‘I offered.’ I still can’t believe Ioffered. But I’m not going to take it back now. Anyway, if Harris – who has nothing – can take a chance on this, then what’s stopping me? I have to lay my palms flat on the table to stop them trembling, but I make a wobbly laugh as Dad’s head comes up. ‘I’m here and I offered.’
‘This is crazy,’ Dad says.
‘This whole thing is crazy,’ I snap back. I remember Nick’s words:You should do something crazy at least once a day. Well, I guess this definitely qualifies. Then I soften. ‘But, like I said, if you decide to go ahead with it, it makes sense to have me on board.’
‘If you decide to go ahead with it…’ Harris echoes. ‘Jesus.’
Dad’s face, as he turns away from me, has that peculiar time-stopped expression he only uses for really serious issues. It’s a kind of official expression. ‘Harris, say it and it’s happening. Say no, and you walk outta here and go on your merry way. But I’d stay clear of Snowie, if I were you. I’m planning on catching up with him soon, regardless of what you’ve told me, whether you’re involved or not.’
Harris closes his eyes. They stay closed for five long seconds before opening and staring right at me. My whole world is emerald with dark brown flecks for another drawn-out moment before he speaks. ‘All right, I’m in.’
Which meansI’min. I’m in, and there’s no turning back.
‘God,’ I whisper.
‘Right.’ Dad nods firmly. ‘That’s great. Thank you.’ He frowns at me. ‘Amita, you know I hate that you wanna be involved in this.’
‘It’s my call.’ I swallow hard. ‘And I’m doing it.’
‘Amie…’ Harris meets my eyes. When I shake my head to show he can’t talk me out of it, he sighs. He looks at Dad and his eyebrows lift. ‘So that’s it, huh? We’re working with the police. Jesus Christ.’
‘Will you contact Snowie soon?’
Harris looks dazed. ‘I-I’ve got his number in my wallet.’
‘Okay. Good. Call him tonight. Tell him you’re ready to go.’
This time I don’t think about it. I reach across and squeeze Harris’s fingers. ‘What if Snowie wants you up in Mildura tomorrow?’
‘Then he should go,’ Dad says.
‘What about Westie?’ Harris asks.
‘Tell him you got work in Mildura. Or don’t tell him anything. The less you tell him, the better.’
‘I can’t explain any of this to him, can I?’ Harris’s voice is pained.
Dad shakes his head. ‘I’m gonna try to keep this on a need-to-know basis.’
‘Will you tell Jared, at least?’ I’m trying to find the safety net for this operation, even a thin one.
‘Yeah – we might need him at some point. And I want someone else to be aware of this, even if it’s not official.’ Dad faces me, his eyebrows smooshed together. ‘How many people saw Harris come here tonight?’
I look at Harris, and he looks at me.
‘I don’t…’ I start, can’t finish it. ‘I mean, I’m not sure. Just us. Maybe Barb. But she only saw us leave at the same time, she didn’t know Harris was coming here.’
‘This is it, isn’t it?’ Harris says softly. ‘It’s on already.’
‘If you want it to be, son,’ Dad says.
Harris nods slowly. ‘Yeah. Yeah, okay.’
His eyes, with the dark flecks, travel over to mine. I’m still holding his hand – he’s gripping my fingers – and right now, I don’t think either of us wants to let go.
