Dawn and Jeff were pleased that Eileen had at last settled down happily with Darcy… and Tom.
***
Eric and Des settled back into their quiet ways, happy that everything had at last been resolved. They both met lovely girls and, while Des didn’t commit to his lady, Eric married and settled into a happy life with Maureen.
Over time, valley people approached Eric and apologized for doubting him, though Ivy Gelding never did…
***
Sam and Connie were content again. Sam continued running the orchards in his efficient manner. He also kept a close eye on his brother Karl. He knew it would take years to heal his brother’s heart, if ever.
Arthur and Daisy remained settled out at Culcairn. They sold their land near Kia-Ora, deciding not to rebuild the house there. Robert completed his stint in the army and returned to settle in the valley, purchasing one of the homes that a local finally sold after the traumatic firebug saga.
When Eddie was released from prison, he still carried a torch for Kathy, but he knew he could never live up to her expectations. He obtained employment and tried to mend his ways again but the best thing that had ever happened to him still eluded him.
Dot McClaron continued to frequent clubs and pubs and it soon became common knowledge that she was pregnant. When Kathy heard this news, she couldn’t help but wonder if there would be a little Eddie in the valley soon.
***
Gazing down into the valley, his eyes glazed as he scratched at the growth on his chin and thought back to the previous years.
‘Valley’s lookin good now.’
He was sitting on a log up at his vantage point in the hills surrounding Hamilton Valley.
‘There’s only one person who knows… and they’ll never tell.’ He chuckled.
Flicking his zippo lighter, he wandered back down into the valley, casting an eye over the freshly baled hay as he went.
The End
Footnote
Although the firebug ordeal was now over, the valley was never the same. There had been too much terror, destruction and sadness. Many people decided they could no longer live there. They sold up and moved away. Those that remained endeavoured to get their lives back to normal. Some were successful with moving forwards, while others just lived from day to day, often discussing what had taken place over those four years. Many locals were still looking over their shoulders and watching for anyone suspicious in the valley. It had become a way of life.
The police were confident that Merv Spencer was the culprit and they put the case to bed. They had spent four fruitless years chasing around the valley and wanted closure. Nothing had been proven without a doubt just who the firebug of Hamilton Valley really was.
Authors’ Note
We have written Red Hot as a novel based on the true story of the Lavington Firebug crime mystery that took place back in the ‘60s. Our family were fruit growers in country NSW and we lived on a property of twenty-two acres. Over several years, the firebug destroyed out-buildings on our property and a huge shed full of expensive equipment. Many of our relatives lost many thousands of dollars in sheds, equipment and feed for their cattle. Other local farmers and fruit growers also suffered huge financial loss in shedding, farming and shearing equipment. Acres upon acres of grasslands were set alight. This would take place several times a week, month after month… year after year!
If anyone was brave enough to rebuild, he would burn it down again.
We have a very clear memory of the terror and heartache from those terrible years. Woken from our sleep with sirens screaming through the valley several times a week became the norm.
We would watch other fires at surrounding properties from our back veranda. We also have a vivid memory of the worst one of all, the terrifying fire in the hills that threatened the valley. This particular fire will forever be etched in our memories. Everyone thought the valley was lost.
We still talk about it today, finding it incredible that a person could wreak such hatred and destruction on the once peaceful Hamilton Valley and the lives of the locals and elude capture for so many years.
In Red Hot, we cover several of the fires. However, in actual fact, there were over 300 fires during those four years. These facts make this true crime mystery so unique!
Someone had to know who he was. Someone did know who he was!
We still ask the question: why did this crazed person want to destroy the lives of the residents in the valley?
Red Hot Page 61