Peter Corris: The Reward

Where is she?

I hadnt noticed but the woman in leather had hung back and not entered the room. Now she came striding in with her shoulder bag almost swinging.

Here I am, Gabriella, and heres something for you. She stepped up close and dropped something in Mrs Becketts lap.

Mrs Becketts fingers fumbled for a second, then she held up a tiny gold locket on a thin chain. Oh, god, Ramona. Its you.

You gave me that on my tenth birthday. Inside is a picture of my grandfather. You said he was the best man you ever knew. Ive wondered all my life what you meant by that. Will you tell me now?

Mrs Beckett came up out of her chair but the woman claiming to be her daughter stepped back.

None of that. Its way too late.

Mrs Beckett slumped back into her chair and slid the chain through her fingers. I was aware of what a brilliant strategy it was for someone in Ramona/Claudias position to present an item and pose a question. Too clever perhaps, I was still sceptical.

You are cruel, Ramona, Mrs Beckett murmured. You were always cruel.

I learned it right here. Hello, Wallace, you prick.

Cavendish just stared at her, unable to speak. She turned away from them and faced us, Max, Penny and me. I phoned Wallace this morning and gave him a description of our last fuck. Chapter and verse. Thats why he was so obliging to you, Cliff. How about we all sit down? Christ, I need to. I havent worn heels this high in years.

Penny took that as her cue. She was already sitting down. While the rest of us squatted she wheeled up close to Mrs Beckett. Im Penny Draper, Mrs Beckett. Im a consultant detective with the New South Wales Police Force. Do you acknowledge this woman as your daughter, Ramona Louise Beckett?

I do, yes. She is Ramona.

How can you be sure? Penny pressed. If she was one of the people who kidnapped your daughter she could have extracted the story about the locket from her. Shes gone to great length with her appearance. Are you sure this isnt a very clever impersonation?

Im sure.

Why?

Her eyes. She has my fathers eyes. Dont ask me to explain it, but I have never seen any other human being with such eyes.

Contacts, Penny said.

Mrs Beckett shook her head. No.

Max spoke for the first time. This is easily decided. Ramona Beckett was twice convicted of driving offences. Her fingerprints are on file. Would you consent to a comparison, Ms… Vardon?

She laughed and Mrs Beckett and Cavendish exchanged anguished glances at the sound. I knew what they were thinking. Ramona Becketts laugh was utterly distinctive, a pure peal, and this was it.

The voice of reason, she said, facing Max directly. Max, Id be glad to oblige. Got your ink pad with you? Urine sample, blood test, DNA. Whatever you like.

Cavendish evidently felt hed been out of the action too long. This is Ramona Beckett, Hardy, he said. Older and heavier, but no doubt about it.

Thank you for nothing, she said. And I dont think you need to say another word until youre asked. Cliff, convinced?

Two could play at deflective strategies. I wonder if we could have something to drink, Mrs Beckett? I said. I think we could be in for a long session.

Certainly. Call Nora would you, Wallace?

What happened to Nolan?

Mrs Becketts head tilted a little, her fine dark eyes swept over us and her reply was directed at us all. The butler, she said. Ramona hated him. He died.

Good. I did hate him. Youre right.

Cavendish left the room and I wondered whether hed come back. I was pretty convinced by now but I wasnt going to throw in the towel completely. Id like to hear some more about what you did… what you say you did after the kidnapping stunt failed.

Ramona gripped the thick, black hair at the crown of her head and pulled. The wig came free. Her own hair was curled in a bun at the back. She released it and let the white mane flow freely. Mrs Becketts gasp was audible. Ramona looked ten years older without the wig but her mother seemed to have aged twenty years.

Reminds you of how old you are, doesnt it, Gabriella?

Mrs Beckett didnt answer but she looked relieved when Cavendish and the servant came in, both carrying trays. Cavendish poured Hennessy brandy over ice for himself and Mrs Beckett, added a splash of soda, gave her the drink and took his back to his seat. Nora served the rest of uswhisky for Max and me, brandy for Penny. Ramona had a small glass of neat vodka.

Ive already told Cliff about faking the kidnapping. I was hiding in Melbourne. I had some bad cocaine and then a very hard time getting off drugs. I was disgusted with my family and even more disgusted with myself, with what Id been doing. I had half a dozen bank accounts and two passports. I just upped stakes and went to America.

What happened to your beautiful hair? Mrs Beckett said.

Ramona sipped her vodka. You are the most superficial person Ive ever met. Appearances are all that matter to you, all that ever mattered. As long as I was the prettiest girl in the school everything was fine. The fact that I was the most intelligent didnt mean shit. The hair? I was in an auto accident. I broke some bones and my hair went white. I was pregnant. I lost the baby, but that wouldnt matter to you, would it?

Oh, Ramona… Mrs Beckett was half out of her chair again but her daughters fierce look drove her back.

Thats it, Ramona said. Thats all you need to know. Now what I want to know is, who suppressed my note? Who paid off the police? Who wanted me dead? She finished her drink and looked at Cavendish. I know you had a hand in it, Wallace. I can smell it. Did you know that, Gabriella? That your trusted legal adviser connived at the murder of your daughter? Or did the note only get as far as you anyway? Or was it Papa? Old big dick? Maybe him and Estelle? They were close. Werent they, Gabriella? Maybe Sean, who knew I knew he liked diddling little boys? Huh?

Mrs Beckett shook her head and didnt speak.

It was Penny who broke the silence that followed Ramonas statement. She moved her wheelchair back and forth a little and the movement attracted everyones attention. I suspected it was a trick shed used before. I believe youre Ramona Beckett, she said. I believe that you did as you say you did. That makes you guilty of public mischief, passport violations and probably other things. You contributed to the corruption of several police officers as well, but thats all small beer and old news. I want to know why youve come back, and youre not going to learn what you want to know from Cliff or Max or me until you tell us what you plan to do with the information.

Ramona looked at me. You did the leg work, Cliff. Ten thousand for the name or names.

I shook my head.

She turned to look at Cavendish. Wallacell tell me for a blow job.

Cavendish removed the show handkerchief from the pocket of his suit coat and wiped his face. Youre disgusting.

Colour flooded into Ramonas face and she clenched both fists. I thought for a second that shed attack Cavendish in some way, verbal or physical, but she visibly fought for control. She relaxed her hands and took one deep breath, then several more, then she closed her eyes and dropped her head. It looked like some kind of ritual. She lifted her head and she was looking straight at me. Remember the way I was, Cliff? Seventeen years ago?

I remember.

What would you expect my motive to be, if I was still like that?

Revenge, I said.

Right. Well, its not so. Ive been in therapy for quite a few years now. My therapist saw that I had a great deal of anger inside me, an unhealthy amount. I was running on anger and not much more. It puzzled her because of course I hadnt told her the truth about me. Eventually, I did tell her the truth. The whole goddamn story.

As she talked the stiffness left her body and the aggression went out of her voice. As her features relaxed, aggression was replaced by confidence and composure. I wondered what sort of effort it took to effect this transformation and how long it could be kept in place. I was still sceptical but also confused. The beating shed arranged for me and the lies and the manipulation were the work of Ramona. This was Claudia again and I remembered making love with herthe warmth of her mouth and the smoothness of her skin. There was no million dollars and I didnt care. There was only her, and no-one else in the room mattered to me. Her words, I dont hate you any more, were whispering inside my head.