Jack & Harry (41 page)

The police sergeant sat at his desk in the small office sorting through files and papers. He hated the drudgery of clerical work but, as it was a one-man station, he was required to do all the work, policing and administration. He reached for the phone when it rang, grateful for the interruption. ‘Police station, Sergeant Carter.'

‘Ron.' It was the sister from the first aid post. ‘Glad I caught you; I need to have a chat about Bruno; any chance of calling in later?'

He checked the time on the wall clock then looked at the papers strewn over his desk. ‘Yeah Iris, give me half an hour or so and I'll be there. Put the kettle on.'

Iris Smith was a slightly built middle-aged widow who wore her hair in a tight bun. Iris never considered herself ‘pretty' although she had a quality that drew people to her, her ready smile infectious and attractive. Miners and townspeople alike regarded her as an angel as she was never too busy to see anyone regardless of the time, day or night. Dedicated to her nursing she believed the role extended far beyond just caring for patients physically so became involved in many social and psychological issues as well. Iris, Ron Carter and Shaun Logan worked closely together as well as being firm friends.

They sat in the small clinic kitchenette at a yellow laminex table, with a pot of tea and a plate of home-baked scones between them. ‘You bake these, Iris?' Ron Carter loved scones.

‘They didn't rise as well as they should have, Ron, but there's plenty. I'll put a few aside for you to take home.'

The sergeant took another one and piled it with butter. ‘What do you want to see me about, Iris?'

‘It's Bruno. He doesn't seem to be responding at all. The only time he showed any animation was when those two young boys were here. You know … the ones that found him.'

‘Young Ferguson and Turner. Good coupla kids those. Did you hear how they run off those blokes that tried to jump their claim?' He chuckled.

‘Hmm,' she looked thoughtful and smiled knowingly. ‘They look like butter wouldn't melt in their mouths but they must be tough young boys that's for sure. Where they from?'

‘Don't know much about 'em, Perth, I think. Shaun says they're friends of the priest in Kalgoorlie and I noticed a little Irishman get off the bus today asking for directions to Shaun's place so there might be some connection. We'll find out in due course no doubt. Now, what are we gonna do about Bruno?'

‘There's not a thing wrong with him physically that I can see but he's not eating and won't talk. He just lies there muttering quietly to himself in his own lingo and staring at the ceiling.'

‘No reaction at all?'

‘Not to me or anyone else. He gets very agitated at night so I leave a light on for him, poor fellow. The dark must remind him of being trapped underground for all those hours. I'm amazed he survived.'

‘The drive collapsed behind him leaving him unscathed but trapped in about six feet of tunnel. Just had enough air to keep him alive but another coupla hours and he'd have been history.'

Iris shuddered. ‘Not a nice way to go. I think he will have to go to hospital in Adelaide to get some professional help. I can't do any more for him here. Do you think you can help me arrange it?'

‘No trouble, Iris; when?'

‘As soon as we can. I'll let them know down in Adelaide. Does he have any family at all?'

‘Not that I know of. I don't even know his surname. Have you asked him?'

‘Of course!' Iris was indignant. ‘But I can't get any information out of him at all.'

‘That's part of the trouble 'round here. People come to town for lots of reasons but are very secretive. They never speak about their past, their families, what they've found, nothing. As long as they keep their noses clean here or I get a bulletin about them or a warrant from somewhere, I leave 'em alone but it makes a policeman's life hard.'

‘Oh you poorly done by, overworked cop,' Iris ragged.

‘Yeah, well, it does make it hard when something like this crops up. I'll go out and have a gander round his claim. You never know, there might be some papers in his shed or somewhere.'

‘You could always check at the Department of Mines, they should have something.'

‘Clever girl, want to work for me?' He laughed. ‘Hope he comes good though, 'cause that opal he found's worth a bloody fortune I'd say. Biggest I've ever seen.'

‘Is it safe?'

‘It's locked away in a cell under a bunk.' He patted his pocket. ‘Got the key right here.'

After the emotional and excited reunion between the three friends, Shaun Logan left them alone to talk, knowing his presence would make them uncomfortable and restrict conversation. He couldn't help smiling as he drove off how Paddy and the two boys had linked arms and danced around in circle in the dust like three schoolkids with Reynold looking on in amazement. He sensed that Paddy O'Brien would be a positive influence in the boys' lives although he felt the little man with the big smile, bubbly personality and jaunty ‘pork pie' hat had more than a touch of the ‘blarney' about him.

‘Now, be tellin' me, lads, what it is ye've been doin' these past months.' They were seated at the table in the dugout. ‘This is a fine piece of engineerin' it is and that's for sure.' Paddy looked about him in wonder, amazed that these three boys could have achieved so much in such a short time.

When Reynold disappeared quietly the two boys excitedly spoke together, rushing to get all their news out at once. Paddy held up both hands in mock defence. ‘Whoa on there, me lads. We've got all the time in the world to be talkin' so start from when ye left the fine Father at Mt Margaret. He's read your letters out to me but I want to be hearin' it all from you and ye can be fillin' in the gaps.'

They talked animatedly for the next hour, taking it in turns to tell Paddy briefly of their experiences on the trip through the centre of Australia with uncle Warri and the droving team. Paddy listened intently, smiling, nodding, raising his eyebrows and occasionally saying, ‘is that right? To be sure, to be sure,' as they told of learning to ride, droving the herd and Harry's brush with death in the desert after the snake spooked his horse. They talked fondly of uncle Warri, how he had ‘learned' Jack bushcraft and shooting skills and of Toffy with his bow tie.

Harry was wide eyed with excitement as he described how Wandoo had been hurt and how Jack had found them, leading them safely back to camp and they talked of Warri's magic with bush medicine. They described the stations, Christmas dinner and the presents. They told him their horses were stabled at a friend of Bruno's where they paid a few bob a week to keep them fed. Jack proudly showed Paddy the rifle and Harry tickled Anna's ears as she sat at his feet. Paddy laughed heartily when they described the brawl in the pub at Marree and how the boys reckoned Tom Cooper was the best fighter they had ever seen.

Paddy was fascinated when they talked about Ishmo with his camels, laughing as Harry did a little impersonation, bobbing his head saying, ‘yes, yes, yes. No, no, no.' He was spellbound with wonder when they told him about finding their first opal and that the stones were sold for a considerable sum.

He sat forward on the old oil drum, wide-eyed as they explained about the claim jumpers and how Jack had shot the tin from the tree sending the blokes packing over the dunes with Anna in hot pursuit. ‘That'll teach 'em to be messin' with me boys,' he said proudly.

Finally they described the cave-in and Bruno's rescue but modestly down played their roles, although Shaun Logan had already told Paddy of their courage in the situation.

‘Well, well, well.' Paddy scratched his ear then stroked his stubbled chin. ‘It's a grand time ye've had and all. Only five months it is since you left as a coupla green kids and look at ye now.' He stood up and stretched. ‘Men it is that ye are and that's for sure. I'm proud of ye, lads, and if I had a wee drop of ‘the doins' left I'd be havin' a little toast to you.'

Both boys were embarrassed at Paddy's praise so Harry quickly changed the subject. ‘We better be gettin' over to Bruno's then. It's startin' to get on … be dark soon.'

Ron Carter found no clue to Bruno's identity or information on any family that might exist when he searched through the old tin shed at the mine. He did find a calico bag with some rough opals in it so decided to put them with the big rock in the cell at the station. Checking records at the Department of Mines, he learned that Bruno's surname was Boccelli but no other information was available.

Taking this small bit of information to Iris Smith they went to see Bruno who was still in a catatonic state. The policeman leant close to the man in the bed. ‘Mr Boccelli? Bruno Boccelli?' Iris stood by, watching.

The Italian blinked and turned soulful eyes to the sergeant. ‘Boccelli? Yes, thatsa me.' Then he mumbled unintelligible words that neither the policeman nor Iris could understand.

‘We are going to send you down to Adelaide, Bruno … for some treatment.' Iris spoke slowly and distinctly. ‘You'll be all right; they will look after you well.' There was a fluttering of eyelids but no other response from the man in the bed.

‘Do you understand, Mr Boccelli? You're going to Adelaide.' Iris spoke firmly.

The mention of the name ‘Boccelli' again prompted some mild reaction but the little man said nothing.

‘Bruno … Mr Boccelli?' The policeman decided using the surname had more effect. ‘Your opal is safe, locked away where no one can find it.'

‘Opla belonga to me.' The man became agitated again, rolling from side to side in the bed.

The sergeant took a long shot. ‘Mr Boccelli. Jack and Harry are going to look after your mine while you're away.'

‘Jack? Harry?' The Italian frowned in concentration then a small smile edged his lips. ‘Good, good. They friendsa Bruno, they take good care.'

Iris raised her eyebrows encouragingly to the sergeant. ‘Seems like there's a bit of a breakthrough. At least he's OK about the boys looking after things. Better get him ready to travel.'

‘OK, Iris. Oh, I almost forgot.' The sergeant slapped his forehead. ‘Shaun dropped a few things in he thought Bruno might need. You know? Undies, shaving gear, pyjamas … few things like that. They're in the car; I'll grab 'em.' He left the room.

‘Bruno's been transferred down to Adelaide.' The sergeant had arrived at the nine-mile claim late in the afternoon, his appearance sending nervous fears into the boys before he explained why he had called.

‘G'day to you, sir, name's Paddy O'Brien.' The Irishman stepped forward, introducing himself. ‘I got in yesterday from Kalgoorlie.'

‘Yes I know, on the bus. Ron Carter, I'm the sergeant-in-charge here.'

‘And right on the ball if I may say so, Sergeant. Good to see it is and all,' Paddy beamed.

‘You a friend of the boys?' Carter nodded to Jack and Harry.

‘Came over special to see 'em I did. See if I could be lendin' them a hand but it seems to me that they're doin' pretty well on their own.'

‘Yes, they're pretty capable young blokes.' Carter turned to the boys. ‘Bruno's still not well but he did recognise your names and said he's pleased you're takin' care of his mine while he's away. I suppose you know not to do any mining there?'

‘Wouldn't go down another bloke's shaft without permission or him bein' there,' Jack replied.

‘Good lad.' He turned to Paddy. ‘You got a driver's licence, Paddy?'

‘That I have, sergeant, but it's a WA one.'

‘We can sort that out later. In the meantime it might be handy if you bring Bruno's Landy over here to keep an eye on it. You can use it to run back and forth between claims. Bit of a walk otherwise.'

‘We'll be takin' good care of it, sergeant.'