Free The Baby Snatchers by Chris Taylor Page B

in
countries like the Philippines. Everything’s up for sale, including
children. Why would Australia be any different? My grandson was a
normal, healthy newborn. The next day, they said he was dead.”
    “Did you see his body?”
    “No. I wasn’t there when they brought my
daughter the news. They told her very early in the morning.”
    “What about your daughter? Did she have time
with her deceased child? I understand many hospitals allow that
kind of thing.”
    “Not as far as I know. Danielle’s
understandably in shock. She can’t remember a lot of what was said
even though it only happened two days ago. She’s still having
trouble with the whole thing. I had to call my doctor and have him
prescribe something to help calm her down. She’s been
inconsolable.” Once again, he turned his steely eyed gaze on
Cameron.
    “I demand that something be done, Detective.
I want that hospital closed down and the management arrested!”
    Cam sucked in a deep breath and exhaled on a
heavy sigh. He knew all about supporting a loved one through the
loss of a child, but this circumstance still didn’t mean that the
hospital was to blame. The premier’s demands to shut down the
largest and most prestigious hospital in the country—based on not a
scrap of evidence of wrongdoing—was almost laughable, but Cam knew
better than to give the man any indication his concerns weren’t
being taken seriously.
    “Mr Jamison,” he said quietly. “How old is
your daughter?”
    The man looked down at his hands, where they
were twisted in his lap. “She’s eighteen.”
    Cam hid his surprise and asked his next
question. “Do you think she’d be well enough to come to the station
and make a statement? With all due respect, you’ve admitted you
weren’t there when she was told about her baby’s death. It might
help clarify a few matters if I can speak with her directly.”
    The premier kept his gaze averted. “I told
you, she isn’t handling things very well. She’s still grieving
deeply for the loss of her child. We all are.”
    “I understand, Premier, but if you want me
to investigate, I still need to speak with her while her memory is
fresh. The longer we wait, the more likely she’ll forget certain
details and it could be something important.”
    This time, a dark red flush started at the
premier’s neck and spread across his face. His fidgeting got worse
and Cam couldn’t help but wonder why he appeared to be so
uncomfortable.
    “The thing is,” the premier began,
“Danielle’s not the most reliable of witnesses. She’s… She’s had a
drug problem for the past few years. Her mother and I have been
doing what we can to find her help and get her off the stuff, but
it’s been an uphill battle. The truth is, right now she doesn’t
want to get clean.”
    Cam stared at the premier in surprise. He’d
had no idea the politician’s daughter was a drug addict. He shook
his head in silent commiseration. It just went to show, no matter
where someone fit in society’s hierarchy, no family was immune to
stress and heartache. He could only be grateful Cynthia hadn’t gone
down that track.
    “I appreciate what you’re saying, Mr Jamison
and I’m very sorry to hear about the difficulties your family have
faced, but I really need to speak with Danielle and find out what
she knows. I assume there was a funeral?”
    “Yes.”
    “Who made the arrangements?”
    “I did.”
    “Where was it held?”
    “A staff member of the hospital gave
Danielle a business card with the name of a funeral home printed on
it. The Peaceful Passing Funeral Parlor and Crematorium on
the corner of Booth Street and Parramatta Road. We held a private
service on site. The baby was cremated.”
    Cam nodded. Cynthia had done the same thing
and at the very same venue. At the time, Cam hadn’t thought to ask
her about her choice of funeral home. Now, he could only assume
she’d also received a recommendation from the hospital. He admired
their