“You realise this will intensify the police investigation into our operations?” Lee said.
“I don’t care. They ruined our smuggling ring.”
“We’ve got more people out there, more arms of the business.”
“The smuggling was mine,” the gunman’s tone held a hint of petulance.
Georgie tugged on Matt’s hand and stepped backwards. Maybe they could escape while the two were arguing. Matt moved with her and they reached the edge of the clearing before the gunman noticed. He pointed his gun at them. “Stop right there.”
Georgie glanced behind them and froze. A huge Golden Orb spider web spanned their escape path and right in the centre was the resident spider, its bulbous abdomen catching her eye before she took in the eight legs. Her throat closed over.
“Georgie? We’ll get out of this,” Matt murmured.
She couldn’t answer him, but squeezed his hand tightly.
“Relax,” he whispered. “When they start talking again, we’ll run.”
“No!” she gasped.
“Move towards us,” the gunman said.
“Don’t worry, they won’t go that way.” Lee held the rifle nonchalantly, always lifted, but not pointing it directly at them. “Georgie’s terrified of spiders and there’s a web right behind her.”
Matt swore and tugged her forward away from the web. “It’s all right,” he soothed.
This could not be happening. She was about to be shot and she was too scared of a stupid spider to run for her life. “You have to pull me through,” she whispered. She could do it if Matt was by her side.
“I’ve had enough. Just shoot them already,” the gunman ordered.
“Run!” Matt pushed her towards the spider web. She took two steps, almost at the web when the gunshot cracked.
“No!” She spun and Matt grabbed her, hauling her close. Behind him the gunman sprawled on the ground.
What?
It took a moment for her to take in the whole situation. The gunman dead, Lee still on the other side of the clearing, rifle pointed at the gunman, and Matt alive and uninjured, but shaking as he held her.
“We’re all right.” She squeezed him and said to Lee, “You killed him.”
Matt let go and turned, putting himself between her and Lee.
Lee strode over, skirting Matt. “Are the police coming?” He handed Georgie the rifle and she took it automatically, still trying to process what was happening.
“I don’t know. They might be up there.” She pointed towards the ranges.
Lee swore. “Hopefully Stonefish’s diversion slowed them enough. I need you to do something for me.” He pulled her towards where he’d been standing.
Matt jerked him away. “Don’t touch her.”
Lee glared at him. “I just saved both of your lives.”
“By killing one of your own.”
Lee shook his head. “I’m trying to stop them.”
“Then why tell me not to warn Georgie?” Matt demanded.
“Because I didn’t want her to shoot me accidentally.”
