Whispers At Wongan Creek

by Juanita Kees

  His heart ached with guilt and regret that this small, beautiful, innocent child had witnessed such horrible things. It explained so much. How hard she tried to please him and her grandparents. How determined she was to behave, the number of times she’d put herself in the naughty corner. The fear in her eyes every time she came face-to-face with Zac Bannister. All because of a threat made by a man who did not deserve to be alive. And then there was the guilt that ate away at his soul. He’d left them at the mercy of the heartless mongrel.

  Anger and hatred for Zac Bannister ate into his guilt. The longer he thought on it, the more determined he became to bring the bastard to justice. So many things had happened in quick succession after Tracy’s body was found and Casey’s welfare had become a priority, so perhaps even he had overlooked some of the clues that pointed to Zac’s involvement. Like what had happened to Tracy’s dress from the party.

  He remembered the boxes Mum had packed in the shed. Tracy’s things she hadn’t had the heart to give to charity. Were there clues in those boxes? Evidence that might point in Bannister’s direction? Now that Riggs had a new lead on the case, anything to support a conviction could be reviewed as evidence.

  As the sky began to lighten with the approach of dawn, Travis eased out of the chair, kissed Casey’s forehead and decided to head out to the shed.

  As he passed through the kitchen, he found Heather putting the kettle on to boil. Outside the windows, in the tents spread across his land and Harry’s, camping lights started to glow, indicating that the volunteers were stirring to prepare for another day of agonising search.

  He stopped and let his eyes rest on her for a moment. ‘Hey.’

  ‘Hi,’ she responded, her voice barely above a whisper.

  ‘You okay?’ Puffy, tired eyes, crazy hair and all, she was still the most beautiful vision he’d seen. All the more reason she should get the hell out of town away from the threat of a madman in Wongan Creek. A transfer out of town was the best thing for all of them. He’d be able to take better care of his people if there weren’t any distractions.

  Heather nodded. ‘I’m okay. Are you? You didn’t sleep much last night.’

  ‘Too many things going on in my head. Can you stay with Casey again today? She trusts you. So do I.’ He hooked his fingers into the belt loops on his jeans and stared at the floorboards.

  ‘Of course, I’ll be here for as long as you need me. Where are you going now? Please don’t go out there alone without the rest of the team.’

  The fear in her voice was tangible, the danger a reality. Not just Harry going missing but also what Zac Bannister was truly capable of and when he’d strike again.

  ‘I’m going down to the shed to look through Tracy’s things. Maybe there’s something in there that will help with the case now Riggs has opened it again.’

  ‘Oh, Travis.’

  Heather took a step towards him and reached for him. He read the need to comfort in her eyes and stepped back, hating himself for changing that look to one of hurt.

  Not trusting himself to speak, he turned away, opened the door and walked away from the woman he’d fallen in love with. Closing the door behind him, he focused on the shed at the bottom of the garden and willed all thoughts of Heather from his mind.

  Even when this was over, his focus would only be on Casey and Harry, if they found him alive, because he wouldn’t let them down again.

  ***

  Heather’s heart clenched as she watched Travis walk down the path to the shed and ply the door open. In the quiet early morning with only the call of the birds at dawn, the hinges squealed with the sound of a rusty door that hadn’t been opened for years.

  Gone was the larrikin she’d grown to love. In his place was a man destroyed by the darker side of humanity. And she’d lost him before she’d had him. She should be thankful. Wasn’t that what she’d wanted? No commitment, no happy ever afters? His withdrawal shouldn’t hurt so much, but it did.

  She sat at the table, her hands wrapped around a mug of steaming tea, a pot of coffee brewing for Travis and any early risers from the tents outside. Soon the paddocks would be crawling with volunteer rescuers once again.

  God, she hoped they found Harry today and that he’d be safe and well despite the odds. One positive thing for Travis to hold on to. As soon as the search was over, she’d be packing her bags and leaving Wongan Creek. It shouldn’t hurt so much, but it did.

  Watching Travis deal with what he had these last few weeks, she knew she had to pluck up the courage to face her own fears. It was time to know for sure whether or not she carried the gene that resulted in MND, whether the result was good or bad. She had nothing left to lose. You couldn’t lose something you never had.

  An hour later as the paddock came alive, Travis trudged back inside, his arms empty and his face creased with disappointment. Heather’s heart broke a little more as he swept past her without a word, totally closed off to the world.

  When the breakfast rush was over and the search teams left for the day, Heather went through the motions of getting Casey up and dressed. Another long day stretched ahead of them, one she prayed would end on a happier note.

  Keeping Casey entertained was easy, even though the little girl seemed more withdrawn this morning. The ladies from the CWA helped, getting her involved in preparing lunches and giving her clean up jobs to do.

  Heather helped out too. She’d miss this when she transferred to Perth. The community spirit was different in the city. People were busy with life and work, the hustle and bustle of urban living. And she’d miss Casey … and Travis. But a broken heart could mend. All she had to do was focus on what lay ahead.

  Midday rolled around and the first team came back in from the field, and the relay team went out. They were kept busy with handing out food and drinks, and desperately tried to keep up hope for Harry.

  Chapter 18

  Travis shaded his eyes against the sun and searched the upward slope of Whispering Hills. He whistled for Robbie and listened to the silence that greeted him.

  Goddamn it, where were they? A whine reached his ears and his heart rate picked up. ‘Robbie!’ He whistled again.

  ‘Over there,’ said Doc Benson, pointing towards the thick scrub to his left.

  They walked between the growth of eucalypts, calling for Harry and Robbie. As they got closer, Robbie edged out of the scrub, his front left paw off the ground as he limped towards them.

  ‘Hey, boy.’

  Travis knelt down and held out his hand to Robbie. The dog barked twice then whined again as he nudged Travis’ hand.

  ‘Where’s Harry, boy? Let me look at your foot.’ He lifted Robbie’s paw and checked the pads underneath. They were raw and aggravated as if the dog had been digging for a while. He pulled out a thorn and set Robbie’s paw back on the ground. ‘Is that better?’

  Robbie barked.

  ‘Where’s Harry, boy?’ Travis asked again, letting the dog drink from his water bottle.

  Robbie nudged his hand and turned back into the scrub, limping on three legs. They followed him. Doc radioed the team coordinator.

  ‘We’ve found Robbie. He’s okay. He has a sore paw and might be a little dehydrated, but he’s leading us upstream towards Pearson’s Bridge.’

  ‘Copy that,’ came the response. ‘I’ll relocate a team to follow. Keep us posted, Doc.’

  ‘Copy that.’ He flicked the switch and reattached it to his belt, jogging to catch up with Travis. ‘How’s the head?’

  ‘Okay. Better.’

  ‘Good. The side of your face is a lovely shade of purple.’

  ‘You get that.’

  Travis watched as Robbie weaved in and out of the scrub and headed back to the creek bank. Pearson’s Bridge loomed in the distance. It was a hell of a long walk for a man in his seventies with arthritic knees. He hoped to God Harry had survived it. Even in summer the nights could get chilly when the wind blew off the hills across the creek.

  Robbie ran on, nos
e to the ground, picking up his pace.

  ‘He’s got something.’ Travis lengthened his stride, ignoring the sharp jabs of pain through his still aching body from the impact of his feet hitting the ground.

  Robbie veered off to the right and up past the bridge pylon into the bush. He stopped a few metres up, pawed the ground and whined. Travis caught up and knelt down next to him.

  ‘Good boy!’

  He rubbed the dog’s head and offered him a piece of jerky from his ration pack. Half a metre ahead was a hole in the ground about two metres wide.

  ‘Who the hell would dig a pit like that out here in the middle of nowhere? Bloody hell, the scouts are out in this bushland all the time. Someone could get hurt.’ Doc Benson peered into the dark hole.

  Robbie whined and barked, pawing at the ground again.

  ‘Is Harry down there, boy?’ Travis shone his torch into the hole. ‘Harry? Harry!’

  A soft groan reached his ears and Travis’ heart soared. ‘Oh thank God. Harry, answer me, you old bastard.’

  Harry’s voice reached him, weak and thready. ‘Took you long enough, you little sod. Get me out of this bloody hole.’

  Travis didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, so he did both. ‘Are you hurt?’

  ‘Broke my bloody arm when he pushed me into the hole. Think me ankle’s gone too.’

  ‘Who pushed you down the hole? Robbie?’ The euphoria at finding Harry slid like concrete into the pit of his stomach.

  ‘No, that bloody mongrel Zac!’ Pain etched Harry’s voice.

  Travis looked at Doc. ‘We need to get him out of there. I don’t like the sound of that.’

  ‘Me neither,’ agreed Doc. He stood to pull the radio from his belt.

  ‘Okay, Harry. Stay still. Help is on the way,’ Travis reassured his friend.

  ‘Righto, mate. You better get the coppers on it too.’

  ‘Why’s that?’

  ‘There’s some strange shit down here.’

  Travis caught Doc’s frown and answered it with his own. ‘Do you think he’s delirious?’

  Doc shrugged. ‘Could be.’

  ‘I’m not delirious! I’ve got me torch here and there’s some strange stuff down here. Look!’

  A beam of light landed on a pile at the bottom of the pit. Travis’ heart froze and the hair on his arms rose on a wave of goosebumps. ‘Fuck.’

  ***

  ‘They found Harry! He’s okay.’ Marge Everett pulled Heather into a tight hug as a cheer went up around the veranda.

  Relief flooded her as she received one hug after another and returned them happily. For the first time since she’d broken her silence about the day her mum disappeared, Casey smiled too and that made Heather’s heart swell with love.

  She swung the little girl up in her arms and did a happy dance along the veranda. Casey giggled and hugged her tightly.

  ‘I love you, Heather. Will you stay with Uncle Travis and me forever?’

  Heather missed a step in her dance, stopped and lowered Casey to the ground. The child clung to her hand, her eyes round and pleading.

  ‘Please, Heather?’

  ‘Oh, darling—’

  Pain gripped her heart and squeezed. How could she tell this sweet little kid that she had no future here or anywhere? That each moment in time was a step closer to reality, a place where happy ever afters didn’t exist. At least, not for her.

  Her transfer had come at a good time because she’d already lost her heart to the town, Casey and Travis.

  An unbearable ache enveloped her as she looked down at the sweet pixie-faced Casey. She’d never have a child of her own. What good would it do to love this beautiful little girl? She would only lose another loved one when the monster called Motor Neurone Disease took control and stripped away any life they might have together, any chance of being a happy family.

  Casey’s attention swung to the arrival of the search teams. Weary, grubby but happy with the outcome, they celebrated with backslaps, coffee and bottled water as each team returned to base.

  She bounced on the toes of her boots. ‘Where are they, Heather? Where’s Uncle Trav and Harry?’

  ‘They’ll be along soon, sweetheart. If Harry’s hurt, they’ll need a stretcher. Why don’t we go inside and get some blankets and things in case Harry needs them?’

  ‘Okay,’ agreed Casey.

  It felt like days but in reality it was closer to a couple of hours before Travis appeared with the last search and rescue team to arrive. He carried Robbie in his arms, carefully supporting a bandaged paw.

  An intense ache speared through Heather as she watched him walk towards the house. His face was pale against the bloom of the purple bruise along the side of his face and jaw. All she wanted was to hold him and ease his pain.

  Casey clutched her hand tightly, looking up at her for reassurance and the ladies of the CWA watched her reactions closely. Heather knew it was definitely time to leave the town. She couldn’t bear it if everyone got their hopes up about a relationship between her and Travis.

  Travis put Robbie down carefully. Blood pounded through Heather’s veins as Travis’ eyes searched her face. Tired, grubby and frowning, he walked slowly towards them as if each step caused him pain. Robbie limped along beside him.

  Casey ran down the stairs towards him and Heather watched as he held out his arms to scoop her up. Her throat closed around the love that rose from the depths of her soul.

  Mrs Everett nudged her gently. ‘Go on, girl. That man needs a hug.’

  She shook her head. ‘I’m sure there’ll be plenty going around for him.’

  ‘But he needs one from you, Heather.’

  ‘Mrs E …’ she protested.

  Travis walked up onto the veranda and headed straight for her, his eyes burning with a pain so deep she didn’t think she could resist the temptation to hold him if she tried. What the hell had happened out there to etch such devastation into his face?

  ‘Travis?’ Her words came out on a whisper, trepidation churning in her stomach.

  His lips stiffened into a grim line as he held out his free arm. She stepped into the circle and wrapped her arms around both him and Casey. His grip on her tightened, pulling her close until she could feel the heat from his body permeating through her.

  ‘Just hold me, baby,’ he mumbled into her hair, pressing a kiss to her scalp. ‘Just hold me.’

  ‘I can do that. Where’s Harry and Doc?’

  ‘The RAC chopper should be here shortly to airlift them out. Doc’s going into Perth with Harry. They want to do a CT scan and we don’t have those facilities at our hospital here. Doc’s worried about internal bleeding and fractures. Harry’s not a youngster anymore.’

  Heather nodded. ‘Is he badly hurt?’

  ‘He’s a bit battered and bruised. His arm is broken and his ankle might be fractured,’ said Travis, his tone grim. ‘Riggs will be back as soon as the chopper arrives. He’s going to want to talk to me, so I’ll have to head into town to the station later.’

  Heather’s unease grew, but questions were best kept for when Casey was out of earshot. The atmosphere around the team who’d brought Harry in was tense, unlike the heady euphoria of those who celebrated his rescue.

  Something was horribly wrong. Beneath her hands, Travis’ body was tense and clammy. A frown marred his features and his eyes had a haunted look she badly wanted to erase. She hated that he looked so defeated. He should be happy. Harry was alive.

  Travis removed his arm from around her and set Casey down on her feet. He turned to the group of ladies who had gathered around them.

  ‘Bella, can you take care of Casey for me? I need to talk to Heather alone for a moment.’

  ‘Of course, Travis. Come along, Casey. Benji and his mum are on their way here. Let’s go and get some cookies and tea ready.’

  ‘Thanks.’ With a hand on her back, he steered Heather inside, through the kitchen and into the lounge room, but he seemed too wired to sit and paced the floor
instead.

  She let him walk it off, watching his every move, waiting until he was ready to talk. With every stride of those long, beautifully sculpted legs, every twist of his hips as he turned and every rub of his jaw with a shaky hand, she watched him suffer.

  ‘Travis, let me help you.’

  His footsteps faltered and he stopped. ‘I don’t know if you can help me. This has gone too far.’

  ‘Then talk to me. What happened out there that has you so spooked?’

  She stepped forward and placed her hand over his heart. It pounded against her palm. He covered her hand with his, squeezing her fingers against his chest. Then he dragged her against him and held her tightly.

  Heather waited, listened to his heart beat as she wrapped her arms around his waist. His hands stroked her hair in a shaky rhythm.

  ‘We found Harry in a pit in the dense bush up past Pearson’s Bridge. We don’t have the full story yet because Harry’s recollection of what happened is sketchy. It sounds like he was pushed.’

  ‘Oh no! Who’d do that?’ Heather lifted her face to his.

  ‘He says it was Zac Bannister.’

  Heather shivered against him and tightened her hold. ‘Oh God.’

  ‘Harry says he saw lights across the creek last night, so he went looking early this morning. He thought it might be someone trying to steal those damned sheep of his. He doesn’t remember how he got to Pearson’s Bridge but he remembers running into Zac. Sounds like the bastard decided it was the perfect opportunity to get rid of Harry.’

  ‘With Harry out of the way …’ Heather shuddered. She didn’t want to think about what could have happened to the old man.

  ‘It would give them the opportunity to claim his land at auction when it came time to settle his estate. Riggs will take him in for questioning. This time though there’s evidence.’

  Heather pulled away so she could see his face more clearly. ‘Evidence? Is that why there’s a forensics team on the way?’

  Travis nodded. ‘This time we have him. We can make it stick. But oh God, Heather … what was down there …’