'Okay fellas! We all agree?' Jeff spoke to the group of men gathered around his kitchen table.

'We do. The situation's critical to say the least. None of us can afford any more losses,' old Mr Johnson said. 'Me and my wife certainly aren't getting' any younger. This constant fear hangin' over us isn't good for her or me. Her heart's not the best and she's frightened all the d.a.m.n time. She won't go outside after the sun goes down. She even gets scared goin' to the washin' line to hang out the b.l.o.o.d.y washin'. She's a prisoner in our own home. It's b.l.o.o.d.y terrible!'

'Too right it's b.l.o.o.d.y terrible! That latest attempt on the club proves the b.a.s.t.a.r.d doesn't give a d.a.m.n how many people he hurts or kills.' Karl stood up. 'Day or night, the b.a.s.t.a.r.d can strike, we all know that. Look at Eric's court day b.l.o.o.d.y fiasco!' He rubbed his hand over his face in frustration, adding, 'You were talkin' about getting' a German Shepherd guard dog Jeff, but he has us over a barrel there too. He'll b.l.o.o.d.y bait it' poor b.a.s.t.a.r.d. No use anyone gettin' a b.l.o.o.d.y guard dog. Remember poor old Towser. f.u.c.kin' h.e.l.l, this is a mess!'

'Mate, all we can do is try. Surely this nut has ta slip up somewhere. What else can we do? No one has any answers, not the cops, not anyone. Never heard of anyone doin' what this f.u.c.ker's doin' and gettin' clean away with it,' Jeff stated. 'We just have to stick together. That's all we can do.'

'Right, first patrol tonight then: me, Dig, Des and Eric. We'll just get a bite to eat and head out by eight. We'll go through till one o'clock then Sam, Jeff, Nat an' Rex can take over. I reckon between us we'll manage alright. You blokes can go through til five,' Karl said, sounding tired and utterly frustrated.

'No problems. It'll work out if we sleep until one and you blokes. .h.i.t the sack when you get in at one. We'll at least get some sleep,' Sam agreed.

'If we can catch this b.a.s.t.a.r.d then it's b.l.o.o.d.y well worth havin' no friggin' sleep, I reckon!' Jeff added.

'We'll probably be a bit tuckered out, but it has to be done,' Rex added.

'b.l.o.o.d.y oath, mate!' Nat swore. 'I'm not losin' one more b.l.o.o.d.y thing to this a.r.s.ehole!'

'You just take it easy with those shotguns. We don't want an innocent person ta get shot, mate!' Digger warned.

'Right, let's all get home,' Mr Johnson muttered, tired.

They all left for their homes, once again hoping their plan would allow them to catch the culprit and have him behind bars where he belonged. Maybe then they could finally get their lives back to some kind of normality.

A figure slunk away between the sheds close to Dawn's house.

'So that's what they're up to now. They'll never get me. b.l.o.o.d.y idiots even the cops can't figure it out. I saw the stupid b.a.s.t.a.r.ds hidin' in the long gra.s.s, what fools! Don't they know by now that I know every inch of the valley?'

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

Once the men adjusted to having less sleep, their routine fell into a relatively easy pattern. They didn't have any trouble nor did they come across anyone or anything suspicious. It was a catch 22. They desperately wanted to catch the firebug, but they were relieved there had been no recent fires or anything suspicious to report. They had been fooled in the past into believing it was all over, only to be woken again in the dead of night by the wail of sirens as the fire brigade sped to another deliberately lit fire.

The firebug had used this trick before. He lit fire after fire and then he would stop and everyone thought it was over only to find out differently. So battle on they would, this time they would not be letting their guard down.

Preparations were coming along nicely for the approaching Christmas dance, which again would take place in Hamilton Hall. Win had a good eye for decorating and Dawn welcomed her help. It was so much better having Win there instead of Jeff and Eileen with their constant bickering.

The vet where Eileen worked part time had offered her fulltime hours, which she happily accepted. She was enjoying going out with Darcy; their relationship seemed strong and she was the happiest she had been in a long time. The two were ideally suited really, both being a bit rebellious.

Kathy and Eddie were still seeing each other but things were not perfect. Kathy was restless and not sure how she felt about being so involved with Eddie.

Darcy and Eddie posed a slight problem for both Eileen and Kathy. From the time they met at the club, it was obvious they were going to be rivals. Although they had been polite enough, the hostility toward each other was evident. If Darcy remarked he had done something, then Eddie had done it better. If Eddie had clocked his car at a certain speed, Darcy had driven his faster!

To the utter horror of the girls, Darcy and Eddie often challenged each other to drag races along the Weir road. This road was notorious for youths who wanted to race. The local paper was always reporting accidents with soldiers ending up in the Wodonga hospital after racing on their way back to the Bandiana Army Camp. Practically every Friday and Sat.u.r.day night, someone would be involved in an accident or booked by the police for speeding and reckless driving.

Eileen and Kathy did their level best to discourage Eddie and Darcy but the two rivals refused to give in. Darcy always outdid Eddie and this made him furious.

The rivalry between them grew and it was common knowledge throughout the valley.

Eddie had been the cool dude of the valley until Darcy had arrived and cramped his style.

Emmie asked Beth if she would like to move in to Kia-Ora; they had a lovely spare room that would be perfect for her. Beth was surprised and touched at the gesture. She promised to think about it. She had grown fond of Francis and she knew he had her, so she had a lot to think about.

'It's too good to be true!' Digger remarked while on patrol one Sat.u.r.day night.

'Yeah, somethin's gonna happen soon. I can feel it,' Des commented.

'Trouble is, it's obviously goin' to be a fire somewhere and we don't know where or when!' Karl said worriedly. 'This bloke's d.a.m.n smart. I give the b.a.s.t.a.r.d ten outta ten for cunnin'. He's sly as a friggin' fox!

'Yep, he knows our plans... what we're goin' to do next. b.a.s.t.a.r.d knows us and knows us well,' Digger said.

'We've probably shared a beer with him. s.h.i.t! We've only discussed plans with each other an' Nat an' Rex an' old man Johnson, none of them would be the traitor. So that leaves everybody else. We can't even trust our neighbours! This's no way to friggin' live,' Karl said.

Des muttered, 'I'm goin for a p.i.s.s.' He sauntered off amongst the gum trees.

The four men were standing in a paddock on Dawn's vast property. Cows stood huddled together nearby, occasionally flicking their tails over their backs.

On the other side of the barbed wire fence, wattle trees had bloomed in cl.u.s.ters of bright yellow. Further down the hill, secluded by trees, they were being watched.

'Catch me if ya can!'

Friday and Sat.u.r.day nights were the main nights the firebug would usually strike. In the past he had chosen Wednesdays to strike as well. Now it seemed like weekends were the targeted nights.

Des came back and they continued with their patrol. They had already done a thorough sweep of the properties and now made their way to Sam's orchard to do a second round. Then they skirted around the scattering of small homes owned by the other residents of the valley, across Flinders Lane and into Rex Willis' second orchard before finally climbing through the dividing fence into Kia-Ora's orchard. Here they stopped, alert.

'What's that sound?' Digger asked in a hushed voice.

'It sounds like some sort of hissing or spitting. Dunno, it's a weird sound,' Eric replied.

'Holy s.h.i.t, look!' Karl pointed in the direction of Arthur's vacant house.

'b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l, it's Arthur's house! C'mon! We've gotta get there fast!' Digger started running.

'Eric, Karl, quick, we have'ta get down there!' he shouted. 'You get up to Kia-Ora and phone the brigade!' he yelled to Des.

Arthur's house had been vacant for a few months now. He had found a property out at Culcairn, a small town between Albury and Wagga Wagga. He had moved out there with Daisy. Robert was away in the army and now that Arthur had become deeply involved in his new church, the move away suited him better. He had left his property in the valley vacant, with the knowledge that there were plenty of friends and family to keep an eye on it. He travelled in from time to time to visit, check on it and maintain it, confident that Robert would want to live there when he finished his army stint.

The house was burning fiercely by the time the men got there.

'Rotten b.a.s.t.a.r.d!' exploded Karl. 'There's no way of savin' it. It's an inferno already!'

The house was weatherboard and the heat was so intense that the men couldn't get close enough with the garden hoses. The fire brigade arrived along with other valley residents woken by the sirens, but their efforts were useless.

The firemen could only extinguish the flames of the now totally destroyed house.

'I know it's not much help to Arthur, but at least he'd taken his belongings out,' Digger muttered.

'I dunno what to say, fellas. I'm lost for words about all this. Never in my life as a firie have I heard of anythin' like this b.a.s.t.a.r.d,' Frank Smith said in frustration as he leaned against the fire truck after dousing the last of the flames. 'You'se blokes didn't see a thing then, as usual? Frank asked.

'Not a b.l.o.o.d.y thing,' replied Karl with fury in his voice. 'We're bustin' our guts workin' all day, sleepin' in shifts and patrolin' properties day an' night... and still this happens!' He kicked a burnt piece of timber across the yard.

Headlights shone on them as a car drove up the dirt driveway. 'Must be the cops,' remarked Frank.

The car pulled up, the lights went out.

'That's not the cops,' Des said, stepping forwards to get a better look at the car.

's.h.i.t, another b.l.o.o.d.y fire!' Eddie said, walking forwards to join the men.

'Yeah, mate,' Digger answered. 'b.l.o.o.d.y rotten thing to do to a bloke, burnin' his house to the ground!'

'Yep, low b.l.o.o.d.y act for sure. Whoever he is, he's steppin' it up, eh? h.e.l.l, it was bad enough before, now he's started on houses. s.h.i.t, what if someone had been inside!' Eddie looked at the rubble that had been Arthur's house, slowly shaking his head.

Emmie was thoroughly upset at the news that Arthur's house had been lost. It broke her heart. Win and Ellie tried to comfort her but she wasn't coping at all with this latest fire.

'I think you should give the doctor a ring, Win,' Ellie whispered. 'She'll have to have a sedative to get her back to sleep. She's far too upset.'

'Yes and I think we should also mention that episode on the veranda last Sunday when she was so breathless.'

Ellie nodded her agreement and Win slipped out of the kitchen and picked up the phone in the hallway.

Hazel sat beside Emmie, gently rubbing her wrinkled hand. 'Come now, Mrs Mason, try and sip your warm milk. The brandy in it will calm you down. The girls are worried about you, and to be honest, so am I.'

Hazel loved Emmie. She had been a part of this family for so many years and she and Ted had centred their lives around the Masons. They had watched Dave and Emmie Mason raise their children to be fine upstanding adults who cared for others and worked hard to keep the Mason legacy going.

Tammi and Kathy stopped their mother in the hallway after she contacted the doctor.

'Gran's going to be alright, isn't she?' Tammi asked fearfully.

Win looked worriedly at them. 'I hope so girls. She's so upset, I ...' Win didn't get to finish what she was saying.

Ellie's scream echoed up the hallway and all three women ran to the kitchen.

Emmie was slumped back in the chair, clutching her chest and gasping, a blue tinge forming around her mouth.

'Dear G.o.d... Mum!' Win cried.

Kathy and Tammi were close behind her.

'Gran!' they cried in unison. Colour drained from their faces.

'Quick, Win, lay her down and unb.u.t.ton her nightgown. Someone call the ambulance, hurry!' ordered Ellie.

Kathy ran to phone for an ambulance as Emmie was lowered to the floor and Ellie begged Win to remember her first aid training.

'We have to work on her quickly!'

Hazel looked on helplessly as Win and Ellie worked on their mother feverishly to keep her alive.

Hazel was whispering prayers. She prayed to G.o.d that He would spare this wonderful and wise old woman.

The doctor arrived and took over from Win and Ellie. Thankfully, the ambulance arrived only seconds behind him. Emmie was rushed to emergency at the Albury Base Hospital. Karl, Digger and the others all heard the siren and saw the ambulance pull in at Kia-Ora. Fear engulfed them both as they ran as fast as they could through the paddocks separating the two properties. They didn't make it to the house before the ambulance left with Ellie and Win both on board with their mother.

They rushed in the back door, panting heavily.

Kathy and Tammi sat at the table with Hazel. They all had tear-stained faces and swollen red eyes.

'G.o.d Almighty, what's happened here? Where's Win? Where's Ellie?' Digger, breathing heavily, asked anxiously.

Karl was bending over, trying to slow his rapid breathing. 'Where's Mum?' he gasped in a strangled voice.

'Oh Karl, Dig... Mrs Mason, she's been taken to the hospital,' Hazel answered, broken.

'Mum? ...What the h.e.l.l happened?' Karl's face paled.

Digger felt his heart miss a beat and sat down hard on a chair beside Kathy.

'Kath, love... Tell us what happened... Is your gran alright?' he asked, afraid of what she might have to tell them.

Kathy explained the situation as best she could.

Karl inhaled sharply. 'We've got to go to her.' His voice shook as he spoke. 'I'll ring and let the rest of the family know.'

Sam burst through the back door, Des and Eric close on his tail. Kathy explained again about Emmie.

'This was obviously brought on by tonight's fire.' Sam choked.

'Yes Sam, Mrs Mason was so very upset. We couldn't calm her down.' Hazel brushed tears from her eyes for the umpteenth time.

'Win went to phone the doctor and while she was doing that, Mrs Mason took that nasty turn!' Hazel's voice quavered. 'She... She just collapsed. The pain... she was in so much pain. ...Oh dear, oh dear!' She broke down completely and Sam put his arm around the little woman to comfort her.

'Where's Ted?' Digger asked Sam.

'h.e.l.l... Still down at Arthur's! I forgot about him in the rush to get up here.' Sam looked at Des. 'You up to goin' down to get him, mate?'

Just as he said that, Ted came through the door with Eddie.

'Eddie,' Kathy cried. 'Oh Eddie, something shocking's happened.'