UNRAVELLING THE MYSTERY
Kay has decided to investigate the cold case of a young man who was pack raped before he committed suicide. However, is her motivation driven by duty or a desire to impress the young woman who first told her about it and who has inserted herself into Kay's life so seamlessly. The doubts begin to increase as she discovers crucial evidence that was probably ignored by the local police.
Author's note: I have put the Aussie Lingo 101 at the front of this chapter as requested in one of the comments for chapter one.
Aussie Lingo 101.
Clayton's: This term came from a 1970s advertising campaign for a non alcoholic mixer drink, Clayton's, which had the slogan,
'the drink to have when you're not having a drink.'
The campaign failed but the slogan became synonymous with substitute. A Clayton's boyfriend/girlfriend was the boyfriend/girlfriend you had until you got a real one.
Deni:
Shortened form of Deniliquin, a town over the border in New South Wales.
Dog:
A pejorative term meaning police informant, the term has moved from the criminal world to mainstream society. To do the dog or turn dog is to inform on someone. It's seen as a betrayal and a 'dog' will usually be moved to a protection yard in prison along with paedophiles to protect them from revenge attacks. To accuse someone of being a dog will often invite a violent response in Australia.
Dope:
Marijuana, a
dopehead
would be someone who smokes too much dope.
Shitfaced:
A term meaning very drunk.
Hard Word:
To put on someone for sexual favours, also known as sexual harassment.
Holden:
An Australian car made by General Motors Holden (GMH), but now autonomous from GM America.
Hoo roo:
Very old form of goodbye, used by the older generation out in the country.
Joint:
A house or flat. It can also refer to a hand rolled marijuana cigarette, thus you could say,
"let's go back to your joint for a joint,"
without causing confusion.
Khyber:
Short for khyber pass, rhyming slang for arse but often shortened to khyber, as in,
"you'll get a foot up the khyber if you don't hurry up."
Main Drag:
The main street running through a town, which has many shops, banks, pubs etc situated along it, also refers to any main road.
Pentridge:
The former main prison for the state of Victoria, was known as
Bluestone College
because it was made of bluestone, the prison is now closed.
Russell Street:
In this story it refers to the old police HQ in Russell Street, Melbourne, the HQ has since been moved to another city location.
Servo:
A shortened version of service station or gas station, sells petrol, takeaway food etc.
TAFE:
An abbreviation for Technical and Further Education. A low cost alternative to university or another way to accrue credits for a university course.
Tribunal:
The Monday night football tribunal to investigate players who have broken the rules at matches over the weekend, such as illegal striking. A player can be suspended for several matches, thus resulting in a team being forced to call on reserve players.
Ute:
A ute or utility is basically a much smaller version of the American pickup, the vehicle is based on the same wheelbase and frame as the sedan version but modified with heavy duty suspension.
Vickie had been born and raised in Lorne before her family moved back to Melbourne for work and Kay had been attracted to her because she was determined to try anything different, including sex with a woman. Their affair had been a torrid and brief one that lasted the better part of three months before they parted company and while they still kept contact through mutual friends, Kay still regretted the affair. It was one of those memories that was like a stone in your shoe, now and then a song on the radio would remind her of Vickie. Last night Vickie had come to her again in her dreams, they'd spent a couple of weekends down here at a friend's place but even that hadn't been enough to stop the rot.
Kay opened her eyes blearily as the dream faded and for a moment she lay still, trying to make sense of her surroundings after a night where she'd definitely had too much to drink. Nickie had driven the car home and after staying for a while, left her to her own devices and walked to her home around the corner. Kay rolled over and stared at the digital alarm clock that sat on the bedside drawers. The time was 08:30, by this time she was usually coming back from a run around the block and ready to make breakfast.
Coffee, I need coffee,
she sat upright and instantly regretted as the dizziness descended on her, how much had she drank last night?
She pinched her nose and waited for the dizziness to subside and then she heard the squeaking gate as someone came into the front yard and a moment later the doorbell buzzed. The out of tune buzzer caused her to wince as her feet hit the floor and she got up only to realise she was naked.
"Hang on for Christ's sake," she yelled as she pulled the dressing gown on and fastened the belt but as she padded through to the front door the buzzer sounded again.
Kay yanked the door open and blinked into the sunlight shining directly into her eyes. Nickie was on the front porch with a paper bag of donuts, a newspaper, and a bottle of Coke.
"How's your head this morning?"
"I feel like I've been hit by a train," she eyed the donuts, "are they donuts?"
"Yeah, I borrowed grandpa's car and ducked down the hot bread kitchen, they're the best thing for a hangover if you don't have cold pizza and Coke," she stepped inside.
"Come in," Kay murmured as she shut the door.
