Dead Men

by Derek Haines

  ‘Could you let them know at work that I won’t be in tomorrow,’ was all Tony mentioned to David as he made his way to bed.

  ‘Sure Tony.’

  Steve was back in the interview room at nine am. He was introduced to Detective Superintendent Frank Williams.

  ‘Good Morning Steven,’ Williams smiled. ‘I’ve been over the information you’ve given to us. I don’t have to tell you that there’re some very serious allegations contained in your statements.’

  ‘No sir,’ Steve said politely.

  ‘I’ve been placed in charge of this investigation now. But I need to know something here and now, before we go any further,’ Williams paused.

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Are you prepared to give evidence in a court of law as a prosecution witness, if we proceed with this investigation, and succeed in charging Mr Walsh?’

  ‘Vince has long tentacles. You know what I mean? Steve said.

  ‘Yes Steve. I do. I appreciate the danger. I’ll need some time to check the information you’ve supplied, and investigate some of the leads. But, from what you’ve told us, I’m not sure your safety could be guaranteed in Goulburn Gaol. With your permission, I’d like to apply to a magistrate to have you held in protective custody, and included in a witness protection program.’

  Steve waited for more details.

  ‘One thing I must make clear to you though, it that this isn’t an immunity against prosecution of the charges you face. That’ll be a matter for the court. Do I make myself clear on that point?’

  ‘Yes, yes, you have,’ Steve nodded.

  ‘I believe your solicitor is a local Camden man.’

  ‘Yes he is.’

  ‘Do you wish to continue to use him?’ Williams asked.

  ‘I’d feel more comfortable with as few people as possible knowing about this,’ Steve responded. ‘Especially locals.’

  ‘Yes. That’s what I thought. Look, you’ll need legal representation, and it’s not for me to suggest anything to you, but if you want to find a new solicitor, I’ll find a yellow pages for you. Ok?’

  ‘Yes. Fine,’ Steve said.

  ‘Right, now, are you prepared to be a witness?’

  ‘Yes,’ Steve said decisively.

  ‘Good. Let’s get on with it then. We’ve got a lot of work to do,’ Williams said as he stood and left the room. Steve and the interviewing officers returned to their talk about ecstasy.

  It was a mild sunny morning as Tony drove down Argyle Street on his way to his house. He passed the intersection where he’d had his altercation with Singleton. A little further on, as he drove out of Camden, he slowed at the spot he’d dumped his wife. The anger he’d felt on those two occasions made his stomach knot. The months hadn’t tamed his feelings. He wondered if there was enough time left in his life to be able to let go of those feelings. As he headed towards his house, he hoped he could control the emotions of the last months. Enough to be able to at least talk with Tina. There was no expectation of what today would bring. His only hope was that he would be able to be a father again. As he turned his car into the driveway of his house, he could feel his hands shaking. Getting out of his car and heading towards the front door, he took a few deep breaths to settle himself. He stood at the front door for thirty seconds before he timidly knocked.

  Tina smiled as much of a smile as she could manage as she opened the door.

  ‘Hello Tony,’ she said nervously.

  ‘Hello Tina,’ Tony replied, and had an instant, vivid memory of when he had first met Tina all those years ago at the ceramic tile warehouse in Spearwood. He was more nervous now than he was then. Tina kissed him on the cheek as he came through the door. Tony was unsure how to react. He followed her into the living room.

  ‘Coffee Tony?’ she asked as he sat down.

  ‘Err, yes. Thanks,’ Tony said as he clamoured for words.

  ‘Won’t be a moment,’ Tina said as she made her way to the kitchen.

  Sitting by himself, Tony looked around the room. The family photos, the furniture, the curtains, the display cabinet of crystal. This was his life all around him. Why did it feel so foreign? Compared to the flat he shared with David this was a palace. This was his palace. He felt the words appearing in the past tense in his thoughts. ‘Where do we start to talk?’ he wondered. ‘What do I say?’ He stood up and looked through to the dining room. Nothing had changed. Except, he couldn’t remember the house being so clean and neat. Had it only been six months? It felt like a lifetime to Tony since he’d lived in this house.

  Tina returned with the coffee. In a plunger, on a tray with cups and saucers and a small plate of biscuits. ‘Would you like to sit at the dining table Tony?’

  ‘Yeah, fine,’ Tony said as she placed the tray on the table. Tina sat opposite Tony and poured his coffee. Both were nervous. Tony could see her hand shaking as she poured the coffee.

  ‘How are the children?’ Tony asked, trying to start what would be a difficult conversation.

  ‘They’re fine Tony. It’s been a difficult time for them, but really, they are ok.’ After a short pause, she added, ‘And you? How have you been?’

  ‘Oh, I’m alright. You know me Tina, tough as boots,’ he said still finding it difficult to speak. He wasn’t sure what he was feeling. It wasn’t anger. It wasn’t pity. What ever it was, it manifested itself into an awkwardness between them. As if he’d just met a total stranger.

  ‘Tony,’ she said, and paused for a moment. ‘I know you. You aren’t that tough. All this has been…..’

  ‘Why did all this happen Tina? I need to know,’ Tony asked. His tone gentle. Tina understood his need to start at this point.

  ‘I know it’ll sound stupid and selfish to you Tony, but the truth is, I felt neglected. Useless. Worthless. Old and unattractive. Bored maybe,’ Tina started to explain.

  ‘Keep going Tina.’

  ‘I know I hurt you very badly. I can’t forgive myself for what I’ve done to you Tony. You’ve always done everything for your family. And, I’ve destroyed all your years of hard work.’

  ‘Yes Tina, there’s been a lot of damage done,’ Tony said without animosity. It was more a statement of fact.

  ‘Tony, I know it’s six months too late, but, I’m very sorry for what I’ve done. And what I’ve put you through. I’m very sorry for what I’ve put the children through.’

  Tony sat quietly, looking at his coffee cup. He waited for Tina to continue. There was little he could say.

  ‘Tony, I know how important family is to you. You’ve always been a wonderful father and husband. You’re a proud, honest and hardworking man. What you did to me, I deserved. You had every right to punish me,’ Tina said, as she struggled to hold back her tears.

  Tony, looked at his wife. There was a difference from the Tina of six months ago. Gone was the angry and bitter woman that he’d lived with in the last months of his marriage. She had a gentleness in her eyes. Or does remorse bring that look naturally?

  ‘I was very angry.’

  ‘Yes, I know you were. Are you still?’

  ‘It is hard not to be Tina. In the last six months, I’ve had everything stripped from me. Everything I’ve lived and worked for. The one constant question I’ve asked, is, what did I do to deserve this punishment? I’ve lost my business, my job with it, my wife, my children, my self respect, my home and my pride. I’m now doing a job I did at seventeen years old. It’s humiliating.’ Tony stopped as he began to feel the emotion rising inside himself.

  ‘You did nothing wrong Tony. Nothing except work for your family,’ Tina said as a few tears escaped. ‘I can never forgive myself for what I’ve done to you.’

  ‘You said in your letter that some things had been stolen,’ Tony asked, needing to bring the subject to the most difficult issue.

  ‘Yes. A TV and video, cash from my purse and some of my jewellery.’

  ‘Did you report the theft?’

  ‘No. I couldn’t face the police again Tony.’ />
  ‘Did he live here?’ Tony asked. There were some things he felt he had a right to know.

  ‘No Tony, he didn’t. No matter what you think of me, I wouldn’t do that to our children.’

  ‘So, do you know where he is now?’

  ‘No, I don’t. I haven’t seen him in over three months. He disappeared not long after the episode in Argyle Street.’

  ‘Did I scare him off?’

  Tina raised a very small smile.

  ‘Yes, I think you did Tony.’

  ‘I’m good at something then,’ Tony said with a faint smile.

  ‘More coffee Tony?’

  ‘Yes, ok,’ Tony said politely.

  Tina poured another cup for Tony. They both sat silently, gathering themselves. Holding back the tide of emotions that were sweeping them both. Tina was pleased that at least Tony was talking to her. She didn’t what to expect from Tony when she’d sent the letter. Tony was wondering what he should do. He felt she wanted him back. But that would be very difficult for him to contemplate. His love for her, had been violated and contorted into something akin to hate. That couldn’t be changed over a cup of coffee.

  ‘What does the future hold Tina?’ Tony asked looking to find out what was in her mind and heart.

  ‘I don’t know Tony. I wish I could turn the clock back and start again, but that’s impossible. But I do wish the last six months would disappear. Or at least fade away.’

  ‘It’ll always be there Tina. No matter what happens. It’ll always be there. It all happened.’

  ‘Yes, I know,’ Tina replied. ‘But can it fade?’

  ‘I don’t know Tina. I really don’t,’ Tony said honestly.

  ‘Well, at least we’re talking. It’s a start isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes Tina. It’s a start.’

  ‘Would you consider having dinner with us? The family. The kids have really miss you Tony.’

  ‘When?’

  ‘Tomorrow night?’

  Tony gathered his thoughts.

  ‘Would you like to come about five and spend some time with the kids before dinner?’

  ‘Yes. I’d like that.’

  Tina made another pot of coffee, and with both of them now a little at ease, but far from relaxed with each other, they managed to at least have a conversation. The arrangement for dinner pleased them both. Tony told Tina a little about David and Steve and what had been happening to him over their time apart. He mentioned nothing about the problems of As New Spares and Vince Walsh. Tina told Tony about the children, and what they’d been doing while he was away. Both of them were surprised it had been three hours by the time Tony left. Both pleased that a start had been made on a future. Whatever it was going to be.

  Tony didn’t go back to work. He went directly to the flat to sit quietly and think about what had been said. Not knowing what to expect of Tina or himself before they’d met, he now knew Tina wanted to try. If nothing else, she at least wanted him to reclaim his role as father to his children. To his surprise, he hadn’t felt anger during the time with Tina. Many other feelings, but not anger. Before he’d gone to the house this morning he had been nervous. Although he was calmer now about Tina, he could feel his anxiety at seeing the children again. How would they react to him?

  David arrived home at a little after five thirty. He found Tony relaxing on the sofa.

  ‘Hi. How was you day?’

  ‘Not bad, and yours?’

  ‘As boring as hell.’

  ‘I saw my wife today.’

  ‘And how did it go?’

  ‘Well, I’m having dinner with the kids tomorrow night.’

  ‘That’s great news Tony. Great news.’

  ‘Yes. Dave, it is.’

  David could see Tony’s mind was elsewhere. After dinner Tony went for a walk. He arrived back just before David was going to bed.

  ‘Got your head on straight now?’

  ‘Yep. I think I have.’

  ‘Want something to drink?’

  ‘No, no thanks Dave, I think I’ll hit the sack. It’s been a long day.’

  David sat for a moment, and thought about what was happening. It felt like he was losing his second friend in as many weeks. Steve in jail. Now it felt as if Tony may go back to his wife. Would Tony want David as a friend then? He was beginning to prepare himself to be very alone once again.

  Vince Walsh was a worried man. It had been over twenty-four hours since he was advised of Steve Sharp’s removal from Silverwater. No one knew where he was. He tried to reassure himself that it might just be a simple matter of a transfer to a higher or lower security facility. Or Steve had reacted to his warning, and been moved for protection. Or he could be giving information to the police? He pushed every contact he had to try and find Steve Sharp’s whereabouts. In the mean time he covered his activities at As New Spares, the lab and the brothel as best he could. He had to assume the worst. And be prepared to fight to save his small empire. As far as Vince knew, Steve only had access to information about As New Spares, so he thought the situation would be controllable.

  Tastes of the Past

  At five o’clock in the afternoon, Tony met his four children. It had been so long since he’d seen them and he immediately noticed that they’d all grown. They just rushed to the door and hugged him. His large frame nearly toppled by their enthusiasm. He caught sight of Tina’s smile, and her joyful tears as he hugged them all in the doorway. He had to hold back his own tears of joy as the children excitedly spoke all at once.

  ‘Oh Daddy, I’ve missed you,’ his youngest, aged eleven said as she clung tightly to him.

  ‘We’ve missed you Dad,’ his eldest said.

  Tony saw himself in his eyes. Tony realised he’d missed his son’s eighteenth birthday during the events of the last months. He looked at his eldest daughter, who was sixteen and a young woman now, and his thirteen year old son who’d grown tall so quickly.

  ‘I’ve missed you all too,’ he said. ‘It is so good to see you all.’ Tony was lost for words. He was almost choking on the lump that had developed in his throat. Within minutes all four were bringing him up to date on their news of the last months. School, friends, exams, concerts, family news, grandma, anything and everything. He wondered if his absence might have at least had a small silver lining. Before his separation, he’d lost touch with his children. This was his chance to make sure he never allowed that to happen again. He was at fault, he had made his business more important than his children. It was only now that he realised his mistake. He hoped it wasn’t too late to make amends. For Tony, his own father was still very important to him. He hoped he could be just as important to his children as they approached adulthood.

  Tina left Tony to enjoy his time with his children. She prepared dinner in the kitchen, and at just before seven, announced that dinner was ready. With his children they headed to the dining room. Tina had prepared an Italian family feast. Bowls of fettuccini, cannelloni and lasagne. Fresh bread, Parma ham and melon. At the head of the table sat a special bowl of Fettuccine Antonio. Next to it was an open and breathing bottle of Tony’s favourite Margaret River Shiraz. As he sat down at the table he smiled broadly at the sight of his family together for dinner. Tony reclaimed his duty to thank the Lord for their feast. At the end of his short prayer of thanks, he asked for the Lord’s guidance and care for his family.

  As he smelled the aroma of the bowl of Fettuccine Antonio, he said to Tina with a smile. ‘This I’ve missed.’

  As he looked around the table, he asked his children if they would like some of the Fettuccine Antonio. He received unanimous but polite refusals.

  ‘Err, thanks, but no thanks Dad,’ was the standard reply.

  ‘They all know it’s your favourite Tony. They’re just being kind and leaving it all for you,’ Tina smiled at Tony.

  ‘Well, it won’t go to waste,’ Tony said gleefully as Tina dished a plateful for him. Tony poured a glass of wine for Tina and his eldest two. The younger ones had apple
juice.

  Tony raised his glass and held it there for a few seconds before speaking.

  ‘A toast to the Pilletto family,’ he proposed.

  ‘The Pilletto family,’ all five responded.

  ‘Now let’s eat,’ Tony said with a grin.

  After dinner Tony noticed the change in his family. The children were helping their mother with the clearing of the table and washing up. He’d never known them to do that before. Or was it that he just hadn’t noticed before? His eldest daughter bought him a plunger of coffee to the table.

  ‘Will you and mummy get back together?’ she asked quietly.

  ‘I don’t know love,’ he answered honestly.

  ‘I hope you do Dad. We all want you back home with us,’ she whispered, then she returned to the kitchen to help the others.

  His youngest daughter came to the table shortly after with a small plate of shortbread biscuits. She carefully placed them in the middle of the table then came to Tony’s side and just held his arm, saying nothing. He stroked her head. At that moment Tony realised, if for no other reason than the happiness of his children, he would have to try and deal with the last months with Tina and try to recreate their marriage. It would be difficult, and it could never be as it was, but if it was what they all wanted, he would try. He didn’t say anything about his decision to Tina that evening. All he wanted to do was enjoy his time together with his family. It wasn’t the time for difficult conversations. Tina and Tony did agree however, to meet the next day for lunch to talk further.

  When Tony arrived back at the flat David had gone to bed. He took a beer from the fridge, and sat out on the small balcony to consider his evening. Tony was happy. Happy just to have a chance to recover his life. To recover some meaning. Some pride. His thoughts drifted to Fremantle. It was full of fond and happy memories. The thirteen years in Sydney were not so full of happy memories. The births of two of his children were of course, happy times. But since the accident that killed Tom, it’d been a continuous struggle to survive. Being involved with people like Vince Walsh wasn’t for Tony. As he would have to find a new job anyway, why not Fremantle? The thought then came to his mind that his children had little association with Fremantle, apart from two Christmases spent there. The eldest two were very young when they came to Sydney. Could it be that Fremantle would be to them what Italy was to him? Sydney was the only home they’d known. Both he and Tina had a lot to discuss and think about. Tony went to bed for the first time in a long while with hope in his heart.