Snowy Summer

by Patricia Weerakoon

  He had promised to protect her and she trusted him, so he had held her as she slept, his own body tensed and coiled with desire and longing.

  Hands behind his head, he listened to the sound of the shower. He let himself imagine the water cascading over her body. The water moved down her curves in time to Mozart’s Horn Concerto. He hadn’t told her he had played French horn in School, but he thought she would appreciate it.

  The notes continued and he realised it was Sheva’s phone. He leapt out of bed and grabbed the phone off the bedside table. ‘Hello?’

  ‘Roy. Where’s Sheva?’ Dan’s voice shot through the phone like a series of bullets.

  Roy bristled. ‘She’s safe, Dan. I’ll bring her back to town as soon as we have breakfast.’

  ‘Breakfast be damned, Roy. She needs to be back here where we can keep her safe. Now.’

  ‘Dan—’

  ‘Roy, things are moving faster than any of us could have anticipated,’ Dan shouted into the phone. ‘I need her here in Jindabyne.’

  ‘I hear you,’ Roy said, trying to placate Dan. ‘I don’t understand, but if it’s about keeping Sheva safe, I’ll do anything you want.’

  A moment of silence. ‘Roy, the guy Sunil.’

  ‘Yes. The fellow involved in sex trafficking.’ The hairs on Roy’s body tensed at the mention of the Sri Lankan who Sheva was supposed to marry.

  ‘Well, I’ve been informed he has been spotted arriving in Sydney.’

  ‘Did they pick him up at the airport?’

  ‘No, they’re following him. It’s our chance to get the whole blasted ring. Break the operation.’

  ‘Do you think he knows about Sheva being here in Jindabyne?’

  ‘I can’t see how, but we can’t take a chance. Get her back here, and don’t stop for anything or anyone.’

  Roy heard the sound of a chair pushed back and the jingle of keys. ‘I’m driving out to meet you. Get on the road now. And Roy—let me explain to her what’s happening. It’s my responsibility.’ Dan cut the line.

  ‘What makes you think she’ll be willing to wait,’ Roy mumbled. He rushed to the door of the ensuite. ‘Sheva,’ he banged on the door. ‘Dan says he needs you in Jindabyne now. Apparently, there are some things happening. Something to do with Sunil.’

  Sheva opened the door. She stood wrapped in the blue towel, her eyes wide. The fingers holding the towel tensed. ‘Did he say anything specific?’

  ‘He didn’t give details.’ Roy kept his eyes on her face. ‘Get dressed. I’ll ask Samson to pack some sandwiches for us. We need to get on the road soon.’ She nodded. He stopped at the door and turned back. ‘Sheva, are you okay?’

  Sheva hadn’t moved. Her eyes narrowed and flashed in anger. ‘Damn him. Maybe,’ for a moment her voice faltered, ‘maybe Sunil knows where I am. Dan did assure me –’

  Roy turned to face her. ‘Sheva, you are an incredibly strong woman, and you can deal with this. I will be there. And Dan knows what he’s doing.’

  Sheva took a deep breath. Her voice was firm, ‘Yes, I haven’t come this far to let them win. I started it. I will see it to the conclusion. Whatever that may be.’ She stood straight and met his eyes. Roy’s heart filled with pride at the look of unwavering courage in her gaze.

  Sheva shrugged and turned to where she had hung her clothes from the night before. ‘Let’s get going.’

  Roy dashed through his morning toilette. He was ready in less than ten minutes.

  Samson stood in the corridor at the open front door. He had a carry bag with sandwiches and a flask in his hands. At his foot was Roy’s .308 Winchester rifle wrapped in a towel.

  ‘Samson, where’s Sheva?’

  He gestured to the sitting room. ‘She’s saying goodbye to Edward.’ He glanced down to the rifle. ‘I wrapped it up so you don’t frighten her.’

  Roy nodded. ‘Good thinking.’ He walked down the corridor to the sitting room, where his father was dressed and sitting in his wheelchair. Edward was facing the full-length windows. The curtains were drawn open to a glorious view of the green post-storm paddocks and hills, the alpacas grazing in the slanting golden rays of morning sunlight.

  Sheva knelt before Edward’s wheelchair. She gripped his thin, twitching hands close to her chest to keep them still. ‘Edward, it was lovely to see you. Thanks for the duet. I will be back sometime. We might even sing a few more hymns together.’

  His father’s face jerked, the lips wrenched in a grimace. Rasping disjointed sounds emerged.

  Sheva smiled. ‘You want me to take care of Roy.’ She looked up at Roy standing at the door. ‘Yes, Edward, I promise you, I’ll look after your son.’

  She stood up, looked into the weary grey eyes and bent over to place her lips on his forehead. Just for a moment, the crazy uncontrolled jerking stopped. Roy hadn’t seen his father so peaceful for a long time. He walked over and Sheva took his hand. ‘Come on,’ she said, ‘let’s hit the road.’

  Roy looked at his father. The grey eyes sparkled. The lips twisted. He would have sworn his father was smiling.

  ***

  They left the house and climbed into the car. Samson opened the back door and wedged the hidden gun behind the driver’s seat.

  ‘Hang on, Sheva.’ Roy shot out of the driveway and negotiated the rough road at speed. Keeping his eyes fixed on the gravel path, he reached behind and picked up the brown carry bag. ‘Bacon and egg sandwiches and a flask of coffee. Bon appetit.’

  ‘Thanks, Roy.’ Despite her anxiety, she took a bite of the sandwich. ‘Yum, delicious. Here—’ she held it to his mouth— ‘You haven’t eaten either.’

  Roy smiled and opened his mouth. ‘Heavenly,’ he moaned around the food.

  ‘I’m glad you appreciate Samson so much.’

  The corners of his lips twitched as he negotiated the car onto Mowamba Drive. He swallowed the bite. ‘No, not the sandwich—although his cooking is good—it’s just you, feeding me breakfast. And, that’s after spending the night with me.’

  ‘Stop it.’ She realised he too was trying to lighten the situation. She took another bite of the sandwich and stuffed the other half in his mouth. ‘Now, that will keep you from teasing me.’

  They drove in silence for a few minutes. Sheva placed her hand on his arm. ‘Roy, last night, you didn’t answer me. Have you been genetically tested?’

  ‘No. I’d rather not know.’

  She nodded. ‘I understand, but you should consider getting it done. You do have a fifty percent chance of inheriting the gene and developing HD, but knowing would give you a way of planning your life.’ She squeezed his arm. ‘I’ll help you deal with it, whatever happens. I promise.’

  ‘Thank you’ his reply was non-committal.

  They continued driving in silence.

  Roy turned the car onto Barry Way. A grey, dust-covered car drove towards them in the opposite lane and Sheva recognised the silver SUV and the National Parks logo. Roy braked and brought the Range Rover to a stop by the side of the road. The other car braked on the opposite side of the road.

  Dan leapt out and crossed the road. He wrenched the passenger door of the Range Rover open. ‘We need to get back to Jindabyne, Sheva.’

  Sheva slipped out of Roy’s car. ‘It’s Sunil isn’t it?’ She snapped at Dan. ‘What the heck is happening? Is he here in Australia? And whatever happened to your Elvis and the information network?’

  Dan shrugged. ‘Take it easy, Sheva. I’ll explain, but first, let’s get back to Jindabyne.’

  She glanced back at Roy— ‘I thought Roy was driving me to Jindabyne.’

  ‘No, I knew Dan was meeting us halfway, I’ll follow—’ he stopped at the strident tone of his phone. Pulling it out of his pocket, he glanced at the screen.

  ‘Just what I need: a summons from the fire station. There’s a fire near East Jindabyne.�
� He glanced at Dan. ‘Did you know?’

  Dan nodded. ‘Heard about it this morning. I thought the bushies had it under control.’

  Sheva turned to Roy. ‘Go join them, Roy. You’re needed there. Dan and I will drive back to Jindabyne.’

  Roy looked from her to Dan. ‘You drive in front, I’ll follow you to the city.’ They both jumped into their cars.

  They were both breaking the speed limit, though neither man seemed to be aware or care.

  Sheva sat by Dan’s side in the car, feeling the tension emanate from him. ‘Dan, I need to know. What exactly is happening?’

  His voice was grim and determined. ‘Yes, it’s him all right. Sunil landed in Sydney yesterday. They recognised him at customs, thanks to the pictures you took of his many personas.’ He paused and scowled, his lips pursed in concern.

  ‘And?’ she prompted.

  ‘They didn’t stop him.’

  ‘Why? He’s somewhere in Australia now. He could know where I am. What is going on, Dan?’

  ‘There is no way he could know you are here, Sheva.’ Dan turned into a parking spot by the clinic. He reached over and held her hands in his. ‘The Australian Federal Police tracked him from the airport. They have the house in Sydney he stayed in last night surrounded. The latest I have is information to say he has left Sydney. It seems like he is on his way to a rendezvous possibly somewhere around Goulburn or Canberra. They have a tail—more likely a couple—on him. They will get Sunil and his goons together.’

  ‘Wait. What am I supposed to do while all this takes place?’ Sheva spat out words.

  ‘You go to the medical centre and run your clinic, just like you do every day.’

  Chapter 34

  The tortured wheeze and strained chest muscles were clear evidence of an acute asthma attack. Helen’s shoulder muscles tensed. She grabbed the arms of the chair and struggled for breath. ‘I’ve been taking my medication and I had a double dose of Ventolin this morning—’ she stopped to drag in a breath— ‘but the smoke is really getting to me. We haven’t had a bush fire like this around here for as long as I can remember. I’m sorry to bother you, Doctor. I was alone at home, and was really scared. Sam’s at the radio station keeping everyone up to date on the fires.’

  Sheva kept her hand on Helen’s pulse. ‘Helen, you did right in coming in immediately. I’ll have Rosie set you up on a nebuliser, but I want you to try to calm down. You’ll feel better soon.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Helen wheezed. ‘Last time I had an attack, I had to go by ambulance to Cooma. A transfer won’t be possible today.’

  Anxiety churned through Sheva. The East Jindabyne bushfire must be getting worse. Roy was out there fighting it. She knew he was trained, as was his platoon of firemen, but she couldn’t help but worry.

  ‘Is the road to Jindabyne cut?’

  Helen shook her head. ‘Not yet.’

  Rosie and Sheva helped Helen to the side room and set up the nebuliser. They stood by her side until Helen was breathing easier and her heart rate returned to normal, then Sheva left Helen in Rosie’s capable hands and went out to the reception area. For the first time since she had started work in Jindabyne, there were no patients waiting to be seen. The excitement of the bushfire must be keeping everyone glued to radio and television. She went into the kitchenette, plugged in the coffee percolator, and switched on the radio.

  Sam’s voice came through on the radio. ‘Fire crews are stretched to the maximum with two major fires. The first blaze, East of Kosciuszko Road in East Jindabyne, is currently threatening to breech containment lines. The second is a new bushfire following a recent lightning strike. This fire is in the forests east of Mowamba River, and is currently uncontrolled. Authorities tell us it is likely to jump the river and is posing a threat to property on Barry Way and farms in Mowamba Way, Moonbah and Dalgetty areas. All property owners have been put on high alert for possible evacuations.’

  Sheva stopped with a cup of coffee half way to her lips. Roy’s farm would be under threat. He was in East Jindabyne fighting the fires and wouldn’t know about this new one threatening his property. Samson and the manager would be the only ones there, and Samson wouldn’t be able to leave Edward to help fight the fire.

  She picked up her phone and dialled the farm. Samson’s usually placid voice sounded stressed and harried. ‘Samson, how bad is it there? And how is Edward?’

  ‘Doc, I’m glad you called. I can’t get Roy on his phone. The fires are pretty close to the back of the property. I should be out there fighting it. But I can’t leave Edward here alone.’

  She made a lightning decision. ‘Samson, the East Jindabyne fires are still raging. Roy wouldn’t be able to answer his phone. Get Edward ready. I’ll get there as soon as I can to pick him up. I’ll bring him here. You can help fight the fires.’

  Samson breathed a sigh. ‘Thank you, doc.’

  Sheva cut the line and punched in Dan’s number. He picked up on the first ring.

  ‘Is there a problem, Sheva?’

  ‘Actually there is, Dan. I need your help to—’

  ‘I’m right here.’

  The front door swung open. Dan strode through into the clinic.

  ‘What’s the problem here, Sheva?’ He glanced around the empty clinic. ‘Where’s Peter?’

  ‘Peter’s in the kitchen fixing coffee.’ She gestured to the door leading to the kitchen. ‘Dan, I need your help to get Roy’s dad out of the farm. Did you know that the farm is under threat?’

  ‘I heard about the fire approaching Barry Way. And that they will probably begin evacuating the properties soon. What do you mean, get Roy’s dad out of the farm? I thought Roy lived there with his staff. His parents are in England.’

  Sheva grabbed her handbag. ‘No, he has his father on the farm.’

  ‘He has his father on the farm! How the heck did he keep it a secret from us? We did every possible check on him. God knows what else the investigator missed.’ Dan was erupting like a volcano.

  ‘Dan—’ she grabbed his arm to stop him— ‘work it out with your colleagues later. Right now, I need to do this. Roy’s father is disabled. He has Huntington’s Disease. There’s only Samson the nurse and the manager on the farm. If I can get Edward—Roy’s father—out, Samson and the manager can fight the fire and save the farm.’

  ‘No,’ Dan shook his head, stunned by the revelations and the interruption of his rant. ‘You can’t drive out there.’

  ‘I don’t want to drive to the farm and get Edward out and back by myself. That’s why I called you. I need help. We can do it together, Dan,’ she pleaded, clutching her handbag to her shoulder. ‘I have to try, anyway. Samson can’t protect the farm and manage Edward. I have already told him I am coming over. Please—’

  ‘I can’t stop you from doing this?’

  ‘I’ll go myself if you won’t come with me.’

  Peter stepped out of the kitchen with two cups of coffee. Sheva turned to him. ‘Peter, I’m going out for an hour or so. Rosie’s with Helen. Tell Rosie to keep any other patients until I get back. And please have a bed ready in the ward.’

  Peter nodded, then glanced at Dan. ‘Dan—what—’

  ‘Just do as she says, Peter,’ Dan snapped. Sheva grabbed his hand and practically dragged him out of the clinic. ‘I don’t like this, Sheva,” he said as he followed, shaking free of her hand. ‘However, I’ll do it for you.’ He strode towards the Subaru, ‘We can take my car.’

  She jumped into the passenger side and snapped on the seat belt. ‘Dan, why did Peter defer to you?’

  Dan pulled away from the clinic and onto Kosciuszko Road. He sped up. ‘Because he works with us,’ he replied.

  ‘Peter is with the rangers?’ She paused. ‘No, he’s with the police, isn’t he?’

  Dan nodded. ‘Well, sort of.’

  ‘Peter’s been watching
me.’

  ‘Peter has been watching out for you, Sheva. We needed to have all bases covered. Short of moving in with you—’ He stopped and smiled— ‘there was no way I could know what was happening to you twenty-four-seven.’

  The car swung on to Barry Way and pulled to a side to allow two racing fire trucks to pass. Dan merged in behind them, speeding up to keep pace.

  ‘What about Rosie? Does she work for you too?’

  ‘Oh, she’s a fully qualified clinical nurse specialist. She has done some stuff for us before.’

  Sheva sank back in the seat. This was bigger than she had thought. She had assumed she was working with strangers, with medical professionals, but her every action was being scrutinised and analysed then reported back to Dan and his people. Whoever ‘his people’ were.

  She was a helpless pawn in a game she had unwittingly instigated.

  They turned into Mowamba Way. The sky ahead of them glowed an ominous red and orange. The wind swirled burned leaves and grey ash onto the windscreen. Dan continued onto the mud track to the farm, his face set in concentration as he navigated the potholes and ruts.

  Soon they turned into the drive of Roy’s farm.

  Dan stopped the car and Sheva leaped out. Heat and ash swirled around her. She staggered and caught her breath. Recovering, she dashed up the steps and banged on the front door.

  She heard Dan’s footsteps coming up behind her.

  ‘Samson, Samson,’ she called out.

  The door swung open. Samson looked anxious and frazzled. Behind him she could hear loud keening cries from Edward. Ares and Tyche whimpered and crouched by Samson.

  ‘Doctor Sheva. Thank you—’

  Sheva put a hand on Samson’s arm and eased her way through the front door. ‘Please get Edward into the car, Samson. Just throw in his medication and whatever else you think essential, and the wheelchair if possible. We’ll take him back to Jindabyne and the hospital. You work with the manager to save the farm.’