Another Life

Thursday April 21, 2022, 7:30am

Morphettville

Dan

Less than half a kilometre down the road from Sven von Erikson, lived Dan. His home was also a former housing trust home. His air-conditioning still hadn’t been fixed. But it was well into autumn and with the constant clement weather, the need to be cool had been postponed until next summer. Dan hoped that the following summer might be mild, and then he could save for a well-earned break and trip to Europe to see his daughters. His son, Leo lived with him in this small three-bedroom abode. He had a yearning to travel to Europe to see his mother and sisters.

Although Leo had acquired a job filling shelves at the Woolworths grocery store in Glenelg, finally, he balked at his father’s suggestion to pay board. Yet, when it came to enduring the discomfort of summer heat, Leo was the first to whine that Dan, on his modest income, must buy a new air conditioner.

Dan managed to skirt that expense with the promise of a much needed and long-awaited European holiday the following year.

While his son slept soundly after an all-night Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) role-playing session with his mates, Dan yawned and rearranged the pens and papers on his desk. He then spoke to his phone. ‘Call Eloise.’

While his mobile obediently dialed and connected to Eloise’s phone, Dan smoothed the wrinkled edges of his note paper. He had free hands as he was on speaker. He yawned again. He’d been up all-night leafing through the von Erikson and Edwards files. No use sleeping when his son had mates over playing D&D.

He sipped a strong coffee he had bought while taking an early morning walk to local café up the street.

Eloise’s voice chimed through the mobile’s speaker. ‘Hello, Dan.’

Dan smiled. ‘Hey, Eloise, I have some interesting news for you.’

‘Yes? What have you got for me?’

‘Well, I was going over some old files from way back in 1977-78 and I think they might be connected.’

‘You mean the disappearance of Percy Edwards?’

‘Yes, and the disappearance of Jan von Erikson in 1977.’

‘They were neighbours, right?’

‘Yes, how did you know?’

‘I’ve been talking to Fifi,’ Eloise said. ‘She’s the one who has concerns about what happened to her father. She thinks he was murdered, and his body left up near Mt. Lofty.’

‘U-huh.’

‘How’s this related to von Erikson—Jan did you say?’

‘A year before Percy Edwards went missing, Jan von Erikson walked out on his family. Or so his wife said. No one has seen or heard from him since. It’s like he disappeared off the face of the earth,’ Dan said.

‘He didn’t just up stakes and move interstate?’

‘Perhaps, but the more I looked into the case, the history, the call outs to the house, on several occasions, the more I began to suspect they were not happy campers behind closed doors. Heck, I’ve got school reports here where both Sven and Lillie were repeatedly missing school and for not wearing the proper uniform. And another from the school nurse reporting that Lillie was suffering from malnutrition.’

‘I suspected as much,’ Eloise replied and called out, ‘See, Francis? I was right. She was so skinny it wasn’t normal. School reports.’

‘Okay, love,’ Francis Renard could be heard saying, ‘the detective Delaney is always right.’

‘Where are you?’ Dan asked.

‘Still in bed,’ Eloise said tartly, ‘I’m on holiday, don’t you remember?’

‘Yeah, well, apart from being in bed at 7:30 am, doesn’t sound like it,’ Dan said with a chuckle.

‘When did you get up, detective?’

‘I didn’t; been up all…’

‘Dan! You really need to look after yourself or you’ll get sick…really sick.’

‘I know, I know,’ Dan sighed. ‘But Leo had his friends over and they were playing D&D and I figure, what’s the use. So, I used my time constructively, researching.’

‘Don’t blame me if you end up in hospital.’

He imagined El shaking her head.

‘I won’t.’

‘Anything else relating to those characters?’ Dan asked. ‘Like Percy’s wife—is she still alive?’

‘Nah, I think she’s passed. Fifi mentioned she died about ten years ago from food poisoning,’ El replied.

‘I see, anything else you might find relevant?’

‘Apparently, von Erikson worked for Edwards. It would seem they had a falling out just before von Erikson went missing. Not sure what it was about, but von Erikson had a drinking problem, so Fifi reckoned. What was Edwards’ business exactly?’

‘Not sure, but it made him quite cashed up.’ Dan straightened his pens lining them up on his desk like soldiers. ‘He was into cars. Mostly Fords. Belonged to the Ford club, I believe. I remember that from my youth group days. Mr. Edwards was a member at our church. All us lads admired the newest and latest Ford he and his family turned up to church in.’

‘Okay, so?’

‘The thing is, after his father disappeared, Sven, von Erikson’s son has this Ford. Ford Falcon XB, fresh off the assembly line. I was so envious. But at the same time, I could never figure out how Sven, who came from a poor family, was able to afford such a car.’ Dan drummed his fingers. ‘I remember Sven saying he earnt a lot with the building work he was doing. But I don’t think so. Anyway, there’s some pieces of the puzzle for you to work with, El.’

‘Interesting,’ Eloise replied. ‘Sven has suggested I paint Lillie’s portrait. I’ll see if I can get her to talk.’

Leo called from his bedroom. ‘Dad, can you take me to Woollies on your way to work? I have to be there in fifteen.’

Dan huffed and snapped, ‘Can’t you take a tram?’

‘No, I’ll be late.’

‘Oh, well, fine then,’ Dan muttered, ‘I hope you’ve showered.’

On the other side of the thin wall, Dan heard mumblings and shuffling. Leo had never learnt to drive, and Dan had regretted not forcing the issue. Milo’s unfortunate accident had left its mark.

‘I must go and be “Uber Dad” again,’ he breathed to Eloise, and then ended the call.

© Tessa Trudinger 2024

*Feature Photo: Memories of a hike up Mt. Lofty © C.D. Trudinger circa 1970

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