Two-Way Cut

chapter 18

You cant take me back to school, Tess said.

I wont.

I hate it there.

I know.

Vale wants to kill me so I cant report him.

This was getting repetitive. I know that, Tess.

So where will you take me?

Leah had thought long and hard about that. Her old house was out of the question, her parents lived on the Gold Coast, and she didn’t want to bring trouble down on the few friends and acquaintances she had left.

A motel.

Tess shrank sulkily into her seat. Now and then a muffled thumping came from the boot, muffled shouts, the frame of the car shaking minutely as the killer thrashed about in fury. I hate motels.

Where do you suggest, then? Leah demanded. Do you have friends you can stay with?

Their parents would turn me in.

Then it has to be a motel. Ill stay with you until everythings sorted.

What if that takes weeks, months? And what if other people come after me? You’re going to stay close to me every minute of every day?

Leah sighed, conceding Tess’s reservations. Ahead of her the fast dirt road climbed past a rusty iron barn and stockyards to the brow of a low range of hills. Beyond that would lie a broad plain and Horsham and the Western Highway to Melbourne.

You could take me home, Tess said. Hawthorn. Its empty, no tenants or anything.

Leah brooded. For as far as anyone knew, Tess was still on the road somewhere out west, the detective from Abbott’s following her. But things were falling apart for Vale, and he would soon think to look for Tess closer to home.

Too dangerous. What about your half-brother?

Ian? I don’t know. He lives in Southbank and hell probably have some chick with him. Usually his girlfriends don’t like me.

Then it has to be a motel.

I need stuff, Tess wailed. Clean clothes and stuff.

Leah thought it through, then slowly nodded. But we don’t linger, okay? We go to your house, grab a few things, then find a motel, agreed?

Agreed. Tess jerked her head. What about him?

Let me deal with him.

Tess directed Leah to a leafy street in Hawthorn, where even the humblest dwelling fetched close to a million dollars, and pointed to a large Edwardian house set on a broad, grassy corner block. At one time the house had been screened from the street by a tall box-hedge, but the hedge had clearly been torched recently. In fact, Leah realised, as she looked up and down the street, several similar hedges had been burnt to the ground. It was one of the hazards of living in the better suburbs of the city.

The gates were open. She drove in, white gravel complaining discreetly and expensively under the Magnas tyres. There was a three-car garage at one side of the house, a fenced swimming pool at the other.

She parked behind a Saab Cabriolet and they got out. The air was still, warm, drowsy. You didn’t hear blaring radios, angry shrieks or accelerating tyres on these streets.

Do you know the car?

Its Ians, Tess said, as they reached the front door.

I thought you said he doesn’t live here.

He doesn’t.

Then why

Tess shrugged. I guess its his house as much as mine. Anyway, Ive lost my key and can never remember the security code.

Leah was expecting Tess to press the buzzer for the intercom, but the girl tested the doorknob. It was unlocked. Leah barred her way suddenly. Wait. She took out the killers pistol. Let me go first.

Why?

Someone hired that guy to kill you, right? How do you know hes not waiting inside? How do you know he hasnt killed your brother and

Tess shrank back from the door. Okay.

Leah turned the knob fully and pushed the door gently. She looked along a cool, dimly lit hallway. Music sounded faintly. She stepped in, Tess huddling close to her back.

Can you tell where the musics coming from? Leah whispered.

Tess pointed, perplexed, toward the end of the hall. It seems to be coming from down there, Ians old room.

The door was ajar. Leah peered in. The air was stale; every light was on. One wall was lined with books; a built-in wardrobe with sliding doors took up a second wall; a sound system, plasma wide-screen TV and DVD crowded a third wall. The fourth was mostly window, looking out onto the grounds of the house next door. A huge computer hummed on a desk, the flat-screen monitor displaying an online gambling site. The wardrobe was open, revealing stylish suits and shirts along a rail, and several pairs of soft, expensive-looking shoes. Otherwise the room was empty.

He must have moved back home, Tess said.

Where would he be?

Dunno.

Then there were footsteps in the hall. Leah tensed, aimed the gun at the door, and the face of the man who appeared there shifted from amazement to fear in an instant. Whoa, he said, Jesus, and ducked back into the hallway.

Leah was about to follow when he called, Tess? What are you doing here? Who’s that with you?

You can come in, Tess shouted. Shes a friend.

Tess’s half-brother edged warily into the room, wiping his hands on his trousers, trying an uncertain smile. Whats going on? Why the gun?

Tess embraced him tightly, then turned and introduced Leah. He hesitated, then reached out a hand to her with a broad, charming smile. Leah tucked the gun inside her waistband and shook his hand, feeling a momentary twinge of attraction as she took in his graceful good looks. Ian Quant was tall, slender, loose-limbed and beautifully dressed, and she could see why Tess had adored him when she was little.

But as she looked closer, she saw a ravaged edge to the good looks, signs of exhaustion and strain. Maybe he’d been online all day and night, gambling, trading shares.

Now he was looking at Tess with faint irritation. How come you’re not at school?

And Tess said, How come you moved back in here?

You first.

Tess was determined. No, you.

He shrugged. It made more sense, you know? This place is empty, my apartment block in Southbank was one continuous party scene, I needed some private space.

Mum and Rob

They know I’m here. Now its your turn.

Tess turned to Leah for help. You can tell him better than me.

Leah related the whole story. His face went blank, then sceptical, then frankly disbelieving.

Its true, Tess said. Have a look in the boot of our car if you don’t believe us.

He swallowed, ran his hand through his hair. No thanks.

Ive just come to collect some gear.

Why? Where are you going?

I’m taking her to a motel while I follow things up with the school and the detective agency, Leah said.

She can stay with me. Ill look after her.

Yeah, Tess said.

It could be dangerous here.

I don’t mean here, Ian said. My apartment in Southbank.

Leah nodded. You should contact your mother, Tess. Shell want to know you’re okay and where to contact you.

Ian laughed harshly, one arm around Tess. Were talking about a woman who once said, in all honesty, that shed still have her shape if she hadn’t had a child.

Leah grimaced. But the dysfunctions of this family were none of her business. Tess, will you be okay now?

Sure.

Leah looked at her watch. It was early afternoon. I hope to know more by the end of the day. Meanwhile, both of you be careful who you open the door to.