by Brian Cain
CHAPTER TEN
Monday afternoon and Malinda had left to pick up the key from the land agent. She had arranged for a truck to pick up Jason’s furniture on Tuesday morning and wanted to get busy buying more furniture to accommodate their expanding family. As she made her way out of the units in her car the ever present silver Ford with The Large Figure behind the wheel tagged along behind her.
Jason had found all his tapes and manuscripts for his original songs and sorted through them looking for a good balance for a first blues album. He studied some of the words and realised how long he had waited for Malinda; she had been missing from his life for so long. Hurt by many encounters, thinking he had been in love, he now realised how wrong he had been. He felt this may have led to his promiscuous behaviour. Looking at one song he saw how it reflected that stage of his life.
The week nights alone are over, as I twist my ignition key
My windscreen wipers are flashing, I’m ready for the weekend spree
Come outside my motor is running, my blood is hot my eyes are clear
Tonight we’re gonna have some fun and I feel your presence near
Thought I was in love again
Turned out to be just a friend
Good times are what I’m seeking, now you are alone with me
I see your blue eyes shining, tonight has got to be
You let your hair hang down, as the night is moving on
There’s gonna be a showdown, I feel it won’t be long
Could it be real love I’ve been trying to find
Could it be real love, real love this time
We’ve sure been getting closer and we dance and ask for more
Will the future draw us nearer, to what we are looking for
I’m really hot, my heart’s on fire, as the night just burns away
In the morning light I see no future, it’s just another day
Thought I was in love again
Turned out to be just a friend
As Jason read on, other songs had no meaning due to the realisation of how valuable Malinda and Tammy were. They would be there forever, when his songs had gone from him, after he had written them and were only there in context for the tune. He struggled inside himself with the fact that he had come to grips with the destiny of his relationship with Malinda so quickly, but it passed as fast as it had come. A lot of his songs had just come out of him but he didn’t know where from. When writing he often felt a hand on his shoulder but looked around to see nothing. He read on.
I unleashed the chains that bound my heart, now the pain lingers no more
Tears of shame run down my face, as I yearn to level the score
Take a new love, wait till her heart’s mine
Build a cold wall and just when she feels fine
Breaking a heart, breaking a life
To see if I can spite the one that’s not by my side
I never worry and why should I care
When her heart is broken, she can see I’m not there
How many ladies, that come in the night
Will my wounded pride, make a victim of spite
While unchained scars that have never healed
This woman that scarred, me can’t know how I feel
I count the days until I can meet
A women that will put me back on my feet
Heal the scars, I bear deep inside
Give me back faith and restore my pride
Jason searched on through the stacks of paper, turning up song after song, reminiscences of his life’s mood over time. His life on the road had brought his attention to the vast and beautiful country he was born in. He had never understood why he wrote the last verse of a particular song about just that; it just appeared there before he realised it. Somehow he felt it held a message that in time would mean something to him.
From Adelaide to Darwin, one thousand nine hundred miles
Unlike our early pioneers, we can span it all in style
Sydney through to Perth, we wouldn’t miss a stop
Past mountains hills and beaches, through green and golden crops
The South Pacific spreads to the east and touches the eastern sky
The Indian Ocean vast to the west, oh if only we could fly
The setting sun across the great divide, full moon as the day grows dim
Lucky people in a lucky land, how can we never win
We will remember the magic, as the rain strikes the desert sand
And the unmistakable odour, as it drifts across the land
They cannot take the memories, that we hold within our souls
In this homeland called Australia, we’ll reach our final goals
The sun may set forever, one final fault-filled day
But we will remember the heartland, as there is no other way
To lift our spirits above the threats that strengthen with growing pain
So if that final hour comes, our thoughts won’t be in vain
Jason looked at the unfinished song he had written the day Brad and Vic had called him and he formed his new band. He picked up a pen and found he was able to finish it. He felt a terrible guilt at his impending success, but times had been hard as if he had been tested, friends had fallen by the wayside but he didn’t understand why and he meant no harm. He wanted to tell them all.
The wheels grind hard, to learn the ropes
Of a game that’s fun, but yields no jokes
If time was money, then I’d be rich
But who needs money, when you’re high on kicks
When the crowds grow thin and you don’t know why
And your roar has gone, to a meagre sigh
And you scream across that smoke-filled bar
Is it worth all this to be a star
All the friends I have done wrong
Can I touch them with this song
Enemies they now stand fast
Victims of a learned past
And of the knives that grace my back
Don’t worry me and I won’t crack
The knives have gone, but the scars are deep
There’s no blood on my hands but there’s blood on my feet
To keep on rocking gives me no fear
And bring the crowd to a roaring cheer
Wild people play rock and roll
Jazz, blues and classic soul
So open your ears and you hear this
As I dispel this personal myth
Now the knives have gone, but the scars are deep
There’s no blood on my hands, but blood drips on my feet
Jason was on a roll feeling good times coming and to a boogie tune in his head began to write some words. A message from somewhere appeared before him as he wrote.
If you’re going out tonight and you are feeling blue
I can say we have a remedy and it’s waiting here for you
Come right in sit right down and get yourself a drink
Relax and take it easy, later you will have no time to think
The music seems to get heavier, but your head is getting light
You’re going to have a real good time, if you boogie on all night
Grab yourself a partner and get out on the floor
Don’t you get too carried away there’s going to be a whole lot more
Lots of entertaining days and entertaining nights
Other nights that are not so good, filled with alcohol and fights
I said get down and boogie now, good time boogie now
I said a good time boogie now, come down and boogie with us now people
Jason scribbled down the chord structure he had in his head alongside the words and stopped sifting through his multitude of material as it was time to head off to rehearsal. Before he left he rang his father.
“Dad it’s Jason. Just wanted to let you know that we will be using the rehearsal room for the next three weeks solid at least. Malinda and I have got a place five min
utes away from yours so I won’t need to stay. A recording company has snapped up the band and we’re going to have to get busy.”
Watson who had in turn got the information from Steven had informed Jason’s father of the progress, but he acted as if he knew nothing and sounded impressed to cover up.
“That’s a good break for you son, you deserve it. We may be able to spend some time together if you do well in the future. You remember you said you would think about it.”
“I’ll be very busy actually, dad, but I will be at the rehearsal room pretty often and we can catch up with each other there if it’s convenient, I’m on my way up there now so I may see you when you get home from the office. Malinda is coming up when she has finished organising things for the new place we’re moving into so we may stay the night.”
“Fine son, see you then.” Jason’s father was pleased with the progress of his scheme and hung up.
Jason then rang Steven to get the contract faxed to his father’s place that afternoon so the band could study it. If it was to their liking they would sign and fax it back. Jason also wanted it stated on the contract that the band all receive an equal share of all royalties regardless of who had written the songs, making it a band deal and not a contract for himself alone. Steven argued that this was a bad move in case there was any trouble with members of the band that could jeopardise their progress, so they further agreed that a member could be expelled on a majority vote of other members and the vote would include Steven and Tom. Through experience Jason thought this was the best way to keep a band together and Steven unwillingly agreed. Steven assured him a draft fax of the contract was on its way that afternoon. Jason had given him his father’s home fax number and both happy with progress, they hung up.
When Jason got to the rehearsal room Tom’s truck was backed up to the door and he had already set up the band’s gear. They sat down in the shade of the giant gum trees that surrounded the rehearsal room on the side of the hill. Jason explained his contract plan to Tom and they both didn’t believe that Steven had agreed, but it was happening and that was the proof. Brad and Vic arrived keen to see some of Jason’s songs, so he handed round some words and chord charts of the few he wanted to use. They entered the rehearsal room, closed the door and set to work as Jason showed the chord structure and vocal melody of the first three songs to Brad and Vic.
“This stuff is really heavy man, this is metal blues. You must have been feeling bad when you wrote some of these,” said Brad.
Jason looked dejected. “Would you rather start with some happy songs? There’s plenty of them too.”
“No these are great, really strong words and chunky riffs, I like it,” Brad replied.
Vic cracked a big smile. “Pretty hard to write a driving rhythm and blues song about going down the local grain store and buying fifty kilo of pig feed. That’s probably why they are about love, good times, bad times and partying up.”
When they had all finished laughing they drove their way through the first three songs and had a rough recording of them within half an hour. On playback nobody wanted to admit it, but they were good. The chemistry of experience, wanting and knowing that this was really it, came through. Even Jason and Brad’s harmonies sounded as if they had sung the songs all their lives. Tom was doing a mix through the desk and straight on to a tape. They would then take a copy each of their efforts and listen to them overnight thus being familiar with them at tomorrow’s rehearsal and being able to improve. They would then be able to cover material faster, having a constant reference to what they had already achieved. Hours had passed and while busy with their seventh song the door opened and in came Malinda. She waited until they had finished.
“There’s something about you guys. That sounded really good! Have you got much done? It’s getting late and your father gave me this fax for you Jason. Said it came to the house fax late this afternoon.”
Jason studied the document and then handed it around waiting until everyone had read it before passing comment. “What do you reckon? Steven said we can change it if we wanted.”
Brad was the last to glance through it, nodding his head, “This is great, I don’t know what a good contract looks like but this sure looks good to me.”
Jason took off his guitar, “Do we sign it and fax it back, or what? We sign the original when we record but this will be legally binding for now.”
"Legally binding, that's new for you Jason," commented Malinda with a chuckle under her breath. Jason sighed at her with a half smile.
Brad took a pen from the top of his amp and signed, followed by the rest of the band including Tom who was taken aback by his involvement. They took it to the house and faxed it back to Steven at Ramrod in Sydney, Jason’s father suggested that they celebrate such an occasion over a few drinks and asked the details of the deal, acting as if he knew nothing. Whilst celebrating Malinda told Jason of the progress with their new abode and that they could move in tomorrow afternoon. She thought she had covered everything and mentioned that she knew he would love the furniture, going on to explain it all in great detail. Jason looked interested as he sipped his fruit juice while everyone drank buckets of expensive champagne courtesy of Jason’s father. Brad, Vic and Tom all became too drunk to drive home so they stayed the night in the guest rooms, making a few phone calls to make sure no one missed them.
It was past midnight and Jason was left by the pool by himself. Everyone else had suffered the effects of the celebration and turned in. Jason lay on his back staring at the stars, still troubled by all that had happened so quickly. It didn’t make sense to him; he couldn’t say he wasn’t enjoying the experience but felt it hard to believe, as if he were asleep and was destined to wake soon. The stars were bright and very high. He wondered how far it was to reach one and once you got there, how hard the landing would be when you fell back down. It was all so easy, as if he was being carried. He just wanted to play blues, none of it really made sense, it had become like a job, responsibility with Malinda and Tammy drove his decisions. As he questioned his real destiny he felt the hand of reassurance on his shoulder, he looked round, where the hell was this invisible presence.
Tuesday morning, Jason’s father left for the office early and Malinda was ready to leave when Jason came down the stairs. Brad, Tom and Vic were having a swim in the pool trying to shake off hangovers ready for rehearsal. Malinda explained her plans.
“Jason, I’m going to be out all day doing the house and getting an office organised. I’ll use one of the spare bedrooms in the house. I must get back to work soon, my partner Savanna will be overworked and I said I’d be working again in a couple of weeks. You’re going to be busy all day and the house will be ready to move into tonight so I’ll see you there. Not too late, I hope?” Malinda seemed full of beans but Jason was having trouble getting going. He had made love to Malinda repeatedly during the night and felt drained.
“We should be finished earlier today as we are starting earlier, I have a job now. I’ll see you there,” replied Jason following her to her car parked in the huge six car garage. He opened the automatic door and watched her slowly weave down the long driveway and turn onto the road. The silver Ford appeared from the dense trees on the edge of the roadway and tagged along behind.
Jason rang Steven to check on the faxed contract which he said he had received. Steven also informed him of some booking changes. They were to play Friday and Saturday nights for the next month in South Australia. The gigs were all in different places, some in the country at major towns. This would give the band time to put together their original repertoire and play it live. Steven had secured huge guarantee payments for the band at all the shows saying that promoters were trying to outbid each other now they were big news. He asked Jason to direct all the band’s affairs to him. They would have a support band at each gig but Jason preferred to use a comedian, so Steven agreed to try it at a couple of gigs and continue if it worked. Jason informed Steven of the progress and promised him a
demo recording by the end of the week.
Steven then spoke to Tom for a while wanting him to arrange a run of huge posters for “Full On” around town using Tom’s knowledge of the local scene, and use the PA and lights for a few Ramrod bands that were coming to town when “Full On” were not using it mid week. Tom left after the call saying he had a lot to do, but would be back late afternoon to record the songs they did that day.
Jason, Brad and Vic walked to the rehearsal room, closed the door and started work. Yesterday’s songs were no problem and by late afternoon when Tom returned, they recorded a further five. This was more than they had ever hoped for and they were becoming accustomed to good fortune. They sat and listened to all the playbacks, took a copy each, and headed home by eight in the evening, with the sun preparing to go down ready for an early start tomorrow. Tom mentioned that the industry was buzzing on the news of the band and he was questioned where ever he went about what was going on. Everyone complained that they couldn’t contact Jason because his phone had been cut off and he had moved; been kidnapped by a human Barbie Doll was the rumour. They were playing the city’s two biggest gigs at the weekend and the street vibe was really big; people trying to buy tickets or get reservations. Tom had posters going up all over town that night - Ramrod present “Full On” album out soon. They all agreed for nine tomorrow morning back at the rehearsal room, except Tom, who would be busy but would be there late afternoon again and they all left.
Malinda’s car was in the driveway of the cottage when Jason arrived and he parked beside it. A strange mix between the vehicles, one costing seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and the other seven hundred and fifty dollars. Jason planned to buy a better station wagon when the band made some money. The Large Figure in his silver Ford was present at the crest of a hill on the roadway, about one hundred metres away. The cottage sat on the side of the hills with a magnificent view of the city below. A double garage lay alongside the renovated cottage, which had a large rumpus room and two new bedrooms, extended on the opposite side to the garage. A pool and entertaining area was to the rear of the cottage with a good view of the city as it was part way up the hill. The block was large, some two acres, with many huge gums, some shading the cottage. Malinda had heard Jason arrive and greeted him at the front door leading into the hallway.
“Jason, I’ve been so busy we’ll have to go out for tea. I’ve had no time to get anything but at least all the furniture is in. It’s been chaos.”
Jason gave her a big hug. “Slow down. Rome wasn’t built in a day you know. Is the phone on yet?”
“No, tomorrow and my office furniture tomorrow as well.”
Malinda showed Jason around, Jason showing great approval of Malinda’s efforts, and when shown Tammy’s room he walked inside and sat on the single bed looking an extremely large teddy in the face that was sitting on the pillow.
“When will you pick her up?” asked Jason.
“Next week. We should be ready by then. I may be gone a week.”
Jason stood up quickly, “A week! I’ll be so worried and miss you. I can’t come either because I’m so busy with the band.”
“By then you may have more time for me and Tammy and I can get a lot of business out the way in Sydney and have more time for you.”
Jason was shaking his head, “What about your ex-husband, this Sly Morgan guy. Will you be safe?”
“I rang my dad today. He’s going to have The Large Figure take me there and back and have another guy help The Large Figure while I’m in Sydney.
I’ll stay at mum and dad’s so I’ll be fine. Mum and dad are meeting me at the airport.”
Jason held Malinda close. “One minute longer than a week and I’ll be straight over to get you. The Large Figure goes when you get back too. We can’t go on with him there forever. I’ll look after you, besides he’s there all the time and I don’t think he’s had a shower or eaten.”
Malinda giggled. “Well he smells okay. He was helping me move stuff around today and said he was worried about all the deliveries and strangers.”
“Your parents must love you more than anything to protect you like this and this Sly Morgan guy, why is he so dangerous?”
“He’s rich, selfish and has no morals. He’s a gangster, Jason and we must keep away from him. We’ll be okay here. Please don’t ask any more, I hate him.”
They locked the cottage and headed out in Malinda’s Ferrari to look for a close restaurant. Jason pulled up alongside the silver Ford and The Large Figure activated his electric window.
“Would you like to come to tea with us?” asked Jason.
“Nice of you to ask sir, but I’ll keep my wits about me and watch thank you,” said the big figure still wearing his sunglasses.
“Okay, have a nice evening then.” Jason and Malinda roared off with the silver Ford close behind. As the trees whisked past the Ferrari’s sleek lines Jason had the feeling he was watching himself take part in a heavy television soap opera, but came straight back to earth as a police officer waved a stop sign at him and waved him to the side of the road. He had gone through a radar speed trap. Jason had his driver’s licence with him but Malinda had no papers for her car which was registered in Sydney, so the police ran a check on the licence plate. The Large Figure waited beside the road at a safe distance, becoming anxious as Jason and Malinda were held for half an hour before an officer approached them handing back Jason’s licence.
“Sorry to have kept you sir. Everything is in order and please slow down in future. The incident will be reported.”
Jason was annoyed at the hold up and Malinda looked strained as they pulled away and continued on. At the same time Inspector Trout of the drug squad responded to a call to his superior’s office at police headquarters in the city.
“Ah Trout, traffic just stopped a car in the hills that was under surveillance in Sydney but disappeared without a trace last week. It’s a one Malinda Morgan’s vehicle. Wife of Sly Morgan now known to be Australia’s biggest importer of heroin and cocaine. She was with a Jason Brinkly, well known local rock star. Why she should suddenly be seen with this guy we don’t know, but they could be looking for an expansion of Sly Morgan’s operation and Brinkly could certainly arrange that in his position.”
“Jason Brinkly! He’s been on the news just recently. His band got a recording contract, only last week I think,” replied Trout.
Chief inspector Sloan handed Trout some papers, “Here’s a brief, I want them under surveillance immediately. Shouldn’t be too hard to keep tabs on a Ferrari Testarossa. Don’t get sussed out Trout. Nice little job. There’s not too many nice jobs around at present.”
Trout’s nice job turned into a bit of a nightmare when The Large Figure noticed the constant presence of his plain white Holden Commodore. The Large Figure had noticed the car Tuesday night out side the restaurant and it had been present ever since. Malinda went to the local shops on Friday. Trout got too close and The Large Figure decided to investigate. Trout was alongside Malinda’s car in the car park, laying back with his eyes shut, when a large arm came through the window clasping him around the neck and lifting him outside through the open window. The Large Figure forced him face down on the bonnet and removed his gun and identification from his jacket, holding his arm up his back. He stood him up and looked in his face.
“Sorry, thought you may have been one of Mr Morgan’s strong arm guys trying to get at Mrs Morgan. You must know who she is if you’re following her.” said The Large Figure.
Trout straightened his shirt and jacket. “Who the hell are you?”
The Large Figure produced his wallet, letting Trout read his security guard’s licence.
Trout read out loud, “Lance Miller, Miller Security Services Sydney.”
“Could you please withdraw to a safe distance? We both have jobs to do and you’re making me nervous. Have a nice day,” said The Large Figure as he walked away.
Trout parked further away and immediately rang ch
ief inspector Sloan with the information, who rang back a few minutes later.
“Keep on it Trout, Sydney are real interested in this; this Lance Miller is a heavy, but Sydney tells me he’s a good one, bit of a vigilante and won’t work for the mob. He could be guarding Sly Morgan’s wife from Morgan himself.”
“That’s the impression I got. He roughed me up; should I arrest him?”
“From what I can gather, if Miller had seriously roughed you up we’d find you in the Port River with your head stuck up your arse. You’ll have to put up with it and let me know if it gets too bad and I’ll put someone with you.”
Trout frowned. “Great, thanks very much. Bye.”
Trout continued his surveillance until Sunday afternoon, live shows and all. Jason took Malinda to the airport seeing her off on a flight to Sydney accompanied by The Large Figure. Trout reported he had seen nothing suspicious at all, even at the shows the band had done at the weekend. They assumed that Miller had told Jason and Malinda of Trout’s presence and they were on their best behaviour. Sloan notified Sydney of their impending arrival and Trout finished his report with this remark, “That Jason Brinkly guy, he’s really good! I’m gonna buy his next CD, I really enjoyed his shows. I think I better stay on this if she comes back.”