Part 20 (1/2)

'Out!' shouted Johnny.

Ethan and Kat tumbled out into the street.

'Make like you're walking back from town,' said Johnny. 'You're a couple and you've had a great night. Make it look good.'

Ethan saw The Dude quickly swap the number plates on the van as Kat slipped her arm round his waist and pulled him away. They walked round a corner into the main street.

Ethan heard the sirens, and instinct told him to run especially when the police cars turned onto their street, lights flas.h.i.+ng. But Kat pushed him up against a wall and snuggled in, her body warm and soft against him.

'What are you doing?' he asked.

'Saving our a.r.s.es,' Kat hissed.

The police cars sped past, disappeared.

Ethan didn't move; didn't really want to.

Kat spoke first. 'OK, we're in the clear.' She pushed herself away.

'Well, that was all very cloak-and-dagger,' said Ethan. 'Done this before?'

Kat just smiled. 'See you at FreeFall tomorrow?'

'Just a minute,' said Ethan. 'How are you getting home?' He didn't like the idea of leaving Kat to her own devices. It was late and dark.

Kat pulled out her phone. 'Taxi,' she said. 'Need a lift?'

In the shop the next morning, Ethan was finding it difficult to concentrate. He'd already narrowly avoided making a couple of errors with takings at the till. The events of the night before were still buzzing in his head. The BASE jump had been exciting enough, but being chased by the police had added an edge to the proceedings. As had the brief moment when Kat had pressed herself against him even if it had only been an act to avoid the police.

'Good morning, Ethan.'

Ethan looked up. Natalya, face serious as ever, was waiting at the counter. He nodded, said, 'Hi.'

'I have heard that you had an interesting evening last night.'

Ethan wasn't sure, but he thought he saw a faint smile on her face. He shrugged.

'Such secrecy,' said Natalya. 'A pity Jake called a few people to tell them about Kat's BASE jump.'

Ethan sighed. He was beginning to wonder if the whole world knew about that.

'You should be more careful,' Natalya told him. 'Sam does not like his team taking too many risks.'

'Sam knows?'

Natalya shrugged. 'Perhaps. Probably. Sam knows most things.'

'What have you heard?' Ethan asked her. He didn't think he'd done anything wrong. So why was he nervous?

'Nothing much,' said Natalya. 'I have not seen Sam today so I cannot say for sure what he does or does not know.'

'Why would Sam care anyway? It was Kat's decision. She didn't need his permission.'

'Maybe not. But the team is more important to Sam than you could possibly know.'

'You make it sound like he's their dad!'

'In many ways he is,' Natalya said simply.

And that answer really worried Ethan. It suddenly felt like there was something mysterious about 'the team'. Something going on that he didn't know about. And he didn't like that at all.

'Anyway, I just came in to see if you were around all day. We are having a little meeting later about the compet.i.tion,' Natalya told him.

Ethan wanted to ask her more questions, but he couldn't think of any that made sense. So he just said, 'What time?'

'One, I think. In the hangar. Luke would like to do a quick check to make sure we are all prepared.'

Ethan wasn't surprised. Luke had been given responsibility for looking after the accommodation and flight details. And Luke, as Ethan now knew well, was obsessed with detail. They all made fun of it, but they respected it. After all, no one would want Johnny in charge of getting everyone to the airport on time.

'I will see you then,' said Natalya as she left the shop.

For the first time that morning, the shop was empty. Ethan found the silence deafening. It had been bad enough being chased by the police for trespa.s.sing, but now he had Sam to worry about. He didn't want to be on the receiving end of his fury. After all, Sam had kicked Jake out for taking a risk that jeopardized the team. What was to stop him doing the same to someone else?

'Ethan!'

A cheer from Johnny greeted Ethan when he arrived at the hangar. Johnny and Kat were the only ones there.

'Hey, Johnny,' said Ethan, but he was unable to disguise the worry in his voice.

Kat came over. 'What's up?' she asked.

'Everyone knows,' said Ethan. 'About last night. Jake shopped us, and I think Sam has probably found out about it. But does that matter? I mean, would Sam be bothered?'

Ethan saw a nervous glance flick between Kat and Johnny.

'Yeah, he might be,' said Johnny, none too rea.s.suringly. 'Ah, well, I guess we should've expected it. Who gave you the heads up?'

'Natalya,' Ethan told him. 'She came into the shop this morning to let me know about the meeting.'

'Nothing we can do about it now,' said Kat. 'You jumping today?'

Ethan ignored the question. 'So what if Sam does know?'

Kat was just opening her mouth to say something when the hangar door opened and Ethan turned to see Luke and Natalya. He wanted an answer to his question but wasn't given a chance to press any harder as Luke came over.

'This is going to be quick,' said Luke. 'I'm not going to give out tickets just in case someone loses theirs.'