Free The Tesla Legacy by Robert G. Barrett Page B

Bridge. Finally Mick swung the Buick into Jesse’s driveway, cut the engine and got out.
    ‘Hello, mate,’ he smiled as he ran a loving hand along the roof and gave it a pat. ‘Haven’t I missed you.’ Whistling cheerfully, Mick locked the doors then walked round the front.
    The familiar ribet! ribet! sounded when Mick opened the door and stepped inside. Wearing jeans and a blue T-shirt with MAGIC HAPPENS on the front, Jesse got up from behind the counter and met him halfway.
    ‘Hello, darling heart,’ she said, throwing her arms around him.
    ‘Hello, Jesse,’ said Mick. ‘How are you?’
    ‘Good,’ said Jesse. ‘Better when I see you. You big spunk.’
    Mick looked at Jesse for a moment then eased himself a little from her embrace. ‘Okay,’ he said. ‘What are you up to?’
    ‘What am I up to?’ echoed Jesse. ‘Oh that’s lovely, isn’t it. I show you a little love and affection, and what do I get? “What are you up to?” Jesus! You’re good.’
    ‘Sorry, Oz,’ said Mick. ‘It’s just that I know you.’
    Jesse looked up at Mick for a moment. ‘You’re right,’ she said. ‘Pull up a seat.’
    Jesse had two bar stools in the shop. One for her customers, and one she sat on. Mick sat on the one in front of the counter. Jesse walked around and sat down facing him.
    ‘Okay,’ said Mick. ‘What?’
    ‘First things first,’ said Jesse. ‘Did you get your car okay?’
    ‘I did,’ nodded Mick.
    ‘Is it going all right?’
    Mick put his hand over Jesse’s. ‘Yes. Between you and the Buick, my life is full once more.’
    ‘Good,’ smiled Jesse. ‘Then how would you like to take it for a run in the country?’
    ‘In the country?’ said Mick. ‘Where?’
    ‘Muswellbrook.’
    ‘Muswellbrook?’
    ‘Yes,’ nodded Jesse. She looked directly at Mick.‘Mick. I’ve been reading more of that diary. And I’ve been thinking.’
    ‘You’re not the only one,’ said Mick.
    Mick told Jesse what was on his mind. Jesse listened intently and agreed with everything Mick said.
    ‘The Australian government would be bad enough,’ said Jesse. ‘But imagine what would happen if those bomb-happy, paranoid Yanks got wind of what we’ve found.’
    ‘Yeah,’ said Mick. ‘They’d keep it for themselves. And no one would ever hear from us again.’
    ‘Exactly,’ nodded Jesse. ‘But like you say, we can’t just leave the thing sitting there.’
    ‘No. We can’t.’
    ‘So what I propose, Mick, is this.’ Jesse tilted her head and looked directly at Mick. ‘Why don’t we go and see if we can find it? Tesla’s left clues to its whereabouts in the diary, I’m sure of it.’
    ‘Keep talking,’ said Mick.
    ‘I’ll take my camera. And if we should find it, we’ll sell the story to the press first. Then let the government know. That should cover our bacon first up.’
    ‘And what if we don’t find it?’ said Mick.
    ‘We’ll still sell the diary and the story to the press,’ said Jesse. ‘And whoever wants the bloodything can have it. But at least we’ve done the right thing. ‘And we’ve covered our arses at the same time.’ Jesse waited a moment. ‘Does that make sense, Mick?’
    ‘I think so,’ answered Mick. ‘If we’re in the news, it’s a bit hard for anyone to make us disappear. Hey! We might even finish up national heroes.’
    ‘We might,’ said Jesse. ‘And we’ll make some money as well. A fair bit, too, I would imagine,’ she smiled.
    ‘What if we find it and set the thing off?’ asked Mick.
    ‘Well, in that case, darling,’ answered Jesse, ‘we’ll have nothing to worry about, because our arses will be floating somewhere between Jupiter and Mars.’
    Mick smiled at Jesse sitting behind the counter. ‘You’ve always got a wonderfully simple way of putting things, haven’t you, O ocean of wisdom.’
    ‘I try,’ Jesse smiled back.
    ‘Okay,’ said Mick. ‘You’ve got me. When do you want to go?’
    ‘Tomorrow morning about eight,’ said Jesse.