‘I told you before that I have an unusual brain,’ Haut remarked. ‘Most brains have three orbits. Mine has five. Very different structure. That’s why I have trouble keeping on one track in a discussion like this. You see things in a linear way.’ Haut waved his arms in different directions. ‘I contend with five different dimensions. When I look at topography for instance, I see all around, under and over it.’

Cavalier thought of challenging him on this claim but remembered Wombat’s advice to keep an open mind.

‘I think I read that Leonardo da Vinci and Pythagoras had something similar.’

‘It’s late,’ Haut said. ‘I have to give my orbits a rest after this grilling!’ He handed Cavalier a sleeping bag. ‘You’d better stay the night. It’s three hours’ drive to the nearest hotel. We can continue this in the morning.’

‘Right,’ Cavalier said. ‘I have limited orbits. Just need my beauty sleep.’

8 THE SCARE

8

THE SCARE

Their sleep was interrupted by the zip of a bullet piercing the tent fabric. Mac was about to dash outside but Haut restrained him. He scrambled for a coffin-like box and pulled out a Bentley pump-action rifle. He handed it to Cavalier and signalled for him to get down. A second bullet whistled through the tent. Mac struggled to leave. Haut held him.

‘We can move out the back,’ Haut said. A car engine revved and they could see a four-wheel-drive vehicle skidding into a tyre-screeching turn. Haut let Mac go and he bounded after the car.

A shot was fired at the dog.

Haut called Mac and the dog trotted back to them, wagging his tail, his back bristling.

‘I’d better give chase,’ Haut said, moving out of the tent. He ran to his ute. Cavalier followed. Mac jumped in the rear.

‘What was that about?’ Cavalier asked as he slid into the front passenger seat.

‘Bastards! They’ve smashed vehicles and loaders, destroyed shafts. That’s the first time they’ve pumped bullets into my tent!’

Haut flicked through the gears until he reached top speed. His lights were on high beam and they flickered over the escaping vehicle. Another shot came from it, but it was well away from the pursuing ute. The speed of the chase on the bumpy track meant it would be difficult to hit a target.

Haut’s knowledge of the winding road meant he was gaining ground. He fumbled in the glove box and put a black hood in Cavalier’s lap.

‘Better put it on. They know who I am. They don’t know you.’

Cavalier placed the hood on. They were now just fifty metres short of the vehicle.

‘What do you want to do with them?’ Cavalier asked.

‘Scare the shit out of them.’

‘How?’

‘Threaten them with Mac. First we gotta bail up the bastards.’

They gained another ten metres.

‘You left- or right-handed?’

‘Both.’