“GOOD MORNING Madam. I trust you’re well this morning?”
Jessica dismounted and gave her horse a quick pat on the neck before turning to look at the man. He sat in the shadows outside the general store. The man launched himself off the seat. Dropping his cigarette onto the wooden verandah, he used the heel of his black boot to crush the lit end. He stepped towards Lightening and Jessica.
Jessica quickly read the name tag pinned to the man’s shirt.
“Good morning Police Officer Jones. I apologize for not seeing you when we came out of the scrub and into the main street.”
“It’s quite alright. You’ve arrived in town before anyone else is awake.”
“I like an early start. The Rosedale needs constant work.”
“Yes, I suppose a sheep station the size of the Rosedale does.”
“You seem quite knowledgeable on the countryside around this area.”
“I’ve been doing my homework.”
Jessica squared herself to Jones. “Now you know why I’m up early; I’m wondering what gets you up this time of the morning?”
The man snapped to attention. “This is a nice time of the day. Breathing in the pre-dawn air helps to clear my mind so I can discover clues to the case I’m working on.”
“The fresh air doesn’t seem to help in hiding how tired you look.”
“I haven’t been sleeping well at night,” admitted Jones, watching Lightening check over the small narrow wagon they brought along.
“Maybe you think too much.”
Jones squinted in the sunshine as it rose above the trees. “Tell me, what brings you into town?”
“Shopping,” Jessica replied.
“The shops aren’t due to open for a couple of hours.” He eyed Jessica suspiciously. “May I ask who I’m talking to?”
“I’m surprised you don’t know?”
“I like to put faces to names,” grunted Jones abruptly.
“I’m Jessica Hayes.” She held her hand out for a handshake.
Jones refused the request by placing both his hands behind his back. “Your name rings a bell. You’re the woman who had the silver guns and a blue diamond ring stolen by bushrangers?”
“Yes. The man standing next to me, the one you’ve been eyeballing is Mr. Dawn.”
“He’s an aborigine?”
“Your observation is impeccable,” said Jessica.
“I hate aborigines.”
“I find them hard workers, also extremely knowledgeable of the Australian bush.”
“I have found their culture primitive, to say the least.”
“On the contrary, I find them unique. There’s a lot they can teach us, white people.”
Jones stared at Lightening Dawn. “I‘ve heard they make good trackers. Rumor has it they can track a white man no matter where he goes.”
“Police Officer Jones, you’re new to the town?” asked Jessica, changing the subject.
“Yes, my predecessor, the last officer quit three days after the bank robbery, though I did hear he was transferred to Sydney. Which one is correct I have yet to find out.”
“I never heard the news of a bank robbery.”
“I’m surprised. I read about it on the front page of the newspaper for over a week.”
“I’ve been too busy to read anything of late. If you see the man, give him my regards.”
“I hope never to meet the man.”
“You sound callous.”
“You could say I am. Let me put it this way; Officer Adam Stapleton pushed too hard to be in charge of my brand new police station. The moment he, shall I say, ‘resigned,’ I slipped into the job, got me a large pay increase to boot. One man’s misfortune is another man’s treasure. I’ve now raised the bar. I’m going after the Governor’s job in Melbourne. I’ve been told by a reliable source if I crack the robbery being second to the Governor is in the bag.”
“You come across as a man who stops at nothing to find the culprits?” quizzed Jessica.
“Your perception of me is exactly right. I will search every inch of land in Victoria. I will never give up.”
“Good luck.”
Jones cleared his throat as he stared directly at Jessica. “Mrs. Hayes, what did you say you were shopping for?”
“I didn’t. If you must know I’m here to buy fencing material and visit the bank.”
Jones rubbed the hard bristles on his chin. “What else is on the shopping list?”
“Clothes, feed for the horses, food for the pantry,” replied Jessica. “Do you have any news on my possessions? A full month has passed since the train robbery. I thought you might have dug something up.”
“I’m at a dead end, so to speak. By the way, you can call me Mr. Jones.”
Jessica frowned at the man. “I’d prefer to keep things between us strictly professional. I have to admit you do look handsome in your crisp new blue uniform. I can’t see a wrinkle in it. By the way, for the record, I’m known as Miss. Jessica Hayes.”
“It appears the information I have on you is out of date. It reads you are married.”
“I know you’ll correct the error double quick. By the way, the man you’re still looking suspicious at is my overseer. He runs the Rosedale.”
“Overseer, you say?” Jones echoed.
“Yes, his full name is Lightening Dawn.”
“Again the information I have is slightly outdated. Perhaps one day soon I can ride out to the Rosedale so we can correct any misleading details? At the same time, I could let you know if I have news on your missing possessions.”
“You’ve already mentioned you have no idea.”
“True. I don’t suppose you have seen any sign of the bushrangers? They seem to have fallen off the face of the earth.”
Jessica deliberately chuckled. “I haven’t seen the men. I guess the woman on the train was right. She did say I’d never see my guns again.”
“Or your blue diamond ring,” added Lightening in a deep voice.
“Yes, Mrs. Whitaker gave me a detailed account of the whole robbery scene. I’m wondering why you didn’t mention anything about the blue diamond ring in your details of the robbery?” questioned Jones.
“Didn’t I?”
“No, you didn’t.”
“At the time, it didn’t seem too important. I’m more concerned about getting my guns back.”
“It sounds to me the diamond ring is worth more than the guns.”
“It probably is. The fact remains my dead husband gave me the diamond ring. If it weren’t for his gambling debts, he wouldn’t have been murdered.”
“Commiserations over your loss,” declared Jones.
Jessica gave a flippant wave of her hand. “I’ll never forgive him for leaving me penniless. I say good riddance to the ring. I’m hoping never to see it again so all ties to my husband can fade into history. It’s the reason why I’ve dropped the ‘Mrs.’ back to ‘Miss.’”
“Your explanation sounds believable. Our conversation is at an end. Have a good day, Miss. Hayes. I’ll keep an ear out for news of your guns.”
“Police Officer Jones you are more than welcome to visit me at the Rosedale any time. If you decide to come, try to make it after lunch. I’m sure there will be fresh damper on the table. If you’re lucky, there might be scones in the oven.”
“I might keep you to your word.”
Jessica and Lightening watched the man walk along the street. For a brief few seconds, he stopped to look into the bank’s window before walking on towards the police station.
“What a strange conversation,” stated Lightening Dawn.
“Yes, I’d have to agree. I’m optimistic we more than aroused the man’s suspicions.”
“You’re acting skills were superb.”
“Thank you. It does pain me to act like a boss towards you,” moaned Jessica.
“It has to be,” warned Lightening Dawn. “You must never forget.”
“I think we should quickly fill our s
hopping list and get back to the Rosedale. I have a strong feeling we’re going to receive a visitor in the not-too-distant future. After every square inch of the Rosedale has been scrutinized, I’m confident we’ll be able to have a normal life together. How are your plans coming along for our wedding?”
“Will tomorrow be soon enough?”
“I think I can spare the day. I only hope I can contain my excitement.” Jessica checked the street before grinning seductively.
“The way I’m feeling right now is the reason why we need to leave this town quickly before someone figures us out,” whispered Lightening Dawn. He wanted to sweep his fiancé off her feet so he could kiss her.
Jessica led the way to the lumber yard at the southern end of town. While waiting for the owner to arrive, they window shopped. Jessica looked through a haberdashery shop window at the fine dresses. Lightening pretended to be waiting for the next command. The moment the owner of the lumber yard shoved the large gate open Jessica told him what she needed. The man scurried around collecting the fencing material. Jessica paid the man while Lightening Dawn piled the timber into the wagon. The moment he finished Jessica and Lightening slowly walked along the street towards the bank.
At 8:50am the new bank clerk arrived. The thin man looked slightly nervous. More than once Jessica caught him hitching his pants up as he walked along the street towards them.
“Good morning to both of you. I won’t be long.”
He unlocked the door, stepped inside the building and closed the door. A few minutes later the door re-opened.
Jessica battered her eyelids at the man.
“Care to sit inside while I finish racing around getting things in order?”
“Yes, thank you,” Jessica replied.
Lightening Dawn held the door open for Jessica. She stepped across the threshold and walked to the wooden bench seat behind the door. Lightening stood at attention. At exactly nine o’clock they heard a shuffle of feet from behind the floor to ceiling wall. Somewhere a floorboard creaked. The clerk slid a wooden shutter sideways and poked his face through the narrow gap. He discarded his hat to reveal a thin layer of brown hair. He looked over the top of his reading glasses wearing the same friendly expression as when he opened the door to the bank.
In unison, Jessica and Lightening Dawn ventured over.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting; rules are rules. I can’t serve the first customer of the day before 9:00am. Now, Madam, how may I help you today?”
“I want to open an account please,” blurted Jessica.
“Certainly,” replied the man. Reaching under the bench top he pulled out a small blue book the size of a young girl’s diary. He looked at Jessica. “The book is a new idea. The explanation is simple. Due to the robbery, the powers of ‘BE’ have changed the way I must conduct my business. This book is called a bank book. There’s no need to visit the bank to know how much money you have invested.”
“Technology, when will it end?” Jessica remarked.
The man chuckled, lifting his pencil. “The bank will guarantee any losses if this place should ever be robbed again.”
“You’ve put my mind at ease.”
“Your name?” asked the clerk, looking directly into Jessica’s eyes. “For the account to be opened, I need a name.”
“Can I have two names on the account?” asked Jessica.
The man pondered the question for a few brief moments before answering.
“I believe there isn’t a rule saying you can’t.”
“Jessica Hayes and Lightening Dawn,” said Jessica trying to sound casual.
“Will I add a Miss or a Mrs to your name?”
“Definitely a Miss,” sighed Jessica. “Lightening Dawn is my overseer; he’ll have a Mr. in front of his name. He will have the authority to withdraw any funds he requests out of the account.”
The clerk stopped writing the names. Looking up his expression gave away the fact he wasn’t happy.
“Is there something wrong?”
The man pushed his reading glasses further onto his nose before finishing the names on the inside of the small blue book. When he’d finished, he looked up, dropping his glasses on the bench.
“I’m not one to pry into other people’s affairs; I’ve noticed your overseer is aboriginal. I think giving the man authority over your finances isn’t a wise move.”
Jessica leaned closer to the gap in the wall. “Are your harsh words supposed to mean something important?”
“Seeing how I’m a bank employee I feel it’s my obligation to mention my concern.”
“You needn’t worry yourself about how I conduct my banking affairs.”
The clerk started to tremble. He lifted his left hand to flatten what little hair still grew on his head.
“You’re right it’s none of my business. How much were you thinking of investing?”
Jessica plucked three gold nuggets out of her pocket.
“I want to invest these,” she stated, placing them on the counter.
The man’s jaw fell open.
“Careful, Sir, there a lot of flies out today.”
“Where did you find these beauties?”
“If you must hear an answer, Mr. Dawn and I were preparing to replace the back fence post on the Rosedale sheep farm when Mr. Dawn dug them out of the ground. How much are they worth?”
“I’ll be able to answer your question after I weigh the nuggets. I’ll only be a minute.”
The clerk scooted into the back room to place the nuggets on the scales. He returned muttering under his breath. Looking at Jessica, a nerve at the corner of his mouth twitched.
“The total weight of the nuggets is thirty-six ounces. In total, the bank owes you one hundred and fifty pounds. When I’ve written the numbers in the book, you can go celebrate your find.”
“Your news has made my day,” announced Jessica.
“How many pound notes are you thinking of withdrawing so you can spend at the local dress shop?”
“None at the moment,” replied Jessica. “I’ll have a good think about what I’ll spend the money on. Besides, there might be more gold nuggets.”
“Miss. Hayes, I’d keep your find under wraps if you know what I mean. If you don’t, you’ll have a mob of people on your doorstep carrying shovels in a matter of days. Discovering gold anywhere near the Rosedale is big news.”
“I’ll heed your friendly warning.”
“Before you leave it is amazing how news spreads,” taunted the clerk sarcastically.
“I think I understand where you’re coming from. Seeing how you have given incredible service this morning, I think a tip could go a long way to help keep your tongue quiet. How much do you recommend?”
“Ten pounds will buy you peace of mind.”
“Agreed,” snarled Jessica.
The clerk busied himself writing the numbers in the book and filling out a withdrawal slip for the total amount of ten pounds. When he finished, he stared at Jessica.
“Thanks for banking here today. Have a nice day.”
Jessica swiped the bank book from the man. She bid him a good day and followed Lightening Dawn outside.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN