Chapter Seventeen
The next day was interminable and Nhiari’s fatigue didn’t help matters. She’d barely slept lying on the mattress in front of the door. She couldn’t stop thinking this was the beginning of the end for them.
Nhiari hated the fact she’d sent a tracker to Lee’s phone, and she was making plans based on the assumption he would betray her.
That wasn’t a healthy relationship in anyone’s world.
The only positive was she’d got her period.
Finally Dot received word the truck would be in Retribution Bay by mid-afternoon and they would load the cannon when it arrived. Debate was still raging over when the treasure would be loaded; whether the truck would make a stop at the Ridge on the way back to Perth, or whether the Stokes would take the treasure to town either today or in the morning.
The less time the treasure was unguarded, the better.
Lee was kept out of the discussions, but someone was watching him. Around mid-afternoon, Amy and the other women ganged up on Nhiari and insisted she get some rest and she’d slept for a couple of hours.
When she woke, it was around five o’clock and Dot called. Nhiari walked outside into the evening heat to answer it. “What’s up?”
“We tracked down Lucas’s plane in Newman, but it’s lodged a flight plan to Carnarvon this afternoon. It should land there soon.”
“Getting into position.” Like she’d suspected. Did Lee know the truth, or was Lucas keeping him in the dark as well?
“Yeah. Organised Crime have been back and forth all day,” Dot said, her exasperation clear. “We need to bring the treasure into town this evening and keep it at the police station overnight. The truck will pick it up in the morning.”
“And Lee?”
“He’s to be arrested and transported with the treasure to Perth.”
Nhiari felt sick even if this was part of the plan. “What support are the Organised Crime division giving in relation to the ambush?”
“They have a team in Coral Bay now. Doug’s watching the ramp.”
At least they could trust him, but the complete plan didn’t ring true. Nhiari strode across the red dirt to the shed, unable to keep still. “It makes no sense. Lucas would be a fool to put the treasure on his boat.”
“The team is covering the boat ramp and the airstrip.”
She shook her head. “I think they’ll land at Mum and Dad’s.”
“Why?”
She had forgotten to tell Dot about her phone call with her father, so she filled her in.
“It makes sense,” Dot said.
“Do you think they’ll do it tonight, or wait until tomorrow?” Nhiari asked.
“If Rodney wants to keep his cover, they’ll do it tomorrow.”
“He might plan on boarding the plane himself,” she pointed out.
“Yeah,” Dot agreed. “There’s more. I’ve been told I’m no longer needed on this case. I’ve been ordered to leave it in Rodney’s hands and concentrate on day-to-day matters.”
Idiots. But it again pointed towards Rodney working for Stonefish. Her mind whirled as she considered options. “Do you want me to bring Lee into town, or is Rodney coming out?”
“Rodney’s coming out for Lee and the treasure. He just left.”
“So they could do it now if it’s the two of them,” Nhiari said. “Where’s Lucas’s plane?”
“Brandon will insist on accompanying the treasure,” Dot pointed out as she tapped some keys. “The plane is in Carnarvon. It wouldn’t take more than an hour to refuel and fly to Coral Bay.”
Shit. “Lee and Rodney could overwhelm Brandon. Where are Sam and Sherlock?” Her heart thudded as her muscles tightened.
“They’re back from the shipwreck and waiting for instructions.”
They were the only other people who could be trusted and had the right experience. “Do we want to involve them?”
“We have little choice.” Dot sighed. “I told Doug about Rodney and he told me to leave it with him.” She made a sound of frustration. “I’m not supposed to be working this case. There are so many unknowns and variables; we don’t know how many people Lucas will have with him, or where he’s really going. We don’t know who to trust.”
Nhiari felt for her best friend. “Let’s make arrangements in case Lee and Rodney overwhelm Brandon and take the treasure now. I’ll call my parents.” How quickly could she get to her parents’ place? Not long if she took a motorbike and cut through the station using the track Matt used to visit the Stokes when he was a kid. The only problem was anyone on the road would notice the dust and Lee would know someone was out there. “I could insist on accompanying Rodney, Lee, and Brandon. I need a lift back into town.”
“Rodney said you need to stay there, so Lucas doesn’t know you’re safe.”
A good excuse and it would limit what she could do. She had to leave the Ridge after Rodney did. A plan formed.
“Can you send Sherlock and Sam to my parents’? You’ll need to stay in town in case they arrive as planned.”
“What are you thinking?”
“I’ll leave here after Rodney and Lee. When they hit the main road to Coral Bay they shouldn’t see any dust from me. I can be at Mum and Dad’s before they are… if that’s where they go. Between Sam, Sherlock and I, we can stop anything they have planned.”
There were a lot of contingencies to consider. Perhaps she was being paranoid.
“I’ll get someone in Carnarvon to monitor Lucas’s plane. They can call if it takes off again.”
“I’ll tell Brandon and Lee that Rodney is on his way and call my parents.”
“Keep me posted.”
Nhiari hung up and strode back to the homestead, finally feeling as if she was helping. “It’s time,” she said to Lee and Brandon.
“What’s happening?” Brandon asked.
“Rodney is coming here,” Nhiari said. “He’s going to pick up the treasure and Lee. Organised Crime wants the treasure kept at the police station overnight.”
Brandon frowned. “How many people are guarding it?”
Nhiari shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“Do you need me to call Lucas?” Lee asked.
Nhiari shook her head. “He won’t believe the Stokes would let you make a phone call now. Rodney will have told him what’s going on.”
“I’m not letting the treasure out of my sight,” Brandon said.
“We’ll arrange for you to go too.”
“What are you going to do?” Lee asked.
“I have to stay here,” she said. “Rodney doesn’t want me in town. I’ll liaise with Dot, and she’ll tell me where she wants me tomorrow when this all goes down.”
Lee studied her, and she did her best to keep her expression neutral.
“I need to talk to the others.” Brandon left the kitchen to round up his family, who were distributed around the house.
Lee stepped closer. “The only reason to take the treasure into town now is to give Lucas a better chance to get to it.”
“I know.”
“Where are Sam and Sherlock?”
She shook her head. “Dot hasn’t told me what she’s got planned.”
“Because she thinks you’ll tell me,” Lee said.
Nhiari shrugged. “Maybe. You haven’t heard anything more from Lucas, have you?”
“No.” He glanced towards the hallway and then took hold of her hand. “No matter what happens, Nhi, know that what I feel for you is real. I—.”
Brandon strode back in. He glanced at their hands and Lee let hers go.
Nhiari ignored the jumble of emotions inside her and focused on what Brandon was saying.
“Darcy and Matt are on their way back. Ed’s putting his drone in the air to make sure there’s no one else out there.”
Nhiari nodded. “Lucas would be foolish to take the treasure from here.” Though it was an option they hadn’t considered. The Stokes had an airstrip on their property as well.
It would be a short drive to get the treasure there.
Her skin itched with the stress of all the options. At least the plane was still in Carnarvon. Unless he’d hired another one. “I’ll check how Ed’s doing.”
She went outside and spotted him nearby. “See anything?”
He shook his head. “Nothing is moving in the area except Darcy and Matt coming back.”
“How far is the range on that thing?”
“A couple of kilometres.”
That could be her answer. “I need you to track Rodney when he leaves.”
Ed glanced at her. “What are you thinking?”
She checked over her shoulder to make sure they were alone and spotted Lee on the verandah watching her. “There are three ways he can go; into town as planned, towards Coral Bay or towards your airstrip.”
Ed’s eyes widened. “I hadn’t thought of that. No one has used it in a while.”
The fewer people who knew about her plan the better, but she would have to trust Ed. “When they leave I’m going to need to borrow the motorbike in case he doesn’t choose option one. Can you make sure it’s fuelled?”
“Yeah.”
“Thanks. Do you know what happened to my clothes, which were washed earlier?”
“I’d guess they’re in the laundry.”
“Great.” She nodded to the drone feed. “Keep an eye out and tell me when Rodney’s almost here.”
She walked back to the house. “Looks all clear,” she said to Lee as she climbed the steps.
“You think Rodney has something else planned,” Lee said.
“I don’t know what Rodney is doing,” she agreed. “So it’s best to have contingencies.”
“Are you going to tell me?”
“If you need to know.” She looked him in the eye, daring him to argue with her. He gave a small nod and followed her back inside. “Have you got what you need?”
Lee would leave his car and all his possessions at the Ridge.
“Yes.”
In the laundry she found her police uniform ironed and hung on a coat hanger. Bless the person who’d done it. Her police vest was in Lee’s car, as were all of her weapons. Brandon entered the room.
“Can you take Lee outside while we bring the treasure up?”
She nodded. That would give her a chance to get her things. She returned to the kitchen and gestured to Lee. “I need to get some things out of your car.”
They went outside into the cooling afternoon air. “What do you need?” Lee asked.
“I want to put my vest back together,” she said. “I might need it tomorrow, and I’m not sure where everything ended up.”
“You’re not going to be at the bust,” Lee said, his voice sharp.
“No,” she said. “But Stonefish has done the unexpected before, and I’ll need it for my day-to-day.”
He nodded, though he didn’t seem happy about it. “Lucas said he’d shoot any police.”
“I’ll warn Dot, but I dare say she’s expecting that.”
Lee opened the back of his car and got out the pack with her weapons in it. She fetched her vest and put it over the T-shirt she was wearing and loaded the pockets with the items Lee passed her. They worked in silence.
“Nhiari—”
She braced herself.
Lee sighed. “I wish you all the best for the future.”
A lump lodged in her throat and she fought back tears in her eyes. This was their last goodbye. His future was uncertain.
Her heart raced as he turned away. Panic gripped her, and she grabbed his arm before she could stop herself. They stared at each other but she couldn’t find any words. There was no future for them. Telling him she cared too would only cause them both more pain. Finally she said, “Be careful of Rodney. He might double-cross you the way he did Martin.”
Disappointment flitted over his face and he nodded. “I will.” He walked away.
Nhiari watched him go, her body straining to follow him.
Ed jogged over to her. “Rodney just drove past. He’s in a police car.”
She blinked. It was time to focus. “Thanks.” She crossed the yard and trotted up the steps. “He’s here,” Nhiari told Lee and Brandon as she slipped into the laundry to leave her police vest on the bench.
Amy hugged her husband. “You be careful.”
He nodded. “I’ll be fine, Ames.”
“I’ll keep an eye on him for you, Amy,” Lee said.
Her grateful smile made Nhiari ache. No one would look out for Lee. They’d all be watching him for betrayal.
He’d brought it on himself, but the knowledge didn’t bring any comfort. Nhiari wanted to hold him in her arms one last time.
She’d had her chance and hadn’t taken it.
Rodney clumped up the steps and Tess opened the door before he knocked. He scanned the room suspiciously. “Dot called you?” He directed the question at Nhiari.
“She said you were coming to arrest Lee and pick up the treasure.” She gestured to the table where the bags of treasure had been placed.
“Nice of you to have it organised for me.” He strode to Lee. “Lee Kwong, you’re under arrest for murder.”
Lee held out his hands and Rodney handcuffed him. Nhiari almost warned Rodney the cuffs wouldn’t hold Lee, but the words disappeared as she glanced at Lee, who gave her a small smile.
He was remembering it too.
“Brandon will go with you,” Nhiari said.
“No, he won’t.”
“He will,” Brandon insisted. “The treasure is mine until the state says otherwise, and where it goes, I go.” His smile almost seemed sincere. “So unless you’d prefer to leave the treasure here, I’ll go with you. I’d prefer not to ride in the back though.”
“I don’t have time for this bullshit,” Rodney said. “Grab the bags.” He pushed Lee towards the door.
Nhiari and several of the others carried the treasure outside, loading it into the back seat of the police vehicle. Lee got in the paddy wagon and Brandon kissed Amy one last time before he got into the front. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Nhiari’s gut clenched as they drove away, but the moment the car disappeared from sight she sprang into motion. “Ed, the drone. Darcy, get the motorbike for me.” She ran inside and changed, throwing on her police gear. She checked her gun was loaded and then grabbed a Ridge radio before she strode back outside. Darcy had the motorbike ready and Ed jogged over. “They didn’t go to our airstrip.”
Good. She got on the motorbike. “How far are they from the intersection?”
“Almost there.”
She itched to take off, but there would be no rush if they turned right instead of left. Ed showed her the screen, as the police car slowed at the intersection. She couldn’t see which direction it was indicating, but it shifted towards the left of the road.
Shit.
She grabbed the throttle, and Ed placed a hand over her arm. “Wait.”
The car turned right. Back to town. She exhaled. There was still one other track they could take which would lead them across country towards her parents’ place, but it was unlikely. Still she revved the engine. “I need to go.”
“Where?” Matt demanded.
“Mum and Dad’s,” she said. “I want to get them into town. They’ll be too close to the action for my liking.”
Matt pursed his lips. “That’s not all.”
“No,” she agreed. “But you don’t need to know. You should be safe here. The treasure is out of the house, so there’s no reason for Lucas to come after you, but still be vigilant. He may decide to be spiteful.” She didn’t think there were any of his cronies in Retribution Bay to carry out revenge, but it was worth the warning.
Darcy scowled. “We’ll keep everyone close to the house for the next few days. Take care of yourself.”
Matt thrust a key at her. “Tell Mum and Dad to stay at Georgie’s.”
She nodded and then twisted the throttle, heading to her parents with a warning she hoped was unnecessary.
Lee didn’t enjoy being locked in the back of the paddy wagon. He rattled the handcuffs but didn’t bother dislodging them. No point letting Rodney know what he could do.
He’d asked whether there had been a change in the plan as Rodney had loaded him into the back, but Rodney said nothing, which made Lee nervous. Had plans changed, or was Rodney double-crossing Lucas and actually undercover for the police? Too many variables.
His phone was tucked in his pocket, but he wasn’t certain for how long. It would be confiscated when they arrived at the police station. The police didn’t normally keep prisoners overnight in Retribution Bay, so that meant either they were going to make an exception for him, or he and Rodney would take a trip to Carnarvon tonight.
Which would leave the treasure unguarded except for Brandon and perhaps Dot.
His skin crawled. He hated not knowing the whole plan.
He felt every bump along the road back to town, but at least there hadn’t been a detour.
What weapons did Brandon have on him? Lee would bet he was armed, but he had seen no evidence.
Rodney would be foolish to under-estimate Brandon, and Rodney—while an arrogant son-of-a-bitch—was no fool.
Focusing on the task at hand soothed Lee and allowed him to block the expression Nhiari had given him as he’d been loaded into the car. Her whole demeanour had changed, and he didn’t know whether Dot had told her something which had changed her feelings for him, or whether she didn’t want to show her emotions in front of the others. They probably thought she had Stockholm Syndrome. Matt would.
He exhaled. What did he expect? He’d already accepted they had no future, though she had asked about a plea bargain for him.
The car slowed as they entered the town, and Lee tracked the turns to the police station. The engine stopped and two car doors slammed. Then there was a clunk as the back lock disengaged, and Rodney stood there with a scowl. “Out you get.”
Lee climbed out and looked around. They’d taken him to the rear of the police station, where there was a walled yard and the gate they came through was shut. Discouraging anyone from running.
Brandon stood next to the car and waited.
“This way,” Rodney said, gesturing for them both to follow him.
“I’ll wait here with the treasure.” Brandon crossed his arms and stood with his legs apart, daring Rodney to disagree.
Rodney rolled his eyes and pushed Lee on the shoulder. “Let’s go.”
Lee walked into a room with two doors leading from it. One led into the offices, and the other to a corridor with a cell in it. Dot walked out of her office and raised her eyebrows. “We don’t have facilities to keep him here overnight.”
“We don’t have the time to take him to Carnarvon and we can’t leave the treasure unattended either,” Rodney replied. “I’ll set up a watch.”
Dot studied him. “You got someone to agree to that?”
“Of course.”
Lee watched the discussion. Rodney was keeping his cards close to his chest, and Dot was unimpressed. Rodney prodded Lee and indicated down the corridor. “Through there is the cell.”
Lee followed his orders, waiting until Dot was out of earshot before saying, “What’s going on, Rodney?”
“You’ll know when you need to know,” Rodney replied. “Lucas has everything under control.”
Not good. Had there been a change of plans he was unaware of, or was the heist happening in the morning?
He moved into the cell.
The clang of the door sounded quite final. Rodney smirked as he walked away.