X for eXtreme Danger

Chapter 24

Step hoped that the man would stop somewhere and leave the car behind.  After all, a police car was going to be easy to find.  However, the man drove furiously out of the city until Step could see gum trees flashing by the windows when he looked up.

Finally the police car came to a standstill and Phineas opened the door.  A swirl of dust entered the cabin causing Step to sneeze violently.  Phineas looked over to the back and swore loudly.

“Where on earth did you come from?  You’ll have to come with me or you’ll be be lettin’ the cops know my location.”

Fearing for his life at the hands of a convicted criminal, Step half ran and was half dragged into a shed where he was bundled into an old ute which smelt of cigarettes and dog.  Phineas turned the key but the ute only gave a low moan.

“Battery!” he muttered.  Back in the police car he drove close to the ute and then attached some jumper leads to the batteries in both cars.  Diving into the ute he tried the ignition and the engine roared into life.  Removing the jumper leads he drove out of the shed, parked and then drove the police car into the shed, closing the door.

“That should keep them searching for a while,” he exclaimed and leapt back into the ute, which had been running all this time.

Step was frozen with fear but eventually plucked up the courage to ask, “What are you going to do with me?”

“You think I’m going to hurt you, don’t you?  I’m not a killer.  I didn’t shoot that husband and wife although the judge gave me 25 years for a crime I didn’t commit.”

“But Sad saw you.  He testified in court.  He saw your hand and your tattoos.”

“Yes, I was there, but only after the attack took place.  We were only going to rob the place.  My partner got scared and shot two people.  He’s the one who should be in gaol.  That’s why I escaped.  I’ve got to find him and bring him to court.  He’s sitting somewhere nice and comfy while I get 25 years.”

Step didn’t know whether to believe the man as this mysterious missing person had not been mentioned before.

“Why didn’t you tell the judge what happened?”

“My legal counsel said not to.  I realise now he was being paid by my partner to keep him out of it.  I was dudded.”

“I don’t see how you are going to get him to tell the truth.  After all, you are the one the police are after.  When they catch you, your partner will go free.” Step was trying to understand what Phineas planned to do.

“Look, we used to be mates.  A mate doesn’t let his friend go to prison for something he hasn’t done.  I’ve got to talk to him and make him see reason.”

All the while they had been travelling upwards.  The road wound around the cliffs, zig zagging its way to the top.  It was a moonlit night and Phineas kept on only the  parking lights.  Phineas seemed to know where he was going.  Reaching a metal gate, he turned off the lights and opened it wide enough to drive the car through.

“Close the gate, will you,” said Phineas.

Step leapt out of the ute.  Now was his chance to escape but where would he go?  He was curious to see what would happen when Phineas confronted his mate but decided to keep well out of sight when that happened.  After all, if Phineas was correct, the other man had attempted a murder.  What he would do to Phineas was anyone’s guess.

So he closed the gate and went to get back in the ute.

‘Climb in the back,” said Phineas.  “Get under the tarp.  Safer.”

Step did as he was told.  The car drove slowly up a rough driveway.  Peeping out from the tarpaulin he could see a dim light coming from what appeared to be a farmhouse.  As the car stopped the front door opened wide and a burly figure was silhouetted against the light.

“Thought I’d see you sooner or later,” said the burly man.

“We’ve got some talking to do,” said Phineas.

The men disappeared into the house and closed the front door.  Step had to know what was happening so he quietly dropped off the back of the ute and crept up to a window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the men.  Moving around the house he finally heard voices and peered through a chink in the curtain.  To his surprise he saw the two men stretched out on lounge chairs drinking what looked to be bottles of beer.  They appeared to be two mates having a quiet yarn, not two criminals intent on killing each other.

Making his way back to the ute, Step noticed the keys were still in the ignition.  A thought crossed his mind.  If he could start the car and drive it to a town he could get help from the police and direct them to the farmhouse.  He had never driven a car but had watched other people do it heaps of times. Of course he would have to stop at the gate and undo it and then he would have no idea where he was going.  The man in the house would surely have a car and he would follow him.  What would happen if he caught him?

Step saw that he had no option but to try.  He climbed in the driver’s seat and turned the key.

END OF CHAPTER 24