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.”
