SPARE KEY
and other stories
by
R. Frederick Hamilton
* * * * *
PUBLISHED BY
LegumeMan Books
Copyright © 2008 by R. Frederick Hamilton
Cover Photograph © 2008 by Jennifer Wilson
Design © 2008 by The Spatchcock
CONTENTS:
SPARE KEY
THE FILMMAKERS
WRITER'S BLOCK
Thanks go out to the Brothers Gunther for all their hard work. To Kat and Jen for their proofreading chops. And to the Minx for everything.
SPARE KEY
THE BRUNSWICK BULLETIN
Monday, 17 May 1982
Quick Action Saves Elderly Neighbour's Life
A local lady is today being hailed as a hero by the close-knit community of flats at 578 Albion St for her swift actions that saved the life of her elderly neighbour, Thea Toso, 76.
Nurse Jennifer Morton was returning from a late shift at work when she heard a commotion from the flat next door. What she heard was a shattering lamp as Ms Toso, who is unmarried and lives alone, suffered a major coronary at approximately 1:30 am.
After unsuccessfully trying to rouse Ms Toso, and finding the door to the premises locked, Miss Morton raced next door to her flat to retrieve the spare key Thea had entrusted to her care.
Miss Morton performed CPR on the scene and managed to revive the unconscious pensioner.
Although the paramedics who attended stated 'without a doubt she (Miss Morton) saved this woman's life,' Miss Morton is playing down the situation saying much of the credit must go to her elderly neighbour for her forward planning. 'She knew something like this might happen and was prepared for the eventuality. There wouldn't have been much I could do if we hadn't swapped spare keys.'
Despite her modesty, other residents of the flats are already pushing for her nomination in the next Community Service Awards to be held in September.
THE BRUNSWICK BULLETIN
Sunday, 21 August, 2005
Brutal Murder Rocks Community
The local community is today reeling at the news of a brutal murder that has occurred in its midst.
Police responding to a call to a block of flats in Brunswick West, at approximately 5:30 pm last night, discovered the grisly remains of Jennifer Morton, 56, in the lounge room of the two bedroom flat she owned and lived in for nearly thirty years.
Maria Horne, a concerned workmate and close friend of the decease, began to worry when Miss Morton, a nurse at the West Brunswick Aged Care Clinic, failed to show up for work. Unable to contact her by phone, Mrs Horne visited her flat at approximately 4:45 pm.
When she received no answer to her repeated knocking, she contacted Police who entered the premises with the landlord to find what has been dubbed 'a slaughterhouse'.
Although Police are not yet releasing details, in a statement, Detective Inspector Douglas Green, the lead investigator on the case, has described the crime as 'horrendous in its brutality'.
Described by her neighbours as an 'all around good person', who would, 'go out of her way to do you a favour', the stunned residents are unable to comprehend who would do this to 'such a sweet lady'.
Her next door neighbour of ten years, Kosta Tsiakis, described her as a 'gentle soul who kept to herself a lot. Loved her cats. Neve hurt no one'. He couldn't think of anyone who would hold a grudge against her. 'I don't think I've ever heard a bad word said about her'.
Police have no leads as yet while stunned neighbours struggle to cope with the tragedy that has unfurled in their midst.
APRIL 2008
DAY 1
