Deadly Falls

Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

Charlotte glanced at the time. Almost nine. She believed someone killed Octavia or hurt her enough to lead to her death. And if Sid didn’t think there was reason to pursue an investigation, then that someone might get away with it.

There were probably checks in place to ensure any death was noted as accidental or otherwise. And that’s where her knowledge let her down. Her medical training was in another state, with different processes. And it was years ago. Since achieving her Doctor of Medicine, there’d been six years of psychiatry at university before moving into practice. No way to remember every detail.

If she called Trev, would he insist on coming up to see for himself? It was what held her back. There was bad blood between him and Sid. He had no jurisdiction in Kingfisher Falls according the Sid, so any investigation he did would be outside his job.

Charlotte opened the sliding glass door and stepped onto the balcony. A storm was close. Lightning flashed in the distance, too far away to hear thunder, but it was coming soon.

One thing she knew about Leading Senior Constable Trevor Sibbritt was that he was the real deal. He loved his mother and would be distraught if she kept this news from him. If she dropped in her own thoughts, then he’d explain what happened under the circumstances. She’d have a calm, non-emotional conversation about a terrible incident.

As the phone rang, Charlotte leaned against the balcony railing. The town was quiet. It always settled in the evening, but there was an eeriness she wasn’t used to. As though the town itself was grieving one of its own.

“Charlie? Are you alright?” Trev’s familiar, steady voice answered.

“Yes. And so is Rosie.” Calm and non-emotional. “I’m sorry to ring so late, Trevor.”

He chuckled. “Late? I just got in from a VIP event at Christie’s beauty salon.”

“I’m sorry. Did you say you attended a beauty event? Didn’t we discuss this at Christie and Martin’s celebration party before their wedding? Let me see if I remember—”

“Very funny. I’ll tell you all about it later. What’s up. Or do you miss hearing about River’s End?”

“I miss everyone.” From nowhere, tears prickled behind her eyes.

“Everyone?”

She tried a laugh. “Almost.”

“What’s going on. I’m listening.”

“Um. Okay. So, something happened today.” Charlotte moved to the little round table in the corner and sat. “Octavia Morris? She died.”

“Holy…oh, my goodness. Is Mum alright?”

“She’s sad. Shaken up. I’ve just come from her house and Rosie was going to bed and, well, I imagine she’ll have a bit of a cry. She wishes she’d been able to bridge the recent distance between her and Octavia.”

“How did she pass away?”

“She fell. Hit her forehead. I went to the scene.”

“Charlie? Why?”

“Sid came and got me. Wanted a doctor and was in such a panic, I grabbed my bag, but she was gone already. She was there, lying face down on her blue rug on the cream carpet with everything in place in her beautiful and perfect house and even her clothes were perfect…except she has a mark on the back…of her skull and the tea…cup has orange lipstick on it and I…I don’t know what to do next.”

The words poured out, tripping over each other and Charlotte burst into tears.

There was a stunned silence from Trev. Then he made soothing noises. “Shh. Hey. Mmm.”

A manic laugh formed in her throat but she caught it at her lips.

Pull yourself together, Charlie.

“I should drive up.”

“No.” Sniff. “No, this is why I wasn’t going to ring you.”

“Are you alone? Can someone come and stay with you?”

Charlotte dug up a tissue and blew her nose. “This is just an emotional response to the adrenalin coming down. I’ll be okay in a moment.”

“But you shouldn’t be alone, upset.”

“Stop being hysterical, Trevor. I’m fine.” There, she’d regained control. Not that she could see well through blurry eyes, but at least the waterworks had stopped.

He chuckled. “I’ll stop being hysterical, Charlotte.”

“Sorry. Anyway, I didn’t ring to show how pathetic I am. I have some questions and you are the only police officer I trust.”

“I see.”

“That didn’t quite come out as I meant it to.”

“I’m pleased you trust me. What questions?” Trev didn’t sound the least put out by anything she said.

Wiping the last of the tears from her eyes, Charlotte told Trev about the photos she’d taken. “So, I have two issues. One is the mark. I can’t believe I didn’t see it at the time so I could investigate further. If she was hit from behind—”

“Whoa. Investigate? Charlie, that’s not your job.”

“Yes, I know, but you get what I’m driving at. If she was hit with something from behind, and fell forward, then whoever hit her might be responsible for her death. Yes?”

“Yes, but—”

“And then there’s the orange lipstick.”

Trev sighed. A long, drawn out sigh and Charlotte imagined him sitting at his kitchen table with a beer, head in his hands.

She giggled.

“Excuse me?”

“Adrenalin. So, the lipstick belongs to Veronica. Do you know her?”

“Adrenalin? Have you considered pouring a glass of wine?” Trev said.

“Good thinking.” Charlotte made a beeline for the counter. “I have some red. Maybe half a glass.” She poured an almost full glass as she talked. “Veronica has caused some trouble in Kingfisher Falls. Opened shops and closed them quickly, then was involved with one of the Christmas tree thieves.”

“What does this have to do with Octavia’s demise?”

Charlotte returned to the balcony, sipping the wine as she walked to stop it splashing over the rim. Perhaps it was more than she should have poured. Glass on the table, she sank back onto the chair. “Veronica was wearing the same colour lipstick this morning. She was at the bookshop. Well, near it.”

“I get the feeling there’s a lot more to this you could share.”

“But I just want to know what to do with the information. Do I tell Sid?”

“Much as I’d prefer you stay clear of him, you must. Has he asked for a statement about your attendance at her house?”

“Nothing. To be fair, he showed signs of shock.”

“He’s a trained police officer, Charlie. Whether or not he knows her, there are processes to follow. He should have done a door knock and made sure he followed proper procedure. Because there are questions around Octavia’s death, she’ll be examined—probably in Melbourne. At this point, if this mark is fresh and the death is considered suspicious, then the coroner’s office will take further steps.”

“Okay. I might ask Doug to come with me to the police station.”

This time, Trev’s sigh was one of relief. “Good idea. And back up your images. Are they date stamped?”

“Yeah, and I have.” The wine was warm in Charlotte’s stomach. “Thanks.”

“Are you doing okay?”

“I love it here, Trev. Rosie is wonderful and the waterfalls are beautiful.”

“The pool at the bottom is special. Good for picnics.” There was a question in his voice and Charlotte closed her eyes. She would cry again, over-tired and done with the events of the day.

“Hadn’t noticed. Oh, I painted the balcony and am starting work on the back garden next day off.” Anything to change the subject.

They spoke for a few more minutes. Trev made Charlotte laugh about some of the happenings in River’s End, then they said goodnight. She picked up the wine glass. A long low roll of thunder followed a flash of lightening.

“We’ll have that picnic one day.” She whispered.