Deadman’s Track

by Sarah Barrie

  ‘Yeah, you didn’t leave a lot of room for doubt on that,’ she said with a smile. ‘Okay, I’m heading off. See you tomorrow.’

  ‘See you then.’ Deciding calling it a day was a good idea, he got himself sorted and headed out. He deliberately drove past the pawn shop, noticed the lights were still on, but even though he slowed, he saw no one inside. He wondered if their POI had caught the news, what he’d be thinking of doing next if he had. He continued on, wound his way past the historic buildings of Cascades, and had begun the gradual climb up towards his simple two-bedroom house tucked into the base of Mount Wellington when his phone rang. Damn it, if he had to go back to work someone was going to pay with their life.

  ‘Denham,’ he answered reluctantly.

  ‘I told you to back off,’ a man’s voice growled.

  He wanted to pull over, record the conversation, but there was a car right behind him and nowhere safe until further up the road. ‘Want to tell me why I’d do that?’

  ‘You don’t know who you’re dealing with.’

  ‘Why don’t you tell me?’ Keep him talking, Jared told himself.

  ‘I’ll kill you.’

  ‘I highly doubt that.’ He went around another bend. The car behind him sped up, levelled, then turned towards him. Jared swerved out of the way, hitting a power pole with a hard enough impact to set off the airbags. More angry than shaken, he grabbed his phone and jumped out of the car as his attacker spun their tyres and disappeared.

  ‘Damn it!’ He’d missed the plates. As he called Indy, he looked down into the darkness of a ditch only centimetres from where his car had hit the pole and decided he was happier to be up here than to have ended up down there.

  ‘Yeah, it’s me,’ he said unnecessarily when she picked up. ‘I think you’re right. Someone’s unhappy about seeing their picture on the news.’

  CHAPTER

  19

  The knock on Tess’s door came early, and when she spotted Aaron through the peephole, she wondered whether she could simply pretend she wasn’t home. She discounted the idea and gathered her courage. She’d told him she’d see him, so it was probably better to just get it over and done with. She opened the door, not really knowing what to expect, and blinked twice when she saw the enormous bunch of red roses.

  ‘Hi.’

  ‘Hi, sorry for the early visit but it’s nearly impossible to catch you otherwise. These are for you.’ He pushed them at her so she stepped back as she took them, which was all he needed to invite himself in.

  ‘What are these for?’ she asked, realising what a dumb question it was as soon as it was out of her mouth.

  ‘To apologise, of course.’ Aaron walked further into the apartment, and into the kitchen. ‘Is that coffee hot?’ he asked.

  ‘Yeah—okay, I’ll make you one.’ She’d already had a coffee but drained the pot to make enough for two and took the cups to a small table. She wondered why he would buy flowers. It was a sweet gesture but red roses didn’t scream ‘simple apology’.

  He sat at the table, eyes searching her face. ‘I acted like an idiot at the restaurant. I’m sorry.’

  ‘Yeah, you did,’ she said.

  ‘I’m ashamed to admit I was jealous.’

  Frustration welled in her chest. Tread carefully, she reminded herself. She sipped her coffee and thought about how to say what she needed to say. ‘I don’t want us to reach a point where we can’t be friends—or at least, friendly,’ she began tentatively. ‘But just at the moment—’

  ‘Tess, hold on. Before you go any further, you need to hear this. I’d been looking into something before we had that argument and I’ve just had confirmation, so … I’ve made travel plans, big ones.’

  ‘Travel plans? You’re going somewhere?’ The relief that swept over her was immense and instantaneous. This was going to make things so much easier.

  ‘Canada. To work for a wildlife adventure group over there. It’s going to be amazing.’

  ‘Sounds like it.’

  ‘I have a couple of loose ends to tie up here. And I’ve got a hike booked. Shit time of year but the money won’t hurt.’

  ‘I heard about that—Jared introduced me to Riley.’ She swore silently at the accidental mention of Jared. ‘I did wonder why you agreed to take them in July.’

  He scowled. ‘That group are all teens, aren’t they? A bit young to be Jared’s friends, surely.’

  ‘Jared knows Riley’s father—Tank, I think they call him—through work. I think the story was Tank won’t let them do it without a guide and this is the only time of year they can fit it in. Lucky for them you needed that money or they’d miss out. I wouldn’t be keen to head out there right now.’

  ‘Yeah, they might not feel real lucky if the weather doesn’t hold,’ Aaron replied, still scowling. ‘So, you found all this out when you were with Jared … when?’

  She controlled her temper. He was being childish. ‘The same evening. Tank and Riley called in at the station over a police matter just as we were heading out to get dinner.’

  ‘Right.’

  ‘I told you what happened. I can’t force you to believe me but I have no reason to lie. We’re not together anymore.’

  ‘And I told you,’ he said, his scowl replaced with a guilty smile, ‘I can’t help being jealous. But okay.’ He held his hands up then dropped them to hers, squeezed, smiled into her eyes with excitement. ‘I don’t want us to argue. Let’s just put it all behind us. Fights, silly break-ups, they don’t matter. I want you to come with me.’

  ‘What?’ She jerked her hands from his. ‘Come with you … to Canada? Why would you think I’d do that?’ He couldn’t possibly believe she’d say yes, could he? But the animation in his voice, his expression, suggested he did.

  ‘Think about it, Tess. You said you want adventure, independence. Over there you’d be being paid to hike some of the most beautiful country in the world.’

  She shook her head slowly. ‘I already hike some of the most beautiful country in the world. I have a home here, a business, a life. I couldn’t just leave it even if I wanted to. And I don’t.’

  ‘Why not? The surprise I mentioned, I asked about a position for you, too. They’re an expanding company, looking at hiring three or four more guides. They’re more than willing to interview you and there’s no way they won’t take you if they’ve taken me. They’ve practically said yes already. The money’s great. Just think about the adventures we’ll have.’ He sat back, beaming, as though he’d already sealed the deal.

  Canada. She knew she’d love it. At a different time in her life she might have seriously considered doing a stint there. But not now. And not with Aaron. His irrational behaviour was scaring her. They’d broken up. What didn’t he get about that?

  ‘I know you’re thinking about it,’ he said after a moment. ‘Say yes.’

  ‘No.’ She softened her gaze when his face fell. ‘It’s a great opportunity. A wonderful idea. But I’m already living my dream, right here. I can’t just take off, drop everything I’ve worked so hard for. I’m happy for you—thrilled for you. But I’m not coming with you.’

  ‘Tess,’ he said gravely, ‘I’ve said I’m going. I can’t back out.’

  ‘Of course not. Why would you?’

  He stared in disbelief, then his mouth turned into a bitter sneer. ‘Nothing I ever do is enough for you, is it? I look out for you, I take care of you, I offer you a stake in my business, I’ve forgiven you for the rubbish over the break-up, turned up with roses after you went out with another man. And you don’t care at all, do you?’

  Tess’s heart thumped uncomfortably in her chest. A part of her had known the temper was coming. It was becoming too regular an occurrence. ‘That’s not true.’

  Aaron pushed back his chair and stood, anger emanating from him, and shoved a finger in her face. ‘You know, there are only so many chances that come around in a lifetime. How many do you think you have left? You’re making a mistake.’

 
‘I don’t think so.’ She fought to hold her nerve as that pointed finger became a fist, and tensed. She didn’t trust him not to lash out, but he pulled it back, glared at her with nothing but disdain. How had she ever thought she loved this man?

  ‘I guess that’s it then. I tried.’ He strode to the door. Paused. ‘Good luck in Search and Rescue without me. And try and remember you’re supposed to be saving lives, not putting them at more risk. Don’t go falling off any cliffs.’ He laughed nastily.

  As far as parting slaps went, she’d score that a nine. If she’d cared a bit more about him, it could have hit eleven.

  Tess sat there shaking and fuming for several minutes. Tears welled in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. He wasn’t worth it. Thank God he was going away. She could only hope it was soon.

  When she’d had enough of feeling sorry for herself, she pulled on her jacket and stormed out of the lodge to the equipment storage shed. She hated that Aaron had made a good point. If she was going to be a liability on a rescue, she was better off not being there. She had to be able to tackle heights; allowing herself to remain frightened of them was not an option.

  She picked up a bag of abseiling equipment and checked its contents. Everything was there, so she tossed it in the back of her car and drove out onto the bush trails.

  It only took a few minutes to reach the lodge’s abseiling area. She parked the car off the main track, swung the bag over her shoulder, then walked along the short trail to where a large shelf of rock looked out over the tops of trees. There were three stations set up. At the closest end the drop was small, barely twelve feet. The beginners rock. She’d do that first. She went up the steps cut into the side of the bank, unloaded her equipment and got to work setting up. It wasn’t until she was harnessed up, ready to descend, that she felt the fear close in. It disabled her.

  Damn it, she thought, impatient with herself. Complete beginners tackled this all the time. A simple, easy descent. She got close to the edge, cursed herself, cursed her trembling legs. Nerves sent tiny pinpricks through her still painful fingers, weakening them; her chest seemed to close up, refuse to let in any air. As she tried to focus on where to put her feet, she caught sight of the ground below her and her vision tunnelled and swam.

  She took several quick steps back from the edge and sat to try and calm herself down. It was hardly Fedder. She could—had—done this in a single jump hundreds of times.

  She got up again, told herself to just do it. Just lean back, just step out. She forced a trembling leg back, but her foot slipped an inch. Heart in her throat, she scurried back to safety. With a growl of frustration, she ripped off her gloves and undid the harness, kicking it off. As she shoved everything back in the bag, her phone rang.

  ‘Hello?’

  ‘Oh—is that Tess?’

  Tess rolled her eyes at her unprofessional answer. ‘Yes, sorry. It is. Can I help you?’

  ‘I called you a couple of weeks back about the possibility of doing a trek in the Southwest National Park. I was just calling in case … well, I suppose I was hoping you might have changed your mind.’

  She sighed. ‘You know, Par Avion do some truly unforgettable tours better suited to this time of year. Perhaps you should think about taking one of those.’

  ‘We really had our heart set on a long trek.’

  She remembered Aaron was taking Riley’s group out. She was angry, over it, but it might get the woman off her back. ‘I know someone who could possibly take you with another group. I’ll give you his number.’ She rattled it off and was lavished with gratitude.

  When she ended the call, a text came through. Indy. She’d called in at the lodge for lunch. Where was Tess?

  Tess hesitated, then, because she felt just that pathetic, answered, Sitting on a rock in the bush feeling sorry for myself.

  She dropped the phone and stared ahead. It was just her and the small cliff. She should try again. But what was the point? She knew she wasn’t getting down there today.

  Her phone rang again. Another unknown number. She frowned, wishing everyone would just leave her alone for five minutes. Then she answered.

  ‘Do that often?’ Jared asked.

  ‘What?’

  ‘Sit on a rock in the bush.’

  ‘How did you know?’ she asked in surprise.

  ‘I’m having lunch with Indy and Logan, but I’m feeling like a bit of a third wheel. I don’t suppose you’re hungry?’

  She pressed a hand to her jittery stomach. ‘I’m not really sure I can fit anything in at the moment,’ she answered honestly, then worried that sounded like a brush-off. ‘I don’t want you to think I don’t—’ want to have lunch with you? Was that too much? It was a call-in lunch with Indy and Logan. It’s not like he’d planned a date. ‘I would, if I was there. But I’m only going to hold you up and you’re probably busy.’

  There was a pause, then, ‘Where is this rock?’

  She laughed, because when he said it, it sounded so silly. ‘I’m at our abseiling area.’

  ‘Ah, abseiling. Now it makes sense. See you soon.’

  ‘What makes sense? Jared?’ She heard him end the call. It had sounded for all the world like he was on his way. How did he even know where their abseiling area was?

  When he turned up five minutes later she figured Indy must have told him. And there it was again, that little jump in her belly she would have thought impossible after all the drama over Aaron.

  ‘I brought food,’ he said. ‘In case you changed your mind. And because I’m hungry. Mind sharing your rock?’ He looked completely out of place in his suit, holding paper-wrapped rolls. On top of the undeniable attraction, Tess felt a tug of something more.

  ‘Thanks. You didn’t have to.’

  ‘I know. Here.’

  She took the roll and peeked at it. ‘Hey, my favourite. How’d you know?’

  ‘I’ve solved tougher cases,’ he said.

  ‘You had a source.’

  ‘I did. Callie.’

  She fought the urge to roll her eyes. Callie would be loving this. ‘Weren’t you with Indy?’

  ‘And Logan, yeah. So.’ He began unwrapping his food. ‘Come here often?’

  ‘All the time.’

  ‘Pretty spot.’

  ‘There’s plenty of them out here.’

  ‘Oh, yeah? Where else do these trails lead?’

  ‘All over the place.’

  They ate as they talked, and when they were finished, Jared brushed off his hands, took the rubbish and stood.

  ‘So, you want to tell me what’s wrong, or can I guess?’ he asked.

  She got to her feet and shook her head. ‘It’s stupid. I don’t seem to be able to get down there.’

  ‘Down … there?’ he asked, pointing to the edge.

  ‘Yeah.’

  He took her hand, turned it over in his, then turned it back. ‘Still sore?’

  ‘They’re not the problem.’

  ‘Then what is?’

  ‘It’s in my head. I can’t do it. I can’t go over the edge. How can I do what I do if I’m going to be scared of heights? I was so ticked off at Aaron, but he has a point.’

  A frown touched Jared’s features and his tone cooled. ‘And what point would that be?’

  She blurted it out, about Canada, about the rescue—all of it.

  ‘I think what he would have said,’ Jared told her after a moment, ‘had he been feeling more reasonable, is that you should give yourself some time, work your way back up to it.’

  ‘Yeah, but how do I know I will get over it? I feel like a coward.’

  He grinned at that. ‘You’re the woman who charged into a police station with a serial killer in the building and saved my life. The woman who risked her life on a mountain in a thunderstorm with no safety gear. Tess, you went over a cliff. You nearly died. If your brain isn’t telling you to avoid heights, there’s something wrong with you.’

  She dropped her gaze. ‘Perhaps.’

 
‘Would you teach me?’

  It took her a moment to catch up. ‘Teach you what? How to abseil?’

  ‘Yeah,’ he said with that half-smile. ‘Unlike you, I’ve never been comfortable with heights. I got out of abseiling at school camp when I was fourteen by pretending I had a stomach ache. I’m a complete wuss. Teach me.’

  ‘When?’

  ‘Now.’

  ‘Now? You’re wearing a suit.’

  He picked up her harness and shifted it around in his hands, trying to figure it out. ‘So what do I do?’

  ‘First of all, you’re not wearing that one. Hold on.’ She went back to the bag, took out a men’s size and found him a helmet and gloves.

  He climbed into the harness, followed her instructions on fitting everything properly and slipped on the gloves when she offered them. ‘Right, what’s next?’ He walked over to a couple of neatly tied lengths of coloured rope. ‘We attach one of these?’

  ‘The blue one.’

  ‘Why not the red one?’

  ‘Length,’ she said with a flick of a smile. ‘The shorter one is fine for this but it’s important to make sure your rope’s long enough to make it to the bottom of the cliff.’

  ‘Okay,’ he said. ‘Show me how you attach it.’

  ‘Know how to make a figure-eight knot?’

  ‘You know what, I think I do.’ He had a go.

  ‘Perfect,’ she said. ‘Now we attach it to this ring bolt like so …’ She threaded the knot into a heavy metal ring bolted deep into the rock. ‘And add a stopper knot so the rope is secure. Now we do it again. Never use just one anchor point. Three’s a good number.’

  ‘I’m guessing they’re not going to move.’

  ‘This abseiling station is set up here permanently. This is my beginners rock for guests. Tried and tested. Nothing is going to move.’

  ‘Okay, cool. What’s that?’ he asked of a metal clip she’d picked up.

  ‘This is your belay. We just have to loop the rope through it like this, then attach it to your caribiner like so … then clip you onto it here.’

  ‘That’s it?’

  ‘Once we’ve done the carabiner up,’ she said, rolling it into place to lock it, ‘yeah, almost. There’s a couple of different ways we can do this, but because you’re a beginner, I’m going to attach a prusik knot as an extra precaution.’