The Bat(98)
‘Maybe. Who’s asking?’
‘Hi, this is Birgitta. Inger’s friend. We met at the Albury a couple of times. I’ve got long, blond, slightly reddish hair. Do you remember me?’
‘Of course I remember you. How are you doing? How did you get hold of my number?’
‘I’m fine. Bit up and down. You know. Bit depressed because of Inger and all that, but I won’t bother you with it. I got your number from Inger, in case we had to contact her when she was in Nimbin.’
‘I see.’
. . .
‘Yes, the thing is I know you have something I need, Evans.’
‘Uh-huh?’
‘Stuff.’
‘I understand. Hate to disappoint you, but I doubt I have what you’re after. Listen . . . er, Birgitta—’
‘You don’t understand, I have to meet you!’
‘Easy now. For what you need there are hundreds of other suppliers, and this is not a secure line, so I suggest you don’t say anything you shouldn’t. I’m sorry I can’t help you.’
‘What I need starts with “m”, not “h”. And you’re the only person who has it.’
‘Rubbish.’
‘OK, maybe there are a few others, but I don’t trust any of them. I’m buying for several people. I need a lot and I pay well.’
‘I’m a bit tied up now, Birgitta. Don’t ring here again, please.’
‘Wait! I can . . . I know a few things. I know what you like.’
‘Like?’
‘What you . . . really like. What your kick is.’
. . .
. . .
‘Sorry, I just had to get someone out of the room. This is a real pain in the arse. So. What do you think I like, Birgitta?’
‘I can’t say it on the phone, but . . . but I have blonde hair, and I . . . I like it, too.’
‘Jeez. Girlfriends! You never cease to amaze me. I thought Inger would’ve kept her mouth shut about that sort of thing.’
‘When can I meet you, Evans? This is urgent.’
. . .
‘I’ll be in Sydney day after tomorrow, but perhaps I should consider an earlier flight . . . ?’
‘Yes!’
‘Hm.’
‘When can we—?’
‘Shh, Birgitta, I’m thinking.’
. . .
‘OK, listen carefully. Walk down Darlinghurst Road tomorrow evening at eight. Stop by Hungry Jack’s on the left. Look for a black Holden with tinted glass. If it isn’t there before half past eight you can go. And make sure I can see your hair.’
47
Data
‘THE LAST TIME? Well, Kristin rang me out of the blue one night. She was a bit drunk, I think. She gave me an ear-bashing for something, don’t remember what. For destroying her life, probably. She had a tendency to think people around her were always destroying things she had planned so carefully.’
‘That’s how it is with girls who have spent too much time growing up alone and playing with dolls, you know.’
‘Maybe. But, as I said, I don’t remember. I was hardly ever sober myself.’
Harry sat up in the sand on his elbows and scanned the sea. The waves rose, the tips went white and the foam hung in the air for a second before it fell, glittering in the sun like crushed glass, and crashed against the cliffs beyond Bondi Beach.
‘But I saw her once more. She visited me at the hospital after the accident. Initially, when I opened my eyes, I thought I was dreaming, seeing her beside my bed, pale, almost transparent. She was just as beautiful as the first time I saw her.’
Bitgitta pinched him in the side.
‘Am I laying it on too thick?’
‘Not at all, just go on.’ She was lying on her stomach and giggling.
‘What is this? You’re supposed to get a bit jealous when I’m talking about an old flame. But the more I go into details about my romantic past the more you seem to like it.’
Birgitta peered at him over her sunglasses.
‘I like finding out that my macho cop has had an emotional life. Even though it was some time ago.’
‘Some time ago? What do you call this then?’
She laughed. ‘This is the mature, carefully considered holiday romance which doesn’t become too intense but has enough sex for it to be worth the effort.’
Harry shook his head. ‘That’s not true, Birgitta, and you know it.’
‘Yes, it is, but it’s fine, Harry. It’s fine for now. Continue the story. If the details become too intimate, I’ll tell you. Anyway, I’ll get my own back when I tell you about my ex-boyfriend.’ She wriggled in the hot sand with a contented expression. ‘Ex-boyfriends, I mean.’
Harry brushed the sand off her white back.