Mike Dixon

„No.‟ Humphrey shook his head. „The three old dears, I
met, were the last of the bunch.‟
„So Rosie looked after her girls.‟
„Not all of them,‟ Kirstin interjected. „She banished her
little sister to Hong Kong. Remember what Doris told David.
She said she wouldn‟t be there if it wasn‟t for “Fucking Rosie”.‟
Kirstin imitated David‟s rendering of Doris‟ voice then
switched to the half-refined tones of an up-and-coming
business lady of the 1950s. „I think Mrs. Rosalind Baker didn‟t
want her vulgar little sister to spoil her nice new image.
Don‟t forget, Rosie Lee was a prostitute who ran a brothel
but Rosalind Baker was a professional lady who made dona-
tions to worthy causes and was photographed with state
premiers and other dignitaries.‟
Humphrey began to scribble again.
„Item nine. The Island View is up for sale.‟
„Fair dinkum?‟ Janet said.
„Absolutely! Three days after I left, it went onto the mar-
ket.‟
„My God! You certainly stirred things up, Humphles.‟
Humphrey took that as the highest possible accolade he
could expect from Janet.
„You did more than frighten three old ladies,‟ she continued.
„It would seem so,‟ Humphrey picked up his wineglass
and emptied it in one gulp.
„I wouldn‟t be quite so blasé, Humphrey.‟ Kirstin moved
the bottle from his reach. „You wouldn‟t be so cocky if Footsie
were to walk through that door.‟
Humphrey ignored the remark.
„Item ten. Charlie Paget is probably still alive.
„Item eleven. Charlie has dealt in both drugs and arms.
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