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The Two Brothers
The Two Brothers
The Two Brothers
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The Two Brothers

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Get ready for an exciting crime/fiction story.
This novel is set in the early 2000's and alternates between Newcastle and Sydney.
It starts when Barry Rivers wakes up in a strange situation with absolutely no idea how he arrived there.
Then, ... as preceding events are uncovered ... a young woman's death is reported in the same location and the police are now looking for someone fitting Barry's description.
Older brother James Rivers cones to his sibling's assistance ... however it's all too late!
Because someone wants Barry eliminated.
There are gangsters on the loose, and some rather hot interaction between James and two very attractive young women from different backgrounds.
And all the while, a poetry-writing killer is now after brother number two.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherCarl Delprat
Release dateOct 8, 2015
ISBN9781311854902
The Two Brothers
Author

Carl Delprat

Carl Delprat is a prolific storyteller. His home is the Australian coastal city of Newcastle, New South Wales.

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    Book preview

    The Two Brothers - Carl Delprat

    The Two Brothers

    An amazing romantic/crime/fiction story created by

    Carl Delprat.

    Storymaker.

    Cover design: painted in acrylic by Carl Delprat. (11/07/15).

    Copyright 2015 Carl Delprat.

    Yes you can judge a book by its cover.

    And thanks once again Carmel and Herb for the proofreading.

    This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

    This e-book may not be resold or given away to other people.

    If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favourite e-book retailer and purchase your own copy.

    Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    Any coincidences are only accidental, this is fiction and all the names came out of the ether.

    *******(©)*******

    ISBN 9781311854902

    Second edition: 25th October 2015

    Other excellent stories by Carl Delprat are:

    31 LAMAN STREET: Is where an evil ghost wreaks havoc amongst the locals.

    THE THREE TREES: An international serial murder mystery set in the 1950’s.

    GIRL SOLDIERS: A futuristic global adventure where the girls have taken over.

    ALL STRINGS ATTACHED: Find out what happens after a mysterious glowing object is discovered in a coal seam. Based on Steven Hawkins ‘string-theory.’

    ~DREAMMAN~: Is where a young man uses his dreams to fight for good over evil.

    THE STORY OF ANNIE: The long life of a MG-TC roadster.

    A FEED OF FISH WITH FREDDY: A chocolate box selection of short stories.

    WHAT ABOUT MADELYN?: A political catfight between two rivals.

    THE HARPSICHORD MAN: A tale about a criminal harpsichord builder.

    Note: My novels are in Australian English, and indicates talking, while ‘…’ signifies thinking.

    ***********(o)**********

    Get ready for an exciting crime/fiction story.

    This one starts off in Newcastle when a Barry Rivers wakes up in a strange situation with absolutely no idea how he arrived there.

    Then, as the preceding events are uncovered … a young woman’s death is reported in the same location and the police are now looking for someone fitting Barry’s description.

    This novel is set in the early 2000’s and alternates between Newcastle and Sydney.

    Older brother James Rivers comes to his sibling’s assistance … however it’s all too late!

    Because, someone wants Barry eliminated.

    There are gangsters on the loose, and some rather hot interaction between James and two very attractive young women from very different backgrounds.

    And all the while … a poetry-writing killer is now after brother number two.

    *********(0)**********

    Chapters.

    About Carl Delprat.

    Other books by Carl Delprat.

    Part One.

    What happened to Barry Rivers?

    (1) From the beginning.

    (2) We know about you.

    (3) Asking questions.

    (4) More money than he expected.

    (5) Jimmy to the rescue.

    (6) A walk on the wild side.

    (7) A slow recovery.

    *********(0)**********

    Part Two.

    The story of James Rivers.

    (8) As time goes by.

    (9) Late night surprise.

    (10) Angela’s cardboard box.

    (11) The policeman’s explanation.

    (12) Someone is watching.

    (13) The unexpected.

    (14) A Noble affair.

    (15) Police business.

    (16) Mixing with the mob.

    (17) Prelude to the Main Event.

    (18) Back in the 19th century.

    (19) Danger lurking.

    (20) Jackpot.

    (21) New fields.

    (22) Evelyn’s consort.

    (23) James’s plan.

    (24) Face-to-face.

    (25) At last, the main event.

    *********(0)**********

    Part One. What happened to Barry Rivers?

    Chapter (1). From The Beginning

    "It takes two men to make one brother." Garrison Keillor.

    ************(1)************

    It all started when Barry Rivers opened his sore eyes, yes that’s when the confusion commenced.

    At first … his brain … remained in shutdown and only ached … yes it really ached…

    A headache something horrible … and when he blinked…

    Both eyes stung like hell … and … his mouth felt so bad… and…

    ‘And ‘I think, yes I think — I might be sick!’

    Barry tried to get up … yes-get-up and get-out-of-this-bed.

    ‘Now where the hell am I?

    The symmetry of this room made no sense at all — ‘like these posters on the wall, the ones I know exactly nothing about — and these?

    These assorted girl’s things … things that girls use to make themselves pretty …’

    Girls?

    ‘Now . . . I know those jeans . . . those jeans left hanging on the doorknob-so-the-small-change-won’t-fall-out-on-the-floor . . . and that’s my blue flannel shirt on the old carpet . . . and there’s my dirty Nike joggers . . . and someone’s … pulled the belt out of my jeans?’

    Further slow rotation of his s-p-l-i-t-t-i-n-g head . . . revealed this … half empty bottle of brandy on the sideboard?

    ‘Come on, we’re getting it all slowly together, now look down at the floor again … yes, I can see someone’s dress and high heels…

    Cripes I do feel crook!"

    Then Barry Rivers’ caught his reflection in the wardrobe mirror, ‘well at least it is still me’ but only just … as I look absolutely dreadful. Anyway . . . it’s reassuring to find something here … I can recognise. ... Now, if only I could remember?

    And brandy? Now I never drink brandy ever … and … I don’t remember ever being in this room before? ... It certainly must be a girls room.’

    Ignoring the frightful headache and the furry mouth, Barry sat up … and then slid his feet to the floor.

    But his balance was hopeless and Barry slipped off the bed — and — fell onto the timber floor — dragging the bedcover with him.

    Oh shit! Oh my poor bum, oh … bloody hell … oh what a bastard. That large bump made a wardrobe’s doors fly open — and the inside contents were all women’s clothes. And one half (presumed to be the clean selection) was supported by clothes hangers and the other side … was all thrown in a heap, a dirty big heap.

    Barry grabbed hold of the bed … and then pulled himself up.

    "Uuurreeer, let me sleep." A noise came from that mystery person on the bed informing Barry … he was not alone.

    Now . . . there was this window . . . letting in a lot of horrible light.

    Barry sat on the floor for … well who knows?

    Perhaps he fell asleep there, yes who knows?

    And . . . he could hear some soft snoring, followed by another "Uuurrrrer," coming from the other side of the bed and Barry just had to have a look.

    Somehow he was standing up … with nothing on and on that bed was … the feminine curve of a small waist … and then … a nice bottom … both covered … with a loose sheet … and … this sleeper had straight black hair and nothing else?

    And…right about now.

    ‘My bowels demand a discharge.’

    So it was a strange dance with underpants, a blue flannel shirt, jeans, … now where are me socks?

    'Stuff the socks and what’s happened to my Nike’s? The glue’s all-loose?'

    Well where’s the toilet, I need to find the toilet?

    **********(1)**********

    Thump — ththump!

    Some bugger was banging on a door close by? Barry opened his eyes to see a toilet roll and a rude calendar looking back at him.

    Thump — ththump — and the banging continued.

    Will you hurry up and get out of there.

    It was someone trying to … and, Barry realised he was sitting on a toilet … yes he had fallen asleep and now his legs had done the same. Hang on mate, I will be out in a minute, me legs are paralysed, I can’t get…

    The door opened and a big angry man pulled Barry out-by-the-hair — and—then let-him-fall-to-the-floor with … his pants around his knees.

    "Fair go, gee, … I was only ... "

    If you are still there when I get out ... you will get a firm good kick up the arse.

    That was enough information for Barry, he somehow managed to get some life into those legs and — at the same time — jerk these jeans back on.

    ‘Now which room did I just come from … these doors all look the same?"

    After stumbling about the hallway and trying a few locked doors ... Barry eventually opened one — that ... took him outside.

    The back yard was overgrown and that water tap beckoned him forward. The reward for turning it on was a wet head followed by … twelve large gulps right down a dry and nasty throat.

    Now, it was time to get one’s bearings; ‘best check me pockets. There’s still some of my pay left in the jeans back pocket.’ Which … was the first surprise; next pocket produced . . . the house keys . . . and 20 cents . . . and two handkerchiefs. Looking good so far. ‘And there’s me wallet in the front pocket, and it’s all there, credit card, licence and other shit! Brilliant!

    ‘Best do the shoes up, gee they’re all falling to pieces already and they … sort of smell funny.’

    Rather than go back inside that strange and violent house, Barry decided to walk down this side alley and find the next street. ‘Like, only God knows where I am or what I’ve done?’

    And Barry almost crushed his testicles climbing over an iron gate. Struth!

    He continued walking along some unrecognisable streets … and did his head ache.

    Finally this street came towards … an intersection … and … ‘It’s Maitland Road and over there’s Islington Park." A long row of huge fig trees confirmed that fact.

    Barry looked right, looked towards Newcastle and … there was a bus further up the road … and it was heading for … It’s a 102 bus, ... no … it’s a 105 bus to Mayfield, you beauty.

    Your flies undone mate, and your pants are about to fall off … and you need to get yourself a belt, the bus driver handed Barry his ticket.

    The bus was almost empty, Barry fell into the first seat and once again tried to remember … ‘what on earth have I been up to over the past twelve hours … my mind is a total blank . . . Well, today must be Saturday’ and the date on his watch confirmed that.

    So I guess that was a start ... And now all that water I’ve drunk is disagreeing with my stomach.

    Oh cripes … now I mustn’t get sick. No not on this bus.’

    Cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

    Uuurrp … uuurrrp! And Barry could see that bus driver watching him via the internal mirror.

    As the bus entered Tighes Hill, things were a little bit better, ‘and by Mayfield East I should feel safe enough to breathe through my mouth again.’

    Barry Rivers left the bus and walked off towards Auntie Kath’s street.

    When he arrived at the gate, the front door was locked; Barry needed time alone in the back yard toilet. Time to speak your mind into that porcelain telephone. Barry’s direct link to divinity.

    "Oh … Oh God …

    Oh bloody hell …

    Oh God …!"

    After several minutes of one-way conversation, Barry Rivers headed towards the back door and straight to his bedroom.

    **********(1)**********

    "You better get up Barry Robert Rivers … does this room needs some air … yes it smells like a brewery … and your shoes, your new shoes are coming to pieces …

    Barry, you smell like an old drunk. Now if your lovely Mother knew, she’d box your silly ears and its 1:30 pm and the day’s half over. You young men are all the same, no brains, no brains, no none at all."

    Barry looked at his watch, and she was right … and he’d missed the football training again.

    ‘Now Jeff will be furious, and I feel so thirsty, yes what I really need right now is a big glass of ice cold orange juice and a fat-greasy-hamburger.’

    Barry and perched on a stool and sipped on a ‘Coke’ waiting while his hamburger was underway.

    He’d tried to chat up the young ‘Jim’s Dairy Delight’ girl, however she smelt his breath and kept her distance.

    ‘Now ... if only I could remember what actually happened last night?’

    That hamburger arrived and Barry was on the mend.

    **********(1)**********

    Sorry about last night Aunty Kath, that was a rare one for me, I usually stop at two beers, must have run into a wild bunch, and you will get no more of that I assure you.

    Well see that you don’t, I promised my dead sister I’d look after you Barry and coming home like that doesn’t help me one bit. ... So young man, you say that you don’t remember anything what happened?

    He looked up at his Aunt, shook his head, and then went back to the Saturday paper.

    Barry had no idea what had happened.

    Not a clue?

    The television news would soon be on so Uncle Bruce sat in his favourite chair to hear the latest. Kath made a pot of tea and poured out mugs for the two men.

    Barry was just about to sit down when the radio news presenter announced: "Police are asking for help from the public to come forward with any details regarding a young man seen walking about Coal Street Islington around 7 to 8 am early this morning.

    They want to interview him in relation to the death of a Judith Spicer found in that locality.

    Miss Spicer was found dead in an Islington alley by one of the local tenants. She’d been strangled with a man’s belt between midnight to 1 am today. One local resident described this suspect as being approximately 180 centimetres tall and in his early twenties.

    He was seen leaving a property in Coal Street via the front gate wearing jeans and a blue flannel shirt.

    Again, the Police request that…"

    Uncle Bruce put down his mug of tea and started into, The way young people are acting these days … well if you ask me …

    Then Aunty Kath joined in with her own views.

    Barry Robert Rivers took no notice … he felt uneasy, very uneasy.

    It was that name Judith Spicer that rang a bell; yes there was something familiar about that name, … something very familiar indeed.

    Being short of funds, Barry stayed home Saturday night, earlier on his friend Dennis O’Keefe dropped by and … was disappointed ‘cause Barry declined to accompany him to the local RSL.

    Yes, this was to be an early Saturday night for this young man.

    **********(1)**********

    The Sunday papers had more details about the Spicer girl, and it was unusual for Sydney Sunday papers to be interested in any news from Newcastle.

    Uncle Bruce found a picture of the deceased for everyone to look at, (probably taken during her final year at school.) It was no one Barry knew; yet the smile and eyes reminded him of someone.

    Well who exactly, he had no idea?

    Dennis O’Keefe was at the back door and wanting to know if Barry would like a swim or perhaps a game of darts?

    The rest of Sunday was filled with surfing at Nobby’s Beach in-between perving on girls.

    By the afternoon the surf had dropped off so the two boys lay on their beach towels and perved at the local talent ... and gave it ratings.

    Dennis as always became way too animated so Barry changed the subject.

    So it should be a baked dinner tonight and then back to work tomorrow.

    Bazza, what’s that strange red splotch on your shoulder, it looks like an emblem?

    What are you talking about Den, has something bitten me?

    Dennis sat up and pointed directly at a red mark the size of a fifty-cent piece. It looks a bit swollen, a bit like, like a burn, now can’t you feel it?

    Barry reached across with his left hand and detected the mentioned imprint … and it certainly felt painful to touch.

    So that’s what was stinging in the surf, well bugger me?

    Better go up to the Surf Lifesaving building Barry, it might be a jelly fish sting and perhaps a deadly poisonous one.

    About twenty minutes later Barry Rivers returned to find his mate Dennis O’Keefe had found a nice looking girl to talk with. Nothing to worry about Dennis, well it’s not a jellyfish sting, must be some kind of burn, probably happened when I was out last night. Say isn’t that the lovely Kate Sommers?

    The brown tanned blonde in a black two-piece grinned a special smile for Barry and Dennis didn’t like it.

    The boys picked up their towels and belongings and moved a lot closer.

    Now don’t you remember me from school? asked Dennis. Yes, I was one class ahead of you at Broadmeadow High.

    How could you forget, Barry interjected. My mate Dennis here was expelled for smoking out the Deputy Principals office.

    Kate Sommers pulled a well-rehearsed face of ‘pretend shock!’

    I was not expelled, informed Dennis. I was put on probation and … anyway there were three of us, and big-fat-Maria was the one who threw that cigarette in the waste paper basket, and that caused all the trouble.

    Kate kept both eyes right on Barry; One of my friends saw you out last night with an Asian girl at the ‘Sydney Junction’ Hotel. She lifted her sunglasses … and those analytical eyes made Barry suddenly nervous. And I hear you were rather pissed, in fact … they threw the pair of you out for being too noisy.

    Barry looked away towards Dennis and tried to act cool, but deep down he was worried. Yes really worried … shitting-himself to be precise. He still had no recollection at all of what he’d done that night … and let alone being with some Asian woman. It certainly was a lost for good slice of his life.

    Dennis found all this rather interesting and quizzed his mate for details.

    "Barry you never told me about any Asian chick, so what happened mate? Like I lost you at the ‘Northern Star,’ yes you know when you went off to the toilet … and never ever came back.

    I had to leave my game of darts all because I was so worried … and I thought someone had decked you. Yes John Brumby and myself went and looked all over the place."

    Once again Barry tried to remember — and — a foggy mixture of the ‘Northern Star’ just …briefly appeared — but only for an instant.

    ‘Now I had $150 on me when I left Aunty Kate’s for my Friday night out, and the following morning I had $97 left of it. ... But only in small notes no bigger than $5, ... and there was about $27 in loose change. ... The bus fare was $3. ... So … somehow I’ve somehow blown approximately $50!'

    Kate, what’s your friends name? The name of that girl who saw me getting thrown out?

    "Veronica, she’s called Veronica Douglas and she’s a hairdresser at the ‘Super-Clip’ in Darby Street.

    Well boys I’m off now … it’s time for some Uni study and I’ve yet to do my week’s washing."

    ***********(1)**********

    Not a bad roast dinner that was Aunty Kath, and I really loved your gravy, so what’s on the telly tonight?

    We’re going to watch ‘60 Minutes’ and then that movie with Marlon Brando later, so would you want to watch it with us Barry?

    He smiled back and declined, "I’d better do my TAFE assignments, the first exam will be on in a about two months, and with the quarter-yearly plus assignments, they all count towards the final marks.

    Thanks anyway Aunty, now have you heard anything from my big brother James of late?"

    Barry sat close to his desk where the reading lamp gave off enough heat to make him sweat … and it was so hard to concentrate, so hard after last Friday night’s weird episode.

    And now, and for the first time ever, Aunty Kath’s baked dinner was not agreeing with him.

    Usually Barry had a sharp and fast mind, but now it remained locked in 2nd gear. ‘And I’m beginning to wonder if I was drugged?

    Besides, I hardly ever go past three beers, let alone … let alone getting chucked out for being disorderly. And with some Asian chick to boot, well maybe she was the one who put that red mark on my back?’

    Barry held the small framed photo of his departed parents and wondered, ‘I hope nothing happened on Friday night, or Saturday morning that would make you both ashamed of me?’

    Their stern faces looked at their youngest son and — they did not look at all happy.

    ‘And that girl found in the laneway was strangled, strangled with a man’s belt, … and mine was missing it was, pulled out of the jeans I found on the floor?"

    Shit!

    ‘I wish James was here right now to help me, help me get out of this … mess.’

    Barry so hoped for divine help …

    ‘Like as if my older brother turning up from Sydney … well James would make everything back the way I liked it.’

    ************(1)**********

    What’s the latest on the Spicer Girl, has anything come back yet from the undercover blokes?

    The red faced and way overweight Detective Sergeant ‘Willy’ Peters stubbed his cigarette then filled a plastic cup with stale coffee.

    Spider’s done all the rounds and the feedback is negative, but he has a lead on the stolen car racket and who in the panel beating business is taking the parts.

    The young Detective stood back. Yes you never quite knew what mood Willy-Peters would be in today, or any day in fact? No one could ever be really sure.

    Was she on the game, has the post mortem come back with anything to help?

    "She certainly was, and a drug addict as well and she had hepatitis C, but so far no sexually transmitted diseases, but they have to grow a culture for that, and that should take weeks.

    Now Sir, this may be part of the local turf conflict, and all to do with these Sydney pro’s coming up for their dirty weekend on the trains, and then stealing away work from the local prostitutes?"

    William Peters stood up and threw his coffee and cup at the sink — leaving a dirty stain all over the wall.

    Follow that one up, yes things could get messy and the public likes all this business kept quiet. If these Sydney sluts are going to arrive at Hamilton station by the trainload … then … we will all end up in deep shit … especially when their pimps come with them.

    Willy-Peters waved his hand and sent the young Detective off scurrying off. He hadn’t bothered to learn his name. Another cigarette appeared and after a few rasping coughs … Willy managed to enjoy it.

    ‘Now something big must be happening down south for these bitches to look for work in Newcastle and it’s certainly not police harassment that is sending them north.

    So it has to be expansive development by someone who has plenty of money.’

    And that Judith Spicer most probably knew something … and for that she was strangled.

    Yes she wasn’t murdered for money or for selling her ‘fanny.’

    That girl … now that girl knew something.

    Something important.’

    **********(1)**********

    Chapter (2). We all know about you.

    "The younger brother must pay for the pleasures of the older." Hindu Proverb.

    ************(2)**********

    It was just another Monday; yes just another long and boring day shift working at Commonwealth Steel. Today Barry Rivers was lucky to be assigned to one the easiest of jobs.

    The main function of this very long Kerns machine was to bore long holes right through a rolling pin shaped liked rolling pins.

    It was somewhat like drilling out gun barrels.

    A Big four-jaw chuck held one end of a huge finishing roll while it rotated, and two supporting rollers attached to the long lathe bed maintained it horizontal. At the very far end of this machine, a long drilling bar was fed into the centre of the finishing roll by a screw driven feed.

    And this process very slowly bored its way right through the finishing roll’s centre line.

    Throughout the process, white soluble oil gushed out at fountain strength and splashed everything in range.

    This was an excellent job for daydreamers and students, and a fine time for cramming some study time in. Barry Rivers had worked in the Roll Shop for three years, and he had one burning ambition, ‘pass all my exams and then get to hell out of this dirty place.’

    That dick-head Craig Hall walked past the Kerns machine on his way somewhere.

    Bazza, they tell me you had a skinful last Friday night, got yourself chucked out of the ‘Sydney Junction’ I believe.

    So this must’ve been in all the bloody papers, replied Barry. Did they have my picture in it as well?

    Ever since Craig raced off with his new girlfriend at the Christmas party, Barry hated his guts. Anyway, this turned out to be a no loss as the girl was already pregnant, and certainly out to trap some poor bastard. ‘And silly-stupid-Craig Hall hasn’t woken up yet, yes now he’s engaged to her.

    Well Bazza, I heard all about it from Wallace, and his sister saw you with this Asian tart who works at some Islington brothel. So I hope you never caught anything?

    Cripes Craig, now you sound just like my big bother, he’s always going on about venereal diseases. So you better watch out now, watch what toilet seat you sit your arse on mate … ‘cause I might ‘a sat there first.

    ‘Well that’s charming; now I find out I have been out with the trade, and probably have AIDS.

    Yes I could probably have one of those diseases brother James goes on and on about!’

    Oh shit!

    ‘Now that’s what the red lump or patch could be, bloody AIDS!’ Barry Rivers turned white. ‘So, what else did I get up to?"

    Barry decided to work out a critical path diagram incorporating those missing hours.

    ‘Right, Friday Night 8:00pm-arrive at ‘Northern Star’ have a few beers and go to the toilet around 9:00pm after that zilch, all lost, no memory, nothing!

    Then reported sighted with a Suzy Wong at ‘Sydney Junction’ and then reported kicked out — and then — nothing — f--king nothing. Next I wake up in a strange room and leave it and then fall asleep on a toilet, get kicked out of toilet. Then I walk to Maitland Road Islington, catch the 105 bus, come home — spew in toilet — go to bed — get woken up by Aunty Kath — have shower — and finally go to Jim’s dairy delight for a hamburger.

    And that’s it, that’s all I know.’

    Barry looked at all the blank spaces on his notebook and … felt even worse than ever.

    There were two big unknowns to add to this equation, one was the nearby death of some girl named Judith Spicer. The other was, how had he acquired that red patch on his shoulder, and both of them seemed to have a connection.

    Barry decided it best to contact this Veronica Douglas girl. ‘The one Kate Sommers talked about yesterday at the beach, ... yes the girl who works at ‘Super-Clip’ hairdressers in Hamilton.’

    Arnold, you live at Cooks Hill, so can you give me a lift on your way home to Hamilton please?

    The old man working the roll grinder gave Barry the nod.

    ‘Well that settles that, at least it’s a start.’

    Barry Rivers hopped out of Arnold’s Mitsubishi Magna in Hunter Street, then walked a couple of blocks to Darby Street.

    It was nearing 4 o’clock and they would probably close shop around five.’

    When Barry arrived at the ‘Super-Clip’ hairdressers, no customers were in sight and they were already cleaning shop. Excuse me ladies but I’m after a Miss Veronica Douglas.

    A sharp looking brunette with the very latest hairstyle stared straight back at him.

    Well I know who you are, you’re Barry Rivers . . . yet you can’t remember me?

    Barry guessed this chick must be the Douglas girl, Look love, I’m wondering if you could help me, ... you see I need some answers? . . . Now I was told … you were supposed to have seen me on Friday night … and I think someone drugged me?

    Mate, I would say you were totally smashed, but my boyfriend will be here to pick me up soon and he gets very jealous, so I must be quick … come over here where they won’t hear us.

    Barry followed the hairdresser to the back of the shop.

    "You were with an Asian and an Australian and both girls were coming on heavy. Yes you were our night’s entertainment, and I am surprised to hear they never robbed you blind.

    That’s all I know Barry, and do you have a brother by any chance?"

    Sure do Veronica, only James’s not as good looking.

    "Then he must be gorgeous, now Barry tell me all about yourself … oops! Look here he comes, here comes Harry; he just walked in … so buzz off quick. —

    See you later Barry."

    The next stop for Barry Rivers would be the ‘Sydney Junction,’ that hotel alongside the Hamilton railway gates.

    Excuse me could you tell me if there is anyone here who was working last Friday night?

    The young barman looked him over and asked,

    "Why?

    Well mate, I was here last Friday night and there are some missing pieces I’m trying to fill back in.

    You bloody-well-should, you were one big pain in the neck all flaming night, and we were trying to run a Karaoke-night and you just wanted to sing over the top of every bastard.

    So you were here mate, then please tell me who the two women were I was with, the ones when I was asked to leave, ‘cause I think someone drugged me?

    The barman broke out in laughter, "Drugged, drugged you say . . . mate you were drinking like a fish.

    I put a stop on you and … then the girls bought you your drinks … so I threw the lot of you out."

    Barry did not like the sound of that at all; he always thought he was a light drinker.

    Can you tell me who they were please?

    The barman did not want to get involved, he could lose customers and he knew you should never ever get involved.

    Barry tried again and again.

    "Right; I know the Asian bird, she works somewhere around here doing massages and her name is Mi-Lee, well that is what they say don’t they. Massages they call it, well we all know it’s prostitution?

    The other piece is another local, someone here called her the Spice Girl, yes that’s her nickname, and that Asian called her Judy, so she’s probably another prostitute.

    So that’s it; now please leave and don’t ever bother to come back."

    As Barry walked towards the nearest Maitland Road bus stop, something in those mentioned names ate away at his thoughts, and he kept searching for the connection … but it was so evasive.

    And on the bus it kept at him.

    ‘Judy the Spice Girl … Judith ... Judith Spicer the girl found dead that was on the news, that girl found in a Coal Street back lane . . . and I was with her that evening and she was found dead, dead from what, what killed her?’

    A slightly shaken Barry Rivers got off the 102 bus at Mayfield Terminus then walked towards home.

    So what was he to do next?

    I wish my brother was here with me, yes I really wish James was right here.

    **********(2)**********

    Jeff was around here for you, and he wanted to know why you weren’t at football training on Saturday, and he knows about you getting plastered, so don’t try making up any stories.

    Aunty Kate related the latest as he walked through the door.

    ‘Shit, the whole town must know about Friday night, it’s as if I was walking about naked and then mooned the lot while standing on the bar.’

    There was a note waiting on his bed, it was a sealed envelope without a stamp, and his name was on the front.

    "Aunty, who sent that envelope?" inquired Barry.

    "No idea Barry, I found it in the letter box with the mail, someone must have dropped by and placed it in some time, probably a secret admirer, you never know your luck Barry-boy?

    See that‘s what happens to the handsome fellers, didn’t you know that?"

    As Barry picked it up, a sinister shiver came over him...

    yes somehow...

    and he anticipated, that when this envelope was opened...

    then … the rest of his life would change forever.

    Barry looked at the writing, it was in capital letters boldly printed with black biro, and when his fingers pinched the outside … its message felt thin.

    He left it on his bed and went out to the kitchen, dinner should be ready soon and Barry wanted to forget all about this unknown message, yes forget it ever existed ... for a while.

    So you didn’t see who dropped the note in the letterbox Aunty?

    She’d started into the washing up and hoped someone would help out with the drying, and so far there were no takers.

    "Can’t help you Barry, but the old lady two houses up watches everything that goes on around here. Mrs Hamilton’s her name, and she’s been a widow since the war. She just sits and knits and

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