CH 09

Elle returns fifteen minutes later with two bags full of supplies. Walking inside to she finds that Tom is talking to PJ on the phone. She sorted out the jug; while that was boiling, she got the milk, a couple bottles of water, and the juice and put them in the fridge. Then Elle gathered up the dirty cups and spoons, brought them to the sink to be washed, and dried them using one of the new tea towels. That done, she made her self and Tom a drink.

"Thanks, Elle."

"Okay, for starts, I'll type up a request letter to have a carpenter come around and get these windows fixed. It's getting bloody hot in here."

"I agree."

Elle cleaned the typewriter and got started on the letter. When she finished, she had Tom check it over.

"You've done well. I found the forms needed and filled them out. All that's needed is Alan's signature."

"Thanks, Boss."

"It's about time!" Elle said when she saw a cop car pulled up. Alan walked in, and Tom did the introduction.

"Okay, I'm off now, Elle."

"Thanks, Boss. Before you go, Sargent, can you sign this, please?"

"What this for?"

"Getting the windows replaced," Tom said.

"Why? There's nothing wrong with them?"

"The hinges are rusty, and there's dry rot in the frames," Elle said.

"Well, anyway, I don't open them up. And what would you know; your just a typist."

Tom wasn't impressed with his response, and he looks at Elle.

"Oh, I'm more than a bloody typist, Sargent, and I do know what I'm talking about. I own a million-dollar building and renovation company. So don't you tell me what I know. Now sign so the Boss can take the papers with him and drop them off to Inspector Falkner for approval." Passing him a pen.

After the forms were signed, Elle passed copies of them to Tom.

"Any problems in getting a carpenter out here, just give me a call," Elle told Tom.

"Sure. Will you be okay?"

"Yeah, no worries. See you tonight."

Alan and Tom walked outside to talk, and Elle started sorting out the mess. As Alan returned, the phone rang. Elle answered it and wrote down the information. When she hung up, she passes the paper to him.

"Burglary."

"Thanks, call me if there is anything else," Alan said as he went out the door.

"I've got this. I know what to do." Elle replied.

He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. As soon as he pulled away from the station, Elle went over and opened the door. Then she started back in sorting out the mess. Cleaning first. That finished, she started on the paper mess.

Alan returns later that afternoon, just as Elle was getting ready to leave. "How's the paperwork coming along?"

"I left reports that need to be finished before I can type them up on your desk. I'll see you tomorrow, Sargent." Elle got in her car and drove back to Mount Thomas.

She got home and had a quick shower since she was hot and sweaty from her work around the station. Then she went around to Tom place to pick up the kids.

"You look tired," Tom said

"I am."

"Come in, Nel saved you some dinner."

"Thanks, Tom. How where the kids?"

"Good."

They walk in, and Elle sat down at the table and watched her kids play with their toys. Tom put a plate in front of her and a cold drink.

"Thanks, Tom," as he sat down watching the kids.

"Where's Nel?"

"Women's group meeting."

"Ahhh."

"So, how was it today?"

"It was a nightmare, Tom. After you left, there was a phone call about a burglary. I pass the information on, and he left. I didn't see him again until I was leaving. I tried to call him, but he wasn't answering his radio, so I went to the address I had for the burglary and spoke to Mrs Shepard. She told me that the Sargent had shown up, talked to her, and then left. I asked if he had seen the damage or even took any notes and, she said that he didn't. He told her it must have been kids that broke a window. When I saw it, I know it was a burglary. I returned to the station and called PJ. I knew he was in the area dealing with the gas station robbery. He came to the station, and I gave him the address and the lady's name."

"Did Alan show up at all?"

"Not until just before I was leaving. I could smell cough syrup on his breath, but his eyes showed something else."

"What's that?"

"Alcohol, he must have been drinking and using cough syrup to cover it up. Plus, I found empty bottles of Jack Daniels while cleaning up."

"How many?"

"Over forty that I've found so far."

"Forty! Will you be okay tomorrow?"

"Yes, I will be, but I'll be leaving fifteen minutes early since you owe me dinner."

Tom smiled. "Yes, I know. I haven't forgotten." They continued to chat while Elle finishes her dinner. Then she stays for another ten minutes before leaving with the kids.

The next morning Elle was just walking into the station as the phone started to ring. Going over to the desk, she quickly answers the phone.

"Hello, Widgey police."

"Elle, it's Tom."

"Hi, Boss, is everything okay?"

"Is Alan there?"

"No, but I just arrived. Can I get him to call you?"

"That would be great. Another reason for my call is that there's isn't anyone to go and fix the windows. The contract has expired with our usual contractor."

"So there's no one?"

"No, sorry."

"What about Cole and Family?"

"Will they travel all that way?"

"I'm sure they will. Call the inspector, and if he approves, call me and then leave it to me."

"That would be great. I'll let you know soon as I know."

"Thanks, Boss."

Elle opens the blinds and leaves the door open. She then checks the reports that she had left on the desk, shook her head, put them aside. Then got started working on the books and other paperwork until Tom called.

"Elle, the inspector wants a quote on how much it's going to cost so he can sign off on getting the work done."

"I'll make the call Tom" then they hung up. Elle put the call into the contractor and returned to the paperwork.

Later that afternoon, Elle heard a car pull up. It was Maggie and PJ.

"Hey Elle, do you know where Alan is?"

"No, I haven't seen him all day; I have tried to call him on the radio. I called the Boss just after twelve; he said he would take care of it."

"Okay, thanks for that."

"I'll need to use the loo," Maggie said, going into the station.

"It's through the door, second on the right," Elle said.

"Thanks."

"How's it going?" PJ asked.

"It's a nightmare, PJ. The books are a mess, not to mention the reports that aren't complete. When I was at the store at lunchtime, I spoke to a couple of the locals about Sargent McCubbins. What they told me, it wasn't good PJ."

"Like what?"

"Whenever there was a burglary, he would show up and talk to the owners and neighbours, and then he would leave. But, whenever the owner wants a reference number of the report for their insurance company, he hasn't done the paperwork. Like what happened just yesterday."

"Well, it's a one-man station, Elle."

"I know that, but he could of at least have written down notes, but there's nothing. One woman said she called the Sargent about a burglary, and it took him two weeks to show up. When he did, she could smell alcohol on his breath and that it was nine in the morning."

"Have you told the Boss this?"

"Not yet. Any luck on the burglary at the gas station?"

"Yes, we caught the offenders, Wyane taking them back to Mount Thomas. We didn't know how clean this place is."

"I cleaned it yesterday, but you can't open the windows. They all need replacing." Maggie returned just as a work ute showed up.

"Hi, Brad."

"Elle, PJ, Maggie"

"What brings you all the way out here?" PJ asked.

"Getting an estimate quote for the inspector."

"All the windows and frames need replacing, PJ."

"Ah, well, we'll leave you to it then."

"Okay, see you both at the pub tonight."

"Yep, we'll be there," they got into the car and left.

"So, show me what needs to be done," Brad said.

Elle showed him the windows. They chatted while he checked out the condition of the window frames and does the measurements. Elle suggested using aluminium windows. When he finished doing the measurements on all the windows. Elle passed him a piece of paper with names and addresses on them.

"Here are some people who need to have work done but find anyone that would come out here to do it. My guess is four workers, two wagons, two days."

"I'll go and talk to them, Elle."

"Thanks, Brad."

"I'll do the quote and send it tonight."

"Perfect."

Brad got into the ute and left to see the first person on Elle's list.

By the end of the day, Elle had left five messages for Alan before she went home then to the pub. When she walks into the pub, she went around to the dining area and ordered a cold drink. She sat down just as Maggie walked in.

"Sorry if I was late," Maggie said.

"It's okay. I just got here myself."

After Maggie got her drink, she sat down across from Elle.

"How was your day?" Maggie asked.

"Hot, you?"

"Been busy with paperwork. I got mine done, but PJ, on the other hand, has to stay and finish his."

"He hates it," Elle said.

"Yes, he does." They talk while enjoying dinner and relaxing. Then she and Maggie join their friends for a couple of drinks before Elle left for home. Her babysitter's got school in the morning.

The next morning Elle had finished cleaning the Mount Thomas cells and the station and was just about to get into her car when Tom arrived.

"Morning Boss, your early."

"I know. Inspector Faulkner called yesterday; he's sending Sargent Towers to Widgey to help out and find out what's up with Alan. I suppose he didn't show up yesterday."

"No. Have you spoken to PJ?"

"Yes, I did, and he told me what you told him. I called Faulker, and that is why he sending Sargent tower."

"Is he from St Davids?"

"Bendigo, he will be staying at the B and B for a few days."

"Okay, anything else I should be aware of?"

"Not at the moment."

"Okay, thanks, Boss. I had better get going. See you tonight."

Elle got into her wagon and went home to shower and change, then left for Widgey Station.

It was lunchtime, and as Elle was returning to the station with her lunch, she noticed a cop car following her. After she parked in the driveway at the station, she put the sunscreen up to protect her steering wheel and seats from the sun. Getting out of her car, grabbing her lunch and keys before closing the door. At the same time, she noticed the cop was following her getting out of his car.

"Sargent Tower."

"Yes. Your Mrs Elle Cole."

"Yes, that's right," they shook hands.

"Welcome to Widgey, Sargent."

"Call me, Grant."

"Call me, Elle… Grant, have you had lunch?"

"Yes, thanks." Walking up to the front door, Elle unlocked it, and they went inside.

"Leave the door open; it's the only way to let fresh air in."

"Why not open the windows?"

"They need replacing. They've got dry rot, and the hinges are stuffed."

"Ahh."

Elle turns the fan on and put her lunch on the desk. "Did Inspector Faulkner inform you about what's been happening here?"

"Yes, he did. Has there been any sign of Sargent McCubbin?"

"Nothing, I checked his house this morning, and there was no car there. The house was unlocked, so I checked it out. It's a mess, and the lawns are overdue for a mow."

"I'll look around for him"

"Okay. While you're out and about, can you drop by these homes? Someone's been knocking on their doors or windows at night, scaring the owners," she said, and then passed him the notes she had made.

"Thanks, I'll go and talk to them."

"I'll carry on with this mess."

"It is a mess, isn't it," he said, looking around.

"It is. This unfinished report is from eight months ago," Elle said, picking up a file.

"and there's files and paperwork all over the place."

"What about Sargent's wife?"

"Evidently, she walked out on him nine months ago. After that, things went downhill."

"He hasn't had any help with the paperwork?"

"There was someone, but I haven't met her yet. I'm waiting for her to drop by for a chat."

"Okay, I'll follow these up."

"Call me on the radio if you need anything. Have you got a map of the town?"

"I do, thanks." Then he walked out of the station, and Elle answered the ringing phone.

"Hello, Widgery police. May i help you."

"Mrs Cole, Inspector Faulkner."

"Yes, Inspector. If you called for Sargent Towers, he has arrived safely. He just left on a call, and he's going to try and track down Sargent McCubbin."

"Good to know that he arrived. The main reason I called, I received a faxed copy of the estimated quote for the work to be done on the station; eight thousand seven hundred and twenty-five dollars and sixty cents. That's daylight robbery!"

"Inspector, did it say in the quote what needs to be done?"

"It is. All the windows and frames need replacing. Is it really that bad?"

"Yes, there's dry rot. If you call Sargent Croydon, he saw it himself and was amazed that it wasn't reported two, three years ago."

"It's got here to be replaced with aluminium windows."

"Yes, they're cheaper than having the windows and frames remade and replaced. And with the aluminium windows, they will have security latches, and double window latches with a key lock. The windows can be opened just a gap so air can get into the station during the night. The cost will be the same. At least whoever's here will be able to open the windows, and the townfolks will know that there is someone at the station."

"Okay. I see here that the porch needs replacing as well."

"The boards are rotten. This morning my foot went right through."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. If you want, why not come out here and take a look for yourself?"

"I'll do that."

"Okay, good. See you soon, Sir."