‘All right. Maya’s business will stay Maya’s business. You have my word on that.’ When Noah looked doubtful, he went on. ‘I swear. This is my career on the line. If anyone finds out about our conversation, I can kiss my job goodbye.’ He looked at Maya. ‘I’m not going to jeopardise that.’
‘He’s right,’ said Maya. ‘He wouldn’t.’
Conrad addressed Noah, the events of tonight at least making him seem half sober. ‘When are you meeting with Paul?’
‘Two days’ time, when I’m handing over the money.’
‘Then I’ll be at your place tomorrow morning, 9a.m. sharp.’ He headed for the awaiting taxi. ‘We’ll discuss it then,’ he called back. Petty, having the last word and being the one to walk away.
But that was Conrad all over.
34
Noah and Maya hadn’t hung around at the airbase last night, both stunned by what they now knew, by Conrad showing up, by what might happen from this point on. Noah had wanted to get Eva home and to bed and Maya had wanted to go back to her place to try to get some rest and hopefully a good night’s sleep before coming to work today.
On shift, Maya was desperate to ask Noah how it had gone with Conrad this morning but when he arrived, she was busy preparing the helicopter, he had his own tasks to do and then they were out on two jobs in quick succession before they had a briefing and a training session. Following that, they were straight out on another job.
The third job of the day involved a beach landing, something Maya ordinarily loved. It was a thrill to land on the sand, given its challenges and its beauty rolled into one. They always got a good audience, mesmerised by the helicopter, keen to have a front seat at the action, and she got a buzz at some of the shocked faces when a female pilot stepped out of the aircraft. But today, Maya hadn’t been able to enjoy any of that. Apart from concentrating on the flight itself and keeping everyone safe, hermind flitted to thinking about Noah and Eva, about Conrad and what he had planned for Noah as she waited for the crew to return to the aircraft. Her head spun thinking about whether Conrad was going to stitch Noah up somehow. Or was he really fearful enough for his own career that he wouldn’t?
After the job, the crew returned to the airbase. Maya refuelled the helicopter and as soon as she had a chance, she got Noah alone in the kitchen and closed the door.
Noah recapped about Conrad showing up at his place that morning, no sign of the alcohol-fuelled man last night.
‘He was professional, I’ll give him that.’ Noah made them both a cup of coffee once he’d given her the details.
‘He loves his job; it means a lot to him.’ It was also all he had right now without Maya and if he didn’t work a bit harder to get to know his son, accept him for who he was and let him make his own decisions, he’d be even more alone. Perhaps that was what he was happy with. All his focus going into work. It was what she’d seen during their marriage; it wouldn’t surprise her if that was all he strived for from now on. Maybe he’d have a woman on the side, an arrangement, no commitment, but that woman would never ever be her. Never again.
‘The case has been baffling several officers countrywide for a while,’ said Noah.
‘Conrad will be glowing inside knowing he’ll be the one to bring it to a close. And he won’t stitch you up on this – his career means too much to him.’
‘Let’s hope you’re right.’
The plan was for Paul to come to the house as arranged. Noah had been accumulating the cash already given he’d raided his own bank accounts and as he hadn’t had time to sell his car, he’d taken out the maximum possible on his credit card. It would cost him in interest, he told her, but he had no choice. He’d also been mortified to have to ask someone else for aloan – Geraldine. But she loved him like a son, any fool could see that, and Maya hadn’t been surprised to hear she’d lent him the money without any questions, trusting his instincts and judgements with whatever was going on. Noah had put all the money into a bag, which he was to hand over to Paul.
‘I just hope Paul doesn’t bolt.’ He ran a hand across a stubbly, strong jaw as he spoke to Maya. ‘I’d lose all my money and Geraldine’s and I’d always be looking over my shoulder thinking he might come back for more.’ He abandoned his coffee, turned and rested his hands on the worktop looking out at the rear of the airbase, across the fields beyond. ‘Conrad says they’ll be able to take action once the transaction is done. All I need to do is keep my focus on Paul, not be looking left and right out the door to see where the police are.’
‘I wish I could be there for you, Noah. I know I can’t, but I’ll be thinking of you.’ The way he looked at her had Maya wondering whether he thought about her as much as she thought about him, not only because of the current situation, but because he might be open to starting something more than friendship. ‘Do you need me to take Eva for you?’
‘Geraldine assumed I would be heading for the open day, so she’s offered to take Eva to a children’s farm out Salisbury way.’
‘Sounds like a good plan.’ She joined him next to the window to indulge him in the small talk he likely needed to keep his cool before all of this blew up. ‘I took Isaac when he was only a few months old; it’s probably the same place. I think the outing was more for my benefit, though, out in the fresh air, something different. Conrad thought it was a waste of time, of course, given Isaac was only ten months, but Isaac smiled so much that day, he laughed at the cows, was mesmerised by the sheep and the goats, loved that we were walking so close to donkeys and pigs that up until then he’d only seen in pictures in books. I went back a lot after that day. I expect Eva will be sold.’
Noah smiled briefly but his expression soon grew dark again. ‘I only hope that in twelve hours’ time, this nightmare will be over.’
She covered his hand with her own. ‘I hope so too.’
‘I don’t want Paul to ever do this to anyone else ever again.’
‘You’re a good man, Noah.’ She paused, took her hand away when she said, ‘Thank you for what you did.’
He didn’t register immediately but then found space in his head to recollect the threat Conrad had made outside the airbase. ‘For calling Conrad out on the hold he has over you? I haven’t known you that long, Maya, but I think I’m right when I say it’s about bloody time.’
‘Yes, it really is.’
And she was about to change that forever.
She only hoped Noah and everyone else in Whistlestop River would still want to know her once they knew the truth.
