Detective West
The automatic doors part and, as Detective Gleaton steps in front of me, I take a final drag from my cigarette and flick it behind me as I enter the police station.
“Coffee?” Roland says, passing me the disposable cup. “It’s hot.” He warns before I have a chance to knock it back.
“Is everyone in place? Has Lynette been in contact?” I ask, reaching his side.
“Yes. And yes, Lynette has. The two SERT teams from Brisbane that were on the ground searching throughout the night have retrieved nothing, and have now resumed their instructed positions for our search. That storm has made seeing anything hard, Lynette said.”
“Warrant?”
“I’ve got the warrant.” Roland pats at his jeans pocket.
“Good. Let’s get this show on the road. We need to drive out there before daylight. Morgan must be located this morning.”
As I enter the project room, each officer’s eyes turn to me. The chatter I could hear from the hallway ceases.
Eric hands me an A4 photograph when I reach him. “Morning.” He stands at attention.
I don’t respond as I sidestep him, then pass, heading to the podium.
Holding the picture up by my ear, I swivel until my shoulders are squared to the many bodies of the officers filling the room. “This is our target. Winston Sampson, also known as Vactrim Blight. He’s using an alias for his employment. However, all his DMV records, deeds, and insurance are under his birth name of Winston Sampson.”
I stop speaking as Roland comes to stand beside me. “Departure in twenty-five minutes,” he whispers for my ears only.
I nod. “Winston’s brother, Falcon Sampson, deceased, is the motive for Morgan’s kidnapping. Our evidence is clear and precise. His death, nearly six years ago, relates to this abduction.”
“Winston is currently out of town hunting, as per his employer’s statement. We are yet to locate his whereabouts. What we do know is he’s due to resume his job this coming Thursday,” Roland says, reaching for a folder on the lectern beside him.
“Winston was once a part of the Melbourne mafia. We believe he no longer has any ties with the organisation and his alias is for protection from this underground crime syndicate. He’s also ex-military, so he’s considered dangerous.” I look to Roland as his lips part.
“We have a warrant to search land and property belonging to Winston at Corbet’s Landing, along with any vehicles that may be on-site. Two teams are in position and currently surround the cabin. We’ve had eyes on the ground since yesterday. There’s no movement at his home from our intel, but if Winston is on-site, you are to negotiate a surrender without a kill, unless you’re in immediate danger,” Roland instructs, turning his eyes to mine. “Our main priority here is locating Morgan Banks alive.”
“And this is what we’ve learnt from Morgan and the GPS PING in place. She’s in bushland, land at Corbet’s Landing. The GPS has narrowed this vast landscape down to a radius of one hundred hectares. We’re looking specifically for a large rock wall that has a huge boulder on at least one side. During the last contact I made with Morgan, she informed me this was where she was hiding. However, that was more than eighteen hours ago now, and due to the weather, she most likely repositioned. We’ll have four teams in total moving through this scrub. Two that are already in position, and the two teams we'll form here this morning.” I scan my eyes over the many stern faces. “Your mission: to tackle each direction of this land mass, and continue inwards until we’ve covered all ground.”
Gleaton steps forward. “You all know the team you’re assigned to. Let’s gear up and meet out back.”
“Let’s get this done. Four teams. Blue and red are our two teams. Yellow and green are the two teams squatting in wait. You’ll respond to these colour codes only for radio contact. Turn your radio station off the main dispatch channel and switch to station ninety-one.” I pause, looking at the many nodding heads. “Move out.”
Eager feet march down the ramp and towards the police vehicles.
“You all know where you need to go. Remember, team blue, you’ll be searching the house, vehicles, and the other two teams, currently lying in wait, searching the surrounding property. Team red, you’ll stop on the way out and come in through the bush, make sure to approach with caution. After this task is complete, we’ll break into our four teams and cover the PING location from the GPS. No stone, rock, or fucking blade of grass gets left unchecked. We find Morgan. This ends today,” I shout.
“Yes, sir,” they reply in unison.
I slide into my car just as Roland does, and without a minute to fasten my seatbelt, I shift the car into gear and pull out in front of all other vehicles. Roland leans forward, flicking the switch that controls the siren, and as the noise wails into the dead of the night, I press my foot flat on the accelerator.
I will find Morgan. I will bring her home.
She will be alive.