Though there was one other person she knew who worked in Organised Crime. She had spent little time with him since the academy, but there was no way he would be involved with Stonefish. He’d become a police officer to stop these kinds of people. His family had been caught up with bikie gangs when he was younger.
Lee kissed her head. “Sweet dreams, Nhi.”
“You too,” she whispered. She stared into the darkness, hoping her friend could help.
Nhiari was still lying awake several hours later when Lee’s satellite phone rang. He jerked awake and reached for it in one swift movement. “Hello.” There was no hint in his voice that he’d been woken from a deep sleep.
Nhiari sat up and reached for her phone. Almost midnight.
“Andrew, calm down,” Lee said.
What had happened on the boat? Last she’d heard, Dot and Oliver had been going after the drugs. Had someone been hurt?
She collected her clothes, dressing while Lee listened to what Andrew said. Lee sat on the bed, a sheet covering his modesty. “Get him to take you straight to the treasure.”
Nhiari spun towards Lee. Who was he talking about? Had Andrew kidnapped someone?
“You can’t hurt him,” Lee continued and then paused, nodding to something Andrew said. “Yeah, we’ll get you straight out of town afterwards.” Another pause. “I know you don’t want to do this, but your father has been waiting a long time.” He was silent again. “Did Oliver say exactly where the treasure was? Then no, I can’t help until we have that information. Call me when you know.” Lee rolled his eyes. “Then meet me at the base of the ranges. I told you where the track was… yeah, I’ll be watching.” Lee sighed. “It will be fine, Andrew. Just be careful.” He waited another moment and then hung up.
Nhiari sat back on the mattress fully dressed. “What’s going on?”
“Dot’s gone after Steven and Joseph. They were late getting out there and the tide had risen enough for Dot to give chase. She left Oliver on the boat and Andrew overheard Sam and Sherlock talking to him about the treasure.”
Nhiari pursed her lips. Neither man would have divulged the location to Oliver. It put the Stokes at risk and Brandon Stokes was like a brother to them. “What exactly did Andrew hear?”
“That they’ve already found the treasure.”
It wasn’t much. Stonefish already suspected that. It was why Jordan and Cody had been kidnapped. “Does he know where it’s being kept?”
Lee smirked at her, but she ignored him. No point denying it now. “No. Lucas told Andrew to kidnap Oliver tomorrow.”
Nhiari frowned. “How? They’re on a boat in the middle of nowhere.”
“Kristy is going to pick them up. All Andrew has to do is get Oliver away from the others while they’re diving.”
It might work if visibility was low. No one would suspect Andrew. “Then what?”
“He’ll find out where the treasure is and fetch it. Andrew’s freaking out because he doesn’t want to go to gaol if he’s caught. He wants to make sure there’s somewhere he can run to afterwards.”
“And you suggested here.”
“Yeah.”
“What’s Lucas doing in all of this?”
“He’ll come in when they have the treasure.”
Which meant they were very close to stopping him. If he had received stolen goods and was arrested, those who were afraid of him might start talking. “Good.” Oliver shouldn’t be in any real danger. Kristy Hamilton wasn’t someone who knew one end of a gun from another and wouldn’t want to get her hands dirty. Andrew didn’t want to get in trouble with the law. “What time are they planning this?”
“During the first dive. Should be early morning.”
“I need to call Dot.”
“No. She’ll have her hands full with Steven and Joseph tonight. If she knows about it beforehand, Martin will be suspicious and know we’re working together.”
“Does it matter?” Nhiari asked. “We’re so close.”
“Lucas might leave if he thinks we’re on to him.”
