Chapter Eighteen
Nhiarirelaxedherholdon the motorbike’s handle bars as she bounced over the ground. She’d forgotten she needed to let the bike find its way. The more relaxed she was, the easier the ride.
When she had to stop to open a gate, she radioed the Ridge. “No news?”
“Nothing,” Amy answered.
So as far as anyone knew, the police car was still heading into town. Still, she continued towards her parents’ place. She needed to get them out of the way in case things centred on their airstrip. No way was she allowing them to become hostages.
It took almost an hour to get there and by then the sun was nearing the horizon. She slowed as she reached the house and spotted Sam’s four-wheel-drive.
Good. She had backup.
Her father came out onto the verandah and she waved as she rode the bike into the nearby shed. He met her halfway as she walked back to the house.
“You want to tell me why I’ve got two military men in my kitchen?”
“They were just in case,” Nhiari said, hugging him. “Come inside and I’ll explain everything.”
He grunted, but followed her in.
The interior was cool and her mother handed her a glass of ice cold water as she walked into the kitchen. Nhiari sculled the refreshing drink.
She hugged her mother. “How are you?”
“Better for seeing you.” She squeezed Nhiari, and Nhiari felt a pinch of guilt for worrying her family so much.
Nhiari nodded at Sam and Sherlock sitting at the table. “Thanks for coming.”
“Dot didn’t explain why we’re here,” Sam said.
She sat and gestured for her parents to do the same. “Rodney changed his mind,” she said. “He went out to the Ridge just now, arrested Lee, and took the treasure into town with him.”
Sam swore and Sherlock said, “You all right with that?”
He wasn’t referring to the treasure. Trust him to notice. She pushed down her concern and nodded. “We weren’t sure whether they would steal the treasure immediately, so we needed backup in case.”
“Why here?” Sam asked.
“Because someone came around yesterday pitching a tourism idea to Mum and Dad and was interested in the airstrip.”
Sam nodded.
“This is about the dodgy man?” her father asked.
“Yes.” She brought up a photo of Lucas on her phone. “Was this him?”
He nodded.
Her stomach clenched at the thought of Lucas so close to her father. She turned to Sherlock and Sam. “Lucas is flying the treasure out. I suspect he’s going to use the airstrip here.”
Sherlock pursed his lips. “Might be he wants us to think that. Why else would he come and look for himself? It would make more sense to sneak in after dark or even just land on the day with no visual.”
“How far is the Coral Bay airstrip from here?” Sam asked.
“About five kilometres. Our airstrip is two kilometres in the opposite direction.”
“He wants us to split our resources,” Sam said.
