Kakadu Sunset Read online

  ‘It’s nearly dark. Binny doesn’t like the dark.’ Andrew clung tightly to her hand and he yawned. ‘And I’m hungry. Have you got chips at your house?’

  Ellie glanced over at the bistro. One of the lodge buses had just dropped off a large group of tourists from the sunset cruise and they were heading for the restaurant. God knows, she’d be lucky to find a lettuce leaf in her fridge and there was no kid food in her tiny pantry. She considered a detour, but David had been quite clear about keeping the kids out of sight. No, she’d call the bar and get some food sent over once they were safely in her apartment.

  A large dark car cruised slowly down the road towards them and Ellie’s heart rate picked up. Henry again? She stepped out off the path into the shadows at the side of the building, pulling Andrew in with her.

  She leaned down and whispered urgently as Binny snuggled further into her shoulder. ‘Do you know how to play hide and seek?’

  Andrew nodded.

  ‘We are going to hide and be very, very quiet. Okay?’

  The car cruised past with its lights dipped low and Ellie let out a sigh of relief when she saw the Jeep insignia on the back door.

  Kane was back.

  David’s words filled her head as they pressed back into the shrubbery.

  Not even anyone you trust.

  Chapter 28

  8.00 pm Friday

  Black Jungle Springs

  Gina rolled over from her side to her back and bit her lip, stifling the cry that threatened as her elbow scraped on the rough timber wall beside the bed. Her hands had been bound together; the tie from the day spa bathrobe secured them tightly in front of her pregnant belly.

  The first time she had regained consciousness, she’d been on a soft bed in a darkened room. As she looked around frantically, trying to work out where she was, another prick in her arm had dropped her back into the blackness that fogged her mind.

  ‘I’m so sorry.’ She was sure she heard a husky whisper but the thread of sound faded as the darkness descended again.

  Next time, she’d woken enough to lean against the woman who helped her from the bed but Gina had not been strong enough to resist when she’d put her arm around her and quickly walked her to a door. She’d closed her eyes gratefully as she’d been laid down and covered with a soft blanket. The soft fibres tickled her nose as a car door closed quietly but she’d drifted back to sleep.

  When she’d woken this time, she’d been lying in a vehicle that bumped and scraped over a winding road. Opening her eyes a crack, she held herself steady as the car swayed from side to side, stifling a cry when the car hit a bump. The roof above her was torn and splattered with drops of what could have been blood. Her stomach roiled and she hitched a breath. As her eyes became accustomed to the faint light, she tilted her head slowly, but all she could see was the back of the stained seat behind her. When she was sure there was no one watching her, she opened her eyes wider and turned her head to the side. A smell of something putrid reached her nose. It was almost dark, but there was just enough light to make out she was in the back of a large vehicle.

  ‘Are you awake?’ The car slowed a little.

  It was Heather from the crèche; she’d recognise that husky voice anywhere. What had she done with Andrew and Binny? Were they all right? Bile burned her throat as nausea threatened to overwhelm her.

  ‘Where are we?’ Gina’s voice broke. ‘Where are my children?’

  ‘They’re with Ellie.’

  ‘Ellie?’ Dio, Ellie is involved in this too? And she had made friends with her?

  Gina licked her lips. Her mouth was so dry. ‘What did you give me?’

  ‘Nothing bad. Don’t worry. It was just something to put you to sleep for a while. I’m sorry I had to do this.’

  ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘Please don’t be frightened.’

  Gina tried to sit up but a cramp seized her lower back. She lay back and took a deep breath.

  ‘It’s going to be all right. Just stay calm.’ Heather’s voice was firm.

  Gina’s body slid back a little as the vehicle traversed a steep incline and she closed her eyes again.

  Where were they going? Was this man going to be there? It had to be the one who had threatened David.

  Ellie? What did Ellie have to do with it?

  ‘Are you really sure my children are safe?’ Gina’s voice cracked; her mouth was dry and she needed water.

  ‘Yes, Ellie will look after them.’

  Another few minutes and the car rolled to a stop. She closed her eyes as the car door slammed shut. The door at the back of the wagon opened with a squeak.

  Gina didn’t resist when Heather held her ankles and gently pulled her along on her back until her legs hung over the rear of the car. She pushed herself up on her elbow.

  ‘You’re going to have to stand up and walk.’

  ‘I haven’t got any shoes.’

  ‘It’s all right. It’s only a little way on the grass. I’ll keep an eye out for snakes.’

  Gina shivered but she didn’t resist when Heather took her arm gently and pulled her up to a sitting position.

  ‘Where are we?’ Heather had turned the headlights off and it was pitch dark. Only the noises of the bush broke the silence. Fear slithered through Gina, like a cold rush in her blood; no matter what she said, she wasn’t sure if Heather was telling the truth. Anyone who would sedate and kidnap someone was not a good person.

  Heather took Gina’s tied hands in her own. ‘Don’t worry. Please, you have to trust me. You’re safe and it will keep him happy. When it’s all over, I’ll come and get you and take you back to your children. I promise.’

  ‘Is this where you live?’ Gina looked around. It was dark and there were no lights, no sign of any habitation.

  ‘God, no. It’s a fishing shack that Dad uses sometimes. I can’t take you to our place because then Dad would know what I’ve done. He’d kill me.’ For the first time, a glimmer of humour came into Heather’s voice. ‘As soon as he votes, I’ll come and take you back. I promise.’

  ‘Votes? But that’s not till Monday.’ Gina’s voice broke.

  ‘I have to go home now. I’ll come back tomorrow with something for your dinner.’

  Home? Where was home? After she’d regained consciousness, they had been in the car for only a short time but Gina had no idea how long she’d been out to it.

  ‘I can’t stay here by myself.’ Horror at being left alone set her shaking again. ‘Why can’t you stay with me?’

  ‘Because I’ve got Dad’s car, and he’ll wonder where I am. I’ll get you a blanket. There’s some biscuits in the fridge and lots of water. You’ll be fine.’

  ‘Are you going to untie my hands?’ The conversation was almost surreal, but unless she was misreading Heather’s intent, there was no malice in her actions.

  ‘Yes, when we get inside. As long as you promise that you won’t try anything. I don’t want to frighten you, but don’t go outside. The shack is close to the river and it’s a gathering place for crocodiles . . . and there are snakes around too.

  Heather held a small torch that lit their way through the long grass. Holding Gina’s arm, she led her up two steps onto a wooden porch before pushing open the door. The musty smell was cloying and Gina gagged again. Heather led her over to a low bed and she sat down as Heather disappeared through a door. Gina’s back was aching from being in the back of the car. When Heather returned, she held a bottle of cold water. She put it on the floor beside them and stared at Gina in the torchlight.

  ‘If I untie your hands, will you promise not to try anything?’ Her dark eyes were serious as she held Gina’s gaze.

  Gina stared at her. She would do anything to get away from here, even if it meant driving that car herself. Her intent must have been clear. Heather sighed and turned around. She picked up the water bottle and unscrewed the lid before placing it in Gina’s hands.

  ‘Thank you.’ The bottle was cold in her hands as
she drank and the water soothed her throat.

  ‘Lie down, and put your hands on your stomach.’ Heather pulled something from her pocket. Gina’s blood chilled as she tried to see what was in her hand.

  ‘It’s all right. I just have to take your photo and send it to him.’

  The door closed and Gina was left alone. The sound of a vehicle driving away was the only sound in the still of the night. She lay on her back and worked at the tie around her wrists until the muscles in her forearms burned with the effort. She wasn’t going to risk standing unless she could use her hands to support herself; her head was still woozy from whatever it was Heather had given her. The last thing she wanted to do was fall and injure the baby.

  Oh Dio, what if the drug has hurt the baby?

  She lay still and waited for the baby to kick, but there was no movement. She pressed her hands onto her stomach and waited. In her haziness, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt it.

  ‘Come on, little one, wake up. Kick your mama. Please.’ She pressed again. Tears seeped from her eyes as she held her breath and waited for the familiar strong thrust against the walls of her womb. Waiting for what seemed forever.

  But there was nothing.

  A sob tore from her throat and Gina gave in and let go of the scream that had been building in her chest. ‘Help me, somebody help me.’

  The mournful cry of a night bird was the only reply.

  Chapter 29

  Friday night

  Fairweather Residence, Darwin

  Russell sat back in his leather recliner and sipped a glass of the finest shiraz. The sharp blackberry taste settled on his tongue as he rolled the liquid in his mouth. It had been a satisfying end to a successful day.

  David Johnson had hightailed it to Kakadu, and as far as Russell could ascertain from his contact at police headquarters, there had been no report of a kidnapping.

  He smiled as he stared down at the picture on his phone. The fear in the woman’s eyes and the sight of her bound hands on her stomach sent a surge of power through him. Bill Jarragah’s daughter had done everything she’d been told. Nevertheless, Bill Jarragah was still in his sights. No one spoke to Russell Fairweather the way he had and got away without a consequence. He would take the fall for the kidnapping of the Chief Minister’s wife.

  That stubborn old man had drawn the line at taking Johnson’s wife, but another small threat had secured his assurance that he would vote for the drilling. Every other vote was in the bag; there was only David Johnson to keep on track – he was too honest for his own good.

  Russell had never understood the ease of manipulating people by threatening those they cared about; love was a foreign concept to him. He sipped his wine and stared into the darkness. The harbour lights flicked on and off, sending flashes of green and red through the night.

  Six years of careful plotting, six years after the secret report that showed the wealth of coal beneath Kakadu from the Porter farm and south along the river, Russell’s plan was about to come to fruition. The boundary change to the national park was underway and the drilling would go ahead.

  He smiled. Officially that is. The preliminary reports from the site were beyond expectations.

  Over the years, Russell had learned that the right connections and corrupt behaviour had the potential to deliver hundreds of millions in windfall profits. For the right price, anyone could be bought. With Panos Sordina as his puppet, he had consolidated his position from behind the scenes. Paying off Sordina’s gambling debts and allowing him to dig a deeper hole for himself had ensured Fairweather not only had influence and access to the Northern Territory Government, but it had placed him in a position where he controlled many of the decisions.

  After a chance introduction to Bill Jarragah at the races one weekend, he had listened to a conversation between Jarragah and Panos Sordina about mineral exploration on the farm that Jarragah worked on. With his connections it had been an easy matter to get his hands on the map that showed the potential deposit that continued far into the Kakadu National Park. Fairweather immediately bought the company that had discovered the deposit. He smiled at the memory.

  ‘It will never get through, Russell. The land there is World Heritage listed. A shame, but it will never be approved.’ The CEO of Black Coal Holdings had taken his million dollars without a backward glance.

  He took another sip of the shiraz. If only the fool could see him now.

  The doorbell rang and Fairweather put his wine aside, cursing as his hand bumped the edge of the table and a drop of the ruby red liquid splashed on the white cuff of his silk shirt. He frowned and put his finger over the stain as he rose from the chair.

  His Gucci shoes made no sound on the marble tiles in the entry foyer and he looked at the image from the security camera on the small screen above the door, nodding with satisfaction as Mick Dawson stared back at him, his eyes as cold as ever. Russell put in the code to release the electronic lock and the door swung open silently.

  ‘Follow me.’ They would talk in the study; business and pleasure were not to be mixed in his home.

  Fairweather gestured to the chair next to the desk and waited for Dawson to sit.

  ‘You almost failed me last night. Sordina was supposed to be crocodile food. I was not happy when the body was found this morning.’ He let Mick squirm for a moment. ‘No matter. I have two more little tasks for you. I think you’ll enjoy both of these. The politician’s wife is in a safe place. Take the four-wheel drive and go back to Kakadu. Check that she is secure. I want her alive till Monday.’

  Fairweather clicked the mouse of his computer and brought up a Google map, highlighted a location and sent it to the laser printer beside the computer. ‘After that, you can do what you like with her. But before you go out to Black Jungle Springs, I want you to finish the job on that helicopter.’ He reached over and pulled the map from the printer. ‘I want it to come down tomorrow. There is no room for error this time.’

  Chapter 30

  8.00 pm Friday

  Makowa Lodge

  Ellie hurried up the steps with the children just as Kane put the key on the door lock of his apartment.

  ‘Kane,’ she called softly.

  He turned around, surprise wrinkling his brow as he looked at her with the two children.

  ‘I was just going to throw my bag in and come and find you.’ He dropped his bag outside his door and came across to her. ‘What’s with the kids?’

  Ellie’s control slipped for the first time and her voice shook. ‘We have a problem.’ She sagged against Kane as his arms went around her and he rested his head against her forehead.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  She gestured to Andrew, who was listening to them. Ellie wasn’t used to having children around and watching what she said. Smiling down at the little boy, she ruffled his hair. ‘We have to find some chips to feed some hungry children, that’s the problem.’ When she put Binny down after she opened the door, she mouthed to Kane. ‘I’ll tell you in a minute.’

  She sent Kane off to the bistro while she settled Andrew and Binny in front of the television. A few minutes later he returned with food.

  ‘Thank you.’

  The kids demolished the bowl of chips and shared a milkshake. Leaving them on the couch, Ellie and Kane went outside to the verandah. She left the door slightly ajar so she could see the children. She sat on the hard wooden chair beside the door and rubbed her arms.

  Kane leaned on the rail and watched her. ‘Now what the hell is going on? Who are these children?’

  ‘It’s a long story, but they’ve been staying here at Makowa with their mother since last weekend. Their father is –’ She caught herself, remembering what David had said about keeping their presence a secret. ‘Their father is an old friend of mine. Gina – their mum – dropped them off at the crèche this morning. No one has seen her since.’

  Kane’s eyes narrowed as he frowned. ‘And you think she’s missing?’

&nb
sp; ‘I’m sure she is. I think it’s tied up with what happened to Bill the other night.’

  ‘How can it be? What’s the connection?’ Kane stared at her.

  ‘I don’t know. I’m hoping David knows what’s going on. He’s on his way from Darwin. He asked me to keep them with me until he gets here.’

  The moonlight played on the row of pot plants along the rail. Half a dozen pots that were full to bursting with a variety of herbs added to the small garden she had in the kitchen. She stared down at them; one day when she sorted herself out, she’d get some land and grow stuff properly. She had more of her father in her than she’d realised before.

  What was happening to her? Ever since she’d arrived back at the lodge from visiting Emma, Ellie’s life had been turned upside down. Her feelings, her safety, her confidence had all been touched by the events of the past week. She stiffened as uncertainty and fear fought for precedence.

  ‘Ellie, it’ll be okay.’ Kane’s soft voice soothed her as he took her in his arms. But the instant comfort she felt from his quiet confidence worried her on another level.

  ‘There’s something else. There’s this guy I took up on a flight this week and he creeped me out. The more I think about it, I’m sure he wasn’t just a tourist.’ Ellie shivered. ‘He was at the lodge this afternoon, hassling me down at the hangar.’ She turned to Kane. ‘And he had a black Mercedes. He’s tall and blond like that guy you saw near my apartment the other day.’

  ‘Shit. I shouldn’t have let you come back by yourself.’ Kane put his arm around her. ‘What happened at the hangar?’

  ‘It doesn’t matter. I sorted it.’

  They sat on the verandah and waited and the need to be close to him surged through her. She had fallen for Kane McLaren, even though the thought of relying on someone else other than herself was one she was not comfortable with.

  ‘Here he is.’ Kane’s voice interrupted her brooding.