Read Online The Bear Pit by Jon Cleary - Free Book Online Page B

shot from the Sewing Bee, that what you’re saying? So what am I supposed to know?”
    He wasn’t belligerent, just curious. Malone had met other hitmen and they had all had a characteristic coldness, sometimes blatant, other times subdued. It was a job, with most of them part-time: you killed the target, collected your pay, went home. One or two of them had been show-offs, mug lairs, but they did not last long; sooner or later someone hit them. August, if he was the hitman in the Vanderberg case, was out of character.
    There was silence in the car again till they reached the Harbour Bridge, where they were held up by a long bank-up of traffic.
    August looked out at the mass of cars and trucks, immobile as rocks.
    â€œCan you imagine what it’s gunna be like during the Olympics?”
    â€œI’m leaving town,” said Malone. “I’m going to Tibooburra.”
    â€œWhat about you, miss?” August could not be friendlier, more unworried.
    â€œI have seats for all the main events at the stadium.” Gail glanced at Malone in the rear-vision mirror. “My father bought them. He said we’re to be one hundred per cent, dinky-di Aussies for two weeks.”
    â€œI’m one of the fifty thousand volunteer helpers,” said August.
    â€œDoing what?” Shooting whoever is on the official dais on opening day? Malone, against reason, was becoming irritated by August’s apparent lack of concern.
    â€œHelping the disabled. Getting them seated, things like that. I like volunteer work. I do Meals on Wheels in my van once a week.”
    Are we bringing in the wrong bloke ? But you had to start somewhere and this man was the only one with a record. Malone made no comment and they drove the rest of the way to Strawberry Hills in silence. As they rode up in the lift to Homicide’s offices August said, “You’re making a mistake, you know.”
    â€œWe sometimes do, John. But once we’ve eliminated them, we usually come up with the right answer.”
    â€œAre there any reporters here?”
    â€œ We don’t encourage them.”
    â€œDo me a favour? After I’ve convinced you I know nothing about all this, don’t let them know you’ve had me in here. I want to protect Lynne and her day-care centre.”
    Gail took August into one of the interview rooms and Malone went into his office to see what was on his desk. Clements followed him. “Why’d you bring him back here instead of taking him to Police Centre and the incident room?”
    â€œBecause that’s where the media are hanging out. I don’t want them asking questions or guessing till we’ve got something definite.”
    â€œHe admitted anything?”
    â€œNothing. Anything further come in?”
    â€œWe double-checked the Sewing Bee list, everyone on it has been interviewed. He’s the only one with form, if you exclude Charlie Hassett.”
    â€œ He’s on the list?”
    â€œThree uniforms being let out at the seams. He’s already been on to me. If I let it slip to the media, he’s demoting me to probationary constable . . . There’s more come in from Victoria on August. One of those acquittals he got was for attempted murder—his first wife’s boyfriend. What’s he like?”
    â€œHe’s a carpenter and handyman, that’s his trade. In his spare time he does Meals on Wheels.”
    â€œHolding a gun at their heads to make ‘em eat it?” Then he smiled sourly. “Why am I so cynical about reformed crims?”
    â€œHas anyone been down to Trades Congress headquarters?”
    â€œWith the crowd we’ve got working on this, you can bet someone’s been down there. But nothing’s come through on the computer yet.”
    â€œRing Greg Random, tell him to tell everyone to lay off. That is for you and me soon’s I finish with our friend inside.”
    He went out to the interview room.