The Mission

by Fiona Palmer

  Her mum seemed relieved the moment the words ‘cool things with Marcus’ were uttered. ‘Okay. I’m here if you need.’

  ‘Thanks Mum. I’ll be okay.’

  Jaz sprinted up the stairs to her room and changed out of her dress. She put on black leggings, black boots and her black skivvy. She chucked a jumper over the top just in case her mum saw her on her way back down. Then she packed her black beanie, gloves and a change of clothes into a bag. She stopped in the kitchen, checked everyone was still busy doing their own thing before she raided the freezer for meat, and hid that in her bag too.

  She needed enough to keep a snarly dog happy. She also took the switchblade from the top drawer, which was a present given to Simon, one he has no use for. He hated camping and knives. Jaz, on the other hand, had a feeling it would come in handy. Tonight she’d decided to visit the warehouse and see what she could find out about Carl. She wanted to find out how he was involved and to get photos. And she wasn’t going to tell Ryan about it either.

  Chapter 27

  Jaz drove to Taylor’s house and left her car nearby on the road. Taylor was home, along with his dad, which Jaz was happy to see. Without disturbing them, she called a taxi. She didn’t want to risk her car being found near the warehouse in case they linked it back to her, so it was safer left near Taylor’s house. When the taxi picked her up, she took only the things she’d need: her bag of meat, beanie and the switchblade.

  ‘Just here thanks,’ she directed the driver when he was close to the warehouse. Quickly she paid him and waited until he left. It was a residential area where he’d dropped her off, but now she had to leave the safety of streetlights and homes to walk towards the darker industrial area. It was gloomy and getting late, probably around ten o’clock she guessed. She stuck to the shadowed bush line so passing cars couldn’t recognise her in their headlights, worst of all Carl!

  She reached the trees that edged his warehouse area. Jaz pulled her skivvy up over her chin and then put on her beanie, pulling it low. It managed to cover most of her face. Her hair was piled up on her head so the beanie covered it all. She’d morphed into a black ninja, something Anna had always called her when she accidently dressed in black. Tonight she just hoped she could live up to the name if needed.

  Jaz looked out over the yard. It was black but she could see the building and the outline of the sea containers. No outside lights were on, just the glow from the inside ones. From her last visit she knew there was a light sensor near the office so she’d have to go the other side, where the toilets were. She only wanted to look in a window and see if she could witness something naughty.

  She moved closer to the fence: the main gate was ajar. On closer inspection, it had been loosely locked. Maybe because they were inside?

  Her pulse was pounding in her wrists and Jaz seriously wondered if she should be doing this. Maybe they were complacent and maybe they wouldn’t think to look outside and she could remain undetected. One could only hope. Seeing as she was here and all dressed up, she may as well take a look. At least she knew if they gave chase, she could get back through the gate, whereas they’d have to unlock it first. Jaz squished her body through the small gap. Every movement was careful and when the chain rattled against the gate, she paused in fright, half expecting Cujo to bark the alarm. When she was happy that all she could hear was her frantic breaths and the soft thrum of voices from the warehouse, she continued through the gate. Each step was carefully placed so the gravel wouldn’t crunch loudly.

  Jaz made her way to the left, trying not to trip over the pallets that were stacked by the warehouse wall. Her hand was holding the bag of defrosting meat, ready to throw at anything hairy and snarling. Cujo was tied up last time she visited, so she hoped he was only let off when no one was here. With a bit of luck, the dog was inside with Tommy.

  The only window along this side of the warehouse was to the toilets. Damn, she wouldn’t see much through that. Jaz didn’t want to go to the other side of the warehouse near Cujo or the open shed door. That would be too risky and she was nowhere near ready to be mauled by a dog or get caught. She glanced up at the toilet window; it was black so it was empty. It had bar work over it but the slats of glass could be removed. Jaz felt a plan forming in her mind, but wasn’t sure if she should follow it through.

  She felt to the side where the pallets were. Would she be able to stack them quietly? With as much stealth as possible, Jaz put her bag of meat down and went and picked a crate up. It wasn’t light, but it wasn’t heavy either. It was difficult to carry because of its shape. She moved one under the window and realised she’d need at least another six.

  Another pallet down. Jaz stopped. Listened. When all she could hear was the adrenaline pumping through her body, she continued. Another pallet. When she had six stacked, she lifted her leg and climbed on top of them. It gave her maybe three quarters of a metre in height and she could reach the windows with her hands, but had to stand on tippy-toes to see in. No wonder they didn’t worry about this window, anyone would need a ladder. Jaz got down and stacked two more. Her arms were feeling sore from trying to control each pallet quietly. When she got back up this time she had a much better view, but she couldn’t see anything without a light on. The wooden architrave around the window was rotten and wobbly. Some of the screws holding the bars up over the window were loose. Jaz took the switchblade from her pocket and used the Phillips head to unscrew the bar work. It wasn’t easy with her gloves on, but there was no way she was taking them off and leaving evidence. She’d watched crime shows.

  Jaz pulled the bars free and nearly fell back as the stack of pallets rocked. If she were game enough to speak she would have sworn. With the bars held up over her head, she got her footing back and then lowered them to the pallets. Slowly she pulled out each slat of glass from the window.

  As she heaved herself up into the open window, she had a frantic thought: how would she get back out? She got her phone out and checked it was on silent before using it to see into the bathroom.

  There were two cubicles with toilets, and right under the window was the hand basin. That was her exit. She could work with that. Sliding her phone back into her leggings, she jumped back up the wall and climbed into the window. It wasn’t graceful and it took a lot longer to manoeuvre herself around so she could get a leg in to get down with. Please don’t need to pee, she chanted as she watched the door of the toilets. Unless she was Spiderman, there was nowhere for her to hide in the window.

  Once she was inside, she collected her breath before stepping to the door. The handle was cold as she gripped it and turned it as calmly as possible. She could hear metal being moved and tools dropped to the floor, along with voices, and hoped that these would cover any noise she made.

  When the door was unlocked she pulled it slightly ajar, just enough so she could see through it. Inside the warehouse it was flooded with light. It looked much the same as it did when she was here with Marcus. Bubble wrap, boxes and the sea container. Only this container was a different colour. A new one?

  A man came out of the sea container and Jaz didn’t recognise the skinny man in the blue clothes and beanie. She tried to look for any features she could lock away for later. Unshaven, couldn’t see his eye colour but he did have a funny walk, as if his back was sore. This man was also carrying something in his hands. Jaz followed his path to the other man. His lips were moving but she couldn’t hear what he was saying. Something about ‘This is it. Last one’, if her lip-reading was right. He passed the package over to the other guy, who was also in blue work clothes. He turned and Jaz instantly recognised the bald head and face. Tommy.

  ‘Let’s go.’ She heard him say. Lights were then turned off and the screeching of a metal door being slid closed pierced the night.

  Jaz stayed frozen behind the door, listening as the truck drove off. She waited another five minutes after that before carefully opening the door.

  Using her mobile as a torch, Jaz stepped towards the sea
container. She didn’t dare make a sound in case she stirred up Cujo, and she was a little worried they might have other sensors or alarms. Anything was possible with drug dealers. Taylor’s dad had told them many stories of the booby traps set up around drug crops, but they were out in the middle of the bush. At least here it was all locked up. Well, except for the bathroom. Jaz didn’t dare crack a smile, she was not out of this yet. And she didn’t have anything to show for her breaking and entering either.

  Lifting her arm, she shone the light into the sea container. It was empty. She moved the light around the warehouse. There were no masses of artwork or sculptures, and you would fit a lot of that in one sea container. So where did it all go so quickly?

  She remembered that skinny guy had walked out with something. So Jaz took a few steps inside the sea container. About three quarters of the way down she saw some welding gear. Moving the light, she noticed some metal panels. Long and skinny, just like the size of one of the ripples in the sea container. Jaz got closer and trod on something squishy.

  ‘Please don’t let it be a body part,’ she whispered to herself as she took a look.

  A black mouldy lump. It could be anything. Jaz squatted down for a better inspection and found a few more, and then a pile near the wall of the container. Where her foot had squished this one she could see a familiar pattern. Oranges? Really old and rank oranges.

  Jaz moved up the ripple panel on the container. If that had been welded closed and filled up with drugs, well, that would be a lot of drugs. Jaz wondered how it wasn’t picked up. Maybe the oranges killed the scent of the drugs for the dogs? Didn’t they X-ray these containers? Jaz would have to ask Ryan. She was sure he knew a lot more about the process than anyone she knew.

  And realistically, who would see anything wrong with some welded bits? This sea container was bashed and dented all over. Jaz took her phone and did a circle along the walls of the container and found a spot on the other side where another panel may have been. Whoever had cut the panel off hadn’t bothered to make it neat. No doubt this sea container wouldn’t be used again. Is that why the others were outside? They had done their job. Is this why Carl was interested in that sea container sale?

  Jaz moved to the outside of the container and looked for its number. It wasn’t the same number as the one he’d written down in his office, so did that mean there was a container waiting at a yard for the sale with drugs in it?

  Had she just figured out how Carl’s operation worked? Could they catch them in the act with the next container? Jaz felt an excited buzz jump through her body. Two seconds later, she was telling herself to get the hell out of here.

  The only way back out was the toilet. She crept back in, shut the door and then scaled the wall.

  Using the basin to heave herself up to the window didn’t go according to plan, as it let off a crack, pulling away from the wall. ‘Shit.’ I hope they don’t notice that, she thought.

  Jaz didn’t get far before she heard Cujo start barking. And what was worse is that she could follow the barks as he ran around the warehouse to her window.

  She wasn’t going to make it down in time to reach the meat and open the bag. Jaz decided to stay still and hope he left or found the meat himself. Cujo settled down and Jaz risked taking a look.

  She couldn’t see much in the darkness outside and had to wait for her eyes to adjust, but could see the outline of a dog by the pallets she’d stacked. It was hard to tell if he was eating the meat or not, but after a minute she could hear the rustle of a bag. This might be her only chance.

  Lifting herself up again, she got halfway out of the window. Cujo began to snarl. Was he protecting his food now? This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. In the movies you throw the dog some steak and it’s happy. Cujo wasn’t an easy to please pooch. Jaz got a leg out and was going to try and get down anyway while Cujo was at least half occupied. Turning herself in the window she began to lower herself slowly so not to spook Cujo. Somehow she didn’t think talking to Cujo softly and calling his name would settle him or make them lifelong friends.

  Jaz heard the movement just before she felt the tug on her foot. Cujo probably would have barked if her foot wasn’t in his mouth. The bloody dog was jerking himself backwards, trying to pull Jaz from her hold. If she went down there was no knowing what he would do. Using her strength, she tried to shake off Cujo and lift herself. The weight of the dog dangling from her foot didn’t help. Lucky her commando boots were heavy duty, anything else and her foot would be shredded by now.

  Jaz broke free and got herself back inside the toilet. She sat down on the floor to gather her breath. Her foot was fine, apart from feeling like it had been squished in a vice. So much for this night being a simple recon mission. Had she blown it? Did she suck up her pride and call Ryan? Right now Jaz couldn’t see a way out of this that didn’t involve taking on a dog. And she wasn’t going to stay here all night just to get caught in the morning. She needed help. She needed Ryan.

  Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her nerves and ready herself for Ryan’s angry onslaught. She pulled off a glove and rang his number, not something she’d ever done, and hoped to God he was just at home and not out on some mission. Worse than Ryan answering his phone was hearing it ring out and go to his message bank. No, she didn’t want to leave a message. What would she say anyway? ‘Come help me, I’m trapped in a loo by a vicious dog.’ The only other person who knew what she was up to was Pax, and ringing him would only worry his heart and she didn’t think he’d be that nimble on his feet if they had to run. Did Pax even have a gun? She’d never thought to ask him. But she knew someone who did. Someone she trusted and knew would help.

  She pressed his number and waited for him to pick up. ‘Hi Tay, don’t talk, just listen. Can you come and get me? I’m in trouble. Bring a gun, some bolt cutters and steak.’

  Chapter 28

  Jaz knew she’d probably have to repeat her request to Taylor. It’s not every day your friend rings up asking for those three things.

  ‘What the hell have you gotten yourself into?’ he asked.

  ‘I’ve no time to explain, just come to that address, make sure you park away in the dark so your car can’t be seen. And bring a loaded gun. We may need it to shoot the dog if the steak doesn’t work, or in case the bad guys come back.’ The phone went quiet. Taylor probably thought she’d taken something hallucinogenic. ‘Look, its all got to do with Ryan and his work. I promise I’ll fill you in later, but right now I need you. Can you do it?’

  ‘Of course, Jaz,’ he said without hesitation. ‘I’ll be there a quick as I can.’

  ‘Thanks Tay. Oh, and wear black and a beanie,’ she said before they hung up.

  Talking with Taylor had lifted her mood. She would be alright now. He would be sneaking around the house unlocking the gun cabinet and finding bullets. Jaz just hoped they didn’t need them.

  Five minutes later and she heard a vehicle approaching. Taylor was quick. Then Jaz realised it couldn’t possibly be her friend because he wouldn’t be able to drive straight up to the warehouse. Oh shit.

  She could hear voices muffled next door in the office section. What the hell should she do? Taylor would be walking right into trouble. Did she text him? What if his phone wasn’t on silent? Could she risk it? Jaz hid in one of the toilet cubicles while she tried to figure out what to do. How long until they left?

  Maybe now was her chance to escape. Maybe they had retied up Cujo?

  There was only one way to find out. Jaz scrambled back up the wall, trying not to crack the sink any more. With half her body leaning outside the window, she waited for her eyes to adjust and kept her ears strained for noise. She couldn’t see Cujo and she couldn’t hear any movement from the other side of the warehouse.

  Quickly she manoeuvred herself out and onto the pallets. They rattled slightly with her weight, the glass panes clinking against each other.

  All of a sudden, her legs are being crushed together and dragged off th
e pallets. She fell to the ground with her attacker still clutching at her legs.

  ‘What the hell are you doing here?’ growled a man’s voice as he held her tight.

  She could not be caught. Using her free arms she lashed out at him, trying to break his hold. He was thin and scrawny and she knew which bloke it was. They rolled around on the gravel, pushing and pulling, punching and dodging in the dark.

  Jaz got an elbow to her cheek, but she managed to get a knee free and aimed for his groin.

  He groaned and Jaz worried that Cujo or Tommy might come looking. She had to move fast. But just when she felt like she was winning the fight, landing all her blows, he pulled out a gun from the back of his pants. The moonlight glistened on its metallic form.

  Instantly Jaz jumped onto his chest, both hands pushing the gun away. The man’s breath was rank, like stale cigarettes and cheap scotch. Using her head, literally, she headbutted him and the gun relaxed from his grip and went sprawling of into the dark. Jaz tried to crawl over him to reach for the gun but his fingers wrapped around her jumper. Her hands scratched at the ground, searching for the gun, a rock, anything she could use. Her wrist banged against something solid and hard. A brick. Grabbing for it she felt a nail rip off, but the pain wasn’t there. Just this life and death adrenaline feeding her to fight. Jaz pulled back with all her might, lifting the brick in both hands. Closing her eyes, she brought it down hard on the man’s head. The crunch sickened her, and for an instant she fought the bile rising in her throat. His hands went slack, dropping from her waist and letting her free. Dragging her body off him, she crawled along the gravel and got her breath back. She didn’t know if she’d just knocked him out or whether it was much worse. Could she have killed him? Was he bleeding out? She couldn’t tell anything in this dark. Before she could find the gun, the sound of footsteps froze her. Was it Taylor?