Page 51 of Lela's Choice

“A lot of our kids in Sydney use them. They might be in trouble, but they’re street savvy.” She freed her hands and sat back. “They know how not to be traced. Did Marty know about my visit to the charity?”

“I told him, but the approach on my side was more indirect.” Hamish also kept his team informed. Lives could depend on it. “Luca—remember, Mariella Debrincat’s assistant?”

She nodded.

“He was approached at his local bar last night. A stranger offered him a drink, started chatting and slipped in a few questions about Peter’s whereabouts.” Hamish didn’t like the idea Vella had put a tail on him, on them, but Vella was the most likely suspect.

“Luca would be smarter than that.” She flicked off the sloppy approach with a hand gesture.

“You’re right. Luca told the guy Peter was studying in Australia and not due home for another month, then informed Mariella this morning. She rang Marty.”

“Someone followed us?”

“Someone followed you on that first morning, then followed both of us yesterday. Maybe your father doesn’t like the questions I’ve started to ask,” he mused, "and decided to hire someone else.”

“And do what?” She crossed her arms defensively. “Snatch Sophie? She’d scream blue murder if strangers tried to pick her up, and she’s surrounded by the Debrincat clan.”

“You know your father better than me. Could he have planned something like this?”

“It’s bizarre.”

“Would he have done it?She’s still a minor. If they have a copy of the medical report he sent me, they might be able to get her out of Malta before anyone has time to stop them.” Hamish outlined a worst-case scenario.

“Papa knows we’re seeing them today.”

“And might have worked out we may not do exactly what he wants.” Hamish let her process his theory. “I gave him the same outline you did.”

“We can’t see Sophie and Peter until this is sorted,” she announced.

“What do you want to do?”

She snatched up her phone and recited the message she was typing. “Papa, you’ve hired men to follow me and MacGregor. I won’t contact Sophie until I’m sure you’ve called them off. If I don’t have your word, I’ll make sure she stays hidden.”

“How will you be sure?” Hamish didn’t doubt her determination.

“If he gives me his word.”

“You’ll believe him? As simple as that?”

“You’re learning a lot about my dysfunctional family.” She pressedsend. “Papa won’t tell me a direct lie. He won’t stop war-gaming to achieve his objective, but he’ll make a tactical retreat.”

“He knows she’s on Gozo,” Hamish theorised. “They could watch the ferry, offer a reward for news of her. They’d find her and fast.”

“Not as fast as us. We can give him certainty in a few hours.”

“You’re banking on his anxiety trumping his need to control?”

“Temporarily. When we had nothing, he could throw his weight around. But, like me, Papa needs to know she’s safe. I also suspect he won’t want to alienate you enough to make you quit.”

“I still might.” Hamish noticed the passengers heading down the stairs to the vehicle decks. “Time to get back in the car.”

“It’ll be warmer out of the wind.” She stood and handed him back his jacket. “If we park the car in a prominent parking place on the dock, and seem more interested in the sights than driving inland, it should reinforce my message.”

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“DO YOU THINK HE’LLanswer?” Hamish asked an hour later. “It’s the middle of the night in Sydney.” Tucked into the lee of the cliff in a patch of sunshine, they leaned against the car and watched another ferry unload.

“He’ll answer. We’ll give it another hour.”

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