Dad nods. ‘You go up, work it for a bit, see what you find out. When you’ve had enough – and how long that will be is up to you – then pull the pin, tell them your dog died or something, come back to Ouyen.’
‘What happens if they make me?’ Harris asks. ‘What if I get arrested?’
‘Let me know and I’ll get you bailed. If you’re worried you might be in danger, get outta there fast. I’ll help get you out. You’re not like a standard informant, I don’t have anything over you. You’ve just told me off your own bat. That makes your safety my responsibility.’
‘I can’t believe you’re doing this,’ I say to Dad, but he’s not looking at me.
Harris is caught up in the logistics of the idea. ‘Who am I gonna pass word to? A cop in Mildura? Will you tell the station up there?’
‘No, and that will make it more difficult, but you don’t want any silly sideways glances from Ronnie and his crew giving the game away. The cops there won’t know you. I’ll do my best to keep you out of the shit here, but up in Mildura you’ll be on your own.’
‘Bit daunting.’
‘Yes, it is. Like I said, you need to think about it.’
‘So how’s he going to pass on information?’ I ask. I think my nostrils are flaring. ‘Who will he talk to?’
Dad doesn’t even hesitate. ‘Me.’
‘What, he’s gonna have the local senior sergeant on speed dial?’
‘I’ll give him a different phone –’
‘So he’s gonna carry around a secret agent phone? That won’t look sussat all.’
Dad frowns briefly. ‘Okay, maybe it’d be better if he didn’t call me. He could drive down to Hattah, or I could meet him at –’
‘He can meet me,’ I say.
I didn’t mean to say that. I totally didn’t mean to say that. But now the words are out there and I can’t revoke them. I won’t. Even though saying them has made me feel light-headed.
‘What?’ Harris stares. Dad looks like he’s seen something that offends his sense of good taste.
It’s a terrible idea. But I let Harris go back to his father before, and I won’t leave him to do this unsupported now. And now I’ve said it I suddenly realise that – as a concept – it’s actually got merit. Words keep falling out of my mouth like I’ve decided. I think I really am decided. And even though I’m making it up as I go along, I feel lighter and lighter with every word.
‘He’s gotta come back to the hospital for two more check-ups,’ I say, gaining momentum. ‘It will just be part of his normal post-op routine. He can write down the info or give me a verbal report. After a fortnight we can just say he needs more check-ups, and if Barb won’t come on board with that, we can –’
‘Not on your nelly,’ Harris says, at the same time Dad says, ‘Are you outta yourmind?’
I finally lose my temper. ‘If you two idiots are going ahead with this, it’s the best way, and you both know it!’
Dad starts, ‘I’m not exposing you –’
‘Oh, so it’s okay forHarristo risk his safety on your behalf, but it’s not okay for me?’
‘No, it’snot!’ Dad says. He looks at Harris, torn.
Harris raises his hands. ‘Hey, I don’t want her to do it either.’
‘You’re both beingstupid.’ I glare between them. ‘I’mnot the one who’ll be traipsing around with drug dealers in Mildura – I’m gonna behere, where it’s safe. Dad, youknowHarris can’t call you or see you in person. People will figure it out, and word gets around so fast… You’d be endangering him just by contacting him.’
Dad knows I’m right. I can see it in his face. I push my advantage.
‘When I’m at the hospital, I’m invisible. I’m not your daughter, I’m just another nurse. It’s the simplest, least suspect, least dangerous way for Harris to get information back. I’m already in place, and I’m just as invested in keeping Harris safe as you are.’ I don’t stop to ponder what I’ve just said. ‘Dad, you’ve gotta at least think about it.’
Dad has his eyes closed, head shaking. Harris is looking back and forth between Dad and me, but mostly at me.
‘You don’t have to do this,’ he says. ‘I’m the one who –’
