Crystal Ice

by Warren Miner-Williams

  “I can’t fucking believe this. Tio Reihana, our ‘brother’ is dead, supposedly swept overboard in a storm. This ain’t any coincidence, it’s too hard to believe. He was fucking murdered, I know it.”

  “Who told you he was dead?” asked Ngaire.

  “I’ll give you one guess. Sonny fucking Rewaka, that’s who. He rang me just a few minutes ago. It stinks of something going on behind the scenes somewhere.”

  “I’m telling you again we need to do that bastard, once and for all. He must be raking in some take from those Russian bastards Ngaire told us about.” Janet Packwood’s saliva flew across the table every time she said the word bastard. “We should strike now before he catches up with what we’re planning. We ought to do him like he did Danny, tonight.”

  “Yeah Brian, let’s get him tonight, right in front of that bitch Mary, let her see what it’s like to have your guy butchered.” Ngaire was working herself up to a killing and it was Rewaka she had her sights on.

  “Brian, we have got to do it, you know we do.” Pete-the-prick hadn’t got a clue as to what was really going on, he just wanted to spill some blood.

  “No, we’re not going to fry him tonight because we have other fish to see to first. I think we need to visit Kuri tonight and have a little chat with him first. Rewaka can wait. Besides we can’t storm Jewson Street, we need to plan that visit very carefully. No, let’s pick up Kuri.” For once Brian had his brain in gear.

  “Where is he then?” asked Pete.

  “At his bloody Gran’s place on the Te Atatu Peninsula. I’ve got his address. He’s just come back from Waitara, got back last night apparently, so he won’t be expecting a visit so soon after, that’s for sure.”

  “Well, I know the first question I’m going to ask him – where the fuck is that bitch Sarah Heta? Coz that’s someone I want to catch up with.” Spat Ngaire, her hatred for Sarah Heta was palpable.

  “Yeah right, Ngaire,” replied Janet Packwood, and the two slapped hands in a triumphant ‘high five’.

  “OK then, we’ll go once it gets dark. Hey shit head come and clear this glass up,” commanded Brian, directing one of his grovelling minions to clean up his mess.

  ***

  The north-western end of Taipari Road, on the Te Atatu peninsula, was almost completely dark when the 1972, Holden Kingswood pulled up near its junction with Taioma Crescent. The only light that was showing was from the front room of number 23, where Andrew Kuri’s grandmother lived. Brian Rupene and his posse got out of the Kingswood and shut the doors as silently as they could, before shrinking into the shadows. Only Janet Packwood was missing from the group that had met earlier that day, she had volunteered to look after the swarm of children that she and Ngaire had in tow.

  Brian strode across the road opposite the small unit and hid behind a lemon tree close to the front window. Through a tear in the tatty curtains Brian could see Kuri making a bed for himself on the sofa. The television blared so loud that Brian could have marched a whole army up to the house without being detected. One thing for sure, he definitely wasn’t expecting company. Turning to his left, Brian waved the other two across the road and together they approached the front door. The woodwork and battered old Yale lock were no barrier to someone of Brian’s build. No sooner had he pressed his shoulder against the door when it popped open almost silently. Brian and Pete moved quickly from the hall into the front room without hesitation. When Kuri saw the three of them barge into his temporary bedroom the blood suddenly drained from his face. Andrew Kuri was not as stupid as many would believe. He knew why they were here and quickly reached for a carving knife he had stashed beneath the pillow. Pete Rupene though was a split second quicker and hit Kuri behind his right ear with a small claw hammer.

  The blow to Kuri’s head would probably have knocked anyone else out but not him. He staggered a little and the knife fell from his grasp before he struggled upright once more.

  “Fuck,” was the only word Kuri uttered as he rubbed the bloody wound on the side of his head.

  “We want a little word with you Andrew, and I think you know what it’s about too,” hissed Ngaire.

  “OK, but don’t hit me again, I’ll tell you everything I know. Please don’t shout, my Gran has only just gone to bed. I don’t want to disturb her; she gets upset very easily.”

  Pete Rupene looked at his brother quizzically, then started to laugh.

  “Here we are just about to plug this dumb bastard and all he can say is don’t disturb my Gran. Is he stupid or what?”

  “Perhaps we’ll take a walk to the beach and sort things out there. OK Andrew?”

  “Yeah, but please don’t hit me again.”

  “OK, I’ll keep my brother off you, if you follow me down the road.”

  Andrew Kuri walked between Brian and Pete Rupene, as meek as a lamb, even though he could crush both of them, long before they could do any serious damage to him. Bringing up the rear was Ngaire, she had come to kill Kuri and she couldn’t wait to get her hands on him. The beach around the Te Atatu Peninsula was a mixture of fine sand and mud, so they didn’t stray far from the edge of the trees. They forced Kuri to his knees and told him to put his hands behind his head. He was so big that this was a struggle so he begged them to keep them on top of his head.

  “What do you know about Danny’s death, shit face?”

  “As I told Sonny, nothing. Danny told me...”

  “What, you’ve already spoken to Sonny Rewaka?”

  “Yes, he found out I was at a cousin’s in Waitara. He telephoned and said that I should come home, that everything would be OK. I trust Sonny, he’s a good bloke, so I came back. He didn’t say you guys were mad at me. I’ve done nothin’ wrong.”

  “Shut up, you dumb fuck.” It was Pete the bully, he loved hurting people and he too was relishing the thought of killing Kuri.

  “What did Danny tell you then, shit head?” spat Ngaire.

  “When Danny came, he always told me to fuck off or he would bend my head. He was just acting tough though, I don’t really believe he would’ve hurt me.”

  Pete slapped Kuri across his left ear, then when Kuri moved his hand to cover the pain, Pete hit him again.

  “So, you left, where did you go?”

  “I went to the pub like I always did, so he could be alone with Sarah.”

  Before the last syllable left Andrew Kuri’s lips, Ngaire kicked him full force in the guts and he crumpled like a rag doll. Winded, he was fighting for breath, as Ngaire continued kicking him as hard as she could.

  “You fucking bastard, don’t mention that bitch again do you hear me, you fat fuck.”

  So fierce were the blows, that Brian was forced to come between the vixen and her prey, otherwise she would have killed him there and then. They wanted information, and if Kuri died before they got what they came for, they would be up shit creek without a paddle.

  “Andy, how long was you at the pub?”

  Still struggling to breathe he spoke in a series of rasping whispers and Brian had to lower himself closer to Kuri before he could hear what the guy was saying.

  “I…. went…. down to… the Papakura Tavern…. I always went there…I played pool with a schoolmate, Chucky Thomas. I…. I won $25 bucks on a nag called erm... Jealousy.”

  “You fuckin’ stupid bastard.” And before Brian could intervene, Ngaire had kicked him again, this time in the face. Kuri’s lip split and blood poured freely down his chin onto his scruffy white tee-shirt. This time Brian pulled Ngaire away and threatened that he would kick her if she hit him again.

  “Ngaire, he’s too stupid to make that up, he probably doesn’t even know what it means. Let it go, OK? Kuri what happened when the pub closed?”

  Spitting blood and broken teeth Kuri kept his face turned away from Ngaire. “Chucky and me went back to his place. We always did, Danny never wanted me back until the morning. He always said he would break my legs if I came home too early, so I always stayed with Chucky.”


  “Chucky, who the fuck is Chucky?” barked Pete.

  “His name isn’t really Chucky, that’s just his nickname. He was born Charlie Thomas, but ever since we saw that horror film with the doll that comes to life and kills….”

  “Enough of bloody Chucky already, I’m sure we can find him, then he can tell us where you were. Because big boy, we want to be sure that you didn’t kill Danny. You see what shit you’re in, Andy?”

  “Look I did what Danny said, I was out like he told me I should. I didn’t kill him, I’d never have harmed him, he was the man, second only to Sonny…”

  That earned Andy another kick from Ngaire, though this time it didn’t connect with its intended target, Kuri’s testicles.

  “What happened when you came back? Answer truthfully or Ngaire will give you another hiding.” Hissed Brian.

  “I came home about 5 o-clock I think, no earlier coz’ it was just getting light. When I got through the door I shouted out to Vince. All the lights were out so I thought everyone had gone, but when I got to the lounge the telly was still on. I thought Vince was still playing “Kratos” but he was dead, all cut up and like. There was blood everywhere. I just sat down, I couldn’t move, it was terrible. After a while I went to check the bedroom. Danny was leaning against the wall. I’ve never seen anything like that. I puked my guts up, the sight of how he was, it was too much, it freaked me out. That’s why I’ve been away at my cousin’s place, she’s been good to me, helped me a lot. I only came back when Sonny said it was safe, he didn’t say you were pissed with me.”

  “Who did it Andy, who killed Danny and Vince? Was it Sonny, was it his gang cronies?” screamed Ngaire at the cowering giant.

  “No way, no fucking way Ngaire. Sonny wouldn’t do that. They weren’t best mates but Sonny would never have done what was done to Danny. Only some really sick fucker could do that. That was some professional shit; I’ve seen that sort of thing in the films.”

  “Well fuck me sideways, we have a regular fucking Sherlock Holmes here. What do you say Brian, Ngaire?” Sneered Pete. “Have you ever heard such a load of old bollocks?”

  Ngaire took another lunge at Kuri but was again restrained by Brian.

  “Hang on Ngaire, you’ll get your turn in a minute. What did Sonny Rewaka ask you about the killing?”

  “He asked the same questions you have and I gave him the same answers. I’m telling you Sonny ain’t the killer.”

  “Who rang the police that morning?”

  “I did. I rang Jewson Street first. I must have, woke the guys up. Matua answered the phone, when I told him what had happened, he obviously didn’t believe me, he just said ring the police, so I did. Then I fucked off pretty quick.”

  “Where was Heta when all this happened?”

  “When I checked the bedroom and found Danny, she’d gone already. She must have run off, there was no sign of her. She couldn’t have killed Danny and Vince, she’s only a little girl, she couldn’t overpower both of ‘em.”

  “Where is she, Andy?”

  “I don’t know. She’s disappeared, hasn’t she? She’s scared of you Ngaire, she’ll not be back.”

  Brian took the hammer off his brother and told Kuri to stand. As Kuri reacted he hit Kuri as hard as he could on his right knee. There was a sharp popping sound as Kuri’s kneecap shattered. As soon as Kuri started to scream, Pete clamped his hand over his mouth stifling the noise before it woke the whole neighbourhood.

  “If you scream Andy, I’ll hit you again, do you understand me? Nod your head if you understand what will happen.”

  Slowly Andy Kuri nodded.

  “OK, I’ll ask you again, where is Heta?”

  Kuri retched and vomit mixed with the blood on his tee-shirt. “I don’t know…honest.” He whispered barely conscious.

  The blow to Kuri’s other knee was lightning fast and caused the same damage. This time Pete was ready, muffling the scream before it could be heard.

  “Now listen, you little shit, I know that you were sweet on Heta because Vince told me. You and her used to have long chats before Danny woke up. She told you things, things I want to know, and I want to know them now. What rellies could she have to run to? Tell me Andy, or I’ll start on your hands next.”

  “I…I um,” sobbed Kuri. “I only know of an auntie in…. Turangi, I…. don’t know her name though, honest I don’t.”

  “OK Andy, I believe you. I’ve finished with the questions so just rest up; it’ll all be over in a minute.”

  “Please” Begged Kuri, his eyes filled with tears of agony. “Brian don’t hit me anymore. I’ve been honest with you. I don’t know shit.”

  “No Andy, you’re right, you don’t.”

  As Brian Rupene turned back towards the street, he looked at Ngaire and handed her the hammer. That was all the invitation she needed. As Brian and Pete walked back to the car all they heard was a feint whimpering and the sickening sound of the hammer crushing flesh and bone. When Ngaire returned to the Kingswood she was covered in blood, there were even smears on her face. She slumped exhausted in the front seat, then looked at Brian and smiled.

  “He was Sonny’s boy, so I taught that piece of shit not to mess with me and the memory of my man.”

  For once Brian was quiet, only Pete spoke. “I bet you did girl, you rock.” Then as they high fived in celebration, Brian started the drive home.

  18. Essential Oil

  Watching from her bedroom window Riria, (Ri), Herangi saw her grandson’s assailants drive away. It took her only minutes to find his broken body. Within the hour they were in Auckland Hospital. As the staff in the emergency department worked frantically to stabilise Kuri, Ri Herangi prayed for her grandson. An hour passed, then another, before Kuri was stable enough to be X-rayed. Eventually he was transferred to Operating Theatre 2 and a team of waiting surgeons. While her grandson was in theatre, Ri telephoned his mother in Rotorua. Devastated by the news, Katarina Wai Herenga immediately telephoned Sonny Rewaka, to bollock him for allowing her son to be attacked by a rival gang. Then she demanded to know what he was going to do about it. It took over half an hour before her tirade eased and she was placated with the promise that whoever it was who attacked her son would be summarily dealt with. Sonny, Mary and two bodyguards drove directly to the hospital. Whilst Mary tried to console Ri, Sonny tried to get an update on Kuri’s condition.

  “Are you a relative?” asked the nurse on duty, sporting the nametag Charlotte. For her it had been a long day and she was already dreaming of bed.

  “Yes, I’m his cousin,” Sonny lied. “My wife and I are with his grandma in the waiting area.”

  The nurse telephoned the recovery ward to enquire if Kuri was out of theatre. The news was grim.

  “I’m sorry sir, he’s still in theatre, I was told by the charge nurse up there that he is in a critical condition. I understand that they have a neuro-surgeon scrubbing up now and an ophthalmic surgeon standing by. He’ll be in surgery for many hours yet. I’m terribly sorry to give you such bad news. Perhaps I can get you all a cup of tea. If you wait in the relative’s room, I’ll bring it through.”

  It was remarkable, Sonny thought, how fast the nurse had changed from being cold and business like, to being caring and sensitive.

  Turning back to the relative’s room Sonny knelt beside Ri Herangi and gently held her hand. “Ri, I’m sorry, he’s still in theatre. They say that he’ll be in there for a good while yet.”

  “Yes, but how is he, Sonny?”

  “Very poorly. They’ve got all the best doctors looking after him, a neuro bloke and an eye specialist. He’s a strong boy Ri, he’ll pull through, trust me on that.”

  “Trust you Sonny? This is down to you Sonny Rewaka, you should look after your people and keep the psychopaths chained up.”

  “Look Ri I’m real sorry, I never thought he’d be hurt by a rival gang.”

  “Rival gang? It wasn’t no rival gang.” She spat. “It was Brian Rupene and his stupid brother. I saw
Ngaire fucking Rakena too. She was covered in my boy’s blood when she got in the car, that old Kingswood of Rupene’s.”

  “You saw them clearly Ri, not skin heads with big boots?”

  “I may be old but I’m not blind, and I’m not fucking stupid either. I know what I saw and I’m telling you straight, sort them or I’ll fucking shoot them myself and that’s a fact.”

  “Don’t fret yourself Ri, I’ll make them pay, believe me. They’ll wish they hadn’t been born.”