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“That’s okay. I’ll give you the abbreviated version. But at least we have the kernel of a plan.” He pursed his lips thoughtfully, the serious frown with that cute little line marring his forehead lifting slightly. “So, the quickest way to get to the Northern Territory border is to take the main highway through Georgetown and on to Normanton. That’s about a day’s drive.”
“Yes, I think I already Googled it, and I’d decided against going that way, it’d be too easy for anyone to find me, or a cop to pull me over,” Kee replied, happy that she knew that much. At least it showed she wasn’t a complete idiot.
“Good decision,” he agreed. “Another, less-travelled way, is to go up to the Mitchell River and then back around, still arriving in Normanton in the end. It’s longer and less likely we’d see a cop car, but it’s a bitumen road, and there’ll still be plenty of locals and lots of trucks and road trains.”
“That was the way I was headed,” Kee mused. She didn’t add, before she’d tried to take the wrong turnoff and got lost.
“It’s a better alternative, but still not great,” he said.
“It didn’t seem like there were many other options, at least not on the maps I was looking at.” Kee glanced out the window at the dry scrubland racing by on either side of the car. They were still on the main highway out of Dimbulah, and she wondered where Wazza could possibly be taking them.
“Aha, that’s where local knowledge comes in. Steve has given me a few ideas. We’re going to head across to the Gilbert River on an overland track. There’s a dry creek crossing that should be easy going now we’re well out of the wet season, and we should be able to make a good camp for the night. The turnoff is coming up soon.”
“Good.” Kee would be relieved to get off the main highway. She had a terrible premonition of Bruno racing up behind them in his big, expensive, four-wheel-drive, trying to run them off the road, or calling the cops and telling them where she was.
“It’s a long drive, we might not get there until it’s nearly dark.”
“That’s fine.” As long as they were going in the right direction and off the main road, it didn’t really matter how long it took to get there.
“Then tomorrow we’re going to take Nine Mile Road and hopefully camp next to the Norman River tomorrow night. That one is a mine-access road, and hopefully the gate has been left open. After that, we might have to head into Normanton to stock up on supplies, or we might be able to keep going on to Nicholson, which is right on the border, we’ll just have to play that by ear.”
“Why are you telling me all this?”
“Because you need to know.” He looked her full in the face. “It’s important. In case we get separated…or something happens.”
Kee didn’t like the sound of where this conversation was going. Now that she’d decided that having Wazza along was a good idea, she suddenly didn’t want to lose him. And she didn’t like the fact that Bruno had nearly abducted Benni right from under her nose. How had he found her, she wondered, for the hundredth time? Had he tracked her car registration somehow, while it was waiting to be fixed in the shop? She was pretty sure he hadn’t known she was staying at Stormcloud, otherwise he would’ve appeared out there, probably with a whole squadron of police, to back him up.
Voicing her thoughts, she said, “I have no idea how Bruno found us. Was it just dumb luck? Or is he tracking me somehow?”
“I’d like to know that, too. Lefty mentioned someone had been looking for you this morning. I assumed it was Bruno, but I didn’t get a chance to ask, because that’s when he snatched Benni. Bruno could’ve been in town for days, for all we know. I asked Steve to gather what information he could. The town will be most likely be absolutely buzzing by now. These kinds of things don’t happen often in Dimbulah. Steve needs to be careful who he talks to and what he says, because we don’t want to implicate you. Or me, for that matter. It all depends on how Bruno fared after we left him unconscious. If he ended up in hospital, there will be a police investigation, and Nash will have to get involved.”
“What if he just woke up and got back in his car and drove away?” Kee voiced the other viable option.
Wazza shrugged. “It’s just a hunch, but Bruno seemed to be working on his own. Using any information he can get from the police, but not giving them what he knows in return. Otherwise, why didn’t he have the local constable waiting there to arrest you when you arrived to pick up your car?”
The more Kee thought about it, the more she agreed with his theory. “But why is he working alone?”
“Don’t know. I’m not up with the rules surrounding family law. Perhaps he thinks if he can snatch Benni from you and take her back to the parents, then they’ll retain custody until the trial. But if the cops get to her first, then she may go into foster care, until custody can be decided.” Wazza gave another shrug. “We could ask Daniella to check up on the facts for us, if you like?”
Kee hated to ask anymore of Daniella, but Wazza was right, if they could figure out Bruno’s motivation, it might help. Give them an advantage, even.
“Mummy?” Benni spoke up from the back seat.
“Yes, bunny?” Kee turned to face her daughter.
“I wish we could have brought one of the puppies with us.” Benni looked hopefully at Kee, and she had to quash an exasperated sigh.
“I told you, a puppy wouldn’t like to be in the car with us for so long. Maybe when we get someplace where we can settle down, I’ll get you a puppy.” The words had just popped out, she hadn’t really meant to say them. What had she let herself in for now? She made an effort not to make empty promises to her daughter. Was this one she’d be able to keep?
“Really, Mummy? Yay.” Benni clapped her hands together in delight.
Wazza glanced at her out of the side of his eye, but wisely said nothing.
A few minutes later, Wazza said, “Here comes the turnoff.”
Kee searched the road for any sign, but there was nothing. Scrubby trees lined the road, casting shade in some spots, but outside the line of vegetation, the outback looked as dry and hungry as it always did to Kee. Wazza slowed the car and then turned onto something Kee might have called a goat track. She would never have found this on her own, not in a million years. Surprisingly, once they were past the turnoff, the track opened up to a wide gravel road.
“I’ll find us a spot to stop in half an hour or so and we can dig out something to eat. And take a look at that scratch on your head. Are you hurt anywhere else?” Wazza asked.
