On Father's Day by Megan Norris

Author:Megan Norris
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Non-fiction, Non-fiction-true crime, Australia, Victoria, Cindy Gambino, Robert Farquharson, Jai Farquharson, Tyler Farquharson, Bailey Farquharson, Megan Norris, Winchelsea, dam murders, Winchelsea dam murders, revenge murders, child murder, Dr Deborah Kirkwood, Dr Debbie Kirkwood, Debbie Kirkwood, Stephen Moules, Peter Morrissey, Greg King, Gerard Clanchy, Andrew Tinney, Anne O’Brien, Dawn Waite, Mark Pitcher
ISBN: 9781743460245
Publisher: Five Mile Press
Published: 2013-08-22T04:00:00+00:00

Farquharson’s birthday anniversary message to his eldest son, Jai, on 4 October 2007 © Newspix / Matthew Bouwmeester

What a cruel trick fate had played, she thought. They’d already spent the anniversary of the children’s deaths in court. Now, on a day when her eldest son should have turned thirteen, she was back in court again awaiting a verdict. There’d be no celebrations today. Not while Rob faced the prospect of life behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit.

She spent what was left of Jai’s birthday at the court, drinking Vs and smoking cigarettes in the courtyard, where an anxious air of anticipation hung like a cloud. Nobody spoke much as they waited.

There was no verdict that day.

To take her mind off the pain, Cindy had begun organising a party for Hezekiah, who would have his first birthday on 14 October. With his blond hair and his dad’s bright blue eyes, Hezekiah brought a smile to everyone’s faces – even Cindy’s, though she felt too guilty to admit it.

With still no sign of a verdict next morning, Cindy joined her sister-in-law Tina for a walk to the Queen Victoria Market to buy balloons and paper plates for the birthday party. It felt good to be doing something normal for a change. Even a simple task like arranging a birthday party and buying gifts made her feel like a mum celebrating the life of a living child, instead of grieving for children who had passed. She felt grateful to God for this second chance.

At 1.50 p.m., the two women had returned to the court and were sitting in the hallway with relatives and friends when Cindy’s mobile rang. Everyone sat up.

The call was from Rob’s sister Carmen. ‘Nothing’s happening,’ she said, sounding disillusioned. ‘We’re chatting in here and playing chess.’ It didn’t seem there’d be a verdict today either.

But ten minutes later, Carmen emerged, her face white. ‘They have a verdict,’ she said and rushed back to the court.

There was a spate of activity as barristers and police appeared. ‘Please God, let this be over. Two years of this is enough,’ Cindy sobbed, shaking and hyperventilating. Stephen took her hand. ‘Calm down,’ he said.

Cindy and her parents followed the stream of people into court, taking their seats in the public gallery. Cindy sat between Bob and Bev, who each held one of her trembling hands.

Stephen trailed in behind the homicide detectives, whose faces revealed nothing of their thoughts.

‘For her sake, I need this to be a not guilty verdict,’ he whispered to one of them, gesturing towards Cindy. But Stephen suspected the verdict would be the one she didn’t want to hear.

As Justice Cummins took his seat on the bench, he asked those in court to restrain their feelings until the jury had delivered the verdict and left the room. Cindy didn’t hear him. Her eyes closed, she moaned and muttered to herself. She barely noticed the jury filing back into court.

In the dock, the defendant looked nervous in his dark grey shirt, black trousers and black tie.

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