CHAPTER 6: A FEW BONES
Two days later she was on a plane. As if in a master plan of higher authority, the entire floor of Ray's department was suddenly engulfed in workmen who had orders to move partition sand repaint. He knew it was happening sometime, and not before time, but communication had obviously fallen by the way side, and many of the occupiers, like himself, suddenly found they had to vacate for a few days. He could have spent it researching at the State Library or doing some work at home, but couldn't motivate himself. He enjoyed the house before Jean came, but now she was not there, felt it lacked her presence. Still, it was only a week or two.
The first day at home he hadn't even stirred from bed when the phone rang. He knew it wasn't her as she had rang the night before. Still. It wasn't.
"Ray?" Ray didn't need to ask who it was. He recognised Benny's voice straight off..
"Yep, and do you know what time it is?" And so the conversation went on. Benny was a good friend of his from first year at university and beyond. Their academic paths divulged and whilst Ray ended up in Literature and History, Benny had gone on to Science but never finished. After some interesting and some not so interesting jobs, he had settled into photo graphics, graphic designs and photography in general. He had made quite a bit of money from taking photos and selling the mounted prints.
His weddings and functions were not so good, not for the quality of the product, but for his personality that tended to be anything in a short timespan. Dozens of photos of the bride and then the bride's aunty and then whatever, bored him to tears and he often just walked out. Hence his reputation in this field was not high. He was touching bases, so to speak, and when he was told by Ray that Jean was away in New Zealand, told Ray to get his backside over to his studio that afternoon and 'kill a few brain cells.
Ray groaned inwardly, as experience had shown he could not keep up. Still he was a friend of long standing and he needed a diversion, so he agreed. The studio was a mess in one way, but to any practical person, everything was in a place that made retrieval quick. Dozens of framed prints of Benny's various trips stood against walls and dozens more not yet frames, lay on benches. Many from overseas trips to wild and remote places, and others of people.
A man herding alpacas in Ecuador, his weather beaten face carving an indelible impression on you. Two children in bright clothing, sitting astride a horse. The background taken diffused by being out of the depth of field, thus focusing attention on the children themselves. One smiling, the other apprehensive.
"Nice work Benny." Ray was hanging onto his second stubbie or he would be history.
"Year. Thanks. Gotta do some coastlines and oceans and that. Distributor I sometimes go through says that what is fashionable at the moment. Another?"
"Not yet. Had a heavy night so I need to go easy," he replied.
"Jean and I were down the south coast not so long back. Nice stuff down there."
"Of course, the dead people. I read about it. Did sort of dominate the news a while back. Saw Jean's name somewhere. They were really old or something."
"A few thousand years to be more definitive." He finished his drink but wasn't subtle enough for his host who already had a can thrust out towards him.
"Cripes. I'll need to catch a taxi home."
"How many fingers do I have?"
"Ten."
"You're sober, replied his host. A thought crossed Ray's mind at that moment as he scanned the prints." Benny.
"Got a day or two free? Want to see that coastline and smell the salt air?"
"Can do two days. Should be just what I need for this current order. Why do you want to go back? More bones?" Ray went to the window and took some deep breaths.
"More than bones is what I'm after. Jean and I went looking for bits and pieces. Iron implements, whatever. My theory is there was a camp and there could be a lot of interesting stuff. Even a cooking pot would be satisfying."
"So you dig up the beach around that macabre site and I take lots of good pics nearby. Sounds a fair trip to me. We go tonight?" Ray groaned aloud.
"No Benny. I need lots of food and some sleep. But tomorrow, yes."
"OK. We go out and have a pizza, I drive, and then drop you off home. Your car can go in the garage here. Tomorrow be ready out front, nice and early. You alright for tenting or had Jean made you soft and I'll have to rough it in some hotel with frilly sheets?" Camping out was fine by Ray.
He used to do a lot but a few wet nights and wet gear had not inspired him to do more. The night finished early and Ray was glad he didn't have to drive. He left a note on the table in case Jean magically appeared, which he knew was not going to happen, then with gear and spade and camera, waited at the front door. Thirty seconds later, Benny pulled up. At the end of the track to the location was a Hi Lux. They set up the tent and table then with gear in back packs, headed for the sound of the surf. Benny must have had about four cameras and countless rolls of film. Heal so had stashed some cans of KB in the side pockets.
"Should be still cold at lunchtime." Ray smiled. All they had were bananas and muesli bars. They broached the sand hill and strode down onto the beach. Two other people were thereat the water's edge, beach fishing. Ray waved back to theirs and he and Benny sauntered down to them.
"Good day," said one, who was about twenty. Not much running at the moment. You obviously not fishing. Just checking it out or looking for the bone site?"
"Both actually. Benny here is after photographs of waves and head land sand whatever turns him on. I want to go back to the dig and potter around." The other fellow spoke.
"I think I saw you when the police were here. We found them. Or I should say Johnno here, did. Me and Ben were here trying to get some flathead. "
"Trying again today," chipped in Johnno.
"Quicker to buy them. Still, can't waste a day."
"Well have a good one," and with a wave moved off up the beach. Benny was already snapping everything in sight. The dig had that desolate air. The blue and white police tape that once had been strung around the area, was all but missing. The recent gale had seen to that, and only a short piece, draped over a tea tree bush, was left. The actual site was wind scoured and Ray even saw where some waves had channeled in around the sand dune to briefly cover the area with foam, then retreat. The shape, as he remembered it, had changed slightly, and whilst Benny took some photos and then wandered away, Ray took a careful look and dug holes where new depressions had appeared.
Half an hour later, he had uncovered nothing of importance. No bones. No artifacts other than another metal spear tip. Benny returned, moving fast down the dune and beaming.
"Great scenery, my friend. Should make a fortune with this stuff. By the way, this was down near the water line, sticking out about two inches above the sand. Strange what people leave around." Ray's eyes nearly popped out of his head. It was a small metal dagger. Encrusted with some marine growth and depleted by time and salt, it still had shape. He gave an exclamation that his mother would not have approved of, and took it in his hand.
"Benny. This is brilliant. I could kiss you."
"Steady on. Settle for a KB instead," and tossed him one. It wasn't ice cold, but ray didn't care. The style of the weapon was enough for him. It was definitely ancient Mediterranean . They poked around then decided to go back and find some afternoon tea. Back at the tent, the other two lads were sitting down, with cans in their hands.
"Any more bones?'' asked Johnno. Ray shook his head and then produced the knife.
"Only this." Ben gave it a cursory look.
"Old fishing knife by the looks. Some fisherman probably dropped it." Ray went to correct him but changed his mind. Again that feeling of being no tone hundred percent sure and having to back down.
"Probably." Benny dropped all his gear and stored the cameras in the tent. Then he went to the Esky and with a drink, settled into a folding chair.
"How come you guys have time to fish in the middle of the week?" Johnno gave a wide grin.
"Don't work, at least yet. I'm at TAFE. On my no class days, I come home if there's a couple together. Beats sitting around in a room. Ben here works but his boss gave him the day off for some reason."
"Stocktaking or something," chipped in the older one.
"Said I'd be a pain in the a.. backside and if I could land a few, he wanted a couple." Somehow the day wore on and after the boys had left, Ray thought about a fire and some food for dinner. He checked his mobile phone in case Jean had rung, but there was no signal in this area.
The food they brought was basic, out of a can but filling. The fire was comforting and the amount of warmth it gave, plus some Tawny Port, made for an enjoyable evening. Benny's jokes were really bad. More corny or in bad taste, rather than crude. Still a couple were worth remembering, thought Ray, that is if he could. He walked down to the beach and listened to the sound of the waves hitting the shore and the nearby rocks.
The silver phosphorescence gleaming on the water's edge as each wave broke, only to be washed away and then repeated. Overhead a clear sky was filled with uncountable numbers of stars. The Southern Cross hanging to the south, with it's nearby Pointers. The stars seemed to tumble into the ocean. He wished Jean was here to share this. Maybe she was sitting on some tribal fire place on a hill doing the same thing right at this moment. He turned and with his torch, retraced his steps to the camp.
Benny was asleep in his chair. Ray woke him and with some water on the flames, crawled into their sleeping bags to dream of whatever their minds could conjure up. Next morning was overcast and Benny grumbled about the light being difficult. Ray suggested they go have a look at the lake, that he and Jean had stopped at. Benny agreed saying that it was an aspect he should have a picture or two of. Coastal lagoons flanked with sand hills appealed to a number of people. They zipped up the tent and drove back to the highway. Ray nearly missed the track in, as coming from the opposite direction made it difficult to spot. But a neat sharp turn and the vehicle was bumping down to the coast again.
"This is a bum raiser of a road," remarked Benny as he swung the wheel constantly and braked repeatedly. Ray thought it had deteriorated in such a short time, then realized that the recent gale had probably something to do with it. Still the end was reached, and with cameras and more muesli bars, they walked to the beach and up to the lake. Benny was impressed, even though he thought the light was all wrong for the best contrast.
On the lake floated about ten black swans. Graceful and elegant, they would duck their long necks under the water and appear to be lumps of floating black feathers. Then the red beak would appear and the bird would just seem to move a long as if by some unseen force.