Wyatt - 03 - Death Deal Read Free Page B

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