Free Scorpio's Lot by Ray Smithies Page A

point. ‘Detective Forbes, can you provide protection for
Brigit? I’ve just learnt she’s been discharged from hospital and is most likely
recuperating at home. I believe this leaves her in a very vulnerable position.’
     
    ‘I appreciate your concern but
the situation does not warrant priority. I will, however, arrange to have one
of our patrol cars do some random checks on the house. Due to a lack of
resources, this is the best I can offer.’
     
    ‘Thank you,’ I responded,
disappointed there wasn’t to be full-time surveillance. Still, this arrangement
was at least better than nothing. The phone line went dead.
     
    I turned to James. ‘I have no
choice but to go around and warn them both. We need to keep a step ahead of
these people. By the way, does Helen have any knowledge of Brigit’s drug
involvement?’
     
    ‘Not that I’m aware of. Those two
have never hit it off, so I can’t see Brigit ever volunteering this sort of
information. I expect the police to interview me again since I was the one who
told them about Brigit’s drug dealings. I’ll only tell them what’s necessary
because I don’t want anything traced back to me, for obvious reasons. Certainly
there’ll be no mention of the name Charlie!’
     
    ‘If you have no objection, I need
to inform Emily about what you’ve told me, particularly when I’m about to
forewarn Brigit of her danger and the possibility of relocating her to a safer
place.’
     
    ‘Yes, mention this to Emily and
no one else, but where in the hell would you hide Brigit?’
     
    ‘Probably in the caravan park
initially.’
     
    Our discussion drew to an end and
we parted company. I had further errands to run for Emily and there was work to
be done when I returned to the park.
     
    ~ * ~
     
    Later
that afternoon Neville Bradbury had a meeting with Charlie and Sol at Broadbent
Warehouse to discuss the fate of Brigit O’Neill. Both Bradbury and Sol chose to
approach the matter with caution and not be too hasty in making rash decisions.
By contrast, Charlie wanted her eliminated in fear that his cover may have been
blown. Forever the hothead, he argued with the other two, pointing out that
they weren’t directly affected.
     
    ‘You’ve got no balls! For Christ’s
sake! She’s got to go because I don’t want these fuckin’ cops onto me!’ fumed
Charlie.
     
    ‘You’re pissing me off, Charlie!’
Sol said. ‘Shut up and listen carefully. We’re running an operation here and
the last thing we want is another murder. Brigit O’Neill’s circumstances are
different because she’s employed by the syndicate. Her role may be minor but
there’s still traceability. Therefore this needs to be dealt with in another
way, do you understand?’
     
    ‘All right then!’ grumbled
Charlie, looking like he’d just lost his best friend.
     
    ‘The regional head will provide
the answer in due course. That decision’s not ours to make,’ continued Sol.
     
    ‘I took the liberty of phoning
the hospital this morning,’ Bradbury said. ‘She’s already been discharged and
gone home. I found her address listed in the white pages.’
     
    ‘Good, time now to contact the
boss,’ said Sol.
     
    ~ * ~
     
    After
leaving James I went back to the park and informed Emily of the possible
dangers confronting Brigit. She listened with no interruptions and as the story
unfolded her eyes appeared strangely hypnotised, with a hint of a tear
surfacing in one corner. Her eyes rarely blinked. She was completely
dumbstruck.
     
    ‘Tom, I simply don’t know what to
say. I would have never expected Brigit to be involved in that sort of thing.’
     
    ‘It just goes to show - some
people are not what they appear.’
     
    ‘But marijuana is hardly the drug
to commit a murder over.’
     
    ‘You’re missing the point.
Marijuana’s not the issue here, it’s what the trail can lead to. This syndicate
deals in heroin and the like. It’s big business and probably far greater