Mele Kalikimaka Mr Walker by Robert G. Barrett Read Free Book Online Page A

pleasantries Les still felt Mick seemed a little strained at times and it wasn’t just from working the night before.
    They finished the last of the toast and jam and Kia had to get going. Norton said he’d pay the bill and Mick could leave the customary tip. Outside they walked across to the park where Kia had left her car — a white Toyota.
    â€˜Well, it was truly nice meeting you, Kia,’ said Norton.
    â€˜You too, Les. And thanks for the breakfast.’
    â€˜My pleasure. We might do it again before I go back.’
    â€˜So where are you off to now, Mick?’
    â€˜I gotta go pick up my pay. What time’ll you be home?’
    â€˜Around five. I got two big classes this afternoon.’ Kia pointed a finger at Mick. ‘And don’t forget, we have to do some Christmas shopping tonight.’
    â€˜I’ll be there.’
    â€˜Goodbye, Les.’
    â€˜Mele Kalikimaka,’ winked Norton.
    Kia’s smile was dazzling. ‘Hey, you too, Les.’
    Les watched her drive off then turned to Mick. He was completely expressionless and Les decided to put it straight on him. ‘Hey, Mick, have you got something on your mind?’
    Mick seemed to think for a moment. ‘You noticed?’
    â€˜Noticed? Mate, you’re miles away half the fuckin’ time. Nothing like when you stayed at my place.’
    The policeman’s face was taut. ‘What are you doing now, Les?’
    â€˜Not much,’ shrugged Norton.
    â€˜Okay. Let’s take a walk by the park. We can work the meal off and I’ll tell you what’s going on.’
    â€˜All right. Suits me.’
    They crossed Kalakau and began walking amongst the other strollers and joggers along the promenade. A few cloudbanks had drifted over but it was still quite sunny and the offshore breeze refreshing. Mick had his hands stuffed in his pockets as if deep in troubled thought. After they’d walked a dozen or so metres he spoke.
    â€˜Les, I’ve been tossed what they call in America a curved ball.’
    â€˜You mean someone’s bowled you a googly?’
    â€˜Exactly.’ Mick caught Norton’s eye. ‘Have the boys back home told you anything about me?’
    â€˜I know about the Lionheart Reinhardt thing.’
    â€˜Yeah, right. You see, I’ve just got that much energy at times I can’t help myself. And that’s what happenedwhen I joined the cops. I made that many arrests they almost had to build another gaol. Fair dinkum, Les, I had charge sheets longer than the dead sea scrolls.’
    â€˜A regular Dick Tracy.’
    â€˜Hah! I made him look like a Bow Street runner.’ Mick smiled openly now, obviously glad to be getting something off his chest to someone he knew from home. ‘Well, I had nothing else to do and that’s what they were paying me for. Plus I thought I was making a good impression. So I just charged in, guns blazing, more or less. Fair dinkum, I arrested hookers, pimps, clients, dope dealers, revheads, jaywalkers. Fishing without a licence, whistling in the pictures. Anything.’
    â€˜Square dancing in a roundhouse?’
    â€˜Mate, I even arrested a dwarf for growing up. But you see, there’s a few little pricks whose fathers are high up in the HPD, and they play on it. You know — my daddy’s Captain or Major so and so.’
    â€˜Yeah, same as home,’ nodded Les.
    â€˜But that made no difference to Sheriff Reinhardt. The other blokes are a bit laid back, but if anything it made me even keener.’
    â€˜I’m proud of you, Mick. Even if you’d have tried the same caper back home we’d have probably had you shot or your legs broken, I’m still proud of you.’
    â€˜Thanks. Anyway, I nicked this little dropkick whose old man’s right up in the HPD. The little shithouse, though. He’s stealing cars, breaking into houses, he belted an old lady over in Niu Valley. And the last time I