Saving Billie

I drove to the hospital and parked even further away than I had the time before and had to contend for the spot with a Volvo. By now it was early afternoon; the day had heated up and dried out and tempers were getting frayed. I made my way to the waiting room for the floor Billie was on and was greeted by several hostile faces-Sarah Marchant-Wallambi, Sharon, who'd re-dyed her hair to a dark brown and looked the more formidable for it, Lou Kramer, in professional suit and heels, and whatever-his-first-name-was McGuinness. Sharon got to her feet and advanced towards me like a one-person SWAT team.

'There you are finally,' she said. 'What the fuck is going on here?'

'Mum!' Sarah said.

'Don't Mum me.' She pointed to Lou and McGuinness. 'What're these two doing here? My sister's in a coma and-'

I wasn't in the mood for this. 'I'll tell you who should be here, and that's Mary Latekefu, the nurse who fronted those people who were holding Billie and got her out of there.'

'Well, where is she then?'

'Calm down, Sharon. You'll meet her and you should thank her. She's got other things to do.'

'And you should thank Mr Hardy, Mum. He helped to get Aunt Billie here.'

'Mr Hardy's being paid,' Sharon snapped. 'And what this bloke has to do with things I don't like to think.'

McGuinness straightened his jacket and tie and moved into a comradely stance with Lou Kramer, who was yet to even give me a glance. 'It's safe to say that all of us here are working in Ms Marchant's interest. Albeit perhaps from different angles. I'm in a position to say that when she recovers from her present condition, and I've had an assurance from the medical staff that she will recover, with the permission of her nearest of kin, Ms Marchant, she can be transferred to a private hospital where her every medical and psychological need will be met and paid for.'

Lou nodded but Sharon looked ready to claw her eyes out after disembowelling McGuinness. 'The medicos have told us bugger-all and you say they've talked to you. How come?'

McGuinness shrugged. 'Influence, Ms Marchant. Influence. When it works for you, don't knock it.'

'The question is, who're you working for?'

I left them to it and drew Lou Kramer aside. She came, reluctantly. 'You certainly played your cards close to your chest, Lou,' I said.

She shrugged. 'I had to. Barclay didn't want anyone knowing of our association.'

'I knew about it almost from day one. Did you enjoy your dinner at the Malaya the other night?'

Another shrug. 'So you're a detective. So what? I'll admit you did a great job getting hold of Billie. I'd say our business is concluded. Thank you. If you'll submit your account with your expenses…'

'That's if your retainer cheque clears.'

'It will.'

'Yeah, with Greaves backing you I suppose so. You don't really think he just wants you to nail Clement in a book, do you?'

'If you knew what Clement had done to him you'd understand.'

'And what would that be?'

'I can't tell you. Thanks for all you did. If I ever need a private detective again-'

'Go elsewhere,' I said and turned away. I'd had enough of her and McGuinness and Greaves, and Sharon Marchant seemed to have had enough of me. She was still locked in dispute with McGuinness, her daughter looking agitated on the sidelines. I would've been glad to see Steve Kooti or Mary Latekefu, who'd been straightforward and effective, but there was no sign of them. I decided to walk away from it all, although I was sure there were loose ends everywhere. But I wouldn't get paid for tying them up even if I could.

The loose ends niggled at me on the drive back to Sydney, but as the kilometres between me and the others increased and I took in the news and some talk programs on the radio, I could feel detachment cutting through. I'd hit my client with the full Monty of an expense account and put the whole thing down to experience.

I took the drive quietly, stopped for a drink and was back in the pollution by late afternoon. There's always a letdown after the end of an assignment and in that mood I need company, not a big empty house creaking around me. I bought a six-pack, drove to Lilyfield and parked outside Mike's dream home to-be. The block had a high privet hedge around three sides, but I could hear signs of activity behind it.

I opened the gate and saw Tommy slashing away at a stand of lantana. He'd already made a good start, clearing some of the weeds and rubbish. He was stripped to the waist and sweat was running down his hard, lean body. He was slamming the machete so hard into the tough stalks that he didn't hear me approach.

'Hey, take it easy. You'll do yourself out of a job.'

He spun around and his grimy, sweat-stained face broke into a wide grin. 'Good to see you, man. What d'you reckon?'

'I reckon you've made a bloody good start and it's time to knock off and have a beer.'

He dug the machete into one of the cut stalks and wiped his face with the back of his hand. 'I'll be in that.'

I tossed him a can and we sat down under a tree on a couple of upturned milk crates.

'Cheers.'

'Geez, that hits the spot.'

We knocked the cans off in rapid time and started on a second, taking it more slowly. He asked me what I'd been doing and I filled him in as much as I felt necessary.

'So you're the one out of a job?' he said.

'Something'll turn up.'

He waved his hand at the yard. 'You could help me here.'

'No thanks, I've done all this sort of yakka I ever want to do.'

'When would that've been, Cliff?'

I thought about it. 'A bit in the army to toughen us up. That was in Queensland. It was about twenty degrees hotter than this. That got the fat off. I've helped a few mates who've bought acreages here and there, over the years.'

'Never fancied it yourself?'

'No fear, I'm a city boy, born and bred and likely to die.'

'Bad vibe to talk about dyin'.' He stood and stretched. 'Reckon I'll put in another hour or so. I tell you what, I'll sleep like a log after this.'

'I'll leave you the tinnies.'

'Just the one,' he said. 'I'm tryin' to cut down on it. Haven't had a smoke today either.'

I laughed. 'Just don't find Jesus.'

'No risk of that.'

'Your Uncle Steve said he might call in here. I think he'd be impressed with what you're doing. Your Aunt Mary as well.'

'She's terrific, isn't she? Tried to keep me at school and that. Too dumb to listen. Bloody hard when all you can see in front of you's the fuckin' work for the dole shit. Hey, that woman in Yoli's house. She goin' to be okay?'

'I guess so.' I detached a can from the plastic and left him one. 'Not my problem anymore. See you, Tommy.'

After a few days, with Lou Kramer's cheque cleared, my account submitted and a few other minor matters taken in hand, I'd convinced myself of what I'd told Tommy. I called in there again and found him still making progress and still enjoying himself. He said his uncle had been by and spoken highly of what he was doing and also of me. Nice to hear.

Lou's second cheque came through in full settlement and this one cleared first off. I was well ahead and, with summer coming on, began to think of taking a holiday. I went to the gym every day, kept away from the fats and felt in pretty good nick. Where to go? I considered the central and north coasts but decided against them. Beaches too crowded; too many yahoos on the roads. I got out a few maps and travel and accommodation guides and worked through them, thinking more about the south coast. The Illawarra was a bit too close, Bermagui a bit too far away. I was thinking about a time I'd spent at Sussex Inlet years ago. Something very attractive about a quiet estuary and a good surf beach in the one location.

The election was looming and, depending on when I got away, I might have to lodge an absentee vote. Or I might just skip the whole thing and take my chances on being fined. With council, state and federal elections coming along regularly and all voting compulsory, it sometimes seemed that democracy was getting out of hand. Maybe five-year terms with no one to sit for more than two terms would be the go. I was sure there were arguments against that, but the thought of time-servers who did nothing but toe the party line and wait to draw their super angered me.