“I’ll be in the shelter,” she said keeping her voice firm.
“You’re an American citizen. For you, it’s mandatory.”
“I’m sure Firth will come for Meg. I have to be here.”
“You’re wrong about that, Amy. He’s on the island and—”
The line crackled again and she lost a couple of words. She strained to hear his faded voice.
“—three men left. One is Col, one listed as employee, the other is the helicopter pilot. We’re heading over now.”
“Jake,” she said. “Listen, and listen good, there’s no proof the third person is Firth.”
“I don’t have time to argue about this, Amy.”
“All I’m saying is it could be a goon. Firth is a weak, frightened man. He’d have left at the first sign of a storm. Trust me, I know him. And he’s invested himself for years in getting this property. He’s not going to risk losing Meg. He’s coming for her. I know it.”
“You might be right,” Jake said. “But we have to act on what we know, not supposition.”
Amy inhaled deeply. Who was doing the supposing here?
“I gotta go, they need the line open. You’re evacuating. Pack.”
The line went dead, and Amy sat staring at the handset for a moment. She swallowed hard before hanging up. She could hardly believe him. Who was he to give orders? Damn. She was staying, and she might even have Diana stay, too. But first she’d call Brian, in case she couldn’t get to Cairns by road. Diana could stay with him, or he’d get her to a shelter. She rubbed her hands together. How could she convince Brian of what she needed?
Meg. She dialed quickly.
“Brian? Hey, it’s Amy. How’s everything going?” She listened to him explain how he was helping to prepare the gymnasium at the high school, to be used as an evacuation center for the district. It was a precaution, just in case. Then he asked why she’d called.
“Um, I wanted to check first, see if I could give out your mobile number. I asked Meg to call you on my behalf, and she’s excited to do so, so I um, wanted to find out—”
“She’s excited?” he yelled.
She pulled the phone away from her ear. “Yeah, but hell, Brian, it’s my ear you’re yelling into.”
“Sorry,” he said and lowered his voice but Amy could still hear the pleasure. She visualized his grin and smiled. At least something was working out for some couple.
“Of course,” he continued. “Tell her to call, anytime. I’ve been worried. You’re in the direct path out there. Robert’s stirring up a lot of activity out in the Coral Sea.”
“Yeah, I know. But it’s fine here, for now. I can’t explain everything, I’m in a bit of a hurry and I have to call Da…my father.”
“Everything okay?”
“Perfect.”
“Hope we still get to see each other on Saturday. These things can peter out or change course. It might still happen…the celebration.”
So much had happened she’d forgotten all about their fake reason for being at Bungumby, and in light of what had just happened, well, there was no reason for one anymore. Sadness washed over her and she shook it off. “Me too,” she said softly. “Take care. ’Bye.”
“Stay safe out there.”
“You got it.” Amy hung up and pressed her lips together for a few minutes.
Now, for the big one.
She listened to the telephone ring.
“A Perfect Sleep. How may I direct your call?”
“This is Amy Helm. Is my father in?”
“Oh, Ms. Helm. How is it in Australia? Mr. Helm has been worried sick.”
“It’s okay, thanks.”
She liked the dude, whatever the heck his name was, she couldn’t quite remember. She could recall the face, the mannerisms, he was a Texan like Daddy, but she wasn’t in the mood for chit-chat today. He’d been loyal and stuck by Daddy during the past two years, when others had quit in less than a month. As a personal assistant, she figured you couldn’t get one better.
“Well, I’m just glad to hear that. And I’m sure your father will be thrilled.”
“Thank you. Can you connect me, please? I’m using someone else’s dime here.”
“Of course, of course…you take good care now, y’hear?”
“I will.” Amy waited, tapping the table, sweating, preparing for the fight. She hadn’t spoken to her father since the night she’d arrived in Sydney. It was less than a week ago, but for some reason it seemed like months.
“Amy, where the hell are ya’?”
It was good to hear his voice and she half-smiled realizing he’d never quite gotten over his Texas roots, even though he’d lived in L.A. for more than two thirds of his life. “I’m up near Cairns.”
“What the hell! That’s where the cyclones are. Where’s Turner?”
“I’m not sure.”
“What do ya’ mean you’re not sure?”
“He’s gone.”
“He said he was with you. I’m paying him to protect you, girl. Ya’ hear. This ain’t cheap.”
“Dad, listen to me. When did you last hear from Jake?”
There was a long silence.
“Dad? What the hell’s goin’ on, girlie? Why you all of a sudden calling me Dad? I ain’t answerin’ to Dad. I’ve always been Daddy. Your ma called me that. The boys did too. Everyone calls me Daddy.”
“Well, I don’t. I’m a grown woman, capable of making my own decisions, and—”
“Here we go again with the psychology crap. Ya’ gonna’ psychoanalyze me?”
Amy stiffened. She’d never win with him. Not that it was about winning. It was more about being taken seriously. Getting recognition and well deserved respect. Her thoughts guilted her. She cleared her throat. “Dad, I have a confession.”
“Go ahead.”
“I knew Steven had a bad streak in him. I deliberately downplayed it and caused myself incredible guilt. I built him up to you because for some weird childish reason it felt good—”
“Ain’t nuthin’ I didn’t already know.”
“Wha—”
“Look, Princess. We all do things that aren’t right sometimes. I don’t blame you for what happened. Truth is, I was lonely. Your ma was gone. The boys had taken off. Stuart stroked my ego. I allowed it.”
“I had no idea—”
“Yeah, well now you do. As I said, don’t go psychoanalyzing.”
Maybe she’d gotten a lot of things screwed up? She’d always been the little girl going to dance class, getting dressed up in costume after costume, looking pretty like her mama. She’d thought he had controlled her that way, always seen but not heard. She shivered and cradled the phone against her ear.
“I’m not psychoanalyzing anyone, Dad. I called to say the weather is rough. We’re not in immediate danger and I’ll be in a protected environment, without telephone for several days. I’ll call at the weekend. I love you.”
She heard a harrumph. Which she’d expected, and gave him a moment. He’d never said it. He’d always say, “You look pretty” or “You look cute” or “Take good care” but he’d never said those other three words. She really needed to hear those words today. She closed her eyes against the tears that pricked behind her eyelids. She could die here in this cyclone never having heard her own father say them.
“I love ya’ too, girlie,” he said gruffly.
She swallowed hard against the lump forming in her throat.
“And when ya’ get back here, I’ve got things to… well, to talk about with you, and them useless brothers of yours.”
Tears welled up and spilled down Amy’s face. She coughed, swallowed hard, and blinked harder. She tried to speak, but nothing came out.
“Amy, ya’ not goddam’d cryin’, are ya’? Don’t go pullin’ the emotional girlie crap on me. Ya’ ma, God bless her heart, used to try that. It don’t work.”
Amy blinked hard and tried to say something, but only a squeak came out.
“Now, you just get out there, do what ya’ have to do to stay safe.”
“Okay,” she said, and sniffed.
“And don’t give Turner any more gaff; you do what he tells ya’. He says you’re smarter than a whip, so you listen to him. Ya’ hear?”
Amy nodded. Swiped away the tears and swallowed. “Okay…Daddy.”
“That’s my girlie.”
“I’ll call on Saturday, if I can. I love you, Daddy.”
“Yeah, yeah, gotta go. Be a good girl, Princess.”
Amy hung up the phone and smiled through the blur of her tears. Well, there was a revelation. A revelation mixed with old habits on both sides. He was still Daddy and she was still Princess. But did it really matter? She sniffed, pulled a tissue from the box on the desk and blew her nose.
“You okay?” Meg came in and put a hand on her shoulder. Amy turned toward her.
“I guess.”
“Your father?”
Amy nodded. She blew her nose again. “Yeah, first time he’s ever said ‘I love you’ that I can remember.”
Meg smiled. “Progress, eh? Cyclones bring out the best in people.”
“Oh,” Amy said. “Brian.” She wiped away the remnants of the tears. “I called Brian first, like you asked me to and here’s his number. Of course he was thrilled that you wanted to talk, almost ruptured my ear drum with his enthusiasm. He said to call as soon as possible.”
“So, shove over,” Meg said, and smiled.
Amy laughed and reached for her purse. “I’m heading to Cairns. I’ll see you later today. Don’t forget to tell Brian everything about Diana. Give him a description, flight number, and time of arrival. Just in case I don’t get there on time. It’s good to have a backup plan.”
Meg nodded.
“I left you notes.” She tapped the piece of paper she’d left by the phone. “Diana’s mobile was turned off, but I left her a message saying if I wasn’t at Cairns airport, Brian would be, and I left a brief description of him.”
“Be safe. Stay alert,” Meg said, and picked up the handset.
Chapter Twenty
Mr. Thompson walked Amy to the jeep. “It’s not fast moving water. It’s only about two feet deep at the mid-point. At least that’s what the cop from Laura told me this morning.”
Amy nodded. “So, you think I’ll be fine?”
“Yeah, just plow through it. You want me to drive out behind ya’? Drive the jeep across to the other side? I could wade back.”
Amy shook her head. She knew how busy everyone was. The police officer from Laura had arrived an hour ago to follow up on the events from last night. He’d arrived twenty minutes before Jake and Sarge had taken the guy to the Cairns police station by helicopter. But the cop had then returned to Laura, so Amy figured if he got across the creek, then she could.
A few minutes later, she sat in the jeep watching the water that covered the creek bed. The only road in and out of Bungumby. Seeing water, rushing over the shiny rocks on either side of the creek bed, the reality of what she was doing and that she was all alone out here, hit her hard. She put down the window and listened to the sound of the water. Better to leave the windows up. She’d be less scared if she didn’t hear the sound.
If Daddy could see her now, if he had any inkling of what she was doing, would he ever say again that he loved her? Just the thought of those words brought a mist of tears, and she blinked hard. She had to stay focused. Daddy had said Jake had told him she was as smart as a whip. Amy sighed. Why couldn’t she stay and wait for Jake to come back? Mr. Thompson had suggested that. He’d said he knew nothing of the nature of Jake and Sarge’s “business” when she’d questioned him over a cup of coffee in the lodge kitchen. Maybe he knew, maybe not, he’d said Jake probably had a good reason for going.
Maybe Jake really was a good guy and she’d thought the worst of him because of her screwed up background?
Nah, I know the truth. And the truth hurts.
She was a poor judge of character. She’d made advances to him, someone she hardly knew, and then she’d tried to turn it into something else in her mind, something beautiful and permanent. The psychic was right. She had had to take a risk and fall in love again to know she really did have a problem. Now what she’d do about her problem, she had no idea. She sighed heavily. There were more imminent problems to solve. Like where was Firth? Could he have been here all along and escaped in the creepy man’s jeep?
The water wouldn’t wash her vehicle downstream, surely? It was a big strong jeep. She thought hard about that and lowered the electronic window, just in case the engine cut out and she had to climb out.
She gripped the steering wheel and shut her eyes for a moment. Then she pulled in a deep breath, and drove down the rise, through the creek and up the other side to the top. Her heart pounded. Okay. The water had been higher than two feet and she’d felt some drag, but she was here, dry, and safe. What would happen on the return journey, she had no idea. Would the water have abated? She shuddered and drove on. Almost to the end of the one-way track through the rainforest, a blue jeep approached with its lights on.
Amy flicked her lights on. She’d forgotten to do that and in these overcast skies it was a good idea. The other vehicle reversed back to the edge of the highway and Amy raised a hand in thanks. Seconds later she reached the highway. Then she realized the man was alone, and older. She’d noticed gray hair. Did he know about the creek? Should she go back?
There was only one way in and out and she wouldn’t be able to turn around. She’d have to either go all the way back to Bungumby or reverse back out. But, there were rules out here about looking out for your fellow man.
She slowed her speed, gray hair…a man driving alone. And he’d had a beard. Her heart thumped. Could it have been Firth? It was a different colored jeep than the creepy man’s, and she’d noticed the rental plates. Her heart beat fast and she glanced in the rear vision mirror, seeing her way clear she did a U-turn in the middle of the highway.
****
Jake sat in the Police Station in Cairns giving a report, remembering back to his days in the LAPD. A different country, a few years out of the force, and everything fell into place as naturally as if he was still on the job. Hell, he’d forgotten how much he liked the smells, and sounds, and camaraderie of a police department.
Sarge stood beside him, outside the interrogation room. A window afforded them a view. Speakers were set up so they could hear the conversation. Two federal agents, stationed to the Cairns district, did their work on the man. He appeared less smarmy, less sure of himself than he had when he’d resisted questions back at Bungumby. Jake smiled, funny how a strip search, and being put under the brutal unforgiving lights of the interrogation room, could bring a grown man to his knees. He listened to the man’s raspy voice, knowing he must be in pain from his bruised throat. Trapped like an animal in a snare, the guy glanced from one agent to the other. The man’s I.D., which had been strapped to his abdomen, lay exposed on a small table.