Helen and Kirstie would arrive today. Helen was driving the truck. Sarge mentioned flying to Cairns and said he’d pick them up. Helen, ever the practical one, insisted that with the time it would take to sit in the airport waiting to take off, and then the in-air time, waiting to claim baggage, then the road trip to Bungumby, she’d be there an hour earlier.
Jake smiled as he strode down the path and headed into the lush tropical forest. He’d take a skinny dip in the lagoon. Sarge had promised Helen that he was retiring from the AFP. This was his last stint and only being done as a favor to Jake. He stopped to admire his surroundings. Bungumby was a safe place, might as well enjoy himself.
“Good morning. Jake, isn’t it?”
Jake spun around. It was unlike him to be caught unaware. He hadn’t heard Meg come up through the underbrush. There was a small hidden track that he’d totally missed. Sarge wouldn’t have, because he noticed everything. He was specialized in tropical tracking. He’d have seen it and already explored the damn thing.
He ran a hand over his head. “Uh, yeah, I was heading to the waterfall. What about you?”
“Just had a dip and I’m taking a shortcut back. You’re better off staying on the beaten path, though. If you look to the trees on this side of the lagoon you’ll see yellow plastic strips tied to the tree trunks. No matter which path you take, they all lead you back here to the main one.”
“Oh, great, thanks.” How come her hair wasn’t wet? If she’d just taken a dip, her hair would be wet. “I’d better get going, Amy…uh, Amy Jane, isn’t awake yet, don’t want to keep her waiting for breakfast.”
“See you later.” She shaded her eyes. “When will Brian be back?”
“Not sure. Friday evening, maybe.”
“Good. See you in the dining room.”
What the hell was that all about? Why had she lied? And why didn’t she meet his eyes? He’d better let her get ahead of him then he’d double-back and awaken Sarge. No time for skinny dipping. Instinct told him there was something fishy going on down here, and it might be a big fish named Firth.
****
Sarge walked down the small path ahead of Jake. He ducked his head slightly to ease beneath a fallen tree trunk that crossed high above the path, and rested on huge rocks on the other side. He stopped on occasion to examine a snapped twig, a flattened plant, a footprint. Jake walked behind him saying nothing. He knew how Sarge’s mind worked, and he didn’t want to disturb this fact finding mission.
Sarge had often spoken of his adventures as a tropical tracker and forward scout in his Army service. In ’Nam he’d been positioned in front of his platoon, or as he said “the sitting duck, the first one to be shot at,” but he always said it proudly and with a laugh. His job was to sweep the area, note the signs of the enemy’s presence. Jake was sure he’d give the same dedication he’d given his platoon to the job this morning. He’d compile his information and come to a conclusion of who or what had walked through here, and how many, and how recently. It was an amazing art, and Jake admired the man for his talent. Sarge pulled up short, and Jake almost ran into him. He turned, raised a finger to his lips.
Jake froze. What did Sarge hear, the sound of human or animal? He strained to hear but noticed only the sound of the distant waterfall and the drone of a nearby insect, a bee or a wasp. Sarge motioned for him to stay and moved silently through the brush to the right of the pathway. Jake stood still and scanned the branches of the trees for snakes. He hated the suckers. Creepy things were the same color as the underbrush and would stretch out on the length of a branch, catching the sun. A chill ran up his spine and he shuddered. He wondered why he had this aversion—horror really—toward snakes.
A few minutes passed before Sarge emerged from the undergrowth, and indicated they should go back the way they came. Jake stepped back and let him take the lead. What had he seen? They didn’t speak until they reached the grass on the edge of the clearing that the cabins circled.
“I’ll tell you inside,” Sarge said through barely parted lips and indicated his cabin.
Jake hurried up the walkway with him and once inside couldn’t contain his eagerness. “What?” he said as the door shut behind him. “What did you see?”
Sarge put his finger to his lips and glanced around the room. He turned on the overhead fan which rattled as it started up. He sat on the end of the bed and patted a spot beside him.
“There’s a bloke down there,” he said softly.
“Where?” Jake lowered his voice but wasn’t sure why. The cabin wasn’t bugged, was it? He’d done a clean sweep of his own. Sarge would have done the same.
“Opposite bank of the lagoon.”
“Did you see him?”
“A shadow, but I’m bloody sure it was a bloke. I saw evidence.”
Jake turned fully to meet Sarge’s eyes. “What kind?”
“Cigarette butts, crushed beer cans. Found a crumpled up paper bag and when I opened it there was a smear of cheese and butter that was still fresh, smelled like a bacon, egg, and cheese muffin. There was a paper coffee cup inside the bag. It had recently had coffee and milk and cinnamon in it.”
“Meg,” Jake said.
Sarge nodded. “Yep. Room service.”
“So, what do you think?”
“Firth, and maybe his bodyguard. Someone probably climbs one of those trees and uses binoculars to case the cabins. You couldn’t see much of anything down there with the dense forest undergrowth, but those trees are easy to climb. The opposite side of the lagoon is elevated and he’d be facing the private verandahs of most of the cabins. If shutters were left open, he’d have a good view. ”
“Looking for—”
“Us.”
Damn. They’d been followed here.
“Firth isn’t the camping type. My guess is it’s the same guy who was tailing us. What’s the plan now?”
“Breakfast. Act like we know nothing, have seen nothing. Later, when Helen and Kirstie get here, we’ll take a swim and do a wider, very casual sweep of the waterfall area.”
Jake nodded and hoped it would be safe, especially as the women would be joining them. Sarge cleared his throat and stood. “He’s not going to fire on a group of women and children. Not here, at a resort. A group of us relaxing, having fun, is a perfect opportunity to let him feel secure. Like we have no idea he’s there. If he suspected we’d spotted him, he’d know we wouldn’t take a swim in the lagoon.”
“I don’t feel great about putting the women, and Kirstie, in any danger,” Jake said feeling unsure of the plan.
“Neither do I, but it’s a perfect cover. Think about it, he had every opportunity to do us harm yesterday, but he used scare tactics. He wants us away from here, that’s all. They’re probably scared that we’ll talk with Meg.”
“Yeah. We should stay well away from Meg. Observe her actions, follow her whenever possible but not try to befriend her.”
Sarge nodded. “I concur.”
“Okay, you’re the one in charge. I have no jurisdiction in this country. Can’t capture Firth, or do a citizen’s arrest. All I can do is tail him and help identify him. Hell, I can’t even carry a weapon.”
Sarge nodded. “If we’re gonna nab him we need the element of surprise.”
Jake felt uneasy, but he trusted Sarge. Sarge would never put his girls in danger.
****
Amy stood under the hot water getting the kinks out of her body after the bumpy ride to Bungumby yesterday. She was already reading Jake’s moods. She knew something was bothering him the minute he’d returned to the cabin. She’d still been in bed, but not for long.
He’d done another of those long searches of the cabin’s interior. He’d banged doors and drawers open, and closed them just as hard, and he’d even crawled under the bed. Then he’d told her to get up so he could inspect the mattress. She’d accused him of being crazy but he’d just snarled and continued on his search. He said he’d taken a shower in Sarge’s cabin and dried off on a pool towel. What was wrong with him, did he think she’d burst into the bathroom and jump into the shower with him?
“Is it really hot out there?” she asked, coming out of the still steamy bathroom with wet hair. Wrapped in the cabin issue white terry cloth robe and carrying a small towel, she opened the shutters to the verandah, before sitting down on the edge of the big bed.
Jake glanced up from the desk and slipped his forearm across the paper he’d been writing on. “Yeah, hot enough. You might want to leave those shutters closed, someone could see in.”
Paranoid and private? Okay, then.
Amy toweled her hair dry. Someone would have to be pretty darn tall to see in; the verandah was elevated on stilts at least eight feet high. “Did you have breakfast?”
“No. I’m waiting for you,” he said, and frowned at the open shutters.
Now that was a surprise. “Oh, okay. I’ll hurry then.”
“Yeah, I thought it would raise an eyebrow if the soon to be remarried couple ate alone.”
Well, that burst the newfound friendship bubble, didn’t it?
No sense in freaking the poor boy out by getting dressed in front of him. Tempted to shake the leopard print bra and thong panty at him, she instead hurried into the bathroom, grabbing shorts and a tank top as she went. She pulled on her clothes and wiped the steam off the mirror with her forearm. Her short dark hair was almost dry. No sense in putting on make-up in this climate, a swipe of lipstick would do. She hurried back into the bedroom.
“I’m ready.”
Jake folded the piece of paper and slipped it into his pocket. “That was quick.”
Amy heard the tinge of surprise in his voice. “Told you I could rough it.”
He stood and swept a hand around the room. “This, my dear, ain’t roughing it.”
He held the door open, and the steamy heat of the rainforest hit her full in the face. She’d slipped on her sunglasses inside, and they fogged up for a moment as she crossed the threshold from the cool room to sweltering heat and humidity. She walked along the elevated walkway, wiping the sunglasses on the hem of her tank top.
Dense undergrowth surrounded the clearing, trees reaching tall for the sun, and palm fronds lined the walkway that led back to the lodge. It was all way too gorgeous.
“
That
is roughing it,” Jake said, pointing into the dark jungle of trees and shrubs. “You never know what is out there.”
Amy realized he was probably right. Still, she couldn’t wait to explore it. She’d stay on the nature trails, or take a guided tour. Bungumby offered those. But first, she’d call Diana and invite her up for the celebration. She had to stay on track, remember what she was up here for.
She would befriend Meg, and get information from her on her relationship with Firth. Even if Meg never mentioned him by name, Amy could put two and two together.
Women loved to talk about their boyfriends no matter if they were good, bad, or ugly.
Chapter Ten
Amy returned to the lodge after calling Diana on Sarge’s phone. “Thanks,” Sarge said, taking his phone and immediately making a call. He paced as he spoke. Jake sat with his eyes focused on the rainforest, staring at nothing. She’d wait on telling her news about Diana’s arrival.
“Something’s up,” Sarge said and turned off the mobile.
“Like what?”
“Dunno, but I can tell by Helen’s voice. She’s not telling me something, being evasive. I knew they should have flown. That damn truck’s too old.”
Amy sat forward in her chair. “Are they in trouble? Did it break down?”
“Nah.”
“How far away are they?” Jake asked.
“About half an hour from the unsealed road, they think.”
“Why don’t you drive out and meet them?” Amy asked.
“If they’re further ahead than Sarge thinks, they’d have to back up.” Jake kept his gaze riveted on the underbrush on the other side of the parking lot. “The unpaved road doesn’t allow another vehicle to pass.”
Amy eyed him thoughtfully. Surly wasn’t the word for his mood. “That’s a bit dangerous isn’t it?”
“It’s just how it is.”
She thought about the dry creek beds and how Brian had said the monsoonal rains could easily cut them off. No sign of rain. But he’d also said the rain could happen fast, and they were planning on being here for a week. She’d have to talk to Meg, in a casual manner, and get a chance to listen to the radio. She needed a long-range weather forecast.
Sarge picked up the local newspaper and attempted to read.
Amy sat back and worked the crossword puzzle in the one copy of the Brisbane newspaper. It was a couple of days old. Jake was in his own little world. Probably pondering how he could shower and dress in the same cabin as her without exposing too much skin. At least she’d gotten to see that handsome naked chest last night. Maybe playing Scrabble was the key to undressing Jake. Strip Scrabble. She laughed. He glanced over and frowned.
“Nothing,” she said, and chewed on the end of the pencil. “I just had a silly response to a crossword question.”
She couldn’t believe how much she was attracted to the guy. He was totally wrong for her. He gave no indication of being interested. Except when he’d kissed her, or rather, when she’d kissed him. Was she that lame? She’d get hung up on a guy over a kiss? She’d been kissed enough times in her life, so what was it about Jake? He was strong, capable, a man used to dangerous situations, a protector. Was that it? For all her bravado, she needed a protector?
Sarge sprang from his chair. “There they are!”
A puff of dust appeared on the horizon. Sarge took off down the steps and stood in the parking lot, one hand on his hip, the other shading his eyes. When the truck pulled up Amy heard him curse. She stood, and so did Jake.
“Uh, oh, trouble,” Jake said and grabbed her arm. “We better get down there.”
What had he seen or sensed? Kirstie jumped out of the driver’s seat and ran to Sarge as Amy and Jake drew level.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Sarge blustered. “I warned ya’, Kirstie. You know the bloody rules, ya’ can’t drive without me being present.”
“We had to do it,” Kirstie said, her eyes filling with tears.
Ah, so that was it
? Jake knew how Sarge would react to his underage granddaughter driving the truck. Amy held back, observing the situation.