LITMIR.BIZ

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      'What made you think you could get away with a hit-and-run?'

      'It was just a spur of the moment thing. When I saw him crossing the street and I heard the Pajero's engine running I-'

      'You were probably seen!'

      'I had a hat, and sunglasses, and a towel around my neck. I looked like a hundred other surfers.'

      'This woman you saw driving him back from the hospital, do you know who she is?'

      Brett ran his hand through his glossy black hair. 'No. But she's turned up this morning as well. Does it matter?'

      'Of course it matters! We have to know everything he does, everyone he's involved with. We have to plan carefully. In case you've forgotten,' sarcasm dripped like syrup from the disembodied voice, 'it has to look like an accident.'

      With an effort Brett remained quiet. He'd long ago given up trying to defend himself against the barbs that slashed into his psyche. Silence was the only weapon he'd ever learned to use.

      Finally the hollowness in his ear was replaced by a long sigh. 'This time just stick to what we'd originally planned. You have the key. Just do what I told you.'

      The call ended. Brett tossed the phone onto the passenger seat. He'd learned long ago never to expect a word of praise, but he still resented the disdain in which he was held. He slouched down in the seat and watched the front door of Daniel Brand's house, resentment simmering through him.

      CHAPTER FOUR

      'I'm sorry. I didn't realise the police station was so far away from the centre of Noosa. I thought I'd be able to walk back,' Daniel said as they parked in front of the building. Kirri had driven to the Police Beat on Hastings Street, but she'd been informed they would have to go to the main station to make their statements.

      'Don't worry,' Kirri reassured him, 'I have to go in myself and give a statement. I told them what I saw of the accident, which wasn't much help, but they said to come in anyway.'

      'Did you see who was driving?'

      Kirri shook her head. 'Not really. The windows were tinted fairly darkly, but I could make out his profile. I thought you might have seen him.'

      'Him?'

      'The driver didn't appear to be wearing a shirt, so I assumed it was a man.'

      'Well, that's more than I saw.' Daniel stopped in the process of opening the van door. 'I had other things on my mind.' He gave the words enough emphasis that he felt she must surely query his meaning. But she simply smiled politely and opened her own door.

      As they drove back towards Noosa Daniel was so quiet Kirri felt concerned. The police had told them they'd found the four wheel drive abandoned in a bushland carpark at the end of Hastings Street, but had not been able to get a clear description of the driver from any witnesses, or any useable fingerprints. Although Daniel seemed to accept this news philosophically, he appeared to be worried, or in pain.

      Kirri hoped he had not been too hasty in leaving the hospital. What if he had a blood clot? What if … She shook her head. Why was she so concerned about someone who was a complete stranger to her?

      'Would you like to have lunch with me?' Daniel's voice cut across her thoughts. She glanced at him. His face was pale beneath his tan.

      'I realise you have to check in at the gallery,' he continued, 'but if it's not too busy …'

      Kirri's refusal died on her tongue. There was something so desperate in the look he gave her, something so similar to the aching sense of loss that would sometimes sweep over her, that she found herself nodding. 'All right. But are you sure you wouldn't prefer to go home?'

      'No. I'll sit on the beach until you're ready.'

      She found a parking space and they walked around to the gallery. Daniel told her he'd be back at noon and walked away. She watched his tall figure move slowly down the pavement, watched the way his jeans moulded to the powerful contours of his thighs, and was surprised by the desire that flooded through her.

      Brett looked at his watch. It was fifteen minutes since he'd seen Daniel Brand leave the woman's car and walk to the beach. Fifteen minutes in which he'd driven back to Daniel's house and used the key he'd been given to let himself in.

      He glanced around the living room, then moved swiftly to the kitchen. He opened the pantry door, quickly scanned the shelves, then selected a plastic bottle and unscrewed the lid. From the shopping bag he'd carried in, he took another plastic bottle, and added half the contents to the one from the pantry, taking care to replace it in exactly the same position.

      It only took him a few seconds to find Daniel's bedroom.

      A minute later he was slipping out the front door and walking casually down the street.

      Although the gallery was full of people, no-one was buying. When Kirri told Jenny she would be going out for lunch, Jenny suggested she take a couple of hours off.

      'You need a break, Kirri.' Jenny's expression showed her concern. 'You've been working your butt off since you came down here.' Then her expression changed, and a grin crinkled the freckles on her nose. 'This wouldn't have something to do with that hunky looking guy you chased after to the hospital yesterday, would it?'

      'We're having lunch, that's all.'

      'Good on ya, cuz. You've been living like a monk for too long now -'

      'That's a nun, Jenny.' Kirri interrupted her young cousin good naturedly.

      'No matter. Take all the time you need. I'll be here on my own when you go back to Cairns for the wedding, so I'd better get used to it.'

      Jenny was right, Kirri realised. She gave the young woman an affectionate hug. 'Then how about I leave you to it now. Daniel didn't look too good when he left here, so I'll just get something from the delicatessen and cook lunch for him. He mightn't feel up to eating in a noisy restaurant.'

      When Daniel returned, Kirri was pleased to see his colour had improved.

      'Do you like chicken?' she asked, and at his puzzled look, explained that she had purchased some honey and soy chicken wings to cook for lunch.

      'I'm happy to pay for lunch, Kirri,' he frowned. 'I can afford it.'

      Kirri hesitated, afraid she had offended him. 'I just thought you might not feel like eating anywhere noisy. You looked like you needed some rest.'

      'You could be right,' he said, then smiled. 'Thank you.'

      Again that feeling of easy familiarity settled on Kirri as they worked together in the kitchen. She'd bought a small packet of fragrant rice and a bag of mixed Chinese vegetables as well, and soon the succulent aroma of the frying chicken blended with the sweetness of jasmine and oriental spice.

      Daniel had set the table on the verandah, and a light breeze took the edge off the midday heat and rustled the leaves in the eucalyptus trees. To Kirri's surprise, she was quite hungry, and ate more than she normally would during the day. Cooking for herself hadn't been a priority since she'd left Cairns. Jenny's mother had invited her home for dinner occasionally, but most nights Kirri either threw a stir fry together or grabbed a sandwich and fruit as she painted.

      As Daniel ate, his thoughts were not on the food. He'd either walked on the beach or sat in the shade and looked at the waves rolling in as he'd waited for twelve o'clock. A kaleidoscope of emotions had raced through him, until his head ached with the futility of it all. Now he sat back and watched as Kirri finished eating. Watched the way she bit the flesh from the bone, delicately, but with obvious enjoyment. She'd used her teeth on him like that once, and like now, her touch was delicate, savouring. He felt himself harden at the memory.

      Just then, a tiny vibration, like a soundless humming, began in his throat. The humming increased, spread to the membranes of his mouth and nose. Then they began to swell. The air wheezed in and out of his lungs. With shock he recognised

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