The House that Jack Built: The Jack Riordan Stories

By Patrick Ford

The continueing story of Jack and Susan Riordan as they raise a family and consolidate their farming business against a backdrop of terrorist threats , drought and collapsing markets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Patrick Ford
• Release date: Apr 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781393243342

Patrick Ford

Patrick has had an interesting life – student, soldier, farmer, accountant, teacher. He is widely travelled and loves history. His wide experiences have given him deep well of knowledge from which to draw inspiration for his stories. He writes from his home in rural Queensland and produces what Aussies call “a bloody good yarn”.

Book preview

The House That Jack Built

By

Patrick Ford

For my mother Hilda.

She was our rock.

Although parts of this book are based on actual events, all characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright © 2013 Patrick Michael Ford. All rights reserved.

THE RIORDANS OF BALLINROBE

JACK RIORDAN (1807-1867) & Harriett James

William John George Anne Daniel Richard Mary 

HARRY RIORDAN (1855-1925) & Hannah O'Brien

EDWARD ('JACK') George William Fred

EDWARD (JACK) RIORDAN (1880-1938) & Ethel (‘Ettie') Wright

James PATRICK Harry Lillian John ('YOUNG JACK') Roy

JOHN (JACK) RIORDAN (1922-1944) & Dominique Lemaitre

Vivienne

PATRICK RIORDAN (1907-1964) & Helen Cook

JACK Denni

JACK RIORDAN (1946-) & Susan Baker

Jacquie PATRICK Genevieve MICHAEL ('JACK')

PATRICK RIORDAN (1969-) & Mektilde Meltzer

Helen

MICHAEL ('JACK') RIORDAN (1978-) & Elsbeth Naumann

Contents

1 A New Era

2 Ripe For the Picking

3 The Good Life

4 Dangerous Waters

5 Pastoral

6 Prelude to Conflict

7 Soldiers of the Queen

8 Wild Justice

9 Family Matters

10 Best Eaten Cold

11 The Bushmens Rifles

12 America the Beautiful

13 God Shows His Hand

14 Heartland

15 The Face of God

16 The Gates of Paradise

17 Teaching

18 Learning

19 Down on the Farm

20 Decisions, Decisions

21 The Difficult Years

22 Back to the New World

23 The Ship Comes In

24 The Past Comes Calling

25 Picnics

26 Finale

1: A New Era

Christmas Day at Ballinrobe had always been a special day. The Riordan family gathered there as they had each year to celebrate the successful conclusion to another year. However, the household had celebrated the last three Christmas Days against a background of sadness. Three years ago, the family patriarch, Paddy Riordan, died of a heart condition a few months before Christmas. Today, Jack Riordan and wife Susan, separated by three years of heartache and war, stood united again. Now they were together forever.

Today they had all gathered, Jack and Susan, with their two-year-old daughter, Jacqui. Jack’s mother, still head of the household, was there. So was Denni, Jack’s sister, along with her doctor husband Duncan McGregor and their newborn daughter, Grace. Jack’s two uncles, Paddy’s brothers, James and Roy, and their families were there, along with their wives, children, and several grandchildren. Already the wide verandas of the homestead, built by Paddy with his own hands in 1936, lay strewn with bright Christmas wrapping, as the children played with the bounty Father Christmas had delivered.

Neighbours gathered early in the morning, as was the tradition, for Christmas cheer. Now the party was counting down to the customary meal of turkey, ham, roast vegetables, fruit, and plum pudding. A wonderfully happy feeling imbued the gathering, Jack looked at his wife and daughter with their beautiful brown eyes. Jack had fallen in love with Susan’s lovely eyes at first glance, as she had with him. Their one year of great passion and joy provided the strength of spirit they needed to overcome their long separation. Now they were together once more, fused in body and mind. Nothing would ever separate them again.

Jack surveyed his new world. He was whole again, with all those he loved around him, and he gave thanks to his mother, Helen, whose fortitude had made sure their property had flourished in the absence of his father and himself. He was now the owner of 5,000 acres of fine land, producing wheat and cattle. Jack was looking forward to a long and happy life here at Ballinrobe. Susan and Jacqui joined him. Susan put her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately. He loved how she displayed such unrestrained affection. She was a beautiful woman, and they had enjoyed each other without inhibition from the very first time. How lucky he was!

Jacqui reached for his arms, and he lifted her up. She was still a little reserved with him. After all, she had only known him for a few weeks, but she knew how much her Mommy loved him and she was happy to follow suit. During their long separation, Susan had carefully kept him in Jacqui’s mind, using drawings and descriptions of him, and of Ballinrobe. Daddy, she said, There are so many people here. I like it because there are lots of friends to play with. Sam is still my favourite though. Sam was Jack’s kelpie bitch; she had forged an instant bond with her master’s little friend. Daddy, are we going to live here forever and ever? I like it here and I like Helen. She is my special friend.

Yes Princess, said Jack, for ever and ever.

Jack’s two employees joined them before the meal, along with their wives and children. Ollie and Mick had worked with Paddy, Jack’s father, for many years. Ollie had been here so long everyone jokingly called him ‘Ollie Riordan’. Paddy had rescued Mick from a life on the skids and given him a home and a job. At Ballinrobe, employees enjoyed  respect and were well provided for. Each had a house on the property and paid no rent or utilities. They had been Paddy’s ‘good mates’ and no man would like to be called anything else in the Australian vernacular, and they were welcome at all the parties and functions at the homestead. They had attended many Christmas and birthday parties, Denni’s wedding, and soon they would be at Jack and Susan’s garden wedding, and they had seen the sad times as well, carrying Paddy’s casket to his last resting place. They had guarded Helen from the worst of her bereavement and had been pillars of strength throughout the previous three turbulent years. They were fixtures at Ballinrobe and their tenure would be for life if they so decided.

By mid-afternoon, most of the guests had gone. The immediate family gathered in the shady garden. Jacqui had succumbed to the excitement of the day and slept in her room, as did Grace. Well, said Helen, That was a grand Christmas dinner. I don’t think anyone will want more than a cup of tea this evening. Now that is out of the way and we are all here undisturbed. We should look ahead to what will happen in the new year. Duncan and Denni, you lead off.

Ok, Mum. said Denni, I am going to do my honours year as you know. I will do it on paediatric support, so I can work later with Duncan. I have some home care for Grace, and since I will not be starting until March, it should work in well. We hope you will be able to spend more time in Brisbane with us now that Jack is home for good.

That’s what I want to talk about, said Jack. You know I am interested in taking up the position the army has offered me with the 37th Battalion. They have only one training camp per year, in August for three weeks. That is not a busy time of year here. I am sure that Ollie and Mick will be right to cover for me. It will keep my experience up to date, and I will not have to abandon my military career. But if you think you will miss me too much, say so and I will resign my commission.

Don’t do that, Jack, said Helen. I can look after Susan and Jacqui for a few weeks, surely. We should talk about our living arrangements now you are home with a family of your own. If you want the house to yourself, I can make other plans.

Jack glanced at Susan. She took Helen’s hand. Helen, you must not do that. This is your home. You cannot leave this beautiful place that you love so much. If anyone moves, it must be us.

Helen looked at them all with tears shining in her eyes. I hoped you would feel like that. I would love to be the granny in residence. There is plenty of room for us all. If you and I can get on, there is no reason Jack cannot have two women looking after him. Remember, I told you we would have to share him! Jack hid a sigh of relief. He had hoped for this reaction. There would be no disruption to his mother’s life. They would all need each other anyway as the years moved on. He said, I like that idea. We can do some renovations to give you private quarters with your own bathroom. And, in the meantime, you can give Susan your famous recipes. Therefore, decision made, Helen would enjoy her new life. She could come and go as she pleased, she could indulge her grandchildren, and she could enjoy her garden, all without the burden of running the business.

You and Susan should have your long-delayed honeymoon, said Denni. We can stay here for a few weeks and help Helen look after Jacqui.

Susan looked uncomfortable about this. I don’t think we should leave her now that we have just become a family. Perhaps we could come to Brisbane and stay with you for a weekend. Jack and I could manage a romantic dinner and a good hotel for one night! Besides, every day with Jack is a honeymoon for me. They talked about Ballinrobe for a long time. Ollie had outlined his plans for the largest wheat crop they had ever grown, about 2,500 acres. There were plans to do some new fencing and upgrade some machinery. Jack was keen to begin.

Later, in the cool of the night, Jack and Susan strolled in the garden. The darkness enfolded them like soft velvet. They paused near the creek. I came here after your father died, Susan said. I had that wonderful conversation with Mick. I could not believe that I would one day come to live here forever. Jack, I love you so much. How perfect it will be here with you. Jack took her in his arms, kissing her passionately. She responded fiercely, pressing her soft breasts against him. They stood like that for a long time, bodies moulded to each other. Jack finally broke the spell. Later tonight we will make love as if it is the first time again. I cannot believe how much I want you. I have felt like that since the first time I saw you at Aunt Lil’s house in Armidale. Every time, it gets better and better.

She looked at him, her Jack, her ‘little bush kid’ as she had called him. Her heart swelled to bursting point. How she loved him. How happy she would make him. That night, they made love with a passion that totally consumed them. As they drifted off to sleep, Susan murmured, Let us make a little brother or sister for Jacqui. That would make us a complete family.

Depend on me to try as hard as I can., said Jack.

2: Ripe for the Picking

Abdul Amir Mahomet returned from the Mosque after evening prayers, confident he had met a man who would make him extraordinarily rich. This man’s proposal involved transferring vast quantities of money from the infidels to Abdul’s personal bank accounts.

‘Rashid’ was Malayan, or so he said. He was of indeterminate age and origin. He had come to Nam Lin some weeks ago and had attended the local mosque, where he had sought a specific type of man. After much research, he determined that Abdul Amir Mahomet was the man he needed. He arranged to meet him later this evening, clandestinely, on a yacht anchored in a small inlet out of sight of the town of Mandus, the centre of Nam Lin Island’s commercial activity.

Abdul Amir Mahomet had started his life in poverty. His father was a poor fisherman who eked out a living trawling the local waters. Abdul had learned much from his father. He knew how to fish, he could navigate by the stars, and he could handle a small fishing craft in any kind of sea. However, his strength was that he was more than ruthless in promoting his own self-interest. From poverty to wealth had been a simple exercise for him. If you want something, just take it! He began by cornering the local fish trade. His competitors suffered a series of fires at sea, losing vessels with all hands, and contamination of their catches. Coincidentally, Abdul’s boat was at sea every time there was a missing craft. Then, one of his rivals delivered a consignment of fish to the local market only to find it poisoned by some mysterious substance. Twelve people died.

Later, the police determined that the cause was the chemical paraquat, but this was weeks later, and nobody had seen Abdul’s men burying the drums in the jungle. Naturally, Abdul had not been to sea that night; his boat beached to carry out repairs. Taking advantage of the fact that his catch was the only one above suspicion, he opened his own market and soon dominated the fish trade in Mandus.

One of his remaining competitors had voiced his suspicions loudly about the convenient series of events that had favoured the rise to wealth of Abdul Amir Mahomet. Some two evenings later, four of Abdul’s men abducted his twelve-year-old daughter and took her into the forest on her way home from school. There, they introduced the girl to the pleasures of sexual intercourse in a most prolonged and brutal way. They sent her home to her father with the message that her mother would be next. There were no more complaints about Abdul Amir Mahomet and his business techniques.

By these means, Abdul had ascended to the position of the wealthiest and most feared man on the island. Now he turned his attention to the rich fisheries of the Timor Sea and the coastal waters of Australia. Not only was there a plentiful supply of edible fish, but here he could gather the contraband sea slug and shark fin so desired by his Chinese neighbours to the north. Certain white powders and tablets, vials of morphine, and bales of hash supplemented the usual cargo. Occasionally, a live cargo joined the vessel at great expense for any one of several shadowy outfits, for this was the height of the cold war, and the vast, unpopulated coast of northern Australia offered many opportunities for those whose activities would have barred them from normal methods of entry.

RASHID REVEALED NO other name, and it was certainly not his birth name. Nor was it the name on any of the four passports in his possession. He and Abdul met on the yacht late in the night. Abdul took in the unrestrained luxury of his surroundings; Rashid must be a rich man indeed! After the usual pleasantries and the drinking of coffee, Rashid came to the point. "Abdul, your career has impressed me and my colleagues. We are about to set off on a holy war to exalt Allah and drive the infidels from the world. For that, we need a man who is familiar with these waters and islands, and who can carry out tasks for us. It will richly reward you on earth, and earn a sure entry to Paradise, Allah Akbar! Although Abdul attended his mosque regularly, he did so to maintain his community standing, not from any devout adherence to Islam. He was, however, interested in power and money. Perhaps this would be a door to undreamed-of riches and might even lead him to that nebulous Paradise promised by the Imam. Go on." He said.

Rashid said, We have plans to deprive the infidels of money and material while gathering funds for our worldwide struggle for Islam. These waters from the Straits of Melaka to the Australian mainland, offer the opportunity to seize many ships, richly loaded. These we can ransom for huge payments, in the millions of dollars. The west is weak. They will pay us rather than sacrifice lives. They cannot see that sacrifice is the road to success. Their own money will finance their demise.

It excited Abdul at the prospect of striking at the west. He had inherited a vicious hatred for the former colonial masters of this region, the Dutch, British and Portuguese. What do you require of me, brother?

You must gather a force of modern-day pirates. It should be easy to board these fat craft, especially at night. They and their crews are unarmed. A quick boarding, then a swift takeover of the radio room will render them helpless. You will spirit the ship away to a hiding place where it will be impossible to find. Then we will receive the ransom and release the crew. You are to get 10% of any ransom. First, set up your operation. There are many isolated inlets in Australia in the area they call Kimberley. You will find one, prepare it, and buy all that you need to begin your operations. We will make available to you the sum of $5 million dollars to finance this phase of your work. For a nanosecond, Abdul toyed with the idea of vanishing with the money, but he knew something of these fundamental organisations. Their tentacles spread to every corner of the earth, and their retribution was too terrible to contemplate. He agreed without hesitation.

The next day, Abdul began his preparations. He already had enough men. There may be losses, of course, but these parts were home to some of the most bloodthirsty villains on the planet. Some would sell their daughters for a pittance. Replacing any casualties would not be difficult. The next item on his list was a fast boat. He phoned a contact in Singapore. Wang Chow was, like Abdul, concerned only with money. He agreed to steal, beg, borrow, or construct a suitable vessel. It was to appear as a normal fishing boat, rust streaked and neglected, with ragged rigging, seriously in need of a paint job. It would have a fictitious registration in Macau and another in Hong Kong. Below decks, however, there were modern turbocharged and intercooled diesel motors made by Caterpillar. They would propel the boat at a comfortable 30 knots, faster than most cargo ships of the time. They would fit it with the most modern radar, radio, and navigational equipment available and a very long-range fuel tank. The cost of the boat would be a cool $2.5 million.

Finally, the tools of trade: AK47s, pistols, grenades, knives, restraints, grappling hooks and boarding ladders, two-way radios, personal webbing equipment and dark military style clothing. There was $1.4 million left to construct two bases with rudimentary facilities. The first was on Ramu Island. Small, uninhabited, and part of a maze of similar islands, difficult to find and difficult to navigate, with many shoals and sharp reefs, it would be ideal as a base for the boat and a prison for the detained crews of their victims. Now all Abdul had to do was find a suitable hideaway on the Kimberley coast. He had a few ideas. He had used a few places to lie up when daylight had caught him still in Australia’s territorial waters, to avoid the infrequent patrol boats. One of them might do.

3: The Good Life

Life at Ballinrobe had settled into the New Year. The summer storms that had started last December morphed into good general rain for most of January and February. The rain had transformed the landscape. Now there was a green carpet of grass. The cattle had become fat and sleek, and their calves, with plentiful milk from their mothers, were growing fast. All the waterholes were full, and the creek was running strongly. It soaked the fallow wheat fields to capacity. A good wheat crop looked likely.

A wonderful harmony had settled over the household. Susan and Helen loved one another. They had from their first meeting and they were enjoying their work together. Susan was learning about the Australian custom of having the main meal in the middle of the day and the countless cups of tea they drank. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon, when the men were working close to the homestead, they broke for ‘smoko’, a misnomer, since only Mick still smoked. Susan had the American preference for coffee but found the instant variety unpalatable.