Running Scared, page 19
Already on edge, he felt his stress levels rise. Steady on boy, he told himself. Just relax. Don’t look down, and just relax. His gaze drifted to the lower level. Godammit!
He clutched at the rail again. David was quickly at his side.
“Get back to your damned post,” Gary hissed, and David retreated knowing better than to argue.
Gary began pacing the length of the platform, hoping to distract himself. Every step he took echoed through the old building, with its concrete floors and iron platforms.
He stopped as he heard what could only be described as a gabble going on behind him. He spun around and was momentarily blinded by flashes of light.
It took a moment for Gary to compose himself, but his hand automatically flew to his holster, always at the ready.
As the stars cleared, Gary discovered he had been confronted by a group of Japanese tourists, all trying to get a photograph of him—or rather, the guard.
*
They’d been there for some hours, to no avail. Things looked pretty grim. Maybe he wouldn’t show?
Gary took a deep breath and motioned for Jake to approach. “I’ve got to get out of here for awhile.” He reached inside his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, heading for the stairs.
Jake called after him. “I thought you were giving up?”
“Yeah, so Emma told me.” Gary took another deep breath as he arrived at the top of the steps, then descended as quickly as he could.
He sat outside, at the front of the Gaol. The seat which had been built around a tree was a favorite resting place of the passers-by.
He slipped the forbidden item into his mouth, and lit the end. He took a deep draw, and then exhaled. He hadn’t noticed anyone sit down next to him.
“Good, huh?” the newcomer asked.
Gary took another draw and let the smoke slowly leave his lips. “Yep, sure is.” He looked the man square in the face. “I’m trying to give up—the wife hates it.”
Reaching into his pocket, the newcomer flicked a cigarette out of its pack. “These things will kill us in the end,” he said as Gary offered his lighter.
Passing the lighter back, Gary took a good look at the man sitting next to him. He looked vaguely familiar. Where had he seen him before? He reached into the depths of his brain as he took another puff.
Gary watched as the newcomer stood, straightening his clothes. “Gotta go,” he said to Gary, then turned and walked toward the entrance to the Gaol, pausing momentarily.
Apparently changing his mind, Gary watched as he headed back onto Russell Street and turned left at Franklin. Gary stood, placing his lighter back in his pocket, when it came to him.
Emma’s study—his photo was on the wall.
Gary ran to the corner and scanned the length of Franklin. Nothing.
He could be anywhere. No point in chasing him. He could have ducked into the university campus or any one of the multitudes of buildings along the street. Not to mention the various lanes that were jutted along the way.
Shoulders heavy, Gary slowly walked back to the Gaol, to Jake and David, and Finn.
Damn! So close and yet so far away. Damn! Gary thought about the time he and the stranger were together. He couldn’t possibly have known, could he?
Back at the spot he’d just moments ago shared with the stranger, Gary unhurriedly lit another cigarette. He took a deep draw on it, then slowly exhaled.
“Christ!” he shouted, as he threw the barely smoked cigarette to the ground and stomped it out.
Finn met Gary on the lower level. “You look beat,” he told Gary.
“Yeah, beat and defeated.” Finn raised his eyebrows, but didn’t comment. “I’ve just met our perpetrator outside.”
“That’s not funny, Bro.”
“No, it’s not, but it’s true.” Gary explained what had occurred as he ran his fingers through his hair. “Jesus, I need a cigarette.”
“Haven’t you just...”
“Yeah, but I need another one.” Finn watched as Gary walked up the steps, his stance one of a man deflated.
And the day had hardly started.
*
Vinnie sat on the City Circle tram—the tram that ferried people—tourists and locals—around the City Business District free of charge. If you were lucky, you’d strike a driver who spouted the local history over the P.A. system.
These trams had atmosphere, and a little nostalgia attached to them. Original “W” class trams, they were painted maroon to distinguish them from the rest, which were green. They were few and far between, the free trams, and it was mostly tourists who rode them.
Vinnie sat brooding. He’d had his chance, and he’d almost taken it. The risks were high. What if someone saw him grab the package?
What if Emma was in there? What would he say to her? What could he say to her?—“Oh, sorry Emma—Ed took something and wouldn’t give it back.” Or maybe, “Ed knew too many secrets and threatened me with them?”
Yeah right! Like that would make it all okay? He had to kill Ed. Ed had boasted to Vinnie about the list, and he’d thought Ed was joking, until Ed had shown it to him. Or at least a copy of it.
Stupid, stupid, stupid!
What was he to do? Vinnie had to kill him. If anyone else got hold of that list, he was gone. Why did Ed have to put him on that list? And the others, if they found out he knew and did nothing, he might as well have cut his own throat.
He sat on the near-empty tram, elbows on knees, holding his head in despair.
No, he decided, he couldn’t walk away from this. He’d already sent three locals to find the thing for him.
Skinny Jacobs. Well that was a mistake. He was an absolute moron. What was the second one’s name? Never mind. He wasn’t much better.
A waste of good money. Skinny skipped town, and the other one was in the slammer. Not forgetting the last one—the one he sent to Lakes Entrance. He rang and said he’d almost been caught and wasn’t finishing the job. That was a very puzzling phone call. Didn’t even want the rest of his money. What a jerk!
So it was all up to him.
Vinnie made up his mind. He would go back to the Gaol. But not quite yet.
As the tram turned out of Spencer into Flinders, he decided to get off at Flinders Street Railway Station, wander down to the City Square, and spend some time there.
Maybe pick up some lunch along the way?
*
Emma sat looking out at the platform as the train pulled into Flinders Street Station.
Clay would be finding out just about now that she was gone. It was too risky to bring Sally. Clay would look after her.
She’d left a note, “Gone to Melbourne.” He’d probably blown a fuse, she decided.
She smiled. Nothing like what Gary will do!
Whatever possessed her to take off like that? She wasn’t really sure herself, but she was so worried about Gary and the others, she had to be sure they were safe.
After all, they were risking their lives for her. Her and Sally.
A tear tried to fight its way out, but Emma blinked it back, she wouldn’t let it escape. No, it would just have to stay right where it was.
She sure hoped they were all okay.
She’d changed trains at Southern Cross Station —that was a job and a half! For someone who’d lived in Melbourne all her life, she thought it would be a breeze. What an eye-opener that was!
Arriving in Melbourne in the early morning light, Emma had found a small café nearby, and had bought some breakfast. She’d had to hang around town until opening time, mainly window-shopping.
She’d jumped a tram and headed for the Old Melbourne Gaol, but it was too early—it didn’t open until ten.
Not one to be defeated, Emma worked her way down to the Fitzroy Gardens where Captain Cook’s Cottage was located.
She spent a little time puttering around the cottage, but still had time to fill, so she headed for the Fairy Tree.
Her mother often took her there to watch the fairies at play, but they always seemed to hide when she came along!
Emma smiled at the memory, and brushed away a stray tear. She thought about the day her brother, Cooper, had climbed the fence, and she had screamed at him to come out. She’d sobbed for ages thinking about all the fairies he’d probably crushed. Her mother had finally consoled Emma by telling her the fairies would have flown away when Coop was still climbing the fence.
“Love you Mum,” she whispered, tears rolling down her face as she stood watching over her beloved Fairy Tree.
*
“She’s done what?” Gary’s voice echoed all over the Gaol. Clay, on the other end of the mobile was probably holding the phone away, Gary guessed. “And you’ve know how long? Damn! Damn, damn, damn!”
Gary motioned Jake to approach. “Gone to Melbourne? What else?” He spoke aside to Jake, “Emma’s slipped out and is apparently... Yeah, yeah. I’m still here. On the train? Uh huh... Hell! She’s been wandering around town for hours! Jesus, Clay, where were you? I know, I know, she can be sneaky. Okay, we’ll look out for her.” Ending the call, Gary threw his hands in the air.
“Give him the slip, did she?” Jake asked, a grin on his face.
“It’s not funny. This could be serious.” Gary began to pace the platform. “I’m not sure what to do, I’ll have to think on it for a few minutes.”
He stopped pacing and walked toward a group of children trying on the replica of Ned Kelly’s armor that was available for just that purpose. As he headed to the nearby steps, to sit and think, Gary grabbed a small girl as she almost toppled from the weight of the armor.
He called Emma’s mobile number, but her phone was switched off. “Damn you, Em,” he cursed. At least if she’d answered he would know she was all right.
Gary finally made a decision—as much as it pained him, they couldn’t go look for Emma. After all, Melbourne is a bloody big place!
*
“You can’t be serious.” Finn looked his older brother in the eye. “If Emma’s out there, alone,” he emphasized ‘alone’ for Gary’s benefit, “Then we’ve got to find her.”
Gary glared at Finn. “Okay smarty pants, just where do you intend to look?” Give him just enough rope to hang himself, Gary thought. He then realized the pun in his thoughts, considering where they were.
“Well, er, she must have some favorite spots...”
Gary smiled at Finn. “Sure.”
Finn clapped his hands together. “Now we’re getting somewhere.” He paused, waiting for Gary to fill in the blanks, to no avail. “So...?” he finally asked.
“So?”
Finn was getting frustrated. Gary could see his expression changing by the second.
“So what’s her favorite place?”
“Hmmm, let’s see...” Gary was almost enjoying himself. If only Emma wasn’t missing. “Well, her most favorite place is the Rotunda, in the center of Bairnsdale. She loves to just sit and watch...”
Finn interrupted him mid sentence. “Come on, Bro. I’m talking about Melbourne.”
Gary moved closer to Finn, and assumed his ‘stand-over’ stance. “I don’t bloody know. If I did, don’t you think I’d be there by now?”
“You have no idea?” Finn took a couple of steps back.
“No idea.” Gary ran his fingers over his chin and turned to walk away.
“Bro,” Finn called. Gary turned and looked at Finn. “Emma’s resourceful. She’ll be okay.”
“I hope you’re right,” Gary replied. “I sure hope you’re right.”
*
Emma sat on a tram, heading back to the Gaol. She’d upset herself over that tree, and she’d ended up staying longer than anticipated in the gardens.
But she was fine now.
It was getting late, close to lunch-time and her stomach growled. Emma decided to grab a bite before going back to the old gaol. They didn’t have a kiosk there, so she headed straight for the City Business District. There were lots of little cafés around Flinders Street Station, and decided that was where she would aim for.
As the tram slowed, she looked up at the familiar ‘clocks’ above the beautiful old station. It had been gradually restored to its former beauty over the last few years, and it was certainly worth the huge cost. This station was a landmark in Melbourne. Everyone knew the clocks, people arranged to meet each other at the clocks, and they checked their train times by them.
Unfortunately, there was also some criminal activity centered around them, drug deals for instance. They happened so quickly and were often over before anyone knew anything about it.
Emma loved Melbourne, despite its problems. She had grown up there and would probably still be living there if it wasn’t for that mongrel...
Happy thoughts, she told herself. Don’t stress, he’s not worth it. Besides, if it weren’t for Ed, she would never have met Gary.
She took a deep breath and wondered what Sally was doing right now. Probably nagging Clay to let her ride the pony, or maybe trying to get him to take her to his place to visit the baby. She was such a little mother!
Emma climbed down the steps of the tram and stood by the guardrail, waiting for the traffic lights to change. She crossed the road, and waited outside St Paul’s Cathedral for the lights to now change in the other direction, so that she could go into Young and Jackson’s Hotel.
It was ages since she’d been in there. She wanted to see once more, the famous “Chloe” painting that hung above the bar. She’d just have a quick look, then go get some lunch.
As she stepped onto the footpath outside the hotel, she collided with a man rushing past. “Sorry,” she said, and then continued on her way.
She heard his indrawn breath and looked up. “Emma?”
She quickly headed toward the door to the bar. She didn’t want to see anyone that Ed knew.
“It’s been a long time,” Vinnie said, as he followed her. “Where have you been?”
“Er, around.”
He scrutinized her face. “You’ve changed your hair color, haven’t you? And cut it short.”
“Ages ago. I changed it ages ago.” She wasn’t interested in small talk. Emma just wanted to get today over and done with.
“Why don’t we get some lunch? We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.” Vinnie slid his arm through Emma’s, and began to walk with her.
“Sorry, I’ve got things to do,” Emma said as she continued walking toward the bar.
“Just do as I say,” he told her quietly—low enough those around them could not hear. “And everything will be fine.”
Emma’s heartbeat quickened. Why was Vinnie acting this way? She felt her legs begin to give way, then Vinnie’s arm grip her around the waist. Don’t faint, she told herself over and over. Don’t faint—keep your wits about you.
Emma forced herself to open her eyes, to look up into Vinnie’s face. His expression was one of concern. She must have misheard what he said. Yes that was it, she’d misunderstood him.
She smiled, a tentative little smile, but a smile nonetheless.
She felt Vinnie's other arm slide under her legs and pick her up.
“I’m okay,” she heard herself saying in a low voice. “You can put me down.”
“Everything all right here?” The voice was not one Emma recognized.
Vinnie's grip tightened. Tensed. “Thank you officer, but my friend just fainted.”
Emma felt humiliated. People had gathered around them, she couldn’t breathe, and felt closed in. “Okay, show’s over folks.” The officer motioned for everyone to give them room, and Vinnie carried Emma into Young & Jackson’s. A barman rushed over and pulled out a chair.
“Really, I’m fine,” Emma protested as she was handed a glass of iced water. “I’ve been wandering around town for hours, I’ve probably just worn myself out. It doesn’t help that I haven’t eaten since morning.”
Vinnie smiled at her. Emma felt relief—she had obviously misheard him earlier. Her mind was playing tricks on her. Stress will do that to a person. “What have you been doing with yourself? I haven’t seen you for, um, since Ed’s...” He stopped mid-sentence and frowned.
“Do you mean since Ed’s murder?” Emma finished for him. “It’s okay, Vinnie. I’m over all that.” She smiled across at him then added, “In fact, I’ve remarried.”
“Already?”
“Already? It’s been over two years.” She pulled her hand away when he covered it with his own. “I can’t just curl up and die. Do you think my life ended when Ed died? Besides, that bastard...” Calm down, think gentle thoughts.
“Ed? I thought you and Ed were happy—marital bliss and all that?”
“Yeah, so did I, until he was dead. That, that... No, don’t get me started, I don’t want to upset myself again.” She looked directly into his dark eyes. “Maybe that’s why I fainted. Today has been very traumatic.”
Vinnie had a puzzled expression and moved his chair closer to her. “Traumatic?”
“I’ve been to the Fitzroy Gardens.” He didn’t seem to understand, so she expanded—“The Fairy Tree. I spent a lot of time there – with Mum.”
“Oh.” Vinnie had known her mother, and he’d even gone to the funeral. In fact, he’d been a shoulder to cry on.
Vinnie had always been there when she needed him. He’d been a good friend to Ed, and to her. He’d even offered to help sort out Ed’s things after he’d died. Pity she hadn’t taken up his offer.
She sighed a deep sigh of relief, and Vinnie smiled.
“Feeling better?”
She did. She really did feel better. “Much. Thanks Vinnie. Maybe the shock of seeing you after all this time? Unexpectedly, I mean.” He covered Emma’s hand with his own again, but this time she didn’t withdraw it. “Combined with the tree thing, I mean.”
“You’re still looking pale. White as a sheet in fact.” He squeezed her hand. “Tell me about this new husband of yours—and the baby. Um, Suzie? No, don’t tell me, I remember now. Sally.” He smiled before continuing. “How’s she going? She must be, what? Three?” He squeezed her hand again.
