‘Yes, at the cow gates near Mum’s. I went to check they had enough water in their troughs.’
‘A witness says he saw your tractor unattended for some time. Would that be correct?’
‘Yes, I was checking the troughs and filling them.’
‘A witness says he saw you earlier in the day, around three thirty. He says you rode your bicycle down Centaur Road and left it standing near a fence in close proximity to a tank shed on your uncle’s property. What do you say about that?’
‘It’s definitely wrong.’
‘Were you on your bicycle that day?’
‘No.’
‘Did you go near the tank shed that day?’
‘No.’
‘The witness says he saw you go into the shed and that you were in there some time before leaving. What do you say about that?’
‘He must have seen someone else. It wasn’t me.’
‘Do you admit parking your tractor in Centaur Road that evening in close proximity to the cow gates on your mother’s, Mrs Jeff Hickson’s, property?’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you admit it was unattended?’
‘Yes.’
‘For how long was it unattended?’
‘About ten minutes.’
‘Detective Sergeant Carlson, who attended that fire Christmas Eve, says he found tracks leading from the area of your mother’s cow gates going toward the boundary we spoke of earlier. Were you near that boundary fence that morning?’
‘No.’
‘You have admitted parking your tractor in Centaur Road at the cow gates. Detective Carlson found the tracks leading from those cow gates to the boundary fence. Are you sure you didn’t park the tractor near the gates, walk over to the boundary fence and set the fire with mosquito coils, return to the tractor and drive home to your uncle’s?’
‘Look, I have never lit or set any fires anywhere, ever!’
‘Did you see any strange persons about the area?’
‘No, I didn’t.’
‘Is there anything else you would like to say?’
‘No.’
‘I am going to hand the original papers of questions and answers to you now, which I want you to read over
and
, if they are correct
and
to your satisfaction, you can, if you like, sign them. Do you understand that?’
‘Yes.’
Mr Buckley read the papers and nodded to Eric, who read them and then signed them.
The next interview was to do with Ivy Gelding’s fire. It proceeded along the same lines as the previous one. Eric explained how he saw the smoke from Dawn’s, how he was attracted to it by the dog barking, how he ran over yelling and saw no one until he came around the hay stack where he was surprised to see Ivy standing near the gate doing absolutely nothing when the fire was so obvious.
Mr Buckley again read the statement. Eric and he in turn signed it. They were taken to the magistrate’s chambers after what seemed an eternity, and a brief hearing was held. The magistrate, after hearing all the evidence, charged Eric with two counts of arson and two counts of setting fire to property.
Eric was remanded on bail for one thousand pounds. A hearing was set for eight weeks’ time. The magistrate also imposed a curfew on Eric between 8.00pm and 6.00am.
Eric was shattered beyond belief.
***
‘Come on, Eric, eat up. You must be starving. You didn’t eat a thing when you came in last night. You must keep up your strength,’ Connie coaxed.
‘Aunty Con, you couldn’t imagine how relieved I was to just get home. Those city detectives were absolute mongrels. They’re hell bent on pinnin’ this all on me!’
‘No, love, I can’t imagine, and I understand that it would have been tough on you. Those detectives are brutes. Please, let me at least make sure you eat well. Now, let’s start with a hearty breakfast!’
‘Ok, it looks great.’ Although he didn’t think he would be able to get through the big breakfast, he ate everything on his plate. He was surprised to find he had an appetite at all. Cleaning his plate, he kissed his aunty’s cheek and went out to speak with Uncle Sam in the orchard.
The next eight weeks were going to be tough. He knew the cops would be watching him. He also knew that there would be malicious gossip and some of the locals would be avoiding him. Life would be hard but he resolved to hold his head up and take each day as it came.
He vowed he would not go to gaol for a crime he had not committed!
‘We should go and see Eric today, Mary, and show him we are behind him on this. Karl sounded pretty upset when he rang with the news.’
‘What a lovely idea, Harv.’ Mary smiled brightly at him. ‘I’ll just change.’ She went to the bedroom and murmured to herself, ‘I think we’ll drop in and say hello to the Masons at Kia-Ora .
Harvey was sitting on the front veranda waiting patiently. His thoughts were of Ellie. They hadn’t been able to see each other for almost a fortnight now. Things had to be that way for a while because of Mary. Her recent behaviour had him worried and whether he liked it or not, he had to spend some time at home with her to try and settle things down, get them back to the way they had been before they’d moved to Hamilton Valley. He was in control back then.
‘Mary never rocked the boat before. Why is she now?’
He couldn’t fathom this change in her at all.
Harvey could picture Ellie’s face. He was imagining the soft warm feeling of her body in his arms. His body stirred at the thought. He would have to make contact with her and somehow try to meet her out at the cabin.
‘Penny for your thoughts?’ Mary interrupted.
‘Oh, you’re ready.’ Harvey stood up, pushing Ellie from his mind.
He noticed how attractive Mary looked. She’d taken extra care with her hair and makeup. She also wore an outfit Harvey had never seen before. He had to admit Mary did have a good body, but he just didn’t feel for her in the way he should. In fact, he confessed to himself ruefully, he never really had.
‘Let’s get going. I’d like to visit some other people as well. First, we’ll see Eric though.’ She smiled as she spoke.
Harvey looked suspiciously at her. She was up to something. What now?
After dropping in at Sam and Connie’s, speaking to Eric and offering their support, Mary insisted that they stop off at Emmie’s to make sure that she was alright, considering these latest circumstances.
Harvey had to oblige. He had no excuse not to.
Smiling pleasantly as usual, Hazel invited them in. Emmie was sitting at the kitchen table sorting out jam jar labels. She looked up as they entered and expressed her pleasure.
‘Well, don’t you both look smart. Mary, you look absolutely lovely.’
‘Thank you, Emmie.’ Mary bent and kissed her cheek.
‘Hello, Emmie. We thought we’d drop in and see how you were going.’ Harvey kissed the old lady as well.
‘Come and sit in the lounge room. I’ll bring us a little refreshment. You’d like a little nip of port, wouldn’t you Harvey?’
‘That would be nice, thanks. Emmie, we can’t stay too long though I’m afraid,’ Harvey said.
Mary sat very close to Harvey on the lounge. He felt awkward. They heard someone coming up the hall and Mary looked up as Ellie came into the room.
Mary looked into Ellie’s face. Smiling, she placed her hand on Harvey’s knee. ‘How lovely to see you again, Ellie.’
Ellie’s eyes flew from Mary’s hand on Harvey’s knee to his face and back to Mary’s.
‘Oh, hello, I didn’t know you were here. I’m sorry to have just barged in like this.’ Ellie turned to walk out as Emmie came in.
‘Oh, Ellie love, um… I’ll… I’ll get you a glass,’ Emmie stammered, understanding that this could be difficult.
‘No Mum, I don’t want one, thanks.’ She gave Emmie a pleading look, hoping she could get out of the room
fast
.
‘Ellie, please join us. You tell her, Harv. Tell her to sit down and have a drink with us. I’m sure she’ll listen to you, love.’ Mary smiled sweetly into Harvey’s face.
‘Of course, Ellie, do sit down and join us. Emmie, you take a seat and I’ll fetch the glasses.’ Harvey was glad of the escape. He sighed deeply as he went to the kitchen.
‘What is that
bloody woman up to now? Damn her!’
he wondered anxiously.
Back in the lounge room, Mary was feeling smug. Ellie was feeling terribly awkward.
‘You’re looking extremely well, Mary,’ remarked Emmie.
‘Thank you, Emmie. I feel
really
well. Harvey and I have been to see poor Eric. What a shocking thing to happen to him!’
‘He seems to be coping quite well,’ Harvey remarked as he came through the door. He passed the glass to Ellie and their eyes met. Ellie quickly glanced towards the port bottle and Harvey poured her a drink and returned to his seat beside Mary.
Emmie chatted on about Eric and the conversation turned to Harvey and Mary’s new home they had been renovating. Mary had her hand back on Harvey’s knee.
Emmie noticed the gesture and looked at Ellie.
Ellie was finding it extremely difficult to keep up conversation.
‘Oh, Mary love, please come and see the back garden. Win has been planting the most beautiful flowers. They are so pretty. You may like to plant them around your place.’ Emmie was trying to resolve a very awkward situation.
Mary didn’t want to go. She knew it would mean leaving Harvey and Ellie alone. Emmie insisted and Mary reluctantly accompanied her to the back garden.
Hearing the back door close, Harvey immediately took Ellie in his arms. As he bent his head to kiss her, she turned her head.
‘Why did you come here with Mary? Damn it.’
‘It wasn’t
my
idea, Ellie. She wanted to visit Emmie after we saw Eric, and she
insisted
we come here!’
‘Oh, Harvey, this is
very
difficult. We must try to meet at the cabin. What about tomorrow night or lunchtime? Anytime!’ Ellie pleaded.
‘I can’t tomorrow, but Monday night, I’ll say I’m working back. Meet me at six o’clock. We’ll have a couple of hours together.’
Harvey gave her a quick kiss as they heard Emmie’s voice coming closer to the back door.
‘Well, Harvey. I think you’ll be taking a trip to the nursery on your way home. Mary thinks Win’s flowers would look just lovely along your front fence,’ Emmie said brightly.
Mary was glancing from Ellie’s face to Harvey’s, trying to read them. Ellie was sipping her port and kept her eyes on Emmie. She wouldn’t look at Mary.
‘That sounds great, Em. Thanks for showing her. We can stop at the one on the road back to our place. Come on, Mary, we’ll get going. Thanks for the port, Em. Damn good drop, that!’
Mary hadn’t said a word. She caught Ellie’s eyes as they rose to go to the front door. Her mouth pinched disapprovingly. ‘I’m glad it’s such a lovely day. Harv and I will enjoy a stroll through the nursery.’
Mary linked her arm through Harvey’s as she spoke. ‘Let’s stop and have lunch at that nice little place where we can sit outside in the sunshine, Harv. Bye Emmie, Ellie!’
‘Bye Em, bye Ellie!’ He glanced quickly at Ellie as they walked to the car.
‘Well Ellie. We could have cut the air with a knife,’ Emmie said.
‘Mum, you’re an angel. Thanks for taking her outside. I really needed to talk with Harvey and it was so damn awkward trying to stay composed with Mary there.’ Ellie sat down again.
‘Ellie, I don’t like being party to things like this, you know, but I had to get out of the room myself. Mary was behaving a bit unusual. I’m quite concerned that she may be unbalanced. She barely looked at the flowers. She was breaking her neck to get back inside. She’s no fool!’ Emmie gave Ellie a knowing look.
‘Mum, I know it’s wrong, but what can we do? You know how we feel about each other. Mary told me herself that they have no marriage, that act she just put on was ridiculous. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, why doesn’t she just set them both free and get on with a happy life?’
‘Ellie, I have no answers to anything anymore, but I don’t like it. When you and I spoke about this a while ago, I honestly thought things would iron themselves out. Now, I see what this is doing to Mary in particular and, love, it worries me.’
As Harvey drove along Jindera Road, he felt like shouting at Mary. He wanted to know what she was cooking up in that head of hers. The way she had gone on at Emmie’s was embarrassing. Emmie would know that Mary wasn’t herself.
One look at Mary’s face told him not to mention it.
She still had her hand clasped tightly on his leg. As they approached the nursery, she said, ‘I don’t want to get the flowers today. I’d prefer to just have lunch. I’m starving.’
‘If that’s what you want. Do you feel alright?’
‘Of course I’m alright. Why wouldn’t I be?’
Harvey noticed the rise in her voice and bit back his retort, instead replying, ‘Ok, love, if you say you’re alright, we’ll go and eat.’
***
Splashed over the front page of the Border Mail was the news of Eric’s arrest. The bush telegraph went into overdrive! The gossips had a field day. Tongues wagged over fences, in the grocery stores and in the pub.
‘Told ya’s it was one of tha Masons!’ Bill O’Toole’s voice was heard above the general hum of drinkers at the bar. ‘They won’t think ‘emselves so flamin’ good after this!’ He sniggered.
‘Well, it’s gonna be interestin’ at the trial. I’m gonna be there, that’s for sure,’ another local smirked.
‘What I don’t understand is, if Eric Mason’s the bug why did he centre most of the friggin’ fires on his own family and himself? Bit weird, ain’t it?’ another bloke questioned.
‘Who knows, mate,’ O’Toole replied. ‘Who cares? The cops got him. That’s all that matters.’
‘Well, time’ll tell still. There ain’t been any fires for a while so maybe he did do it,’ muttered another drinker.
***
Sam and Arthur were outside at Kia-Ora with Karl and Digger when Nat and Rex dropped in.
‘Gidday, how’s everythin?’ they asked, shaking hands and accepting the offer of cold beers.
‘G’day, we’ve just been talkin’ about this mess with Eric and the idiot cops,’ Karl answered.
‘Bloody stupid bastards,’ Rex replied. ‘This stinks of a set-up, ya know!’
‘Too damn right it does!’ Sam agreed. ‘Those city bastards show up and five bloody minutes later they arrest Eric!’
‘Yeah, an’ you tell me how the friggin’ hell they got any evidence!’ Arthur added. ‘They didn’t even come out an’ look at any of the fires, never once went over what was left of anythin’. Didn’t wanna dirty their fuckin shoes…’
‘You’se are on the money; it reeks of a setup, that’s for sure,’ Digger said. ‘Bennett and Simpson have been on the case for months and months and they came up with stuff all. So tell me, how can these city pricks waltz in and
bingo,
they have an arrest?!’
‘Yep, smells bad ta me, mate. Real bad,’ Nat said. ‘We’re here ta give Eric our full support. We won’t take shit from any bastard either. Ya know there’ll be plenty of flack from some of tha locals. There’s a lot who’ll swallow what the cops’re sayin’.’
‘Yeah, we’ve warned Eric. He’s gonna have ta be strong. He’s got a few weeks of hell in fronta him,’ Sam replied. ‘I tell ya, I’d love ta know who this eye witness is. Whoever it is, is lyin’ through their fuckin’ teeth!’
‘Well, we’ll have ta keep our eyes open. Someone’s up ta no good, that’s for sure. Hasn’t been a fire for a bit either. Seems mighty strange, don’t ya think?’ Rex said. ‘We’re not scalin’ back the patrols; that friggin’ bug’s still out there.’
‘Shit no! The patrols are still happenin’. Stoppin’ would be just what the bastard wants!’ Karl replied angrily. ‘We’ll keep at it til we get the bastard. The cops can go ta hell!’
***
As the week for the hearing drew closer, the weather had grown colder. Foggy mornings and cold frosty nights meant it was a good time to spend inside in front of a cosy warm fire.
There hadn’t been one suspicious fire. This only added to the speculation about Eric!
Eric was trying to remain calm but finding it extremely hard to do so. He’d suffered plenty of snide remarks and outright nastiness over the weeks leading up to the hearing. Although there were still plenty who dropped in with a friendly smile, kind words of support and a cold beer, trying to deal with the hurt from the other people who believed the charges was hard and the distress was clearly evident on his face.
No one enjoyed nights out during the weeks leading up to the court case. Kathy went to the drive-in with Eddie a few times but mostly the young ones hung around the house.
Dawn was very concerned for her son. She knew just how this would be affecting him. Eileen wasn’t coping well either. She was very short-tempered with everyone.
Jeff kept himself busy with jobs around the property and taking his turn on patrol. He had a run-in with the detectives recently. He had been defending Eric again and they hadn’t liked it one bit. They were extremely rough on him. He realised that he did get
a little too
close to the bone
when he brought up that Eric couldn’t be in two places at the one time, that he had an alibi for the diesel fire at Kia-Ora
. They didn’t want to discuss that.
Dawn had run into Ivy Gelding in the local supermarket and could hardly restrain herself from lashing out at the woman. Ivy had quickly turned away and dashed down another aisle, but not before Dawn caught the look of guilt on her face.
Eric had strong support from all the family and his friends. It was now up to the court.