Gentill - Give the Devil His Due

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First published in 2015 by Pantera Press Pty Limited
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This book is copyright, and all rights are reserved.
Text copyright Sulari Gentill, 2015
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This is a work of fiction, though it may refer to some real events or people. Names, characters, organisations, dialogue and incidents are either products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, firms, events or locales is coincidental or used for fictional purposes.

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To my husband, Michael, who in a less fuel-injected,power-windowed, air-bagged era, was the undisputed kingof the car yard.

Novels in the award-winning
Rowland Sinclair series

A Few Right Thinking Men
A Decline in Prophets
Miles off Course
Paving the New Road
Gentlemen Formerly Dressed
A Murder Unmentioned
Give the Devil His Due

MAROUBRA SPEEDWAY SENSATION

SYDNEY, Monday

The Maroubra speedway has claimed another victim. R. G. (Phil) Garlick, well-known racing driver, dashed over the embankment, crashed into an electric light standard and was then hurled 20 feet to his death during the final of the All Powers Handicap on Saturday night.

Garlick was trying to pass Hope Bartlett and was travelling at 93 miles an hour when the car swerved and left the track. He was dead when help arrived.

The dreadful fatality is the sole topic among motorists today. There is a difference of opinion as to the safety of the track, but the view is held that it is necessary to make some alterations in order to obviate the likelihood of any further accidents of a similar nature.

The Richmond River Express and
Casino Kyogle Advertiser, 1927

____________________________________

R owland Sinclairs dealings with the press were rarely so civil. To date, his appearances in the pages of Sydneys newspapers had been, at best, reluctant, and more frequently, the subject of legal proceedings for libel. On this occasion, however, Rowlands conversation with Crispin White of Smiths Weekly began most cordially.

The reporter was, in fact, the fourth whom Rowland had received that day. Heavily built, Whites broad, lax countenance belied the wily acuity of his manner. A newshound who resembled a somewhat overfed lap dog, but a newshound nonetheless.

Crispin White had written about the wealthy young artist before. Hed covered the various skirmishes and scandals in which the gentleman had become embroiled over the preceding years. More recently hed reported on Rowland Sinclairs arrest for murder, though the charges had been dropped and the story conveniently buried on page twelve when the familys solicitors had contacted his editor. White might have been bitter if he were not so intrigued by the polite, unassuming man who seemed to somehow wield the might of the establishment without abiding by any of its rules.

Woodlands House, where White was calling on Sinclair, had once been among the premier homes of Sydneys better suburbs, a sandstone declaration of tradition, privilege and stately decorum. These days, however, the Woollahra mansion and its acreage were rumoured to be teeming with naked women and Communists. Regrettably, White had not been able to verify that personally, having been met at the gatehouse by a servant and escorted directly to the converted stables where his subject was waiting.

Though he could not attest to the state of the main house, the reporter had noted the nude sculptures that challenged decency throughout the groundsurns with breasts, naked nymphs and lovers entwined in the fountain. All very fine indeed, and exquisitely improper.