Under The Hood

by Juanita Kees

  Scott pushed away from the bench to peer over her shoulder. “I didn’t realize Tiny could draw so well.”

  “Neither did I. In his note he said something about the writing being on the wall.” Chair legs scraped across the jarrah floor as they sat down at the kitchen table. TJ placed the notebook and the letter between them on its surface.

  Scott pulled the notebook towards him and studied the artwork on the cover. “This is very detailed. It must have taken him ages to do.” Long fingers stroked the cover before well groomed nails tapped out a tattoo against the wooden surface of the table.

  For a fleeting moment, TJ was distracted by the rhythm. Those same fingers had stroked her back last night until she’d drifted into a comfortable sleep against his chest. She watched as those magic fingers picked up the crumpled note.

  “Tiny never used his birth name. Why would he graffiti it onto his course notebook?”

  “Good question,” Scott murmured. He smoothed the note out against the cover of the book. “And he signed the note with his full name too.”

  “A clue?”

  “Maybe.” He moved his chair around the table to sit next to her. “Look at this.” His forefinger drew a line under the fat green letters. “The ‘N’ and the ‘E’ in ‘Terence’ are capitals. Further down ‘Watts’ is crossed out and replaced by ‘wall’. Could he be referring to the north-east wall? But the wall of what? The clubhouse?”

  Excitement mingled with fear in the pit of TJ’s stomach. “No, it can’t be. The clubhouse was removed by the police after Marty OD’d. His bedroom faces north-east but I checked the walls in there last night. Nothing there.”

  Scott’s hand came to rest on her knee with a little squeeze and she rested her head against his extended arm for a moment.

  “Look at these snakes he’s drawn on the bottom. It looks like they’re crawling along the concrete.”

  “They form shapes!”

  “Initials.” Scott lifted the book closer to study the drawings. “S S and C? Looks like an inverted E.”

  “No, I think it’s a G. Look, the snake curls with its head facing up the wall. The tongue is forked but the forks stretch to left and right rather than upward. The ‘E’ is a ‘B’. It lines up with the edge of the brick.”

  “Clever girl, good spotting.”

  “SS and GB?” Unease crept along her spine and she shivered.

  Scott set the notebook down on the table and scooted his chair back. “We’ll have to give these to Mark when they come around later to investigate the fire.”

  “Yes, I suppose we do. What do you suppose he meant about Luke?”

  Scott shrugged and tugged her closer. “Don’t know. How well do you know Luke?”

  TJ didn’t resist his pull and straddled his lap, hooking her legs around the narrow backrest. “Tiny, Marty, Connor and Luke have been friends since primary school.” Firm hands cupped her bottom and pulled her closer. She clasped her hands behind his head. “They formed the gang when they got to high school. From what Marty’s told me, it was a preservation thing against bullying during recess.”

  Scott wriggled down a little in the chair and grinned at the sigh of pleasure that escaped her lips as their lower bodies aligned. “Perfect match. Where did it start to go wrong?”

  She leaned forward to drop a kiss on his parted lips, her breasts brushing tantalizingly against his chest as she did so. It was his turn to sigh as she rested her forehead against his neck. Hands that cupped her curvy bum crept up her sides to brush the sides of her breasts.

  “Luke got into drugs first. He was always the dark horse. An unhappy kid, almost unreachable at times. Gino Bennetti, Luke’s father, might be a lawyer but he’s as crooked as they come. Both mother and son have ended up sporting suspicious injuries. You saw Lily’s black eye.”

  The wandering hands stilled and, for a moment, silence weighed heavily between them.

  “Bastard,” Scott muttered. “So with Luke hooked, it didn’t take long for the others to fall?”

  “Sadly, no. The good thing is they all still stuck together. The only one that doesn’t seem to fit the profile is Connor.”

  “How?”

  With a sigh, she moved off his lap and walked over to the kitchen window with its view up the hill of the cabins. “Unlike the others, Connor comes from a stable home. His parents are well off, were happily married as far as anyone was aware and both care deeply for him. Until recently, they were a well-rounded, perfect happy family.”

  “Maybe a little too perfect? What happened?”

  TJ shrugged. “No one really knows much, but Connor’s dad left them a little over a month ago.”

  Silently, she watched as the sun pierced through the veil of mist and it began to skitter away. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. The words tumbled through her mind as she looked north, skimming over the remains of an old brick fireplace and chimney, the only part of one of the original 1940s cabins left standing.

  Her body froze for an instant. “That’s it!” she yelled, moving away from the window to yank open the back door.

  “What?” Scott’s chair crashed over as he leapt up to bound after her.

  “The … wall!” Her voice bounced in time to the pounding of her feet on the ground.

  “Jesus, woman! I wish you’d remember to put your shoes on before you take off. What wall?”

  She stopped suddenly and he almost fell over her. His hands reached for her arms, more to steady himself than her. She cupped his face between her hands and planted an excited kiss on his lips.

  “The chimney wall! It faces north-east. Tiny could see it from his bedroom window which also faces north-east.”

  “That’s a long shot.”

  “It’s the only shot we have!” She walked more slowly towards the crumbling chimney. “What did chimneys have?”

  Scott shook his head. “I have no idea. You tell me.”

  “During the war, this area was used for transmitting radio signals because of its high points.” Excitement boiled to the surface as she spoke. “The houses were built with hidey holes in which secret or sensitive messages could be stored and not found by the enemy. One of the least popular but not unusual places to hide things was in the chimney.” She stopped and peered inside the empty cavern of the old fire pit. “Who was small enough to fit inside there?” Her head tipped towards the rear where the wall was blackened by decades of soot and a fresh layer added from the night before.

  “Tiny,” said Scott as he too peered into the chimney. “But he said the writing was on the wall, not in the wall.”

  TJ sat on the floor and scooted backwards into the deep cavern. “They built these deep back then to avoid sparks from the fireplace escaping and setting the house alight.” She peered up into the darkness of the chimney and reached above her head. Her fingers explored the dark recesses of the chimney stack.

  “Should you be doing that? Aren’t there Redback spiders in there?”

  “If there are and I get bitten, it will be worth the pain and suffering. Just make sure you get me the antivenin as quickly as possible.”

  The bite of the Redback spider would leave her stiff, sore and very ill. With a little bit of luck the smoke from last night’s fire would have sent them off to new breeding places, hopefully taking any babies with them. Black soot dislodged from the walls and dusted her hair and face. She sneezed and wiped her face with her sleeve, leaving a streak across her cheek.

  “Got it!”

  Scott found himself smiling as her teeth gleamed white in her soot-blackened face. “What have you got?”

  “A loose brick.” It landed at his feet. “And…” A roll of paper wrapped in plastic appeared in her extended fist. Scott took it gingerly from her as she scooted out of the fireplace on her bottom. He extended a hand to help but she shook her head. “One of us covered in grime is enough.”

  Scott swiped the plastic covered paper against the seat of his shorts to dislodge some of the soot with a
wicked gleam in his eyes. “I’m not averse to sharing another shower.”

  TJ reached out and ran a grimy finger down his bare chest, leaving a trail of soot in its wake. The cool morning air had raised goosebumps on his naked flesh. Her eyes held his as her fingers trailed back up to circle the raised nipples. Muscles rippled and tightened under her fingers, as she traced the line of hair down his flat stomach to where it disappeared into his boxer briefs.

  Her finger slipped tantalizingly under the elastic to stroke the silken skin where his body responded to her touch. As his hand descended to cover hers, she withdrew her finger and the elastic snapped back against his skin.

  Humour warred with naked want as his eyes slid down to where her nipples pressed against the material of the hoodie.

  “You’ll pay for that,” he whispered.

  Her breasts brushed against him as she leaned forward and whispered back, “I’m counting on it.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “TJ? Scott? Are you home?” Rob’s voice rang through the house.

  “Out back, Rob!” TJ pulled out of Scott’s arms. With a grin, she planted a kiss on his chest. “If you hurry inside my brother won’t have the opportunity to rag you about your … well, you know.”

  His chest rumbled against her lips. “I can handle the ribbing, but I’ll save you the embarrassment.”

  Firm lips brushed against the top of her head before she watched him walk away. TJ took a moment to admire the cling of the cotton as it caressed the sway of his hips and buttocks. With a sigh she turned towards the house to head her brother off so Scott could slip inside.

  “Hey, Rob,” she greeted as she reached the front veranda.

  He stood, hands on hips, mouth drawn tight as his sweeping gaze took stock of the damage. “Fuck! What happened?”

  “We had a little trouble last night.”

  “No shit!”

  “Ah, Robert! I can always rely on you to sum things up for me.” She grinned and reached up to kiss his cheek.

  He nudged her off. “Hey, white shirt here. Want to tell me why you look like you’ve been playing in the chimney?”

  “Because I have. Looking for clues.”

  “Isn’t that a job for the Fire Inspector?”

  “Not those sorts of clues, these sorts of clues!” She whipped the plastic-wrapped roll of paper out of her hoodie pocket and whacked him on the chest with it.

  “You’ve lost me.”

  “That’s okay, you’ll catch up.”

  “Where’s Scott?”

  Her eyes flickered away and she couldn’t stop the mischievous grin that curved her lips. “He’ll be out in a moment. Hopefully with coffee.”

  Rob’s eyes narrowed on her face as he caught the raise in her voice on the tail end of her sentence. “Something you want to tell me?”

  “Ah … nope.” She poked him in the ribs. “Mind your own business, big brother.”

  Rob shrugged. “No harm in asking. Now, what’s in the plastic?” His forefinger flicked against the roll in her hand.

  “We were just about to find out. Come on over and take a seat on the veranda while I go inside and get the rest of the puzzle.”

  Rob strolled over to where the chairs overlooked the creek. Sarge had taken up his usual position next to TJ’s favourite chair and sat to attention with a short bark. He sniffed at Rob’s outstretched hand and, when satisfied he posed no threat, lay back down with a watchful eye.

  “Maybe you should wash off some of that war paint before you take those papers out of the wrapper.” Rob pressed a forefinger to the sooty smudge she’d left behind after poking his ribs.

  “Good point. Give me five minutes. I’ll send Scott out to keep you company.”

  “I’m not sure it’s my company Scott’s interested in.”

  “You’re a riot, Robert!” She slammed the screen door on his wicked chuckle.

  Ten minutes later, TJ stepped back out onto the veranda. Scott glanced up from where Tiny’s notebook lay between him and Rob on the table. He took a long moment to admire the jeans that clung lovingly to her slim legs and rode gently on her hips. His gaze licked over the skin bared between the waistband and the hem of her t-shirt. ‘Is your motor running hot?’ it asked, with a red ‘engine check’ light symbol beneath it. And doesn’t that just say it all, he thought as he pulled a chair closer to him and patted the seat.

  Her leg grazed against his as she sat. Heat surged through him as he draped an arm on the backrest behind her shoulders and pressed a mug of tea into her grasp with his free hand.

  “Thank you.” Her eyes rose to his and a smile softened her lips.

  “You’re welcome,” he murmured against her temple as his thumb stroked her shoulder.

  “Are we going to solve this mystery, or do you two need some time alone?”

  “Cute, Robert. Hand me the papers we found in the chimney stack.” TJ put her tea down and held out her hand for the plastic-wrapped parcel. She stripped the layers of cling film off and spread the lined notebook paper out on the table. The edges curled over Tiny’s spidery handwriting.

  “Looks like a list,” said Scott, scooting closer. His arm dropped from around her shoulders and he placed his hand on her upper thigh. Heat coiled as he traced a line down to her knee.

  “It is. Names, places, dates… Look, Paul Price is listed here. Isn’t he the guy who was arrested in Williams for kidnapping his stepdaughter?” TJ lowered the mug from her lips and gripped Scott’s wandering hand as it trailed back up her thigh.

  “That and money laundering,” said Rob as he picked up the notebook and studied the graffiti art. “He was defended by Gino Bennetti. What a coincidence!” Sarcasm dripped from Rob’s tone. The finger that traced the snakes on the artwork stilled. “GB–Gino Bennetti. But who is SS and why are they in Tiny’s drawing?”

  “Gino is Luke’s father. Is it a coincidence that he owns a car like the one Tiny was last seen in?” Her easy smile turned grim as her gaze searched his face. “And what was Serena Snow doing in his car when she paid you a visit, Scott?”

  Scott continued to scan the list wordlessly. The hand that had caressed her leg was still now, fingers tense. Scott pulled his hand away and fisted it on the top of his thigh. His stomach plummeted. His eyes read the data even as his mind refused to accept facts. He forced a shuttered look to clear his face of expression. The walls slammed back into place.

  “SS,” murmured Rob. “Serena Snow.”

  “We need to hand these over to the police. Now.”

  TJ’s voice seemed to come from a distance as red hot anger blurred Scott’s vision. The date and address on the page might as well have been written in neon. If the list became evidence, he’d be an accessory to murder.

  “And here they are now,” said Rob, as Detective Mark Johnson steered his unmarked car up the steep incline to the house.

  They stood and turned to the approaching car. TJ stepped closer to Scott, seeking the comfort of his warmth. Instead she met with cold, solid rock. Confusion warred with uncertainty in her expression, but he refused to meet her eyes. He stared ahead; jaw set as Detective Johnson and his partner Harold Jones approached the veranda.

  “Mark, Harold.” TJ set her shoulders and stepped forward to greet them.

  “Hey, TJ,” Mark placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed tightly before nodding to the two men who stood behind her.

  “Will Forensics be up soon to look for evidence?” she asked.

  “They’re right behind us.” He waved a hand toward the driveway where a white four-wheel drive branded with the blue police forensics unit logo had stopped at the edge of the burnt out bush land. The lines around Mark’s mouth tightened. “But we’re here on another matter which may be related to your recent troubles.” His expression hardened further as he looked past her at Scott. “Mr Devin, we need you to come down to the station with us for questioning.”

  “What?” TJ choked on the word. “Scott?” She turned to him, her eyes se
arching, her hands reaching for him.

  Scott ignored her outstretched hands, stepping around her instead. Muscles corded in his neck as he swallowed around the lump in his throat. Silently he handed Mark the list scribbled on a page from Tiny’s notebook. “You’ll need this. And the notebook.”

  “Scott! Mark?”

  The terror that laced TJ’s voice almost had him turning around and wrapping her in his arms. Instead he let Harold Jones take his arm and lead him away to the car.

  “I’m sorry, TJ. I can’t explain right now. All I can tell you is that we received a tip off. What’s the go with the notebook?”

  Numb, TJ stood staring after Scott as Rob handed over the notebook.

  “Tiny left a letter for TJ and clues in the graffiti on the book. Through it we found that list hidden in the ruined fire place. You’ll need to get someone to study that picture really carefully. Tiny was a lot smarter than he let on.”

  “I’ll get someone onto it. In the meanwhile, TJ please stay away from the site of the fire. We can’t have evidence being compromised now. This wasn’t an accident. The heat and rate at which the fire spread suggests that whoever started it used an accelerant. We won’t know more until the results of the investigation are in.”

  With a fist jammed to her mouth, she nodded.

  “I’ll call you as soon as we have something.”

  Evening shadows stretched out to touch the corners of the empty house; the only light came from the flickering images on the television screen. The hum of the six o’clock news filled the silence. TJ stared unseeingly at the screen and wondered if she would ever feel anything but numb again.

  Rose and Bill were in lockdown against the television crews that swarmed the hill waiting to pounce on a comment. The police had managed to keep them off the property while they finished their investigation into the fire. Now it was dark, maybe they’d go away. Tomorrow they would be back, hounds on the scent of a juicy bone.

  Next to her, Sarge’s soft snores provided little comfort. She hugged the cushion closer to her chest. The television flickered back to the studio where the newsreader stared grim-faced into the camera.