They’d been travelling for just under two hours, and the trip had been a quiet one. Cath had nodded off after a brief discussion about amber people and auras. Jack had looked over at her a number of times. She meant a lot to him—good vibes. He was aware that she’d been going out with someone for a while now but kept the details to herself. Jack had yet to meet the man. He hoped Cath was able to keep the relationship separate from work. That wasn’t an easy thing to do—his own life was proof. Many others in the force had experienced the same challenges.
Cath moved in her seat and Jack looked over at her. Her eyes opened slowly as she returned to the land of the living and looked out the window to get her bearings.
“The traffic heading to Brisbane has been heavy for this time of the week—normally everyone wants to get to the coast. I would say a mild panic attack taking place. Fear of further earth tremors,” Cath said.
That was understandable. Flashing lights caught Jack’s attention in the rear-view mirror. Cars were doing the right thing, moving over and making way for the emergency vehicles. The vehicles passed, a mixture of police and army support vehicles.
“Didn’t think we were an earthquake country.”
Cath stretched out her arms and moved her shoulders around and got comfortable in her seat. “Well, magnitude 5.7 quake isn’t huge, but puts it on par with the Newcastle earthquake. That caused considerable damage and took a number of lives.” She did a few neck stretches. “Earthquakes in this country are a lot more common than you’d expect. It’s just that we don’t get the extreme ones. The damage and loss of lives in Newcastle were attributed to the soft sediment foundation the city was built on—some refer to it as a swamp—and some shonky adherence to building standards and maintenance. Someone said after the event that earthquakes don’t kill people—buildings do.”
Jack listened, impressed with her knowledge.
“One other comparison for you. The tsunami in Japan was caused by an earthquake that had a magnitude of around 9.0, and we know what a disaster that was. That’s a similar size to the 2004 earthquake in Indonesia that caused the tsunami that killed over two hundred thousand people.”
“Two hundred thousand. It’s hard to comprehend.” Jack raised his eyebrows and gave his head a slight shake.
“I know that look, Jack.”
“Yep, you’re right. How do you know these things?” He took a quick look at the in-dash navigation map. Where was the turnoff to Noosa? They seemed to have been driving forever. “I know the Newcastle quake is often brought up in emergency contingency planning, but I didn’t know the magnitude and didn’t realise the ground that towns were built on would have an impact. Not something I’d thought about.”
“Yep, the soft sediment in coastal areas intensifies the motion and shaking. I had relatives in Newcastle at the time. Thankfully, they were uninjured but they like telling stories and quoting facts about it. They’re in their sixties now, and I hear the same story every time I introduce new people to them. And just to annoy you, they’re into end times study and they talk about earthquakes being a sign of the end.”
“But like you said, Cath, earthquakes are common and have always occurred.”
“Yes, Jack. That’s what the sceptics use as their challenge to the end times believers.”
Jack detected a slight sense of aggression or frustration.
“Well, we’ll let them do their debating.” The exit to Noosa came into view with a build-up of traffic. “One would think the foundation supporting a lot of Noosa infrastructure would be soft and sandy?”
“Think you may be right there, Jack, but I think the building codes have improved since the Newcastle disaster.”
“Yes, agree. But sadly, we know people like to break the law and they don’t think about the potential consequences.”
They reached the source of the backed-up traffic—a police roadblock in the Noosa Road exit lane. Jack flicked a switch to flash the blue grill lights identifying their unmarked police car. An officer approached their vehicle.
Jack showed his ID. “Good afternoon, officer. We’re heading into Noosa to conduct some interviews. We haven’t received specific reporting on the damage the earthquake caused but we understood we could still make this trip.”
“All good, sir. There is some road damage, but you should still be able to get where you’re going. We’re just trying to stop the stickybeaks from storming the town.”
The officer waved to his partner and they moved the barrier so Jack could drive through. He nodded his thanks and continued towards Noosa and Sheila Boone. The police officer who’d met her in the park said Wiley had visited her house but had vanished, and that Sheila had doubts about him.
Cath entered Sheila’s address in her phone’s map app. “Ok, navigator, take us to our destination.”
Cath’s phone beeped to indicate a new message.
“Are you a sceptic Jack? It looks like there’s been a number of earthquakes reported around Australia and overseas. Highly unusual activity, they’re saying.”
Not sure what I am. He just wanted answers.
“Do we know any more about Wiley?” Jack asked.
“Reasonably clean background. Been a bit erratic the last few years—no fixed address. Seemed relatively stable before that. Hopefully our chat with Sheila Boone will bring something to light.”
17 - Many creature comforts
It was late afternoon and Wiley had the house to himself as Bruce attended to some earthquake business. Wiley sneaked in a nap and now stood at the large bay window overlooking the ocean. A door closed behind him, and he turned. Bruce walked into the living area, placed his keys on the kitchen bench, and opened the fridge door.
“The humidity is not going away. You want a drink?”
Hello to you, too. Maybe the sunshine and seaside air were stirring up his sensitivities. He headed toward the kitchen. “I could go another one of those craft beers you’ve got in there.” The place was quiet. “Do you live here by yourself?”
“Yes and no. I have a few lady friends. They come and they go. Naughty boy in that area.” Bruce handed him a beer and pointed outside. “Come sit out there. I have a few things to tell you.”
Bruce lifted a remote control from its wall-mounted holder, pressed a button, and replaced it in the holder. A soft salted breeze brushed across Wiley’s face as the large balcony door slid along its track. They walked out onto a spacious deck with sun loungers and chairs, a Weber barbecue, large pot plants, and an outdoor dining setting. An unusual shell coffee table, one Wiley thought should be in a museum, sat between the two sun loungers. He took a sip of his beer.
“Like the table? Been collecting the shells for years. Got someone to design a table to display them.” Bruce threw a coaster on the table. “Put your beer on that.” Bruce did the same.
He looked at some of the shells as he placed his beer down on the coaster. Yes, he was impressed. They sat facing each other. Behind Bruce, a hammock hung between two palm trees. Of course. Why not. This was a completely different world and lifestyle. He would enjoy it, make himself comfortable. The comforts of this house seemed never ending. The man’s voice brought Wiley back from his utopian daydream.
“You okay with me using your surname or do you prefer Thomas?”
“It’s fine. Most people do and I’ve never quite worked out why. I am so used to it I barely answer to my first name. Don’t worry I don’t find it rude.”
“I’m the same. Can’t remember the last time I was called Robert.” He picked up his beer. “Well, Wiley …,” he paused and gave a wink. “I’ve just been to a local disaster management team meeting. I’m a committee member. Things are not as bad as the media are reporting.” Bruce took a sip of his drink. “The emergency incidents get looked after by the appropriate agencies and we provide support as things get escalated. This is all done through our disaster coordination centre. Good stuff, hey?”
“That’s nice to know.” Wiley waved his arms to encompass the surroundings. “Wouldn’t think there was a problem out there. But it’s great what you’re doing. A good citizen.”
