Alex Palmer - Blood Redemption

‘In many ways, Greg behaves like a normal adolescent boy, Paul, despite his unfortunate history. I took him to McDonald’s, then we went to an entertainment arcade, at his request, where he played video games. It was the release of a pressure valve for him, a time in which to think.’

‘Where were you at about four o’clock?’

‘I’m not really sure…’ The preacher paused, his fingers brushed against the folder once again. ‘I think the van was on the road between McDonald’s and the video parlour at that time. I was too busy thinking about Greg to notice the clock.’

‘I see,’ Harrigan replied. ‘Last night — did you go looking for him in the refuge van?’

‘No, someone else needed to use it. I had another car, one belonging to a member of my congregation.’

‘Yes, we had a bulletin out for your van last night but it seemed to be off the road. Why should you think Greg’s come to harm? He could just be out and about. He’s used to that sort of life, after all.’

‘Greg is a very wild young man. He takes appalling risks, his life is one of terrible recklessness. I have watched him often with my heart in my mouth. I have to say I am very afraid for him. Particularly if he is faced with a return to custody.’

The preacher’s insistence had been without emphasis. Harrigan sat in silence for a few moments, looking at him, unconsciously tapping his fingers on the table top.

‘You say you don’t think he’s involved in the shooting we’re making inquiries about?’

‘I am sure that will be revealed to be a mistake. I should be very surprised to discover that he was.’

‘Right.’ Harrigan put a light emphasis on the word. ‘Does the name

“the Firewall” mean anything to you?’

‘Yes, I’ve read about her — I understand she’s female? — in the paper today.’

‘Do you know anyone who uses that name?’

‘Know in what sense, Paul?’

‘Know of, Graeme. Or know personally. Take your pick.’ Harrigan sat back in his chair, apparently relaxing for the duration.

‘I find that in my line of work people often have more than one name.

I know of no one who has introduced themselves to me by that name.’

‘Let me ask you, is there anyone in this picture that you recognise?’

He took a photograph out of the folder and placed it on the table.

The preacher looked at the homeless boys in Belmore Park.

‘This was in the paper today but I have already seen it before in any case,’ he said. ‘It was taken some time before Greg came into my care.

I was quite angry that they chose to characterise him as they did.

Other than that, I can tell you nothing about it.’

‘Is there anyone else you recognise? Someone familiar to you?’

‘Other than Greg? I don’t think so.’

‘What about her?’

Harrigan pointed to the female figure shown only from the back.

‘It’s difficult to recognise someone from the back of the head, Paul.

Why do you think this is your killer? Because she’s talking to Greg? On first glance, that could be described as discrimination. Unless, of course, you have some other information — which I would hope you would pass on to us. If not to Greg, then at least to me as his guardian. He does have legal rights.’

The man spoke with a neutrality equal to Harrigan’s own, his eyes so pale as to seem sightless.

‘Just an inquiry, Graeme. You know of any friends of his who might be this girl?’ Harrigan asked.

‘Girls are the last thing Greg would talk to me about, Paul. You can’t force information out of your charges.’

‘No, that’s true,’ Harrigan said, returning the photograph to the folder and waiting a few moments. ‘You have something of an American accent there, Graeme. You’ve spent time in the States, I take it?’

The man’s composure was unruffled by the change of questioning.

‘My voice gives me away, doesn’t it? I have indeed, more than half my lifetime. I’ve come back only recently. I recommend that you visit there one day, if you never have. It is genuinely a land of great opportunity. Why do you ask?’

‘I’m just trying to place you. What brought you back?’

‘The realisation that this is home after all? It certainly had that feel about it when I was walking through the Sydney Terminal.’

‘You’ve always been something of a traveller perhaps?’

‘Yes, I have. I travel for God, I go where I am called. I feel that I am most useful where I can reach as many people as possible. There is no more wonderful sight in the world than the dawn as you watch it by the side of the road and you know there is another town a little further on where they need you. It’s like being in the new world to see the sun rise at those times. People open their hearts to me, Paul, I understand them.

I understand them better than they understand themselves. I am someone who can reveal to them who they truly are, who can lead them to act in a way that is closest to their true wishes. They trust me and I always reward their trust.’

Harrigan had the rare sensation of a chill down his spine.

‘I guess in your business you need to,’ he said. ‘It helps in mine as well from time to time. You’re a people person, are you, Graeme? Does that describe your approach?’

He listened in what could only be described as detached astonishment to his own words. In the light of his feelings towards the man sitting in front of him, they were nothing less than a bad joke.

‘Oh, yes. Very much so. I can say that I truly love people, that their fate is of the greatest concern to me. And I know them. I know their hearts but I also know their faces and their names. I never forget anyone. Whoever comes to my door, whoever I encounter in my work, I remember them. I have that gift.’

‘I see.’

There was silence. In the small familiar room, Harrigan felt claustrophobia while the man in the other chair appeared unmoved.

‘When you were in the States, where did you spend most of your time?’ he asked.

The preacher smiled.

‘Everywhere, Paul. Everywhere. If I may say so — I’m a little surprised by these questions. I wonder if you shouldn’t be more concerned for Greg at this point. Shouldn’t you be organising a search?’

‘We’re out there looking, Graeme. Every available officer I’ve got.

I’ve already told you that. And from what you’ve just said to me, I’d have to judge there’s probably no great urgency about it now.’

‘But there is, Paul. There is great urgency. I must emphasise that.

Why wouldn’t there be?’

‘Then let me thank you for your help in putting us on the track.

Perhaps I can show you out.’

The preacher smiled again and got to his feet without waiting to be asked twice.

‘Certainly. Thank you for your time. This meeting has been most valuable to me. I will remember it. I hope we meet again.’

‘We will, Graeme. For one thing, we’ll need to talk to you about Greg. Whether we find him or not. I will brief one of my officers on this and she’ll be in touch with you pretty much as soon as is possible.’

‘By all means. I’ll wait to hear.’

At the elevator, Harrigan stood with the preacher waiting for his escort to arrive. Dea, at her desk, watched them between telephone calls.

‘I understand your congregation in Camperdown is quite popular, Graeme,’ he said, having heard no such thing, simply curious as to what response he might receive.

‘It’s thriving, Paul. I hope to take it out west in due time, I think there are many people out there who need me. I thought so yesterday when I was out there with Greg. But if you’re interested, why don’t you come to a prayer meeting one day? You would be most welcome.