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CHAPTER

4

“You know Mike it never ceases to amaze me what human beings are capable of inflicting on each other.” It was a rare reflection for John to wax philosophical, underscoring his deep feelings regarding the shooting.

Ballard shrugged. “Human nature at work. A fact of life ever since we crawled out of the swamp.”

John glanced over at him. “Thank Christ it’s a small percentage of the population. We wouldn’t have enough hours in the day otherwise.”

Ballard shuffled sideways to face his partner. “I’ve never mentioned this to you but when I was about eight, my maternal grandfather told me an unbelievable story just before he died. I’ve never forgotten it. At the time it gave me nightmares for weeks, months in fact. . I know Mum was ropable when she found out.”

John’s expression made it clear Ballard had his attention. “Grandpa lived in Mundulla in South Australia and it happened when he was about thirty-five,” he hesitated, performing mental arithmetic. “I’m guessing that would have been… ah, the mid 1920s. Anyway, he would take Mum on a shopping trip once a fortnight into Bordertown which was about ten kilometres away. They didn’t have a car, so grandpa would saddle up the horse and buggy.”

John snorted. “Jeez Mike. You’re kidding me? A horse and buggy.”

Ballard chuckled. “Yep. Remember, this was the twenties. Now here’s where it gets interesting. On the way into Bordertown there was a farmhouse that was close to the road. The owner had a reputation for belting his better half. In those days wives had nowhere to go, so she had to put up with it. Anyway, for whatever reason she died.

“Grandpa said her death was never attributed to the husband, but no doubt living in that environment didn’t help. From that point on the husband was shunned by the community. No-one would talk to him. He even had trouble buying food and supplies from the shops. For all intents and purposes he had to fend for himself.”

Ballard became more animated as the story progressed. “On one of the trips, grandpa noticed the sheep and some of the cows crowding around the farmhouse. This wasn’t normal. A fortnight later he saw the same thing again. By the following fortnight grandpa decided to take a look. He dropped Mum home after shopping then back-tracked, knocking on the guy‘s front door. It was the middle of summer, stinking hot. Grandpa saw the livestock weren’t in good shape, water troughs empty, no feed, that sort of thing.”

Ballard looked across at John, grinning wickedly. “Then he noticed the smell.”

Without taking his eyes off the road John inclined his head sideways so as to be closer. “What smell?”

“Death.”

“Death?”

“Yep. Grandpa called out for several minutes but no-one answered, so he forced open the front door and went inside. Said the stench was unbelievable. So much so he threw up in the kitchen sink. But when he opened the door to the lounge he did more than throw up.” Ballard paused for dramatic effect. “He told me he very nearly soiled his pants.”

John was mesmerised, waving his hand impatiently for Ballard to continue.

“What grandpa saw was a rope slung over one of the beams with a noose at the end.”

“Christ, the bastard hung himself.”

“Grandpa said he wasn’t hanging from the rope.”

John took his eyes off the road and stared at Ballard. “So he didn’t hang himself?”

Ballard chuckled. “Oh yes he did. Remember… it was the middle of summer and he’d been there for over six weeks.”

Realisation dawned on John’s face. “Oh, don’t tell me!”

“Oh yes indeed! The bugger had rotted off the rope. To make matters worse, the idiot had taken a swig of sulphuric acid before he kicked himself off the chair. Grandpa saw the bottle lying on the floor.”

John swerved in the lane as he looked across, horrified.

“Sulphuric acid! You’re kidding me. For Christ’s sake, why?”

Ballard gave his reply a degree of simplicity. “Guilt... loneliness... madness. All three. Grandpa then gave me a graphic description of how the body had decomposed. Maggots everywhere. I guess the acid didn’t help. When it was all over and the police had attended, along with the local doctor, the body had to be scraped up and shovelled into a box.”

John shook his head from side to side, as if blocking out the words and the mental image. “Enough Mike, enough! And your grandfather told you this when you were eight?”

“He did indeed. And didn’t he get a mouthful from my mother.”

“So the moral of the story…?”

Ballard took his time before replying. “I guess it all comes back to the fact human beings are capable of doing astonishing things. Good as well as bad. It does put our homicide into some perspective, though. No excuse of course, just proof the human race isn’t going to change any time soon.”

John, still shaking his head, muttered through gritted teeth, “Maybe so, but whoever did the Lalor murder isn’t going to get away with it while I have breath in my body.”

Ballard’s lip curled, reflecting on how many times he had seen John lock onto a case with the determination and skill that made him one of the finest detectives the police force had ever produced.

As if reading his mind John said, “Don’t think you’re going to get an easy ride on this one Mike. I need your objectivity and political nous to get me through this. The Chief’s going to be all over it like a rash, along with the media. You know how that scares the crap out of me.”

Ballard acknowledged John’s comments with a nod, straightening back in his seat as he stared blankly ahead. “How much longer are you going to keep doing this John? I mean you could retire, put your feet up any time you want.”

“Yeah and go bloody mad. It’s in our blood and you know it. That’s why you didn’t pull the pin. But it sure baffles the hell out of the young guys.” He gave a short braying laugh. “I can see it in their eyes. They can’t believe us old buggers can chew gum and drive a car at the same time. Unbelievable.”

He shook his head, but the grin lighting up his face was one of pure satisfaction. “Just don’t go getting yourself killed Mike. The paperwork is a bastard and I couldn’t stand being teamed up with some young fool spouting endless drivel while they’re in the car with me.”

Ballard gave him a wry look. “I’ll try not to. Well not any time soon. Besides Natalie would never forgive me.”

“Soooo, when are you going to pop the question?”

“Ah, you did hear the commotion in Delwyn’s office.”

“Christ Mike, I look up and you’re having a knee tremble with her on the desk.”

“I think that might be a slight exaggeration John. I trust you’re not going to blurt this out when you see Natalie next?”

John gave his best Jack Nicholson leer. “Your secret’s safe with me buddy boy.”

Ballard shook his head, knowing what the look meant. “That reminds me, I need to ring Nat to let her know what time I’ll be over tonight.”

John smirked. “Give her my love, plus tell her I can’t wait to engage in some juicy gossip.”

Glaring at him Ballard dialled Natalie’s number, her greeting benefiting from caller ID.

“Hello Michael. I’m wide awake now, so you can tell me how much you love me.”

“As much as life itself, darling.” Ballard thrust out his jaw as he looked across at John who gave an exaggerated roll of his eyes.

“Nat this case may get nasty. Is 6.30 ok by you?”

“Yes darling, besides that gives me more time to prepare after work.” Her voice was silken in his ear.

Ballard shook his head, appreciating yet again her wonderful nature to adapt to circumstances and make the most of any situation.

Natalie laughed at his hesitation. “But on one condition. I provide the main course while you my sweet, provide the dessert.” Her voice lowered provocatively, the meaning unmistakable.

Grinning from ear to ear Ballard responded, “Darling, you can be assured I’ll bring dessert.” He said this while glaring challengingly at John who took one hand off the steering wheel to poke a finger down his throat, pretending to gag.

Giggling and unaware of the exchanges at Ballard’s end, Natalie said, “I can’t wait,” then hung up.

John flicked a quick look at Ballard. “My God, despite only hearing your half of that conversation, I was embarrassed. You know, for a couple with a combined age of ninety-five years, you two are worse than hormonal teenagers.”

Ballard sighed, looking content. “Guess what John? We’re loving it!”

John asked, “And what’s with all the daaaarliiiings… darling this, darling that. Christ!”

Ballard smiled, deciding to let the comment slide. Looking down at his mobile he muttered, “One more call. I need to let my neighbour Sam know there’s a fox roaming the farm. Some of his ewes and lambs are in the bottom paddock.”

Dialling the number he listened as an answering machine cut in. After the beep he said, “Sam, Michael here. I saw a fox wandering past the veranda this morning. Big as one of your cows. You may want to put the Alpacas back to protect the lambs, just in case. Best of luck.” He pocketed his mobile before settling back in the seat.

John steered the car to the left lane and onto the exit ramp for the Western Ring Road. Despite the roadworks they made good time. It was 8.15 a.m. when they reached Settlement Road, Lalor, pulling into Ellis Court minutes later.