All it took was a summer's day and a flat tyre on his push-bike, and Les is out on bail and on the run from a gun-happy street gang intent on a drive-by. So, with Warren's help, Les Norton defendant, becomes Len Gordon film director, safely ensconced at the ultra-swish Opal Springs Health Resort ...
He was sitting in the Plaza, not far from the escalators, having his usual coffee and donuts when he recognised a familiar bearded figure in overalls, carrying a small stepladder, come ambling towards him. It was Ray Roberts, the electrician. Ray—or ‘Robbo’ as just about everybody called him—was ...
‘That’s right,’ winked Norton. ‘Kilby’s?’ ‘Right again.’ ‘How did you manage it so quickly?’ Now it was their turn to be somewhat admonished. ‘I don’t think I ought to tell you,’ said Norton cheekily. ‘Suit yourself. Don’t tell us,’ shrugged Yarrawulla. ‘And we won’t tell you what we’ve got in th...
He slammed the heavy steel door, slipped the bolts and turned the two deadlocks. ‘Not too bad,’ he said checking his watch. ‘Just on ten to four. Let’s go up and have a couple of drinks.’ ‘Reckon,’ said Norton as they started walking back up the stairs. ‘It’s your week off next week too,’ said Bi...
Outside, the sun wasn’t fully up and there were a few clouds around, but there was no sign of rain and it looked like being another nice day. He did a few stretches, had some orange juice and cereal then got into some old gear, grabbed his towel and goggles and caught the lift to the foyer. There...
Norton was kicking easily, half laughing at Laurel Lee doing it tough only because he was such a flip, when the pressure of the dives along with the sudden power burst hit him. This time an extremely violent pain went all through Norton’s system; an old friend was definitely on the move. Norton w...
A warm, balmy evening that was now fast approaching 4 am on Sunday morning the first of November. After all the Kelly Club was closing down and it was the end of an era so to speak. An era of illegal gambling, corruption, murders, associated crime and vast profits going into a certain grey haired...
‘The bloody Japanese would eat us if they thought they could get off on it.’ ‘Poor bloody wildlife. It doesn’t stand much of a chance these days.’ Norton’s gaze suddenly went from the animals to Peregrine. ‘Hey. I just thought of something. You know what Murwillumbah means in Australian Aborigina...
He was even singing what sounded like ‘Sugar. Ooh honey, honey.’ A note on the kitchen table put a temporary stop to his warbling. ‘Les. I got to bed a bit late. Could you wake me by one? Thanks. Jimmy.’ Norton looked at the note again, then tossed it in the kitchen-tidy. Yeah, I’ll bet you got...
His head was sore and he could feel the stitches where they tightened on his scalp and above his eye. When he swung his legs out of bed and stood up, Les could also feel where every kick and punch had landed on his body. There would be no running or hitting the heavy bag today. He went to the bat...
It’s about two doors up from North Bondi RSL and set on one side of two buildings — a private hotel and a small block of apartments. Two black awnings, split in the middle by a blue and white sign saying Speedo’s, have SPEEDO’S CAFE in white painted on one and TAKE AWAY painted neatly on the othe...
He didn’t feel at all nervous with the shoebox sitting on his lap. It was stable and he’d done harder jobs than this. Bar Beach looked beautiful as they drove past under the stars, and Fenton Avenue was as quiet as a graveyard when Agent Sierota stopped the Cherokee near the streetlight opposite ...