Free Deadly Diplomacy by Jean Harrod

until the car slithered to a stop in the hedge.
    She sat for a moment, stunned. Pushing the gear into park, she flung open her door. “ Idiot! ” she shouted into the pouring rain.
    But the other car had disappeared.
    Unbuckling her seatbelt, she got out to inspect the car for damage. She could see scratches etched into the paintwork on the bonnet and left wing by the hedge. She crouched down and checked under the car. Everything looked all right.
    Soaking wet, she got back into the car and turned on the ignition. Relieved when the engine fired up, she reversed out of the hedge and off the grass verge. If she hadn’t reacted so quickly and swerved, that car would have hit her for sure. Was it that grey jeep again?
    She pushed the gear into drive and continued down the lane. Nervous now, she kept checking her rear-view mirror. But there were no lights behind.
    Finally, through her rain-smeared windscreen, she saw the hotel up ahead. Inching the car through the entry gates, she manoeuvred into a space in the car park and switched off the engine. She sat listening to the rain hammering on the roof. The storm’s red and purple sky gave an eerie glow. The wind swirled around, moaning and rocking the car gently, as if something was closing in on her.
    She felt so alone.
    Closing her eyes, she leant forward and rested her head on the steering wheel. Her head spun as she remembered the wild, scorching flames shooting up into the sky.
    G’bye mummy!

9
    Jess struggled through the hotel room door with her luggage and threw her handbag onto the bed. The room was great. All white and light, with the turquoise sea filling the window frame like a colourful oil painting. Everything looked so clean and elegant. Spirits lifted, she walked over to the window and gazed out at green lawns lined with magenta and purple bougainvillea. The squall had passed now, and the sea shimmered under the sun’s direct gaze.
    Her eyes rested on a group of teenagers around the swimming pool. Lined up against the perimeter railings, they were taking it in turns to run across the wooden deck and cannonball into the water. Their infectious laughter made her smile. Everything seemed normal again after the storm and that idiot driving her off the road.
    She pulled her mobile out of her pocket, and dialled Nigel’s direct line.
    “ At last! You took your time returning my call, Jessic aah .”
    “I was driving. I’ve just got to The Palms.”
    “She is Western Energy’s Ellen Chambers.” Nigel’s voice boomed in her ear. “I’ve talked to John Langhurst. He’s devastated of course. And he’s offered to help, so keep that in mind. And I’ve talked to Queensland’s Deputy Police Commissioner. You’ll need to keep in close touch with Inspector Sangster, he’s leading the investigation. Make sure you see him before anyone else.”
    “I’ve got an appointment with him at 2pm.”
    “You’ll need to see Susan Chambers this afternoon too. Have the media phoned?”
    “Yes.”
    “Simon’s handled them so far. You take over now. Do a press conference later. Make sure they know you’ve travelled from Canberra to assist the police and next of kin and…”
    “Nigel,” she intervened. “If you’ve spoken to John Langhurst, you’ll know Ellen Chambers was in Brisbane to attend Western Energy’s Conference.”
    “Yes. John Langhurst’s up there too. And CEO Richard Price.”
    She bristled. So why didn’t he tell her that straightaway? Why did she have to drag every piece of information out of him?
    “Now keep me informed, Jessic aah and…”
    “Nigel…” She hesitated, wondering whether to ask him about that intelligence report on an open phone line.
    “And don’t forget the Foreign Secretary’s here… By the book. Right?”
    The phone went dead in her ear as he hung up.
    Bloody man! She stood staring at the phone, wondering whether to call him back. No, she’d ask Simon instead. She’d get more sense out of him… or would she?