‘At the time of the crash it was assumed that the aircraft which was the cause of this accident bad been chartered by a newspaper. In actual fact, it turned out to be an official flight made by a junior minister of the Government who was intent on finding the extent of the disaster area at Hukahoronui. Regardless of whether the flight was official or unofficial, it is evident that there was a grave breakdown of communication between the Ministry of Civil Defence and the civil and military air authorities, leading to what might be construed as criminal negligence.’
He looked up at the Press gallery with cold eyes, and Dan Edwards twitched in his seat. ‘I might add that the Press acted most irresponsibly in their flights over the disaster area. While a reporter may think he has a duty to get at the facts, he has a higher duty to the community than to the newspaper which employs him. While I understand that certain civil air pilots have been reprimanded and suitably punished by the withdrawal of their flying licences, I regret that a similar punishment cannot legally be meted out to those who so irresponsibly chartered the aircraft and gave the orders.’
He switched his attention to Smithers. ‘And I hope the Ministry of Civil Defence is reviewing its procedures immediately and not waiting for the findings of this Commission to be published. There could be a similar disaster tomorrow, Mr Smithers.’
He did not wait to hear anything Smithers might have to say, but tapped with his gavel. ‘We stand adjourned until ten a.m. tomorrow.’
Thirty
As Ballard left the hall he saw McGill talking to a bespectacled, middle-aged man whom he had previously noticed in the front rank of the Press gallery. When he approached he heard McGill say, ‘I’d be much obliged if you could get them for me.’
Dan Edwards scratched the side of his jaw. ‘Tit for tat,’ he said. ‘If there’s a story in it I want an exclusive.’ He smiled. ‘It’s all right for old Harrison to act pontifical, but I’m still a newspaperman.’
‘If there’s a story you’ll have it first,’ promised McGill. ‘Even Harrison would agree that this is in the public interest.’
‘When do you want them?’
‘Yesterday — but today will have to do. Can I meet you in your office in half an hour?’
Edwards grimaced. ‘I was looking forward to a beer, but I suppose that can wait.’
‘If I find what I’m looking for I’ll buy you a case of beer.’
Edwards said, ‘I’ll hold you to that,’ and went away.
Ballard said, ‘What’s all that about, Mike?’
‘Just checking on something — professional stuff. Seen Liz yet?’
‘No. I’m meeting her later.’
‘Don’t waste time,’ advised McGill. ‘The balloon goes up tomorrow. If Harrison knew I was sitting on this he’d ream me out for sure.’ He looked past Ballard. ‘Ah, there’s the guy I want to see.’ He walked away with Flying Officer Hatry, talking fast and making gestures with his hands. Ballard looked after him curiously, then shrugged and went to get his car.
He had missed Liz at lunch-time — she had left quickly with Eric and Charlie — and she had not appeared for the afternoon session. During the mid-afternoon recess he had telephoned her at her hotel and asked to see her. ‘You’d better not come here,’ she had said. ‘Charlie wouldn’t like it. I’ll come to your hotel after dinner. What about nine o’clock?’
At the hotel he avoided Stenning by the simple expedient of staying in his room. In view of what had happened the previous night he had no wish for further conversation with Stenning. He whiled away the time by reading a novel which bored him, and his thoughts went skittering away from the narrative which should have held his attention.
He wondered where McGill was and what he was doing. He thought of how he was going to break the news to Liz — that was going to be damned difficult. How do you tell the woman you love that her brother is — to all intents and purposes — a multiple murderer?
He had dinner in his room. At nine-fifteen he was pacing the floor and, at nine-thirty, when Liz still had not shown up, he contemplated telephoning her again. At nine-forty the telephone rang and he grabbed it.
‘Ballard.’
‘A guest for you, Mr Ballard.’
‘I’ll be right there.’
He went to the reception desk where the clerk said, ‘In the lounge, Mr Ballard.’
Ballard walked into the hotel lounge and looked about. In a corner he saw Stenning reading a newspaper but there was no sign of Liz. From behind him a voice said, ‘I’ll bet you didn’t expect me, Ballard.’
He turned and saw Charlie Peterson. ‘Where’s Liz?’ he demanded.
Charlie swayed slightly on his feet. His face was reddened and covered with a film of sweat, and a tic worked convulsively under his left eye. ‘She won’t be here,’ he said. ‘I’ve made sure of that. I’ve told you before — stay away from my sister, you bastard.’
‘What have you done with her?’
‘She’s got nothing to do with you — now or at any other time. You must be either stupid or deaf. Didn’t McGill pass on my message?’
‘He did.’ Ballard contemplated Charlie for a long moment, then said, ‘I asked Liz to come here because I had something important to tell her. Since she isn’t here I’ll tell you.’
‘I have no interest in anything you have to say.’ Charlie looked about the lounge. ‘If we were anywhere else I’d break your bloody back. You’re always careful never to be alone, aren’t you?’
‘You’d better listen, Charlie; it’s for your own good. And you’d better sit down while you hear it, before you fall down.’
Something in Ballard’s tone of voice caught Charlie’s attention. He narrowed his eyes, and said, ‘All right, say your piece.’ He flopped down heavily on to a settee.
As Ballard sat down he saw Stenning looking across at them wearing a puzzled expression. He ignored Stenning and turned to Charlie. ‘You’re in trouble — bad trouble.’
Charlie grinned humourlessly. ‘I’m in trouble! Wait until you hear what’s in store for you.’
‘We know what went on on top of the west slope before the avalanche. We know what you did, Charlie.’
The grin disappeared from Charlie’s face. ‘I wasn’t on the west slope and no one can say I was. Who says I was?’
‘Miller says so,’ said Charlie quietly. ‘We have a letter.’
‘He’s a liar,’ said Charlie tautly.
Ballard shrugged. ‘What reason has he for lying? What reason has he for sending ten thousand dollars to the Disaster Fund? You tell me.’
‘Where is this letter? I want to see it.’
‘You’ll see it. It will be given to Harrison tomorrow morning.’
Charlie swallowed. ‘And what the hell am I supposed to have done? Tell me because I don’t know.’
Ballard looked at him steadily. ‘He says you deliberately started the avalanche.’
The tic on Charlie’s face twitched. ‘Lies!’ he shouted. ‘He’s a bloody liar!’
‘Keep your voice down,’ said Ballard.
‘Keep my voice down!’ said Charlie in suppressed fury. ‘I’m accused of murder and you tell me to keep my voice down!’ All the same he spoke more softly and looked quickly about the lounge.
‘Now listen to me. I asked Liz here so I could break it to her gently so she wouldn’t hear it for the first time in open court tomorrow. I don’t know how you’ve prevented her from coming here, but since you’re here I decided to tell you. I’m giving you a chance, Charlie.’
‘What chance?’ he asked in a grating voice.