by Lakes, Lynde
“That’s what he wants everyone to believe,” Tukaha said. “In the past, I never wanted to admit that my own brother was a shiftless, greedy leech.” Tukaha glanced down at his half empty plate and sighed. “The truth is, he’s never kept a job for over six months, and has always chased the easy money.”
Rad stirred his coffee, as though blankly watching it swirl inside the cup. “I offered Taureka a job here on my station several times. He acted interested and hung around from time to time, but he never took me up on my offer.”
Tukaha sighed. “He always used the excuse that he had something big brewing and wanted to be free to pursue it.” Tukaha’s eyes darkened with a flicker of resentment. “What galls me most is he won’t even admit he knows anyone named Duke. It’d be easier to forgive him if he helped us. But as usual, he’s looking out for only himself.”
“Still, you love him,” Toni said softly.
Tukaha shrugged. “He’s family.”
“I remember the first time I saw your brother.” Toni held Tukaha’s gaze. “I believed it was you.” How strange, she thought, for two men who look so much alike to be so different.
“I figured he was finally here to take the boss up on a job. But it was only to conspire with Tinihanga.”
Toni watched the clean, strong lines of Rad’s face and his dark eyes for signs of pain, knowing how unwaveringly he’d once trusted Tinihanga. His features remained expressionless. He didn’t even blink. The tiny lines of fatigue around his eyes told her he hadn’t slept much in the last couple of days.
Rad moistened his lips, and she remembered their fire when they’d closed over hers. Her heart pounded like the native drums of his ancestors.
“The head man must be the devil himself,” Rad said. “I didn’t think anyone could intimidate Tinihanga, but my lean, mean ex-foreman quakes at the mere mention of Duke’s name.”
“Forget Tinihanga,” Toni said excitedly. “I believe I have a gadget to lead us to this Duke person.” She shoved away her empty plate; a surge of adrenaline pulsed in her veins. “I’m going to set a trap that’ll end this rustling business and put Duke behind bars.”
Rad frowned. “What kind of trap?”
She took one of the button-sized monitors from her pocket and thrust it into his hand.
“What’s this?”
“A wireless tracking device. I attach some of these to your sheep and wait for the rustlers to grab them.”
Rad’s dark eyes glinted with interest. “How do you make sure they get the sheep with the device?”
“I’ll put them on the ones closest to the road.”
“Maybe you could help the rustlers load the trucks, too.”
“You’re joking. But that would be one way to make certain the sheep with the monitors got loaded.”
“With my station about to be foreclosed on, it’s worth a try.” He laughed. “Not the part about helping the rustlers steal my sheep, of course, but using tracers makes sense. How do I attach them?”
“You don’t. It takes small agile hands like mine, and a bit of experience to attach them so they can’t be detected.”
“What if the rustlers come while you’re attaching your little detective toys?”
“I’m alert and armed. Besides, the rustlers have always hit under the cover of darkness.”
Toni saw a flash of horror flicker in Rad’s eyes. “Criminals don’t always come in darkness,” he said grimly. “It was a beautiful sunny day much like today when they shot my grandmother and she died in my young arms. Tell her, Tukaha, it’s just too dangerous.”
“Hey, don’t get me into this,” Tukaha said. “Besides, I’m on her side.”
“What?” Rad frowned. “I thought you cared about her.”
“I do. But you told Toa Mumu no even before she explained why it takes small agile hands and an experienced person to do it. I would think a sheep handler like yourself with big, agile hands could do as well.” He tossed his head back and laughed. “Hear her out, and then say no.”
Rad’s scowl turned to a look of amusement. “You’re right, Tukaha. I was hasty.” Rad grinned as he put his hand on top of hers. “Let’s hear why I can’t do this as well as you. Or better.”
Toni suspected he’d added those last two words to get a rise out of her. She yanked her hand away and downed her juice without stopping for a breath.
Damn them! They joked while she fought for her right to do her job before Duke got wise to the fact Rad was still alive and came after him.
What was going on with Tukaha? She knew from their previous talks that he wasn’t a chauvinist. Then it hit her. He’d used humor to get Rad to listen to her side of the argument.
Toni narrowed her eyes and glared at Rad.
“Before you explode, I want you to understand I know you’re good at your job, and you’d do this better than anyone else, but call it male pride or whatever you want. I can’t let you risk your life again. You can provide the technical advice, as long as you stay out of sight, but I’ll attach the tracers to the sheep.”
“Fine! But until I show you, you won’t know exactly how to do it, will you?”
“She’s got you there, Boss,” Tukaha said grinning. “You can go with her. But let her do her job. What could go wrong?”
“Everything. She’s too brave, too daring, and people like that die.” He went to the window, looking past the tops of the thick, healthy ferns growing in the two clay pots on the window sill, toward the rolling hills in the distance.
“You’re too much like my grandmother. I remember her dropping at
my feet.”
She felt a pang of sympathy. “I know living through such horror was tramatic for a boy. But this is different. I’m not planning to walk into Duke’s hide-out and take his gang down single-handed. I’m just going to put monitors on a few of your sheep. We use the tracing device to find their hide-out. Then we alert the constable, and he does the rest. Simple as that.”
Rad stared at the gun holstered under Toni’s arm. “All right. It’s impossible to hold out when both of you gang up on me. But I’m going with you. And staying close by your side.”
“I counted on it.” Toni gave Tukaha a hug. “Thanks, pal.”
“Be right back,” Rad said. He returned with his gun. “I’m a pushover for you two, but not foolhardy. “All right, let’s go.”
Gently placing his hand in the center of her back, he guided her forward. With his history, giving in was a big step for him, and she was proud of his valiant effort.
As they headed out the door, Tukaha called, “Keep your two-way radio on in case of trouble.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Rad and Toni installed a portable tracing unit to Rad’s two-way radio so they could follow the monitoring device to be attached to the sheep, and then they headed for the grazing land in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The motion of the truck, the stillness between them and her limited sleep caught up with Toni, and she closed her eyes.
When Rad parked, Toni awoke with her head buried against his shoulder. Her cheeks grew warm. She was embarrassed to have nodded off. Quickly straightening, she looked out the window to get her bearings. Hundreds of sheep dotted the grass-covered hillsides and the lowlands in between.
She didn’t wait for Rad to come around to open her door. She hopped out and studied the area, her gaze sweeping the ground slowly. Tire tracks made a deep pattern in the soft dirt at the side of the road.
“The trucks loaded here,” she said. “The tire tracks are darker ahead.
So they must’ve pulled up empty, loaded, then circled around in that clearing.”
“I’ll wager they’re feeling safe right now,” Rad said.
“I only bet on sure things.”
“Maybe that’s why Tukaha trusts your judgment so much.”
“I think he just enjoys the fireworks when we’re together.”
Rad grinned. “Is it that obvious?”
“Let’s just say, fro
m the beginning you wasted a lot of energy trying to get rid of me.”
“For your own good,” Rad said.
“That’s what Tinihanga told me when he sealed us in the cave. I don’t relish other people deciding what’s good for me.”
“Point made,” he said, climbing back into the truck. “Just in case the rustlers show up before we finish, I’ll hide my truck in the clump of trees beyond the next rise. Get in. I don’t want to leave you here alone, even for a minute.”
“As flattering as that is,” she said, slamming the door. “I think we can be apart for a couple of minutes without the earth opening up and swallowing me. If you want me, I’ll be up on that hill with the sheep,” she said, starting up the grassy knoll.
Rad stuck his head out the window. His eyes darkened. He said something she didn’t hear.
“What did you say?” she called. It was too late. His truck was already moving away.
Fragrances of wild sweet peas and grass filled the air. She passed a lone gnarled gum tree. Rad’s land was beautiful and worth fighting for, worth taking risks for. She was coming to understand more each day why the land was so important to him.
A short way up she paused and glanced back, just in time to see the rear of Rad’s black truck disappear behind a giant boulder at the curve in the road. It gave her an empty feeling. She shook it off and continued up the hill.
The sky was a soft blue, and whipped cream clouds floated low over the hillsides. The scrub bush, heavy with tiny yellow flowers, rustled in the breeze.
Walking up the slope was more of a hike than she had anticipated. When she reached the grazing flock, she rested on a small boulder. A ewe moved a few feet farther away and went back to munching grass.
At the rumble of heavy vehicles, she glanced toward the road. Two double semi-trucks swayed and bumped as they approached. They were approaching fast. Rad was nowhere in sight. She had to get to the sheep now, or it would be too late. As she ran toward one it took off in the opposite direction. Rad, where are you? I need you. She inhaled a bracing breath. Be cool, she told herself.
Slowly Toni tried again to approach the sheep. “Contrary woolly beast,” she muttered as it ran just out of reach. The sheep looked back at her with wary eyes.
The trucks were close now. She had to take cover or be discovered. She spied a dry water course that went from the hilltop to the road. It was deep enough that if she lay down she wouldn’t be seen. She ran and flopped down just as the trucks came around the bend in the road.
When they stopped, the drivers climbed from their cabs, opened the rear doors, and extended loading planks. Eight men and two dogs emerged. Silently, the dogs ran up the hill and circled the flock. Then they began barking, herding the sheep toward the trucks. She lay trembling, hoping they wouldn’t pick up her scent.
Men kept the herd flowing smoothly. The lead truck was almost full. They would have the sheep loaded and be gone before she could do anything. Getting near the sheep at this point was out of the question. Darn it, the only direct route to Duke was the sheep. No one watched the first truck now. The men stayed busy loading the second. Her only chance was to get to lead truck and attach the monitor to it. Toni crawled on her belly down the dry water course.
****
Rad heard the trucks and molded himself into the shadowed crevice of the roadside boulder. His gaze scanned the area, looking for Toni. She was nowhere in sight. Good, she’d taken cover.
Then he saw her. She rose from a drainage ditch, ran crouched toward the first truck, and disappeared around the rear of it. A muscle twitched in his jaw. Atua, no! His heart raced. But it was too late to stop the daring little risk-taker.
****
Toni slid under the lead truck. Sweat dripped from her brow. Her heart thumped hard against her chest, and her breath came in short gasps. She smelled pungent sheep and dirty oil. Her fingers shook as she attached the monitor. Four men and one of the dogs headed toward the truck. She had to get away now!
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Rad raced to Toni and held her close, feeling her warm softness, breathing in her womanly fragrance. “Thank Atua you’re all right.”
She wriggled out of his arms. “I attached a monitor. Quick, we have to follow them. And get the constable on the radio.”
Rad smiled at the commanding way she issued orders. She was his Toa Mumu to the core.
They ran to his truck, accelerated it into motion, and flipped on the tracer unit. The light on top blinked as the beeper set its rhythm, allowing them to remain out of sight while the high-pitched pulse kept them on course.
Rad spoke into the transmitter of his two-way radio while steering with one hand. “Tukaha, come in.” Only crackling static blared through the receiver. He adjusted the fine tuning knob and re-aligned the antennae. “Tukaha, awhina!”
“Aha he, Boss?”
“Get the constable! Hold contact. The rustlers hit, and we’re in pursuit.”
“Watch yourself,” Tukaha said.
“Always.” Rad returned the speaker unit to its holder and gripped the steering wheel with both hands. After the semis turned toward Auckland, he reported their position to Tukaha. “Did you reach the constable?”
“Still trying, boss. Couldn’t get him by phone, so I sent Koa. He’ll find him.”
“I’ll keep this channel open. Keep me informed.”
Kilometers later, after they left the highway and entered private land, Rad wished Toni wasn’t with him. Even though they remained out of sight of the trucks, and followed only the steady beep of the tracer unit, there was the unknown. He tried to report his new location to Tukaha, but couldn’t reach him. Rad’s throat felt tight, his mouth dry. If the constable didn’t show up—
Out of nowhere, three pickup trucks appeared on their tail. “We must have passed through a motion detector of some kind and triggered a silent alarm that brought out the guards.” He glanced at Toni. “Hold on and stay low.” He made a U-turn and sped back toward the highway.
Men leaned out of the windows and aimed their rifles. Rad flinched when his rear windshield shattered. “Can you hold them off?”
She seemed rigid, tense. “No problem,” she said, as if holding off killers was an every day event. She turned and aimed. “Just keep your pedal to the metal, and I’ll do the rest.”
“I’m counting on it.”
****
Rad’s confidence in her pumped Toni up. She wouldn’t let him down. “Got something to clear this?” Toni gestured to the shattered rear window.
Rad handed her a crowbar. Staying low, she cleared the frame of some of the glass, then returned fire.
She shot the front tire of one of the trucks. The driver lost control and flipped into a ditch.
“One down,” she called. The other two trucks were still an immediate concern. Shots ricocheted off Rad’s cab.
“More trouble,” Rad shouted over the roaring engine and gunfire. “Three men in a jeep are bringing up the rear.”
A bullet shattered Rad’s side view mirror. Toni tensed. Her heartbeat throbbed in her ears. Don’t let any of the bullets hit Rad or our gas tank.
They were still on private land, headed for the highway about a
kilometer ahead. Rad pressed the accelerator to the floorboard. Gradually they were leaving everyone behind.
“Good driving. We’re going to make it!” She felt like kissing Rad, but she was too busy returning fire.
Shadows of two choppers passed overhead. Propeller and engine noise escalated the chaos.
“It’s just gotten worse,” Toni said. “They’ve brought in sky power.”
“You don’t know the half of it.”
She turned to see what Rad was talking about.
In the distance, cars headed toward them, blocking the width of the narrow road.
Just when Toni thought it couldn’t get any worse, a bullet caught their rear tire. They skidded. Rad kept going, tearing rubber, grinding on the rim. They’d lost needed
speed. Everyone was closing in.
Forced to stop, she and Rad took cover behind their truck as giant chopper blades sliced the air. The helicopter set down in front of Duke and his men. The rustlers fired at it. Why was Duke shooting at his own men?
Then Toni saw a familiar face at the controls. “Look, Rad. It’s Tukaha!” Relief washed over her. The air power wasn’t Duke’s.
Rad’s eyes brightened. “Good ol’ Tukaha. Let’s make a run for it.”
Toni hadn’t seen the man sneaking up on them until he grabbed Rad from behind and pressed a knife to his throat.
“I may go down,” the man said snearing, “but not without my revenge.”
The sun illuminated the sharp angles and planes of his face and the angry set of his jaw. He was the same height as Rad, at least six feet tall, with wide shoulders, big arms and meaty hands. Toni bit her lip to keep it from trembling. “You’re Duke, aren’t you?”
He didn’t answer, but she knew she was right. His gray eyes, cold as rain-slicked tombstones, met her gaze briefly. Then he turned his attention back to Rad. A mean pinkish scar slashed horizontally across Duke’s neck. It looked as though he had run full speed into a low wire.
The dark expression on Rad’s face revealed he was furious at himself for letting someone sneak up on them.
“I expected our reunion to be at your funeral,” Duke said. “Tinihanga must’ve slipped up.”
“Should I know you?” Rad asked.
“You told the judge my dad was your granny’s killer.”
Recognition glinted in Rad’s eyes. “The other boy in court that day! You couldn’t have been over twelve. And it was so long ago, over thirty years.”
“But you remember me now, don’t you?”
“You strongly resemble your dad, through the eyes. Although I was only five years old—”
“Your age. That’s why the court didn’t accept your testimony against Dad.”
Toni stood frozen, engrossed by the drama unfolding between Rad and Duke.
“He did it,” Rad said. “I saw him aim and shoot.”
