Blood on the Rocks Chapter 20
‘Is the pup okay?’ were Mac’s first words when she came to, after surgery and a transfusion.
Frank laughed. ‘Yeah, Van has her.’
Mac pulled a face. ‘Van? Oh no, we can’t have two dogs!’ She winced with pain and put a hand to her shoulder, where Dalton’s bullet had passed clean through. ‘Christ, how’d he miss at that range?’
‘Wasn’t wearing his glasses, Gasman reckons. Plus, he was pretty crazy.’
‘You got Dalton?’ she asked. Frank shook his head. ‘What? How’d he get away?’
‘He didn’t – he’s dead. The Gasman shot him, with my gun. Christ Mac, we have some paperwork and explaining to do. Two guns!’
She didn’t laugh. ‘What about Gaz – wasn’t he there too? What’d he do?’
‘That’s why Gasman shot Dalton: Dalton shot Gaz. Killed him.’
‘Oh.’
They sat in silence for some minutes, Mac with her eyes closed.
‘Is it always like this, Frank?’ she asked quietly.
He reached out and took her hand and she didn’t object. ‘No Bec, it’s not. But sometimes it is – there are no givens in policework.’ He paused, choosing his words. ‘Except the given that we stick together, have each other’s back… Thanks for saving me, Mac. That bullet would have got me fair in the heart.’
Mac said nothing; Frank wondered if she was asleep and moved to leave, but Mac held his hand tighter.
‘No problem, Frank, I owed you one,’ she said. ‘Henderson read me your report – the full story, about the fire and the shed and you getting me out. Not that two-bit bullshit you gave me. Thank you.’
They sat in a companionable silence, Mac still holding his hand.
‘Hey Mac,’ said Frank. ‘Why’d you go alone? My message said bring back-up.’
Mac sighed. ‘I didn’t get your message – I was already there.’
‘Really?’
‘Yeah. I found something in those red-light camera shots: Gaz’s car. Omar got me rego plate details of the vehicle just in front – you can’t see it unless you blow up the shot and enhance it.’
‘How’d you know to ask him?’
‘I’d figured that if you’re driving the stolen car of the man you just killed,’ Mac replied, ‘you don’t run a light without good reason – great way to get busted. It’s that old thing where you’re following someone and they make the light and you don’t. Gasman couldn’t afford to stop and wait and have someone see them. The rego checked out to Gaz. Plus, Gaz and the Gasman had matching tattoos and the driver of Brent’s ute had that tattoo – another Omar enhancement. So I figured you were walking straight into a trap. Knew Mike’d never let me go, so I just went. Sorry.’
Frank squeezed her hand reassuringly.
‘Anyway, Diamond,’ she said at last. ‘I couldn’t let you die cause I need you to take that bloody pup off of Van – no way can we have two dogs and you saved it, so she’s yours.’
Frank left the hospital feeling much happier. Until he got to the station.
‘His office, now,’ said Rhonda, grimacing at him.
‘What’s up?’ asked Frank. ‘What have I done now?’
He found Mike Henderson pacing.
‘Sit down, Diamond,’ he said, and did the same, flopping down on his chair and dropping his head into his hands. Must be bad, thought Frank, wracking his brain for what serious misdemeanour he may have unwittingly committed. It couldn’t be the papers – after her work on the Dalton case, Karen White had been snapped up by the good paper, writing a sizzling front-page story that was published nationally. Mike’s editor mate loved them. What then? Sydney? Had Colin Sherry called in his favour?
‘Diamond,’ said Henderson. ‘I owe you an apology.’ Mike Henderson sighed. ‘A big, bloody apology. If I’d listened to you, little Bec would not be in hospital. I got the word from Dave and I delayed sending back-up: I called Dalton to double-check you and that almost cost her, her life. And you. I’m sorry.’
The big man looked up and Frank was shocked to see tears in his eyes.
‘I got her into this job and I almost got her killed. I’ll never forgive myself, never.’ He started to sob, head down on the desk. But at this stage, Frank knew better than to try and comfort him. After a few minutes, Henderson gathered himself together, wiping his eyes and blowing his nose.
‘Just so you know, Diamond, I’ve tendered my resignation. Probably about time anyways. Hearts gone out of this job – too many nasties getting into what should be paradise. I blame the big city influence, but y’know…who knows…’
He cleared his throat and stood.
‘It’s effective immediately. You’re most senior officer here, so you’ll be in charge until they appoint a permanent chief; congratulations. I’ve cleared it with Colin Sherry. I’ll let the team know before end of business today.’
He held out his hand to shake.
Frank emerged from Mike’s office more shaken than after the whole shoot-out – him, in charge? He found Rhonda at the front counter, smiling at him.
‘Well Frank, that’s great news,’ she said.
‘What is?’ asked Frank, wondering how Rhonda knew Mike’s still private information.
‘That you have a puppy,’ she said, grinning widely as she held up the little blue-heeler. ‘Mac’s Van dropped her over a few minutes ago. She is so adorable – what are you going to call her?’
Frank looked at the pup. ‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘Can I have a dog? Where’s she going to stay while I’m at work? It’s not fair to leave her and I can’t bring a dog to the station…can I?’
‘Well, Frank,’ said Rhonda, letting herself out into the foyer to place the pup in Frank’s arms. ‘I couldn’t say – only the station boss gets to make that call.’ And she winked at him.
Frank crossed the cricket pitch on his way home, the pup at his heels. What to call her? Frank was crap with names. As he passed the plover’s nest he saw the three people from day one were back, and still arguing. The pup started to run towards the plover nest and the one called Raj turned.
‘Hey little dog, get away, get away!’ he said, waving his arms at her. ‘That plover is protected!’
The pup stopped in its tracks, staring at the man. Then it took a few deliberate steps forward, head down, growling. Raj reached to grab her, only to drop her with a yelp.
‘Hey mate,’ he said. ‘She bit me – your bloody pup bit me.’
The pup was still standing staring at Raj, growling, like she had him bailed up against a wall.
‘Yeah, she’ll do that if she feels threatened,’ said Frank.
‘Well call her off, will you?’
‘Sure thing,’ said Frank. ‘Come on Bec, time to go home.’
The little pup scampered over to him and jumped into his arms.
‘You like that?’ said Frank as she licked his face. ‘Rebecca.’