On returning to Bourke, he was greeted by a smiling Angel.
“It’s good to have you back,” she warmly greeted. “Our people are so grateful to you and your friend. You will notice a difference.”
The difference was marked. As he visited homes of the community each day, he was usually greeted by a smile and invited to enter. Gradually, the town began to live and breathe again without the weight of over-hanging evil. Gradually, fear gave way to interest in the present and hope for the future.
Yet, Eddie knew that although the town’s feeling of new life applied to most areas, there were homes in which feeling of hope for the future and joy for the present would never enter.
These were the homes of the young students who had been molested. Who they were and to what extent they had been abused, Eddie had yet to learn.
To begin his quest soon after his return, he realized that to proceed successfully he would need the help and approval of Bryan McConnell.
“Glad to have you back,” was the reply to Eddie’s telephone greeting.
“Certainly,” was his next reply to Eddie’s request for help. “Call to the station tomorrow.”
The next day, Eddie was warmly welcomed into the police sergeant’s office.
“So glad you came, Eddie,” after the initial greeting. “I’ve been wondering where to start.”
For the next hour they worked on future strategies – help available, legal advice, financial assistance available and, the most difficult aspect of all, discovering and helping the victims and their families.
“Most likely to be the kids in that devil’s class,” Bryan McConnell exploded. “How could he do it!”
“Could you give me the names and addresses of the kids in that class?” Eddie asked gently. “I’ll start calling tomorrow. We’ve got to start somewhere and get help to the kids who so desperately need it!”
“I can’t help you tomorrow. But let me know for the future. I have the list here – I’ll get it for you now.”
Eddie’s plans for the next day disintegrated with a phone call in the early hours of the next morning.
“Eddie?” the whispered greeting.
“Bryan?” the whispered response.
“Sorry to call you at this hour. We have a tragedy. A couple of our young school kids have hanged themselves. Looks like a suicide pact.”
On being given the destination, Eddie whispered, “I’ll be right over.”
Minutes later Eddie was administering the Last Rites to the two young Aboriginal boys, now lying under the tree which, hours earlier, they had chosen as their means of killing their inner demons. How? Why? Questions chased each other as Eddie’s tears flowed.
Bryan touched his arm. “I have to break the news to the parents of these kids,” he whispered. “Do you feel up to coming with me?”
Eddie nodded. Many times he had comforted relatives at home or in hospital after a family member had died. Many times he had tried to make sense of tragedies. But this! Never before had he had to confront a situation like this.
Together, priest and police sergeant, knocked at the door of the first home. The inner darkness gave way to light and the door was opened by a young girl.
“Mum or Dad home?” Bryan asked quietly.
The young girl nodded and disappeared. Minutes later she returned, this time accompanied by a tall man, followed closely by lady Bryan guessed rightly to be his wife. The request to enter was answered by the man’s nod.
Eddie listened as Bryan tried to break the terrible news as gently as possible and watched as the terrible news filtered into the shocked parents.
“No! No!” the mother screamed. The father remained motionless for several seconds, then asked, “Can I see my son?”
“Yes,” Bryan answered gently. “But not now. We will arrange that for you later. Is there anyone we can call to be with you?” The father slowly shook his head.
Eddie knelt down beside the mother, now sobbing into the floor. She looked up. “Why?” she whispered between sobs. If only I could answer that, thought Eddie as he took her hand and gently helped her up.
After arranging for relatives to come and assist, Bryan and Eddie moved to the home of the second victim to break the tragic news and assist in bringing in their needed support.