Red Hot Part 16

'We knew he wasn't all that well,' Arthur said. 'But it never entered our heads he was about to die!'

'It's the stress of these friggin' fires,' Sam said. 'And the smoke hangin' 'round wasn't helpin' his asthma any either.'

'Well, if ya want my opinion.' Jeff looked around at them. 'The firebug has more to answer for than lightin' b.l.o.o.d.y fires!'

'You're right, mate. Dad would still be alive if it wasn't for that b.l.o.o.d.y animal! Just let me get my hands on him, I'll kill the b.a.s.t.a.r.d for what he's done to us!' Karl slowly shook his head and a tear trickled from the corner of his eye.

Digger handed him a beer. They all sat around in silence, each with their own memories of Dave.

Inside, the women gathered in the lounge room, Emmie sat by the window, gazing out at the sunshine filtering through the leaves of the walnut tree. She looked tired and drawn. Sorrow had deepened the lines on her face. Win and Ellie had helped her to bed last night, but sleep had been spasmodic. As she lay awake in the early hours, she prayed for strength to help her through the days ahead. Finally, she had drifted off again into a restless dream-filled sleep.

Win and Ellie sat beside her, and Connie, Daisy and Dawn had joined them.

They were struggling to believe that Dave was not going to walk through the door at any moment and say something to make them laugh.

'Well, the men have taken care of everything, Mum,' Ellie told her. 'The funeral is arranged for Friday.'

The funeral would be the day before New Year's Eve.

Emmie moved in her chair, sighing deeply. 'Thank you, dear. They have all the hymns I asked for?' she asked softly.

'Yes, everything is just as you want it,' Win told her. 'It will be a big funeral, you know.'

'Yes it will,' she replied, 'Your Dad was loved by so many.' Her voice broke and she dabbed her eyes. 'So many loved our Dave' Emmie sniffed and then looked at each of them. 'I have an idea...!'

Kathy and Tammi were upstairs in their room with Eileen and Laura. They were dwelling on their own memories of their grandfather.

'Tam, remember when we were little girls and Granddad would take us down the orchard and as soon as we were out of Mum's sight? He would sit us on Prince and let us ride him along the paths between the fruit trees.'

Prince was Dave's old draught horse. A beautiful old horse, he had a gentle temperament. Win was not keen on her little girls riding him because he was so big, but Dave knew they would be safe so he would wait until they were out of sight from the house and then he would put each child up on Prince's back and lead them through the fruit trees.

Their childhood had been a wonderful time full of love and fun times with a wonderful and kind Grandfather.

Tammi smiled at the memory. 'Yes, and we always gave him away when we got back to the house, because we were so excited that we blabbed all about it to Mum! You know this house just won't be the same ever again, not without Granddad...' Tammie wiped her tears on her dress.

'What about how he had us believing there was a goanna living in the walnut tree?' Eileen added. 'Remember? He would point to a branch way up high and tell us he could see it up there and we'd stare and stare but could never see it.' She laughed at the memory and tears spilled from her eyes and ran down her cheeks. 'Oh granddad... why did you have to go?'

Eileen wiped away her tears. 'Old Harry reckons everyone'll blame the firebug for Granddad's death.'

'Well, he's right; if it hadn't been for all the stress of these fires, granddad would still be alive. So the firebug is to blame for his death,' Kathy said bitterly.

Francis poked his head around the door, interrupting them.

'Mum's going to play a few tunes for everyone. They decided to do it for Granddad. They're waiting in the lounge room for us.'

'Really... Well, if that's what they want. What about Gran? How's she feel about it?' Kathy asked uncertainly.

'She was the one who suggested it apparently,' he replied.

They joined the rest of the family in the lounge room. Harvey and Mary joined them and, just like everyone else, they too were extremely saddened. The pa.s.sing of such a kind and sincere friend had touched the Winters deeply.

Ellie played all the old favourites her mother and father had loved. When she played Old Black Joe, a special favourite of Dave's, it brought fresh tears to everyone's eyes.

Memories came flooding back and it was as though Dave was right there with them!

The morning sun rose over the valley and Karl was first up. Today wasn't going to be easy. He showered and dressed quickly and went down to get the coffee brewing.

Emmie came in next. She looked as though she hadn't slept a wink. Dark shadows circled her eyes. Karl looked worriedly at her.

'I've got the coffee brewing, Mum. Sit down and I'll pour you some. We've beaten Hazel this morning!'

'Not by much, lad!' The round-faced little woman came waddling in the back door. 'Not by much!' Dave had meant the world to her and Ted, and they were both grieving deeply for him. However, they were both determined to stand by the family and help them through this as best they could. She shooed Karl over to the table and took over pouring the coffee.

Gradually, the family gathered around the breakfast table, knowing today was going to be the hardest day of their lives. In three hours, they would be laying their father to rest. Emmie would be saying her final goodbye to the love of her life.

At Sam's household, Eric, Des and Sam were talking about the discussion at the meeting the locals had held the day before.

Every farmer, every fruit grower and all the other local blokes had been there. Dave's death had shocked them and they held the firebug responsible. The whole valley was up in arms about the obvious perpetrator of hate who was wreaking havoc upon their lives.

The word had spread that anyone daring to enter their properties after dark would be shot! The men were sleeping with their shotguns ready beside their beds. They would take no chances!

The Albury police had attended the meeting and told them they would be allocating plain clothes police to watch the properties day and night. They warned the men not to take matters into their own hands. Let the police do their job. They would catch the firebug!

The desperate locals were not prepared to wait.

'Well, after chasing the b.a.s.t.a.r.d along the creek, and getting pretty d.a.m.n close, by h.e.l.l... surely that'll frighten him off.' Sam was really feeling the pressure. Losing his father had created a void no one else could fill and the worry about this lunatic was too much.

'Yeah,' Eric replied. 'But it could just excite him more. He probably loves reading about himself in the paper. He's sick in the head! Wonder what he feels now! He's to blame for us losing Granddad.' Eric's eyes filled with tears. 'If I ever get my hands on the f.u.c.kin' b.a.s.t.a.r.d, I'll choke the life out of him.'

'We'll get him; he can't outsmart us forever Eric!' Des a.s.sured.

Sam continued discussing the stakeouts. The men had worked out a special call as a signal and they all would carry high beam torches and their shotguns!

They were determined that somehow, some way they would capture the crazed arsonist, dead or alive!

As the family entered the church for the funeral service, they received many expressions of sympathy. By the time the service was due to start, the church was filled to overflowing. People were standing at the back and crowded in the doorway and out into the churchyard.

The immediate family sat at the front. Kathy was on the end of the first pew and she felt she could reach out and touch the casket in which her grandfather lay. She felt tears well up in her eyes and flow down her cheeks. She wanted to cry her heart out.

Emmie stood very still, her eyes on her beloved's casket. She wanted to open the lid and tell him to wake up and just walk out with her. If only this was a dream, if only!

'If only!' she whispered to herself. 'If only!'

'What was that, Mum?' Karl bent down closer. He had his arm around her and he held her tighter.

'Nothing son, just thinking out loud,' she choked.

'Hang in there, Mum.' Karl gave her a rea.s.suring squeeze.

Dig and Win were at the very end of the pew beside Ellie and Francis. Behind them were the rest of the family and the Winters.

Win and Ellie were holding hands, willing strength into each other.

The minister began the service. He spoke highly of Dave and his words brought a lump to everyone's throats. Every now and then, the sound of a stifled sob could be heard.

Dave's dearest friend from the valley, George Hardy, gave a beautiful eulogy. During his speech, he had to stop to regain his composure, but went on to speak of great admiration, respect and affection.

The organist started and they began to sing the beautiful old hymn, How Great Thou Art.

This was Win's undoing. As the hymn went on, verse after verse her restraint broke and she broke into sobs. This broke Ellie and then Kathy and Tammi.

Emmie remained dry-eyed, never taking her eyes from Dave's casket.

After the service, people offered condolences to Emmie and family.

Kathy felt as though she was suffocating. She wandered to the side of the church and sat on a bench seat, wiping her eyes and taking some deep breaths, trying to compose herself. She could easily break down completely but she knew that grandma Emmie didn't need that; she had to be strong.

She felt a hand lightly on her shoulder. She looked up into Eddie Chancellor's face.

He was dressed in a dark suit. He smiled at her with a sincere look of sympathy on his face. She went to stand up, but he told her to stay where she was. 'Stay there Kath. Is there anything I can do, or say? I can see how devastated you are.'

She was touched at the sincerity in his voice.

'No, Eddie. Just asking is a lovely gesture. Thank you for that. They say time heals but it hurts so much now.'

Eddie put his arm around her and she leant gratefully against him. He had a strong urge to comfort her. Why did he feel so differently towards this girl? He felt like he wanted to protect her.

'I'd better get back to the family, Eddie. Thanks again.' She looked up into his gentle brown eyes as she spoke.

He lightly kissed her on the forehead. 'Your granddad wouldn't want you to cry like this. You were so blessed to have such a wonderful grandfather for the time you did, Kath. He will always be with you. Think of the good times and it'll bring a smile to your pretty face, try it.' He smiled at her. Turning, he walked through the church gates.

Kathy sat for another moment, pondering the enigma that was Eddie Chancellor. He seemed so sincere. Bracing herself, she went back and joined the family for the long drive out to the cemetery. This was something else she thought herself unable to face, but as Eddie suggested, she tried to think of the good times with her grandfather.

Eddie was right, it did bring a smile to her face.

Everyone gathered around the gravesite at the Albury Lawn Cemetery.

Kathy and Tammi held hands. Tammi was in control of herself until the casket slowly lowered.

The minister read a pa.s.sage from the Bible and then the haunting sound of bagpipes filled the air as a piper from the Albury Scottish Band played Dave's favorite hymn, The Sweet Bye and Bye. Bitter sobs racked Tammi's body. Kathy held her close and they both sobbed.

Digger held Win close; she was sobbing uncontrollably. He held her close against him to prevent her from sinking to the ground.

Karl was supporting Emmie who had almost buckled at the knees twice. Her face was chalk-white as she watched dry-eyed as Dave's casket lowered slowly into his grave.

Ellie and Francis were behind them with Harvey and Mary. Harvey put his hand on Ellie's shoulder a couple of times and gently gave her a rea.s.suring squeeze. By the firmness of his touch, she knew he was attempting to console her.

Eddie could see Kathy through the crowd. He knew how she felt. He had lost his dad; he knew what it was like to hurt and to miss a loved one. He often wished he still had his father.

Kathy saw him looking at her and managed a tiny smile. He returned the gesture and winked. She knew he was sending her positive thoughts, telling her to stay strong.

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: And the spirit shall return unto G.o.d who gave it.

Ecclesiastes chapter 12 ***

The end of 1964.

New Year's Eve and the beginning of 1965.

n.o.body felt like celebrating. Hazel cooked a family dinner and she and Ted joined the whole Mason family, along with Harvey and Mary. They made a toast to Dave and, as the clock struck twelve midnight, they all joined in to sing Auld Lang Sine.

Rest in peace, Dave Mason.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

Dave's death had left a huge void at Kia-Ora. The work in the orchard had to continue as always and now the full responsibility of running the property fell to Karl. He felt lost and alone; he was so used to having Dave there to discuss things. He had his brothers and Digger, but no one could replace Dave.

January 1st, 1965, dawned fine and sunny. It was going to be another scorcher. Karl and Digger had just finished breakfast and would be out in the orchard all day. Then they were to do the first shift patrolling the properties for the night. Arthur and Robert would take over at ten o'clock. The men were to work in two hourly shifts throughout the night. All the local farmers and fruit growers were keeping careful watch on their properties. They had no intention of stopping until they caught the person who was wreaking havoc on Hamilton Valley.

'Ready, mate?' Digger asked.

'Ready as I'll ever be,' Karl replied. He looked tired and sad. The past few days had taken their toll on him greatly. 'As soon as we catch up with the fruit, I want to go through the rubble down where the shed was. Somethin' just might have been overlooked.'

'I'll give ya a hand, mate. Won't hurt to rummage through it again, although we did a pretty thorough job last time.'

'Yeah, but I can't get me head around how the a.r.s.ehole manages to set fires and get away so b.l.o.o.d.y fast. Okay, we know diesel started the first shed fire. That explains him gettin' away fast because that burns so slow before ignitin'. But the packin' shed, he wouldn't be able to throw a match into that and get away so fast. There was no smell of fuel at that one or any others since. So how's he doin' it? s.h.i.t, Wally was watchin' the place.' Karl leant against the sink as he spoke. 'No, Dig, he's got some other method! I'm gonna find out what it is!'

'Well, if the clue's there, we'll find it. C'mon, better make tracks. I reckon we'll get a visit from the cops later. They've left us alone all week because of what happened here.' Digger patted Karl on his shoulder. He felt for his brother in law. Karl's pain was evident and with grief, the strain of the lack of sleep and the torment of the firebug, Dig feared he could easily become a loose cannon.