CH 3
The next morning when Elle walked into the station to start her secretarial work when she noticed a vase with a mix of flowers in it next to her typewriter. She picked up the card, opened it... 'Elle, thank you for doing what us cowards couldn't have said to Roz. Thank you for speaking your mind. It was a long time coming, Blue Heelers Police Department.' Elle smiled.
"I know you're there," turning around to see them all walking out of PJ and Tom's office.
"What you said yesterday took guts," PJ told her.
"Thanks, PJ. As the note said it was a long time coming."
"Yeah, it was, but we could only do so much," Tom said.
"True, I heard about the accident."
"It was a bad one," Nick said.
"If any of you want someone to talk to or a shoulder to lean on, you know where I am."
"Thanks, mate, but I lean on Maggie's shoulder," PJ said as he put his arm around Maggie and rested his head on her shoulder. She elbowed him as she moved away from him.
"Not that type, PJ."
"It was worth a try." Elle grinned at them while shaking her head.
"Thank you all for the flowers. And PJ you owe Maggie a drink tonight for being a smart ass."
"I just might order a triple vodka," Maggie said, making Nick and Elle laugh.
"Oh no, it will be a beer. I want you to drink it and not for me to wear it, thank you very much."
"Your welcome Elle. So you all have work to do," Tom said.
Elle found out that Maggie's house would be ready on time and she told Maggie the good news.
"Maggie, I saw the house last night and it will be ready in three weeks."
"Really?" clearly excited.
"Yup, they're plastering this week, then painting over the next couple of weeks and two days before you get the keys the carpet is being put down."
"That is wonderful news."
"Then you will be able to have dinner parties and have your boyfriend stay over," Elle said grinning.
"What are you two talking about?"
"Parties and boyfriends... PJ," Elle said as she walked to the kitchen to make a drink.
"So the house is ready?" PJ asked.
"In three weeks," Maggie said.
"Ah... so… a housewarming party."
"Maybe," Maggie replied as she passed him some files.
"You've got to have a housewarming party."
Elle grinned as she shook her head watching PJ and Maggie and how they are talking and how close they are together.
A few days later Elle saw an advertisement in the paper for a wine tasting at a local winery that was just out of town. She drove out to the winery while Tom dealt with a politician in Mount Thomas. Upon arriving she was greeted by a man that walked out and introduced himself. He showed Elle around and she had a small taste of six of the wines.
"This one is good. I would like to order four bottles."
"Of course, when do you need it?"
"Is three weeks too soon?"
"No, not at all."
They walked towards his office when two men in suits showed up so he got his assistant to take care of Elle's order while he went to greet the newcomers. She placed her order and paid.
"Is there a place where I can get a cup of tea? I don't want to drive after having some of the wine."
"Yes Ma'am, we got a cafe՛ here, allow me to show you."
"Thanks, I don't want to drink and drive."
"That's a good idea." He showed her to the cafe՛ is which was right next to the winery. She ordered a cup of tea, a raspberry slice, and a couple of club sandwiches.
She stayed for an hour and a half before leaving. When she got into her SUV she saw the two men that had arrived earlier getting into their car then watched as they drove away. She gave herself a breathalyzer test. It was zero-zero -one. She was as good to drive.
Elle decided to follow the two men she had seen earlier as they looked suspicious to her. Then when she noticed them getting into their car and the way they where driving as they were leaving the vine yard, picked up her cell phone and dialled triple zero.
"Hello, police please," she said, putting on her homemade hands-free phone device so she could hear and talk while driving.
"Police," the local station answered.
"Hello, I'm reporting a car driving dangerously… Wilson Road heading towards Mount Thomas road close to mount thomas… yes, I'm behind them … no, I am talking hands-free, I made up a headband so I can attach my phone to it. Yes, handsfree, both hands are on the wheel… I'm doing seventy and he's pulling away….No, I'm not over the speed limit, it's a seventy km zone… yes, I saw the car at a winery on Wilson Road... I have the licence plate number, it's tango - Zulu - Bravo - nine - five - seven…I also recognised the driver… Ken Forbes, … yes, he's driving… no. I don't know who the passenger is… now he is slowing down because of bends and I'm catching up with him…. Thirty meters ahead… yes… I'm close, he sped up and we are getting close to the T section… one hundred meters… yes, I'm not far behind him now… Wow! he blew through the stop sign... he just went around the corner... my gosh I'm glad no one was going to pass… hang on a cop saw what happened and is trying to stop him... he's pulling over… yes, I'll stop and talk with the officer… I know the officer, constable Maggie Doyle from Mount Thomas police… Elle Cole… thank you."
Then she removed the headset when she stopped at the stop sign and push the hang up button, then turned and drove to stop behind the police wagon. She got out and walked over to Ken's car when she saw that Maggie was talking to Ken and the other bloke.
She heard when Ken as he told Maggie, "Look here Constable, Glenn was driving not me, got it?"
"Sir, It was you driving not Glenn, I saw you."
"Oh, come on Maggie, please, he's done a lot of good for the people of Victoria," Glenn pleaded.
"Are you going to lie for him in court?"
"Maggie please, he can get you guys the extra staff sergeant Croydon has been asking for."
"So now you're bribing a fellow officer, it's not going to work, Mr Richie," she walked over to Ken.
"Since you refused a breathalyzer test, I must ask you to accompany me to the station."
"He can't possibly, he's got an important meeting to go to," Glenn said.
"He's right Constable."
"Are you refusing to accompany me to the station, Sir?"
"Alright, we'll go but your sergeant's going to hear about this."
"I'm sure he will" they turn to the voice.
"Elle."
"Maggie, I'll see you at the station and I'll give you my statement of what I've just seen and heard." Then she turned and returned to her car. Once inside she picked up her phone and made a call.
"Wayne it's Elle… I need to talk to the Boss, now," as she watched what was happening in front of her.
"Boss, it's Elle, I'm giving you a heads up…. Maggie pulled over that politician Ken Forbes… dangerous driving, refusing to take a breathalyzer test… yes, she is, oh and his passenger is …. Glenn Ritchie who was trying to bribe Maggie to drop the charges… more cops to Mount Thomas… that's right. And he tried to lie saying he was driving and not Mr Forbes… about fifteen minutes. Ok, and Boss, I'll give my witness statement… I saw Mr Forbes get into the driver's seat at the winery… yes that one… yes, I was but I stayed for an extra hour and a half having two cups of tea and something to eat before leaving… yes, I took my own test…. Point zero-zero-one…. If it was higher I wouldn't be driving… ok, see you soon," then she hung up and fastened her seat belt and followed Maggie back to the station.
Nick took Elle's statement while Ken was in Tom's office. "He's trying delay tactics so he could lower the results," Nick said.
"I know. It just shows how guilty they are."
"True. So you had some wine?"
"Six small tastes, from six different wines."
"That might put you over"
"That's true, but I stayed for an hour and a half afterwards having two cups of tea and food. When I return to my car I used the breathalyzer and it came up
zero- zero - one."
"That's good, and the wine?"
"I ordered some for Maggie's housewarming party."
"I can't wait to try it."
"I bet you can't" When the door opens all four walk out of Tom office.
"Patterson, can you take Mr Forbes and Mr Richie back to their car?"
"Yes Boss," Everyone watched them as they walked out of the station.
"Here you go, Boss. Elle's report on what she witnessed," Nick passed the copy to Tom. He read what it said then looked at Elle.
"This is what happened?"
"Give me a Bible and I will swear on it. That's what I witnessed and heard and is the truth. Hell, inject me with truth serum and the answer will be the same boss. Better yet get a copy of the recording from emergency services."
"I read that you called it in. Maggie was in the area when it came over the radio," Nick added.
"There you go," she stood up feeling a bit angry. "Now if you two will excuse me, ladies room," then she walked out.
"What are you going to do boss?" Nick asked.
"Call Falkner about this."
"Did he do the test?"
"He did, he was four times over the limit and Mr Richie was zero."
"I recond if he did it when he was supposed to it might be four and a half or more."
"I agree. Now that phone call I don't want to make."
"Good luck."
When Elle returned from the toilet she talked to Nick till Tom walked out of his office.
"How did it go boss?" Elle asked.
"He's not happy about it, and will be here tomorrow morning."
"Thanks for letting me know boss," Maggie said.
"Well, I'm off home. See you all in the morning," Elle said.
The next morning Inspector Falkner arrived at the station. He read both Elle's and Maggie's statements about what happened the day before. He then spoke to Maggie first with Tom present and then he spoke to Elle.
"I read your statement and listened to the recording. Now, are you sure it was Mr Forbes you saw driving?"
"Yes sir, absolutely."
"You were at the winery, sampled some of the wine, could you have been tipsy?"
Elle stood and put her hands on the desk in front of her leaning over while looking into the inspector's eyes.
"I sipped six different wines. It was no more than five mls each. Then I spent an hour and a half at the cafe drinking two cups of tea and had some food before I went to my car and used my own breathalyzer, it read point zero zero one… Sir. Senior Constable Schultz had my tester tested last night at St David's. It came up the same as his and the St David's tester. If you need a statement of confirmation just ask Nick Schultz for copies of the test."
"Elle," Tom said as he put his hand on her shoulder. She turned to Tom, straightened up then sat down again.
"I will read their statements about the breathalyzers," the inspector said.
"Thank you."
"That is all, you're excused."
She turned to Tom, "Is there anything you want to ask, Boss?"
"Cup of tea please," causing Elle to chuckle.
"Sure thing, Boss but..." she turned to the inspector, "There something else you both should know."
"What is it, Mrs Cole."
"I rang a couple of contacts yesterday, they told me something you should know about Mr Forbes."
"I don't want to hear gossip."
"This you will find very interesting… Sir."
"Let's hear her out, Sir."
"Very well."
"Do you remember a cop murder a couple of years back, Constable Johnson?"
"Yeah, I remember that he and his family were stationed at Seymour," Tom said.
"What about him?" Inspector asked.
"Mr Forbes had him transferred after he wouldn't drop charges of drunk driving and assault on a police officer. Mr Forbes also tried to bribe the constable but the constable turned him down. So then he threatened him. When that didn't work he had him transferred. Two weeks before the trial the constable was transferred to Seymour. Then he was killed two days before the court case. Because of that, the charges against Mr Forbes were dismissed. It was the first murder of any kind in over fifteen years in that country town, first cop murder ever. That case still remains open. He left behind a pregnant wife and two small kids and he was due for a promotion."
"Elle, how sure are you of this?" Tom asked.
"Very sure, both of my contacts did some checking and then called me back. They both said the same thing, and no, they don't know each other. One of them, Mrs Johnson, told him what I just told you."
"Are you saying that Mr Forbes had the constable murdered?" The inspector asked.
"Yes, to save his reputation. I don't know for sure, Sir, but you should be worried for Constable Doyle. When this goes to trial in two weeks, she might be the next target. I suggest that she not be alone at the pub over the next few days, she should either be at Nick's or PJ's house with them being armed or staying at the pub next door to her room."
"I'll think about it," Tom replied.
"Clock's ticking, Sir," standing she walked to the door. "I'll go and get that tea, Boss." She opened the door and walked out, closing it behind her.
"How did it go?" Nick asked.
"Nick, don't be surprised if you and PJ get called in."
"Why?" PJ asked
"You'll find out soon enough."
She went and made a pot of tea, took packets of Tim Tams from the fridge, put them on the tray, and then brought it into the Boss's office. Leaving his office she returned to her desk. Fifteen minutes later both PJ and Nick were called into Tom's office. When they walked out a few minutes later, Elle knew they were stunned. Then both Tom and Falkner walked out a few seconds later. Falkner walked out of the station.
"Boss?" Elle asked.
"PJ and Nick are going to be taking turns staying at the pub."
"Ok, want me to make the call to Chris?"
"No, I'll go and talk to her myself." He grabbed his jacket and left the station.
That night Nick stayed in the room next to Maggie'ss. They had dinner at the pub that night and then joined the others for drinks.