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I must have slipped in and out of consciousness because it felt like I’d been in the same position for hours. My body told me to rest, take some time out, and let someone else sort out the mess. My head said other things. I consciously pulled myself out of it, said a silent prayer, turned the ignition, and... I almost cried when the car started.
I eased my trusty ute into gear, gingerly drove it up the slight embankment, back up onto the empty highway, and back into the village. I slowed at the approach to Sandpiper Street, and turned onto it, following the loop around until spotting Paul’s house on the western side of the field.
The white Ford F100, its front end pushed in and damaged, sat in the driveway. At least now I knew what he used it for: getting rid of nosy private detectives.
I came around and parked one house back from his, wrenched open my door, and slowly got out and lifted the tonneau. I rummaged around and found a backup crowbar. It wasn’t ‘Old Blue’, and it wasn’t a match to a Glock, but I wasn’t going in empty-handed. I crouched low and snuck up to his house.
The street fell eerily quiet and suddenly looked far too normal. When his car came into view, I discerned the top of a head in the driver’s seat through the small rear window.
I stopped and watched as it lolled to one side and then the other.
As I planned my next course of action, the driver’s side door opened and Paul climbed out. His face looked ashen and tired. The Glock hung loose in his hand by his side. He moved across the yard to the front door, pushed it open, and paused for a moment to glance back along the street, then went inside and closed the door.
I walked up the road crouched over, keeping my eye on the door and windows for movement. Seeing nothing, I cut across the front lawn to the front door. I hesitated and listened, the voices inside came from one male and one female. I wasn’t at my best—my blood sugar was low, my ears were ringing from the crash, and I felt faint and tired—but I couldn’t walk away. I tried the door....
It opened and I went in.
