The Gentlemen’s Club

By Carole Judith Hall

An evil family – a husband, his three sons, and their naive wife – are involved in drugs, prostitution, and child abuse. The policeman seeking to take them down partners with a vigilante sniper who employs various ruthless tactics to eliminate the family members and their equally corrupt female cousin.

Meanwhile, a well-intentioned midwife hatches a misguided scheme to swap newborns between wealthy and disadvantaged mothers in an effort to provide the babies better lives. As the plot unfolds, a romantic relationship develops between the policewoman and the sniper, complicating her response to his extra-legal actions.

Central to these connected stories is the stately gentleman’s club built with council approval in the small city’s sleepy industrial quarter. With shops on the ground floor and residences above, the building’s fourth level remains strictly off limits, guarded to ensure no one discovers the dark secrets hidden within.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Apr 26, 2024
• ISBN: 9781035861255

Carole Judith Hall

Carole and her husband spent 35 years sailing the world, visiting one hundred and thirty-five countries. She has forgotten how many ports of call they made as it must be in the hundreds. They have settled in Queensland, Australia, and are enjoying life in a beachside town on the east coast of Australia. For their retirement they have a one-acre property near their four children. Her writing every day is her greatest pleasure.

Book preview

About the Author

Carole and her husband spent 35 years sailing the world, visiting one hundred and thirty-five countries. She has forgotten how many ports of call they made as it must be in the hundreds. They have settled in Queensland, Australia, and are enjoying life in a beachside town on the east coast of Australia. For their retirement they have a one-acre property near their four children. Her writing every day is her greatest pleasure.

Dedication

To my daughter Kerry and husband Kevin who are always by my side.

Copyright Information ©

Carole J Hall 2024

The right of Carole J Hall to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781035861248 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781035861255 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2024

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

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Chapter 1

Marcia Jones

She stood in front of the delicatessen area in a very large supermarket waiting to take a number for her place in the queue that spread along in front of the counter, busy today. Beside her was her brand-new navy-blue baby carriage, the sort had a very large hood over the baby and wide sides and looked as though there was not enough room for a baby to fit in the bed base.

This made it difficult to even see a baby in there. It had large swivel wheels that she pushed in front of her as she received her number and wheeled the carriage away from the counter to stand behind the people in front of her. Then, put the brake on the big wheels so it would not move and turned to the counter with the carriage behind her, patiently waiting for her number to be called. She was in no hurry. Her name was Marcia Jones.

Totally unaware that she was being watched by a man standing at the end of one of the supermarket Isles waiting for his chance. He had a small white baby blanket under his arm and was ready to make his move. Going on the general theory that people were very unobservant he watched until her number was called and then she stepped forward. As she walked forward, taking several steps ahead of her, she distanced herself from the baby carriage leaving it at the back of the crowd.

Now was his chance to go forward, spreading out the white baby blanket, bent over the carriage and scooping up the baby in the blanket, leaving the original pink blanket in place. Perfect manoeuvre, he thought to himself. Calmly walking to the door of the large car park, he walked to his car. It was unlocked by its remote before he got there, and he put the baby in a capsule so if pulled up by police, he just looked like any dad taking his baby home or off to its mummy.

Yes, people were very unobservant.

Chapter 2

Barnaby Brown

Smiling as he drove off, he never heard the screams of Marcia Jones when she discovered no baby in the pram about 15 minutes later when she leant into the carriage to check on her baby girl. Security was alerted. Police called.

It was quite a drive to his destination. He was happy about that, the further away the better. He had a special little bag that kept a baby’s bottle warm so that should the baby awake, he could feed it and keep it happy even change a nappy, easy these days as they were plastic and Velcro. No pins to bother about. Two hours later, he reached his destination, picked up the capsule and entered the house and sat in the lounge waiting for his Aunt Jean to arrive and take over the situation as she was a midwife.

Jean looked in the capsule gave a nod and turned to him with a smile. Perfect, was all she said.

Barnaby got up and left. Jean heard his car drive away.

Barnaby drove slowly back to his apartment. He was pleased that the abduction went so easily. However, he thought he would be better off with a rented house, so there would be less observation of his movements. Bunch of ‘sticky beaks’ in that block of units. If they did not know where you went, they would just make it up. With the payment of this baby job, he would have enough to pay out his unit, own it, and rent it to someone In fact, he could keep the separate garage that belonged to the unit then he could store anything he wished to keep in it like his motor bike, bicycle and maybe buy another car. He would put the unit into the hands of an agent in another name and they could bank the money in another account. Not his investment account; that was his emergency money. He was pleased with this plan.

He lay down for about half an hour and then changed his clothes and headed off for his weekly visit to the Gun Club. He was getting to be an accurate shot with the pistol he kept at the club. He wanted to improve and be accurate with rifles and what he called automatic people killers. That was the goal to be a sniper. The main reason was to get rid of people who did not look after babies and small children. That baby today was neglected; just left in a baby carriage with no one watching over it. That mother had repeated this for the last two days. Anything could have happened. At least now it would be safe. Aunt Jean would see to that. He also thought he should rent a house nearer to Jean as almost one hour was a long haul today. Then he had to drive home from her place to his unit another ten minutes. He would take care of that in a day or so.

Maryborough had one town to the east with a thirty-minute drive and one to the north at a ninety-minute drive. He liked Maryborough which was on the bay better than Ravens Nest to the North, or Gundiah to the west. He would like to move closer to Aunt Jean and be in a house so his movements would not be noticed as much.

They called him Barney at the Gun Club. He was very popular joking and kidding with the guys. He was competitive with the pistol and was getting hard to beat hitting the bull’s eye and getting better and faster all the time. He was looking for some help to reach his goal as a sniper. Started looking around the guys and asking a few questions about rifles. Most were not interested as they were not hunters. Killing wild animals did not seem the right this to do for them. He could not tell them he wanted to kill bad people who hurt babies and little kids or women. He would never shoot an animal.

However, the day came when he met Jimmy at the Gun Club. Barny did not know Jimmy was a Detective Inspector at the local Maryborough police station. They got along just fine especially when Barny told him is goal was to learn to become a sniper. Jimmy wanted to talk about that for quite a while. He even suggested to Barny that he knew a country property that had long-range shooting for hunters who liked to shoot feral pigs on properties in the area as they got paid well for each pig they shot and that paid for their trip out to the property and the bullets. Win-win for them. Lot less damage to the property that feral pigs caused. Win-win for the farmers. Barney thought it best to show an interest in that, so Jimmy had a reason to help him with his sniper ambitions.

Barnaby was keen for the trip out into the bush to play with the big rifles and whatever these hunter men bought out he had high hopes and improved his aim over distance. His ability to fire a pistol with or without a silencer was about as good as he could get. He won all the competitions that the local club ran, all the trophies and prizes.

The day arrived and Jimmy picked him up in his big station wagon with two very interesting rifles in the back. No cover over them just lying on the seat. He got very excited and hoped he did not have to go far to the property. They had reached the outskirts of Maryborough and 30 minutes later had arrived there. A large paddock cleared of all trees and shrubs looked to go on forever in a sea of grass. A large, neat brick house near the gate and targets you could barely see way up on the surrounding hills.

There was an area marked to park the four-wheel drive and as they slowed to a stop, men seemed to come forward all pleased to see them.

Jimmy got out of the car and introduced Barney to them. Too many for Barney to remember at once. They all wanted him to try their rifles first as he was known for his skill and had been waiting for him to show them what he could do with a rifle. He chose an older one to start with and they led him to the stand from where they fired at a target.

He raised the rifle and fired. Bullseye. They ran forward and were amazed at the accuracy of his first hit. Patting him on the back they offered other rifles to try and everyone on target. They all spent the rest of their time firing their rifles trying to match Barney’s skill.

On the return trip, Barney thanked Jimmy for the pleasant afternoon. He had a great time and asked if they could do it again.

Of course, Jimmy replied, However before we do that, I would like to see you in my office in town. He fished around in his pocket and handed Barney a card with his private phone number on it.

Ok, Barney replied and put the card in his pocket.

Barnaby decided he should ring Jimmy the next day or so in case Jimmy forgot about him. So he rang in the morning two days later. Jimmy was happy to hear from him and asked him to call in at the end of the week. He gave him the address and told him he was on the second floor of the building, turning to the right when coming out of the lift. His name was on the door.

Barnaby was surprised to see the address on arrival was the Maryborough Police Station. He went up in the lift to the second floor and the fourth office had ‘James Jones, Detective Inspector’. As he entered, a young woman in a police uniform greeted him and led him to the office door of Jimmy. He was sitting in a large chair behind a very large desk and pointed to a comfortable chair for Barney to sit.

He leant forward and shook Jimmy’s outstretched hand and took the seat.

Chapter 3

Detective Inspector James Jones

Jimmy Jones started the conversation with, Glad you came; I want to talk to you about your shooting skills and hiring you. We have increasing crime in Maryborough, and I need your help. I must make this clear though that this conversation never took place. He hesitated and then continued, No one at the club knows my position here; I would like it to stay that way.

I understand that, Barnaby said, nodding his head. How can I help?

Firstly, I would like to ask you a couple of questions if you do not mind.

Go ahead, said Barney.

Ok. He looked directly at Barney with a very stern and serious face. What is your occupation and financial position? That is all I need to know first.

Barney answered truthfully that he had studied a few things in university but no degrees. The first was medicine; however, he saw the pain in people and could not face that. Then law for four years and he felt that was a bit useless as he felt that he personally could not change anything for the better. The worst part was that to be able to nail a criminal for something, he would have to have so much evidence against them, careful of entrapment, and he felt he could never do that, he would rather shoot them and then he was in trouble. He is financially very secure so did not have to work. However, he did do a bit of charity work.

Barney waited for the answer to all he had said.

That’s all I need to know. So I will tell you what I need from you. He buzzed the girl in the front office and asked for two cups of coffee for them. Barnaby settled in the big chair and waited silently. When the coffee arrived, and she had left Jimmy started the story.

"Ten years ago, I married the most beautiful girl. I was forty-seven years old and all I was interested in was my career. So, I surprised myself when this happened as she was only twenty-four. We were so happy. This was the perfect marriage. I was away a lot, but that did not worry her as she was often very late home if I was away and stayed with her friends until late. She was very loved and always wanted to please me with little surprises.

"Then after five years, she wanted a child. I went along with that but never told her that I could not have a child, and really did not want one. I would be an absent father as I pursued my career, the subject never came up. I never told her that at thirty-five, I had a vasectomy so there would never be any mistakes on my part and produce an unwanted child that would cost me half my pay packet for the next twenty years. I was careful with women because a mistake could ruin their lives as well.

"After two years, she started getting test results from various doctors all returning the same result that there was no problem on her part. So, ten years after we were married, she informed me she was eight weeks pregnant. I was beyond stunned and wordless. She took this look on my face as delighted. So happy I was speechless.

"I had to think about this. Eight weeks ago, she was with another man, an unfaithful adulterer. She took my silence for the next two days as planning our future for the baby. I did not want to lose her; this patient-loving wife who cared for me and in desperation for a child had turned to another man. Sex was out; I made excuses about the baby. We settled down after a while. I used excuses to move to another bedroom and got back to some sort of normal until the baby came.

"After the birth of a little girl, she changed. When the baby cried, she did not know what to do. She became a sobbing wreck. I did not know what to do. I did not want the child, did not care much, just found extra work and left her to it. Her friends disappeared as they did not know what was wrong or how to handle this. Marcia did get along with her mother. She started taking the baby out for hours. The baby was only two days old. She panicked when the baby woke up. I told her she was doing too much and probably should have stayed in the hospital. They said she was fit to leave, and they do not keep them a second day anymore as they had outside aftercare at home and a nurse and her midwife would check on her daily for a few days. They had called in, but she was never home. She was out shopping and even went as far as Ravens Nest. That’s quite a way with a newborn in the car.

"Then one of my team, a young constable, rang and asked me to get to the Ravens Nest Supermarket, as my wife was in trouble there. I left my paperwork and drove as fast as I could, sirens and all. People were everywhere running all over the shop. I stopped the car to look for the young constable who rang me and he was already beside me. ‘Your wife is inside with two policewomen seem someone has kidnapped your baby. Just took it out of the baby carriage.’

I went into the store; my wife who was obviously in shock, and as shock can kill, I ordered an ambulance and told both policewomen to escort her to the hospital in Maryborough and I would meet them there. Took me hours to get there. So many people to interview, and she had been sedated, so no joy there. I went back later, and she just seemed confused and did not know what had happened.

Barnaby felt the life drain out of him. He was speechless. Surely not the same baby, he thought. Then he for sure knew it was.

So, how can I help?

Jimmy replied, I am going to find them, and you are going to shoot them.

Okay, Barney whispered, nodding his head slightly.

Jimmy continued, At the supermarket, while my men looked for evidence of anything that could be of some help, I questioned a lot of people all of whom had been in the store at that time. Seems no one saw anything. However, one woman said while pushing through the crowd to the deli counter, she had to sidestep a baby carriage and while watching where she put her feet, she had avoided a man’s brown shoes. She never looked up any reason to, and that does not mean a man took the baby she told me, as it was about fifteen minutes before her number at the counter was called and anyone could have been behind her later.

Now Barnaby, how would you go shooting a woman?

No problem if you say she was the one. In fact, the judge may be more lenient on a woman.

The next problem I had, went on Jimmy, was that someone had suggested that as there were no witnesses or any sign of misadventure, and that maybe my wife had disposed off the baby. I had to tell my constables to search our car and all the rubbish bins and plastic bags or any bags in the store. No evidence there. I must clear my wife of this, so we are working hard and around the clock. Anything could have happened to this baby girl. I fear for her life.

Jimmy then explained how he had organised a shooter licence for him, and he should come in the next day to collect it. While he was in there, he was taking him in to the evidence department where they store evidence of crimes so they could choose a few rifles that fortunately had their numbers filed off.

The sergeant met him at the door of the evidence room. He had paperwork for Barnaby to sign for his licence and a book to sign to show he had been in the evidence room.

Jimmy led the way into the room where the officer in charge had a line of rifles ready on the bench. Barnaby had been up most of the night on the computer so he would know what he was looking at.

Sniper rifles were an M82A1, SAMR, and SASR fitted with telescopic sights for the accuracy needed for extreme distances with portable shoulder-fixed laser sights. The cost today was 8000 to 15000 dollars. Barnaby wanted one of each. He was not game enough to ask. Then Jimmy said, Best you take one of each to the firing range and choose which one or two you find best.

Barnaby smiled and signed up for the three and the laser sights. Rifles in the back of his car, he headed to the practice range.

Chapter 4

Jean Wellington

Jean Wellington was a caring woman who delivered babies with laughter and happiness putting women in labour at ease. To deliver a healthy baby to a happy loving mother and father, often present, was her greatest joy. The first hint of a possibility of something not right was a doctor on call and he was one that could reach the patient in minutes. Doctors liked to work with Jean for her knowledge and care for the patient. If something did go wrong, the doctor was there with time to spare. However, when a baby was stillborn or not healthy, Jean was distraught. She accepted that it did happen and tried to rectify it for the grieving mother.

In this case, she knew it was the only chance of a child for this loving woman who had lost her husband soon after they knew they would be welcoming a child into the world. The husband did not survive the accident.

So, when she delivered a stillborn baby girl to Barbara Morrison, Jean knew what it was to be as she had seen the scan that had been taken six weeks before it was due. The scan also showed that the baby had dreadful health complications and would not survive the birth, let alone live.

Jean sent Barnaby on a mission six weeks ago to find a baby that had been left or not looked after by its mother. He went to the town of Ravens Nest and found a woman not watching her baby two days in a row. Perfect timing, he was starting to give up being able to do this on time.

Jean told the woman that there had just been an unwanted baby girl for adoption placed in her care. Would she accept this baby and they would do the paperwork later? The woman shed tears of joy as she nodded her head in acceptance. The next day, she informed the woman that of course she had to pay a fee for the lawyer and adoptions are not cheap.

The cost should not matter; I have my late husband’s life insurance money, so I can pay.

Jean smiled and said, Well, that works out well. Now because of the good timing, I think you can just announce that you have a healthy baby girl.

Barbara smiled back and laughed. I had already thought of that. I will ring my mother-in-law now and tell her. I think I will call the baby after her. Evelyn Leigh is a nice name, and she has lost her son. If I had a son, I would have called him after my late husband.

Barbara Morrison rang her mother-in-law and organised with her to live with her late husband’s parents. Barbara would move two thousand miles with her new baby so no one would ever know about the adoption or where she went. Her father-in-law flew over to organise the move, Barbara handed him the keys to the house and caught a return flight to her mother-in-law who welcomed her with open arms and took her grandchild to her heart and held her all the way to the house believing that the baby girl was her late sons and daughters-in-law. We will call her Evie so as not to get a mix-up with our names. Thank you for everything, my darling Barbara.

Jean had a friend and work mate. She was the midwife and Natalie district nurse who serviced the Maryborough City Council Health Department. Jean and Natalie were a team. They reported to each other anything to do with children and their parents that they did not like or suspected foul play. They met each day for lunch designing ways to make a better life for those who had a difficult life.

They also had another close friend who worked in law. She was able to get the paperwork for adopted babies or children to show who belonged to each other whether that was true or not. She was not a lawyer, just worked with lawyers and spent her days in the courthouse. Cynthia Bedford was