by Derek Haines
‘You mother fuckers!’ Steve yelled.
‘Yeah, I know Steve,’ one of the policemen nonchalantly replied.
‘Ahh fuck!’ Steve let out as an admission of defeat.
He was lifted bodily to his feet and walked back to the car in Druitt Street and taken directly to Central Police Station. After being processed, he was told he’d appear in court the next morning.
‘Yeah, I know,’ Steve told the custody sergeant. ‘Then off to Silverwater.’
‘Probably Steve.’
Tony woke early and heard the radio news that Steve had been recaptured. In a way Tony was relieved. When Dave arrived in the kitchen a little later, they both felt it was a problem solved. All they had to worry about now was Vince. Vince heard about Steve the same way. He was on the phone by nine making sure Steve got a welcome to Silverwater. Steve woke that morning and realised he didn’t have a solicitor for his court appearance. He knew he was on his own.
By midday, Steve was in Leichhardt again on Parramatta Road. He looked out of the grill of the prison van as it pulled away from the intersection where he thought his luck had changed. In his mind he wondered if he was lucky enough for it to happen twice. He figured it was unlikely as he was travelling alone this trip. After entering the prison facility, it took nearly two hours before he was stripped of his possessions, processed and dressed in his prison issue and taken to his cell. He had one cell mate. A very quiet one. He was so quiet, he didn’t even bother responding to Steve’s good mannered hello. The fact that he completely ignored Steve concerned Steve more than the fact that the man was very big, very tall, and very ugly.
There was little to do except lie on the bed. Steve did this and wondered what he could organise in here during his stay. His cell mate obviously wasn’t going to be Steve’s entertainment guide, so he’d just have to wait until tomorrow to check with a guard, or talk to others in the yard. Steve was just about to close his eyes for a nap when his cell mate finally spoke.
‘I’ve got a message for you young fella.’
The strange high pitched voice was a complete surprise to Steve.
He tried not to laugh, but still wore a grin.
‘You haven’t heard the message yet. You might not be grinning then arse hole!’
‘So what is it?’ Steve said almost cockily.
‘It comes from a man called Vince. Do you know a man called Vince?’
‘I know a few Vince’s,’ Steve said still trying to sound confident.
‘Well this one particular Vince isn’t very happy with you Steve. His simple message is this. If one solitary word passes your smiling lips, your smile will be instantly blown out the back of your head. Your brains’ll create a wall mosaic,’ he smiled at Steve.
Steve lost his smile.
‘That’s better son. I can happily report that you’ve got the message.’
To make the message even clearer, Steve found that there wasn’t a soul in Silverwater who wanted to talk to him. Even the warders kept their communication with Steve to a minimum. He’d thought Vince was a meal ticket, an easy touch. Just a country car dealer with a few interesting side businesses that Steve could have fun with. It was now dawning on him that Vince was very well connected and had a vindictive streak Steve couldn’t have imagined. This was going to be a tough remand period. All he could hope for was time in a prison where Vince didn’t have connections. Or some help from a different quarter? The police.
Steve’s solicitor, Charles Stewart was present at Steve’s interview with the police in a small interview room at Silverwater.
‘Hello Steve, I’m Senior Constable Hendricks, and this is Constable Seaton. We need to ask you a few questions about your recent escape from custody. Ok Steve?’
‘Before we start, can I ask something?’
‘Sure Steve,’ Hendricks answered.
‘Well, I’m not sure how to put this,’
‘Try plain English Steve,’ Hendricks said encouraging Steve.
‘Would it help me if I gave you information?’
‘I should advise you to be very careful here Steven,’ Charles interrupted.
‘Careful!’ Steve exclaimed. ‘I don’t think I can get into much deeper shit than I am now!’
‘Calm down Steve. So what is it?’ Hendricks asked Steve quietly.
‘Ok, I’m in here for possession and jumping out of the open door of a prison van. With my record I’m going to get some time. Right?’
‘More than likely Steve. I can’t say what a court will decide,’ Hendricks answered.
‘Well, if I were to give you details of some things I know, would it help me? You know, maybe a shorter sentence?’
‘Steve. I can’t say. All I could tell you is that if you do have information that you think would assist us, and it was proved to be useful, it could be noted and may be taken into consideration by a judge or magistrate. There are no deals done, if that’s what you are looking for,’ Hendricks explained.
‘Steve, wouldn’t it be better if we attended to your situation?’ Charles advised.
Steve ignored Charles and looked Hendricks in the eye.
‘I can assure you, you would be interested.’
‘Give me a brief outline Steve. I’ll decide if we’re interested,’ Hendricks said returning Steve’s stare.
‘Drug production, child prostitution, organised car theft, exporting stolen goods,’ Steve listed.
‘Has someone upset you Steve? Do want to get even?’ Seaton asked Steve.
‘Does it matter?’
‘Probably not Steve. Only the accuracy of the information would,’ Hendricks answered.
‘Are you interested?’ Steve asked Hendricks directly.
‘Possibly Steve.’
‘Well, if you are, I’ll give you all the information I have, but I’d have to be moved from here,’ Steve demanded.
‘Have you been threatened Steve?’ Charles asked with genuine concern.
‘Only if you call being told that my brains will be blown out the back of my head to create a wall mosaic. Yes. I’d call that a threat,’ Steve paused. ‘Funny you know. I wonder what Ted Murphy’s brains looked like splattered all over the wall of his house?’
‘What do you know about Ted Murphy Steve?’ Seaton asked.
‘I know he must’ve opened his mouth. Pity is for poor Ted, he knew fuck all really. He just thought he was employed by someone who just stole a few cars.’
‘Vince Walsh?’ Hendricks asked.
‘I’m not saying any more while I’m held in Silverwater,’ Steve said emphatically.
‘Ok Steve. Why don’t we get back to the subject at hand? Your stroll through Leichhardt?’ Hendricks said.
‘Yes, good idea,’ Charles Stewart said. He knew of rumours about Vince’s reputation and was happy to deal with Steve’s escape.
Steve made his statement regarding his escape and was led back to his cell. He hoped he had whetted Hendricks’ appetite.
Vince Walsh received word that his message had been delivered to Steve Sharp and that Steve had been interviewed by the police regarding his escape. With Ted Murphy’s demise, Vince couldn’t afford to attract any more attention. He hoped the warning would be enough for Steve to understand the threat. He was annoyed that he’d had to silence Ted Murphy, but Ted was in panic after being interviewed by the police. When he told Vince that he had to protect himself and tell the police what he knew, Ted had signed his own demise with that threat. For the first time in many years Vince was feeling uncomfortable. He knew Steve was a danger to him, but if he reacted too strongly, suspicion would surely shift towards him. If he did nothing, Steve could be tempted to open his mouth to save his own skin. He decided the best course was to close down anything that could be a problem, and get Ed Scarli to look after Steve in court. At least he’d have someone close to Steve.
Vince called Ed to make the arrangements. He was disappointed when Ed called him back to tell him Charles Stewart was already engaged to represe
nt Steve. Unless Steve sacked Charles, Ed couldn’t do anything. For the first time in many years, Vince Walsh felt he wasn’t in one hundred per cent control.
David and Tony kept as low a profile as they could. They both felt there were major problems within Vince’s organisation, but they were caught between a rock and a hard place. If they fled Vince’s employ in a hurry, they feared Vince’s reaction. The possibility that Ted had been murdered scared them both. The knowledge that Steve was back in custody was a small relief. It wasn’t that they had wanted their friend to be arrested, but when he escaped from custody and wanted their help, he’d placed an unfair and selfish burden upon them. They’d discussed at length what Steve had done for them in recent months, and had come to the conclusion that most of Steve’s help was really more helpful to Steve than them both. Steve was looking for Vince’s approval in his help at finding both of them a job. His games with women were for his own weird pleasure. David and Tony were just there to witness his triumphs. They both agreed that once Steve left Beth, he’d changed. Or was it that Beth had changed him, and he had reverted to the real Steve once her influence was gone?
With As New Spares closed, and both trucks locked away in the warehouse, Tony and the other driver were used to do pick ups and deliveries for Vince’s car dealership. David was doing general office duties in the service department along with his three assistants. There was little they could complain about, as their salaries were the same. Only Tony was affected in that his salary was now paid in one orthodox payment. Steve’s imaginative package had ceased. Tony knew he would have to handle a new child support level soon. That battle was for another day. His house was listed for auction, but he was having difficulties getting agreement from his wife as to a date. Tony’s solicitor, Ed Scarli was applying to the Family Court to have an order made to enable the auction to proceed. On the same day Ed Scarli made the application, he received a hand delivered letter to his office. It was addressed, handwritten:
‘Personal and Confidential
For the Attention of:
Mr Antonio Pilletto
C/- Scarli and Associates’
Ed sent a short letter to Tony advising that there was a letter waiting for him at his office. When Tony received Ed’s letter he thought to himself, ‘Typical solicitor. Probably added sixty bucks to my bill for sending a letter to tell me I’ve got a letter. Why didn’t he just post the bloody letter with his letter, or just ring him to say he had it.’ He shook his head in disbelief as he walked the stairs to the flat.
Turning Worms
It was Friday afternoon when Tony collected the letter from Ed Scarli’s office. He stuck it in his top pocket and left to meet David for a drink at the Drover’s Dog. He was afraid to open the letter. As soon as he’d been handed it, he recognised his wife’s handwriting. Since the day he’d taken out his frustration on her and her boyfriend in Argyle Street, there’d been no communication. How could there be? If he went near her he’d be arrested. With the turmoil of the recent couple of weeks, Tony wasn’t sure he wanted to open the envelope. The envelope was still to be opened when he walked into the Drover’s Dog and found David. He enjoyed his first beer with David before he could wait no longer. As he started to read the letter, David could see in Tony’s face that it was serious.
David sat quietly as Tony read the letter. It was two short pages, handwritten, and it was obvious to David that Tony was re-reading it for the third time. Tony’s face was expressionless, apart from his face appearing to have a little less colour than normal. Slowly, he folded the letter and replaced it in its envelope and slid it back into his shirt pocket. He looked at David. David knew Tony was shaken. He waited for Tony to speak. Tony took a slow sip of his beer and replaced his glass on the table.
‘Her boyfriend’s pissed off. Stole some stuff on his way out apparently,’ Tony said almost casually.
David stayed silent.
‘She wants to meet and talk. She’s had the AVO lifted,’ Tony continued.
David just looked at Tony. He didn’t know what to say.
‘She’s having trouble with the children,’ Tony said and more silence followed.
He drew an audible breath. ‘She wants me to call her to arrange a time and place.’
Tony waited for David to say something.
‘And are you going to?’ David asked.
‘It’s a chance to at least sort something out about the kids,’ Tony said quietly.
‘Yes, it’s a great chance Tony.’
‘I’ll leave it until tomorrow,’ Tony said. He was deep in thought. David felt that the subject was closed. He was right. After a short silence, Tony changed the subject.
‘What do you think’s going on with Vince and Steve and all this shit? It’s been a bit quiet the last few days.’
‘I’ve got no idea Tony. Best way to be. Keep right out of harms way.’
‘Well, I’d rather be doing something other than driving a ute. God, I started out at seventeen doing this job.’
‘I know how you feel,’ David said. ‘But I’m sure things’ll settle down.’
‘I’m just getting tired of all this Dave. At least with Triple T I had an interest. You know, felt useful and constructive. Since that went…,’ Tony stopped.
‘Yeah. I know Tony. Since everything went huh?’
‘Steve was surprised but not shocked to be called from the exercise yard, and taken to an interview room. He waited with a guard. When two detectives entered the room, the guard left.
‘You’re being transferred Steven. Goulburn is cold, but I’m sure you’ll adapt,’ one of the detectives said. ‘Come on, let’s get you organised.’
He was escorted back to his cell to collect his few things and was in the back of a police car within the hour. As the car pulled away from Silverwater, one of the detectives told Steve, ‘We’ll want every single thing you know Steve. Fuck us around and you go straight back to Silverwater. Got it?’
‘Yes,’ was Steve’s reply.
‘We’re heading to Central. You can start telling us your story there.’
At five o’clock in the afternoon, Steve started to part with his intimate knowledge of Vince Walsh and his web of business interests. His attention to detail and memory of events was very good. At eight o’clock the interviewing officer told Steve to take a break. An hour later the interview continued. It was clear to Steve that in the hour break some of his facts had been checked. He now had a very interested audience. The questioning of Steve became far more detailed in the second session. Dates, times, names, addresses, companies and money transfers. The complete detailed structure of As New Spares’ operation was being recorded and noted and cross checked. Although Steve was becoming frustrated at the slow progress of the session, he steadied himself with the knowledge that he had no choice now other than to see this through. He hoped Goulburn would be safe from Vince. At midnight the questioning stopped.
‘Have some sleep Steve. We’ll continue in the morning,’ the officer told him. He was led away to a cell for the night.
The next morning, Vince received a phone call.
‘Vince Walsh.’
‘Sharp was taken from Silverwater yesterday by the cops. He hasn’t returned.’
‘Where is he?’
‘No idea.’
‘Well find out!’ Vince shouted and hung up the phone.
‘For fuck sake!’ Vince said loudly in frustration. He heard his secretary emit a cough from outside his office that signalled her displeasure. The sound of her helped him regain his composure. Inside himself he fumed. By the end of the day he was no closer to finding Steve’s whereabouts. During that same day, Steve had been taken to his apartment and he handed detailed accounts and financial records relating to Vince Walsh to the police. The contents of his car, which had been impounded on the day of his arrest, were retrieved for Steve. His address book, still in his brief case, contained phone numbers and addresses. Some were entered cryptically, so Steve clarified the info
rmation he had hidden. By that evening the police had a detailed file of information on Vince Walsh to start working on. To this point, only the operation of As New Spares had been covered in detail. The next morning Steve would start on his knowledge of Vince’s ecstasy operation.
Earlier that same evening, Tony called his wife. His hand was shaking as he pressed the buttons to dial what used to be his own telephone number. David had politely gone for a walk to let Tony have some privacy. His wife answered the phone.
‘Hello,’ she answered simply.
‘It’s Tony.’
There was a pause before she replied.
‘Is it too late to talk?’ she asked. Tony could hear the tremble in her voice. Tony waited for something sensible to appear in his brain and make his mouth say something.
‘No,’ was all he could muster.
‘I’m so sorry Tony. So sorry,’ she said as she started to sob.
‘Tina,’ Tony said and paused as he realised how long it had been since he’d uttered his wife’s name. ‘Tina,’ he repeated, ‘I’m sorry too. For so many things.’
‘Oh Tony, please help me,’ Tina seemed to be pleading in between her sobbing.
‘What do you want me to do Tina?’ Tony asked, as he fought back tears.
‘Forgive me Tony,’ she just managed to say before breaking down into uncontrolled sobbing.
Tony wiped the tears that were welling up in his eyes and starting to escape down his cheeks.
‘Tomorrow Tina. I’ll come to the house at around eleven. Is that ok?’
‘Yes Tony, yes,’ Tina said, wishing Tony could come immediately.
‘Alright Tina, go and wash your face. We’ll talk tomorrow,’ Tony said, holding back his desire to sob with his wife.
‘Yes I will. Bye Tony.’
‘Bye Tina.’
Tony gently hung up the phone. He sucked in a deep breath, and held back the emotions running rampant inside himself. His mind raced with questions. Could he forgive her? Was she in trouble? Was there a hope of having his family back together? Would this just add to the pain and suffering? Did she deserve to have him back? All the questions that would have to wait until tomorrow, and longer. David returned a half an hour later. He didn’t ask Tony what had happened. Tony didn’t volunteer anything. They spent a quiet evening in front of the television. David knew Tony’s mind was elsewhere.
