He asserted himself. Like I said, I come up with the ideas. I rely on people like you to identify the snags. Next job, the racehorse, Almanac
Harbutt frowned. You want us to fix a race?
Dern put up both hands and his big smile creased his face. No, no, no. I want you to steal the horse.
Wyatt nodded. This Almanaca big winner?
One point six million in four years, Dern said. A mate of mines got twentieth share in him.
Insurance?
Possibly. Or possibly the owners themselves will fork out to get him back.
Wyatt looked flatly at Dern. One, how do we transport him? Two, where do we keep him? Three, how do we look after him? Four, what if they dont pay?
Now irritation and resentment were getting the upper hand in Derns face. Like I said, I deal with the big picture. Could it be that difficult though? I mean, rent a farmhouse, buy a few bales of hay.
Dern, the reason Im alive and on the outside while my peers are dead or behind bars is that I take the big picture and look at it dot by dot.
Ahh, Dern said, dismissing him with his big right hand. The left, meanwhile, was on Theas bare knee, rubbing it in a way that looked uncalculated but was intended to tell Wyatt to keep his eyes to himself and to remind Thea exactly who was buying her dresses and paying her rent these days.
The art collection, Wyatt said.
Definitely an insurance job. Theres a Western District grazier with a homestead chockers with antiques and original oil paintings. Old stuff. Old.
You say that as if you think a paintings worth something if its an oil and got a signature at the bottom of it. Id need to view the collection first.
Now, why doesnt that surprise me? said Dern. Dont any of the jobs Ive outlined grab you, make the old heart flutter? He looked at Harbutt. You didnt tell me your mate was a wet blanket, Mike.
Wyatt uncoiled from the wall and unfolded his arms. I havent said no, Dern. Give me the addresses of these places and Ill check them out. If one looks promising, Ill be in touch. But that will only be the start. Well need equipment, vehicles, somewhere quiet to stay. All that costs money. Are you good for it?
Dern scowled. He looked glossy but it was perspiration, not good health or enthusiasm. The enthusiasm was gone, worn down by the cold hard stamp that Wyatt was slapping on things. He took a notebook from his pocket and scrawled in it. I can go to five grand, he said, tearing off a sheet and extending it to Wyatt.
Wyatt pocketed it. Fine. Well meet again tomorrow, same time.
Here?
Wyatt shook his head. I dont like to stay in one place too long. Harbutt will let you know where.
When they were gone Wyatt lay on his back and stared at the ceiling. It was pebble-dashed, painted white, ringed here and there with water stains. The room resembled a prison cellmonastic, bare, grubby. He thought about Dern and the woman. Dern was a windbag. Thea could be a handicap. He didnt trust her. She carried grievances around with her and was liable to play both sides against the middle.
He thought then about the woman called Anna Reid who had soured things for him in Melbourne a few months back. She was calculating, cool under pressure, a professional. Like him, shed put the job first, and hed been in the way. Shed had her own agenda. In the end he had tumbled to what shed been doing and had stopped her, but not soon enough to do anything about the repercussions that had robbed him of his permanent base and forced him into going on the run. He probably should have shot her. It was an article of Wyatts faith never to give anyone a second chance to cross him. But something had held him back, the might-have-been element in their relationship and the knowledge that she was someone he understood and could work with, not against.
The woman calling herself Thea was no match.
Wyatt lay like that for two hours. When the knock came at eight oclock, instinct told him who it was. Cops didnt tap meekly like that.
He opened the door. Youre making a mistake.
She had her arms crossed protectively over her chest. Arent you at least going to ask me in?
She didnt wait for a reply but slipped past him into the room. She was full of mannerisms, little shoulder hunches, darting looks and mock wicked grins like a wife who knew she was misbehaving herself. Wyatt searched outside, then closed the door. You shouldnt have come.
A drink would be nice. You didnt even offer us a cup of tea before.
Wyatt pointed at the tiny refrigerator. Help yourself.
She pouted. Charming. Very gallant.
Say what you have to say and get out.
She crouched at the open door of the refrigerator. Scotch… gin… Ill have a vodka. She perched on the edge of the bed and unscrewed the cap of the little bottle. Cheers.
Does Dern know youre here?
Dern. A nice man, but, you know, a bit like a cuddly uncle.
Whats your problem, Maxine?
You are. Dont you know that? Weve got unfinished business from before. She searched for the right word. Closure, thats what I missed out on back then. You just cleared out on me.
It was finished.
Not as far as I was concerned. When I saw you in action this evening, demolishing all Derns clever ideas, I thought, what am I doing with him? Why arent I with you? You and me, wed get things done and have fun doing it.
Wyatt shook his head. It was over for him here. There would be no job with Harbutt or Dern or anyone else. Get out, he said.
She came close and placed the palms of both hands flat on his chest. You dont mean that. Cant I stay a while? Ray thinks Ive gone to see a friend.
Wyatt clamped his hands around her wrists until the pain showed in her face. He turned her around, shoved her toward the door. Out, he said.
But then headlights blazed beyond the curtain in the courtyard window and he knew he was too late. There were two vehicles and the lights went out, doors banged, and Dern started pounding on the door. He didnt seem to know who he wanted. Lake, you in there? You bastard. Thea, I know youre there. Come out, slag.
Wyatt went to the door and opened it. Dern was there, tense, his fists close to his chest. Behind him, at the door of the second car, was Harbutt. He shrugged apologetically at Wyatt. Sorry, pal.
Dern burst into the motel room, large and agitated, swinging his fists uselessly. Wyatt stepped calmly into a gap and drove his knee into Derns groin. The big man doubled over and dropped to the floor. He gasped and writhed until the pain eased.
Ray, Thea said. She bent over him. Did he hurt you?
Dern pushed her away. Fuck off.
I was just talking over the job with him.
Dern screamed, I said fuck off. Oh, Jesus, it hurts.
Thea persisted. You should know his real name is Wyatt, not Lake. Hes bad news. You dont go in lightly with someone like that. I was just checking things out with him first.
Wyatt dragged her outside and slammed her spine against Derns Fairmont. He swung back his hand, slapped her so hard she rocked on her feet. Stop stuffing me around, broadcasting to the whole world who I am. Get in your boyfriends car and shut the fuck up.
Mate?
Harbutt stepped into the light, holding a cigarette. Im sorry, mate. He got this bee in a bonnet about you and her after we left this evening and had to come back. I tried to talk him out of it.
Wyatt nodded curtly. The jobs off. Im out of here.
Harbutt dropped his cigarette, ground it out with his shoe. Thats what I thought youd say. A shame. A couple of them jobs had promise.
Wyatt had nothing to say in reply to that. He went back into his motel room. Dern was in the bathroom, the door closed. There were the sounds of water being scooped and sloshed behind the door and he guessed that Dern was soothing his overheated groin.
