When Opportunity Strikes 11

'Charlie, wait just a minute,' Matthew said as he handed the reports to Lucien. Lucien looked through the paperwork then handed it to Bill to read as well.

'I see he has form,' was Lucien's comment.

'Break and Enter, Assault, Aggravated Assault, Assault causing bodily harm… the man has already done a stretch over in Castlemaine for putting a Bookie into hospital,' replied Matthew. '

'If he killed Pat, and this evidence points to him, then it may well be his neck that stretches this time,' commented Charlie.

'It has to be him,' said Bill from his desk, 'fingerprints don't lie.' He handed the reports back to Lucien and Matthew.'

'No, they don't lie, but they could be on the murder weapon for a perfectly reasonable reason,' responded Lucien.'

'How's that?' queried Bill with disbelief.

'Well,' mused Lucien, 'maybe he just handled the Tiki when he was looking through his father's things, and the real murderer used gloves?'

Bill looked at him sceptically. 'Sounds far-fetched. Plus, the medals were his fathers', Bill pointed to the notes Charlie had taken from the Canberra bureau, 'James John Chapman', of Ballarat.

'Yes, sounds very unlikely, Lucien,' agreed Matthew. Lucien just shrugged in agreement. 'Anyway, we need to pick him up for an interview. Lucien, you said you were at his home this morning?'

'That's right,' agreed Lucien. 'His wife said he had gone to the Dog Races.'

'Dogs' are running until 3 today,' put in Bill. They all turned as one to see the big station clock on the wall read 11.30am. 'There's a brief intermission for lunch at 12, then they race again at 1. If he's a real punter he'll be staying for feature race at 2pm.' Bill often went to the track as several of his snitches frequented there.

'Charlie, put together a team. We need to cover all the exits. I want everyone in place by 1pm. Bill, you and I will go with Charlie. You see if any of your contacts down at the tracks can identify him, this mug shot,' he waved the report about, 'is worse than useless. But proceed with caution, Robert Chapman is a dangerous man.'

….

Matthew let Lucien tag along as an 'observer' under strict instructions not to interfere. He seated himself unobtrusively in the grandstand and looked about him with interest. The Broadway Park track had been running since 1935 and was starting to look a bit rundown. It wasn't a large crowd today, as it wasn't a major race meeting, but it was busy enough. People were always willing to lay down a bet. There had been discussion in Council Chambers about building a new track soon. He could remember his father talking about how it was a wonderful 'working man's sport,' and he had encouraged several of his patients to own a greyhound. His father had said that as the dog owners had to walk the hound daily, it was a great way to get people who would otherwise never consider exercising, out and about.

Lucien had heard some unsavoury things about the sport and how the animals were treated, but Jean had also told him how the RSPCA was working with the Racing Authority to try and clean up the sport. The dogs were such beautiful animals he noticed, and it looked like the loved running and racing. He hoped the reforms would succeed.

Charlie had efficiently organised all available men to the Broadway track in record time. All exits were manned by a constable. Matthew, Bill and Charlie were patrolling the grounds inside watching the punters as they strolled.

Bill slowed, waved Matthew and Charlie on, then sidled up to a small man in a brown suit and battered trilby hat leaning on the track railing. Causally Bill leaned forward and peered down the straightway. Without seeming to notice the man in the brown suit, he spoke quietly out of the side of his mouth while looking away, 'G'day Harry, need a favour.'

Harry 'the Hustler' Harrison, gave Bill the side-eye, then sighed under his breath. 'You know I don't like talking to you out here. What do you want this time, quick!'

'You know a Robert Chapman, Harry?' asked Bill in an undertone.

'That nong! Useless waste of space he is,' said Harry derisively.

'So, you know him then?' continued Bill.

'Everyone knows him since he put Stevens in hospital. 6 months! Stevens was in plaster longer than the 6-month stretch they gave Chapman!' said Harry indigently.

'He here today?' asked Bill.

'Yass. Splashing cash around to impress his lady-friend.' Harry snorted. 'Ain't having much luck though, losing all his zack. About ready to spit the dummy, he is.'

'Could you point him out, maybe?' Bill was getting testy.

'Yass.' Harry casually turned around and adjusted his hat and tie while scanning the grounds. 'He's over there, by the Tote. Big bruiser by Bookie number 3. That's his sheila he's with, in the red dress.'

Bill looked over where Harry indicated then did a double-take. Quickly, he straightened up with a 'Thanks Harry, owe you one,' and walked quickly over to where Matthew and Charlie where waiting behind a pillar.

'That you do,' muttered Harry under his breath.

'Stone the flamin' crows!' exclaimed Bill Hobart incredulously to the two men. 'I don't bloody believe it! Will you have a butchers at who's with him!' Bill indicated where Chapman was and the woman next to him.

Charlie and Matthew looked back at Bill questioningly. 'Who?' Charlie asked.

'Its' bloody Louise Baker!' hissed Bill.

'Two with one stone! Well done, Bill,' said Matthew.

'Right, how do we play this, then?' asked Charlie.

'You two keep an eye on them both, flank them either side. I'm going to get PC Davis from off the gate. When you see him approach, make your move, grab them, and a cuff them both.' And Matthew hobbled off, slightly annoyed his leg meant he could no longer join in the physical stuff.

While they were waiting, Bill said to Charlie, 'The Baker woman's mine.'

Charlie smirked. 'Just don't let her get away again.'

'No fear of that!' growled Bill.

Robert Chapman and Louise Baker finished placing their bets with the bookie and turned to leave. They were deep in conversation with each other and did not notice the two policemen shadowing them. The couple walked over to the first row of in the grandstand and sat down in pair of empty seats. Charlie and Bill stationed themselves behind and to either side of the pair.

In the grandstands behind them all, Lucien watched this play out with interest. The dogs no longer held his attention.

Handlers were walking the dogs out onto the track to the boxes for the next race and Baker was leaning forward in excitement to examine his choice. At that moment two things happened, PC Davis arrived and moved into position and Louise Baker turned around.

'ShhheerrriiieK!' shrilled Louise, startling both Chapman and the dog he was examining. He spun about to see what Louise was screeching about and saw Charlie and Davis moving forward. Jumping up, fists clenched he moved to meet the oncoming policemen. Charlie and Davis both had their billy clubs at the ready.

'Stop!' shouted Charlie, 'You are under arrest!'

Chapman surged forward and grappled with Davis, trying to thrust him out of the way so he could escape. The two men waltzed for a second or so, when 'THUMP', Charlie clocked him on the head with his truncheon, dazing the man. Before Chapman could regain his senses, Charlie had him immobilised and snapped the cuffs on behind his back.

Meanwhile, Bill had been having his own little dance party with Louise. She stood up to run, but Bill blocked her exit. She weaved left, then right, trying to escape around him. Then, recognising Bill from before, she over-confidently assumed she could best him again. Raising her hands, with her long fingernails extended like a cat, she advanced on Bill threateningly. Now, Bill had a healthy respect for those talons and dodged to the side out of her sweeping hands. Louise tried to dart past as Bill dodged, but he stepped back in and quickly and efficiently grabbed her by the arm, pulling it back into an arm lock, painfully forcing the arm up her back and nails out of harms way.

'OWWWW!' Louise cried, going weak at the knees. In her moment of distraction, Bill secured the other arm, cranked it around her back and handcuffed her securely.

Panting slightly, the three policemen had the two suspects in custody. From the seats in the stands behind them the heard someone clapping. Looking up they saw Lucien and several other bystanders giving appreciative notice of a competent and professional arrest. Matthew was standing off to one side with a contented smile on his face.

'You're nicked,' said Bill into Louise's ear.

…

It was a pleased and satisfied Matthew that reported in to Jean that night over dinner. Charlie and Lucien were at the table enjoying Matthews' 'report' to her.

'So, they both confessed?' Jean asked, eyes wide.

'Well,' grinned Matthew, 'eventually. We interviewed them separately, of course. But we let each know that the other was blaming Ben's death on the other and would be given lighter sentences for their help- they each tried to implicate the other. In the end we managed to sort out truth from fiction, and who did what.'

'Yes?' Jean waited. Matthew smugly dragged it out for effect. 'Matthew!' protested Jean.

'Robert Chapman killed Ben, he said it was an accident, didn't mean to hit him so hard. But who knows?' said Charlie who was enjoying the drama and teasing Jean as well.

'But why? Was it for the medals? How did he know they were there? What does Trash, I mean Louise, have to do with it all? And, oh, Matthew Lawson, if you don't tell me everything I will NEVER bake you another apple pie in your entire life!' scolded Jean.

Matthew held up his hands in surrender. 'All right! Full disclosure. Robert Chapman and his dad had a falling out sometime ago. And when Chapman Senior died, Robert thought he was due an inheritance. But his father had spent any money he ever had on his retirement – and on travels to New Zealand to visit other Diggers he was friends with during the war. All his Dad left him was a sack of trashy souvenirs.'

'And his war medals,' interjected Lucien.

'Yes, the war medals.' Agreed Matthew soberly. 'Maybe he wanted to leave his son something of importance, something that meant something to him. But whatever the reason, Robert wasn't impressed and thought they were just old trash like the rest of the items. And told his wife to get rid of the lot.'

'So how does Louise Baker come into it?' asked Jean curiously.

'Well, turns out that Louise Baker has a little gambling problem. She spends most of the money she earns at the Trots or the Dogs. She met Robert at the Dogs one meeting and they hit it off. They've been having an affair for a year or more.'

'Poor Ellie Chapman,' said Jean.

'Well, she'll be rid of him at last, at least,' said Lucien.

'Anyway,' continued Matthew, 'He's over at her place one night and he tells Louise his father's just died and about the lousy inheritance he gave him, and the medals, and how he got his wife to donate it all. She tells him he's an idiot, and they are worth money and her brother would pay well for them. They argue, she kicks him out. He goes home and yells at his wife, slaps her around a bit. The next day, Louise happens to spot Ben carrying the bag into the back room of the charity shop while she was in there taking advantage of a bit of the old five-finger discount.'

Jean shook her head in disbelief. 'And she tells Robert?'

'Yes. So, Robert decides to get the medals back. He goes around to the shop that Tuesday morning early, before it's opened, planning to break in before anyone is there. Pat sees his feet as he goes up the back stairs. Robert knocks first and to his surprise, Ben answers!'

'That must have been a shock. Poor Ben.' Said Jean.

'Now here is the strange thing. Ben had been going through the Chapman's donation and must have found the medals. He had been looking at the Military Medal and had it in his hand when he answered the door. Of course, Robert didn't know that then, Ben kept it hidden. But Ben lets Robert in, hears his story but refuses to hand over the medals. I gather he felt they should go to the RSL display, not be sold for cash.

'So, they should.' Said Lucien.

'Perhaps they still can,' replied Matthew, and then continued. 'Robert insists, Ben tells him to get out and turns away. Robert loses his temper, sees the Tiki statue, picks it up and hits Ben with it, killing him instantly. Looking around he upturns the donation bag, finds the other medals, then sees the one still in Ben's hand, he pulls it and the Bar tears off. He doesn't notice.'

'Then Mavis calls out to Ben, and he panics.' puts in Charlie.

'Oh dear!' Jean gasps.

'He says didn't see him, he came into the office to see who called out to Ben and found her there. He hit her once, knocking her down and out. Then he left out the back door.' Finished Charlie.

'The monster, I am glad Mavis cannot remember that,' said Jean. 'So, he sells the medals to Baker?'

'Well, no, Louise sells the medals,' replied Matthew. 'Robert Chapman isn't very bright, but he did work out that he shouldn't be connected to the sale. So, he asked Louise to sell them for him. Louise could pretend they were just something she 'found' during one of her Spotting mornings.'

'Did she know that he had killed Ben? That's just horrible.' Said Jean sadly.

'She says she didn't know at the time, and when she realised it she figured it was smarter to say nothing.' Replied Charlie. 'Though I reckon she didn't really care.'

'It still makes her an Accessory after the Fact and she is going down for a long time.' Said Matthew grimly.

'Did Baker know? Didn't he suspect anything?' Jean was curious.

'He might have suspected something, but I don't think we can get a conviction. However, we will be keeping a very close eye on the man in the future.' Said Matthew.

'And Ellie Chapman? What of her, why did she come into the shop. Did she know about the medals?'

'Apparently not.' Replied Matthew. 'She was just in such fear of her husband, she thought if she got the donation back he would be pleased. Poor woman.'

'But what I don't understand is why Robert and Louise stayed in Ballarat? Surely they knew they couldn't get away with it!' asked Jean. 'Why didn't they just run away together?'

'The plan was to leave, after today. She wanted to move up to Queensland. But seemingly Robert had a 'hot tip' for a dog today, 'Lucky Lucy'. They decided to stay and try to double their money.' Charlie told her.

'They were out of luck today in more than one way.' Commented Lucien. 'Bill told me that 'Lucky Lady' came last.

….

Epilogue

…...

Robert Chapman was sentenced to 30years to life, 30 years non-parole for Second Degree Murder.

Louise Baker was sentenced to 15-20 years, for shop-lifting, Resisting Arrest, Assault on a Police Officer, and Accessory after the Fact.

Caroline Jones was given a suspended sentence for Shop-lifting and Resisting Arrest.

The Federal Police investigated Baker. He was found to be selling and exporting medals on the international market. After months of investigation he was finally sentenced for Theft, Obtaining Property by Deception, False Accounting and Unlawfully Exporting Antiquities. 10 years.

Ellie Chapman divorced her husband while he was inside – uncontested - and began to volunteer every week at the Animal Charities Op-Shop.

Mavis fully recovered and resumed working and managing the Op-Shop. The notoriety of the murder and related shoplifting did not harm the shop, in fact, for several months it increased sales due to curious customers having a sticky-beak.

Pat O'Brien had his stay at the RSL hospital with a pretty nurse. One weekend Mavis took him down to the St. Kilda Sea-Baths on the sheep truck. He travelled in the back with the lambs and she sat in the front cab with the driver. Mavis brought along some strong 'sailors' sea-soap and some fresh clothing from the op-shop. After a good soak in the ocean and a vigorous scrub, Mavis took him to a local St. Kilda barber for a shave and haircut. Smelling much better and slightly of seaweed, Pat and Mavis took the train back to Ballarat that afternoon where he was admitted, undergoing the Cure, paid for by Mavis. Sadly, Pat's addiction to alcohol as well as his fragile mental state proved too difficult for him to overcome. After a prolonged bout of the DT's, and the threat of a weekly bath, on the fifth night he climbed out of the window and escaped. He soon succumbed to the drink, sinking lower and lower, drinking cheap sherry and metho. One night he passed out in the rain taking a chill. The combination of the cold, poor nutrition, health and hygiene lead to pneumonia. Years of alcoholism had also affected his liver. Young PC Davis found him in the following morning but Pat had lapsed into a coma, never woke and died two weeks after being admitted to hospital.

Mavis, Lucien and Jean petitioned the War Memorial in Canberra for replica medals to replace those that Pat had sold years previously. When they were received, they were given to the RSL where they were displayed together with Ben Parker's and James Chapman's medals. Comrades in Arms, mates always, in life and death.

Lest we forget.