Forest Spirit (16 page)

Jim shook the police officer's outstretched hand. ‘Interested in? How do you mean?'

The ranger butted in. ‘Bird poachers. Apparently it's been going on for some time. They've been smuggling the birds interstate – lorikeets, rosellas, and the smaller types too like robins, fantails and firetails. This was to be their last job. From all accounts, it was to be a massive haul. The Inspector rang me on my mobile and we arranged to meet in Burnie. That's what delayed me getting here.'

Chief Inspector Luciano interrupted. ‘Reg's expertise is well known to us. We've used his knowledge of animal genetics and so on before. If a bird turns up in, say, Victoria that isn't a native of that state, and if the owner hasn't got a permit for that bird, then Reg can tell us where it comes from. We're more than a little concerned about the poaching and smuggling that's been going on and we needed all the help we could get … to stop them. Our informant tells us that this is their final job, a big one; they're planning to ship out their cargo tomorrow, via Cray Bay.'

Jim startled at the mention of his town. ‘But how … ? How do you know all this?'

Inspector Luciano explained. ‘The wife of the leader of this mob made a phone call to us. It's as simple as that. She told us all about it. She said she couldn't stand the strain any longer, of knowing what her husband was up to. Apparently she heard him planning the scheme on the phone, how they were operating somewhere in the Timber Creek area near a lake. When she confronted him, he told her they needed the money. He also warned her to keep her mouth shut. Threatened to rough her up if she didn't. Charming, eh?'

‘Who is this man?' Jim asked.

Reg raised his hand. ‘Inspector, Jim's worried about the kids. They're still out there. From what Jim's just told me, they're not alone. Let's leave the explanations and get out to them. They could be in serious trouble.'

The Inspector pointed towards the mountains. ‘There are children out there? Alone? Good heavens, I didn't realise. Let's go then. Reg, you show us the way.'

Inspector Luciano jogged towards the police car where the other two officers were still waiting. Jim wished he could have explained to the Inspector why he'd left the kids behind. He knew he'd made the wrong decision. He'd misread all the signs. He had thought the events at the camp were serious, but not to this extent. He had also thought his trip into town would be reasonably quick. That he'd get the fuel and a lift back to their camp by at least that afternoon. He had been wrong; he should have stayed. Reg would have come along eventually. ‘Stupid,' he muttered under his breath, ‘I'm stupid.'

‘What'd you say?' Reg asked when they were on their way.

‘Nothing. I'm just hoping the kids are okay – that nothing's happened to them.'

Reg Carter pressed his foot down hard on the accelerator, causing the four-wheel-drive to fishtail on the loose surface.

Jars continued to lie flat on the grass watching as the two men stood around the still smouldering camp fire. Every now and then, the skinny one glanced towards the lake as though expecting someone.

They're waiting for a boat to arrive, she thought to herself. Then they'll load the cages, and whatever's in them, onto the boat. After that, they'll disappear.

But what about Snook and Quenton? Would they take them too? She bit her bottom lip, questioning her earlier plan. From the skinny one's actions, the boat could arrive at any minute. If she left it until dark before she acted, it could be too late.

The thin, wiry man sauntered over towards the two boys. Jars heard him laugh, a humourless, high-pitched, brittle sound. Her muscles tightened as she watched him slowly extract a knife from his belt. Laughing again, he cleaved the air with the knife, a long, thin, wicked blade. He twitched it back and forth in front of the boys' faces like a dowsing rod. Jars grimaced. She knew that it was blood, not water that was on the man's mind.

She had to make a decision. Snook and Quenton needed to be set free now … somehow.

Shadow rose to his feet and nudged the wombat with his nose. The wombat, standing also, let out a soft grunt. Then, without warning, they ran from their cover into the clearing. Shadow barked, as if to get the attention of the two men. He then swivelled and ran towards the lake and the stacks of cages. The wombat, although much slower, followed on his short, muscular legs.

Amazed at the sudden departure of the two, Jars could only stare, wondering what they were up to. She quickly found out.

As soon as he reached the cages, Shadow began to paw at them as though trying to release the door catches. The wombat, when he arrived, tried to do the same.

The first cage burst open and Jars, as if in a trance, watched, wide-eyed, as a pair of birds emerged. The two birds remained motionless at first, as though gathering their bearings. Then, apparently satisfied, they flapped their wings and flew into the air.

Just as the dog and the wombat moved onto the next cage, a loud, high-pitched yell pierced the air. This was foIlowed by a single rifle shot. The buIlet, meant for Shadow or the wombat, had missed, but two men, the short one, still screaming, rushed towards the two animals.

Jars understood. Shadow and the wombat had created the diversion she needed. Without another thought, she rushed towards Snook and Quenton.

‘It's about time you got here,' Snook said with a crooked grin. ‘As soon as I saw Shadow running around down there, I knew you weren't far away.'

Quenton whimpered. ‘N-never mind all that, just hurry up and untie us. We have to get out of here.'

Jars leant over and began to undo the knots. ‘I wish I had a knife,' Jars said as she struggled with the ropes. ‘These are hard to undo.'

‘J-just hurry up,' Quenton complained. ‘One of them has a knife. He was going to … going to …'

Snook's ropes fell away from his wrists. He bent over to untie the ones around his ankles. ‘Yeah, Quigley, we know he had a knife … and a rifle too, so when we get loose, start running and don't stop, not till you get back to camp. Dad might even be back by now.'

Jars looked up as she tried to undo the rope around Quenton's wrist, then, in a low, urgent voice, she said to Snook. ‘What about the birds? I saw birds come out of one of the cages. They must be in the others as well. We should set them loose.'

FinaIly free, Snook got to his feet. He rubbed his wrists, then bent to untie the ropes around Quenton's ankles.

‘How do you plan to do that, Jars? In case you didn't notice, one of these bad guys has a gun.'

‘I don't mean right now, Snook. I mean later. We could hide in the forest and wait for an opportunity to sneak down to the cages.'

‘No, too risky. As soon as Quigley here is free we gotta scram, nick off back to camp as fast as we can. Dad oughta be there by now. Then he'll come back and sort those scumbags out – big time.'

The last of Quenton's ropes fell away. He struggled to his feet. ‘My legs are all wobbly. I don't think I can walk yet.'

Snook gave him an exasperated look. ‘Don't think! We don't have time. Just do it.' He cast a glance towards the lake. Shadow and the wombat had disappeared into the trees and the two men were starting to head back towards their camp. The skinny one suddenly let out another yell. He raised the rifle. ‘I mean now,' Snook urged, ‘we've been spotted.'

Snook and Jars led the way. Quenton stumbled along behind. The trees meant safety. They were nearly there. Quenton let out a sharp cry; he fell to the ground, clutching his ankle. ‘I – I think I've twisted it,' he said, nearly sobbing. ‘I can't run anymore.'

Snook, with Jars close behind, raced over to him; Snook grabbed him by the arm. ‘Get on your feet. You've gotta try. Those two will catch up with us soon if we don't make it to the forest.'

‘Oh, it's too late for that, little boy.' It was Hector. He pointed the rifle straight at the three of them. ‘It's a pity for you that your fat little friend here is so slow on his feet.' He chuckled and turned his eyes towards Jars. ‘I see we have the third one of you in our care now. Excellent.' He paused for a moment as though thinking. ‘So, let's walk back to the camp once again, shall we?' At that moment, Arnie arrived, puffing. Hector turned to face his brother. ‘And you, Arnie, can do the honours and tie the three of them up good and tight while I decide what to do with them.' He chuckled evilly once more.

Hector prodded Jars with the rifle. ‘Get going!'

Snook fell into step beside her. Quenton followed. ‘Sorry, Snook,' Jars whispered out of the corner of her mouth. ‘I didn't free you quick enough. And we didn't set the birds loose either. That's what the Forest Spirit wanted me to do. I know that now. I've failed.'

‘Nah, it's not your fault,' Snook said in a low voice, ‘it's his.' He jerked his head behind him where Quenton, sobbing once more, limped along behind.

‘There's something else, Snook.' Jars signalled with her eyes. ‘Out there, coming in fast. It's a boat, and it's heading our way.'

The Kelly camp was deserted. After a quick search of the tents, the lake area and the fringes of the forest, they knew that the kids for some reason, had gone. Jim stood, hands on hips, staring across the clearing. Without turning, and in a low, toneless voice, he spoke to his friend, the ranger. ‘It's that girl!' he exclaimed through clenched teeth. ‘She's done it again. Disobeyed me. I warned her about wandering off – several times – and now …' His voice trailed away.

‘Steady on, Jim.' The ranger placed a hand on his arm. ‘I can see you're upset. But what are you talking about? The other two kids have gone too.'

‘She would have influenced them. She's been nothing but trouble, ever since we got here.' He told Reg about her teasing Quenton with the snake prank, about her losing the camera, and about her roaming around in the forest. ‘She won't communicate, just hangs her head if you talk to her. She won't even look at you. She hasn't denied any of this either. No, I've come to the conclusion that she's a trouble-maker. I wish now that Irene and I hadn't agreed to let her stay with us.'

‘Whoa, Jim. Steady on. Generally speaking, Aboriginal kids show respect to their families, and other adults too. That's why she didn't look you in the eyes, why she didn't defend herself. She respects you for goodness sake. It seems to me you've jumped to a lot of hasty conclusions about the girl. I only met her briefly, but even so, I got the impression she was a good kid. Shadow did too, and believe me, he's a great judge of character.'

At that moment, Inspector Luciano joined them. The other two police officers stood some distance away as though waiting for orders.

‘If the poachers are around here, then they're somewhere in that forest. What we have to do now is find them and as quickly as possible. So, Reg, is there a way in?'

Reg ran his eyes over the Inspector's suit and leather dress shoes. ‘Sure, there's a track. It'll take you right through to the southern end, but it's kinda rough going and you're not exactly dressed for it, are you?' He looked over towards the other two policemen. They also wore suits. ‘Neither are they.'

Ignoring the remark about his clothing, the Inspector signalled to his colleagues. ‘There's a way in. Go grab the rifles.' He glanced towards the sun, which was fast disappearing. ‘And get the torches too.'

Jim Kelly stepped forward. ‘Rifles? Are you expecting trouble?'

‘I don't know what to expect, but it's best to be prepared.' The police officers returned with the equipment. Inspector Luciano took one of the rifles, a .303. ‘Right. We're all set. Let's go, and please, be as quiet as you can. If they are out there, we don't want to frighten them off, or make ourselves targets for that matter. Reg, you show the way. Jim, you bring up the rear and try to keep out of our way if anything happens. It's not policy to let civilians tag along in operations like this, but since you're already involved, I'll make an exception.'