Read Online Challis - 04 - Chain of Evidence by Garry Disher - Free Book Online Page B

first. In this case she
wanted another look at Justin Pedder, the mothers de facto. His alibi for
Thursday afternoon was sound, but that didnt mean anything. For all that Ellen
knew, hed been sharing Katie with his mates, only this time something went
wrong and theyd killed and dumped the girl. Or hed stoked them with photos
and fantasies and theyd decided they wanted some of that action while he was
away at the races.

    Or he was completely innocent.
Certainly he was unknown to the rape squad, the child exploitation unit and the
various government agencies like Childrens Services.

    But Ellen was thinking of the
six-year-old, Shelly. Was she next? Would Pedder groom her, too, and discard
her as easily as hed discarded Katie? Had Katie been discardedtoo
old?or had something gone wrong, shed been smothered to shut her up, or
strangled because someone failed to control himself?

    Wanting answers to some of these
questions, Ellen knocked on Donna Blaskos door at eight oclock. Donna
answered, blotchy from weeping and sleeplessness, stale smelling, a tissue in
one hand, wearing a grimy towelling robe over mens pyjama pants and a green
T-shirt. The air was laden with odours: breakfast toast and bacon, and older,
fuggier layers that Ellen automatically sifted through, identifying cigarettes,
beer, marijuana and perspiration. She wanted to open up the house, every door
and window. A TV set droned in the background: cartoons.

    Have you found her?

    Ellen shook her head. Sorry, Donna,
and sorry to call so early. May I come in?

    S pose, said Donna reluctantly.

    They moved through the sitting room
to the kitchen at the back, skirting a pizza box, a bra, empty DVD case, the
Saturday Herald Sun, toys, and the little sister, Shelly, sprawled in
front of a wide-screen TV. Excuse the mess.

    You should see my place, said
Ellen, then wondered why shed said it. She didnt have a place. Her old place
had been tidy, with Larrayne no longer living in it. Donna looked at Ellen in
astonishment, either because she thought the police were neat or she didnt
expect kindness. Cuppa tea?

    Thank you.

    Ellen sat, touched the sticky
tabletop, withdrew her hand into her lap. The sink was piled with breakfast
dishes, the fridge noisy, the floor grimy, linoleum tiles lifting here and
there. And apparently the cat liked to move its food from the bowl to the
floor. Ellen itched to get a scraper out.

    Justin still in bed?

    Donna shook her head. Out with his
mates.

    Ellens disapproval must have been
apparent, for Donna added aggrievedly, Theyre looking for Katie.

    Ellen got her notebook out. Bright
and early. Their names?

    Theyre looking for Katie, Im
tellin ya.

    I dont doubt it. We need to speak
to everyone whos had contact with your household in the past few weeks and
months.

    I thought Katie was snatched off
her bike?

    Were not absolutely sure what
happened, Ellen said. But lets not jump the gun. She paused. I saw you on
television, Donna. At no point did I state categorically to you that we thought
Katie had been abducted.

    No, we had to hear that from the Evening
Update guy.

    Ellen sighed. There are other
scenarios.

    So? Shes still missing, no matter
what happened to her. Are the police actually doing anything to find her?

    Search parties went out at first
light. From eight-thirty this morning an incident caravan will be parked at the
entrance to Trevally Street. Officers will be on standby to hand out leaflets,
answer questions and take statements. After school on Monday weve arranged for
a model to trace Katies movements.

    Roslyn Sutton, in fact, Scobies
daughter, the same age, build and height as Katie Blasko. Do you have a photo
of Katie on her bike? Wearing her helmet? We need to match bike and helmet.

    Somewhere.

    And a spare school uniform we can
use?

    Donna was looking alarmed and
confused. Yeah, but what do you mean, a model?

    A child who resembles Katie will
ride slowly from the school gates to this house, taking Katies usual