by Herb Hamlet
She took his arm and Father Kelly stepped forward. “Are you ready, Henry?”
“Never more so, Father.”
***
With no warning but a sudden tightening in her belly, Elaine’s water broke as she rose from the dining table. “It’s time,” she gasped.
“Get Elaine’s suitcase girls.” Henry reached for the car keys.
Seated either side of Elaine on the journey to the Mater Mothers Hospital, Lisa and Michelle each held a hand, comforting her through each contraction. In the weeks leading up to the birth, they’d fussed over their new step-mother, catering to her every whim. After leaving the Volvo in the emergency car park, the small group accompanied the forty-four year old expectant mother to her private hospital room.
“Did you bring everything, Dad?” Lisa still held Elaine’s hand
“Yes, I think so, love.”
“I hope everything goes well.” Elaine’s brow creased into a small frown. “I mean, they say I’m in the risky age group.”
Your doctor says everything has progressed normally. What’s more, during the pregnancy, you’ve kept extremely well. And the scan showed the baby is perfect. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine, sweetheart. You’ve waited too long for this for anything to go wrong.”
A young, casually dressed doctor entered the room and checked Elaine’s contractions. “Blood pressure’s a bit high, but that’s normal for someone of your age who is giving birth,” he said dismissively. “It’ll be sometime yet.” He removed his stethoscope and exited the room.
“Gee, they know how to put you down gently.” Elaine took a deep breath as another contraction hit. The doctor returned periodically to check her condition.
Henry carried out the role of the expectant father to perfection. He assisted Elaine with her breathing and comforted her through all the contractions. The girls also gave her every encouragement. As the long wait continued, the time between contractions reduced. The doctor announced it was almost time for the birth, and gently shooed the girls from the room. Henry couldn’t help feeling a little guilty as he gazed at Elaine’s beautiful face, so contorted in pain, as the final bearing down took place. Beads of sweat soaked her blond hairline, and Henry wished he could burden the pain for her. At last the doctor sighted the baby’s head, then in a rush the tiny body entered the world.
“A boy!” The medico confirmed, as he cut the umbilical cord and handed the baby to a nurse, who wrapped him in a light rug before placing him in Elaine’s arms.
She hadn’t prepared herself for the wave of absolute, unconditional love sweeping over her. Our baby - he’s perfect.
Henry gazed down at Elaine and his newly born son and smiled. I knew it would be a boy. The lovely face that had been so contorted in pain a few minutes previously, was now radiant as she looked up at him. The girls were called back into the room to admire and fuss over their new-born brother.
“A beautiful boy.” Lisa sighed, smiling down at her young brother. “I never asked before, but what are you going to call him?”
Henry raised his eyebrows at a glowing Elaine who nodded. He turned back to his daughter. “We’re going to call him Liam Daniel. Liam after granddad and Daniel after Elaine’s father.”
Epilogue
The heavy summer rain was almost blinding, as Inspector Robert Malone drove his police issued sedan slowly in the direction of his home in the Brisbane suburb of Ashgrove. With his impending promotion to Assistant Commissioner, he considered it had been an excellent year. Only another year or so and he’d be Commissioner of the entire Queensland Police Force. He smiled as the full realisation hit home. He had played the political game and arranged things he’d rather forget about. He deserved the promotion. He brought the sedan to a halt at the first intersection past the shopping centre, and checked his watch as he waited for the green light. His wife was preparing roast lamb with mint sauce and vegetables that evening, his favorite. The light changed to green and he pressed his foot down on the accelerator, not noticing the fully loaded semi-trailer that had no intention of stopping at the newly turned red light. Robert Malone had only a split second warning before he heard the screeching sound of air brakes. In a reflex action, he pushed his own brake pedal down hard. It was too late. The semi slammed into his driver’s side door and everything went black.
Emerging from a deep fog, the pain in Malone’s head felt so intense, he barely had the strength to open his eyes. He tried to move, but soon discovered any form of movement was beyond him. His body felt numb. He tried to speak to the nurse monitoring a multitude of tubes connected to his body but no sound emerged. He tried again and the nurse turned to him. She’d heard the low grunting sounds. She ran from the intensive care cubicle in search of the duty doctor. Moments later she and the doctor returned to the Inspector’s bedside. The doctor leaned over to whisper in his ear, “Mr. Malone, you’ve finally regained consciousness.”
He placed his ear to Malone’s lips. “Will I live?” The voice barely a croaking whisper.
Compassion showed in the doctor’s eyes. How do you tell someone there was no hope? “You have a fractured spinal cord and you have serious internal injuries.”
“W, what are my chances?” The stammered whisper could barely be heard.
He shook his head. “Virtually, nil. I’m sorry.”
“Priest.” The urgent word was barely audible. “Must see priest.”
***
Father Bruce O’Malley sat listening to Robert Malone’s confession. While administering last rights, he spoke softly in the dying man’s ear. “Robert, my son, if you provide authorities with an honest account of your unlawful activities, I’m sure it would ease the misery of all those you have hurt during your life. You might lessen their suffering. Your admission would also emphasise the sorrow you feel for committing such terrible sins, thus helping to ease the burden on your own soul.”
“Very well, Father.” Malone croaked.
***
Sitting at the breakfast table, Henry watched fascinated as Elaine spooned food into baby Liam’s mouth, as he sat gurgling in his high chair. The look of utter bliss and contentment on her face was an indication of the adoration she felt for their infant son, feelings she had longed for, but never thought she’d ever experience. Glancing across at Henry, a mischievous smile lit her face. “I wonder if I’ll live long enough to be a grandmother.”
By that time Henry was no longer listening. His total attention had riveted on an important, special news bulletin on the ABC. He checked his watch. Seven-twenty. What’s going on here? Apart from the seven forty five news report, ABC radio usually has its news on the hour.
The cultured voice of the news reader went on. “This is an urgent news bulletin. The Government of Queensland is in utter turmoil today. Earlier this morning, the Police Commissioner formally announced that the Premier of Queensland, the honourable Paul Lawson, has been arrested and taken into police custody. Later today, it is expected he will be charged with a number of offenses, including conspiracy to commit murder. A number of senior police officers have also been stood down, as have senior members of the Queensland judiciary, including Chief Justice Slater. A death-bed statement by the Inspector in charge of the Police Department’s Special Branch, Inspector Robert Malone, indicates there has been widespread politicising of certain sections of the Police Force and the Judiciary. As a consequence of this statement and under pressure from the opposition, the Deputy Premier and Treasurer, Lionel Joury, has announced a Royal Commission into the whole affair.
A wide smile lit Henry Flanagan’s face. His world had never looked so wonderful.
The End
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