Rain Music (40 page)

Bella felt warmth and tenderness fill her heart. ‘I know that now, Bren. I really do. And I love you very much, too.'

‘I'll see you soon, then.'

‘Of course. I'll let you know what's happening.'

‘Love you, Bella.'

‘Yes, I love you, too.'

When she'd hung up, Bella stared at the phone in the palm of her hand. What a good, caring man Brendan was. She felt lucky to have him. She knew then she would tell him about her father's secret. In a way she wanted to share the pain of Alex's betrayal with him. It was hard to admit she had always seen herself as her father's princess, the apple of his eye, and the centre of his universe, and now she had discovered that somewhere there was another little girl who also believed she was the queen of Alex's heart. The discovery of her father's deception was more hurtful than she could bear to think about. But at least she knew that Brendan would never deceive her in the way Alex had deceived Josie.

*

By the time night had fallen, the rain had cleared and a fresh breeze was reducing the humidity. With nothing else to do, Bella decided to walk to the Tiger Bar and Grill. It turned out to be a lot closer to her hotel than she had thought.

As soon as she reached it, Bella knew Sarah had been right; it was a bit of a dive. Maybe Antony just wanted to meet there before going on elsewhere. The place was a hostel catering for backpackers and attached to it was a bar, an eatery and a billiards and games room with a large TV screen at one end. The walls were lined with banks of computers, and there was a small dance area where a DJ was playing loud music. Bella went to the tiny reception area, where several girls were checking in. The girl behind the desk looked curiously at Bella.

‘Excuse me, where is the restaurant?' asked Bella.

‘In there,' said the girl in a strong German accent. Bella guessed she was on a working holiday. She glanced into the crowded room, but she couldn't see Antony.

‘I was supposed to meet someone here for dinner.'

The girl looked amused. ‘You want to save table?'

‘No. That's fine, thank you.' Bella backed out.

Feeling uncomfortable and very out of place, Bella went back outside and glanced at her watch. Seeing that it was still well before eight, she decided to walk a little further along the street to get away from the noise and the unpleasant smell of the premises. Looking across the road, she could see that there were apartment buildings and a park opposite, and further along there was a small shopping mall, several cafés and the neon sign of a bar. It was an unprepossessing area. She wondered if Antony lived nearby and just used this place as a convenient spot to eat.

Suddenly, to her surprise, she spotted Antony's car parked under a streetlight on the other side of the road.

She walked towards the car, and was only a few metres away when she saw there were two men sitting inside it, having a very animated conversation in the front seat. She recognised Antony
and wondered if she should go up to the car and greet him, but then decided she didn't want to interrupt what seemed to be an intense talk. As she stood, watching the car from the footpath opposite, the man in the passenger seat turned his head.

Even though he was now wearing a red T-shirt, and not the blue shirt that was imprinted in her brain, Bella knew straight away who it was, but was too shocked to move. She stared at the car, frozen in her tracks. Suddenly the man glanced up and saw her, and surprise, then fury, registered on his face.

They both reacted at the same time. Bella spun around and began running in her sandalled feet back down the street. She heard a car door slam followed by a shout from Antony. Seriously frightened, she kept running as she heard the sound of pounding feet behind her.

There was no one else on the street, so she decided to head back to the safety of the hostel. The footsteps seemed to be getting closer as she pushed open its door and looked for help at the reception desk. There was no one there.

Bella looked around frantically and saw the door of the ladies' room, which was marked
Sheilas
. Bella raced across the little lobby and pushed through the door. Inside, she ran into one of the cubicles and locked the door. With shaking hands, she pulled out
her phone and rang Ned. Thankfully he answered straight away.

‘Ned . . . Ned . . . he's here . . . come quickly . . . I'm at the Tiger Bar and Grill. It's a hostel.'

‘Bella? Who's there? What are you talking about?'

‘Ned . . . the guy who grabbed me. The one in the blue shirt, except he's wearing a red T-shirt now. He's chasing me . . . Oh please, get here fast!'

‘Where exactly are you?'

‘In the ladies' loo!'

‘Keep the door locked and call the cops.' Ned was wasting no more time asking unnecessary questions. ‘I'm on my way.'

Bella cowered in the toilet cubicle, shaking and frightened, but before she had a chance to do as Ned said, she heard the door to the ladies' room open and knew that someone had come in. As quietly as she could, Bella pulled her feet up so that she couldn't be spotted from under the door and held her breath as she heard each door methodically being pushed open.

The footsteps stopped outside her cubicle. She froze, too frightened to shout for help. Silently she implored her brother to hurry, just hurry.

Suddenly the cubicle door exploded inwards and Bella was roughly pulled out. She tried to scream, but before she had the chance, a hand was clamped tightly over her mouth while her arm was twisted behind her back. As she was dragged across the bathroom floor, she fought and kicked at her assailant until her head knocked against a handbasin, stunning her.

Bella's head was pounding and she felt weak as she was dragged along. But then she heard Ned shouting for her. Spurred on by the sound of his voice, Bella used what strength she had left to try to break free. Abruptly, her assailant flung her to the ground and she heard footsteps running away. Then she felt herself being lifted up.

‘Bella . . . what happened, are you okay?' Ned's voice was flooded with relief.

Another set of footsteps approached. ‘Bella! Are you all right? What happened?' It was Antony's voice.

Bella tried to open her eyes, but she struggled. ‘Ned . . .'
she gasped. ‘The man in the blue shirt . . . he attacked me . . .' She tried to say more, but her head was spinning. ‘Antony, you were with him.'

‘What?' exclaimed Antony and Ned in unison. Ned was clearly concerned by Bella's statement, but Antony's voice had a strange tone to it. Before he could say more, Bella's legs buckled as darkness closed over her and she passed out.

*

Bella woke with a throbbing head. She moaned softly and tried to open her eyes.

‘Take it easy, Bell. You're in the hospital. You've had quite a bang to your head.'

‘Ned?' said Bella. The lights in the room seemed too bright, and she squinted to see him. Then suddenly she remembered all that had happened. ‘Ned, the man in the blue shirt. He was the one who attacked me! I saw him talking with Antony! You have to believe me.'

‘Bella, it's okay,' said Ned soothingly. ‘I know. I heard you say it before. I called the police and they turned up right after you passed out. I told them what you said. They searched the area, but they couldn't find the man with the red T-shirt. I brought you to the hospital.'

‘But what about Antony? Ned, I saw him sitting in his car talking to that man.' Her voice trembled with frustration.

‘Are you sure?' said Ned in a worried voice. ‘Antony said he has no idea what you're talking about. He said he arrived at the hostel just after I did. He said he was running late. He'd been in another bar across town and had come straight from there to meet you and wasn't talking to anyone in his car. He seemed very concerned.'

‘Ned, I don't care what he says. I'm sure that I saw the two of them together in Ant's car. I know I did! Don't you believe me?' Bella felt her throat constrict and her voice waver.

‘Of course I believe you,' said Ned, taking her hand.

Later, two police officers came to speak to Bella and she gave them a more coherent account of what had happened.

‘Please, I know the guy who chased me tonight was the same one who abducted me in Cooktown. I got a very good look at him both times. I don't understand what he was doing with Antony, and I don't know why Antony lied.'

The policewoman closed her notebook. ‘That hostel has had a few issues, so they've got cameras inside and outside. It's a bit of a dodgy place, so I don't know how reliable the CCTV will be, but we'll have a good look.'

‘It doesn't sound like a very nice place for a dinner date,' said Ned dryly.

‘From my experience of Ant, he seems to be attracted to places at the lower end of the market. Says they're more authentic,' said Bella. ‘Did you speak to Antony?' she asked the policewoman.

‘Yes, we did, and we were able to confirm that he was with someone earlier and he told that person that
he had to leave at once for a date at eight. We don't
think
he could have arrived at the Tiger Bar and Grill any sooner than he did.'

Bella shook her head. ‘That's just not true,' she mumbled, but she couldn't see any way to prove it.

‘Now you've been patched up and cleared by the hospital, why don't you go back to your hotel and rest?' said the other police officer. ‘We'll let you know if there's anyone we want you to identify in the CCTV footage. How long will you be in Cairns?'

‘We're both flying home to Victoria the day after tomorrow,' replied Ned.

‘Stick to your plans. We have your contact details; if we find anything, we'll be in touch.'

After the police left, Bella clutched Ned's arm.

‘You do believe me about Antony, don't you?'

‘Of course I do, Bella.' Ned was thoughtful. ‘But I don't understand why your friend Antony would be with the man who abducted you. And I don't see how we can prove it, since Antony has produced an alibi. I'm just so glad that I found you in time.'

He hugged her again as Bella trembled. None of it made sense and she felt shaken to her core.

*

Curling up on the lounge in her hotel room, Bella tried to make herself comfortable with a blanket and pillows from her bed. Ned hovered nearby.

‘Thanks for keeping me company, Ned. I'm fine now,' Bella said, forcing a note of calm into her voice. She picked up the remote and switched on the TV. ‘I'm just going to watch an escapist movie for a while, just what I need.'

‘Are you sure you're okay now?' Ned asked, frowning.

‘I still feel pretty shaken. I tell you, Ned, I'll be very pleased to leave. I can't believe that I've had this second traumatic event happen to me, although I know the two things are linked. I just feel that the man in the blue shirt from the river and Ant are getting away with something that they should be punished for, and it's just not right.' Her voice rose in frustration.

‘Easy now, Bell,' Ned said gently. ‘There's nothing you can do right now except rest.' He tucked the cover around her feet. ‘Listen, I called Roberta earlier and the two of us are meeting for coffee tomorrow. She's bringing some photos and other things she thinks I might find useful. She says that one of her cousins has some old black and white footage of Attie actually performing. I don't know if it has sound as well, but wouldn't it be great to actually see the heroine of my musical? It would be good if you could come along too. I'd love your input, but only if you feel up to it.'

Bella gave a small smile. ‘Let's see how I am in the morning. I'm sure I'll be fine, but I'm locking the door well and truly tonight.'

When Ned had gone to bed, Bella brushed her teeth and inspected the cut on her head. Thankfully it was hidden by her hair, so no one could tell. As she slipped into bed, her phone rang. She glanced at the number and when she saw it was Brendan's, she smiled.

‘How's my girl?' Brendan's voice was concerned and straight away Bella knew Ned had called him.

‘Hi, Bren. I suppose Ned has filled you in on what happened. I didn't want to worry you. I'm all good, now.'

‘Seems I can't let you out of my sight without some drama happening. You sure you're okay?'

‘I'm fine, though it was somewhat traumatic. Maybe I'm going nuts, but I was so sure I saw that awful man with Antony. Oh, look, I don't want to go over it again. I'm feeling a bit woozy, but it's probably from the painkiller I took.'

‘I can't wait for you to come home. You need some special spoiling.'

‘That sounds wonderful.'

‘I miss you, Bell.'

‘You too. Bren, when I get back, there's something I have to tell you about our family. I hope it won't make any difference to us, but I don't believe it's right for you not to know everything about me.'

‘That sounds rather dramatic, but whatever it is, it won't change my feelings about you. I love you. Sleep tight.'

‘I love you too, Bren.'

Bella snuggled under the coverlet, her eyelids drooping. Then the phone rang again. Sleepily she reached over for it, wondering what Brendan had forgotten.

‘It's me, Bella.'

Bella was suddenly wide awake. ‘Antony, why are you calling me? What the hell is going on?'

‘How are you feeling? What did the coppers have to say?'

‘Nothing much.'

‘I'm sorry you were hurt. These things happen. I'm sorry I suggested meeting you at the Tiger, when I know they've had trouble there before. I'm so sorry that I was late. Time just got away from me.'

These things happen?!
Bella thought, her anger beginning to seethe again. Keeping her voice even, she said, ‘Who was that guy in your car?'