A rewarding case

The detective closed her little black book, clicked her pen and placed it on top. Clasping her hands together, she leaned forward, her elbows on the table.

‘As dreadful as this situation is, Melissa, today is a good day.’

Melissa nodded slowly, not looking up from cleaning the gunk from underneath her nail. She didn’t want to look at the detective. It had been far from a good day.

‘Although this will be devastating for the Harris family, at least they’ll have some closure. In my line of work, there’s a lot to be said for that.’ Detective Aitkin peered forward, trying to get Melissa to make eye contact.

‘Sure,’ Melissa murmured, concentrating fiercely on her nails.

‘And I suppose it’s a good day for you too. Did you know about the reward?’

Melissa looked up sharply, ‘What reward?’

Detective Aitkin was gratified to see genuine shock in Melissa’s face. ‘$20,000. Bit of a coincidence, the reward money announced on the news and a week later Katherine’s body found by accident. But finding a body like that, when you are simply out trying to find your lost dog. Hardly seems like the sort of thing you could plan. Or would even want to plan.’

Aitkin was fishing. But Melissa’s reactions seemed genuine. Even if the story about the dog was flimsy.

‘I don’t want the money.’

‘Are you sure? You told me earlier, you had lost your job a couple of months ago. Surely some cash would be welcome at a time like this.’

Melissa cupped her hands over her face and took a deep breath in. Detective Aitkin was right. She could definitely use the money. The redundancy payment had run out, the bills were piling up and she had no new job prospects on the horizon. Finally, she answered, ‘Yeah, I guess I could use the money.’

There was a tap at the door. Detective Aitkin looked up annoyed, the uniformed officer gestured that the detective was required for a phone call. With a pointed finger she indicated she was on her way. She already had all she needed from Melissa. This line of questioning was merely for her own curiosity. She sensed Melissa was holding back something. Nothing to do with the girl’s murder. But now wasn’t the time, she had the actual case to focus on.

‘An officer will be in touch about administering the reward. Get your bank details, etc. It might take a week or so, but you should see the money soon.’ Detective Aitkin gathered her book and pen and pushed back her chair.

Melissa had gone back to cleaning her nails, but looked up with the sound of the scraping chair. Detective Aitken paused, ‘You should consider talking to someone about what you saw today. There are some cards out the front for helplines and things.’

‘Thanks,’ Melissa croaked.

Detective Aitkin swept past her and out the door, then suddenly turned back. ‘Good luck with finding your… dog too’. The door clicked shut and Melissa was alone in the interview room.

‘Cereal for dinner again, honey?’

Melissa sat at one end of the small rectangular dining table, and her mother sat at the other.

‘Yep.’ Melissa mumbled morosely as she continued crunching her Special K. She stared down into her bowl, unwilling to look her mother in the eye.

‘Well, you won’t have to worry about that soon, what with the reward money coming in.’ Glenda was overly chirpy and bright.

Melissa raised her eyebrows, but continued chewing. She swallowed and then looked up carefully, ‘Did you know about the reward money when you sent me?’

‘I did.’ Glenda was firm. ‘Is that what you’re upset about? That there was a reward? Darling, you need the money. It’s been so rough for you lately. This could really set you up.’

‘It was just too big of a coincidence, that’s all. I could tell the detective didn’t believe the story about searching for my lost dog.’

‘But what is she going to do, nothing. There’s nothing to prove, she knows you weren’t involved in the…’

‘The murder?’

‘Yes, the murder.’

‘But she knows something doesn’t add up,’ Melissa smacked her spoon down on the table beside her bowl. ‘And I’m not just pissed about the money. You could have told me what I was walking in to. A fricking decomposing body.’

‘You needed plausible deniability.’ Glenda said matter-of-factly. ‘Anyway, your genuine reaction works in your favour with the detective.’

‘Mum! You can’t just manipulate me like that. I am a grown woman; I should be making decisions about this sort of stuff with all the information!’

‘Honey, I’m sorry. You’re right, I shouldn’t have manipulated you. But the opportunity was too good. It’s been ages since we did a reward case and you needed the money.’

‘Yes, and remember why we stopped doing rewards cases. Too much publicity. I don’t want that ‘crazy lady’ rep hanging over me again.’ Melissa gestured back and forth between herself and her mother, ‘THIS is bad enough.’

There was silence. Melissa gave an exasperated sigh and resumed eating. Her spoon clinking against the bowl, until all that remained were the dregs and some milk. Melissa upended the bowl and slurped the milk.

She looked up at her mother, expecting to be hassled about her poor table manners. But she was surprised to see her mother beaming.

Melissa narrowed her eyes. It was lovely to see her mother look so happy; she was glowing even. But that made her all the more suspicious of what was to come next. ‘What?’ Melissa asked cautiously.

‘Oh nothing, it’s just that I’m so proud of the person you’ve become. My beautiful Lissa.’

‘Mum, you’re being weird. What’s going on.’

‘There’s something else I didn’t tell you about the Harris case… Katherine’s case. It’s a bit more important than just the reward. That bit really was a coincidence.’

‘What?’

‘Well, it’s something that could change things. You know, for me, for us. Help me to move on.’

Melissa leaned forward, impatient to know. Watching her mother fidget, struggle with what she was about to reveal.

‘She… Katherine, the Harris girl, she knows his name.’

Melissa remained perfectly still as the enormity of her mother’s revelation burst upon her. Tears began to well in her eyes, she placed her hands flat on the table, either side of her empty bowl. Hoping to anchor herself, as emotions washed over her in waves. Joy, rage, satisfaction, sadness.

Glenda watched Melissa’s face change with every surge of feeling. Feelings that were, by now, familiar to her.

Melissa looked at her mother. A hardness had set about her eyes. A resolve. She spoke evenly, ‘What do you need me to do mum? How are we going to catch him?’

‘We aren’t going to catch him. He’s far to dangerous. I would never let you near him. Not after what he did to me. What he’s done to all those other beautiful girls. But you are going to help. You’re going to help Detective Aitkin catch that bastard who murdered them. That bastard who murdered me!’