Page 107 of Finding Us
It wasn’t until after we’d checked in here that I realised there wasn’t a bath in our room, so I guess we’ll be tackling his fear of showers while we’re here. This mini holiday is going to be new beginnings for both of us.
“Come on, buddy, jump,” I encourage. “I promise I’ll catch you.”
Blake tentatively walks to the edge, and this time he doesn’t hesitate. I love that he trusts me. I hope things will always stay that way; I’d hate to let him down like I did Jacinta.
His head goes underwater for a split second, but my hands are on him in an instant, and the initial shock on his face when he breaks the surface, is immediately replaced with a smile. “You did it, I’m proud of you.”
Moving him around to my back, he wraps his arms around my neck. I can hear him laughing in my ear as I start to breaststroke through the water. Hopefully, I’ll have him swimming by the time we leave here. Either way, I’ll be getting him regular lessons as soon as we return to Sydney. I want him to be a strong and confident swimmer. I don’t want to be worrying about him when he’s older and starts going to the beach with his friends.
It is close to lunch time when we get back to the room. “We’re going to have a quick shower and then go get something to eat,” I tell Blake.
“A shower?”
I see his eyes slightly widen, but I pretend not to notice. “They don’t have baths here,” I say as he follows me into the bathroom. I reach into the shower stall and turn on the taps. “Is this warm enough for you?” His shoulders visibly relax when he feels the water isn’t cold. I leave my swimming shorts on, and climb in. “Strip down and I’ll quickly wash your hair for you.” His movements are tentative, but he does as I ask. When his hair is washed, I squeeze body wash into his hands, and step out, grabbing a towel. “Wash yourself and I’ll grab you some clean clothes.”
“Okay, Dad.”
That was way easier than I thought. I lift our suitcase onto the bed and open it. Once I have clothes for him and myself, I pick up the remote and turn on the TV. Blake can watch television while I shower. Placing the remote back on the coffee table, I head towards the bathroom, but just as I’m about to enter, I hear something that has me pausing in my tracks.
“Breaking news, earlier today the Honourable Supreme Court Judge, Warren Bradley, was found deceased at his premises in Chatswood.” That’s a name I hadn’t planned, or ever wanted, to hear again. I glance at the screen over my shoulder just as an image of an older version of the man I remember dressed in his judge’s robe fills the screen. The sight of my father still affects me after all these years, and not in a good way. My stomach recoils as the clothes I’m holding drop to the carpet by my feet. “Police attended his home to do a welfare check after he had been uncontactable by his staff for a number of days. They are not treating his death as suspicious.”
Am I sad he’s gone? Not one fucking bit, but any hopes I had of finding out the truth about my mother just died right alongside him.
“I’m finished, Dad.”
“Coming, buddy,” I say as I bend down to scoop up the clothes I dropped.
I’m sitting in a restaurant while Blake eats his lunch, when Connor’s message comes through. I locked myself in the bathroom and called him as soon as Blake was dressed and preoccupied in front of the television. I’m not even sure why, but I needed to know more and since he works for the police department, I knew he could get some information.
Connor: I just spoke with one of the officers that attended the scene. Looks like he passed sometime over the weekend. They found him in his bed, they’re presuming he died in his sleep. The autopsy will confirm that I suppose.
Mason: Thanks mate.
Connor: For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.
Mason: Don’t be. I hope he rots in hell.
Harsh I know but that’s how I feel. My mother deserved so much more than what she got from him. Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I reach for my coffee and take a sip. I couldn’t stomach any food.
I’ve decided to head back to Sydney this afternoon. I’m not even sure why, but it feels like something I need to do.
“Listen, bud,” I say, “we’re going to have to cut the holiday short and head back to Sydney.”
I watch as he dips his cheeseburger into the glob of sauce on the side of his plate and takes a bite. “Why?”
“Something has come up and I need to get back to deal with it. I promise I’ll bring you back here in the school holidays though.”
“But we are going on a plane to see Jazzi’s mum in the school holidays.”
Fuck.I completely forgot we’d booked that. He’s going to be crushed when I have to tell him we’re no longer going, but I’ll save that conversation for another day. I’ve got enough on my mind right now.
“When you’re finished eating, we’ll head upstairs and pack.”
After dropping Blake off at school, I swing past Connor’s office to pick him up. He pulled some strings and got permission to take me to the house. Technically it’s not a crime scene, but given my father’s high profile, and the circumstances in which he was found, they are treating it as one until they hear back from the coroner.
My stomach churns as we drive down the street where I used to live. So much has changed, but other parts look exactly the same.
I pull up behind the patrol car that is parked by the kerb and see the police tape that’s been strung along the front of the property. Leaning forward in my seat, I glance past Connor and out the passenger side window. “It looks a lot smaller than I remember.”
