Farm Kill

by Robert W Fisk

  Greg said, "You handled it for eight years, Sal. Eight long years. Never once did you beat Lance, or hurt him, and you seldom shouted at him. You handled it well."

  "Are you happy with Ashleigh?" asked Sally.

  "She's leaving, buying her own farm," said Greg. "Yes, we slept together. Now and then. Let's get that out in the open. We never were that close, although we'll always be best of friends. "

  "A friend in need," said Sally. "I wish Philip was. Greg, I'm really worried. I don't think his wife walked out on him. I found stuff she would have taken, photos and her diary. There's nothing incriminating in it, just that she was very happy. She regretted making her bank account a joint account because Philip rowed with her if she spent anything."

  "Ashleigh moved into the cottage," said Greg. "I think she's got a boyfriend now. I think he's my tutor from the anger management group."

  They arrived at the building that housed the family court. They had expected it to be like they had seen on a thousand films with a judge up high on his own, and a witness box and a jury. Instead, they were shown into a small room with a table and some chairs around it.

  "Please sit here," said the usher pleasantly, her face alive and humorous as she sat Sally on one side of the table and Greg on the other. "I'll bring the others in when they come."

  "Others?" asked Sally. "I thought it was just us."

  "I tried to have the separation agreement cancelled," said Greg.

  "Did you?" Sally answered.

  She got up and moved round the table so that she could sit next to Greg, who said, "They said it couldn't be done. No, that's not quite right. They said we had separated and the paper simply recorded the date and whether we would participate in reconciliation."

  "I have a copy. It's beside my bed, in a drawer," said Sally. "Oh, Greg, how did it come to this?"

  In came John Hopgood. He held a sheaf of papers in his hands. His secretary followed him.

  "Good morning," he said. "Hello Sally. Hello Greg."

  Hopgood sat at the end of the table, busying himself by laying out his papers. Greg and Sally wondered why so many papers were needed. Greg thought it would be like a proposal: 'Darling will you un-marry me?' Apparently it was more complicated.

  Fred Jones slipped into the room. He was wearing a tie and a suit. He looked very smart. He took his place at the head of the table, where there was a chair with a fancy back. The usher sat next to him. She placed a pad and some papers on the table.

  "I am Fred Jones," Fred said. "Good morning, Mr and Mrs Somerville, Mr Hopgood. You may call me Your Honour, or Judge, but in this context, Mr Jones will do. This is my Secretary, Mrs Rita Haversham."

  Rita Haversham smiled and nodded. She sat next to Judge Jones, but at the side of the table.

  Judge Jones continued. "It is my job to hear the reports that have been made during the reconciliation process, and then to advise you on what I see as an appropriate course of action, bearing in mind that you have a difficult child to consider. The final decision, I must add, is for Sally, and you, Greg, to make."

  As Fred Jones said 'Sally' and 'Greg' he paused and looked over his glasses at each in turn.

  "Mr Hopgood, would you please present your report."

  "I believe you have a copy, Your Honour," said Hopgood.

  "Read it, please, Mr Hopgood."

  Hopgood began to read the dates and times that he had seen Sally and Greg. He finished and paused. Then he said, "My conclusions are that Greg and Sally are a loving couple who could be reconciled should they wish."

  Sally and Greg were surprised. They had expected some difficulty but not something tis easy. Hopgood continued.

  "Sally's depression and consequent breakdown were the result of a lack of social and medical support in dealing with their son, Lance. However, where Sally coped by running away, Greg harboured a deep and burning anger that has built up inside him. This is evidenced by the fact that the police confiscated all firearms and took them from the Te Kouka Flats property. Without being able to express that anger, there is an imminent danger to both Sally and to Lance. I have therefore recommended to Social Services that Lance be removed from the household forthwith and taken into care. "

  Sally and Greg were shocked into silence.

  Before Mr Jones could continue, a woman entered the room. She sat at the side of the table, on the opposite side to Sally.

  "Sorry I am late, Judge," she said. "Good M... "

  Fred Jones interrupted. "Mrs Anisich, you are late. Proceedings have already begun. You will please apologise to the Court."

  "Your Honour, Judge Jones, I wish to apologise for my lateness to this Courtroom. I had a sudden and urgent rescue of an at risk child to organise."

  Judge Jones waited, glaring over his glasses. The kindly gentleman was now a fierce officer of the law.

  "Please introduce yourself to the Court."

  "I am Anita Anisich. I work for the Department of Social Welfare, representing Lance, the third party to this meeting."

  Greg felt a wave of discomfort sweep over him. What was Social Welfare doing here? Mrs Anicich sat down on the opposite side of the table to Sally and Greg, next to John Hopgood but at right angles to him.

  Rita Haversham passed a note to Fred Jones. He frowned as he read it, folded it and slipped it under his notebook. "Let us continue proceedings," he said. "Mr Hopgood, may I ask the basis of your conclusion regarding Mr Somerville's alleged anger? Your interviews did not give that impression. Would you explain, please?" ordered Judge Jones.

  "Your Honour, the Court ordered Mr Somerville to attend an anger management course due to a firearms incident on the farm. A registered Court consultant, Michael Bainbridge, directed the course that Mr Somerville attended and came to the conclusion that Mr Somerville suffered from suppressed anger. I checked with Senior Sergeant Mayhew and he agreed that firearms were removed because of the potential danger to Mrs Somerville and her son."

  "Thank you, Mr Hopgood. Is this Mr Bainbridge's report?"

  The Judge raised a paper, which Mrs Haversham took to Hopgood before returning to her seat and passing the paper back to the Judge.

  Anita Anicich said, "Excuse me Your Honour. May I speak?"

  "Please go ahead, Mrs Anicich," said the Judge.

  "Clearly, Mr Hopgood's report identifies the son, Lance, as the major cause of the breakdown of the marriage. This boy is autistic. He cannot speak directly. He lives in his own little world. He is basically a vegetable, with no hope for the future. Greg and Sally live where no support is available. On Mr Hopgood's recommendation, I have exercised my authority to remove the child and place him into the care of the State."

  "No!" shouted Sally.

  "When is this to happen, Mrs Anicich?" asked Fred Jones.

  "It is happening now. I have had a text message to say that a Social Welfare team are at the house at Te Kouka Flats as we speak. They have an Armed Offenders team with them because of Mr Somerville's violent past. We have the boy in our custody and will take him to a Social Welfare safe house until we can find a foster home for him."

  Sally and Greg both stood up and fell into each other's arms. Sally sobbed uncontrollably. "What have I done? What have I done?" she cried.

  "Just one moment, Mrs Anicich," said Judge Jones. "The case is currently sub judice. Under the Care of Children Act 2004 , this Court will decide Lance Somerville's future. That is why we are here. This hearing is suspended until further notice. Mrs Anicich, you are in contempt of Court. Text your people now and order them to stand down. Then I want to see you in my room."

  Fred Jones stood up. Rita Haversham left the room. Greg realised what had happened: Hopgood had made them choose between each other or their son. Hopgood cringed as Greg approached him. He realised that Greg had somehow worked out that Hopgood had been working for Philip. Greg hit John Hopgood on the nose. It was a good blow that splattered blood across the room.

  "You bastard," said Greg. "You set us up. How much is Zinsli p
aying you?"

  The door opened. A constable called by Rita Haversham entered the room.

  "Somerville, you are under arrest for assault," said Fred Jones. "Constable Tamihana, bring Mr Somerville and Mr Hopgood to my chambers."

  John Hopgood was holding his nose. He rushed at Greg, swinging a blow at his head. Sally threw her arms around him and her weight and Hopgood's momentum caused Hopgood to fall to the ground. Sally began to pummel Hopgood, who put his hands over his head for protection.

  "You bastard! You bastard!" Sally shouted.

  "Constable, arrest Mrs Somerville as well. Hopgood, get cleaned up, and join us in my chamber".

  Fred Jones sounded angry. He went out of the door and left the constable to sort things out.

  "You heard His Honour," said Constable Rewi Tamihana. "You're under arrest, both of you."

  The room was like something from Keystone Cops with angry people glaring, chairs overturned, and a man bleeding form the nose. Tamihana had a sense of humour. Judging that Sally and Greg were no threat, he eased the situation by saying, "Can you two find your way to His Honour's office while I sort this guy out?"

  Sally and Greg went down the hallway. "Oh, God Sal. What have I done?" asked Greg. "I hit a Court Officer. Now I'll have a record for violence."

  "He deserved it," said Sally. "He never said a word to us about taking Lance away. He made it us or Lance. We wouldn't have come if it meant we lose Lance."

  They found Judge Jones's room. As they went in, Judge Jones was saying," Mrs Anicich, I believe you are in contempt of Court. You say your team cannot be contacted. I suggest that you return the child immediately to his paid caregiver, Ashleigh Moffitt, or you face a more serious charge. Technically, you have kidnapped a child for no good reason in defiance of Court procedure. I will lay charges once I have talked to the parents. Sit over there and wait."

  "Come in, come in," Mr Jones said to Greg and Ashleigh. "Please sit here, in front of my desk."

  Constable Tamihana arrived, holding Hopgood's arm.

  "Please sit with Mrs Anicich," the Judge told Hopgood.

  "Now, before I lay charges of perjury, using coercion in order to divert the course of Justice, and misrepresentation as a Court Officer to obtain an advantage, I am not sure if it is pecuniary but it certainly is a contempt of Court, I want to give you a chance to explain yourself."

  Hopgood was silent. Judge Jones picked up another letter.

  "I have here the original document from Michael Bainbridge," he said. I believe this was the report he sent to you?"

  "Yes."

  "And I have here a second letter. I have had the signatures checked. Although the second letter is signed in Bainbridge's name, it is different writing. A reasonable copy, but nonetheless a forgery. Please explain."

  Hopgood was silent, his lips set in a straight line.

  "Mr Hopgood, let me make myself clear here. I don't need the work involved in taking action against you. I don't need the difficulty I will face in knowing Greg Somerville through playing bowls, nor do I need to explain in Court how the housekeeper, Ashleigh Moffitt came to me with Mr Bainbridge to complain about an alleged extortion."

  He glared at Hopgood.

  "Go now and pack your desk. Write a letter of immediate resignation. Find another way of earning a living for you will never work in a Court again. Do you understand me?"

  Hopgood said, "Yes Judge."

  "Please go now. I want you out of here within the hour. Constable Tamihana, please accompany Mr Hopgood to his office, see that my order is carried out, and escort Mr Hopgood from the premises. Issue a Trespass Order against Hopgood being on the Court Premises unless he is under arrest or required as a witness, and file a Protection Order in favour of the Somervilles."

  Mrs Anicich was still sitting when Hopgood left with Constable Tamihana.

  "Mrs Anicich, you have acted foolishly and I believe, with malice. Again, I do not want to have to file in the District Court where I would have to recuse myself. I do not want to spend hours writing reports, nor do I wish to expend police resources when we both know that you have done wrong. I suggest that you retrain as something like a Prison Officer and take a position in a Women's Prison, otherwise you will be in that prison but on the other side of the bars."

  Mrs Anicich had been expecting dismissal and a prison sentence at the very least. She knew that the apparently placid judge was merciless when he needed to be. She also rather fancied a more regular and less pressured life. Perhaps she could do more good turning lives around that way, than in the overwhelming stream of people she currently tried to deal with?

  "Mrs Anicich, I have observed you for some time and I have seen you gradually become embittered by your workload and the seemingly pointless work that you do. I assure you that you have made a difference to the people I have sent to you. I think you have reached a point where you could be more useful in Probation or Prison Service. I will recommend you and find a place for your choice of future career."

  Mrs Anicich knew better than to argue. "Thank you Mr Jones. I will do as you say. I will resign immediately, if you would recommend me for a training course as a Prison Officer."

  Mrs Anicich rose and left the office. Greg was beginning to understand hoe Jones got such outstanding results, and the respect that went with them.

  "Time for your decision. I have to produce a report," said Judge Jones. He looked at Sally.

  "I want to go back to Te Kouka Flats and Greg," she said.

  "Greg?"

  "Me too," said Greg. "The farm is running well. Ashleigh is leaving the farm so I will need some help with Lance."

  "Spoken like a true Southern Man," laughed Judge Jones.

  Greg understood how he sounded. It was not how he felt. "I mean, we will be back to normal. And there will be enough money to get home help. Lance is at school now, and the farm already employs two part time ladies to help with the farm work."

  "When will this happen?" asked Judge Jones.

  "Are you coming home?" asked Greg of Sally.

  "Yes, if you will have me back. When does Ashleigh leave?"

  "Early on Monday morning," answered Greg.

  "I won't come home while she's there," said Sally. "I like her. She's my best friend, but I want her gone before I come home."

  "That's fine, Sal," Greg responded. "We can all be friends. "What about Philip?"

  "I can handle him. He wants me to stay, but I think he really wants you to get fed up and sell out to him."

  "That's not going to happen," he said.

  12.

  On Sunday, Sally told Philip she was leaving.

  "Greg and I went to Court on Friday. Social Welfare had tried to take Lance away, but the Judge over-ruled the officer concerned and fired the Court officer for falsifying a report about Greg's anger."

  Philip knew that. He had fielded an angry call from John Hopgood. However, Philip had pointed out that their delivery business would continue, paying far more than a civil servant's wages.

  "Philip, our time has come to an end. I am grateful for you taking me in when I was so desperate, and for the care you have given me. Greg and I have decided to give marriage another go now that the farm is profitable and I can pay for help with Lance. The Judge also demanded that Social Welfare provide support for Lance, so things are looking good."

  "What about Ashleigh?" asked Philip, fighting hard to keep his voice and his temper even. "Won't she object to you crashing her scene?"

  "Ashleigh is my best friend. She and Greg were never heavy, not like us. She brought energy and knowledge to the farm at a time when I couldn't but now she's ready to move on. She's bought a farm of her own. I would leave here earlier than Monday, but Ashleigh is staying until Monday morning. The deal went through on Friday afternoon. She gets the keys to the farm house from the lawyer tomorrow morning. I don't want to move in until after she moves out," said Sally.

  Philip was very angry. His face was dark but he controlled his temper. He tol
d Sally he had to move stock, and left on the tractor. He drove it past Georgina's grave and up the hill. The bank looked quite natural. He had root raked it, harrowed, then sown rye grass on the whole slope. You just couldn't tell the earth had been disturbed.

  His plan had been simple and credible. Having got rid of Georgina and kept her money in their joint account, he had enough money to buy Greg out. To persuade Greg to sell, Zinsli had conducted a campaign of vandalism and fear. That had been successful in adding to Sally's stress at living in Te Kouka but seemed to have little effect on Greg. When Ashleigh Moffitt had come along Zinsli had been more careful when he destroyed something of Greg's because she was out and about and sometimes slept in the house but more often in the cottage. Zinsli had cut fences, broke pipes, set fire to scrub, pout sand in sumps and gear boxes and created as much havoc as he could but with a neutral party on the property hr had curtailed his activity, relying instead on rustling Greg's stock, which he disposed of immediately to well-paying customers.

  While Sally had been with Greg, the police treated the incidents as rows between neighbours. They believed Zinsli when he said that someone, possibly Greg, was vandalising his farm. The damage to Greg's farm was either a third party waging war on the two farmers, or Greg damaging his own property to cover up for his acts against Zinsli. The police really had more to do with their time. Now Ashleigh was with Greg, the police would look more carefully as she was a totally different person to Greg and to Sally. She would have credibility as a neutral employee.

  His second plan had been to disrupt Greg's life by taking Sally from him, leaving him to care for a wilful child, and to do the work that a wife normally did on the farm. Philip knew how tough that was. He had become a midnight butcher as a result.

  Zinsli's scheme had been successful. Philip had been living with Sally for almost two years. Zinsli had not expected Greg to be able to continue living next door to his ex-wife. Nor did outright confrontation produce a result.

  He had one more ace up his sleeve; the deaths of all three Somervilles. Greg and the boy had to go first so Greg's estate went to Sally. He would do that in the dark hours of tomorrow morning. Meantime, he would keep Sally locked in the store room. The she could commit suicide because she was so overcome with grief at losing her son and the husband she was returning to. Neat.