The Mission

by Fiona Palmer

  ‘Sorry, I’m just away with the fairies I guess.’ Still feeling that sensation in the pit of her stomach, Jaz continued to search for the Nissan as Taylor drove home.

  A black shape sitting in a driveway around the bend caught her eye as they went past. Was it the same one? She leant forward watching the side mirror. ‘Damn,’ she muttered, as the black vehicle reversed onto the road behind them. It was only minutes later she saw it again, nestled behind two cars. ‘Turn left here,’ she asked Taylor.

  ‘Why? Jaz?’

  She didn’t answer him but he obeyed and turned, giving her the chance to see the Nissan turn also. Its plates were the same, she was sure of it. Jaz turned to Taylor.

  ‘Don’t panic, but I think we are being followed.’

  Automatically Taylor looked into his rear-vision mirror. ‘Really? Where? What makes you say that?’ he asked.

  Jaz told him about seeing the Nissan a few times already today and how her toilet stop had been a test.

  ‘What would make you think we would be followed, anyway? Do you think they want my Mustang?’ Taylor’s eyes grew big and his hands gripped the steering wheel tighter. ‘Do you think this has something to do with the home invasion? The guy with the gun.’ He scoffed with the thought.

  Jaz checked the mirror again and sighed. ‘That’s what I was thinking. Tay, what if this is the same guy? Maybe he’s still keeping watch for some reason. What if…’ She let her words fall away, not really sure what it could all mean. ‘Is your dad home?’

  ‘Yeah, he is.’

  ‘Let’s just go back to your place and see if they keep following,’ she said. What else could they do?

  ‘What do you think they want with me?’ Taylor’s voice was shaky and he’d paled a fraction. The memories of the attack probably refreshed in his mind. It certainly had for Jaz.

  ‘I don’t know. Maybe they are just keeping an eye on us? They haven’t made any moves. I got the number plate; do you think we could run it?’

  Taylor was now watching the mirrors as much as she was as he headed for home. ‘What? Ask my dad?’

  ‘I don’t really want to worry your dad.’ How could Jaz tell Taylor that she thought his dad was maybe being extorted? ‘Is there anyone else who could help you out at the office?’ By office, Jaz meant the great big police station in Perth.

  ‘I could try Meg. She has access to the vehicle database. But Dad could do it easily. I’m sure he won’t mind.’

  Jaz saw the Nissan fall back as they were coming up to Taylor’s street. Obviously they already knew where he lived. ‘Stop here, Tay. I need to run something by you.’

  He pulled up short of his driveway, two houses down, but they could see Taylor’s dad’s car at home.

  ‘What’s going on?’ Taylor turned in his seat to face her. He even lifted his sunglasses to his head, his face full of questions.

  ‘I’m worried that this car and the attack are linked.’ Jaz realised the best way to take care of her best friend was to make him aware, make him cautious. ‘Look, I’ve been thinking about the attack and what the man said and about how your dad reacted.’

  His brows met, creasing up his forehead. ‘What do you mean about how my dad reacted? He was worried sick.’

  ‘I know. But when I told him what the attacker said, about how this was your last warning, well, your dad looked as though he knew exactly what it meant.’

  Taylor pulled a face and Jaz felt sure he was going to defend his dad. Who wouldn’t? ‘Jaz, you don’t — ‘

  ‘Taylor, just hear me out. You dad has been out of sorts lately and I think that maybe he’s being made to help out some bad guys.’

  ‘No, he wouldn’t do that. Dad’s as straight as they come, and he’s a Deputy Commissioner,’ said Taylor proudly.

  ‘Not even if they threatened his son’s life?’ Jaz reached over and grabbed his hand. ‘Tay, what if they attacked you to send a warning to your dad. To let him know just how easily they could get to you. It’s the only thing that makes sense about what the attacker said. Unless your dad owes money for something and they want him to pay up.’

  ‘Dad’s got heaps of money, it wouldn’t be that.’ He rubbed his face with his hand. ‘What if you’re right? Dad is in the best spot for information.’

  ‘I know. He could warn the bad guys about raids, and keep them in the loop of what the cops are targeting next. I’m sure some cops have no choice when their family is threatened. There are so many big bikie gangs and drug lords who would kill for the information your dad has access to.’

  Taylor was quiet for ages. They both just sat, milling over their thoughts and the information. It was starting to get darker and the streetlights were all coming on.

  ‘What do we do, Jaz? Do I confront my dad?’ he asked softly.

  ‘Not yet. Let’s call Meg tomorrow and see who owns this car and we might have something to bring to your dad.’ Or Jaz would have something to take to Ryan and MTG could look into it.

  ‘Okay. Tomorrow at recess, we’ll ring Meg. You wanna come in?’ he asked as he started his car.

  ‘No, actually, can you drop me off home? I told Mum I’d be home early tonight.’

  Her house was only up and around the corner, so she was home in a minute. ‘Thanks Tay. Just be careful. Watch for the Nissan. Watch for everything and tell me,’ she said. She didn’t want to scare him, but she didn’t want him complacent either.

  As Taylor drove away, Jaz felt the fear grip her body. She couldn’t lose him. Hopefully the number plate turned up a lead tomorrow. But right now she had to get ready to see who Carl Sinclair was meeting tonight at eight. Adrenaline was already running through Jaz’s body from being followed, and now she was about to do her first stake-out. With jelly legs, she headed into the house.

  First thing she did was tell her family that she was going out for fish and chips with Taylor. ‘I’ll be back around nine, Mum.’

  Tasha gave her an exasperated look. She wanted to be able to tell Jaz what to do, but she knew she was nearly old enough to do her own thing. ‘Thanks for letting me know,’ she said with a sigh.

  Jaz ran up the stairs to her room before her mum changed her mind. She threw on Ryan’s big hoody that she’d kept and grabbed her Danny Green cap that Bags got signed for her. With her jeans and black Doc Martens, she was hoping to pass as just another guy. Ryan’s jumper was baggy enough to hide her chest and she tucked her hair up under the cap.

  She was about to leave when she thought about her Canon EOS camera. That could come in very handy. Opening her cupboard, she pulled out the black camera bag and checked both lenses were in there. She would try to get photos from her jeep, if it was possible.

  Happy that she had everything, she snuck back downstairs and outside to her jeep. Nervously, she drove south to Fremantle and found some parking just off Mews Road so she could see the front of the shop. Did she wait here and chance missing them? Or did she go inside and risk being detected?

  Jaz felt ill as she tried to run each scenario through in her mind.

  Just outside the shop was a bricked-up square around a tree, which was near the entry, and she could see quite a large area from there. Even across the lawn to the boat harbour.

  That was where she needed to wait. Jaz put the small lens on her camera so it fitted under her jumper easily; she hoped to get pictures of them inside by the light. Reaching across to her glove box, she pulled out a packet of cigarettes and a lighter she’d bought earlier.

  She looked at the plain packaging, remembering when she’d first seen Ryan smoking and he’d explained how it was a great cover. Smoking would give her a reason to be sitting out the front of the shop in the first place. She could look like she was waiting for her order or a friend. As long as she didn’t actually drag from it she’d be okay. Her fits of coughing would ruin her attempts to blend in.

  She’d have to wash her clothes soon too. If her mum caught a whiff of smoke on her she’d go ballistic. The deodorant in her glove box w
ould come in handy.

  It was seven forty-five. Jaz had better get into position in case someone came early. She fumbled with the door and cursed at her own nerves. She had faced worse in Pakistan, a night in Fremantle should be a breeze.

  Jaz locked her jeep and walked across the road towards Cicerello’s. Her camera banged against her chest under the jumper as she tried to walk slowly.

  Every person she passed scared her. What if it was Carl? She kept her cap low and eventually made it to the brickwork by the steps to the lawn. The tree behind her would also help cover her while she tried to get some photos.

  The bricks were cold on her bum and her leg began to shake. She stopped it but then it started right back up again. She pulled a cigarette from the box and lit it. Jaz tried not to screw her face up at the smoke. It had been three years since she’d tried smoking. Anna and Taylor had tried it together with her and they’d deemed it wasn’t for them after coughing their throats raw. But they had felt cool for five seconds before that.

  Jaz put the smoke to her lips, took a small drag and quickly blew it out again. She was able to stifle a cough as she glanced at her watch again. It was getting close to time. Jaz began to watch for cars and the faces of men alone. Would Carl be first?

  It was a minute to eight when she saw the familiar dark hair of Carl. He was wearing his black suit pants and a white shirt without the tie. Jaz kept her cap down as low as she could without losing sight of Carl as he headed towards the shop door.

  Jaz put out the cigarette and pulled out her phone. This was another great tool, as everyone was on their phones. A few people walked past and Jaz glanced up, seeing the back of a dark blue suit. Could that be the guy?

  She could only just see Carl through the glass, making an order. The guy with the suit went to stand beside him and made an order too. Jaz checked her watch, it was after eight. That must be him. Glancing around her, she couldn’t see anyone coming or going. Quickly she lifted her jumper and brought her camera up to her eye as she stood beside the pine tree, trying to blend in with its branches. Using her zoom, she found Carl and clicked off a few shots. She could see his face clearly. If only the other man would turn around.

  They looked like they were just two people waiting for their order and chatting. Except the facial expression on Carl was the same one he had when he took that phone call at dinner.

  ‘Come on, turn around,’ Jaz begged quietly. She quickly checked no one was coming and went back to looking through the camera. She hoped like hell that the lens didn’t catch the light and give her away.

  The man didn’t turn around, even when Carl took his order and left. Jaz was just about having heart palpitations as she hid behind the tree while Carl went to his car. If this kept up, she’d be dead before the guy in the shop ever turned around.

  Finally he stepped towards the counter for his order and turned to leave. Jaz almost screamed when his face became visible. She was so shocked she didn’t take any photos; instead, she sat down and hid the camera as fast as she could and then went about getting a cigarette out.

  As the man walked back past her she tried not to shake as she attempted to light her cigarette. The smell of fish and chips followed him and Jaz couldn’t help but watch the man head over to the car park. He was in a silver Mercedes, expensive looking one. Did she risk using the camera to get his number plates or just hope he came back this way?

  She decided she couldn’t risk the camera, and had her phone ready to take photos while she would try and memorise the plate.

  He pulled out onto the road, heading back towards Jaz. She started taking photos with her phone while pretending to look at it, when in fact her eyes were reading the plates. 1BAO576. Just a typical number plate. Jaz entered it into her phone with trembling hands.

  She’d seen him. She knew him. And it was worse than she could ever possibly think.

  Chapter 22

  Jaz had hardly slept a wink last night. Tossing and turning over what to do. Should she tell Ryan what she’d seen? Should she send word to MTG first? It was awful because all she could think about was Marcus. Surely he knew nothing of his dad’s dodgy dealings. What would this do to him eventually? Break his family up, hurting him in the process. None of it was his fault. It sucked.

  It had taken all her effort to get to school on time. Even Simon had asked if she was okay.

  ‘You look like crap, sis,’ he’d said as she drove him to school.

  ‘I feel like it too,’ she’d replied. Wondering if the smoking hadn’t helped her case.

  Since getting her jeep she’d been taking them both to school, and it was nice spending time with Simon. And not having their mum drop them off. Apparently Simon’s school credit had gone up.

  ‘You ready to do this?’ asked Taylor, as he found her after their last class before recess.

  ‘Yep, you?’

  Taylor nodded and grabbed her arm. Together they went outside to find a quiet spot where they couldn’t be overheard or interrupted.

  ‘Wait for me,’ shouted Anna who was racing along the corridor behind them. She was waving frantically like a two-armed octopus. ‘Sorry I’m late. I just had to tell Ricky I couldn’t catch up at all today.’

  Taylor had rung Anna last night to update her with all the details and she insisted she would be here for them. Jaz had offered to tell Anna but Taylor thought he should. Besides, who was Jaz to spoil his fun?

  ‘Okay, got the number plate ready?’ he asked as they lay down beside a tree, heads together in a close circle.

  Jaz pulled out her phone and brought up both number plates. Taylor frowned when he saw two numbers there. ‘The other one was another car that seemed a bit suss,’ she said. ‘Thought it wouldn’t hurt to see if both were connected maybe.’

  ‘Good idea,’ said Taylor as he dialled the number. ‘Hi, can you put me through to Megan Stiller, please. It’s Taylor Stewart. Cheers.’ He shot them a nervous smile as he put it on loudspeaker, placing the phone on the ground in front of him.

  ‘Taylor?’

  ‘Hi Meg, how are you?’ said Taylor.

  ‘I’m fine. How come I haven’t seen you around the office lately? We miss you around here,’ she said. Her voice was young and peppy, but also carried a hint of importance.

  ‘I know. I will one day soon. But hey, I need to ask you a huge favour.’

  ‘Go ahead,’ she said curiously.

  ‘I took down some number plates of some cars I think have been following me, and since the assault I’ve been worried they might come back. Any chance you can bring up the owners for me? I don’t want to worry Dad with this just yet.’

  Meg inhaled sharply. ‘Mmm. I’m sorry about that. Your dad’s been a bit out of sorts lately. I can’t believe that happened to you, Tay. I know he’s got a task force trying to catch the bugger.’

  ‘Until then I’m taking my own precautions. So will you help me and check these plates? Please,’ he begged.

  ‘I can put you through to the task force, if you want?’

  ‘No, they will only tell Dad and I want to double-check they are still following me first before I pass on the info. Can you help?’

  The line went silent as Meg thought over his request. ‘Okay, but I never said anything, alright?’

  Jaz could hear in her voice that she was fond of Taylor.

  ‘Promise. I’ll owe ya, Meg,’ said Taylor. They heard some tapping on a computer.

  ‘First number?’ she asked.

  Jaz gave Taylor her phone so he could read the first plate.

  ‘That belongs to a Mallinya Party Limited,’ she said. ‘I don’t know if I should give the address in case you do something silly,’ she added.

  ‘No, I swear I won’t do anything, Meg. Here’s the other one,’ said Taylor.

  ‘That one belongs to a De Luca Industries. Now, is that all?’ said Meg worriedly.

  ‘Yep, that’s it. Thanks,’ he said, before saying goodbye.

  Anna put her hand on Taylor. ‘Did
any of that mean anything to you two?’

  Taylor shook his head. Jaz got on the internet and Googled Mallinya Party Limited to see if it brought up anything else. ‘Let me see what I can find. Okay, it’s a Perth company run by…’ Jaz tapped through a few links trying to find who owned the company. ‘A Mr Nicko Serv…’ Her voice trailed away. ‘Nicko Serveyous,’ she said again as her own mind registered the name.

  Jaz could tell the name meant nothing to Taylor and Anna but it meant a lot to her. Nicko was the one she and Ryan had followed from the casino. Did that mean he was the one involved with the tattooed guy? Was he the one controlling the Shesha Serpents or were they controlling him?

  ‘Jaz, do you know something? Are you thinking Ryan could help with this?’ said Anna leaning in close, causing her long plait to fall over her shoulder.

  But Jaz was too caught up in her thoughts to answer Anna.

  ‘Why would Ryan be able to help?’ Taylor glanced between the both of them, and Jaz just about cursed at Anna for letting the cat out of the bag.

  ‘We’ve just found out that Ryan works for the government doing stuff,’ said Jaz, keeping the details loose. ‘I heard him mention a Nicko Serveyous once. Seemed like a bad dude.’

  ‘You’re just telling me this now.’ His eyes grew wide and he looked hurt.

  ‘None of us are meant to know, so you must keep it a secret. You can’t tell anyone about Ryan.’ She waited until they both nodded. ‘What I will do is tell Ryan about Nicko’s guys following us and he will do something about it. He is separate from the police so he might be able to get to them without compromising your dad or you.’ Jaz reached out and took Taylor’s other hand, the one Anna wasn’t gripping to death. ‘You can’t tell your dad. If he is feeding information to this Nicko guy to save your life then we can’t trust him. Ryan can help. Trust me on this. Ryan’s a good guy.’

  Taylor was thinking hard, she could see the vein lines protruding in his neck. ‘So that’s why he’s great with a gun and can fight? He’s like a secret SAS soldier or something? Does he work for ASIO?’