Chapter 18

Having ascertained my location, Jenny specified speaking to him. I handed over my cell. She spoke to the cop.

I didn’t get to hear what was said ... but his face turned sheet white. His phone hand flexed. His knuckles matched his face. I immediately snatched my phone back. He wanted to pitch it ... he was that mad. Then the New South Wales State Police showed up.

A Captain.

Who said. “I’ll tell you right off ... we’ll take Miss Austin’s word over yours.

“Who told you Miss Austin was Aborigine?”

“Someone at the head office.”

“Head office?”

“Who we always call when dealing with a person of colour, the Aboriginal Child, Family and Community State Secretariat.”

“You always call ... why?”

“Instructions from the Chief during shift meetings.”

“The Aboriginal Child, Family and Community State Secretariat are violating a FEDERAL COURT ORDER every time they tell anyone Abby Austin is Aborigine. Her DNA proves she is not ... She is mostly Irish ... the church had a lot of Irish priests back then.”

“Back when?”

“1941 and on.”

“Really ... DNA?”

“Yes.”

“Irish?”

“Her ancestry is Balinese, Japanese, Irish and American ... the American just happens to be half English half Finn.”

“She’s not Abo?”

“No...”

“She’s been tested three times ... twice in the presence of officials from the church and the Aboriginal Child, Family and Community State Secretariat. They KNOW she’s not.”

“I’m standing right here, you know,” I complained.

“Miss Austin,” started the State Police Captain.

“Abby, please.”

“Officer, what is the problem that you were called here.”

“She broke that bloke’s arm.”

“Abby?”

“He took a swing at me. You know Charles Sturt has colour CCTV throughout the parking.”

“Abby ... go home. Say ... that’s quite the car.”

“Daddy,” I said.

“Ah...” said the Captain.

“Alice and I were going to look at Utes ... may we?”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

“You said, ‘Go home.’”

“I did, didn’t I.”

“Tuesday we’ll look at the tapes. Be here for that.”

“Yes sir.” “Come on Alice ... let’s go look at utes.”

We didn’t go to Holden, BMW, Toyota or Honda. No ... I bought Alice a 1939 Ford Deluxe. I wish I’d found it first. It was cheaper than a new one.