‘Because some young people steal cars before they turn eighteen,’ replies Mack.
‘Yes, but the problem is …’ says Nick.
‘What is it?’ asks Mack.
‘Before this, Robert was stealing when he was ten but there’s some young little brats who learn how to steal and then, they get arrested and finally, get locked up in youth detention centres before they turn sixteen. After this, Robert robbed a shop when he was fourteen before he assaulted with a weapon at the age of sixteen, armed robbery at seventeen-and-a-half years and stalking and assault at twenty-years-old. Why was Robert Taylor a young criminal before he turned eighteen?’ replies Nick.
‘Because he did the wrong things,’ replies Mack.
‘Cripes, he could be just like Oliver Twist or other young pickpockets. What did Robert Taylor do for work and why did he skip school before his first crime at the age of ten?’ says Nick.
‘Mmm, good question, but tomorrow during the meeting, Dr Airhardt will join us so he will check Robert’s personalities and behaviours. Do you think it’s a good idea?’ replies Mack.
‘Um, I don’t know but I’ll think about it,’ replies Nick. He puts the third page of the file on the desk, stands up from the chair and walks to the door, but Inspector Mack Young asks Detective Sergeant Nick Baxter, ‘Do you want to call Dr Airhardt now or tomorrow?’
‘Maybe tomorrow, Inspector,’ replies Nick when he opens the door and exits from Mack’s office.
At Tyler’s apartment block just before six o’ clock, Tyler – with his Peter Jackson suit on – is sitting on the couch and reading a book called The Haj by Leon Urus when Angelique arrives with her very smart black cocktail dress, walks to Tyler and asks him, ‘What do you think of my dress, Tyler?’
Tyler stops reading the book, throws the book on his coffee table and then, replies to Angelique, ‘You look so beautiful, Angelique.’
‘Thank you,’ says Angelique. ‘But before we leave, I need to talk to you.’
‘Go ahead baby,’ says Tyler.
Angelique walks to the couch, sits down next to Tyler and says to him, ‘Well, when I saw Robert Taylor who wore a mysterious coat during working and dancing I thought he was such a weirdo person and that person drove me crazy when he wanted me to have a drink with him because he shouted at me sometimes.’
‘Did he touch you?’ asks Tyler.
‘No,’ replies Angelique.
‘Did he gate-crash the stage when you’re dancing and have inappropriate behaviour?’ asks Tyler.
‘Absolutely not, no!’ replies Angelique.
‘Well, what did you do?’ says Tyler.
‘I’ve got a bouncer to protect me on the stage from spectators, so the bouncer kicks and throws any spectators out from the private room and sends them outside if they are overly aggressive. The bouncer also protects other dancers who are my colleagues,’ replies Angelique.
‘Hang on, Angelique, after you finished working, what happened next?’ asks Tyler.
‘I was scared of Robert because he teased me on stage,’ replies Angelique.
‘Then?’ asks Tyler.
‘After leaving work from the Duke of York Hotel, when I was walked to other places, I saw Robert in his mysterious coat, and then when walking, I was followed by him and he tried to threaten me,’ replies Angelique.
‘Did he assault you?’ asks Tyler.
‘No,’ replies Angelique.
‘Did he rape you?’ asks Tyler.
‘No,’ replies Angelique.
‘What did you do?’ asks Tyler.
‘Well, when he used a pocketknife to take me hostage at knife-point, I turned around, saw him and kicked his genitals and testicles very hard,’ replies Angelique.
‘Ooohhh, ouch, that’s gotta hurt, Angelique,’ says Tyler. ‘Were you lucky?’
‘Yes, I was lucky and I was a survivor,’ replies Angelique.
‘Wow that’s a very important story,’ says Tyler.
‘Yes. Let’s go to your parents’ house,’ replies Angelique.
‘Too right,’ says Tyler, so he and Angelique stand up from the couch, and walk to the door, but Angelique asks Tyler, ‘Do you mind if I leave first because you’re a gentleman?’
‘No I don’t mind,’ replies Tyler so he opens the door and Angelique exits, followed by Tyler.
CHAPTER 20
T
hat night at 34 Greenwinch Parade in Elsternwick, a Ferrari – which Angelique uses after her father handed over it to her before his death – stops at the parking spot which is next to the footpath. Tyler, who is holding a bottle of chardonnay in his hand, and Angelique step out of the Ferrari and shut the door. Angelique locks the doors using the key and they walks to the house which turns out to be Tyler’s parents’ house. Tyler opens the gate, Angelique enters first and then, Tyler follows. They make it to the front door of Tyler’s parents’ house and Angelique asks Tyler, ‘Are you sure this is the right place?’
‘Yes, Angelique,’ replies Tyler. ‘It’s okay, everything’s fine.’ He presses the doorbell and says to Angelique, ‘Well, this is it. The big moment arrives.’
The door opens and it is Tyler’s mother. Her name is Grace. She is middle-aged and wearing a cream suit. She smiles and says, ‘Tyler!’
‘Hello, Mum,’ smiles Tyler, so they hug and Grace says to Tyler, ‘It’s good to see you, Tyler.’
‘Thanks, Mum,’ says Tyler as they stops hugging and then, he says to Grace, ‘Oh, Mum. I would like to introduce my fiancée, Angelique.’
‘How do you do, Mrs Brown?’ says Angelique as she and Grace shakes hands and Grace says, ‘Oh, good thanks and hello, Angelique. You can call me Grace if you like.’
‘All right, thank you,’ says Angelique.
‘Oh, okay,’ says Grace. She turns around and shouts, ‘Hey, honey, Tyler’s got a woman!’
‘All right!’ the voice shouts which turns out to be Tyler’s father.
Grace turns back and says to Tyler and Angelique, ‘Come on, everybody. Don’t be shy.’
‘I’m fine, Mrs …’ says Angelique.
‘Please call me Grace,’ says Grace.
‘… Grace,’ says Angelique, so she and Tyler enters the house.
Tyler asks Angelique, ‘Are you nervous?’
‘Yes, it’s such a strange thing, you know,’ replies Angelique. ‘I’m a bit scared.’
‘Come on, let’s go,’ says Grace. They walk to the lounge room and in the lounge room, there is Tyler’s father, and his name is Bruce. He’s also middle-aged and wearing a polo shirt and pants. He is sitting on a chair and watching the news on TV until Grace, Tyler and Angelique enter the lounge room and walk to the chair that Bruce is sitting on.
Grace asks Bruce, ‘Honey, guess what?’
Bruce’s face spin around, sees Grace, Tyler and Angelique and asks Grace, ‘What is it, Grace?’
‘Tyler has just arrived and he’s got a fiancée,’ replies Grace.
Bruce smiles, stands up, leaves his chair, walks to Tyler and says to him as they shake hands, ‘Good to see you back, my boy.’
‘Thanks, Dad,’ says Tyler. ‘Oh, this is my fiancée, Angelique.’
‘How do you do, Mr Brown?’ says Angelique, so she and Bruce shake hands and Bruce says, ‘Hi, Angelique, I’m just fine, Angelique, don’t you worry.’
‘That’s okay, don’t get nervous,’ says Angelique.
‘All right. I’m okay, don’t you worry about that,’ says Bruce.
Grace walks to Bruce, stands next to him and asks Angelique, ‘So tell me, Angelique. When did you meet Tyler for the first time?’
‘Well, Tyler and I first met at Dave’s Restaurant,’ replies Angelique.
‘So what were you doing when you met Tyler at this restaurant?’ asks Bruce.
‘I was having dinner alone after finishing work and then, Tyler came to me and after he asked two questions, he joined me for dinner,’ replies Angelique.
‘What do you enjoy with Tyler?’ asks Gr
ace.
‘Well, I enjoy being with him. We go out for dinner, movies and for walks. Also spending time with him at his flat and I help him with things,’ replies Angelique.
‘Where do you work?’ asks Bruce.
‘The Duke of York Hotel, where Tyler works,’ replies Angelique.
‘Oh really, what do you do?’ asks Grace.
‘A dancer,’ replies Angelique.
Grace stops smiling and asks Angelique, ‘A dancer? What type of dancing do you do?’
‘Well, um …’ replies Angelique as she takes a long pause and then, she says, ‘Oh crap, sorry. I don’t believe this is a good topic of conversation …’
Tyler interrupts Angelique and says to his parents, ‘Um, don’t worry about having a chat, maybe we can have dinner now, can we?’
‘Yes, Tyler,’ says Grace. ‘I’ve cooked for us.’ She walks to the kitchen to get dinner for her, Bruce, Tyler and Angelique, but Bruce stops smiling and asks Angelique, ‘Are you okay, Angelique?’
‘I’m fine,’ replies Angelique. ‘Sorry to embarrass you and Grace during the chat.’
‘That’s okay,’ says Bruce. ‘I think you’re fantastic but I’ll see you when you and Tyler come to the kitchen when dinner is ready.’
‘Thank you, I just felt like a stupid girl during that embarrassment,’ says Angelique.
Bruce walks to the kitchen to see if he can help Grace but Tyler stops smiling and says to Angelique, ‘Cheer up, Angelique. It’s not the end of the world.’
‘I know,’ says Angelique. ‘I feel sorry for your parents for being embarrassed about my work.’
‘Why?’ asks Tyler.
‘Because I’m just a bitch,’ replies Angelique. ‘It’s crazy, you know. What am I going to do now?’
‘Angelique, you’re not a bitch, you’re a nice and beautiful person and I’m still in love with you but please, I love you,’ says Tyler.
‘Okay, let’s forget the chat,’ replies Angelique.
Tyler walks to the kitchen to put the bottle of chardonnay in the fridge while Angelique is standing in the lounge room. She’s got to survive this night.
Later, Tyler, Angelique, Bruce and Grace are having a roast dinner with chardonnay. There are four glasses on table and on the left side of the table, there is Tyler and Angelique, and on the right side of the table, there is Bruce and Grace. They’re going to have a quiet dinner in preparation for the wedding. Bruce stops eating, spins his face to Grace and whispers to her, ‘Grace, I think Angelique is fantastic because she’s beautiful, wonderful and nice woman and she’s also a bit of fun.’
Grace stops eating, frowns, spins her face to Bruce and whispers to him, ‘Bruce, I think Angelique is not good for Tyler.’
‘Why?’ asks Bruce.
‘Because she’s a little tart,’ replies Grace.
Bruce is shocked and asks, ‘What?!’
‘She is a little tart, Bruce,’ replies Grace. ‘She’s a stripper and table-top dancer, and she does sexual stuff, sexy dancing and also, table-top dancing.’
Angelique stops eating, frowns and asks Grace, ‘Are you talking about my work?’
‘Yes we are,’ replies Grace, then she spins around to face Angelique.
‘Look, Grace. My work is private,’ says Angelique. ‘I don’t want you to make a judgement about my work , it’s not your business so get over it.’
Grace is shocked and says, ‘I beg your pardon!’
‘Grace, Angelique. Will you stop it please?’ asks Bruce. ‘We’re having dinner, not Jerry Springer.’
‘Be quiet, Bruce,’ says Grace.
Bruce is disappointed and says to himself before continuing eating, ‘Oh bugger.’
‘People like you should go and get a life,’ says Angelique.
‘Don’t you talk to me like that, Angelique!’ says Grace and then, asks Tyler, ‘Tyler?’
Tyler stops eating and asks, ‘Yes, Mum?’
‘I don’t think you should go out with Angelique because she’s a whore. Why don’t you go out with normal girls like lawyers?’ replies Grace.
‘Oh, Mum, I wanna be with Angelique!’ says Tyler. ‘We’re both working at the Duke of York Hotel. It’s okay for men to go out with dancers, whether it be strippers, go-go dancers, salsa dancers or others, so why don’t you take it easy!’
‘Tyler is right, Grace,’ says Angelique. ‘We’re lovers.’
Grace spins her face back to Angelique and says to her, ‘All right. I’ll talk to you in the lounge room after dinner …’ She turns back to Tyler and says to him, ‘And, Tyler, why don’t you and your father go outside and stay in the backyard until the talk is finished?’
‘Yes, Mum,’ says Tyler and then, he continues to eat his dinner wondering if it’s going to be World War Three between the two women in his life.
After dinner at the lounge room of Tyler’s parents’ house, Angelique and Grace stand face-to-face and eye-to-eye, both frowning and angry.
Grace asks Angelique, ‘Why did you fall in love with Tyler and why do you want to marry my son?’
‘Because I love him and I’m going to marry your son and then, have a happy life with him,’ replies Angelique.
‘Angelique, I don’t care, I don’t think you’re suitable for Tyler.’
‘Why not?’ asks Angelique.
‘Because you’re a whore,’ replies Grace.
‘Oh that’s crap!’ says Angelique.
‘You’re a stripper, a table-top dancer, a lap dancer, a private dancer and I don’t think you should go out with Tyler. I think it’s not suitable for you to marry my son,’ says Grace.
‘No way, Grace!’ says Angelique. ‘I don’t care about this crap.’
‘What do you mean?’ asks Grace.
‘Because I’m in love with Tyler, do you think I’m a slut? No. A prostitute? No. A porn star? No. Bisexual and bi-curious? No. A bitch? No. A blonde bimbo? No. A floozy? No,’ says Angelique. ‘And do you know what?’
‘What?’ asks Grace.
‘I’m beautiful and nice,’ replies Angelique.
‘I don’t believe it,’ says Grace.
‘Oh yeah, you don’t want to be my mother in-law because you think I’m a whore!’ replies Angelique.
‘I don’t care!’ says Grace. ‘Do you have a past?’
‘No,’ replies Angelique.
‘Why not?’ asks Grace.
‘Because I was keeping my past a secret and I didn’t talk to my family, my friends, my colleagues, my boss or anybody else privately because my past is private and it’s private,’ replies Angelique.
‘Angelique, I want you to break up with my son, dump him and then, cancel the wedding, because I think it’s not suitable for you to become my son’s future wife and I don’t want to be your mother in-law,’ says Grace.
‘Listen, Grace. I don’t want to break up with Tyler and cancel the wedding,’ says Angelique. ‘I love him and I have a good time with him and I want to marry your son and we’re going to have a happy domestic life and we’re going to live happily ever after so please, let me be with your son for the rest of my life!’
Grace stops frowning and, angry, takes a long pause and says to Angelique, ‘Yes, you’re right.’
Angelique also stops frowning and angry, looks at Grace and says, ‘I love Tyler for who he is. I guess we should try and be friends.’
She and Grace stops arguing and shake hands but Grace asks Angelique, ‘Would you like to have a look at the photo album I have of Tyler?’
‘Yes please,’ replies Angelique, so she and Grace walk to the other room to search for photo album about Tyler.
Tyler and Bruce are standing outside in the backyard. Bruce is drinking a bottle of beer and says to Tyler, ‘Well, my boy, I was worried about your mother facing Angelique about her job.’
‘Yes, I was worried too,’ says Tyler. ‘I don’t know what to do with women these days.’
‘Let me tell you a story, son,’ says Bruce.
‘What is i
t, Dad?’ asks Tyler.
‘A long time ago when I watched Cop Shop, which was my favourite TV show, I remembered I saw an episode about how Detective JJ Johnson fell in love with a stripper named Valerie after seeing her performing in a dancing show at a strip joint called “Lenny’s”,’ replies Bruce.
‘Who is Valerie?’ asks Tyler.
‘She is a blaring, brassy and busty stripper’ replies Bruce.
‘Is she blonde?’ asks Tyler.
‘No Tyler. She had black hair,’ replies Bruce.
‘Oh sorry, Dad,’ says Tyler.
‘That’s okay,’ says Bruce.
‘All right, what’s next?’ asks Tyler.
‘Well, after Johnson met Valerie at a strip club, he married her and they settled down to a happy domestic life with many problems and arguments but they lived happily ever after, until Valerie left Johnson and went to America in order to follow an acting career,’ replies Bruce.
‘To appear in adult movies?’ asks Tyler.
‘No, she only appeared in both stage and screen; both were main-stream and independent,’ replies Bruce. ‘It’s only a TV show, Tyler.’
‘Yes, after you watched Cop Shop, what did you do?’ asks Tyler.
‘Well, during a lunch break at the Hollywood Seven Bar, where I worked, I asked my colleagues a question about “do men go out with strippers?” after I saw Johnson dating Valerie in Cop Shop,’ replies Bruce. ‘Some of them said “yes” and some of them said “no” and some of them said … “mmm, maybe”.’
‘Did you do a survey also?’ asks Tyler.
‘Mmm, yes,’ replies Bruce. ‘My boss didn’t like my survey. When he saw me ask the same question to my colleagues he told me to put my survey in the garage of my house.’
‘It is still here at the garage,’ says Tyler.
‘Yes, it’s still here at the garage but it’s a secret,’ says Bruce.
‘Oh, okay,’ says Tyler.
‘So, any other comments that you want to ask me?’ asks Bruce.
‘I wonder how Angelique and Grace are going because I’m not sure if I have a problem with women,’ replies Tyler.
The Mysterious Coat Page 10
