“What a great way to start a working day-half an hour of sitting in the sun on a ferry looking at the scenery.”
As Clancy poured the coffee he smiled at Anne’s enthusiasm. “It is most of the time, but you should try it when there’s been a storm and your ferry hits the swell coming in from the Heads.”
Carol said, “We won’t keep you long.”
“Meaning you want to get down to business, Inspector?”
Watching him closely, Carol said, “Have you ever been to the hotel where Raeburn died?”
He considered the question calmly. “Yes I have, at least a couple of times. Once was a dinner, the other when I was visiting friends. Why?”
“Recently?”
He seemed unconcerned. “Not recently.”
“If it were necessary, would you object to a line-up?”
“Not at all. I’m happy to be in an identification parade, but I must remind you, Inspector, that both I and my colleagues are very well known. We might be identified because someone’s seen us on television, for instance.”
As he sat back, apparently pleased with this riposte, Carol said, “Is it true that Alanna Brooks is bringing an action against you?”
He straightened. “I’ve had reporters ringing me all weekend asking that question.”
Curbing her impatience, Carol said, “I’d appreciate the answer.”
He played with his spoon, then looked up to meet Carol’s steady gaze. “I’ve tried to speak to Alanna, but she’s not taking my calls. It’s some misunderstanding about last Saturday night.”
“At the Museum of Modern Art? You were both there for Andrew Rath’s exhibition and reception, weren’t you?”
“Yes, and I’m afraid I had too much to drink. I knew I was catching the Manly ferry home and wasn’t driving, so I didn’t watch how much I had.” He chuckled ruefully. “I said some unfortunate things about Alanna, and I’m sorry now, but I suppose it’s too late.”
“Could you be more explicit?”
“Have you spoken to her?”
Carol let her impatience show. “We’re speaking to you.”
The clear morning light pitilessly revealed the dark circles under his eyes, the deep lines that bracketed his mouth, the tremor in his hand as he picked up his coffee cup. All the vitality that Carol had seen on the stage and in his dressing room seemed to have drained away. He cleared his throat. “From what I remember, and what I’ve been told, I suggested, among other things, that Alanna got to be prima donna by a series of underhand maneuvers, including calling in favors and paying off Livingston and other members of the board of Eureka Opera. I said she was worried Corinne would displace her, so she took action to make sure that didn’t happen.”
“Why would anyone take this seriously? You said you’d had too much to drink…”
He swallowed a mouthful of coffee. “It was who I spoke to, rather than just what I said. Andrew Rath’s an institution in Australian art, so every cultural critic was there at some time in the evening. I managed to find four critics who were having a lively discussion and make them the audience for my comments about Alanna. No one was stupid enough to print it, thank God, but obviously the word’s finally got back to her.” He gave a tired smile. “To say the least, she’s not happy, and she’s threatening to sue me for slander.”
Carol frowned. “Does this seem to be an overreaction to you?”
He leaned back, shaking his head. “Collis’s death has upset everyone. We’re all under pressure. I’ve tried to talk some sense into Alanna, but…” His shrug conveyed her lack of cooperation.
Anne said, “Won’t that make it difficult when you sing in the same opera?”
Amusement flickered across his face. “You’d be surprised how many love duets are sung by people who loathe each other. From a professional point of view, the audience should never know what we really feel.”
“What do you really feel?”
Carol’s terse question sobered him immediately. “About what?”
“Alanna Brooks.”
He spread his hands. “I don’t know… resentful, I suppose, that she should take what I said so seriously.”
I’ve been told you were lovers.“
He didn’t react for a moment, then he said, “It wasn’t Corinne that said this, was it? She’s always got an ax to grind.”
“It wasn’t Ms Jawalski.”
“Well, it’s not true, Inspector.” He paused, apparently to see whether Carol would respond. She didn’t. He said uncomfortably, “Look, I don’t want to embarrass Alanna, but she made it clear a while ago that she was interested in me. I didn’t return her feelings, and told her so as gently as I could.”
“Was this before or after she had an affair with Collis Raeburn?”
He flushed. “I don’t know anything about that, but I can’t believe that she did. Alanna’d have better taste.” He sat forward. “Who’s been telling you this?”
“I’m sorry…”
Lloyd Clancy laughed contemptuously. “Don’t tell me-you can’t reveal your grubby little sources! Do you believe every bit of gossip anyone tells you?”
“No,” said Carol. “Only the ones that check out.”
Walking back to the car, Anne said, “Who was your grubby little source?”
“Douglas Binns the night we saw Aïda, and he doesn’t strike me as grubby at all…”
As soon as she walked into her office she was given a series of messages, each more urgent than the last, all from Nicole Raeburn. Feeling a mixture of irritation and curiosity, she was about to pick up the receiver when the phone rang.
“Carol Ashton.”
“What have I done to deserve that sharp tone?” said Madeline.
In spite of herself, Carol heard her voice mellow as she said, “I thought you’d be on your way to Brisbane by now.”
“The plane’s delayed, so I’m still at the airport. Queensland, the California of Australia, will have to wait a little longer for me.” Carol heard her take a breath, then she said, “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”
“Fine.”
Madeline laughed. “Only fine? What happened to fantastic, terrific and wonderful?”
Her body tingling with an echo of passion, she said calmly, “All those too, of course.”
“I should wrap up the Queensland segments by next Monday. I’ll call you when I get back.”
“Yes, okay.”
Her amusement plain, Madeline said, “Don’t bother sweeping me off my feet with enthusiasm, Carol. I have enough for both of us.”
A light blinked on her handset. “I’ve got another call, Madeline. I’ll have to go.”
Nicole Raeburn’s voice shrieked in her ear. “Inspector! I’ve been trying to get you all morning. There are two things I must know. The first is about your report. When’s it going to be finished?”
“The investigation isn’t complete yet.”
Carol’s patient tone obviously inflamed, rather than calmed. “That’s what you said last time I asked! All you have to say is that he died accidentally! It’s the best thing for everyone, and it’s true!”
Carol was tempted to break the connection, but she held her temper and said neutrally, “What was the second thing, Ms Raeburn?”
Nicole’s voice suddenly developed a cajoling tone. “Actually, Inspector, it’s about Colly’s journal. I wondered if you’d found it?”
Carol’s negative reply pushed Nicole’s voice a notch higher. “You have to find it!”
“Ms Raeburn, why is the journal suddenly so important?”
Her tone became confidential. “Actually, I don’t want this to get out, but I’m talking to a well-known writer about Colly’s biography, and he says he needs everything personal, though of course I’ll decide what goes into the book. And there’ll be a lot from me, too…”
Collis wasn’t the only one in the family with a monstrous ego. “You and your brother were very close…”