Red Hot (40 page)

Kathy wound the rollers into the hair of a woman who had not stopped talking about the fire the night before from the moment she had sat down.

‘Yes, I know Mrs Vandenberg, it
was
terrible,’ Kathy answered.

‘It
has
to be that firebug again… just
has
to be. He’ll start on our houses next, you wait and see. Oh, to think he’s
back
again, those
poor
people in the valley. After what they have been through, someone has to know who he is…’

She droned on and on. Kathy wound another roller, one after another, feeling very tempted to pull the annoying woman’s hair. Her glance caught the headlines of the newspaper the woman had been reading

After a twelve month reprieve, the residents of Hamilton valley were woken once again by the wail of sirens as the fire brigade raced to another suspicious fire.

Detectives have yet to confirm what caused the fire but at the time of this report going to print, it looks like it was deliberately lit.

***

The creak of the salon door interrupted her thoughts of pulling Mrs Vandenberg’s hair
and
last night’s dreadful events.

The handsome face of Eddie beamed at her. A smile quickly replaced her frown.

‘Excuse me, Mrs Vandenberg; I’ll just be a moment.’ Kathy smiled at the woman and walked to the door.

Eddie reached out and took her hand, drawing her to him. He kissed her lightly on the lips. Kathy glanced quickly over her shoulder at Mrs Vandenberg who looked away with a scowl. Eddie chuckled and saluted to the woman.

‘Eddie! You bugger, don’t, she might tell the boss!’ Kathy whispered. ‘Anyway, what’re you doing here? You’ve only been gone a week.’

‘Missed you, sweetheart. I was so bored with the blokes in Wagga. They only want to chase skirt and drink, and I only want what’s in this skirt!’ He tugged at Kathy’s floral dress, laughing softly.

‘Well, that’s nice to know, but now I have to get back to work. What say you pick me up at five thirty?’

‘Sure babe, see you then!’ As he turned to leave, Kathy spoke.

‘Oh, Eddie, did you hear about the fire last night? Old Harry’s hut burned to the ground.’

‘Yeah I did, doesn’t sound good, not good at all. See you later.’ Eddie sauntered off. Kathy turned to Mrs Vandenberg and smiled. The woman was watching Eddie.

‘He’s a handsome young man,’ she said quietly.

‘Yes, he is,’ Kathy answered thoughtfully.

Kathy and Eddie had been dating now for almost eighteen months. During that time, Eddie made frequent trips to Wagga, another Riverina town approximately one and a half hours from Lavington. He explained to Kathy that he had quite a few mates up there and they went shooting and spotlighting and enjoyed the occasional fishing trip. Kathy didn’t think much about it, as she wasn’t inclined to participate in any of those activities and her job in the salon called for her to work Saturday mornings, so her weekends were not free to go away unless she was on holidays.

***

‘Ya know, Dig, I really thought after all this time he’d stopped. Pissed off or dropped dead – at least I was hopin’ he had!’ Karl’s voice held a tone of despair.

‘Yeah mate, I know the feelin. I was startin’ ta think it must ‘ave been the friggin’ priest.’ Digger looked up toward the hills.

Karl removed his hat and wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, a frown creasing his weathered face. The worried look in his eyes didn’t go unnoticed by Sam, who had just arrived.

‘Don’t have’ta tell me, mate: it’s the bloody fire last night that’s causin’ that scowl on ya face, eh?’

‘We’re in for it again, aren’t we?’ Digger knew the answer already.

Sam rolled a cigarette from a tin of Havelock tobacco, the cigarette paper sticking to his bottom lip as he prepared the filling in the palm of his hand.

‘Yeah, looks that way. I’ve just come from up at the Willis’. Nat reckons if he lays eyes on him, he’ll shoot first and ask questions later. Says if he’d had his gun the night we chased him along the creek, he’da done it then!’

Karl tipped his hat back on his head, a familiar gesture he had when he was concerned or thinking about something.

The men continued to discuss the previous night’s events. They didn’t realise what a familiar scene they portrayed. You would swear this was a re-enactment of 1965!

‘Mick McGrath, you’re the third person I’ve seen today, and I might add, the only suitable applicant.’ Mary studied the face of the man applying for the position of farmhand on her Jindera property.

Mick scratched at his bushy beard and smiled at her. He gazed around the property and spoke confidently to her.

‘Well, I can’t see a problem, ma’am. I’ve run properties three to four times this size.’ Mick’s memory flashed back to his teenage years on his mother’s property where he was forced to work extremely hard, practically running the place single-handedly.

‘You seem to be just the fellow I’m looking for, Mick. Come and I’ll show you the bungalow that you can have as your living quarters if you like.’

Together they walked to the modest but comfortable bungalow. Mary had made matching curtains and cushions and furnished the little place with her old furniture from the lovely home she had renovated last year.

‘I would like you to start in two days if that’s suitable?’

‘Sure is, and I
would
like to take up the offer of the bungalow, Mrs Winters.’

‘Wonderful, you can move in whenever you like, Mick. Just let me know and I’ll make sure I’m here to give you the keys.’

‘Would tomorrow afternoon be okay with you? Then I can start bright an’ early next morning. I haven’t got much to move in, ma’am!’ He looked sheepish.

Mary smiled and held the key out to him.

‘Here, take the key now. Just be ready to start in a couple of days at 7am. When you arrive tomorrow, I’ll have a list of jobs ready that you can get started on.’

Mary walked off toward the house. Mick’s eyes followed her and swept over her slim figure with admiration. He cocked an eyebrow as he congratulated himself on his achievement. Pleased with himself, he headed off in his old car.

***

‘Morning, Beth. How’s things?’ Francis smiled.

‘It’s a wonderful morning, Francis. I’ve just received word: I start work next Monday. Isn’t that great?’

‘That’s fantastic. We have to celebrate. Let’s go out to dinner tonight… No, on second thought, would you come to Kia-Ora for dinner?’

Beth looked at Francis, her face beaming. She felt extremely fortunate to have met such a nice person. If it wasn’t for him, she would probably still be searching for employment. Their dinner the other night had been very pleasant. They laughed and chatted easily. She felt comfortable with him.

‘I would love to. Are you sure it’ll be alright with your mother?’

‘Not a problem, Beth. We have extra people more often than not for meals. They would love to meet you.’

‘Okay then. I’ll come back and meet you, if you like.’

‘No, I’ll pick you up at the boarding house at 5.45. Save you walking all the way back.’

Francis was excited she had accepted his invitation. He phoned Kia-Ora and got Win. He asked her to let Hazel know that there would be another person for dinner.

Win was in the kitchen with Hazel when Ellie came in.

‘What’re you two up to?’ she asked.

‘Planning dinner. Your son just phoned. He’s bringing a young woman to meet us tonight. Apparently she starts work at Mates next Monday. He wants to make it special for her.’ Win winked at Hazel.

‘I see… Well, we better make it special then, shouldn’t we?’ Ellie grinned. The three women laughed. They were used to Francis and his requests for special dinners for special guests. Although there hadn’t been a
special guest
for ages since his last
friend
had moved to Queensland.

‘I must say, it’ll bring a brighter note to the house this evening. The men are very disturbed about that fire last night.’ Hazel slung the tea towel over her shoulder and dropped onto a kitchen chair.

‘I can hardly believe there’s been another fire. It’s been so long and for it to be old Harry’s hut! Dawn phoned earlier; she said Eileen’s terribly upset. She had such a strong affection for old Harry. His death really hurt her and now this,’ Win added.

Ellie was staring out the kitchen window.

‘I don’t know how we’ll get through it if this is the start of more fires. My God… Things were just returning to normal! If that was the work of the firebug last night, we can’t let it go on and on like it did last time.’

Win placed a comforting arm around her sister’s shoulders. ‘Don’t get too concerned yet, Ellie. It may just be a one-off thing.’

The concern in Win eyes betrayed the confidence in her voice. All three women felt the same. Only one person could be responsible for last night’s fire and that
was
the firebug
.

With heavy boots kicking up the dirt up around their ankles, Karl and Digger headed up the track from the orchard to Kia-Ora, their stomachs rumbling. They had been hard at it since daybreak.

‘Hope Hazel’s made us some of her big meat and relish sandwiches. I could eat a bloody horse!’ Digger rubbed his stomach.

Karl grinned at him, agreeing. Hazel usually knew just what to have ready for them. Karl stopped at the tap beside the machinery shed to wash his hands and splash his face. Digger did the same and was drying his face on his handkerchief when he heard Karl’s raised voice.

‘Fuck! …Dig, look here!’

He took a couple of steps closer to Karl who was standing with his hands on his hips, staring into the ferret’s cage.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘The friggin ferret’s dead!’ Karl swore.

Digger unlatched the door, reached in and carefully lifted the furry yellow body from the hay-lined cage and gently raised its head.

Karl frowned. ‘The neck’s broken, Dig. Look at the blood in the corner of its mouth.’

He let the little animal’s head loll backwards. It was a pitiful sight.

‘You’re right, mate. Someone’s broken the poor little bugger’s neck. This’s a bit too familiar… too fuckin’ familiar, Karl. I’ll
never
forget what that bastard did to Towser!’ Digger reached for the shovel leaning against the shed.

‘No mate, don’t bury him, not yet. I reckon we should give Bennett and Simpson a ring. There’s no doubt in my mind who did this; the fuckin’ mongrel is at it again. C’mon, put that back in the cage for now!’

‘There goes the ferritin’ day out,’ Karl said, looking at Digger thoughtfully.

***

As Detectives Simpson and Bennett left Kia-Ora, they passed Eddie Chancellor driving in the opposite direction.

‘There goes that Chancellor bloke,’ Simpson commented.

‘Yeah, I still don’t trust him. He looks like he’s finally gettin’ himself together, goin’ out with a decent girl. Even dresses sharper, but that doesn’t mean a thing. He’s trouble through an’ through, an’ mark my words, this little act won’t last,’ Bennett said, lighting a cigarette.

‘Yeah, I agree, mate,’ Simpson said shortly. ‘We’ll be seein’ him in court again before long.’ The detective looked thoughtfully out the car window. ‘Leopard never changes its spots mate.’

‘What do you think about this ferret business?’ Bennett drew deeply on his cigarette.

‘Well the fire last night, this today, it’s too similar to twelve months ago. I think we can expect a lot more and soon! One thing’s for sure, we can’t let it go on like it did last time. We have to catch the bastard.’ Simpson maneuvered the police car into a parking spot outside the Boomerang Café on Wagga road.

‘Let’s eat!’ he grunted as he pulled on the handbrake.

‘Good idea, this place has the best coffee in town, too.’

The Boomerang Café was well known for its food. Being right beside the Boomerang Pub, it had a healthy clientele, especially after the pub closed and the hungry drinkers flocked in. It stayed open quite late, with tunes being played on the jukebox and the occasional brawl breaking out.

***

Hazel had set the dining table beautifully. She went to the trouble of picking fresh flowers and they complimented the tablecloth and serviettes perfectly.

Everyone had gathered in the lounge room for pre-dinner drinks. It was no use trying to hide the ferret incident, especially from Emmie. She knew when something was wrong. They discussed it openly but not for long, as Francis and Beth arrived and the conversation took on a lighter note.

Francis introduced Beth to everyone just before Hazel announced dinner. Beth felt comfortable with the large family and she chatted easily throughout the delicious dinner. After dinner, they sipped on coffee as they sat around in the lounge room.

‘Do you plan on staying in Albury, dear?’ Emmie asked.

‘Well, yes, now I have a job. I like it here; it’s so much better than the rat race in Sydney.’

Win and Ellie joined in, both asking about Beth’s home life. She told them her adoptive mother had recently passed away so she had packed up and headed for Albury. She explained how she had learned it was a nice place from her mother, who always praised the town. No mention was made of any father and no one asked. She did add that she was adopted as a baby and an only child.

Francis looked at his watch, indicating that it was getting late. Beth thanked them for the lovely evening. She asked Emmie if she could thank Hazel personally for the delicious meal. Emmie linked arms with her and together they went to the kitchen.

‘Well, mate, she sure is a beauty!’ Karl remarked.

Francis took a swipe at his uncle and laughed.

‘She is lovely, Francis. She has the most gorgeous blue eyes,’ Ellie said, putting her arm around her son.

Emmie and Beth came back in, chatting happily. Everyone said goodnight and Francis and Beth left.

Kathy and Eddie had just pulled up in the driveway.

‘Hey cousin, you just missed a great dinner.’ Francis stuck his head in the car window, saying hello to Eddie as well.

Kathy glanced at Beth and Francis introduced them as he hurried to the volksie, holding the door for Beth to climb in.

‘You have a lovely family, Francis. You’re very lucky,’ Beth commented

‘Yeah, they’re not a bad bunch.’ He chuckled.

***

‘So, this Mick starts tomorrow, does he?’ Harvey asked between sips of coffee.

Mary replied yes, telling Harvey the bungalow would also be Mick’s new residence. Harvey was pleased that Mary had finally employed some help around the place. He was far too busy with his work at the council to be able to keep on top of all the chores that a property like theirs required, and then of course there was Ellie. He had no intentions of relinquishing his time with her.

***

The following morning was as sunny as the previous day. The men worked hard in the orchards; the fruit this season was exceptionally good. They were proud of their efforts and wanted to see the orchards thrive for years to come.

Hamilton Valley was one of the most beautiful valleys in NSW. It was hard to believe it had been targeted by someone with one thing in mind… to destroy it.

Eileen headed down Centaur Road to the bus stop, her step brisk. She was enjoying her new job, three days a week, at the Vet’s in North Albury. It helped ease her mind about Harry’s place as well. Anything to do with animals and Eileen was in her element.

Her mind was not only on her job though. She couldn’t help thinking about Darcy. She was very keen on him and she couldn’t wait for her next date with him on Friday night. He had phoned her at home last night and they had decided to go to the club this coming Friday. The sports club was the place to go now. Everyone was talking about Johnny Hansen and his band. The club looked like it was going to be a great success.

As Eileen approached the bus stop, she saw Kathy was sitting there.

‘Hi, Kath.’

‘Hi Cuz, what’s new?’

Eileen told her about Darcy and their date Friday night.

Kathy told her that Eddie was back a week early and that they would probably be at the club themselves this Friday. The maroon and white Martins bus came to a stop in front of them and they climbed aboard, sitting together, talking until Eileen got off at her stop. Kathy thought about Eileen as the bus pulled away. She could tell how much her cousin enjoyed her new job and she also noticed the pain in Eileen’s eyes when she had mentioned old Harry’s hut burning down. Everyone knew how much the old man had meant to her. Now someone had burned down another memory Eileen had of her dear old friend. She had Tom the dog. She would cherish him for Harry. At least she could do that for him.

***

Mary knocked on the door of the bungalow. She knew Mick had arrived and she had decided to bring him a couple of jars of her homemade jam and relish.

‘Hello there, Mrs Winters.’

‘Hello Mick. I thought you might enjoy some of my homemade goodies.’

‘I sure will. I haven’t had any of that stuff for years.’

Mary smiled and handed over the small box she had packed for him, telling him she would see him the next morning. Mick went inside, holding a jar and smiling.

‘Sure will enjoy this. It’s been a helluva long time since I had stuff like this.’