Marked

by Denis Martin

  At first I couldn’t move. Then I backed into the undergrowth, searching for cover. I was breathing heavily and every lungful sounded like a dump truck passing through my head.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  They weren’t arguing. Nothing like that. But there were no smiles either. Serious talk, and Bullyboy kept glancing around as if he was expecting trouble. After a minute or so Kat went inside, Bullyboy patting her on the shoulder as she departed. Turning back to Blissy, he took her hand and they nodded at each other. Like friends do when they’re parting. A moment later she disappeared into the cottage too, pulling the door shut behind her.

  Bullyboy stood there for a second, gazing about. Then he walked over to Blissy’s car and peeked in the side window. He went around the far side and dropped out of sight as if looking for something on the ground. After a second or two he popped up again, brushing dust off his knees with one hand. Moving around to the other side, he lowered himself onto one knee, peering underneath the car. What was he searching for? Bugs? Bombs? Or was he planting something?

  Or maybe he’d just dropped his keys.

  At last he seemed satisfied and stood up, flicking dust from his trousers again. Then my stomach clenched as he began making his way up the slope towards me. I backed deeper into the bushes, burying myself in the undergrowth. Cold dampness seeped through my trackies and my face was pressed into musty decaying leaves. But I hardly noticed, clinging to the cool earth and peering out from under the foliage. Really glad I wasn’t wearing my fluorescent trackies – they’d have stood out like a nun at a stag party.

  He stopped at the edge of the four-wheel drive track, looking carefully up and down. Then he walked to the Toyota, glancing about as he did so. But his eyes were mostly on the track surface – as if searching for tyre marks. Or my footprints. He didn’t seem to find anything though, and I watched through the leaves as he stopped beside the big wagon. He walked right around it, slowly, pushing the overhanging branches aside before unlocking the driver’s door and easing himself behind the wheel. I was expecting the noisy gurgle of a diesel, but this one started quietly. A petrol engine. The Toyota backed carefully out onto the track. Then it moved off down the hill and disappeared around a bend. But I could still hear it for a minute or two after that.

  I wriggled out of my hiding place and hauled myself to my feet. I was shaking, and my lungs were working hard, though it had nothing to do with the exercise I’d been doing earlier. It was fear, a nightmarish thunder in my head. Had he really gone?

  I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to see Kat. See that she was all right. But I’d just be making a dick of myself. She was fine – Bullyboy hadn’t been threatening them. They’d only been talking. Talking like people who knew each other well. No, going down there was a crazy idea.

  I wanted to go home. But what if the Toyota was still somewhere on the track? Waiting. No way was I going to follow Bullyboy back the way I had come. I took the overland route, scrambling and slithering through the bush to the lower road. There was a path of sorts down the spur to one side of Kat’s place, but it was heavily overgrown and I lost it a few times.

  Dad eyed me strangely as I came in. “What happened to you? Looks like you backed through a shredder.”

  “Just out for a run. Took a short cut through the bush. Think I’ll stick to the track next time.”

  He pointed to a scratch on my cheek. “Better put something on that. It’s a bit nasty. And get out of those clothes.”

  I wanted to talk about what I’d seen, but what would I tell him? That Blissy and Kat’d had a visitor? And that he’d parked in a fairly strange place? Wow! I could see him getting excited about that. He’d think I was nuts.

  So I shut up about it, and dabbed antiseptic cream on my face while Dad sorted out the gloves for a sparring session. The big fight was only a couple of days away. I thought Burger was probably more eager about it than me. To be fair, Dad was doing a fantastic job as my boxing coach. His plan hadn’t changed. Still wanted me to end the fight quickly by smashing Burger on the nose and spraying his blood all over the ring. But he didn’t stop there.

  “If this Burger creature’s the brawler Jed says he is, he’ll be slow. Whatever he lets fly, you’ll see it coming. Learn to use your eyes and it’ll be like fighting an angry tortoise.”

  Yeah right.

  “Look for signals. Watch his eyes, watch his rear glove and watch his balance.” Dad was moving as he spoke, dancing on his toes, jabbing, feinting. He was quick, and I was glad I wasn’t fighting him. “Keep him guessing. Feint with your left. Get him to follow it, then hit him with your right. “When he throws a punch, go under it and pull away. Get him off balance – like this.” He demonstrated, dropping low, knees bent, and my punch exploded harmlessly in thin air above his head. “But when you come up, come up hard – under his guard, and belt him on the rib cage. Like this.” He tapped me lightly beneath my armpit. “Except harder, much harder.”

  He made me do it with the punching bag. Then again and again, until I was driving up at full power, uncoiling my whole body. I was panting for breath, but I could see what he was getting at. “Get him off balance and then come up under his guard. Don’t play pansies, hit him with everything you’ve got.”

  I began to imagine I could even win this fight. I didn’t think Burger would be much quicker than my punching bag. He certainly wouldn’t be as quick as Dad.

  Kat was still away from school next day, and my imagination ran wild. I’d never seen Bullyboy do anything really bad – or even frightening. I’d never actually seen a gun on him. And just because he’d peered under Blissy’s car, it didn’t mean he was planning to plant a bomb. He could’ve been looking for something he’d dropped. And the two men in the black Pajero mightn’t have been mafia hit men. They could easily have been property developers out chasing a quick buck. But if your mind wants to believe the worst, there’s not much you can do about it.

  Somehow I struggled through the school day. Dad was in Auckland sharing a latte with his agent, so Jed was waiting for me at the ferry. And I was glad to see him. Wanted to talk to him about Kat, but I didn’t know where to start. Or how much to tell him. I knew he wouldn’t laugh at me though.

  We drove in silence for a while and then he asked me if I was ready for the big fight.

  “Guess so. As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  He nodded and glanced at me curiously. “Something on your mind?”

  “Yeah. D’you know what’s up with Kat? She hasn’t been at school for a couple of days.”

  “I know.”

  “How?”

  “Um … called in to see Blissy.” He took one hand from the wheel and rubbed it over the stubble on his chin. “Anyway, I reckon you’re right. There’s something a bit weird going on.”

  “How d’you mean?”

  “Well, they seem sort of stressed out – both of them. And Kat’s certainly not sick in bed. What do you think?”

  I told him about the black four-wheel drive we’d seen parked outside their place, and how it had thrown Kat into a tailspin. “It could’ve just been a couple of developers or something. She said so herself.”

  “But she didn’t believe it?” He glanced at me.

  “No. She thought it could be a bloke from Australia that’s been trying to track down her mum. Dad reckons it’s probably a debt collector.”

  Jed nodded thoughtfully, his lips pursed, a frown across his forehead.

  “There’s more though,” I said, and he looked up sharply.

  I told him about seeing Bullyboy at the cottage.

  “And you reckon they know him?”

  “Yeah. Dunno whether they’re friends. But they knew each other well enough.” I wasn’t going to forget in a hurry the way he’d patted Kat’s shoulder.

  “I’m buggered if I know what’s going on. This Bullyboy … I’ve only seen him once, but he gives me the creeps. So he’s got a different car now?”

  “Guess so. It was a big Toyo
ta. Grey with tinted windows. An import. Rego BBC.”

  “Observant little sod, aren’t you?” He grinned, but not with a lot of mirth.

  “Easy one to remember.”

  “Something else a bit weird,” he said. “It’s Blissy. I’m not sure she’s really Kat’s mother.”

  “What?”

  “It’s just …” He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “It’s just a few things don’t add up. Don’t get me wrong. I really like Blissy, but I’m not certain she’s Kat’s mother.”

  I stared at him. “What sort of things?”

  “Well, mostly, it was a photo I came across. Kat with a couple of adults. Blissy wasn’t in it, but the woman looked like Kat, except older. Same hair, same features. I’d say she was her mum. And the bloke would’ve been her dad.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  He looked sheepish, his eyes fixed on the road. “It seemed kinda private. It was … in her room. I was fixing a plumbing leak from the bathroom next door and I had to cut away part of her wall. I saw it when I was moving the furniture. Had to take the drawers out of her dresser to shift it.” I could see he was uncomfortable.

  “And the photo was in a drawer?”

  He nodded. “I felt like one of those tradesmen they catch on TV. You know, the ones you see fondling lacy lingerie in the bedroom. Bit embarrassing really. Didn’t want you to think I was a perve.” He glanced at me with a guilty smile.

  “No. I guess not.”

  We pulled into our driveway and he put the ute out of gear. Left the engine running, and turned to me, watching me carefully. He was searching for words. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you. I guess I was worried what you’d think.”

  “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.” I grinned, trying to make it easy for him. “You didn’t ask Blissy about it?”

  “No. She wouldn’t have been all that impressed. Plays things pretty close to her chest, does Blissy.”

  I thought about the photo for a moment. “You’re right though. They don’t look much like mother and daughter. Maybe Kat was adopted? Or fostered?”

  “Yeah, I suppose it’s possible.” He paused, fiddling with the gear lever. “But they don’t act like mother and daughter. She never calls her Mum – it’s always Blissy.”

  “That’s not so unusual – lots of kids call their parents by their first names.”

  He shrugged, giving me a slightly pitying look and eased the ute back into gear. “Okay. I’ve gotta go. I don’t know what’s going on up the road there, but I like Blissy, and Kat’s a great kid. Let’s just keep an eye out for them.”

  Watching him drive away, I wondered how that would help. Couldn’t think of a better plan though.

  Dark shadows seemed to be crawling across my world. Cold and murky ones.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Kat was waiting for the ferry next morning when Dad dropped me off and it was great to see her there. Maybe things were back to normal.

  She was different though, obviously something heavy on her mind. I asked if she’d been ill, and she nodded. “A touch of flu.”

  I knew that wasn’t the truth, but I let it go. She wasn’t being rude or unpleasant – I could see she just didn’t want to talk. When the ferry docked, she walked to school with the other girls, and they didn’t seem to be getting much out of her either.

  Kat mightn’t have wanted to talk, but I did. School had finished for the day before I had a chance to catch up with her. She was making her way through the foreshore reserve, heading for the ferry wharf and there was no one else around, so I fell in beside her.

  “You okay now?”

  She glanced at me. “Yes. Thanks.”

  “You sure?”

  “What is this? The inquisition?”

  I didn’t answer and we walked in silence. I felt awkward and after a while I couldn’t bear it any longer. “Would you be happier if I left you alone?”

  She stopped. Her eyes were roving over me and she frowned slightly. Almost as if she was seeing me for the first time. “No,” she said at last. “No, I wouldn’t. I’d like you to stick around, but …” She tailed off, running one hand through her hair and staring at my cheek. “What’s happened to you? Your face?”

  “Had a fight with a thornbush,” I said, fingering the scratch. I knew she was trying to take control of the conversation, but I wasn’t having any of it. I sucked in a deep breath. “Look,” I said, “I know something’s wrong. You were scared shitless by those two guys in the Pajero the other day. Something is wrong and I only want to help. Thought we were friends.”

  “Friends,” she said. “Yeah, I suppose we are.” A long pause, her eyes locked with mine. “You’re right. God, I wish you weren’t. But I can’t tell you about it. This is dangerous. Really dangerous.” She glanced over her shoulder. “You have to trust me … please. You already know way too much. And the more you know, the more dangerous it’ll get. For both of us.”

  I stared at her. Didn’t know what to say – so much for staying out of other people’s problems. She seemed scared again, eyes searching for danger like a frightened rabbit, her lower lip clenched.

  “I’ve said too much anyway. But it’ll all be over soon.” Her voice dropped almost to a whisper. “We … we’re leaving … Blissy and me.”

  The words sliced into me and I stepped backwards, stunned. Kat leaving? I felt gutted. “Leaving? For good?”

  “Yes. We’ve got to.”

  “When?”

  “Don’t know. Could be any day.” Then her tone became desperate. “For God’s sake though, keep that to yourself. Please. Don’t tell anyone. Anyone.”

  I nodded. My mind was elsewhere, swirling into shades of black. She couldn’t leave. Not now. We’d only just got to know each other.

  “Promise? It’s really important.”

  Struggling to focus, I nodded again. “I promise.”

  Leaving. Any day.

  I probably should’ve stopped there, but I couldn’t. “It’s those guys … the ones in the Pajero, isn’t it? The bastards. They’re driving you out of here.”

  She turned away, shaking her head and began walking again quickly.

  I hurried to catch up. “They are, aren’t they?” I was losing Kat – and losing control of myself. Needed someone to blame.

  “Cully, can’t you take a hint?” She glanced at me, scowling. But she slowed her pace. “I’ve already told you too much.” Then her shoulders slumped. “Yes, it’s to do with them. We were hoping … hoping they wouldn’t find us.”

  “What do they want?”

  She stopped abruptly and stood looking at me across the path. “Can’t tell you that. Just give it a rest, Cully.”

  “Okay.” But I couldn’t, could I? I was wild with these people. They were driving Kat away and I wanted her here. “What about that guy I saw hassling you on the jetty that day? The one who was tailing you. Where does he fit in?”

  “He doesn’t. Don’t know who he was. A cop.” She was gazing away from me, out over the estuary. The water was wind-whipped, grey and bleak. Just like I felt.

  “Come on, Kat. That’s bullshit.”

  “What d’you mean, bullshit?”

  I faced her. “Look, Kat, I’m not trying to poke my nose in. I know it’s none of my business. That guy scares me though – he was sort of following me too.”

  “And?”

  “And I saw him with you. I went for a run up behind your place a couple of nights ago. Saw him talking to you. You and Blissy.” I knew I was overstepping the mark. But the explosion I braced myself for didn’t come.

  She dropped her face into her hands and stood motionless. Rigid. “Jeez,” she muttered.

  “Where does he fit in?” I asked more gently.

  “He’s …” She slid her hands down her face, cupping them under her chin. “He’s a friend … sort of. He’s looking after us, keeping an eye on us.”

  “What, like a minder? A bodyguard?”

  “
If you like.”

  “Shit!” It still didn’t make sense. I remembered him standing over her on the jetty, grabbing her arm and spitting anger. “Does he … does he carry a gun?”

  “Probably.”

  “And he came to see you the other night because of the guys we saw in the Pajero?”

  “I’m not telling you any more. It’s too dangerous. If you’re going to keep on about it, you can walk by yourself.” She set off again along the waterfront path, and after a moment’s hesitation I followed her. Then she stopped again, turning to face me. “But please … you can’t say anything … anything about any of this. Not to anybody.” Her eyes were pleading. “Promise?”

  “It’s okay – I said I wouldn’t.” We walked in silence nearly all the way to the ferry, but I didn’t feel awkward any more. Just empty. Kat was leaving. I was going to lose her.

  The next day dawned clear and bright, but I was still wallowing dismally in bleak shadows. That afternoon I was expected to offer myself up as Burger’s punching bag. And Kat was about to disappear off my radar screen.

  Dad was off to another meeting in Auckland, leaving early. He was full of apologies, but really I was quite relieved. I knew he’d have wanted to see the fight, and the last thing I wanted in the audience was a doting parent. He climbed into the MX-5 and lowered the window. “Good luck. And remember – that first punch.” He reached out, jabbing me lightly on the arm. “Go for the nose – hard.” He drove off and I watched the little sports car turn out of the drive and disappear.

  I’d bludged a lift from Jed, but I had to wait for ages. He was so late picking me up, I thought I’d probably miss the ferry. And the mood I was in wasn’t helping much either.

  “Lighten up,” he said after an ice age of silence. “It’s only a fight. They’ll probably stop it before he kills you.”

  I grinned. Not a proper grin. A baring of the teeth, thin and stretched, the best I could manage. There was a whole lot I wanted to share with him, but I couldn’t. I’d promised Kat. And I didn’t want to talk about the fight either.