Lee turned as Rodney threw a tie to him, which he used to restrain Brandon’s feet. Rodney was already carrying the bags of treasure towards the door.
Lee took Brandon’s gun from his shoulder holster and checked it was loaded. He tucked it into his pants and then hefted several of the backpacks.
It would take a couple of trips.
Brandon was already tugging against his restraints. It wouldn’t hold him for long.
Lee ran outside as Lucas pulled into the car park in a four-wheel-drive. Rodney threw his bags into the boot and ran inside for the second trip.
Lee followed suit.
Brandon had already broken the ties on his feet and was working on his handcuffs. Shit.
Lee grabbed the last couple of bags. “It’s not safe for you to follow,” he murmured and ran back outside.
By the time he’d thrown the second load into the back, Brandon was at the door of the police station.
Shit.
Lee slammed the boot shut. Rodney opened the front passenger door and the crack of a gunshot made Lee flinch. His eyes flew to Brandon, who was still in the doorway unharmed.
Rodney staggered back from the car, his hand on his chest, eyes wide in disbelief.
Lucas had shot him.
“Get in, Lee!” Lucas called.
Lee’s heart pounded, but he moved on auto-pilot towards the car. Dot raced out of her house behind the police station wearing pyjamas and holding a gun.
No time to help Rodney. Lee leapt into the car and Lucas took off before he’d shut the door.
More gunshots and Lee ducked as the car peeled out of the car park and headed north.
“What was that about?” Lee looked back, his breath coming fast. Dot and Brandon both crouched next to Rodney. They would call an ambulance.
“Rodney was working for Organised Crime.”
Lee blinked as he clicked his seat belt on. “Yes. That was his job.”
Lucas shook his head. “No. He was double-crossing me. There’s a team of Organised Crime men in Coral Bay ready for tomorrow.”
Lee frowned. “Why weren’t they here to stop us?”
“Because I didn’t tell Rodney the entire plan,” Lucas said.
That couldn’t be right. “But he left me with my phone and the cell unlocked.”
“I told him to after he’d fetched you from the Ridge.” Lucas looked at him. “Did you think I’d let my nephew rot in gaol?”
Perhaps Lucas didn’t suspect him. That was good.
But he was surprised Rodney hadn’t split his team and kept some in Retribution Bay. Perhaps people were waiting on the outskirts, heading south.
Except they were heading north, around the peninsula.
“Where are we going? Did you decide to take the boat after all?” There was a boat ramp on this side.
“No. There’s a road south this way which will take us to an airstrip.”
