

Cardilini watched the passing houses.

‘Drop me at home,’ he said.

Claremont

3.50 p.m. Thursday, 29th October 1965

Mrs Lockheed answered the door. ‘I thought I’d see you again.’

Cardilini followed her down the passageway to the kitchen. Boxes still cluttered every space.

‘You want to know why I changed my story?’ She said as she sat and gestured Cardilini to take a chair.

Cardilini watched her. She had a faint smile about her mouth as she slowly moved a strand of hair from her eyes.