Free The Tesla Legacy by Robert G. Barrett

TV, a stereo, cushions, clothes, a mattress and other items were in the middle of the garage waiting for Lifeline. And three bin bags of rubbish were ready for a skip bin on a building site down the road. After another shower and a shave, Mick changed back into his cargoes then made some sandwiches from the leftover chicken and washed it down with coffee. When he’d finished, Mick decided it was time to ring Jesse.
    ‘Hello,’ came the cheery voice at the other end of the line. ‘Eye Full Tower Bookshop.’
    ‘Yeah, it’s me,’ said Mick. ‘I just rang up to tell you I’m not talking to you any more.’
    ‘Fair enough,’ replied Jesse. ‘What have I done this time?’
    ‘Leaving me all alone this morning. I was shattered.’
    ‘Well, what did you expect? I only came round for a root.’
    ‘Thanks,’ said Mick.
    ‘So how are you, stud muffin?’ said Jesse. ‘What have you been doing?’
    ‘It’s been a hard day’s night, momma, I can tell you that.’ Mick told Jesse what he’d done since he left the beach. ‘I even tossed out that poster of Hannibal Lecter that you hated.’
    ‘Good. That thing gave me the creeps,’ said Jesse. ‘Hey, talking about creeps, I drove past the garage on the way home and checked out the Maxwell.’
    ‘You did?’ said Mick.
    ‘Yes. Gee, I don’t know about that Neville. It was kind of, Hey, is that a monkey wrench in your pocket, Neville, or are you just glad to see me.’
    ‘Have you ever seen his wife?’ said Mick. ‘She makes you look like Catherine Zeta-Jones.’
    ‘What are you talking about?’ said Jesse. ‘I do look like Catherine Zeta-Jones.’
    ‘Yeah. Round the business.’
    ‘Ha-ha! But what a marvellous old car, Mick.’
    ‘Yeah, isn’t it great? When I get it going, you can wear a big straw hat and a crinoline dress, and I’ll wear a boater.’
    ‘Yeah, right,’ said Jesse. ‘I saw the two compartments in the back. And the bullet holes. That’s totally bizarre.’
    ‘Isn’t it,’ said Mick. ‘Hey, Jesse,’ he said seriously, ‘I’ve been thinking about last night. And I’m kind of worried.’
    ‘Yes. I know what you mean,’ said Jesse. ‘And I’ve got an idea.’
    ‘You have?’
    ‘Yes. What time are you picking up the Buick?’
    ‘Late this afternoon,’ replied Mick.
    ‘Well, when you do, how about driving over to the shop, and we’ll have a talk.’
    ‘Okay.’ Mick suddenly heard ribet! ribet! in the background.
    ‘Hello,’ said Jesse. ‘I think I’ve got a live one. I’ll see you this afternoon?’
    ‘Okay. See you then, Oz.’
    Mick hung up and stared absently at the phone for a few moments. Well, what will I do now, he thought. He looked at his watch. I suppose by the time I run the vacuum cleanerover the lounge and sort my room out, it’ll be time to pick up the car. After cleaning up in the kitchen, Mick finished his chores round the house, then put on a loose grey cotton shirt and rang for a taxi.
    The taxi arrived promptly, traffic was light and Mick was soon out the front of the Nise brothers’ garage, delighted to see his beloved Buick sitting in the middle driveway. When he walked inside there was the usual cacophony of noise with The Veronicas blaring out ‘Everything I’m Not’ in the background. The Maxwell was down the end where the Buick had been. There was no sign of Neville. But Jimmy was standing under a hoist with a lamp, peering up at the underneath of a Holden Rodeo. He noticed Mick approaching, but didn’t look round when he spoke.
    ‘Hello, Mick,’ said Jimmy. ‘How’s things?’
    ‘All right, thanks, Jimmy,’ replied Mick. ‘I see the Buick’s ready.’
    ‘Yes. Ready and waiting.’
    ‘How much do I owe you?’ asked Mick.
    ‘See Neville. He’s in the office.’ Jimmy shook his head as he kept peering into the underneath of the Rodeo. ‘What’s this dill talking about? There’s no bloody oil leak.’
    Mick could see Jimmy was seriously involved in whatever he was