Liz Cameron

Liz retired to the Mornington Peninsula to create several cottage

gardens, re-discover the joy of painting in pastel and to try her hand

writing a Mills and Boon romance, despite the fact she had never read one!

After reading five borrowed M&B’s, she realised the genre was definitely not for her, since she knows, for certain, there is no such thing as ‘the perfect man’, other than in fiction of course!

She then tried her hand at crime writing and after four miserable attempts, discovered the Scarlet Stiletto. She’s pretty sure now that 5000 words is the limit of her creative mind!

Dog Day Night

Altogether my day had been a stinker. Mid-morning a major traffic accident had seen five badly injured people admitted to Casualty. Then as we were beginning to clear the decks, a gas cylinder exploded in the kitchen of a local restaurant. It was lunch hour. Result? Five serious burn victims. Of course, I was trained to deal with days like this. However, had I known what the night held in store for me, the day would have been a breeze.

Having survived peak-hour traffic in sizzling heat, I staggered in the door, threw my briefcase onto the bed, switched on the air conditioner and headed for the kitchen. I had barely filled a glass from the cask in the fridge when the phone rang. I groaned and picked it up.

‘Laura, it’s Janet. I’m too pooped to cook and my flat’s a hot box. Apparently it was the hottest November day for thirty years. I thought since we had such a shit of a day you might feel like eating out.’

‘What a great idea. I was contemplating a liquid dinner. What do you feel like?’

‘How about Italian?’ Janet suggested. ‘We did Chinese last week.’

‘Fine by me.,’ I said. ‘Leo’s, about seven-thirty?’

‘Terrific. See you there.’

As I downed the wine, I wondered why Hamish hadn’t heard the phone. I guessed the sudden heat had got to him and he was dead to the world under a bush in the backyard. Better to let sleeping dogs lie, I decided, and headed for a long cool shower.

Feeling revived, I put on the new sexy underwear I bought yesterday to cheer myself up. Can’t imagine why though, since I was the only one to see it. Certainly

2

Hamish isn’t at all stirred by leopard skin lingerie. I threw on a toweling robe and relieved I wouldn’t need my beeper for two wonderful days off I tossed the briefcase into the cupboard.

Back in the kitchen I poured a half glass of white and topped it up with soda, knowing Janet and I would share a bottle of something good. No point in wrapping myself around a light pole on the way home. Nothing worse than ending up on a trolley in my own emergency ward, except of course on a slab in the morgue!

Glass in hand I wandered out to the living room and while putting on a Mozart CD, eyed the framed photo of my truant husband.

‘See what you’re missing, you bastard,’ I said, flapping the gown open. ‘Cost a mint too!’

John had been working as a volunteer Medico in East Timor for almost a year. When our marriage seemed to be falling apart, he had opted for a leave of absence rather than calling it a day. I had thought it was working, because we’d had more civilized conversations via the phone and Internet than we’d had for several years. However, John apparently thought differently because, two days ago, he’d informed me he had signed on for another year’s stint. He was no doubt testing his stethoscope on the local honey-skinned, sarong-swathed beauties.

I spun away, marched into the bedroom and was perusing the wardrobe for something cool to wear when the doorbell rang.

‘Who’s there?’ I called, peeping through the spy hole. It was a guy wearing a peaked cap and wrap around mirrored sunglasses.

‘Flowers for Forsyth,’ was the reply.

3

My spirits lifted. Perhaps John had had second thoughts about extending his tenure. I have to admit my reaction to his news was far from lady-like!

‘Hold on a moment.’ I wrapped the gown around me, tied the belt and opened the door.

The barrel of a gun was aimed right at my chest! Not a flower in sight!

‘Inside, now!’ He ordered.

As I opened my mouth to scream he pushed me backwards. I fell to the floor, slid across the polished boards and hit my head on the wall. He stepped in and slammed the door shut.

‘What in the hell do you want?’ I snapped, struggling to my feet.

‘Nice tits,’ he said, raising and eyebrow above the glasses.

I looked down and pulled my gaping robe closed. ‘Whatever it is, you must have the wrong house.’

‘Right house, Doc. Sit!’ He said waving the gun at the sofa.

I edged backwards and sank down. ‘Look, I’ve got nothing of value here. No money.’ Then it hit me, he’d called me Doc. ‘And definitely no drugs!’

He shook his head, looked casually around the room then back at me.

‘So what then?’ I snapped. ‘Got a mate with a gunshot wound? I don’t do them, unless they’ve been reported to the police, of course.’

He smirked. ‘No Doc, all my mates are accounted for. One in particular, as it happens.’

‘Jewelry then is it? I don’t have much.’

4

‘Tell me Doc, what’s your most valuable possession?’ He leaned over and slid the gun under my gown between my boobs. It was colder than an ice cube and bigger than a cannon!

I glared at him.

He straightened, moved across the room and picked up John’s photo. ‘He valuable? Good looking bloke.’

‘That’s my husband and he’s not here. Put it down!’

Wrong thing to say! The frame flew across the room, whacked me on the forehead and crashed to the floor.

‘Hell! You bastard!’ I shouted. Blood started to ooze into my eye. I snatched some tissues from the box on the coffee table and held them to my head. Extraordinary, but all I could think was where was the damn dog? More to the point why was Hamish a wee Cairn Terrier and not a huge vicious mastiff? Not that it mattered since he was conspicuous by his absence!

‘So where is he?’

‘Who?’ I snapped.

‘The absentee husband of course.’

‘None of your bloody business.’

‘Oh, but that’s the whole thing, Doc, this family is my business. His name’s John, right?’

I stared at him, stunned.

‘Yeah, how about that? How do I know his name? Research, Doc. You’d be surprised how much I know about this household. Hubby’s been away a while, hasn’t he? You must be more than ready for some fun and games.’

5

God! My mind flashed to the countless traumatized and badly injured women I’d treated in Casualty. What was always my advice to them? Never fight a rapist. It only makes him keener. Ha! Easy enough to say when you’re not facing a six-foot madman with a loaded gun! So how to handle this one? Stall, buy time, that was the way to go.

‘I have to go to the bathroom,’ I muttered. ‘I need a dressing on this cut.’ I waved the blood soaked tissue at him. If I could get to my mobile I might have a chance. It, of course, was in my briefcase with my beeper, snug in the wardrobe!

‘Okay, but don’t try anything. I’ll be right behind you.’

He shadowed my every move as I cleaned the gash, cut the dressing strip and applied it to my forehead. Then he reached around me and pocketed the scissors. This was not going well!

As I edged out the door, he grabbed me around the neck and threw me onto the bed. Ignoring my own advice, I snatched up the phone and threw it at him. A totally useless exercise. The cord was too short and the damn thing simply crashed to the floor.

‘Good try, Doc,’ he sneered, ripping the plug from the socket. Then he bent over and placing one hand on either side of my head he covered my mouth with his. Now it was time to panic! When he finally pulled back I yelled at him.

‘Before you go any further you bastard, you should know why my husband left.’ I tried to keep my voice steady despite my pulse rate accelerating close to the hundred mark.

‘Not my problem and it won’t help you now.’ He yanked the tie undone and pulled my gown open.

6

‘Fine,’ I muttered, ‘commit suicide then! But legally I must inform you it’s a bad move, really bad. Unless of course you’re packing a condom as well as the gun.’ I dragged the gown closed as I spoke. ‘You see, thanks to a torn glove at work, I have Aids.’ I forced a weak smile. ‘But, given that I haven’t had sex for ages, I’ll be happy to share everything I have with you.’

I’d expected he would take a few steps backwards. Instead he leaned down, grabbed my hair and pressed his mouth against mine again. When he finally came up for air he was laughing. Hell, I groaned inwardly, the bastard’s probably HIV positive himself!

‘Bullshit Doc. You take me for a fool? They wouldn’t let you anywhere near a Casualty Department with Aids. Anyway, there’s plenty of time for fun later. I’m hungry, so let’s see if you can rustle up some food. You’ll need a lot of energy to cope with me.’

I looked at the clock radio. It was almost seven. The brain went into overdrive. Should I tell this shit about Janet? If I didn’t, how long would she hang around before phoning? Would he even let me answer the phone? Probably not. So she’d call my mobile, assuming I was en route. No, I needed to keep the cell under laps for as long as possible. My only hope of salvation might be to dial triple-o on the cell and leave the line open.

‘I was actually getting ready to meet a friend for dinner,’ I said casually, leading the way to the kitchen.

‘Tell me another,’ he scoffed.

I raised an eyebrow and shrugged. ‘Have it your way. However, she’ll worry when I don’t turn up. She’ll phone but you’ve disconnected it. So she’ll either call

7

the cops, or turn up on the doorstep. But that’s okay, you’ll be able to handle the two of us, I’m sure.’

He smirked. ‘A sexy broad is she?’

‘Ooh, I think you’d think so. Pretty and blonde and a great figure. Looks good in her uniform too.’

‘Nurse, is she?’

‘No, she’s a cop,’ I lied turning to watch his reaction. I might well have said Lollypop Lady for all the result I got.

‘Keep it up, Doc. You sure have some fanciful answers. Anyway, why wouldn’t she try your mobile?’

Hell! Talk about thinking on your feet! ‘Because she knows my cell died yesterday and I didn’t have time to get a new one today.’

‘I still think you’re spinning a yarn.’

‘Please yourself. She’s not your average cop though. She’s a Homicide Detective.’ In fact Janet was one of the best trauma doctors I’d ever worked with.

‘Oh shit, I suppose you’d better call her. But keep it short. Say you’ve had an unexpected visitor and can’t make it.’

‘Okay, but you’ll have to plug the bedroom phone back in. It’s the main line in.’

His reply was to drag me back to the bedroom. Once he’d reconnected the cord I made straight to the kitchen phone. He grabbed the receiver from me before I started to dial.

‘Hold on, Doc, not so fast. Just in case you’re thinking of pulling a swiftie, you need to know something. Remember I asked you before what was your most valuable possession? Well, we have him.’

8

I spun to face him. ‘What?’

‘I said we have him. He worth a hundred thousand to you?’

‘What in the hell are you talking about? My husband is miles away!’ Was it possible John had taken a plane home after my vitriolic outburst? And if so, how did this bastard know he would?

He gave an evil chuckle. ‘I’m not talking about your wayward husband, Doc. I’m saying we’ve got your dog.’

‘My dog?’ Was this guy for real? ‘You’ve kidnapped Hamish?’

‘Yeah, Hamish. That’s what his tag says.’

I swung round and ran to the back door calling frantically. There was no answer! If Hamish were there he’d be in like a rocket. The small back garden was dog-less!

When I turned back the guy was right behind me.

‘Oh, don’t worry Doc, he’s safe for now. And you know how it goes, as long as you do exactly what you’re told, he’ll stay that way. I guess it all depends on how much you want him back.’

‘I can’t believe this.’ I muttered.

‘Oh Doc, you’d better believe it. We’re deadly serious.’

‘And you want a hundred thousand for kidnapping a dog?’ I said incredulously.

‘Dognapping, Doc.’ He grinned.

‘You’ll never get away with it!’ It seemed the logical thing to say.

‘Oh, but we will. Or you’ll both end up dead. Just a hundred grand. A small price to pay for both your lives.’

‘What do you think I earn for God’s sake? And my husband’s working gratis in East Timor.’

9

‘Surely Doc, you haven’t forgotten Tattslotto? What was it again, three million?’

Hell, how did this guy know so much? Ever since he got here, I’d been assuming he worked at the hospital, maybe a cleaner. But no one at work knew about the Lotto win, except for Janet and she’d been sworn to secrecy. So who was this bloke? A bank teller? A Tattslotto employee?

‘Well, you’re out of luck, you’d better bring the dog back and I’ll forget about you breaking into my house.’ Like hell I would! ‘You see that money has been invested. It’s tied up for years.’

‘Don’t give me that. What’s the saying? It’s your money. You can access it on your computer and transfer it anywhere you like at any time. Oh, you’ll lose a bit of interest, but hell, better that than little Hamish, eh?’

It was obvious that this shit worked at my bank, or knew someone who did! Otherwise how would he know I did Internet banking?

But it was my turn to laugh. ‘And you said you knew all about my affairs. If you did, you would have seen me lugging the hard drive out to the car on Tuesday. It had a virus and I took it in for repair. Check my study if you don’t believe me. You’ll find a lot of dangling leads.’

He expelled a lot of air. ‘Gees, you’re getting to be more trouble than you’re worth, Doc.’

‘Stiff.’

He pulled out his cell and pressed some keys. Amidst a thesaurus of foul language he told his mate to bring his laptop. More expletive conversation, from which I gathered mate’s car had been stolen while he was picking up take-away! If Hamish was in the car did that mean he’d been dognapped twice in one day? These blokes

10

must surely make the Guinness Book for the stupidest villains on record! My minder told the other idiot to get a cab. More cursing. Mate apparently had no cash on him! He’s spent al he had on a pizza!

‘Then get a bloody cab and find a hole-in-the-wall, you fuck-wit!’ He snapped his cell shut and raged around the kitchen like a bull on speed.

‘Where is my dog?’ I yelled.

‘What?’

‘Where is Hamish?’

‘Oh hell, don’t fret Doc, the pooch is safe at his place.’

I decided to mollify him for the moment. ‘Well, despite a few set-backs you do seem to have all the answers.’

‘Of course I bloody do!’ He yelled. ‘Now are you going to call your friend? Or was that just a ploy to use the phone? Remember, one mistake and you’ll never see the damn dog again.’

‘If you hurt one hair of his head I’ll see you dead.’ I couldn’t believe I said that!

He merely chuckled. ‘You first. Now, make the call.’

When I’d dialed he pulled me close so he could hear the conversation. The gun was nestled under my chin. So much for my big plan to call Janet “Mary” when I spoke, hoping she’d know something was wrong. I decided a bullet through the brain wasn’t worth the risk. Of course I was sure as hell he’d kill me once he’d forced me to use his laptop. Janet’s phone kept ringing till it rang out.

‘Bad luck, she must have left already,’ I said smugly hanging up the phone.

‘Call her mobile then.’ He wasn’t entirely dick-brained!

‘Ah, I don’t know her number off pat, but it’s in my briefcase in the wardrobe.’

11

He grabbed my wrist and hauled me to the bedroom. I heaved the bag onto the bed while he leaned against the doorjamb. While I pretended to rummage for the address book, I flicked on my cell, dialed 911 and dropped it back in the bottom of the bag.

‘Ah, found it,’ I said.

We repeated the procedure from the bedside phone and it took only a few seconds for me to apologize to Janet, who was in her car about to back out of her driveway.

‘Fine, now we can eat.’

‘You bloody well eat!’ I said. ‘Personally, I’ve lost my appetite. There’s nothing much in the house anyway, tomorrow is shopping day.’

As we went back through the living room, there was a scratching sound at the front door.

‘What’s that?’ He snarled.

I shrugged. ‘A poltergeist?’ But I was grinning.

He went to the door and looked through the spy hole. More scratching and some frantic yapping. He flung open the door an ecstatic ball of white fluff bounded in and leapt into my arms. I started to laugh hysterically, hugging the wriggling animal to me. As tears of joy ran down my face Hamish licked them off.

The front door slammed shut and my captor whipped out his cell.

‘You fucking idiot!’ He yelled. ‘Can’t you even mind a frigging dog? Yeah, the bloody thing’s just come home!’ He listened for a minute, shaking his head a lot. ‘Well get to the bank, then get the bloody computer here! Do something right for once.’ Then he turned to face me waving the gun in the air. ‘Don’t think this lets you off, Doc. You will transfer the money and come to think of it, we’ll raise the stakes to two hundred grand.’ He grabbed my hair and pulled me across the room.

12

I let out a shriek and Hamish bit his wrist! He let go my hair cursing. He whipped the gun round and pointed it us. I took off through the kitchen, shoved the dog in the laundry and slammed the door.

The goon was right behind me. ‘Just as well,’ he shouted, ‘I’d have shot the little bugger, he’s drawn blood.’

‘Oh, dear, I think you’ll live. I doubt he has rabies.’

He went to the sink and flooded the wound with hot water.

‘Now I am really hungry.’ He opened the fridge, found some leftover quiche and a can of Fosters and told me to sit at the table while he ate.

For the first time he took off his sunglasses and I knew, if I got out of this alive, I’d be able to give the police a great description of him. But if was the operative word. Not once had the gun left his hand until he sat down to eat and even then he placed it on the table beside his right hand. I mentally measured the distance and knew I had Buckley’s chance of reaching it. The dog-bite had given me an idea though.

‘I’m going to make coffee,’ I said getting up.

‘Knock yourself out,’ was the response.

As I filled the jug I dallied with the notion of throwing boiling water at him, but dismissed it instantly. After the phone episode I’d more than likely scold myself! Better to wait for the cops. But why was it taking them so long to get here? What did happen when a 911 call was left open? Surely to God someone would respond. A fire engine would do!

I set a mug on the bench and opened the drawer to get a teaspoon. Immediately my eyes flicked to the gunman. He was busy swilling beer. Furtively I slipped a paring knife into my pocket and went on with the coffee.

13

‘I’m taking it in there,’ I said, nodding the direction of the living room. The bloodhound got up and followed.

I put my mug on the coffee table and sat on the right hand end sofa. He plonked down next to me. Perfect, I thought. Now for a distraction. I picked up the remote in my left hand and turned on the TV. It was soon apparent bozo wasn’t a “Burke’s Backyard” man. Fancy that.

‘Here, watch whatever you want,’ I said shoving the remote it in front of his eyes.

The gun arm flashed up to push it away. The muzzle was pointing in the air. I gripped his arm and slashed! The gun fired and the bullet hit the cuckoo clock. The bird flew out and sagged down dead! But he’d dropped the gun, which had landed on the coffee table.

‘Fucking bitch!’ He screamed.

I moved, but he was faster! His elbow flashed up and caught me under the chin. My teeth clunked and I fell back, momentarily stunned.

When I opened my eyes the gun was gone and he was clutching his bloody wrist with a handful of tissues.

My living room looked like an abattoir! There was blood on the ceiling, me, him, the carpet and everything on the table! It was straight from a horror movie!

‘You won’t stop the bleeding,’ I said smugly, my heart pounding like a jackhammer.

‘I need a towel. Your dead, bitch!’ He stood up.

‘You first,’ I chuckled. ‘I should warn you, the more you move, the faster your blood pumps out. It won’t take very long,’

14

He slumped back. ‘I need a fucking tourniquet.’ He pronounced it torn-i-ket. Obviously an American movie buff.

I grinned. ‘As I said earlier, I only treat gun-shot or knife wounds once they’ve been reported to the police.’

The gun appeared in his left hand. ‘I need it now!’

‘Okay, okay, I’ll get a belt from the bedroom.’

‘Right, but one move towards the front door and you’re dead. And I am..er.. double-handed.’

I raised an eyebrow. ‘Ambidextrous?’

‘Yeah, that too.’

I made straight for the briefcase and the cell. I pulled it out and stared in disbelief. No signal! Flat battery! Hell, I was still on my own! No police were coming to my rescue! My gaze flashed to the phone.

‘Don’t even think about it!’

I spun round. He was leaning against the wall. The gun pointed straight at me. I threw my arms up in a gesture of surrender opened a drawer and pulled out a belt. He motioned me towards him. I followed meekly.

He flopped onto the sofa, but despite his increasing pallor I knew he was still more than capable of getting off a shot. The next bullet was certain to hit me, especially since the cuckoo was already dead and the now barking dog was shut in the laundry. But why was he taking so long to pass out, for god’s sake? Was he the only man on earth with more than the prescribed quantity of blood? The room looked like he’d already lost the full quota. Of course I knew better, but he’d certainly lost a good litre.

15

‘Get on with it bitch,’ he shouted.

‘Oh dear, what happened to Doc?’ I said trying to sound calm. ‘Bitch is so derogatory.’

‘The next bullet goes through your fucking knee,’ he stated.

‘Then we’ll both need an ambulance.’

Before he could reply his cell started to beep. Now he was stymied. Hold the gun- hand on the wound, or answer the phone. For a second I thought he might give me the chance I needed. Wrong again. He’d left his cell on the coffee table.

‘Answer it,’ he ordered, sliding it across the coffee table. ‘Bring it round here and hold it to my ear.’

I complied, since the gun was now wavering ominously at my stomach. I hoped to god that the thing didn’t have a hair-trigger, because he was looking decidedly seedy.

‘What now?’ He said to the phone. ‘Of course I do, you bloody idiot! How the hell could I work the thing without all the leads? You should have been here long ago. The bitch has slashed my wrist and I’m fucking bleeding to death! Just get off the damn phone and get here pronto!’

‘Now get that belt on my arm, bitch.’

‘Oh, feeling a bit dizzy? Time is marching on and your life is seeping away.’ I tipped my head on the side. ‘You know, I’m very tempted to let my Hippocratic oath go to blazes. How about you put the gun down first.’

‘How about you stop this bleeding!’ He fired a shot! The glass in my favourite painting erupted in flying splinters. ‘Get my drift?’

I nodded. ‘Absolutely.’ Belt in hand, I moved round in front of the table. ‘You’ll have to raise your arm a bit,’ I said.

16

As he concentrated, I grabbed a heavy pottery bowl and swung it at his temple. He sagged sideways out cold. I wrenched the gun from his hand and stuffed it in my pocket. Without taking my eyes off him, I dialed 911 on his cell, asked for the police and gave them some details and my address. Then, instead of using the belt on his arm, I cinched it around his ankles. He started to moan. I raced for the bedroom, got two more belts and quickly bound his wrists together. Only then did I apply the third as a tourniquet. I surveyed the room and expelled the air from my lungs. It would take more than V.I.P. Home Services to clean this lot!

I was about to let Hamish out when someone started banging on the front door. Thank god, the law had arrived! I ran to the spy-hole. No cap with Blue and White checks! The guy had orange spiked hair and an earring in his eyebrow! I figured I had two choices, wait for the cavalry or risk this shit-head getting away. Now he rang the doorbell. I listened for the sound of approaching sirens. Nothing, the street was dead quiet. I made my decision. Gun in hand I opened the door but stayed behind it. Spike-head rushed in, took one look at his trussed mate and dropped everything he was carrying. I stepped out, gun raised.

‘Flat on the floor, face down!’ I yelled. He swiveled, realized he was dealing with a woman on the edge and went flat out face down. ‘Now sit up,’ I ordered. He did. ‘Now tie your ankles together with one of the computer leads.’

‘Shit lady, don’t shoot!’ He screamed, taking in the blood soaked room.

‘Just do it!’

‘Okay, okay, I’m doing it!’

As Spike-head reached for a lead, the wonderful sound of Police sirens filled the air. It sounded like the entire Victorian force was rushing to my aid.

17

The next thing, two uniformed guys ran in, guns at the ready.

‘Cripes!’ One exclaimed, taking in the scene. ‘How many dead?’

I started to laugh hysterically and the other cop grabbed my wrist holding the gun and took it from my grip.

‘Hey!’ I shouted. ‘I’m not the villain here!’ I started to explain but they couldn’t hear me because Hamish was now really raising the roof!

‘Hold on lady. What’s with the dog?’

I sank onto the nearest chair. ‘It’s long story,’ I said.

Please note that permission to publish stories from the Scarlet Stiletto Awards 2004 online has been expressly granted to Sisters in Crime Australia Inc. You may not republish or reproduce electronically or in paper form, or otherwise make use of these stories without the permission of the author.

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