Amy blinked back sudden tears. “We’d be honored to hang with a surfing bum like you.” She swallowed hard. “But we have to do this.”
Shep held her gaze for a minute. Then he nodded. “I never tried to talk Artie out of anything, either.”
While Shep made arrangements, Amy looked down. They were flying over red earth and tall cliffs, a dark blue river snaking through a canyon. It was spectacularly beautiful.
“Katherine Gorge,” Shep told her, hanging up. “There are some amazing sights here in the Top End.”
“I wish …” Amy said. She didn’t complete the thought. The next time I go around the world, it would be nice to actually see it.
“I’ve got you on a flight leaving about an hour after we arrive,” Shep said. “It’s going to be tight, but I know the airport. We can swing it.” He looked at Amy and Dan. “Things will be hectic when we get there, so it seems like a good time to tell you that if you ever need anything from me, it’s yours. I won’t fail you guys again.”
“Thanks,” Amy said. “And you didn’t fail us.”
“You helped us when someone else would have screamed and run,” Dan said. “Cousins for life.”
“And one more thing,” Shep said. “So far I’ve been chased off my favorite beach, almost crashed into on a runway, almost killed in a mine, and had to entertain the biggest bore in Coober Pedy in a pub for two hours. Not to mention that I’ve grown fond of you three. So out with it. The truth. I think I deserve to know. What’s really going on? And leave out the aliens.”
Amy and Dan looked at each other.
“Okay,” Amy said, blowing out a breath. “Our grandmother Grace left a will that gave us a choice between a million dollars and a hunt to find thirty-nine clues, which, when we put them together, will make us the most powerful people in the world. So we chose the hunt. Along with various assorted horrible Cahill relatives, all of whom have tried to kill us at one time or another.”
Shep sighed. “If you don’t want to tell me, I guess that’s up to you.”
Within an hour, the city of Darwin loomed ahead, curling around a beautiful harbor. Beyond lay a vast blue sea. They landed and ran through the airport to Qantas Airlines.
“This is impossible,” they heard a voice say. “There have to be seats in first class.”
The desk clerk leaned over to murmur. Amy, Dan, and Nellie backed up behind a pillar. Shep followed curiously. “What’s up, gang? Another pack of bloodthirsty aliens?”
“You got it,” Dan said.
“We can’t get on that plane,” Amy whispered.
Shep peered around the pillar at Isabel, Natalie, and Ian. “They don’t look so bad to me.”
“They just tried to kill you with the most venomous snake on the planet,” Dan said.
“We’ve got to get to Java,” Amy said.
Shep shook his head. “This is just too dangerous. I can’t let you go.”
Amy gave him a level look. There was no pleading in it, only determination.
“You said you’d be there for us, no matter what.”
Reluctantly, Shep nodded. “I don’t like it, but okay. Time for Plan B. Let’s check out the pilots’ lounge.”
Shep took them to the part of the airport where chartered flights came in. He walked into the plush lounge as though he owned it and scanned the room.
“We are in luck,” he whispered to Amy, Dan, and Nellie. “I see somebody who owes me a favor.”
They followed in his wake as he moved casually toward a tall man in a pilot’s uniform who was sitting with a cup of coffee by the window.
“Greg!” Shep called. “Fancy seeing you here, mate!”
“Shep, haven’t seen you in donkey’s years. When are you going to get respectable and find a real job?”
“Never, I guess.” Shep quickly introduced them. “Thing is, mate, we’re in a bit of a jam. We need to get to Jakarta. And I happen to remember that you owe me a favor.”
“No, mate. You owe me a favor.”
“What? Remember that turn I did for you back in Brissie last year?”
“Paid you back in Perth last December.”
Shep scratched his head. “So you did. Well, have you got a job going right now?”
“Just got back from one. Taking a few weeks off.”
“Perfect! Then I’m about to owe you another favor.” Shep grinned at his friend. “Loan me your plane.”
They didn’t know how he arranged it, but he did. As part of a charter service, they were whisked through security. They waited in the cushy lounge while Shep handled the details of departure.
“All right,” Shep said, rubbing his hands together. “We’re all set. Hangar Eight. I can’t wait to get my hands on this plane. It’s a luxury prop jet. Awesomely sweet.”
“You really came through for us,” Amy said. “Thanks.”
“I’m doing this for Artie and Hope,” Shep answered. “And you two. We’re family. I think after all these years, I finally get what that means. So I owe you a bigger thanks.”
“Family, dude.” Dan held out a fist, and Shep did the same. They bumped knuckles.
“Family,” Amy repeated. She bumped knuckles with Shep, too.
Shep cleared his throat. “All right. Now let’s get on the plane before I change my mind.”
They were met with a blast of humid air as they exited the lounge and walked to the plane. Dan climbed the steps and peeked inside. It was luxurious, with plush seats, a dining area, and screens at every seat. “Whoa,” Dan said. “Traveling in style! At last!”
“We’ve got about an eight-hour flight,” Shep said. “There should be plenty of food stocked aboard, and movies, games, whatever you want.” He turned to Nellie. “Bet you haven’t seen one of these babies before.”
“Actually, I’ve flown one from Akron to Reykjavik,” Nellie said.
“Whoa, Madame Mysterioso,” Shep said. “What kind of au pair are you?”
“I just like to fly,” Nellie said.
“I can see my cousins are in good hands,” Shep said to her. “Cool in the face of a taipan snake and capable of flying a plane overseas. Awesome combo.”
Amy frowned at Dan. Just how many more surprises was Nellie going to pull?
Just then several uniformed officers came toward them. “Excuse me, sir,” the tallest one said politely to Shep. “May I see your passport?” The officer held out his hand.
“We’ve already gone through security,” Shep said.
“Your passport, please.” The officer’s voice was firm.
Shep checked the pockets of his shorts. “I thought I had it here. Hang on.”
“Can you all come with us, please?”
“It’s them! It’s my babies!” The voice echoed across the hangar.
A woman in a black dress hurried into the hangar, clasping her hands together. It took them a moment to recognize Irina. She was wearing a scarf tied under her chin and small rimless glasses.
“There they are, my little pierogies!” she cried. “Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”
“Did who hurt us?” Dan asked.
“This woman claims to be your cousin,” the officer said.
“She is,” Amy admitted, “technically, but …”
The officer turned to Shep. “In that case, you’re under arrest for kidnapping.”
CHAPTER 20
“This is ridiculous!” Shep said as they walked back into the hanger. “I’m their cousin, too!”
“You see how he makes big lie from mouth,” Irina said, pressing her handkerchief to her eyes. Her Russian accent had thickened. “Maya morkovka!” she cried to Amy. “My little carrot! How my eyes have longed to plant themselves on your face!”
Amy grabbed Shep’s arm. “He is our cousin!”
“May I see your passport, sir?” the officer asked Shep sternly.
“I just had it a minute ago….”
“Come here, little treasure,” Irina said, trying to hug Dan. “I am like gran
dmother to these children. They ran away from guardian in Boston. You see I have papers. Look! Office Social Services, city of Massachusetts, have been looking. I have been sent to bring them home.”
“Everything looks in order,” the officer said, consulting the papers. “Apparently, Social Services are looking for these two back in the States.”
“That woman is a lying, homicidal spy!” Dan cried, pointing at Irina.
“She tried to kill us!” Amy yelled.
Irina dabbed at her eyes again, which were completely dry. “They have always had trouble with authority,” she said to the officer. “You know American children, so spoiled. But they are my little pierogies, and I love them. They are family.”
“You say you’re their nanny and their cousin?” the officer asked.
“Oooooo,” Irina cried, throwing her handkerchief over her face. “My heart in broken pieces like teacup, just seeing sweet angel faces again!”
“My heart is throwing up in mouth,” Nellie said, rolling her eyes.
Even the security officer lifted an eyebrow. Amy thought Irina was piling it on a little too thick. Obviously, she didn’t have much practice at sentiment.
“If you could let me go back to the plane, I could get the papers,” Shep said. “I’ve clearly misplaced them, but they can’t have gone far.”
“Don’t move.” The officer turned to Amy and Dan. “This lady is Irina Cahill, and she claims—”
“She’s not a Cahill!” Amy cried. “I mean, she is, but that’s not her name!”
The officer wiped some sweat from his forehead. “Can everybody stop shouting? We’re trying to straighten this out.”
Another officer hurried from the building. He whispered in the head officer’s ear. Amy heard the word Interpol.
The head officer turned to Irina. “Do you happen to know an Irina Spasky?”
“Never heard of this person.” Irina looked blank. “Spasky is common Russian name.”
“She’s Irina Spasky!” Amy yelled.
“This person is wanted by Interpol for … uh, various international crimes.” The officer consulted the list. “Dubrovnik, 2002, traveling under false passport. Sofia, 1999, administering paralyzing poison to unidentified male. Sri Lanka …” The officer looked pale. “Crikey.”
“That’s her!” Dan cried. “Lock her up and throw away Russian key!”
Irina smiled. “Silly children. Tell me, officers, why aren’t you chasing criminals like this Spasky, not accusing poor Russian nanny trying to save children from kidnapper.”
The officer sighed. “So you say, ma’am.”
Shep began to talk to the officer, explaining that he was Arthur Trent’s cousin and a respectable citizen with a flight plan and a plane he needed to take off in. He pulled Nellie into the discussion.
Irina turned to Amy and Dan. She lowered her voice to a whisper.
“I am here to help you. You are flying straight into a trap.”
“Hello? It seems to me that we’re already in one,” Dan said.
“Can’t resist chance to needle me,” Irina said. “I understand.”
“You’re the one with the needles,” Dan pointed out.
“We’re not going to get caught in your trap,” Amy said fiercely. “You probably thought you killed us back in that mine—”
“I was not involved in what happened,” Irina said. “I didn’t know what Isabel was planning until she did it. I would have stopped her if I could.”
“Liar!”
“Haven’t you figured out who your real enemy is yet?”
Dan pointed to Irina. “Bingo!”
“Don’t go to Jakarta. If Isabel knows you’re there, she will kill you, do you understand?”
“And suddenly you’re some sort of grandma?” Dan asked scornfully. “Please. You would have killed us if you had the chance.”
“Amy.” Irina said her name quietly. Amy had never heard that tone in Irina’s voice. She couldn’t quite figure it out at first, but then she got it. The scorn was missing.
“Isabel told you it was me who killed your parents. Correct?”
Amy only stared at her.
Dan’s head whipped from Irina to Amy and back again. “What did she just say?”
“She lied. She will lie about anything to get what she wants. Have you remembered more about that night?”
“Our parents were murdered?” Dan asked in a whisper. He turned his bewildered gaze on Amy. He looked like a lost little boy. It was exactly the look she had dreaded seeing.
“Yes,” Amy said. “I remember you.” She made the accusation coolly, hoping Irina would take the bait. Irina must have been there, even if she couldn’t remember her.
“But not just me, correct?”
“What is going on?” Dan’s voice wavered.
“Why?” Amy asked. She forced the words out around the tightness in her throat. “How could you do it?”
“I didn’t,” Irina said. “Yet, I was there.”
“That’s called accessory to murder,” Amy said.
Dan’s face had seemed to shrink in his bewilderment. He looked as though somebody had kicked him hard in the stomach.
Shep’s voice grew louder. “If you’d just let me back on my plane!”
“Not your plane, I think,” the officer said. “It is leased from a Mr. Gregory Tolliver, and we’re trying to contact him. Unfortunately, his mobile is off.”
“He’s a mate of mine,” Shep said. “He’ll vouch for me.”
“Well, if I can’t reach him, he can hardly do that.”
“I’m just saying—”
“Accessory, no,” Irina said rapidly to Amy. “I walked away. But at least one of us remained. Do you remember who?”
“Why don’t you tell me?”
“Because you must remember.”
“You keep hinting that it’s Isabel. I know what you want me to say. So what’s the difference between the two of you? She accuses you, and you accuse her.”
Irina’s face drained of color. “What is the difference between us,” she repeated. “I’m finding that out.”
“Can we go back to the lounge, please?” Nellie asked the officer. “This is very upsetting for the children.”
Irina’s hand gripped Amy’s wrist. “You must believe me—”
“Hey! Hands off my cousin!” Shep ordered. “Are you going to let her do that?” he said to the officer. For a split second, he looked at Amy. He raised his fist and punched the air lightly. Family, Amy thought. It was like Shep was saying good-bye.
Irina dropped Amy’s hand, but she leaned in closer. “I cannot stop you,” she said rapidly. “But remember my warning. That’s the best I can hope for now.”
“All right,” the officer said to Nellie, distracted as Shep began arguing with Irina. “But don’t leave the lounge!”
“Too right! She’ll be apples!” Nellie said cheerfully, and pulled Dan and Amy away. As soon as they were out of earshot, she murmured, “Back to the plane.”
“What?” Amy asked.
“Shep slipped me the documentation. It was in his shorts. We’re good to go.”
“Can you fly that thing?” Amy asked nervously.
“Cake,” Nellie said.
“But what about the security guys?” Dan asked.
“That’s why we have to do it fast,” Nellie said. “And casually.”
“How do you steal a plane casually?” Dan asked.
“Like this.”
Nellie strolled over to the plane. She gave a quick look back, then ran up the stairs. Amy and Dan followed.
“Buckle up. I’ll radio the tower. Shep told me there was a good chance they hadn’t rescinded the flight information yet. By the way …” Nellie turned around briefly to grin at them, “he said good luck.”
Amy and Dan buckled in nervously as Nellie spoke to the control tower. The plane rolled out onto the runway. Amy pressed her nose against the window. Shep was waving his arms and talking to the security of
ficers, who were completely unaware that the plane was taxiing away.
Irina stood unmoving, her gaze on the plane. At any moment, Amy expected her to alert the officers. But she just stood and watched.
Why was she just letting them go?
“We’re off!” Nellie called as the plane picked up speed. Soon they were barreling down the runway. Amy gripped the armrest. She sure hoped Nellie hadn’t exaggerated her piloting skills.
“Do you think we have parachutes?” she asked Dan. He didn’t answer. He, too, was gripping the armrest.
The plane lifted off smoothly. It rose in the air, banked over the city of Darwin, and headed out across the green water.
Nellie’s voice came over the PA system. “Okay, passenger peeps, just sit back and enjoy the ride. Next stop, Java.”
Amy leaned closer to Dan. “It’s so weird, all these things we’re finding out about Nellie,” she said. “It’s like she’s been trained for this.” Dan didn’t answer. He was staring out the window, his face tight and strained. “I’m beginning to wonder if we really know her at all.”
Dan turned on her fiercely. “I know how that feels.”
“What?” Amy asked.
“Isabel told you that Irina killed our parents? And you didn’t tell me?”
Amy could see the tips of Dan’s ears glowing red, the way his mouth twisted. His eyes filled with tears.
“I was going to tell you, it’s just that …”
It’s just that I keep getting these flashes. And sometimes I don’t know if they’re real. And I’m scared, Dan. Really scared. What if it’s my fault they died?
“Oh, and when was that going to be?” Dan’s mouth set in a line. “Tomorrow? Next week? Or never?”
“It seemed like it was better to wait.” Even to Amy’s ears, her explanation sounded lame.
“Our parents were murdered, and you found out who did it, and you didn’t tell me?”
“We don’t know it was Irina!”
“And you believe her?”
“Well, it’s not like we can trust Isabel. She tried to feed me to the sharks, remember? And she tried to kill us in the mine. Hello? She doesn’t sound like the most trustworthy person, either.”