Killer Ute by Rosanne Hawke Read Free Book Online Page A

‘Oh.’
    â€˜It’s an old trick,’ Felicity says softly. And I can see what happened all right. The guy asks all boys who look like me for directions until one can’t answer and that one is me. The kid from out of town – the kid he’s looking for. I’m stunned like an owl in torchlight. I’m also stupid.
    â€˜You think Scott’s sent someone home to check where we are?’ Dev says.
    â€˜That’s why we say no calls, no postcards.’ Max is frowning again.
    â€˜Can someone trace a mobile?’ Dev asks.
    Max blows air out of his mouth, thinking. ‘If they have the right equipment. It would depend if Scott knows the right crooks.’
    Dev’s holding his head in his hands. ‘What do we do now?’
    I hate it that I’m the one who’s made Dev like this. ‘What if it was just an accident yesterday and not anything to do with Scott?’ How I want that to be the truth. All three of them look at me. I know I’ve stuffed up big time with the phone, but they don’t blame me, I can tell. Dev looks tired, not as tense as he was. Max is thoughtful; even Felicity looks like she’s winding down. I breathe a bit easier.
    â€˜We’ll stay here for a while,’ she says. ‘He may not know where we live. Did you tell Mei that?’
    â€˜No, I only mentioned Beachport.’
    â€˜Then we don’t go to town. I’ll tell the police and they’ll keep watch.’
    â€˜But we have to go to town.’ I stand up now, horrified.
    â€˜Why?’ Dev asks. Even his voice sounds tired. Hope he’s not tired of me.
    â€˜Mei’s coming. It was going to be a surprise. Her father’s bringing the trawler down. He’s dropping her off at the jetty today.’

12
    Felicity decides that she and Max will go to the jetty to meet Mei and her father and tell them she can’t stay.
    â€˜But I have to go.’ It bursts out of me. Felicity turns to give me a startled look and I turn my tone down a notch. ‘Mei won’t understand. We planned this.’ I have a wavery feeling in my gut. I have to see her.
    Felicity looks to Max for help so he answers me instead. ‘If the guy who spoke to you is in with Scott, he knows only you. And Dev now.’
    â€˜Yes,’ Felicity adds, ‘he may not realise we’re with you. That ute was out of sight when we turned the corner yesterday.’
    â€˜Unless he saw you diving together,’ Max reminds her. Now I know why Max didn’t think that was a good idea.
    â€˜But isn’t there some way we could go to the jetty so no one recognises me?’
    There’s a silence as if they are deciding who’s going to tell me the bad news. They silently choose Max. ‘Do you want Mei to be in danger?’ he says.
    â€˜Of course not.’
    â€˜As soon as you’re seen talking to her, she could be a target too.’ It hits me then what being a target might mean. Being pushed off the road – just scare tactics? Or worse?
    â€˜This way is safer for Mei.’ Max’s voice is encouraging, wanting me to see his point.
    I don’t like it but I understand. ‘Can you give her a note for me?’
    Max sits back and smiles. ‘Sure, good idea. That way she’ll know we’re on the level.’
    Good idea , he said; at least I’ve had one good idea.
    â€˜Can I say what’s happened? She won’t buy it otherwise.’
    Felicity bites her lip; I haven’t seen her do that before. She hesitates before she speaks, so I know she can see I’m upset. ‘Say you’re not on a holiday but don’t mention the accident yesterday. We still don’t know for sure. Have you told her already?’
    â€˜No.’
    Felicity smiles at me. She doesn’t hug me like Gran would but I see the sympathy in her eyes.
    I leave them to work out the details of meeting Mei and go to my room. I find some paper and a