by S G Read
‘What did I tell you.’ The fat woman crowed. ‘Do you want to tie him to the bed?’
‘No but I'm going to lock the door!’ Fromes retorted. ‘Just the same as I'm going to lock all these other old cripples in!’
The residents were all still asleep when Fromes locked their doors and they were none the wiser. The captives were all loaded on to the back of the truck, including Archie. Dan and Barbara were forced to carry him on one of the home's stretchers and he was slid on to the bed of the lorry. The fat woman drove the truck and followed Fromes out to the mill and they made them all climb down into the cellar except for Archie who was lowered by a rope and left sitting with his back to the wall. Drummond remained with the fat woman and Fromes. Fromes lowered a bucket of water with the rope then let the rope fall.
‘Just in case you get thirsty!’ He called down then slammed the trapdoor shut after pulling the ladder up. ‘Have a nice day!’
When he climbed into the car the fat woman climbed out.
‘Where are you off to?’ Fromes asked.
‘Even fat women have to take a leak!’ She replied. ‘You wait here and no peeking.’
Fromes shuddered at the thought.
‘I don't think there's any chance of that!’ He said flatly.
She smiled and walked round behind the mill to the sluice that diverted the water into the millstream. All she had to do was open the sluice and let the water into the culvert, with what she had seen of the culvert he knew the cellar would flood very quickly. She tried to turn the wheel but it was rusted in place. She used the immense weight of her body to help, the wheel groaned in submission and turned. As she turned it the water started to flow in the culvert, when it was as open as she could make it, she returned to the car. Drummond was still in the car tied up.
‘Drive up the road a ways and park. I want to talk to master Drummond.’ She said pleasantly.
Fromes started the engine and it drowned out the shouting which was coming from the mill. He drove until she told him to stop and parked on the side of the road.
‘Now you little shit! You listen to me and listen good. When we finish in the court I will be your ma and if you try to screw it up for me you'll be sorry! Got that?’
‘As soon as I tell them what you have done and where my friends are you'll be going to prison, you fat cow!’ Drummond replied. Many times Caleb had told him not to mock people with inflictions and fatness was an infliction but today he thought it needed saying.
‘I told you! Didn't I tell you?’ Fromes said angrily.
‘Don't worry I have it in hand. Give me a bottle of whisky.’
Fromes passed a bottle to her in the back seat where she sat next to Drummond. She pulled the cork and tipped some into his mouth making him choke.
‘Good stuff isn't it.’ She said coyly. ‘Well actually knowing Fromes it's the cheapest he could buy but it'll do the job.’
She poured more into his mouth holding his nose to make sure it went in. Soon Drummond was starting to feel woozy and it showed in his slurred speech but the fat woman kept pouring. By the time they reached the court house Drummond was oblivious to his surroundings and what was going on.
When he heard the truck drive away Dermot pulled himself out of bed and dragged himself to the door. With a great deal of effort he managed to stand by the door but it was locked and nothing he could do would have any effect on the door. He managed to move round the room on one leg and search through the drawers for something to help him open the door. When he found a pistol he thought he was out but it was unloaded. He continued to search dragging his bad leg behind him but there were no bullets to be found. He sat on the bed deep in thought until he heard a crash from somewhere nearby. He made his way to the door and banged on it with the pistol, until someone knocked back.
‘Is yours stuck too?’ He heard a voice say and recognized it as old Tom's.
‘Yes.’ He called back. ‘Must have swelled.’
‘I'll have a go from my side.’ Tom called back.
‘Wait till I get out of the way!’ Dermot called back and he tried to move but the door crashed inwards and knocked him flying.
He lay there waiting for Tom to come in but Tom just walked off, the door was open, now Tom was back to looking for Archie. Dermot dragged himself up and started along the hall.
‘Where's Archie?’ Tom said from behind him.
‘He's been kidnapped and taken to the old mill wherever that is. It was the fat woman and her private eye.’
‘What fat woman?’ Tom asked.
‘The one who wants to adopt Drummond for some reason. I want to go to the mill and set them free but I also want to go to the courthouse and sort her out!’
‘Tricky one that.’ Tom replied. ‘I'll go and see Batty, he'll tell us what to do.’
Dermot followed Tom to Batty's door.
‘It's stuck as well!’ Tom said. ‘I'll free it off.’
He opened the door easily. He used too much force and it fell on the floor and would have woken anyone as it fell.
Dermot moved to the bed as quickly as is possible with one good arm one weak arm and one leg but there was no sign of anyone anywhere!
‘Damn I forgot, he died.’ Tom complained and walked back out.
Dermot shook his head in disbelief and started toward the stairs. He made the top of the stairs but there was no way he was going to try to walk down there. He slid down the wall until he was sitting then started down stairs one step at a time. It was slow tiring work and as all he could do was pull his left foot up and down the rest of the leg kept getting in the way. He heard old Tom behind him and knew his success rate at getting down the stairs.
‘I'll be out of the way in a minute or two.’ He said hoping to stop Tom at the top.
‘I can get past you okay.’ Tom replied and after two steps fell headlong down the stairs, landing on Dermot.
To Dermot's surprise they were both still in one piece. Tom disentangled himself from Dermot and made the hall, rubbing his head and neck.
‘May be I should have waited.’ He admitted.
Dermot made it down and headed for the phone. It was dead, the wires hanging loosely.
‘Damn.’ Dermot said and leant against the wall.
In the hall stood Archie's walking frame and Dermot had an idea. He reached the walking frame and started moving faster with its help. He went outside and crossed the road to the house opposite. Little Jake was playing in the garden.
‘Hello.’ Dermot greeted when Jake saw him.
‘Who are you?’ Jake asked.
‘I'm Cally's pa. Is your ma in?’
‘No she's out.’ Jake answered.
‘Can I use your telephone for an emergency?’ Dermot asked.
‘What's wrong with your'n?’ The boy asked.
‘Bad men came and took Cally away-’
‘Again! She surely rubs a lot of people up the wrong way!’
‘They broke the telephone.’ Dermot continued.
‘It's in the hall but ma will want a dime for the call.’
‘I'll leave it by the phone.’ Dermot replied and hurried up to the house.
Getting up the steps and inside proved difficult but he found a way and reached the phone. From memory he asked for the number he had seen on the side of the taxi which had refused to pick him up when he came out of the nickelodeon. He was good with numbers. It took some explaining to get the taxi to come all the way out there but it came and Dermot was waiting outside for it when it arrived.
‘You again!’ The same taxi driver said suspiciously and sniffed but there was no smell this time. ‘Well at least you don't smell no more. Where to?’
That was a big problem. Go to the old mill and let them out first or go to the court and sort out the other problem? He chose the court as he knew nothing about the water pouring into the cellar the others were in.
When the water started to pour into the cellar everyone started to panic except Archie. He tipped the water out
of the bucket and tipped it upside down next to him.
‘Get up as high as you can.’ He said calmly. ‘And make sure Samantha is okay. When the water is high enough and you can reach the trap door, one of you swim over there and get it open.’
‘But what about you pa?’ Barbara called back over the noise of the water.
‘I can't really do too much, I don't want to mess up the work they've done on my back now do!’ Archie replied. ‘You see to the others, I'll be okay.’
The water kept rising relentlessly and soon Archie disappeared from view. Suddenly Samantha slipped from where she was and fell in the water, disappearing under the surface. Dan jumped in and started to search for her under the water while Helen screamed her name. Twice he surfaced without her but the third time he had her in his strong arms. He held her up for Cally and Helen to pull up then climbed out himself. Soon the water would be high enough for them to reach the trap door but for now they could only wait.
The judge was waiting when the fat woman came in supporting Drummond.
‘What is the meaning of this?’ He asked.
‘You might well ask your honor. We called to collect him to make sure he came and found him intoxicated. We warned the family that you would probably order their arrest but by now I would think they are well on their way to the county line.’
‘Usher.’ The judge said louder than was necessary, as he was close by.
‘Yes your honor?’ He replied.
‘Send a patrol car out to arrest the entire family! I want them in front of me before too long!’
‘Yes your honor.’ The usher left at speed.
The judge sat back in his chair.
‘Damned fine mess!’ He mumbled.
‘Now about the boy, Drummond Wodesburg-’ the fat woman prompted.
‘All in good time.’ The judge replied.
The judge waited until the usher returned and a patrol car had been dispatched to collect the family.
‘Now about the boy-’ the fat woman prompted again.
‘I know, I know. Drummond Wodesburg, I have it in front of me. What makes you think you'll make him a good mother?’
‘I have good qualifications, I have many letters of reference over this matter and it is obvious that the boy needs steering in the ways of righteousness.’
Fromes stifled a smile.
‘Show me the letters.’ The judge ordered.
‘I haven't brought them with me, they are in my office.’ The fat woman replied.
‘Then go and get them!’ The judge ordered, he was thinking something did not add up but as a judge, he had to go with what was presented before him.
The fat woman glared at him then hurried away to get the papers. All were testaments of her good work or good standing, some of which were testaments to her ability as a forger. When she returned the usher took them and gave them to the judge, he chose to read every one.
Sergeant Grogan took the call about the family and when he realized it concerned Archie, he smelled a rat. He ran out of his office and pounced on two patrol men who had just arrived. They were the same two athletic patrolmen who had taken Drummond from the home.
‘Do you have a car?’ Grogan asked.
‘Yes sergeant.’ One replied.
‘Then let's go!’ Grogan replied and walked out.
‘But we've just finished.’ The other one complained but it was wasted.
They followed Grogan out.
‘Sorry lads but this maybe important.’ Grogan said when they were on their way.
‘Where are we going sarge?’ The first one to speak asked.
‘The ninety-ninth precinct. Do you know it?’
‘Yes, we know it.’ The same patrolman answered. ‘Are we in a hurry?’
‘Well the judge did say as soon as possible.’ Grogan replied.
‘Good.’ He turned on the siren and his mate who was driving put his foot on the gas.
‘I chose a right pair here.’ Grogan complained.
Chapter 12
The judge finally put the papers down and looked down at Drummond who was still oblivious to all that was going on around him.
‘Well Drummond Wodesburg, it falls on me to decide your future and I have to do it on the evidence put before me. My decision is-’
The two doors to the court burst open and flew back against the walls behind them.
‘Hold it!’ The taxi driver shouted. ‘Hold it! Stop everything!’
‘What is the meaning of this interruption?’ The judge asked and banged his gavel on the desk, missing the thing he was supposed to hit as he did so.
‘I bring a witness but he's a bit slow on account of having a dodgy leg and a dodgy arm but he's on his way! I brung him from the retirement home.’
All eyes focused on the open doors. They heard Dermot coming first with the walking frame hitting the tiled floor hard, in an effort to go faster. He came through the door as fast as he could make it and walked up the aisle to where the judge sat.
‘I have some information on this case your honor.’ Dermot said when he arrived. ‘Am I allowed to sit, as standing is not one of my strong points yet.’
‘By all means sit, this is an informal hearing.’ The judge replied.
Dermot sat down before he began.
‘I was woken this morning by a lot of noise and heard my family taken away by force.’ He announced.
‘Did you see the kidnappers?’ The judge asked.
‘While it was going on the two people there, the fat woman and the little man came into my room and made sure I was no threat to them, before they took my family away. To make sure they locked my door to keep me inside.’
‘How did you escape?’ The judge asked.
‘They also locked another resident in. He broke down his door and then mine when I knocked on it. They ripped the telephone wires out and I had go next door and borrow their telephone. I telephoned for a cab to bring me here.’
‘The boy is as drunk as a skunk! How was he before he left?’ The judge asked.
‘Fine and dandy. They carried him past my door in his night shirt and he wasn't drunk then! Far from it he was willing to take them both
on!’
‘Usher take these two miscreants to the cells.’ The judge ordered. ‘Until we find out what is going down here.’
‘I think not.’ The fat woman hissed and produced a pistol from the folds of her massive dress. She relieved the usher of his gun. ‘Sometimes it pays to be fat!’ She added.
‘Custody is granted to- are you Dermot Doyle?’ The judge asked.
‘Yes your honor.’
‘Shut up!’ The fat woman bellowed.
‘To the Doyle family.’ The judge finished, he was not a man to be beaten.
‘Say what you like but he comes with us.’ The fat woman retorted.
‘Fromes find somewhere to lock them up! Then get the car.’
With the siren still blaring the patrol car pulled up at the ninety ninth precinct. Tom was still looking for Archie but had stopped to eat and he was drawn to the door by the siren. When Grogan ran up Tom was the only one there.
‘Where are the Doyles?’ He asked.
‘They aint here.’ Tom replied between mouthfuls. ‘They're out at the old mill.’
‘What are they doing there?’
‘I don't know! They didn't tell me! No one tells me anything round here anymore.’
‘Do you know where the old mill is?’
Tom thought for a moment.
‘The only mill I know round here is about ten minutes away.’ He replied.
‘Can you show us?’
‘Sure; will Archie be there?’
‘He will be, if he isn't in the house.’ Grogan replied.
‘No he isn't in the house or I'd have found him.’
When the water was high enough Dan swam to the trap door and tried to force it open but it was securely locked. He banged and banged on it to no avail and when tiredness got the better of him he
had to swim back to where he was holding on but he knew it was only a matter of time before someone found that they could no longer hold on and would suffer the same fate as Archie.
The patrol car drove off with Tom giving directions and to everyone's surprise they were soon driving up to the old mill. The sound of the siren caused everyone in the cellar to shout and bang. Grogan ran in when he heard the noise and saw the trap door. Someone was banging on it from the other side. When he opened the trap door Dan appeared.
‘Thank God.’ He said. ‘I'm going to bring my granddaughter out next pull her out for me, she's in a bad way.’
One by one the others were pulled out with Tom watching.
‘Where's Archie?’ He asked several times.
In the end Barbara said. ‘He's down there sitting on the floor!’
Tom looked down and jumped into the water to find Archie. He swum deeper until he found Archie sitting with the upturned bucket on his head. Tom tapped him on the shoulder and Archie gave him a thumbs up sign. Tom swam back up.
‘Archie is ready to come up now but I can't manage him alone.’ Tom said when he had refilled his lungs.
‘Archie is dead Tom!’ Barbara yelled, for once losing control.
‘Then why did he give me a thumbs up sign and why has he got a bucket over his head?’ Tom retorted.
‘You two get down there and check it out!’ Grogan ordered.
They waited with baited breath for the two patrolmen to return, when they did they had Archie with them.
‘Pa I thought you were dead.’ Barbara cried and hugged him when he was through the trap door.
‘It was getting tight!’ Archie replied. ‘Another few minutes and I would have been breathing water. Tom you old reprobate what are you doing swimming in water like that?’