Snow Bond

by Ross Richdale

  "The bastard!" she hissed. "How dare he!"

  TUESDAY'S MEETING AT ten fifteen with Tyrant Joe began when Aza stared at the professor without even a glimpse of a smile and sat down in front his massive desk that was devoid of anything except her thesis, a box of tissues and a small computer monitor.

  "I shall be blunt Miss Perry," Hardy began. "Your thesis has many promising aspects but has been classified as needing modification and clarification before being re-represented for final approval. If at that stage, it is up to the standards we expect you will be able to receive your PhD at this year's graduation. If not, you will need to repeat your final year of study." He rambled on while Aza fumed. She wasn't just disappointed but felt humiliated and angry.

  "I see," she spat when the man finally asked if she had a comment to make. She stood up, stepped forward and fixed unblinking eyes on the man. "I do not accept your verdict, if that is the word to use. Furthermore, I shall be resubmitting my thesis to the ethics committee of this university with the plagiarised sections highlighted." She stopped and felt adrenalin arise in her throat. "Not by me but by you in the article that is now online in The Journal of Genetic Research and Practices." She reached down to her satchel, brought out a printed copy of the article and slapped it on the desk. "According to this university's own researcher of plagiarised materials application, 67% of the article is directly lifted from my thesis while a further 25% uses slightly changed phrases and words from my thesis leaving 8% of original text and you never even had the decency to acknowledge my research in the topic."

  She ignored the man's dark look and flicked the pages to one of her diagrams. "This diagram!" She gritted her teeth as she sucked in air before proceeding in a harsh whisper. "This diagram was not even in my thesis but was downloaded from my personal site that is password protected." She fixed her eyes on him again. "I can prove that it is my diagram for my coded signature is embedded within it."

  She stepped back, sat down and crossed her legs in a defiant manner. "So what would you do with any revision I make... add it to a second article and claim it came from yourself?"

  Professor Hardy glanced away and coughed as if attempting to hide his embarrassment. "I can understand your annoyance but..."

  "Annoyance!" Aza fumed and stood up. "You are an ignorant hypocritical man, Professor Hardy. You not only steal my research but also have the audacity to downgrade it. As I said, I shall be resubmitting my thesis along with his article to the ethics committee. You may be a staff member here for twenty or more years but that gives you no right to treat myself and, no doubt other postgraduate students, like errant high school pupils sent to the principal for smoking in the school's tractor shed."

  She gathered up her papers including the thesis that the professor had and turned towards the door. "Oh yes, one more thing; all further communications about this discussion shall go through my lawyer. Good morning to you, Professor Hardy."

  She turned and without even a backward glance, stalked out of the office.

  "SO WHAT HAPPENED?" Renee said as she topped up Aza's coffee mug and pumped the kerosene lamp so the flame flickered brighter.

  Aza sighed. "It's partly solved," she whispered.

  Aza's thesis was re-evaluated by another staff member and upgraded to being accepted," Sofia added and placed an arm around Aza's shoulders. "You are really speaking to Doctor Aza Perry, Renee."

  "Congratulations but what about the plagiarism issue?" Renee asked.

  "I laid a complaint but have only received a formal reply stating that the matter will be considered by the ethics committee. That was a couple of weeks ago."

  "And your lawyer?"

  "I can't afford one," Aza said. "That bit was a bluff, I'm afraid."

  "But scared the shit out of Tyrant Joe," Sofia added. "We've heard that he has begun treating other postgraduate students and even undergraduates with much more respect lately."

  "But a leopard doesn't really change it spots," Renee said. "Do you mind if I tell Tyler about this, Aza. He's pretty good with anything online such as that article in the journal and could be a help."

  Aza nodded. "No, go ahead. It still annoys me that Professor Hardy just keeps going and the university has appeared to have closed ranks to protect him."

  She sipped at her coffee and reached out to pat Apricot who jumped up beside her. Perhaps the puss could sense that she needed a little company at the moment.

  CHAPTER 3

  Tyler was usually the first one up every morning but today there were flickering lamplights in the kitchen. He tested the bedroom lights; found nothing worked so stumbled through the hallway in the predawn gloom to the bathroom where he found a kerosene lamp burning and the steamy atmosphere of recent use.

  When he arrived at the kitchen, Renee was in deep conversation with the two young women as they sat around the massive farm kitchen table. He grinned for he knew that one thing Renee was good at was the art of conversation. She would talk to anybody and within a few moments it was as if she had known them for years whereas he would be more inclined to stand aside and say little.

  "Oh, hi Dear." Renee said as he approached. "It looks as if we're going to have Aza and Sofia for at least another night. Have you seen the snow outside?"

  "Bit dark to see much," Tyler replied after saying hello to the other two. "Is Ian around?"

  "No, not as yet but it's not even seven yet."

  Tyler noticed that the three were still in dressing gowns and slippers, all provided by Renee he reckoned; Apricot was cleaning up the last cat food from her bowl and even Sam was allowed inside where he munched on an old bone that Renee had tactfully placed on spread out newspaper in front of the hearth.

  "Want breakfast?" Renee asked. "We've had ours." She flashed him a look as if to say there was something she wished to say when they were alone. She laughed and gave him a hug before turning to the wood burner stove where a frypan filled with bacon and two eggs sizzled away. "Like breakfast before you go out, Dear? We kept some for you."

  "Why not?" he said and glanced at Aza and Sofia and empty plates where the remains showed that they had both had a hearty breakfast. "I see Renee has introduced you to a typical backcountry breakfast."

  "Wonderful food," Sofia said. "If I stay too long though, I'd be piling on the kilos."

  "Me too," Aza added.

  "Right," Tyler said and chatted away as he ate breakfast and drank a massive mug of coffee. "But must away to head over and feed the animals. It must be freezing in the shed. Perhaps I'll even light up the old furnace there. I took in wood and kindling last week, just in case."

  "TYLER WOULD NEVER MAKE a real farmer for he is too soft hearted. Treats all the animals like pets whereas at the East Ridge Station there must be thousands of stranded sheep out in the snow." Renee said after he had left. "I guess that was why I was attracted to him in the first place."

  "Have you always lived in the South Island high country?" Sofia asked.

  Renee glanced at her and shrugged. "No, the opposite actually. We were both city types. We both grew up in Auckland but never actually met until a few years ago." She sighed and sipped her coffee. "Tyler restored my faith in the New Zealand male during a rough patch in my life." She glanced at Aza. "It's funny how bad times often makes one almost forget that for every horrible person there are probably a dozen kind and loving ones. In normal situations I guess I would have never got to know Tyler."

  As they washed the kitchen dishes together they were interrupted by Ian's arrival. When Renee offered him some eggs and bacon her mind slipped back five years earlier when she lived in Mount Albert an older Auckland suburb about seven kilometres from the city centre.

  A HEAVILY PREGNANT Renee Brooks, as she was then called, shuddered when she heard the car pull into the drive. It was eleven at night and she had not seen her husband, Larry Brooks since eight that morning. The brief text message received at eleven, though, told the full story.

  'My plan was rejected by the bank.' was
all it said.

  This was not unexpected for Fredrick Brooks Holdings, the family firm Larry was the manager of, had been having a bad financial year. A month earlier came the news that the bank required the firm to be downsized otherwise they would not refinance the quite substantial mortgages held by them. Staff were relieved to be told that they would all continue to be employed but it was soon obvious that this was not to be when they were told everybody had to reapply for their positions or take voluntary redundancy.

  Over the entire company, around twenty percent of the positions would go but the bank still wasn't satisfied and threatened to call in receivers unless more radical measures were taken to relieve the financial situation. Renee knew though, that Larry's attitude didn't help. He became solemn and even sulky and turned to alcohol to relieve his pent up anger.

  At home, his attitude had also changed with arguments turning to physical violence. The weekends were the worse and even minor events such as the rugby team he supported losing a game would set him off. Renee tried to be supportive but being physically and emotionally abused took its toll. She became pregnant with their first child and for the first few months this had helped but now everything was as bad, if not worse than ever.

  She had the coffee percolator bubbling away and a meal waiting to be heated up in the microwave in a hope that it would pacify him. He arrived, drunk with his tie loose and suit crumpled. His scowl was enough as Renee stepped back and attempted a casual conversation.

  "It'll be okay, Larry," she said. "Why don't you take my suggestion about selling that office block on the North Shore? I'm sure the bank would agree."

  "You know nothing, you stupid cow!" Larry swore. "We have two months to find half a million bucks or the bank will call in the receivers." He half staggered towards her. "And look at you. Haven't even done your hair and why don't you wear something decent to cover your bulge?"

  "And whose fault is that?" Renee whispered as she pulled the dressing gown around her body.

  "You tricked me you bitch," he snarled. "Told me the injection would last for six months then a month later told me there was a bun in the oven." He stepped back and plonked himself on a kitchen chair. "Get me some food and a drink!"

  "The meal's coming," Renee said. "Just take a few moments to heat up. Want a coffee first?"

  "Coffee!" Larry grumbled. "Get me a beer from the fridge!"

  "I think you've had enough..."

  "Bitch!" Larry roared, stood up, flung the chair aside and without any other warning slapped Renee across the face.

  She hurtled back and crashed to the floor only to be kicked in the stomach as her husband screamed at her to get up and get his beer.

  The rest was a blur as she was hauled to her feet by the hair, punched in the face and almost throttled after he grabbed her around the throat. She fell again, was kicked again and attempted to curl up to protect her unborn child. Without realising it she began screaming, before another violent kick sent spasms of pain through her body. She was bleeding and realised it was not just her face that became covered in blood but her nightgown was saturated.

  In a haze, she lay there crying and could barely fathom what was happening when the door opened and someone arrived. She managed to sit up and saw a stranger there. The new man grabbed Larry hauled him off her and a fight began between the two men.

  It was as one-way fight though, for the drunken Larry never stood a chance against the massive metre eighty, ninety-kilogram newcomer who after thumping him in the jaw and sending him staggering a back across the room bent down and yanked his arm up his back.

  "Don't move, you miserable insect," the man said in a calm voice. "Move and I'll break your arm. Anybody who will kicks his pregnant partner deserves nothing less."

  "Mind your own bloody business and bugger off!" Larry spat and swung at the man who ducked and clapped a fist under his jaw. He staggered back across the room where he hit his head against a sideboard and crumpled, whimpering to the floor.

  Renee wiped her eyes and recognised who her rescuer was. It was Tyler Walsh, a quiet guy who lived in the house next door. Tyler was now speaking on his mobile and Renee lay back as everything spun around her.

  She awoke to the sound of a siren and found she was in an ambulance where a nurse was washing her face with a warm cloth. The scene faded and the next impression she had was the smell of antiseptic and bright lights above her.

  "'Hello Renee," said a young nurse wearing a surgical mask. "I'm Janice. Just relax. You may feel woozy for a moment but it'll pass."

  "My baby!" Renee cried.

  "It was touch and go, I'm afraid," said the nurse. "You were violently beaten. I shall get Doctor Ellis to speak to you."

  "My baby," Renee screamed. "Where's my baby?"

  "She never made it, I'm afraid," Janice said. "She was too little to survive."

  RENEE RECEIVED SEVERAL visitors during her hospital stay, mainly women friends but she flatly refused to speak to her husband even though he attempted to contact her on three occasions. Another visitor was a policewoman who was kind but thorough when she asked about the assault.

  "Do you wish to lay a complaint against your husband, Renee?" she asked.

  Renee stared at her and nodded. "This was the final time," she whispered. "I shall not be going back to him."

  "And the other man; did you know him before this situation?"

  "Only vaguely. He was a neighbour and we had a few casual chats but that's all."

  "And your opinion about his help?"

  Renee hesitated before she stared at the officer. "If he had not arrived and stopped Larry, I doubt if I would be here now. I will be personally thanking him when I get the chance."

  "I see. Your husband has been arrested and charged with grievous assault but more serious charges may follow."

  "He killed my unborn child," Renee whispered.

  "Everything will be taken into consideration and we will be asking for a formal statement from you in due course. This is just a preliminary inquiry."

  After the policewoman left a nurse returned. "There's a gentleman who wishes to visit you, Renee. However, if you wish I can ask him to leave."

  "If it's my husband I want nothing to do with him."

  The nurse shook her head. "No, he said his name is Tyler Walsh." She frowned. "Wasn't that the guy who stopped your husband from assaulting you?"

  Renee nodded. "And he wants to visit?" she asked.

  "Yes. He's right outside in the waiting room. Quiet guy who almost seems to be embarrassed about being here."

  Renee smiled for perhaps the first time since her arrival at the hospital. "Send him in. I'd like to thank him for everything he did."

  She watched as the tall guy walked in carrying a bunch of colourful flowers.

  "Hello Tyler," Renee whispered after he stood beside the bed and handed her the flowers. "What wonderful flowers. Thank you ever so much and not only for them but for stepping in and stopping Larry."

  "I should have got there earlier," Tyler replied. "Your screams woke me up but it took me a few minutes to realise you were in serious trouble. If I had got there earlier..." He flushed and just stood back.

  "You did more than anyone could ask in such a situation." She held her hand out and found his to hold. "Thank you. You hardly know me yet came to my aid. Most people in the city would have just ignored my screams and..." She felt her own face warm in embarrassment but squeezed his hand and lay her head back on a pillow.

  "Beaut black eye you have there, Renee," Tyler said as he sat down in a chair beside the bed and began to chat about neutral topics. It was as if he realised that she was tired of being asked how she felt by every visitor who arrived.

  "MY BABY WOULD HAVE been five this year," Renee said to Aza and Sofia. "The doctors said I might never be able to have any more children."

  "But it is not definite?" Aza asked.

  "No but Tyler and myself have had no luck."

  "After how long?" Sofia probed.


  Renee laughed. "I never went back to Larry. Moved out and got myself an apartment on the other side of the harbour. My divorce came through a little over two years later and he bought me out of my half share in the Mount Albert house. For months I was in fear of him finding where I lived but he didn't," She grinned. "But Tyler did. He clung on like a stubborn bulldog. Later he also sold his house and we pooled our money to buy a little house a bit further out over in a western suburb. He was the one who told me Larry had another woman move in almost straight away. Poor woman, I almost contacted her to tell her what he was like but Tyler said not to bother as he found out that Larry was having an affair with her most of the time I was pregnant."

  "Real detective," Aza said.

  Renee laughed. "Guess he was. Anyhow we decided to move away from Auckland, this place came up and here we are."

  "Was your husband ever brought up in court?" Aza added.

  Renee screwed her nose up. "He got a smart lawyer who got him to plead guilty to common assault and he received a fine of a few thousand dollars and something like a hundred hours of community service. His parents were dead but he had a grandmother who was filthy rich. I think she was the one who paid for a top-notch lawyer. Anyway, it was okay by me for I didn't have to go through the distress of giving evidence in any trial. All I wanted to do was to forget everything about that part of my life."

  "Except your little baby?" Sofia asked.

  Renee nodded. "I will never forget her," she whispered.

  "WELL, SAM," TYLER SAID to the old sheep dog as he shovelled a last scoop of coal into the furnace and shut the metal door. "It's lucky I repaired the pipes last summer."

  The furnace was in a boiler house at the end of the main shed of the old Ministry of Works Depot. It was of a typical construction that had been used to heat schools and other government buildings throughout the South Island a couple of generations before and consisted of pipes that circulated hot water throughout the buildings. In the vast areas where trucks and other equipment were parked, it wasn't particularly useful but made the old administration area into a cosy spot for staff to warm up.