Alex Palmer - The Tattooed Man

‘Minister, that wasn’t my suggestion.’

‘Yes, it was. Why are you doing this? Is there something in that dossier that frightens you? Are you avoiding the simple truth there may be corrupt officers in your service? Are you frightened what the publicity will be if that story gets out? What’s your angle?’

In a rare sight, Marvin could barely frame a sentence. His face went deep red and he threw his copy of the dossier onto the coffee table as if throwing it away. The commissioner stared at him with surprise and anger.

‘I hope you’re not implying what I think you’re implying, Minister.’ Marvin’s own voice was distorted by anger. ‘In my entire career, twenty-seven years, I’ve never accepted so much as a cup of coffee as an inducement. To say otherwise is a gross insult.’

Harrigan found himself almost gaping at Marvin, usually so meticulously calculating. Even Edwards looked startled.

‘I have no idea how you can interpret what I just said as a personal accusation,’ he said sharply. ‘All I was doing was talking the politics.’

The commissioner intervened before anyone else could speak.

‘The special assistant commissioner has clearly misunderstood you, Minister. Let me assure you that if any of my officers were compromised, they would only have time to clear their desks before they left this building for good. Then they’d be subject to the full force of the law.’

‘I don’t doubt that’s true. Which brings me to my next question. I’ve just given you information that indicates there are corrupt police in this force. What are you going to do about it?’

‘I will be contacting the Police Integrity Commission immediately this meeting is over,’ the commissioner replied, clearly stung. ‘I will direct all my officers to cooperate fully with their investigation. But, before they can act, they’ll need to interview you. They’ll need access to all the information you have.’

‘I’m available whenever they want to talk to me. Which brings me back to the dossier. What do you intend to do with that?’

‘We will assess this information comprehensively, including verifying its authenticity. We will also put every effort into finding its original owners. They have a right to know it’s been stolen. But if it is from an intelligence organisation, then we do have to maintain a strict confidentiality. We may endanger the lives of the agents involved if we don’t.’

‘I’m not a fool, Commissioner. I’m aware that’s necessary. So far I’ve told no one else about that dossier except your people and my own staff, who I know I can trust. But let me tell you, I will not tolerate having this information ignored or suppressed. I’ll put it up on the web if I have to. I’ll blank out the names of any innocent parties but I will still put it up there. I’ll investigate it myself. I’ve told you. It’s my son with a bullet in the back of his head. I want his murderers found. End of story!’

Edwards spoke with extraordinary control, intensely and ferociously angry. The weight of his grief was balanced on the finest edge. Everyone waited, almost as if they weren’t breathing. Harrigan glanced at the commissioner who nodded.

‘Perhaps we should take this information down to the task force, Minister,’ Harrigan said in his detached voice. ‘Let them get started on it.’

‘I think that’s a very good idea. Yes, let’s go and meet the workers. Yesterday you wanted me to make a statement. I can do that now. Do you mind, gentlemen? Are we finished?’

‘Thank you for your time and information, Minister. It’s clearly very valuable.’ The commissioner spoke smoothly, rising from his seat and extending his hand. ‘We’ll be doing everything we can to solve this appalling crime. You have my word on that.’

‘Thank you, Commissioner. I’ll hold you to it.’

‘You have my word as well, Minister,’ Marvin said, also extending his hand. Edwards shook it with a sardonic smile but did not speak. Marvin didn’t miss a beat. ‘Let me show you downstairs. I can introduce you to the members of the task force.’

‘No, Marvin. I want to speak to you first,’ the commissioner said. ‘Paul can do the introductions if any need doing. Thank you.’

‘Before I go, Commissioner, I’d like to say that I was very impressed by the way Commander Harrigan and Inspector Gabriel handled the scene yesterday. I have confidence in them. I hope you see it that way as well.’

‘Thank you, Minister. I can assure you I will keep in mind everything you’ve said this morning,’ the commissioner replied, as always sphinx-like when receiving a compliment on behalf of someone else.

Walking out behind Edwards and Trevor, Harrigan hadn’t quite pulled the door shut when he heard the commissioner say, ‘Marvin. I want to discuss the way you handled yourself in that meeting. I expect better than that from my executive officers.’

The tone of voice didn’t bode well. Harrigan walked away quickly, any residual pleasure at seeing Marvin slapped down expunged by the strangeness of his behaviour. The commissioner’s pervasive paranoia might simmer close to the surface but Marvin was usually as cold-blooded as they came.

The complexities of this investigation were becoming hazardous. All Harrigan could do was protect himself and his people; anticipate what other people would feel, how they would act and, if need be, forestall them. He was a professional watcher, after all. What else was there for him to do with his life?

Outside in the corridor, Harrigan waited for the lift with Trevor and Edwards. Edwards’ adviser stood in the background, the invisible man.

‘Let me give you some free advice,’ Edwards said. ‘You should both watch your backs. Your special assistant commissioner has got it in for the two of you for some reason.’

Trevor looked like he didn’t want to reply to this.

‘If I could ask you a question myself, Minister,’ Harrigan said quickly.

‘Go ahead.’

‘I understand you know a Dr Elena Calvo.’

‘I do. I consider her a friend. I was talking to her on the phone only this morning. She made me feel almost human. Why do you want to know?’

‘An employee of hers, a Sam Jonas, was waiting outside at Pittwater when I left yesterday. She was asking after you. Apparently, Dr Calvo was concerned for your welfare when you failed to appear at a meeting.’

The elevator arrived and they stepped inside.

‘I don’t know that name,’ Edwards replied, frowning. ‘Did this person have a card?’

‘Yes, she did.’

‘Then she could easily be one of Elena’s security people. She’s a very security-conscious woman. I don’t think you need worry about that. We did have a meeting scheduled and I wasn’t there. Elena’s the CEO of a company I was instrumental in getting onshore here. A biotechnology corporation: Life Patent Strategies. Exactly the sort of thing we need in my opinion. What am I talking about? Of course, she mentioned you this morning. She saw you on TV last night. I told her I hoped to talk to you today. Apparently you’re on her list of investors.’

‘I requested some information. I haven’t made up my mind whether I intend to invest. It might look like a conflict of interest.’

‘Don’t be so scrupulous,’ Edwards replied. ‘You should invest, it’s a very fine company. I opened their facility at Campbelltown eight months ago myself. It’s an extraordinary building. At the time, it was one of the achievements of my career. If it burned down tomorrow, I don’t think I’d be able to care now.’

‘What kind of a woman is Dr Calvo?’ Harrigan asked after a pause.

They had left the elevator. Edwards stopped to collect his thoughts.