Authors: Brett McBean
The Last Motel (30 page)
CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
MacDonald picked up the handle, slipped in some coins and dialled. He waited three rings before it was answered.
“Wilkes.”
“Harry, it’s me. I’m at the hospital. You’ll never guess what.”
“What is it, Jason?”
“My suspicions were correct. That guy, John, was responsible.”
There was silence. Finally, “How do you know? I mean, the man was shot...”
“Get this,” MacDonald said. “He told us his name was John. Okay. You remember how that guy was still alive for a bit? Ah
…
Edward
…
something...?”
“Yeah, yeah I remember.” He sounded positively worn out.
“Well I never told you what he said to me.”
“Yeah I know. Why the secrecy?”
“He told me one thing. One name. Wayne.”
“Yeah, so?”
“Jesus, Harry. For a detective, you’re not very quick.”
“Fuck, Jason. I’ve been up all night. Plus...with Madge and all.”
MacDonald felt a tightness in his stomach. “Yeah. Poor old thing. I’m gonna miss her.”
“Anyway, are you gonna spit it out?”
“Oh yeah. Anyway, I had one of the constables bring over John’s car. As you know, I had my suspicions about the man right from the start. So I had him check out the papers. And sure enough, the car belongs to a Wayne Lanceford.” Again silence. “Wow,” Wilkes finally said.
“Quite a coincidence, huh? Plus, he had a box of Magnum cartridges and a Goddamn hatchet in the back.”
“Jesus. How about that knife we found?”
MacDonald chuckled. “I’m certain it was his. You should’ve seen the look on his face. I threw it to him. Real dramatic. He looked about ready to tear my throat out.”
“You got some men guarding him?”
“Yeah. That constable is here. Adams. But I’ve got more coming. Don’t worry, he won’t get away.”
Wilkes sighed. “For an old timer who’s supposed to be off duty, you’ve done real well.”
“Thanks, Harry. Well, I thought I’d just ring to let you know. I’ll be filling out a full report tomorrow. Get some sleep.”
He heard Wilkes give a small laugh. “I’ll try. But I’ve got paperwork up to my nose. What a night, huh?”
“You’re telling me.”
“You going home now?”
“Maybe. I dunno, there’s something I want to take care of. Anyway, I’ll be seeing you.”
“Yeah, see ya Jason. Thanks. And well done.”
They hung up.
MacDonald stepped away from the phone and headed down the corridor. As he passed the constable, he nodded. “I’m off. Watch him. He’s a complete psycho.”
The constable nodded back.
“There are some damn sick people in this world.” He shook his head. “Some more officers are on the way. Take care, Constable.”
“I will, Sir”
MacDonald smiled. He turned and walked down the corridor, his footsteps loud but hollow on the hospital floor.
# # # #
GALLERY OF IMAGES
For more information on the story behind The Last Motel visit here:
An exterior shot of the cabins where much of the filming of The Last Motel took place
Hal Briinger (Simon) preparing for a scene
Hector van Gaalen-Prentice as the menacing Wayne
Stella Darcy trying to get comfortable in between takes
Imogen Dawn as Madge enacting revenge
A still moments before the infamous nipple removal scene takes place
Moments before the infamous ‘foot stab’ scene
The famous sign for the Lodgepole Pine Motel
Lance Dogeson and Imogen Dawn reportedly became romantically involved off screen
A publicity shot featuring Lance Dodgeson as Morrie and Stella Darcy as Judy
