Page 74 of My Turkish Fling
He was a sharp guy. “Possibly. I went the wrong way, down the driveway.”
“So, we should keep an eye on any other broken fences or snapped branches or something, to see which way he went?”
“It’s a long shot, but sure. He might have had a vehicle of some kind.”
“A dirt bike maybe? It leaves tracks.”
“Okay. Good. Check for those.”
For the first time since I’d seen him last night, Josh looked fully awake.
“I’ve changed the lock and installed a security light. I don’t think the burglar is coming back, but I need you to look after your mom. Especially when I have to leave.”
“I will.”
I wondered if Janie would have protested about me telling her son about the break-in, but I felt like I had no choice. Something about the whole thing still bothered me, like a niggling stone inside my shoe. If Josh was going to be here, I needed him to keep watch.
I picked my way through the flattened fence, gesturing for Josh to follow. “I’ve changed my mind. Let’s go together and come back along the road. I might need a local guide.”
Josh’s smile was a little lopsided, but still reminded me of Janie. “I only lived here a few months.”
“Well, it’s more than me.”
We walked in silence for a while, my shoes getting wet from the dew.
“So, what happens after you go to Istanbul? Do you come back?”
“I hope so.”
“I mean, you want to come back to New Zealand?” He looked at me with suspicion.
“Why not?”
Josh shrugged. “I don’t know. Istanbul sounds cool.”
“I guess.”
We waded through long grass and reached the edge of the bush, walking alongside of it. I could see the neighbor’s mansion peekingfrom behind the next hill. In a strange way, it reminded me of the houses lining up the beachfront in the suburb of the rich and famous of Bebek, Istanbul. Only, this one wasn’t rubbing walls with the house next door. It stood in the middle of nowhere, declaring its owner’s wealth to the hills around it.
It didn’t take long before we spotted Molly—deep in the vegetable garden. She’d made a mess of it and was munching on a large cabbage head. Still, I was relieved. Losing her beloved horse wasn’t something I wanted to add to Janie’s list of worries. And maybe I wanted to be the hero who brought her back.
Josh gave me a wide-eyed look.
“I take it Mr. Pattison’s not going to be happy about this?”
He shook his head in slow motion.
I gestured him to follow me towards the front of the house, stopping behind a large tree. And there he was—Mr. Pattison in the flesh. A stocky, greying man in khakis and a puffer vest, waxing a vintage Ford parked outside the triple garage. I saw a glimpse of at least two other cars. A vintage fleet.
I turned to Josh. “Okay. I have an idea, but I need your help. I’m going to walk back to the road, come up the driveway and distract him. Meanwhile, you go to Molly and lead her away. Pick some lettuce or whatever she likes and use that as bait. I’ll meet you back at the house.”
“Which house?”
“I mean… home. Back home.” It was Josh’s home, even if I couldn’t claim the word.
Josh nodded, his face a picture of concentration, and headedback to the veggie garden, hiding behind bushes. I tramped down towards the main road and cut to the driveway, brushing my shirt and slacks. Once I was within talking distance, I raised my hand at Mr. Pattison.
“Hello! My car broke down and I’m waiting for a tow truck. Could I trouble you for a glass of water?”
