Free Breeders by Arno Joubert Page B

little secrets that no one knows about.”
    “Like what?”
    He said nothing.
    “Like what, Jake?” his mom asked firmly.
    “Mr. de Vos beat his wife,” Jake blurted out.  
    “How would you know?” Alexa asked.
    “I heard it. I visited one night, and Alida hid me in the pantry when her dad and mom arrived. I heard him shout and curse; he was drunk. When he finally went to bed, Mrs. de Vos came into the kitchen crying like a baby. Her face was all smashed up. Alida and I tried to fix her up as best we could, but she refused to go to the doctor.”
    Alexa studied the strange script on the second photocopied page. “What’s this?”
    Jake shrugged. “I think it’s Thai.”
    “You don’t understand what it says?”
    “No, I don’t speak Thai.”
    “Do you mind if I have it checked out?”
    “Be my guest.”
    Neil stood up. “OK, I think that’s all we need for now. Thanks for your time, Jake.”
    Jake stood up and nodded. “That’s fine. I hope you get the bastard who did this to her.” He turned to his mom. “Is there something to eat? I’m starving.”
    Alexa glanced at her screen as her phone rang. “Inspector?” she straightened as she answered. “Found what? OK, we’re on our way.”
    She disconnected the call and turned to Neil. “They found a cave up at the dam. It looks like it’s been inhabited for some time.”
    Neil strode to the door. “Let’s go.”
     

It was late, and the sun cast long shadows behind the shaded slope of the mountain. The road was deserted save for a couple of tumbleweeds that rolled into the road and whirled to the side as they sped past. Alexa saw Neil look into his rearview mirror and turn in his seat. “I think we’re being followed.”
    They were. The white pickup had been on their tail since they left town. She glanced at the rearview. “How many?”
    “Driver and a passenger. Probably some in the cargo bed.”
    Alexa nodded. There was no use in waiting to find out if they wanted to talk. If someone wanted to talk, they phoned. Or sent you an email if it wasn’t that urgent. Tails meant one of three things: you had an interesting bumper sticker, they were headed where you were going, or they were targeting you. The chances were slim that someone they didn’t know was heading to their crime scene, so Alexa had to consider the third reason. They were being targeted. She accelerated, and the truck behind them lurched forward. She slowed down, waving the truck past. They slowed down as well.  
    She sighed and glanced at Neil. “OK, let’s find out what they want.” She floored the accelerator, scanning the road ahead for a suitable area.  
    Neil pointed. “Over there.”
    She slowed down and skidded to a halt on the shoulder of the dusty road. They were on a bend on the route leading up to the mountain, and they had a clear view of oncoming traffic on either side. Below them, they saw a steep five-yard drop. A metal pipe ran beneath the road and down the drop. On the ground it followed a rough footpath down the side of the mountain: good for an escape route.  
    The pickup slowed to a crawl. A man in the passenger seat fumbled on the seat next to him then sat up with a pump-action shotgun clutched to his chest. The truck lurched forward and picked up speed, heading straight toward them. Alexa and Neil exchanged a quick glance as they unholstered their Glocks and pointed them at the speeding vehicle. “Don’t shoot unless they shoot first; perhaps they’ll drive past!” Alexa shouted.
    She heard Neil chuckle. There was no way they were going to pass. The pickup was heading straight toward them. Alexa saw two men stand up in the bed of the truck, holding on to the rail on the roof. The truck picked up speed, and they dove out of the way as it smashed into their rental, sending the rear end of Alexa’s car bursting through the low wall at the edge of the road. She heard metal creak as the vehicle balanced precariously on the edge of the cliff.