by Annie Seaton
‘Did he say anything else? Have they found anything?’
‘No, they haven’t.’ The old stockman shook his head. ‘We need to keep looking.’
‘We’ll take a bit of a break and then go out for another couple of hours. Until dark.’ Travis took the gun off his shoulder and put it in the back of the ute. ‘As much as I hate to say it, I’m pleased he’s come back.’ The anger he’d put on hold began to boil inside again.
‘Because he can tell us where he left Emlyn?’ David asked.
‘Yes, that, and I have a long conversation to hold with my brother, too.’ Travis glanced at the gun and decided that it wouldn’t be anywhere within reach when he came face to face with Gavin.
Because he knew he couldn’t trust himself not to use it.
He pulled open the door of the ute and picked up the handset. ‘Travis Carlyle. Detective Baker, come in, please.’
‘Baker here. Have you got something for us?’
‘Negative. I just wanted a word about Gavin. My stockman said he’s been spotted up here.’
‘We think so. But not one hundred per cent sure.’
‘Okay. I’m worried about my wife and daughter coming home if he’s on the road. Can someone look out for them, please? They’ll be in a white Isuzu SUV.’
‘No problem. I’m on it. They haven’t arrived at the house yet, so I’ll send a vehicle to meet them at the main road.’
‘Thanks, mate. We’re going out for one more sweep and then we’ll head back in. Over and out.’ He hung the mike on the hook at the side of the CB radio and climbed out of the ute. Jase and Joel were standing shoulder to shoulder watching him.
‘Dad?’
‘Yes, Joel?’
‘You just said Mum and Cass are coming home.’ The look on both his sons’ faces made his throat close.
Travis nodded, unable to trust his voice.
‘Did you mean coming home, as in staying here maybe?’ Jase asked tentatively.
Travis took a deep breath. ‘I wasn’t going to say anything until I talked to your mother, but I’m pretty sure that’ll be happening.’
‘That is so cool.’ Joel looked embarrassed as he blinked away tears.
‘We’ll talk about it all later. Now go and have a drink and something to eat, and we’ll head out again.’
CHAPTER
34
The passage Emlyn was in was different to any that they’d encountered over on the eastern side of the station where they’d been working for the past few weeks. If she hadn’t been so determined to find her way out, she would have spent longer looking at the composition of the walls, and the strange markings in the silt on the floor. As she’d made her way further along—she judged she’d forced herself through fifty metres of the confined space where the walls had pressed in on her at times—she’d seen some peculiar cocoons and shells that she hadn’t been able to identify. The light was too dim to get a good look, so she could have been wrong. Tears clogged her throat as desperation took hold. She was hurting, and her head was beginning to ache again. Her legs and arms were burning, and her stomach was sore.
Emlyn fought the fear that was trying to take hold of her and pushed herself to keep going. There was a curve in the wall ahead and she prayed it wasn’t a dead end. She doubted if she had the energy to go back to the spring. As she got closer, the ceiling rose higher and the light brightened. When she saw the first tree root hanging past the bend in the passage, hope flooded through her. The walls were further apart and the space got wider with every step she took.
As she hurried past the curved wall, Emlyn looked up and blinked as she stepped into a massive cavern bathed with light. Sunshine poured down a rock fall that led up to a huge gap at the side of the cave.
She could see the trees above, the sunlight dappling their leaves, and as she watched a couple of brightly coloured parrots rose into the air, their squawks like music to her ears. The sunlight played on cobwebs caught between the rocks, but she gave no thought to spiders or snakes. All she could think of was the freedom at the top of the scree.
Taking a deep breath, she put her head down and climbed, making sure each rock was firm before she put her weight on it. It took less than five minutes to climb to the top, and she braced herself on her hands and pulled herself onto the ground. She rolled over onto her back, taking deep breaths of fresh, sweet air and smiled at the bright, blue sky above.
She lay there for a moment, trying to regain some energy. She still wasn’t out of trouble. Even though it had been over two days since he’d left her in the cave, Emlyn wasn’t going to risk bumping into Gavin out here. She sat up and looked around. She was on a plateau, halfway up from a gully and the top of a ridge. There was no point wandering around aimlessly; she needed a plan.
As well as water and to try to find something she could eat. Hunger gnawed at her stomach as she thought of food.
She pushed herself to her feet and looked around. It was nothing like where she’d run from Gavin, but she knew she’d have to be careful. If she fell into another cave, she’d have no hope of making it out again; her energy reserves were almost exhausted. Her head spun a little as she straightened, and she leaned against the trunk of a large tree. Emlyn put her cheek against it. The bark was rough, but to touch something apart from cold rock, something that was living, was the most incredible feeling.
She’d got this far; she could make it from here, as long as Gavin wasn’t waiting for her.
As she closed her eyes and took a breath waiting for her head to steady, a twig snapped close by and Emlyn tensed. She pressed her back against the tree and the skin on her neck crawled as she waited. Low voices reached her, and cautious hope began to unfurl in her chest.
Emlyn listened, incredulous as the voices got louder, now accompanied by the sound of more twigs snapping and grass rustling beneath the feet of those approaching. She moved forwards a little bit and her hands grasped the tree as she peered around down the hill.
Her head spun, and her legs shook, and she grabbed the tree to stop herself from falling.
Travis and David—her David, her husband, the man she knew she loved more than life itself—were twenty metres away, and walking in her direction. She stepped out slowly, unable to get her voice to work as she waited for them to see her.
David was the first to look up.
‘Emlyn!’ The emotion in his cry filled her with joy and hope as he ran towards her. The look on his face was something Emlyn would remember for the rest of her life.
Her hands were shaking as she held them out to him. ‘David.’
‘Oh, Em!’ He took her in his arms and Emlyn buried her face against his chest as he held her close. He cupped the back of her head with one hand as his other held her firmly against him. ‘Oh, sweetheart.’
They stood together, not speaking, until Travis reached them.
Emlyn lifted her head and stared up at David. She touched his face, still not believing that he was here.
‘David? How did you get here?’ Her voice was husky and shaking.
‘I flew.’
‘You got in a plane?’
His eyes were full of love as he nodded. ‘Of course I did.’
‘But you don’t fly.’ Emlyn couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. ‘You hate flying.’
‘Not as much as I love you.’
* * *
David and Travis made a chair with their hands; despite the difficult nature of the terrain, they wouldn’t let Emlyn walk. When they reached the bottom of the hill, the going was easier. Every time she tried to speak, Travis shook his head.
‘There’s plenty of time, Emlyn. Save your energy. Everything’s okay. Just know you’re safe now.’
She leaned her head against David’s chest as they walked, but even though she was exhausted she didn’t let herself drift off. Love and joy were bursting inside her as the beat of his heart comforted her.
Finally, they stopped beside a ute, and they lowered her feet gently to
the ground.
David took her weight and held her close, his eyes holding hers, his hand stroking her hair. ‘It’s okay, Em. It’s going to be fine. You’re safe. I’ve got you.’ His voice was fierce. ‘And I’m never going to let you go.’
She leaned into his embrace and whispered, ‘That’s good.’
‘Put your hands over your ears,’ Travis said. He walked to the gate a short distance away and fired three shots into the air. Soon after, three answering shots sounded. As David held her, murmuring to her and dropping light kisses onto her forehead, Travis came back and slid into the vehicle.
Emlyn listened as he picked up the radio and told someone that she’d been found.
‘Yes, not in bad condition, but yes, we’ll need a medico to check her over asap.’ He paused and listened. ‘Yes, that would be good. Yes, she’s able to stand and speak. It’ll take us about half an hour or so to drive back in. The boys and Bluey will follow on horseback.’ He looked out at Emlyn and the grin that crossed his face was wide. ‘Tell Bill to put on a good feed. I think I know someone who might appreciate it.’
Emlyn reached a hand out to Travis as he got out of the car. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered, as she squeezed his fingers.
Fifteen minutes later, they’d left the fire trail and were back on the main track heading to the base.
* * *
Gavin was getting more desperate with every kilometre. He’d driven along the Conjuboy Road into Hidden Valley, and all he could see were police cars and vans. And as he drove closer to the house, a police helicopter flew low, but he had time to park the sedan in thick bush before it spotted him. Anger choked him as the chopper circled around and then landed over in the direction of the dongas.
What the hell was going on?
And then he realised. They must be looking for her. The insect woman.
Stuff it. The stupid bitch was going to interfere with his plan. His hands gripped the steering wheel of the pissy little car that had taken him so long to get here. It looked like he was going to have to lie low for a few days.
The unfairness of it all fed the rage that was building inside him. He had no money, half a tank of fuel, and if he went to his cave, he’d have no internet access on his phone. At least he had some tinned food and bottled water there.
Once things settled down, he’d go and see Travis. He’d say her car broke down and he gave her a lift. They’d find her van and believe him. Hopefully by now, they would have found her phone in Townsville and they’d move the search down there. If things went his way—for a bloody change—she’d still be lying on the floor of that cave, and they’d never find her.
The fuss would die down soon.
He’d be patient. He’d let a day or so pass, and then go out and have a look. Gavin kept a careful eye out as he drove down the track to his cave, but he didn’t see anyone. He drove the car into a thicket twenty metres from the track and covered the back of it with some small branches. With each bit of energy he expended, his rage grew.
I deserve better than this.
CHAPTER
35
Once the relieved welcomes from the university team had been made, and Emlyn had been hugged at least ten times, even by Larry, she sat quietly on the side of her bed as the doctor examined her. David sat in the chair next to her; he’d refused to let her out of his sight, even for the medical examination. The doctor had raised his eyebrows in question as he’d followed them in to her donga, but Emlyn had nodded. Her legs were weaker now, and the cuts on her hands from climbing up the rock scree were stinging. Once the doctor had dressed them, and finished his examination, he stood back and regarded her.
‘I don’t think there’s any need to take you to the hospital. Make sure you stay hydrated and eat well. With a couple of good nights’ sleep, your physical recovery will be fast.’ He pulled off the medical gloves and put them into the bin beside the door before he turned back to her. ‘How are you feeling? Emotionally, I mean.’
‘A little shaken. Very grateful, and extremely happy that I got out safely.’
‘I’ll leave some sleeping pills. You might find you’ll suffer from nightmares when the reaction sets in.’
She shook her head and looked across at David. He held her gaze. ‘I’ll be fine. I’ve been through and survived much worse than being lost in a cave for a couple of days.’
David reached out and took her hand and she held it tightly as the doctor closed his bag. Warmth settled in her chest as he smoothed his thumb over her skin.
‘If you have any problems, even if you want to call and ask about anything, or if you would like a referral to someone to talk to, give me a call.’ The doctor passed his card to her, and Emlyn put it on the table next to the bed.
‘Thank you.’ She waited until the door closed behind him and lifted her head.
She held David’s eyes with hers as he let go of her hand and stood. ‘I did a lot of thinking when I was down in the tubes.’
He moved onto the bed and sat close beside her. ‘I want you to be honest with me, Em. If you don’t want me here, tell me now, and I’ll go.’
Her bottom lip quivered and the uncertainty in his voice almost broke her heart. She moved across the bed and put her head on his shoulder, her hands twisting together in her lap. ‘Oh, David. I want you to stay. I want to have the chance to say I’m sorry. For shutting you out when you were suffering as much as I was. It’s not the way to remember our Sophie. I know it’s going to be hard, but I want to focus on the happy times.’ Emlyn drew in a deep, shuddering breath. ‘She’s gone, and she’s not coming back. Neither are Mum and Dad. I tried to bury myself back in my work and pretend that it never happened. That we never happened, and that Sophie hadn’t existed, but that was stupid. I was wrong. So very wrong.’
She leaned back and lifted her face to rest her cheek against his, and David put his arms around her. As she leaned against him, his face was wet, and his chest shook with silent sobs.
‘We’ve lost a beautiful little girl who was a part of our future, but when I was down there in the dark, I made a promise. As hard as it might seem, I promised myself that if I got out alive, I would make a commitment to life. A life with you, and a life where maybe one day we might have more children.’
David lifted his head and looked down at her. Although his eyes were awash with tears, he was smiling. Emlyn lifted her hand and wiped his cheeks.
‘Can I come home?’ she asked.
‘Of course you can, Mrs Barber.’
As his lips gently brushed hers, Emlyn tasted his salty tears. She closed her eyes and cried with her husband.
* * *
The main donga was filled with the aroma of curry. Bill had a variety of pots bubbling on the stove and insisted that Travis ate before he left, although he was anxious to get back to the house and wait for Alison. He’d been concerned about how late they were, but relief had eased his worry when she’d called from Greenvale. He glanced at his watch; it was just past seven-thirty. They were about an hour away.
Baker sat beside Travis as Bill walked over and put two loaded plates in front of them. ‘Where are your boys?’ the detective asked.
‘They’re going to camp out tonight and ride back in tomorrow. It’s safer than riding in through the night.’
‘You think so? With your brother unaccounted for?’ Baker raised his eyebrows.
‘Bluey’s with them and he has a rifle. How sure are you that he’s come up this way?’
The detective picked up a bread roll and broke it in half. ‘I spoke to the guy at the service station at Greenvale myself. There’s a bit of doubt it’s him. He said he didn’t get a good look, but he’s only about fifty per cent sure that it was Gavin. The man he saw was in a white Toyota sedan, but he didn’t get the plates.’
‘So, what’s next?’ Travis picked up his fork.
‘He could be anywhere by now. I need to interview Dr Rees and see exactly what happened. And then we go from there.’
�
��The bank account and the assault? I imagine he’ll be up on charges there.’
‘The assault for sure. I’ll get you to take us out to the cave where the photo was. With a bit of luck, there may be some evidence there. And the bank account? That depends on the bank, I guess, and what can be proven. But what Dr Rees has to say is critical at this point.’ He held Travis’s gaze. ‘I’ll also need to interview your wife when she gets here about what you told me earlier.’
‘I just want it all to be over. So I know everyone’s safe.’ Travis rubbed the back of his neck. ‘It’s hard to accept that my brother is responsible for this.’
‘I imagine it is. But at least there’s a good outcome, Travis,’ Baker said. ‘Everyone’s safe.’
‘Yes. The best we could have hoped for. I’ll feel better when Alison is here safely. I just wish we knew where he is.’
‘Did Dr Rees tell you anything about what happened to her?’
‘No. I didn’t want to press too hard. After what I’ve discovered about my brother in the past few days, I didn’t want to upset her.’
They were quiet as they finished the meal, and as Travis stood to leave, Emlyn and David walked into the donga together. She had a lot more colour in her face, but her eyes were red-rimmed. His heart sank; he’d hoped that things would work out for them.
Baker stood and nodded as they came to the table. ‘Dr Rees, how are you feeling?’
Emlyn glanced up at David. ‘It’s Mrs Barber. And I’m feeling fine, thank you.’ She sniffed at the air and smiled at Bill as he came over and enfolded her in a gentle hug. ‘Is that curried sausages I can smell?’ she asked.
Bill nodded and smiled back at her. ‘I made a fresh batch today, ready for you. I knew you’d come back.’ He blinked, and Travis was surprised to see the older man choke up.
‘Serve it up, then,’ Emlyn said. ‘I’m starving. And I think David is too.’
David put his arm around his wife.
‘Are you up to talking to me about what happened, tonight?’ the detective asked.
Emlyn nodded, but she glanced at Travis. ‘Would it be okay if Travis was there? He needs to hear some of the things I have to say.’