Bad Boy, Riggs

By Janice Bridges

Canadian, Country and Western singing sensation Rigg Donavan was in Australia, on the final leg of his world tour.
A large, powerfully built man who had grown up in the wilds of the Alaskan Frontier, and a man who had a voice that was deep and rich and made women swoon.
But Rigg was in Australia for only one reason, and that was to find Daisy Macdonald, before his brother Sam got to her first.

Daisy Macdonald had only been eighteen when she had returned to Australia, after her father had been killed in an accident, while working in the high country, transporting logs for the Donavan Logging Company. Ten years later she owned and drove her own triple road train; Long Distance Haulage Company. So when she discovered Rigg Donavan was in town, and was looking for her, she did the only thing possible, she left town.

Little did she realise, Sam knew exactly where she was!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janice Bridges
• Release date: Apr 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9780648520603

Book preview

‘Bad Boy Riggs’

Written by

Janice Bridges

Copyright 2020 Janice Bridges

Published by

Daisychain Publishing

Smashwords Edition

Contents

Prologue

Chapter one

Chapter two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter five

Chapter six

Chapter Seven

Chapter eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter twelve

Chapter thirteen

Chapter fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

Prologue

Canada’s bad boy, Rigg Donavan, was really bad, but he was good at it, that’s why everyone loved him.

That’s a rap. The Director called, as the music slowly faded into the background and the studio lights gradually brightened.

Rigg remained seated on his stool. The hand that had been picking the chords on his guitar only moments earlier, fell to his thigh to rest there unmoving. His head lowered, while his other hand fell limp over the strings. Without conscious thought, his thumb and forefinger turned the plectrum he’d used to gain the chords precise clarity, as he waited. It was over, finally!

Lifting his eyes, he looked out from under the brim of his black leather cowboy hat and watched the guys move about in the studio, removing lights and cameras to stow them in the studio’s designated storage areas. With the bright light of the spotlight switched off, he was able to adjust his eyesight to the room's dimness.

Great job. Someone yelled from nearby.

Got yourself another winner there! Someone else agreed. Their faceless bodies moved around him, stepping over the many thick lines of cable and cords to duck beneath the slow moving disabled cameras.

Rigg knew his brother was out there somewhere, watching, waiting for the opportunity to catch him alone. He’d seen him enter through a door at the back of the room a few hours earlier. In their short, abrupt phone call at daybreak that morning, he’d warned Sam he’d be tied up for most of the morning. He was in the process of completing the last few takes of his video to be aired in conjunction with the release of his new album.

Sam, being the complete arse he always was, had refused to be put off until later that evening. As their eyes met over the length of the room, Rigg knew instantly Sam was here to cause trouble!

He sighed heavily and stepped down from the stool to retrieve his guitar case. Bending, he crouched down and slid the guitar into the black velvet protective interior of its case and closed the lid.

Got time now? Sam asked quietly, the anger in his voice evident by the abrupt sharpness of his words.

Yeah, he sighed with resignation. Standing, he lifted the case with one hand. Outside. I want to put this into the back of the truck.

A person would have to be blind not to tell these two men were brothers. Both were tall, touching close on six, four, with bodies that would make any line backer proud. Their skin was a light golden brown, while their eyes were as black as sin. Both had hair as black as coal; Rigg wore his long, tied back with a leather thong, while Sam kept his so short, one would never know it had a tendency to curl. That’s where the similarity ended.

The air of animosity between the two brothers was so thick it was almost palpable.

Sam followed his younger brother through the maze of electrical gear and out into the corridor. Neither said a word as they walked the length of the hallway and out the side door at the far end of the studio.

Where you off to Rigg? a voice called through the studio intercom. Need you to stay close, in case we have to do any touch ups.

Rigg withdrew his mobile from his coat pocket and txt back ‘Back in ten. Outside’

There was an instant ping of a return txt. ‘Need help?’

Rigg snorted with amusement, closed his phone and dropped it into his jacket pocket. Neither of the brothers said a word until they stepped out into the warm sunshine and walked to where the old black Bedford truck was parked.

Still drive this old heap of shit I see. You would think with all the money you have made, you would buy yourself a decent set of wheels? Sam stared at the highly polished, antique, black and chrome monster with disgust.

She gets me where I want to go. That is all that matters! What is it you want Sam? Rigg hadn’t even turned to see the expression on his brother’s face turn sour. He had removed his keys from his back pocket and was in the process of opening the hard cover lock of the utility’s back tray. As the lid lifted, Rigg slid his guitar case into the protective rack specially built to store all his guitars. Once he had completed the task, he lowered the lid, relocked it and turned to face his brother.

We need you to come home. Dad’s not well. He has been asking …

Rigg shook his head and turned to walk away. That is never going happen!

Sam grabbed his arm and held on tight. It has been ten years!

Rigg pulled his arm free and stared him dead in the eye. His body prepared to take the brunt of the worst his older brother could dish out. He made that decision ten years ago when he threw me out, without even asking if it was true or not. He didn’t want to know the truth back then, so why should I be bothered now.

A man died because of you.

So you and Ellis keep reminding me. What the pair of you have forgotten is the man that died, was a man I had grown to love even more than my own Father. But I wasn’t the one responsible for the way he died. Ellis wouldn’t listen to me then and he’s not interested in listening to me now, so why should I care anymore!

We could always go to the media. I doubt you would have too many record sales once your fans found out you were a murderer.

Rigg swung round too quick for Sam to duck out of his way. He had him by the collar of his shirt and slammed him against the side of a second parked vehicle. His sneer bordered on violence as he glared daggers at his older brother. Maybe you should do that! But be prepared for the fallout once the truth is out. With speculation comes investigation. Remember that the next time you open your mouth too wide. Then again, perhaps an inquest into the man’s death will be an eye opener to everyone. Including you. After all, you would have to tell the authorities where you were that night. Who are you going to pay to give you an alibi of that magnitude? He shoved his brother away from him and took a step backwards. Don’t ever contact me again Sam. Tell Ellis you saw me and the answer is still the same. Go to hell!

Sam straightened and began to fix his clothing as he watched Rigg turn and walk away. His hands shook unintentionally, for Rigg was as powerful in strength as he ever was and he was still intimidated by that fact. A sneer of loathing twisted his lips. He wanted to stick it to him a little further, knowing full well his next words would open an old wound. You know she left me and went back to Australia. You always were partial to my leftovers!

Rigg didn’t bother to reply, his back was to Sam and he kept walking. His lips thinned at Sam’s parting remarks, but he chose to ignore them. His eyes told another story though, as they saddened and grew overbright. Daisy had left and gone back to her homeland. His chest tightened with the pain of loss. At least she had the good sense to leave Sam and that thought brightened his day considerably.

~ ~ ~

Later that same afternoon, a special delivery parcel arrived at the studio for Rigg Donavan. There was no return address, but it had been mailed from Edmonton, Canada, a few days prior to the arranged meeting with his brother. Someone was worried about that proposed meeting and was determined to make sure it did not go well. In the envelope was a copy of a boarding pass, Air Canada, Vancouver to Sydney Australia. It was dated over eleven years ago in the name of Daisy MacDonald. Not quite two weeks after her father was killed in the accident that had torn his world apart. If what he was seeing was true, Daisy had left Canada less than a week after he had walked out, following his father’s accusations. Pinned to one corner of the boarding pass was an old newspaper clipping including a photo.

If Rigg Donavan thought seeing his brother Sam was the climax of his year, reading what was contained in those old newspaper clippings ripped the foundations completely out from underneath him.

Chapter one

Daisy drove her truck in through the main gates and headed towards the nearest empty parking bay closest to the main Office. Leaving her motor running, she climbed out and made her way towards the Office pick up area for her run sheet and load list for all her trailers. She smiled wistfully, as she heard the latest single on the Country and Western channel playing through the office radio. Rigg Donavan had certainly made a name for himself in the American Country Music Industry, as his deep sultry voice on his latest hit, filled the airwaves. That same radio station was also a favourite on the dock area, with all the delivery drivers tuned into the same station.

Hi Daisy. Ready for another long one? One of the office girls greeted her as soon as she opened the Office door.

Sure am. Where am I off to this week?

Three Ways, Daley Waters. She began only to be interrupted by Gail, one of the other receptionists.

Kununurra, Darwin, Halls Creek and Derby. I added them to her second trailer.

Lucinda stared up at the notice board before joining in. Who is doing the one to Perth? There is machinery to go out to the mines at Kalgoorlie!

That’s on 402, yep that’s Daisy’s trailer, she’s doing that one too. She will have to do the Nullarbor, as there is a drop off in Coober Pedy. Oh and I think there is a load from Adelaide to the Alice. I will keep you posted on that one!

While you are out that way, pick me up an opal or two, will ya? Debbie added from her hide-away in the back of the Office.

Sure thing. When I win the thirty million dollar lottery.

Gail blew a breath of air out loudly. What I wouldn’t give to win thirty million!

Dream on girls, we are bound to win one day!

Yeah, right! Lucinda added in disgust. Pigs might fly too!

Daisy laughed and picked up her clipsheet, then scanned the weighbridge dockets. Everything looks goods. Best be on my way, especially if I want to reach Richmond before it gets dark.

Hey, you coming with us to the Rigg Donavan concert this weekend. He is here in Australia and in Townsville this Friday and Saturday night.

Daisy turned a surprised glance in their direction. The shock of hearing he was so close took her completely by surprise. Sorry girls, I doubt if I will be back in time. You can tell me all about him over coffee when I make it home again. When ever that will be, judging by the list of places you have added to my run sheet!

"We’ll buy you one of his black signature t-shirts. You know the one, ‘Roughing it with Riggs’.

Daisy rolled her eyes and left them to their banter. The last thing she needed was to hear what they would like to do to Rigg Donavan, should they ever be lucky enough to get near him. A few minutes later, she climbed aboard her semi and began to manoeuvre it out towards the main loading area. She switched on her two-way radio and opened communications. Morning Bert. Which dock is loading my trailers?

Morning Daisy. You’re here early! Dock nine is yours, but we haven’t finished with your last trailer. We are waiting on the delivery boys for your last pickup to be delivered. By the time you get her coupled up, we should have the doors closed. Your Dolly 91 had new tyres put on it this morning, so we have placed her down the back, as she will take the weight of the last trailer and give you a better ride. The boys from the tyre shop said to remind you to rotate them when you arrive in Halls Creek. You will be running triple, flat and full for most of the way and I will give you a call once we can organise you a load out of the Isa and back home. Keep in touch so I know which day to book you in!

Daisy swung her large, long nose, Western Star around the wide arc in the driveway and prepared to back into dock nine. Winding her window down, she began to reverse her semi into the dock to couple up with her trailer. A few seconds later, she heard the familiar sound of the pin slide into place and she stopped. With effortless ease she climbed out and began to couple up the air fittings. The loading crew were already in the process of winding up the trailer legs, so once everything was locked into place, all she had to do was build the air.

With her mind on her work, Daisy missed the announcer's voice on the local radio station.

‘Now here is one for all you lovely ladies out there who entered our competition to win two tickets to see Canada’s Country and Western singing sensation, Rigg Donavan. Rigg will be in our beautiful city this weekend at the Townville Entertainment Centre on Saturday night. We are giving away two free tickets to five lovely young ladies who rang and entered the competition. This particular competition has been running for most of this week and for all those who entered, your waiting has finally come to an end. Give me a drum roll please. And the lucky winners are …’

With her first trailer connected, Daisy climbed back into her cab. While she waited for the trailer to build air, she reached into her bag containing her logbook and began to fill it in.

Hey Daisy, Congratulations. An excited voice boomed down the two-way radio.

Daisy lifted her head and stared along the dock towards the Foreman’s Office. She picked up her handset and asked, What for?

Apparently you’ve just won two tickets to the Rigg Donavan Concert!

I don’t think so. I didn’t enter any competition.

Your name was just read out on the radio!

Sorry guys, wrong girl!

They read out your name, Daisy MacDonald. You will have to ring up and claim your tickets, the excited voices of the delivery boys floated down the line.

Dream on fellas! I never entered the competition. Besides, I won’t be here to use them.

We know you won’t be here. But you could claim them and share them with us?

She shook her head with disbelief. And what are you going to tell the real winner when she calls to collect her tickets?

The two way went dead silent.

Two hours later, Daisy MacDonald’s fully loaded, triple road train, pulled out onto the Flinders Highway and headed west.

~ ~ ~

Unbeknown to all, the boys on the loading bay waited until Daisy’s taillights had disappeared from sight, before dialling the radio station to find out if the tickets had been collected. Imagine their delight when they heard they hadn’t. Within minutes, they had thrown their names into a hat and a winner decided upon. If Daisy wasn’t going to claim her winning tickets, they were going to claim them on her behalf.

~ ~ ~

Rigg was ready to leave the Radio Station when the call claiming the tickets was taken by Reception. No address was given, but a representative would drive by the station within the hour to pick up the tickets. Their excuse was, Daisy was out on a job and had requested them to collect the tickets on her behalf.

He was dubious about their claim, but waited anyway. Rigg watched from behind the protection of the tinted glass of his Bedford as the Transport Company delivery van pulled up in the parking lot. Two young lads stepped out and rushed inside. With the use of his mobile phone, he took photos of the truck and its occupants. He waited until the van pulled out of the parking lot, before he started the engine and followed them onto the highway and out of town.

Later that same night, Rigg emailed the Private Investigator he had hired the moment he’d landed in Australia and sent him the copies of the photos he had taken. The man had come highly recommended and within a week had a completed dossier emailed on everything he had found out about Miss Daisy MacDonald. The file was complete with photos, just to make sure they were on the right page and talking about the same woman. The only photo Rigg had of Daisy was an old snapshot of them together, taken just before her father had been killed. He had carried it with him on the night he’d walked out and left her behind. The old black and white snapshot was a bit tattered around the edges, but he had wanted to keep it with him as a reminder to never forget a woman’s duplicity. Or so he’d been led to believe!

Rigg knew it was a fool’s errand to stir up the past, but he had loved her once and he guessed he had to close that particular door in his life before he could open another and get on with his life. There were far too many unanswered questions that needed answers.

His mobile rang and he picked it up. Donavan. He clipped out his name with self-assured arrogance.

Good evening Mr Donavan. I have checked out those photos you sent to me. The two boys, who claimed the tickets, work for the same company as Miss MacDonald. They are part of the pick-up service used to bring the freight into the yards before they are loaded onto the trailers for transportation. As I wrote in my report, Miss MacDonald is only a sub-contractor, but has worked for the company for nearly eleven years.

Are you sure we are talking about the same woman? Rigg asked, his mind needed reassurance, as he moved his guitar cases off the bed and onto the case rack. As far as I knew Daisy was still in Canada eleven years ago.

If you have read the report I emailed you this afternoon, Mr Donavan, on page two you will see the information I have gathered, along with the dates she flew back into Australia. I spoke to you at that time, to ascertain if there was some misconception about the dates. It was only a fluke her name came up on the Airline’s computers, especially after all these years. With all their system improvements over the years, there must have been some legal instructions or intervention orders that would have had to remain within their system for legal reasons. Was she in anyway wanted by the Police over there, or in any sort of trouble?

Rigg’s attention was caught. His mind went back to the copies of the newspaper clippings, as events began to fall into place. Instantly he reached for the dossier and opened the folder to the page noted. Not that I know of. His voice faded at the lie, his mind raced. If this report was correct, Daisy left Canada within a week after he had left. Something wasn’t adding up! Are you sure about the dates?

Positive. Copies of the flight details and passenger list are attached to the file. She flew into Sydney and then transferred to a Qantas flight to Brisbane and onto Townsville. Her address is on page five, along with all the other details you asked me to double check. I have also enclosed any other personal details I could gather. She has a good credit rating and owns the truck she drives. There is nothing on the system to show it is encumbered, nor any of her trailers. She owns five trailers, four dollies and a forklift. The house and land, she also paid cash for. The photos attached to your copy of the portfolio, were taken only last week. But as you can see, it was hard to get a clear shot, as she rarely takes her hat off. Not even when she is driving, I’m afraid. Was there anything else you wanted me to check on?

When is she due back?

"I am afraid Mr Donavan, even the girls in the Office could not answer that one. In their words, ‘she will get here when she gets here,’ that is all they would tell me!"

When the call ended, Rigg sat on the end of his bed and stared at the paperwork laid out before him. If all of this was true, Sam had lied to him from the beginning!

Why?

~ ~ ~

Daisy made it to the Service Station at the base of the Great Dividing Range, before she gave in to the tremors that raked her body. Rigg was here, in Australia and right on her doorstep. Her breathing had become ragged, as she swung the heavily loaded trailers onto the dirt pull-off and brought the vehicle to a standstill. Panic had her heart racing and her body trembling. As if on automatic pilot, she hit the air brakes and all but fell out of the door onto the gravel roadway to empty the contents of her stomach.

How she had remained calm in the last few hours was beyond her. She had known instantly the free tickets had been a ploy to find her and she could only pray he had not been successful. Tears rolled from the corners of her eyes, as she walked towards the last of her trailers. Once she’d made it to the opposite side, she slid down the wall of her rear tyres and sat heavily onto the ground. Giving in to her emotions, she let the tears fall for everything she had loved, lost and thought she had left behind.

~ ~ ~

Both Concerts in Townsville had been sold out within hours of the tickets going on sale to the public. In the days leading up to the Concerts, Rigg visited many of the local Children’s Hospitals and gave a number of impromptu sing-alongs with those a lot less fortunate. His face was all over the local news, as his popularity grew with the top end country people.

The winning ticket holders were invited to join Rigg Donavan at the after party on the Saturday night. Of course, the two delivery boys went along with every intention of meeting their Hero. When Rigg joined them at their table, the two lads were reminded of their duplicity.

So, which one of you two is Daisy MacDonald? Both of them sat there like statues, their faces going first red, then turned an awful shade of grey. Before they could bolt from their seat, Rigg laughed and added. She doesn’t know you are here, does she?

The two lads shook their heads in unison. And we’re going to be dead meat when she finds out what we have done! One of them added quietly.

We will both probably lose our jobs! the other added as an after thought

I tell you what, why don’t you tell me a little bit about yourselves and then you can fill me in on this elusive, Daisy MacDonald. Once I hear what you have to say, I will see what I can do about rectifying the situation for you.

The two boys looked at each other, then turned back to Rigg and began to talk rapidly. Daisy is one of the Freight Company’s outside Sub Contractors. Both boys were wearing one of Rigg’s shirts with his logo on the front, but it was the taller of the two who answered most of his questions. My name is Greg and I am one of the crew who drives the van for the around town pickup freight to go out on the Western run.

"My name is Pete and I am his off-sider. Daisy is one of our long haul road train drivers.