‘Right,’ he says, turning back, and I have to work every fucking muscle in my body not to jump sky-high. He grabs his phone. ‘I’m gonna make some calls. Go out front while I phone around, get yourself a drink from the bar. Then leave through the rear exit, and don’t come back here again until you hear the word.’
And just like that, I know I’m okay. For the time being. Relief skitters down my spine on spider’s legs. I remind myself the reprieve might only be temporary. The Leon I dealt with this morning is gone. He’s still all business, but his system has been tested, found wanting. He’ll be hyper-alert until this is sorted out, and I’m gonna have to watch myself. I’ve gotta stay on my guard.
I can’t afford to slip.
*
Next morning is warm. The sun is already hot enough to make the dew steam and the air has a clamminess that tells you today will be a scorcher.
I got Amie’s text twenty minutes ago: she wanted a fast meeting here, and there wasn’t time to say no. The footy ground’s deserted but it doesn’t make me feel any more secure. I do a blockie before I feel confident enough to park.
I’m barely out of the car when I start talking. ‘What’s goin’ on? Seriously, Ames, this is a shit place to meet. It’s too close to the house, everyone’s on the warpath, it’s not safe –’
‘Dad says you should pack it in,’ Amie interrupts, her eyes fever-bright. She’s wearing jeans and a white men’s shirt over a purple tank. Her hair has curled with the humidity and I want to push my fingers through it.
‘What?’ I scan the length of the street, tug her over so we’re half-hidden in the corner of the brick ticket booth. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘Dad says give them an excuse and come back to Ouyen.’ She jigs on her feet, smiling and biting her lip. ‘That’s why I contacted you, that’s why I thought we could risk a quick meeting close by, cos I wanted to tell you in person –’
‘The fuck?’ I step back, then forward.
‘I figured you’d want to know as soon as possible.’ Amie’s expression falters as she looks at me. ‘Come on, Harris, it’s what you’ve wanted to hear, isn’t it? You’re free. You don’t have to keep going with it, you can pull out –’
‘I can’t pull out now.’ I frown, seeing her face. ‘Amie, Ican’t. Delivery is less than a week away –’
‘Harris, the police are covering Tulane Road like a rash.’ She stares at me. ‘It was all over the news, for god’s sake! Dad said they’re calling in homicide investigators from Melbourne. The whole town is getting hot, it’s too dangerous –’
I step back again, shaking my head. ‘But your dad wants the delivery dates for the new batch, I know he does. I can give them to him, if he’ll just give me a little more time –’
‘Goddammit, Harris, why are you doing this?’ She circles around to face me. ‘I thought youwantedto cut loose, Iknowyou wanted it!’
‘Yeah, but not like this!’
She sags, her shoulders sinking, face falling flat. How can she not understand this?
‘C’mon, Amie. You really think I’d pack it innow? Make those peoples’ deaths, all this work, for nothing?’ I come in close, fix her in place with my hands, try to get through. ‘Listen, I know I said I want this job to be over, and I do. But I can’t just let it go, not now. I wannanailthese bastards. And it’s so close – don’t make me give up the prize just as it’s sliding into my hands.’
It takes a moment before she musters a reply. ‘I thought you’d be excited.’
‘I am excited. I am. I want to finish this, just like you. But I want it to mean something.’
‘Okay.’ She scrapes back her hair as I release her. ‘Okay. Shit. I get it. I don’t understand, but I get it.’
I make a face, trying to break the tension. ‘Are you that keen to see the back of me?’
‘No!’ she says fiercely. Her eyes drop to the concrete. ‘I mean… Well, you know what I mean.’
‘I know.’ I tilt up her chin. ‘Look, tell your dad thanks, but I’m staying until I hear word from Leon about the delivery. As soon as it’s solid, I’ll be outta Amblin Court before he can say, “You’re nicked”.’ She doesn’t look appeased. ‘Amie, it’ll be over soon. Real soon. I know you want it as bad as me.’
She nods and sighs. ‘I guess I should go.’
‘Yeah.’ I hate seeing her look so disappointed. Then I realise something. ‘Aren’t you supposed to be with your nanna?’
Now she looks really low. ‘Hansa’s taken Nani to the hospital for a check up.’
‘Is she okay?’
She glances down again. ‘After you left yesterday, she had a dizzy turn. We’re hoping it’s just her blood pressure.’
