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?’
‘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.
The headlights of an approaching car arced across the wall behind them, and she made sure it was David before she stepped out into the light. She was jumpy; but there was nothing wrong with being too careful.
David closed the door of the dark SUV quietly and bounded up the steps and took her arm.
‘Where are they? Are they okay?’
‘They’re fine. Both asleep on my sofa.’ Although David’s face was in the shadows, Ellie could still see the bleakness in his eyes. ‘Come inside, and tell us what’s going on. Do you have any idea where Gina is?’ She kept her voice low.
‘Us?’ David stared at Kane as he stepped from the shadows. ‘I told you not to let anyone else into this, Ellie.’
‘It’s all right. You can trust Kane.’ She turned to Kane as he held his hand out to David.
‘Kane McLaren.’
‘David, Kane is a helicopter engineer here at the lodge, and a . . . a very good friend.’ What else could she call him? My lover? My boyfriend? ‘I’ve told him what’s happened. A little bit anyway.’
The two men shook hands.
‘I think you should both come in,’ she said. ‘We all need to talk.’
‘No. I’m going out to look for Gina. Can the kids stay here with you?’
Ellie put her hand on David’s arm as he headed towards the stairs. ‘Where would you look? You can’t go. First, she could be anywhere. Second, it’s too dangerous . . . do you want to be taken too? Think of your children.’ It was harsh to imply that Gina had been murdered but she had to convince David not to go rushing out on a wild goose chase.
David stared out into the dark, before his shoulders dropped. ‘I suppose you’re right. I just feel so bloody responsible . . . and useless. I should have taken better care of my family.’ His voice was bitter.
The two men stood back and waited for Ellie to go inside ahead of them. David followed her and crossed to the sofa, dropping to his knees, and cupped a hand on each of the children’s cheeks before leaning down and kissing each of them in turn. The look of anguish on his face brought tears to Ellie’s eyes. She cleared her throat, aware that Kane’s eyes were fixed on her.
‘Get everything sorted today?’ she asked him softly, tearing her gaze away from David and the children.
‘Yeah.’