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CHAPTER NINETEEN
Merrel was trimming some jasmine that had gone a little out of control. She did it automatically for her heart was not in it. The death of Adrian was not easy to shake. It was still her secret, that night. Some things were best left alone, but not forgotten.
Francis had told her about Adrian and she felt a little guilty. Maybe later. Maurie Hopkins had not contacted them and they decided it was best not to do the same.
She put down the cutters and gathered up the discarded flowers and branches. Sheep were bleating and the dog was barking and she thought of that endless wheel of life. Dropping the rubbish at the end of the garden, she headed for the veranda and a drink. As she mounted the few steps, she stopped with a start. 'The dog is barking. Why?' The thought went through her mind and she headed around the side of the house to the drive. Already the feint sound of a car's motor had become apparent. "Maybe it's Fran," she said aloud.
She didn't recognise the car nor the couple who were getting out. The steps gave a little height and stature to her and she waited.
"Mrs. Mullent?" It was Tania who now was using her talents. "Tania Darius," and stuck out her hand. Merrel took it slowly, the name not instantly known but she felt she should.
"Oh. This is Rory Mason, my business assistant," and she half turned to Rory and smiled. Rory offered his hand. The grip he felt was gentle but somewhat, the word escaped him. Perhaps afraid?
Then Merrel Mullent put the names together from the local news and suddenly was afraid. "What can I do for you. Come up on to the veranda.”
As discussed earlier, Tania suggested that Rory might like to wander over and check out the windmill, with Merrel's permission, whilst she talked women like. Merrel nodded, as in a dream, and Rory wandered off to look at windmills and generally keep out of the way.
The two women sat on the veranda in an old fashioned swinging seat that had been Merrel's mum's. Merrel was at a loss what to say fearing now all would just come out.
"I hear you were very lucky not to be... not to be.”
Tania smiled. "Yes. It could have been pretty horrible, but it wasn't. Thanks to that man out there."
"Call me Merrel.”
Tania squeezed her hand. "We need to talk. Are we alone?”
"Yes. Francis is in town doing some banking, I think. Want a cuppa?”
"That would be nice. I'll help.”
They went inside and down a long hall to the kitchen. Merrel filled the jug and after switching it on, turned to Tania.
"You've come about Adrian, haven't you?’
Now Tania was thinking how not to loose the moment. "Yes, in a way. He did work for me. I know about your husband and his deal with Adrian.”
Merrel looked down at the sink.
"And about Maurie Hopkins.”
This last statement brought a reaction. Merrel looked up and went and sat at the kitchen table. Then she began to cry. Tania sat next to her and took her hand in hers.
"It's OK. I'd like you to tell me in your own words the story. So I haven't missed anything." In essence, Tania was in the dark about a lot of things, and was hoping this approach would help solve what was happening.
So Merrel spoke. She supported her husband and knew he wasn't doing anything really bad, just a little business transaction. It wasn't right and it was with someone else's opals. She wished she had never heard of Adrian Bedford, then retracted that part.
"I knew he was a con man and probably trouble. But he made it so simple. He was nice to talk to. Perhaps time has taken it's toll on Francis and I, and Adrian was a new breath.”
Tania poured some more tea. "Did he ever come just to see you?"
It was more a woman to woman question, than a necessary part of the happenings.
"I think he did. We talked a lot. He was a worldly man." She paused to take a sip. "Francis doesn't know this, but we made love the last night I saw him. I don't regret it but I wouldn't have gone on. Too many years with Francis to throw that away. You might say it was foolish. In a way it was. Sometimes we need to break out. Funny I never thought I would, not that way. He might be gruff but he's still the same hansom man I married."
Tania was momentarily confused by this last remark, but then realised it was he husband she was referring to.
"That's your secret, Merrel. Treasure it. I thought I found something I was looking for, outside, but it never would have worked. I would not have let it. That's my trouble.”
Merrel stood up. "What now? Do we go to the police or something?”
"Heavens no. We have no need to pursue this part. Adrian was the thief and how he passed on the opals is not our business. I don't think the police would be involved. Adrian was just a friend if they asked. Never brought opals here.”
Darius had called his daughter as they were on their way out to the Mullent's place. The police had told him, the other accomplice had made a statement, blaming everything on his friend, red check shirt as usual. However the gist was that Bedford was lifting some stones from the mine and sending them direct to the buying syndicate in the United States. However not nearly enough stones for the money advanced, so they had been sent to sort Bedford out and get their money back. 'Naturally' the accomplice wasn't around when Bedford was shot, but the police could never prove he was. Still he was an accomplice and they'd find a way. Tania told Merrel about Bedford's other deal, for it was the one that had put the nail in his coffin, so to speak. He stopped supplying to the USA, altogether. When Hopkins had stopped suppling to the local syndicate, in fright after Bedford's death, they just shrugged their shoulders as the loss of a good source and carried on business. After all, nothing was illegal. There was no reason for the police to follow this up. The two ladies went out on to the verandah, and Rory stood up, from his seat on the bottom step. Tania turned and gave Merrel a light kiss.
"Good bye Merrel. Don't Worry.”
"What about my husband? What should I tell him?”
Tania thought for a moment. "About what happened, the truth.
About that night, nothing.”
Rory came up the steps and shook her hand. "Thanks for your help." Actually he didn't know what had transpired, but the look on Tania's face seemed to indicate good things.
"Sorry we didn't get to talk. I hope the leg, I mean the arm gets better.”
He nodded and they both got into the car. As they drove out of the front yard, past the large pepper tree, he looked back. Merrel Mullent was standing on the top step looking out. Not at the receding car but into the distance. He said nothing to Tania.
At the front gate, as he got back in, she turned and gave a big smile. "I'm glad her other half wasn't around. Sometimes it's easier for women to talk, alone.”
"Were you successful?”
"I think so," she replied. "Adrian seems to have had a second scheme going, that must have been diverting opals from the first one. Mullent passed them on to that Hopkins fellow who sold them to a Sydney buyer. The deal was legit but they were my stones.”
They were almost back in town.
"She knew then?”
"She wasn't really a party. Just wouldn't oppose her husband, so I guess she ignored it. Let's say Adrian had an influence on her.”
Rory raised his eyebrows but said nothing. They met Darius in the main lounge of the hotel. He seemed smug and happy. "Order a drink and tell me what you two have accomplished."
Rory again noted that it was a command. A command to have had succeeded. He didn't really care but was glad they had achieved a success. Tania filled in her father on the details painting Merrel Mullent as an innocent bystander, caught up in something she could not get out of.
To Rory's surprise and deep down feeling of the affair, Darius was inclined to forget Mullent and Hopkins. There was little proof that would stand up in court that they knew the opals were stolen. The big fish was now beyond society's reach. The matter was finished. A tax write off.
Rory couldn't help feel unsettled in that statement. Two men dead and it was just a tax write off! Darius told them of his meeting with the Sydney detectives. As far as they were concerned, the matter was closed. Bedford stole opals from Darius's mine and cheated on his buyer as well. They sent a couple of hit men to sort him out. Thanks to Rory, one was dead and the other, a man named Rawson, in custody. He would go down for Tania's abduction and as an accomplice to Bedford's murder. The police were not aware, at present, about Bedford's other scheme, so without further investigation, they probably wouldn't. Darius was sure they would have mentioned it. Rawson was to be held in Sydney until the trial. And that was that.
"Want to run the two mines? Free hand. Hire and fire." It was Darius who asked.
Rory wondered earlier if this was on the cards. He liked the Ridge and the opal scene, but it couldn't be a long term option.
He drained his glass. "Short term. Hire the men and a manager. Get both places working. Then I move on.”
Tania looked at Darius. He looked at her then again at Rory. "Won't push it. How long do you need to get things up to speed?”
Rory didn't even think about it. He had done so earlier. "Three weeks max. Maybe even two.”
"Fine."
Just like that. No banter.
"When you finish up, come to see me. Something you might be interested in.”
Rory nodded and ordered again. That night they had dinner and Darius announced that he and Tania were driving back to Walgett early in the morning to get a plane. Rory was given access to some funds and Darius shook his hand.
"Thanks for what you did. For my daughter," then turned and left.
He looked at Tania. "Goodbye or watch the moon rise from a mullock heap?”
She stood up. "Let's both have memories of past good times. Anything more would only be spoilt. If you like, you can walk me to my door.”
She unlocked her door and turned to face him. "Thanks again, and best of luck in getting the mines up and away." She leaned forward and gave him a firm kiss on the mouth then drew back.
Rory's eyes were glued to hers and she did not avoid his stare. Then he took her shoulders and drew her close. The kiss was long and neither really wanted to break it off. But the die was cast.
They straightened up and with a smile she stepped inside and closed the door. Rory stood for a few seconds and then left.
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CHAPTER TWENTY
Both the 'Betty Rose' and 'Dig 44" were up and running in under three weeks. The latter having a live in manager to keep the curious away from the rich seam.
Then Rory said good bye and rang Sydney to say he was finished. Darius was polite and thankful and reminded him to call in as soon as he could. Rory caught a bus to the Gold Coast resort area on the coast and took up some sun and sights. He needed time to think his next move. A little rest and civilisation helped. He avoided the implied invites from numerous women, and ignored the one from a male tourist in one of the shopping arcades.
After four days he felt rejuvenated. Sitting in a Burger King takeaway, he made the decision to go back north. Maybe not to Mt. Isa but perhaps the Kimberley’s right up in the far wet of Australia. As he wrapped up his rubbish into a ball for the bin, he saw her through the window. Penny.
He dived outside, almost colliding with a woman and baby coming in, then lost sight of her. Heart racing he looked in all directions and picked her up again, getting into the passenger side of one of the parked cars. He moved quickly, yelling as he got near.
She turned her head, and got out again. "Oh. Hello. We seem to meet in all sorts of places.”
Rory wasn't really sure what he should be doing. He checked himself from just kissing her, even if it was just a hello kiss for a casual friend. "Gooday. Lucky I saw you. How was Binna Burra?”
"Pretty. Rory, this is Peter," and pointed her hand to the driver who unbuckled his seat belt and got out.
Rory hadn't thought about there being another person, even though she was entering the passenger side. A slight shock went through his body and he suddenly felt deflated. He nodded his head. "Gooday.”
Peter said hello and waited for Penny to fill in the obvious detail. "I was just eating inside and saw you. How's things?" Rory wasn't sure what he should do. Then he thought Peter might just be family or something.
"I'm coping. Peter..... Peter was at Binna Burra too. We have.... um, we are going up the coast to Noosa Heads." She was a little embarrassed Rory decided to graciously retire. "Nice. Nice place. I hope you and Peter enjoy it. I must be going. I'm meeting someone," he lied.
"Not the lady I met in Lightning Ridge?”
"No. Not her. Different levels. But the Gold Coast is showing promise. Must go." He held out his hand and she shook it. He remembered the same soft feeling. Then grinning at her friend, he hurried off. Anywhere out of sight. 'Life sucks' he said out aloud, when he rounded a corner. He still had his rubbish in his left hand. He aimed it at a window and chucked it hard. It bounced onto the ground and he left it where it lay.
Next morning, with a mother of a hangover, he found a place that had a reasonable breakfast and with lots of coffee aboard, decided to quit the Mecca of so many and see if Darius could send him to the ends of the earth. Maybe the moon.
He had to wait a few hours for a seat but finally his flight to Sydney left the local Coolangatta airport and he settled back, trying to sleep. In Sydney he rang Em. Darin answered.
"About bloody time you came out of the woodwork. Come up and have dinner. I have to go to a presentation afterwards but Em and the kids are here. Where are you staying?”
"Well.....”
"Forget it. Stay here." Darin wasn't backward or slow.
The taxi dropped Rory off and within a few minutes he felt as though he hadn't been ever away. The kids were all over him. Em was her exuberant self and her kiss so wonderful. He wished times were different. Darin plied him with beers and they talked and ate. He had to inspect the kids bedrooms and look at their worlds and play with little cars and lose at video games. He missed this. Would he ever have it again?
When the kids had gone off to their rooms to play, they sat down.
"Now tell me," said Em, "how many broken hearts have you left behind this time? We heard on TV about the drama and wonderful things you did. She still in the picture?”
"Only as a memory. A happy one at that. Nice body and great in bed, but not for me.”
Em didn't blush, but took it like listening to the TV. "Oh well. Better to have loved than not at all. Sorry. Helen excepted. One day, you never know. Besides, no fun on your own.....”
"Em," cut in Darin, "I know what you were going to say. Leave it for your ladies lunches. Look, he's embarrassed now.”
"When I'm embarrassed you'll know, " Rory managed to chip in.
"Oh dear," said Darin, "let's change the subject before it's me who gets embarrassed? Em threw her hands up and laughed. "OK, but don't you change a bit, Rory Mason.”
After clearing up, Darin took his leave after showing Rory the guest room upstairs. Rory and Em talked and drank a little. Sometimes he couldn't tell if she was just open and direct or just plain flirting. Part of him wanted her but he knew that was not only silly but fatal. She and Darin were the closest he had to family and friends and nothing was going to ruin that status.
"Darin's my world, you know," she said during a reflective break in the conversation. "I treasure that and would never jeopardise it. So I'll never get to find out what you are like in bed. But can I have a photo for those nights when Darin is away, full frontal naturally." Then she burst out laughing.
Rory's face was red and he didn't know what to say.
"You should see your face, Mr.Mason. I wasn't serious.”
"About the photo or the other?”
"Now, now. Both desirable but not worth the price. Coffee?”
Afterwards, Em suggested a video, whilst waiting for Darin. "A comedy is what you need. There's more to life than native women, you know.”
Next morning, with the children off to school and Darin's invitation to stay on, Rory spruced himself up and headed for the bus. As he sat at a window and watched humanity and progress flash by, he reflected on his last week. He was glad last night had gone the way it went. Bad luck about Penny. She didn't waste much time, he thought, then realised he was being selfish. To her, it was long enough. Perhaps.
He arrived at the top floor. Slender legs and well built was still there. She smiled with the same cheesy grin and showed him in about ten minutes later. Darius was standing at the big window, looking out at the harbour with the smell of a recent cuban lingering in the air.
"Morning Mason. Keeping well?”
Rory managed a "Yes" before Darius went on. He sat down without any invite. Darius moved some papers and sat down.
"Heard from that new manager yesterday. Seems all is under control. You did well."
"Thanks."
There was a pause as the older man looked at him for a minute.
"Tania..., and I, thought a little working holiday would be in order. I assume you have nothing else planned?”
Rory shrugged his shoulders. He would accept any thing that got him away. "A sort of spade and swimmers outfit." A bit brash, but then he wasn't exactly an outsider and he didn't have a lot to loose.
Darius smiled. "You won't change. Probably a good thing. Anyway, ever been to America?”
The younger fellow shook his head.
"Well, Oceanic has a half share in a mining venture on the west coast.”
Rory couldn't help smiling. Darius had a finger in everything.
"Something amusing?”
"No. No. You certainly are diversified," said Rory. "What metal do they extract?"
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"Silver. What I'd like you to do is fly to Los Angeles. Have a week or so for sightseeing, then drive up and inspect the workings. Just over the border in Nevada.”
"Is there a problem there?," asked Rory.
"Not that I'm aware of. I need a man who can check it out. Smell if all is as it should be, and at the same time, get some background. To be frank, I have a couple of other interests in silver and it might be to your advantage, long term.”
Rory chewed it over in his mind for a minute, then said, "I'm interested. How soon?”
The package was delivered by courier the next day to Darin and Em's place. Rory would fly out at the end of the week.
He made the most of his few days left in Sydney. Odds and ends. A visit here and there and evenings of fun and good food with his hosts. They both took him to the airport, and Em fussed over his bags and papers, and then it was goodbye. He took one last look as he moved through into immigration. Em was crying.
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CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
The 14 hour non stop flight was boring. The movies didn't catch his attention and he was going to pay at the end for too much free booze. No pretty women chattered him up and sleep seemed the only escape. Finally the excitement in the cabin as the coast came into view. Then the landing with all it's attributes of red tape and baggage and then the mad throng outside vying for taxis and cars and limousines. Darius had provided him with an Avis rental and he finally managed to follow the hordes and fill out
more forms.
Nearly an hour later he drove out of the airport and into the inner city area of Inglewood. He was booked into an apartment in Santa Monica, or more correctly as he found out, a studio. Not a long drive but he was tired and jet lagged. Rory negotiated the freeways and with a little difficulty, found the building, one block back from the beach front. Garaging the rental, he dropped his bags, and took that most necessary shower. Then just fell on the big bed and slept.
Later he had coffee and went downstairs for a walk. No shortage of people and places to eat. Together with Venice Beach just a couple of miles down the coast, this was an enclave of activity and so different to what he had experienced before. Certainly South East Asia was teeming with humanity, but this was different again. All sorts of people came here to sit and eat or sit and watch others sit and eat. Colourful and vibrant and cosmopolitan. And no one seemed shy.
Rory also understood that underneath the veneer of any society was the down side, whatever it was. There would be poverty and violence, if you dug deep enough. There was no shortage of people to talk to. Lots wanted to talk. To buy you coffee. For you to buy them coffee. If he made the effort he was sure he could have had a companion for that big bed, mostly at a price, but he wasn't interested. Not just yet anyway.
Rory enjoyed his few days in Los Angeles. Maybe not the driving and the parking, but it was a holiday. He did a few of the touristy bits. It was while at the Queen Mary, that great floating monument to maritime history, that his visit took a turn in a way he did not expect.
He had spent a little while in the Second Class bar, mainly as the First Class was just a little pricey. This necessitated a trip to the bathroom. Not being as observant as he should, he missed a turn in the narrow corridor and found himself instead at a storeroom. Just as he turned around, he realised his senses had been slightly dulled, probably the alcohol or the relaxed time he was having. For standing before him, was a most unsavoury
character. Not so much the unshaven face or general demeanour was a shock, as the wicked blade on the knife he was holding. Rory felt a little ill and weak. His last encounter was still fresh in his mind.
"OK buddy. No noise or you'll be bleeding all over this fancy floor. Turn around slow like and hands on the door.”
Rory slowly turned trying to think what he could do. He hoped someone would come but this was unlikely.
"Up high mister.”
He felt the hand go for his hip pocket. Rory didn't keep it there.
"Where?" the voice yelled.
"Inside pocket," replied Rory.
"Hands still and no funny move or it'll be your last.”
A hand moved around Rory's chest and into his inside coat pocket. It felt the wallet. Rory could feel the hot breath on the back of his neck and the point of the knife in his lower back. He just felt powerless. The nightmare of being stabbed flashed across his brain. Then there was a crump sound and the hand went limp. At the same time a weight fell on him then slid down. Rory moved to the right, turning at the same time.
At his feet was the unsavoury character that had tried to relieve him of his wallet. Facing him was another person. Even as the newcomer spoke, Rory's heart gave a bounce in recognition and he broke into a smile.
"Making a habit of getting knifed, are we?”
The Yorkshire accent was unmistakable.
"Spikey," yelled Rory and stood there shaking. Then he put his arms out and took the other's shoulders.
"How the flammin' hell are you....What's...?" He was lost for words.
A groan interrupted any further questions.
"Let's get out of here," said the Englishman. He reached down and retrieving Rory's wallet which had fallen out, took him by the elbow and moved quickly back to the public areas. A waiter went to pass by and Spikey grabbed him.
"There's a fellow down that corridor near the store room, with a large knife. Get security.”
The waiter looked blank for a second.
"Now.”
Then the waiter grabbed his small radio and started yelling. Even as the two men moved quickly away to melt into the crowd, a security officer was approaching on the run. The last they saw, sheltered from view by a large potted palm, was the security man disappearing down the corridor and two more of his comrades following. Rory and Spikey went outside.
"Let's get off this tub, said Spikey, "You and I know best not to hang around. Too many questions and then we end up in the clink.”
Rory nodded and they went down the fancy gangway to the dock and towards the Snow Goose exhibit.
"Spikey. This is important.”
"What," said the other stopping.
"That," said Rory, pointing to a Rest Room sign.
The two of them sat in a coffee shop, at the back, that catered for the thousands of tourists who came to look at Howard Hughes's creation. Probably the largest wooden seaplane ever built.
After they had ordered, Rory took a long look at his companion. "Hello first. Thanks second and what happened third?”
Spikey grinned. "Pure luck, matey. I was sitting in the bar, the one you were in, and just caught sight of you leaving. So I ups and after you. Didn't yell. Hate to be conspicuous. You must have been in a hurry as I nearly lost you. Then peeking down that corridor, I saw you being frisked by that bastard. I just moved quick and light, see, and give him the old chop in the kidneys.
He was so busy, he didn't hear me. Lucky. Gave me a shock too.”
"Thanks mate. But what are you doing here? Los Angeles?”
The coffee and donuts arrived.
"I'm on my way home. Have a brother in Pasadena I was looking up. That's why Los Angeles.”
Rory was curious. "The dredge at Pakanbaru?”
"Still going I suppose. Johnston came up soon after the ruckus and told us to move on. Appears the local police chief, who we both know well, wasn't happy. So unhappy that Johnston thought it best Matt and I clear out. Offered me a spot up in Malaysia, near Jesselton. Some extraction processing plant. Too close for me and anyway it was about time to move on. So I quit.”
"And Matt?”
"Said he would head for the Kimberleys or Port Headland. Darius could get him some job. Left him at Singapore. And you?”
"Well, order another coffee, a long one.”
They talked and the hour passed quickly. Quick eyes were also darting out to the street watching for the assailant or the police, but nothing presented itself. Spikey was speechless after hearing about Lightning Ridge. When Rory asked him when he was leaving, he became pensive then with a big grin, made a suggestion.