by Ursula Paul
Eddie was just finishing his dinner when the phone rang. Good timing, he thought. Probably a call from the hospital. It was not a call from the hospital. It was Julian’s voice on the other end of the phone. “Now, Eddie, don’t get surprised. Just listen. I’m here in Bourke.”
“What!” gasped Eddie.
“Just hold on. I’ve made a few enquiries from some law buffs. They think I may find out more by not being seen with you. I’ve booked into one of the local hotels. I’ll be around in about an hour. Leave the back door unlocked and the outside lights off. We don’t want to take chances.”
“Okay,” whispered Eddie, suddenly feeling insecure.
“It’s all right,” assured Julian. “No big deal – better not to be seen with you – not just yet.”
“Fine. See you when I see you!”
True to his word, Julian quietly entered by the back door an hour later. The problem was momentarily forgotten as the two friends greeted each other.
“Have you eaten?”
“Yeah. I didn’t trust your cooking,” laughed Julian. “But I could do with a drink.”
“Ditto,” laughed Eddie as he opened the door of the refrigerator.
For the next hour Eddie listened most of the time, as Julian explained his plans and the advice he had been given. Occasionally Eddie broke in with a question. Before Julian left quietly through the darkened back entrance, they prayed together for truth and peace for the Aboriginal community and the whole town.
Chapter Four
The next day dragged very slowly for Eddie. He was aware of Julian being in town – and may be for a few more days – working on the problem, both inside and outside the town. But he was unaware of Julian’s exact moves. Yet, Eddie had to admit to himself that his stress on the problem and possible ways to reach the bottom of it had eased since Julian’s arrival. He also felt relieved that Mark Levitt was aware of the problem and approved of Julian’s fairly underground searching.
That night Julian appeared as he had done the night previously.
“Well, mate, you’ll be pleased to hear things are moving – and, a couple of pleasant surprises on the way.”
Eddie had had a couple of extensive coughing bouts during the day but, to his great relief, he seemed free of any this evening.
“First of all,” began Julian, “the police sergeant here, Bryan McConnell, is a bit of a surprise packet. He’s been seen as a pretty ordinary sort of guy, just finishing off here this last year before he retires. He definitely is retiring at the end of the year. Apparently he was surprised, but not greatly so, by the reticent behaviour of the majority of the Aboriginal community. Sensing something was wrong, he took his queries further up the ranks. Dad had taken my queries to one of his friends, who is on the staff of the Police Commissioner. He has emphasized this is critical and needs to be examined immediately.”
To Eddie’s offer, “No. Just the one tonight. I’ve drunk too much today already!”
“Blame me,” smiled Eddie.
“Definitely,” a smiled return.
“Sorry to interrupt, Julian. Go on!”
“Little more to add. It may take a couple of days on the Sydney end. I can stay another week. Hopefully this mess will be cleared up by then.”
“You sound hopeful.”
“Don’t raise your hopes too high, Eddie. Yet I think we have good reason to hope a little that the town’s problem will be solved. And… I almost forgot to add my bit to the hunt!”
Eddie looked up, alarmed.
“It’s okay, mate. Nothing dramatic. I decided to visit the other pubs – hence my over-indulgence!” He smiled. “I had a lucky break in one of them. I was sitting at a table on my own when a stocky bloke asked if he could join me. On getting the nod, he started asking a leading question or two… ‘You’re not from around here, are you?’ (my answer – no), ‘Looking for work?’ (my answer – yes), ‘Shearer, or any sort of work?’ (my answer – any sort), ‘Looking for anything else?’ (my answer – perhaps), ‘What exactly?’ To the last question, I just stared at him. I left soon after, but did add as I left, ‘See you tomorrow.’ ‘Yeh, see ya tomorrow’, he answered. Perhaps nothing. Time will tell.”
“Julian, how can I thank you? At last, there’s a glimmer of light at the end of this tunnel. But, please, don’t push it too far. Just in case!”
“I’ll be careful,” smiled Julian. “I’d better run now. But I’ll be back – same time, same place!”
A brief prayer and farewell and Julian slipped out into the dark.
Another day of inner questioning followed. Julian had previously enquired about the teachers. Eddie was a constant visitor to both schools. Although his perception of their trustworthiness had to be fairly surface, each teacher seemed above reproach. However, he had noticed that in one particular class, all pupils both inside and outside the classroom environment were quite introverted in speech and action. Perhaps coincidence, thought Eddie at the time. As the days wore on, Eddie became more and more suspicious of the pleasant Mr. Bryce and the quietness of his class.
Julian called again that night and the following night, but his reports were minimal. Their prayer for guidance was secondary to the one for the safety of the children.
When, on the fourth night, Julian entered quickly through the back door, Eddie sensed Julian’s news before hearing it.
“You’ve cracked something,” Eddie smiled. “I can tell.”
Before Julian could relate the news of the day, Eddie was seized by a serious bout of coughing. Minutes later, as it eased Julian whispered, “Eddie!”
“I know, mate,” Eddie responded. “And I will. After this is solved. Now, what has happened?”
Julian, still obviously worried, whispered, “Please, Eddie.”
Eddie nodded. Julian knew this was his order to continue.
“Today, this big bloke – calls himself George, but his name could be anything! Well, George joins me again. First up tells me he has lived here since childhood and is well respected in the town. (That I questioned, even at that stage.) Then, out of the blue, suggests that I look lonely and asks do I need company? I nearly jumped out of my skin. But I played it cool. ‘What sort of company?’ I asked. ‘Well,’ he said, ‘You could have the usual – black or white, male or female – at the usual rate.’ He stopped and sized me up. ‘Or’, he continued, ‘if it’s little boys for you, the price is higher.’ I knew if I stayed after that I’d explode and call him for the monster he is. I quickly made my exit by telling him I’d see him tomorrow.”
Eddie was horrified. “A paedophile ring!” he gasped.
Julian nodded.
Minutes passed in silence. Then Julian continued, “But we are going to break it, Eddie. Possibly another day or two and help will be here. And… I forgot to tell you before. I’ve been wearing a mike. All his base offering is on tape!”
They parted as usual with Julian silently leaving by the back door. “See you tomorrow evening,” Julian whispered.
Julian did call on Eddie the next day. But it was not in the evening and not by the back door.
Chapter Five
Eddie was preparing to leave for the school the next morning when Angel tapped on his study door to announce, “There’s a man at the front door, Father. Says it’s a surprise.”
“Thanks, Angel.” Surprise! Thoughts were tumbling as he pulled the front door wider.
“Julian!” he almost shouted, surprised, but relieved.
“Sorry, mate,” Julian responded. “Things are happening fast. I wanted to keep you in the picture as to what is going on – or rather the part that I know of what is going on!”
“Well, you don’t have to tell me on the doorstep,” smiled Eddie.
“Hope not!” laughed Julian in response.
“As far as I know,” began Julian, “today is D Day. I’ve been told to stay at my lodgings or with you. I’ve also been told to ask you – if at all possible – to stay here for most of the day.”
“Unless an emergency call comes in for home or hospital, that should be okay.”
“Good-O. And I’ll stay here too… if that’s okay?”
“Sure!”
“I don’t know the full plan,” Julian continued. “A squad of Federal Police will be arriving today and are well planned into how and where they will strike. I don’t know any details – just was told to stay out of the way today. And your police chief here, Bryan O’Connell, who was seen as just filling in time until he retired at the end of the year, has played a vital part. He had looked for help from higher-up before you arrived here. He has helped tremendously in filling in gaps from what he unobtrusively saw and heard. Sad to say, that Bryce fellow was part of the ring in supplying possible names and addresses.”
Eddie shivered.
“Yes,” continued Julian. “It’s so hard to believe! And it’s so hard to believe that they were able to get away with it for so long! Why some of the community didn’t appeal to authorities… especially the Aboriginal community, who seemed to have been the targeted group of children.”
“No,” responded Eddie quietly. “It’s not hard to believe. Perhaps in years ahead it will be different. It certainly has improved in some places in the last ten years or so. But my race has been treated at best as inferior, at worst – well, I won’t go down that path. They have seen what has happened to the few who have spoken out about injustices. They are very much into families. For what they see as potential danger to their families, they will do what they consider it must take – even silence. They have had no power, no line to justice, no voice. Definitely the situation is improving. But I can well understand how the elders have warned them. They have seen silence as the safest way for their families. I think in the horror that has been happening around them, they could not trust me – they could not trust the white in me.”
“Thanks Eddie,” Julian spoke softly. “You have certainly explained it. But as the twentieth century moves to a close, it seems almost unbelievable that this situation could exist.”
“Yes, it does seem unbelievable. But, sorry to say, although the situation is changing, there is still a long way to go to understanding and acceptance.”
Angel arrived with a tray set out for morning tea for two.
“Angel, would you do me a favour?” Eddie asked.
“Sure thing,” she replied promptly.
“Sit down and join us. I’m just going to the kitchen for another cup. I want you to meet my friend, Julian.”
Angel was visibly embarrassed but soon at ease with Julian’s welcome.
“So glad to meet you, Angel. Eddie has told me how kind you have been to him. And, he tells me, you were born in Bourke and have always lived here.”
“Yes,” she answered quietly.
Julian continued, “I have lived in the city all my life. I know little of country life. Eddie also tells me how helpful your family is.”
Julian had hit the right chord. Her family was her jewel. Quietly at first, then gaining confidence as she progressed, Angel gave a glowing report on her children and grandchildren, often interspersed with, “They’re the best, Mr. Julian.”
Angel was clearing the table when Julian’s mobile rang. Julian answered quickly, then smiled at Eddie as he nodded his head. For five minutes Julian sat motionless, sometimes nodding, at all times smiling to himself.
“Thanks so much for that,” he eventually spoke to his mobile. “So we do nothing but wait for the official word.” After the answer on the other end of the line, Julian ended the call with, “A million thanks. Talk to you later.”
“Mate, it’s over!” Julian laughed. “Members of the syndicate – or whatever they call themselves – have all been arrested! Six in all. They are to be transported to jail in Sydney, awaiting trial.”
“Thank God,” whispered Eddie.
They both knew the immediate horror was over. The perpetrators would be punished with a long-term jail sentence – which eventually happened – but the victims would face months, years, more likely a whole lifetime, endeavouring to heal the physical, mental, psychological, spiritual damage that had been done to them. Eddie knew the need for his ministry ahead would be enormous.
As though understanding his thoughts, Julian announced over lunch, “I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning.” Then added, “And you’ll be coming with me.”
Eddie looked up, questioning.
Julian continued, “I have permission from your bishop. He is coming here for a few days so, no problems. You will have a massive job on your hands, so time out to build up strength for it.”
“But…” Eddie began.
“No ‘buts’ Eddie. You and Joe are years overdue for an anniversary celebration. We’ll meet up in Sydney. And I have news too – but that’s for later.”
“Thanks, Julian,” Eddie whispered.
“And Eddie, remember you are to get that cough checked!”
“Trust you to remember,” Eddie replied. “But, as you would have noticed, the cough is gone. I’ll be fine.” Noticing Julian’s frown, he added, “If it does come back, I will seek medical advice.”
Eddie did not add that the cough had not vanished. He still had coughing fits at night, but they were not as common nor as aggressive. He knew he would eventually have to keep faith with his promise to Julian. But, while the coughing had eased, he needed to use all his time in Bourke to help build up a community that had been severely damaged.
A couple of days with Julian and Joe and time with his family would refuel his energy and plans for the future. Also a time to relax with family and friends and celebrate the blessings of the past years. And the future – after the past year, so unknown! Yet he knew he would face it with faith and love for his parish, to bring back life to its people, to bury the past and look to the future with hope.
Mark Levitt had made sure that Eddie had the needed time off for his health – although Eddie was not aware of his bishop’s reasons.
“Eddie, you have been through a harrowing time,” he had noted very strongly. “For your sake and for the sake of your parish, you must now take some time off. If no replacement is available, I will be the replacement.” He did not add that he had intended to have some time there, regardless of the availability or not of a replacement.
“It’s fine, Mark,” Eddie had tried to bargain.
“No, Eddie. I insist that you take a few weeks off. By then you will feel stronger to help your parish come back to normality – if that is possible.”
He also had to admit to himself weeks later that the three week break was not only quality time with family and friends. It was also therapy time. The persistent coughing fits had eased considerably. Even so, Julian periodically reminded him of his need to consider his health and future implications.
Chapter Six
On returning to Bourke, he was greeted by a smiling Angel.
“It’s good to have you back,” she warmly greeted. “Our people are so grateful to you and your friend. You will notice a difference.”
The difference was marked. As he visited homes of the community each day, he was usually greeted by a smile and invited to enter. Gradually, the town began to live and breathe again without the weight of over-hanging evil. Gradually, fear gave way to interest in the present and hope for the future.
Yet, Eddie knew that although the town’s feeling of new life applied to most areas, there were homes in which feeling of hope for the future and joy for the present would never enter.
These were the homes of the young students who had been molested. Who they were and to what extent they had been abused, Eddie had yet to learn.
To begin his quest soon after his return, he realized that to proceed successfully he would need the help and approval of Bryan McConnell.
“Glad to have you back,” was the reply to Eddie’s telephone greeting.
“Certainly,” was his next reply to Eddie’s request for help. “Call to the station tomorrow.”
The next day, Eddie was warmly welcomed into the police sergeant’s office.
“So glad you came, Eddie,” after the initial greeting. “I’ve been wondering where to start.”
For the next hour they worked on future strategies – help available, legal advice, financial assistance available and, the most difficult aspect of all, discovering and helping the victims and their families.
“Most likely to be the kids in that devil’s class,” Bryan McConnell exploded. “How could he do it!”
“Could you give me the names and addresses of the kids in that class?” Eddie asked gently. “I’ll start calling tomorrow. We’ve got to start somewhere and get help to the kids who so desperately need it!”
“I can’t help you tomorrow. But let me know for the future. I have the list here – I’ll get it for you now.”
Eddie’s plans for the next day disintegrated with a phone call in the early hours of the next morning.
“Eddie?” the whispered greeting.
“Bryan?” the whispered response.
“Sorry to call you at this hour. We have a tragedy. A couple of our young school kids have hanged themselves. Looks like a suicide pact.”
On being given the destination, Eddie whispered, “I’ll be right over.”
Minutes later Eddie was administering the Last Rites to the two young Aboriginal boys, now lying under the tree which, hours earlier, they had chosen as their means of killing their inner demons. How? Why? Questions chased each other as Eddie’s tears flowed.
Bryan touched his arm. “I have to break the news to the parents of these kids,” he whispered. “Do you feel up to coming with me?”
Eddie nodded. Many times he had comforted relatives at home or in hospital after a family member had died. Many times he had tried to make sense of tragedies. But this! Never before had he had to confront a situation like this.