The Dahlia Chronicles

By JT Thilbertson

The Dahlia Chronicles was originally published as Volume IV of the series: Never to be Unsung, a rock trilogy. It has undergone a slight revision so it can now be enjoyed as a stand-alone work, as well.

A 'classic rock era' historical fiction, the story touts a unique blend of international mystery, comedy, and ghost story, as a British/American rock band attempt to chase down the whereabouts of an Aussie singer named Dahlia Carruthers, the co-writer and owner of their late band member, Ashley's, last two unheard songs.

There's just one problem; Dahlia has feigned her death, having quietly filed for sanctuary under Australia's Witness Protection Program, who needed to move her clear out of the country to help cover up the rising Aussie singer's alleged suicide.

Now being a needle in a global community of haystacks, Ashley's surviving band mates need to find a way to draw Dahlia out of the haystack without exposing her to the world. Even Ashley herself finds ways to assist from behind the unseen veil.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JT Thilbertson
• Release date: May 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393949497

Book preview

THE DAHLIA CHRONICLES:

Sub chapter A: Pre-Ramble.

My name is Lisa Delray. I’m a rock guitarist / vocalist from Manchester, England who goes by the stage name, Lisanne Ray. As I write this, it is the Autumn of 1987, and my band and I are on what might be called a maternal hiatus, because of my current problematic pregnancy. However, this story isn’t about me. Well, not primarily, anyway... 

You see, my late cousin, Ashley, who was seven years older than I, is the reason I got into this crazy-assed entity known as the music business. Then later joined up with her former band mates across the pond. And eventually married her widower, a culturally challenged, insufferably western-minded philistine by the name of Glen Delray. Apparently, this staunchly femme Britale’s right brain has no communication with the left. But I digress...

Now Cuz, (‘Moxie’, as her Yank mates called her), was the daughter of shock-rocker extraordinaire, ‘Eddie Maddman Maddox’, my uncle. 

Herself an aspiring musician, ‘Cuz’ found herself a prisoner of the road with her father, (along with her private tutor, Purdy Minter), since she was nine, when her mum passed away. 

After eight years of being locked away in her father’s ‘roving Rapunzel’s tower’, as she called it, Ashley devised a rather desperate plan to escape the roving tower and coerce her father to plant her in the city of Annapolis, Maryland, in the States, for her last year of schooling. 

While there, she met Glen Delray and his band mates, and began to launch her own music career with them, finally marrying Glen only a few weeks before her untimely end in a plane crash in June of 1973. 

Some years later, eighteen of Cuz’s unpublished songs were found, during which time I joined forces with Glen and her former band mates to record those songs spread over two albums, in Ashley’s name, whereby giving her the fame and recognition we all thought she deserved.

Currently, (late 1987), her former band and I have just completed touring the second of those two albums for her. 

Now when Cuz pulled off the little caper to escape her father’s ‘roving prison’, she had an accomplice; a 21-year-old upstart Aussie singer by the name of Dahlia, whom she had met on her father’s latest tour. 

Over the first 14 years after the tragedy, we knew very little about this Dahlia, the reason being that Ashley was under legal age when Dahlia and her boyfriend helped her to run away from her father in an effort to cure is selective hearing disease, and shall we say, strongly inspire him  to begin letting go of his parental puppet strings. 

Hence, in an effort to protect Dahlia and her beau from prosecution, Ashley took all pertinent information about her to her grave... That is, except for three things:

(1). I had found a snapshot of Cuz and her together, taken at a harbor in Broome, Australia during the three days she was missing. In the snapshot, I could see a boat in the background called Tucker’s Toy. The two of them were wearing matching t-shirts in the photo, bearing the words; Wicker Dale, on the lam. 

(2). I had learned from one of her diaries that she and Dahlia had penned two songs together that weekend; ‘Smells like Freedom’, and ‘Blue Selmer Knight’. She accidentally left those songs with Dahlia, along with eight months of diary entries. 

(3). My mum found flowers with a signed card from Dahlia at Ashley’s headstone just last year, explaining she had sprinkled ashes of someone named, ‘McDoogle’, at the grave.

Well, needless to say, we had to find those two songs. And in order to do that, we had to find Dahlia. This is the story of what happened as we chased those few scattered clues into a maze of rabbit holes across Australia and the UK. 

For all of this to make sense, I shall have to toggle between 1972 and the present, (1987). 

One more quick note; Except for a few of my narratives along the way, (such as this one), I’ll be referring to myself in the third-person, just in the interest of smoother reading. Come on. Follow me into the first rabbit's hole if you dare...

CHAPTER 1:

This Bird Has Flown

Friday, August 18th, 1972. Perth, Australia. 8:52, a.m... 

Eddie's silver bird touched down in the city of Swan, just outside of Perth. He and his band, along with Ashley and Purdy, piled into two waiting limos at the passenger pickup lane. Accompanied by four of Eddie's private security personnel, they headed across town to the Ritz-Carlton, where they would enjoy a few hours of R&R before playing the last concert of the Maddman's tour at the Perth Concert Hall, that evening.

The festivities were to begin at 7 p.m., ignited by Wyre Records' latest project; an upstart Australian band who opened for the Maddman as he toured across the southern hemisphere. Eddie, along with his brood of Merry Maddmen, were slated to possess the stage at 8:00, making their dash for the limo by 9:35. Tonight, that mad dash will be made in a panic...

As was her usual habit, Purdy fixed her cup of chamomile  tea at 8:15, and wound down with a good book. By 9 p.m. she closed her bedroom door and turned on a small box fan which she used as a noise screen. After eight years on the road, Ashley knew her routine like clockwork. Tonight, she would use it to her advantage. She was getting out... 

There were two clocks and routines to mind. The one in the hotel, and the one at the Perth Concert Hall, across town. She and her friend, Dahlia, whom she had met on her father's latest tour, had been planning this night for two weeks. Dahlia's boyfriend, Levi, would be waiting across the grounds in his vintage VW Beetle.

By their best estimate, once Purdy was asleep, there would be a twenty-five minute window to smuggle Ashley out of the suite, descend twenty floors to the lobby, cloak her past two of her father's security personnel in the valet parking lane, cross the dual-arched footbridge to the waiting VW, and get off the peninsula before Eddie's limo would arrive back at the hotel. 

At 9:10 p.m., Ashley heard a light tap on the door of the suite. She opened the door to see Dahlia, dressed in a pilfered kitchen uniform, standing next to a serving cart which held a large covered dish. On the bottom shelf of the cart was 'Plan B'; a hammer folded inside a blanket.

You ordered room service, ma'am,? Dahlia queried. It's all right,, Ashley quietly responded. She's asleep. Come in. 

Dahlia then lifted the top of the covered dish to reveal a maid's uniform, complete with apron and hat. She then loaded Ashley's suitcase onto the cart as Ashley began to quickly change. She slipped the maid's dress over her head to find that it was way too large.

Where did you get this from, Omar the tentmaker,? Ashley half-whispered. Well, it was the only one in the closet,! Dahlia explained. Here,, she offered. Turn around. Let me tie a knot in the back. 

There,, she said, that'll do. Now get the hat on. 

I don't want to wear the blooming hat,! Ashley protested. 

"You have to wear something on your head,, Dahlia argued. You'll never get past your daddy's goons with that red hair. You look like a walking traffic device,! Oh, very well,", she conceded, then put it on. 

Turn it around, ya' dizzy Sheila,! Dahlia exclaimed. 

Well, I've never worn one of these,! Ashley excused. 

Here, Dahlia offered. Hold it above your head while I tuck your hair up inside it. All right, it's all in, she announced. Now bring it down.  Ashley pressed the maid's cap onto her head and then turned around to face her. 

It's too small! she complained. No, it's not, Dahlia assured. You look fine. Just then, the hat popped upward. Okay, she admitted. Maybe it is. She then looked at her watch. Uh-oh. We'd better go. Come on!

Ashley then left a pre-written note for Purdy on the counter, and they headed for the elevator. Exiting onto the second floor, they scurried toward the rear hallway and left the cart containing Plan B near a window above the kitchen. Seizing the suitcase, they took the nearest staircase to the first floor and found their way to the lobby. 

Wait right here, Dahlia instructed. Let me peek outside and see where your father's men are, first. She then stepped outside and saw them standing about twenty yards away, chatting.

Walking back inside, she motioned toward the door with her eyes. Ashley then picked up her suitcase and started across the lobby. As she got about thirty feet from the door, one of Eddie's men, Bryan, walked through the door right past Dahlia. Ashley froze, and her hat popped up again, revealing the lower crest of her red hair, and it caught his attention. 

Ashley,! he exclaimed. What are you doing? 

Suddenly, he felt two hands seizing him around the waist from behind, quickly followed by his trousers plummeting to his ankles. 

Plan B! Dahlia shouted. Go! 

As Brian bent down to retrieve his modesty, he peered behind him between his knees to see a female in a white kitchen uniform running across the street, upside down. When he straightened up, he saw the elevator door closing, and heard the door to the stairwell slamming shut. 

Which way did she go? he muttered aloud. He then quickly ran outside and called to his partner. 

Danny, get in here quick! I think Eddie's bird is on the run! As Danny burst through the door, Brian made his way toward the doorway to the stairwell. 

Alert Hotel Security! he ordered, then take the elevator up and check the room. I'll check the staircase. She's wearing a blasted maid's uniform! He then started running up the stairs. When he got to the second floor landing, he saw a maid's hat sitting about halfway up the next flight of steps. Flamin' 'ell! he panted. I'm getting too old for this! and then started up the next flight after her.

Ashley had tossed the hat upwards on the steps to throw Brian off the scent before exiting onto the second floor, and then ran down the hallway toward the waiting cart which they had left near the rear window. 

Meanwhile, Dahlia had made it across the footbridge to Levi, who started the Beetle as soon as he saw her running alone across the quad, quickly driving toward her to scoop her up along the way.

Spit the dummy, sweetie,! she panted. She was almost home free! Come on, let's get to the loading dock! 

Ashley was now at the window above the kitchen, waiting for them to appear. When she saw the Beetle turn the corner, she grabbed the blanket from the bottom of the cart, and found the hammer between the folds. She swallowed hard. 

Oh, I so did not want to do this, she muttered. She then held the blanket against the window and began striking at the glass behind it until she felt nothing left to hit. She then tossed her suitcase out the window as Dahlia and Levi piled out of the car below. 

The ladder,! Levi exclaimed. Where's the flippin' ladder? I left it right there! 

Someone must have walked off with it,, Dahlia marveled. 

So, Ashley fretted from above. Tell me there's a Plan 'C'! Levi and Dahlia then exchanged muses of panic.

'old on, luv,, Dahlia assured. We're not out of 'Plan B' yet. You're going to have to jump into the bull dust bin. 

I can't! she exclaimed. I'd have to jump sideways from here. What if I miss? Dahlia then spun her head toward Levi. 

You're going to have to move the bin, she suggested. 

Oh sure, Olive,, he quipped. I'll just down a can of spinach and shove it right over there! 

Hello-o-o,! Ashley called out. There's a girl up here in a stolen outfit who just smashed the window of a five-star hotel. I'm thinking they'd rather frown on that sort of thing!

All right, Sweetie,, Dahlia mused. Just use the Beetle to move it. 

Dal! he pointed out, that bin is heavier than the bloomin' Vee dub. It'll never work! 

Well, there's the kitchen,, she pointed. I'm sure they have spinach. Perhaps they'll just lend us a can. 

All right, all right,, he caved. I'll give it a burl. Come on, get in.

Today would be nice! Ashley goaded from the window. 

Oh, don't get your knickers in a twist,! Dahlia sputtered. We're workin' on it. 

Levi then nosed the Beetle against the industrial bin and began trying to push it. After stalling out twice, he gunned the motor and popped the clutch. The tires began spinning as the rear of the car shifted from side to side. Dahlia quickly got out and took a look, to find only a six-inch mark in the pavement where the bin had skidded.

You're going to have to give it a bump,! she suggested. What do you mean, give it a bump,? he queried. Just back up a few feet, stomp on the petty, and knock the thing senseless,! she explained. 

Dal,! he responded. Have you seen that flimsy excuse for a bumper on this car? Kreskin could bend the flaming thing with his mind! I'd have to buy a new bumper!  

I'll buy you a whole new Beetle, Levi,!  Ashley shouted. Just get me out of here! 

I must have been knocked senseless when I agreed to this,, he muttered. All right, 'old on then

He then backed up about ten feet, put it in gear, and lunged forward, slamming the bin. 

It's almost in reach! Ashley shouted. "Almost"? he responded. He then quickly exited the car and looked, noticing that the bumper was caved in on the right side, then got back behind the wheel. 

This poor old scrapper won't take another bangin', Dal,, he advised. The bumper's already curled around the fender!

We can't just leave her up there, Sweetie,, she pled. If they catch her now, it'll be far worse for her than before! 

Um... Excuse me, Ashley queried from the window. How do you say, ‘Damsel in Distress’, down under? Levi quickly spun his head toward Dahlia. 

Aw, come on, Dal,, he pled. Not the puppy dog eyes. Anything but the bleedin' puppy dog eyes,! She then leaned over and whispered something in his ear. 

Fair suck o' the sav,! he exclaimed. Are you serious?? All right Ashley, get ready to jump,! Your word better be your bond,, he muttered. He then backed up about thirty feet and threw the shifter into gear. Brace yourself, luv,, he warned. This is it! 

Launching the Beetle forward, they gave it a whack that sounded like cannon fire, skidding the bin into place. 

Having heard the impact, a cook suddenly appeared on the loading dock and saw the Vee Dub pressed against the trash bin, with one headlight dangling from a wire, still lit.

Oy! he exclaimed. You right, mates? Just then, he saw a flying 'maid' falling out of the sky into the dumpster. 

Ashley had landed bum-first in a mushy pile of sun-ripened kitchen scraps and was now thrashing her way through the putrid sludge toward the side of the bin. The stunned cook then watched as the two 'accident victims' quickly exited the crumpled Vee Dub, rescued the rotten potato peel-feathered skydiver from the slime, and ushered her into the back seat. As the Beetle backed up to leave, he heard a loud voice coming from the car; 

Oy Reds! You could make a maggot turn belly up! 

Less than ten minutes from the hotel, Levi found a late-night servo with a loo so that Ashley could clean up and change. As Dahlia wiped off the backseat, Levi quickly went inside and bought some duct tape, secured the dangling headlight back into place, and then got back into the car to wait for her to come out.

Thanks, sweetie,, Dahlia mused. I'm sorry. I just couldn't leave her up there,. Levi then fixed a curious gaze at her. 

Just tell me one thing,, he queried. Why did you go so far out on a limb for her? You've only known her for three weeks,. Her eyes trailed off out the window. 

You know better than to ask an orphan that,, she answered. Dal, look at me,, he said. You're not an orphan, anymore,. Yes I am,, she rebutted. "I see me in her eyes three years ago, sooking out the window of my own 'prison cell'". She then grew a thoughtful smile.