The pilot watched as the passenger boarded the plane and thought, shit, another night person.
He’d expected the brood-like silence or the blatant arrogance, but was surprised when within ten minutes into the flight the passenger asked if he could sit up front. Even more surprised when the tanned and very fit looking man asked questions and chatted amiably.
The pilot thought it interesting that he had delivered two of the same kind of people to the same mid-western city in a matter of days. Up until this morning his instructions had been to fly to this city, pick up the man in the grey suit, and transport him to Sydney in time to catch a plane to the Gold coast.
Sudden changes in plan usually meant that something had gone wrong.
He wouldn’t miss the first man, but this second one was different.
*****
Quinn stayed overnight in the city, and rested while he waited for transport. It was delivered to him just before sunrise the next day, and he arrived in the small outback town in time for lunch. He ate at a roadhouse and then got down to work.
At three o’clock he was about 300 metres from the old house described on the map. A Coolabah tree gave him sparing shade, but its root base offered excellent cover for the one who needs to hide.
Quinn watched the two people on the veranda of the old house, scrutinizing the man carefully as he took off his wide brimmed hat, before he considered the woman; she looked like a good sort from where he lay, but not a patch on his Polynesian girl, he thought.
He allowed the powerful binoculars to roam over the house and the yard, taking in the horse stables and the pool enclosure. He saw nothing out of the ordinary and it appeared the two people were the only occupants.
Quinn decided he would wait, watch the house for the rest of the afternoon, and then if things looked O.K move in tonight.
He swung the binoculars back to the couple on the veranda, saw the woman laugh and decided to give his eyes a rest for a while.
Simon and Sarah stayed in the shade of the veranda where they had afternoon smoko. They talked about their upcoming trip to the Whitsunday Passage, and both agreed they should be there now. Sarah brought this point up. “It would be nice to be up there now, wouldn’t it? I mean, the weather is not really all that bad at this time of year is it.”
“We’ve both lived through wet seasons, haven’t we? In another month the dry season will start and that’ll be better. I’m finding it hard to wait too.” He was quietly thoughtful for a moment and then continued, “As Ray suggested, it’d be a good idea to wait and see who turns up looking for me next. If I leave here now, then he’ll be on his own which would be unfair on him I think, especially when I’m the one responsible for his involvement.” They were both quiet for a while before Simon asked her, “Would you rather be out of here, I mean, away somewhere safer until it’s over?”
She rubbed her hands together slowly and displayed a light smile.
“No. I’m alright. It’s probably just the waiting, not knowing when it’ll start up again. Being wary all the time, when I just want to relax with you and enjoy our time together.”
Simon leaned over the small table and touched her hand.
“I know. It’s a pressure that won’t go away until the ...” He blinked and looked out over the country to the south to where he was sure he’d seen a light. As if the sun had flashed off a piece of glass or something shiny. “I think it may have started my love. Don’t look around, but I just saw the sunlight glint off something in the trees, way over. I think it would be a good idea if we act naturally, clear off this table and go inside.” She followed Simons lead when he stood up and again, when he pulled her to him to give her a hug.
An eyebrow rose as she grinned.
“Is this a real hug or just a pretend one for the benefit of whoever might be watching us?”
He held her to him and smiled into her face.
“Does that feel real enough?”
She could feel his hardness as he pressed against her.
“You perk up at the most interesting times don’t you?” Sarah laughed and then more seriously. “You’ll have to keep yourself under control big boy, at least until we find out about the flashing lights.”
They separated and carried the afternoon tea cups and plates inside to the kitchen.
Simon went to his room and found his binoculars, then walked to the centre of the room and focused them through the glass of the closed window. He couldn’t see anything at first, but then he noticed some birds there were upset about something or other. Maybe a goanna, he thought, as he made a mental note of the place. He collected his rifle and checked its load.
He turned to Sarah and told her that she should find Ray.
“Let him know what’s going on. Tell him to keep out of sight and be ready.”
Sarah listened and kissed him. She didn’t have to tell him to take care.