White Dog

45

‘Good timing,’ said Drew. ‘My informant says the seven o’clock news.’

‘For Christ’s sake don’t ding this car,’ I said. ‘Promise me.’

‘Relax. I’m not a denter, I’m a write-off man, I don’t fuck around.’

Drew driving Linda’s Alfa, the airport turnoff ahead, a slalom of deranged tradies, heartsick salesmen, tight-lipped women racing home to try to be mothers. For no good reason, he pulled out of the lane. I heard rubber pigsqueal behind us.

‘So how long is this excursion?’ he said.

‘Open-ended,’ I said. ‘I don’t just dent foreign travel, I’m a write-off man.’

‘What, she loves you?’

‘She’s been sacked, she’s cashed-up, she wants intelligence, wit, repartee, finely honed love-making techniques.’

‘And your role?’

‘Interview the candidates. I’ve got an instinct for human resources. Don’t drive up this poor bastard’s arse, please.’

‘Speed lane, I’m reminding him. Put the radio on.’

I found the button, it took three punches to find the right station. News headlines, then: ‘In a shock development today at the commission into the building industry, it was alleged that a notebook belonging to murdered Melbourne developer Michael Franklin revealed cash payments to contractors on a massive scale. Counsel assisting the inquiry, Kevin Carstairs QC, said huge sums of drug money were laundered through a company called Barras Holdings, linked with millionaire developer Anthony Haig. Mr Carstairs said drug money used to pay wages and other expenses was converted into property through complicated finance arrangements. Construction giant MassiBild was deeply involved, Mr Carstairs alleged.’

‘Goodbye Saint Charlie,’ said Drew.

‘Barras,’ I said. ‘Hirer of the penthouse at the River Plaza. He gave Napoleon his big break.’

‘What?’

‘The Comte de Barras. He put Napoleon in charge of defending the French Convention. I never gave it a thought.’

Drew gave me the look. ‘I’m surprised,’ he said. ‘First thing I thought of. Closer to ground level, the word is that Bernie Paech is giving up Haig in return for considerations. And Londregan’s trying to do a deal on a lesser, shaft the much-missed Stedman, now tragically unable to defend himself.’

International departures. Drew parked, kissing the kerb, I winced. I got out and opened the back door to get the bag.

‘Not much luggage,’ he said.

‘I’ll be living off the land, making my own clothing from reindeer hide.’

‘I suppose I should say I’m sorry I got you into all this terrible shit.’

‘Why would you suppose that?’

He looked at me, the long face, the long nose. ‘Why don’t you just fuck off,’ he said, ‘and leave me to total this car?’

I went without a backward glance.