by Don Zelma
Chapter Nine
Dan waited out on the footpath and could see the workshop through the door.
‘Here I am again,’ he thought to himself, ‘embarking on a plan I cannot justify.’
The end-of-shift siren started to wail and he experienced a shot of embarrassment. But he felt impelled to see Joe Judd, the second man in the photograph. Ruth hadn’t been happy about the visit to Ned Col, but so far, he thought, that and now this were incidents he could talk himself out of.
Inside the hanger about a hundred men were strolling towards him and emerged into the daylight, squinting in the sun. Joe Judd’s grubby face was not hard to find. He lumbered out of the door, young and good-looking and taller than most other tradesmen. He passed without looking up, wearing a baseball cap and with a rucksack over his shoulder.
Dan called out. ‘Joe?’
The man did not hear. Dan started walking, eventually reaching out and touching the man’s back.
‘Joe Judd?’ he said.
His uniform was hot and wet. The man looked back, over his shoulder, and had a wide boxer’s nose.
‘Yeah…’ he said, wearily.
‘Excuse me,’ he said, ‘But I’m Dan Amos – Jay’s father.’
Joe winced one eye, thinking. ‘Right… Right…’
‘I’m sorry to catch you at work,’ Dan said. ‘But do you mind if we talk?’
Not surprisingly, Joe was confused. ‘Eh… Sure,’ he said.
Dan gestured at the car park. ‘I’ll walk with you,’ he said. ‘I don’t want to hold you up.’
Joe shrugged. ‘Uh, OK,’ he said.
The two men began walking, the many boots around them sounding like a marching army.
‘So, what’s this about, Mr. Amos?’ Joe said cordially. He seemed nice enough.
‘It’s good to finally meet you,’ Dan said.
Joe pouted. ‘I guess,’ he said.
The mob began dispersing across the car park, heading towards their cars. Dan was having big doubts now. He reached into his trouser pocket, pulled out his hanky and began wiping the back of his neck.
‘You OK, Mr. Amos?’ Joe said, walking.
‘Yeah, sure,’ Dan said.
Joe glanced away and waited a few seconds. ‘The word on the grapevine is – you paid Ned Col a visit.’
Dan slowed, amazed that word had travelled so quickly. Joe kept walking and he hurried up behind him.
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I have to admit that’s right.’
Joe clicked his tongue. ‘I don’t think he was too impressed.’
Dan felt rotten and his face started turning hot. ‘Oh… Oh, I see,’ he said.
Joe glanced at him as he walked. ‘You’d better be careful,’ he said. ‘Ned has the worst temper I’ve ever seen.’
It was fair advice. ‘Yes,’ Dan said. ‘I understand.’
Joe adjusted the rucksack on his shoulder. ‘I’m glad you do.’
Things weren’t going well and Dan cleared his throat. ‘Joe,’ he said, ‘you’ve probably gathered what this is about – I’m very curious about Jay.’
Joe was silent as he walked. He closed his eyes momentarily and nodded. ‘I know,’ he said.
Dan quickened his steps. ‘Jay and I… I never really knew him – not near the end.’
Joe did not bite; Dan drew level and saw he had developed a stolid face. He sure didn’t want to talk. He went behind a row of parked cars and Dan adjusted course and followed him.
Joe glanced back. ‘I don’t know how I can help ya, Mr. Amos,’ he said.
‘Oh... I see,’ Dan said. ‘I don’t know how to say this… I know it was a long time ago. I guess… I would like to know what you think happened.’
Joe remained silent as he walked, then shrugged.
‘Joe…’ Dan said, ‘I mean – I really need to know.’ Dan stared at his sweaty back, but Joe just kept walking. No, he was giving up nothing.
‘Jay lost control of his motorcycle,’ Joe said after a pause, ‘and hit a tree, Mr. Amos.’
Dan got a move on and they cleared the cars. ‘Yes,’ he said. He drew level. ‘I know the story, but you see… How can I put this? Was he, you know, involved in anything?’ He listened to the sound of their shoes and realised that they had hit a dead end in this conversation. ‘I don’t know,’ he said, despondently. ‘In truth, I don’t know what I need from you.’ Engines were beginning to start around them. ‘Joe,’ he said, ‘if you ever need to chat… about anything...’
Joe cut in. ‘You know,’ he said, ‘Jay talked about you before the accident.’
‘Oh, really?’ Dan said. He quickened his steps. ‘What did he say?’
Joe shrugged. ‘Nothing, really. Just that you were not like other men.’
The din around them grew louder.
‘Oh, I see,’ Dan said. ‘But, if you need someone to talk to, I have an office.’
Joe Judd halted – he had had enough. The current of men continued on around them. The meeting had turned sour and Dan reached up and fingered his tie. Joe turned and slowly began walking. Dan followed, a little less eagerly.
‘Mr. Amos,’ Joe said, ahead. ‘You’re not planning on any more visits on Ned or me, are ya?’
Dan was silent. He had.
‘I got to be straight,’ he said. ‘I can’t help ya.’
Dan digested the information and slowly nodded. ‘Yes, I understand, Joe,’ he said.
Joe halted and raised his finger as if to prod him. ‘I’m serious, mate,’ he said.
Dan stared and saw Joe’s eyes were unrelenting. He looked down. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘I didn’t mean to upset you.’
Joe exhaled. ‘Don’t worry about it,’ he said quietly. He took a few more steps, stopped at a red sports utility and removed his car keys his trousers.
Dan reached into his shirt pocket. ‘This is my business card,’ he said, holding it out towards Joe. His hands were shaking and they both saw it.
Joe looked up and stared at his face. He leaned back against his car and slowly folded his arms. ‘Why are you doing this to yourself, Mr. Amos?’
Dan knew what he meant. He hesitated and dropped his hand. ‘I don’t understand the question.’
Joe looked out at the car park. ‘Jay’s gone, mate.’
Dan raised the card towards him. He knew he was breathing heavily but couldn’t stop it. It was all going wrong, but eventually Joe took sympathy.
‘Oh, give it here,’ he murmured. He took the card and it looked small in his large hand.
‘My address is on the bottom,’ Dan said, pointing.
Joe slowly shook his head and opened the car door. Joe threw his rucksack onto the passenger seat and slumped in behind the wheel. He closed the door and Dan waited outside the car feeling like a fool. Joe reached down and slowly unwound the glass.
‘You OK, Mr. Amos?’ he quietly said.
‘Yes, I’ll be fine,’ he said. ‘Don’t worry about me.’
Joe waited. ‘You don’t look too good.’
Dan swallowed. ‘This was a silly idea,’ he said.
Joe turned and gazed at the wheel then nodded to himself. ‘OK,’ he said. He glanced at Dan. ‘Well, take care of yourself.’ He reached for the ignition and a big engine kicked over under the bonnet. Dan saw the gear lever trembling beside his knee.
He stepped back and licked his upper lip. ‘Call me anytime,’ he said. It was a final desperate attempt – and now Joe looked up and stared at him. It was a warning to back off, and was fair enough. He put the car into gear, rested his elbow on the door frame and slowly pulled out of the parking spot. His car headed towards the exit and Dan watched it disappear into the steady flow of workshop traffic, feeling more foolish than ever before in his life.
