Flight of the Jabiru (17 page)

“Surely there isn't much call for relocating crocodiles,” Lara commented, wondering how he supported himself. For the first time she considered the possibility that he was married with a family.

“No, but if someone wants to get rid of a troublesome croc they don't usually mind how I do it.”

“What do you do, besides moving crocodiles?”

“I run fishing charters to make a few bucks, but I don't need much money as I live on my boat. It's a pretty easy lifestyle for a bachelor.”

“So you're not married.” Lara instantly regretted making the comment. He'd think she'd been wondering about his marital status because she was interested.

“Nah, my type of work doesn't give me much time for socializing. Besides, few women are interested in boats and fishing. Even fewer would want to share their lives with a man and crocodiles.”

Lara completely changed her opinion of Rick Marshall, deciding he wasn't a lady's man, or conceited, after all.

She glanced out of the window again as she took cups and saucers out of a cupboard.

“My boat is tied up at the end of the jetty,” Rick said, joining her beside the sink. “It's the one with a raft tied to the back with a croc trap on it.” He pointed to a white boat with a blue stripe along the side. It looked of a reasonable size to live on.

“I see it,” Lara said, unsettled with having him so close that she could smell soap on his skin. “I can't read the name on the side.”

“
Shark Bait
.” He smirked.

“Oh, hopefully that's not a prophetic name.”

“I certainly hope not,” Rick said, looking down at her with a lopsided smirk that was so attractive. “I do spend a lot of time in open sea when I'm doing a fishing charter and I must admit the name doesn't appeal to the fishermen I take out. I've had it in mind to change the name since I bought it, but I just haven't gotten around to it. What do you think of ‘Croc Tucker'?”

Lara shook her head. She'd heard Sid use the term ‘tucker' so she knew Rick was referring to ‘dinner'. “No way,” she said returning his smile. “That's just as bad as
Shark Bait
.”

Rick laughed. “I'll keep thinking. I built the raft and croc trap myself.”

“But how do you coax the crocodiles inside?” Lara asked innocently, while thinking he was the perfect height. Not too short and not too tall. She hated feeling like a dwarf next to especially tall men.

Rick's dark eyes widened and then he laughed, until he saw Lara's indignant expression. “I'm sorry,” he apologized. “I was just imagining myself standing at the far end of the trap calling, “Here boy?”

Lara couldn't help laughing, too. “It was a silly question. I didn't think,” she said, embarrassed.

“Your question was legitimate for someone who wouldn't know anything about traps. This is how it works. I put the raft either in long reeds, or marshland, or up against the river bank, and put a chunk of decomposing meat at the far end of the cage, attached to a piece of rope that runs along the top to the door.”

“Why decomposing?” Lara asked inquisitively with a grimace.

“Crocs like their meat a bit rotten. They'll even stash fresh meat somewhere they think it won't be found until it starts to rot. Once a croc enters the trap and tries to take the meat, the rope attached pulls on the gate at the opening, and it drops, trapping them inside. Crocs up to twelve feet long can turn around in the trap. That's most of the fresh water crocs. Any bigger crocs, like the occasional saltie in the billabongs, will get their tails caught in the gate, so it won't shut properly, allowing them to escape.”

“How often does that happen?”

“Rarely. But a few months ago my trap was smashed to pieces and I found a crocodile toe caught in the wire. I knew only a monster crocodile could do that to the trap because it's pretty strong and quite big. He must've got inside and tried to turn around to get out and then went berserk. After I found the toe I tracked him by following a fresh blood trail. I just caught a glimpse of him slithering into the billabong. I've seen a few big crocs over the years, but he is one of the biggest.”

“I'm so glad you've seen him. I want you to tell the people in town so they know I'm not some hysterical woman.”

“I can't do that,” Rick said adamantly.

Lara was dismayed. “Why not?”

“I don't want those crazy croc hunters here with guns blazing. About six weeks ago one of them sabotaged my trap. If I hadn't been paying attention I might've been killed.”

Lara was horrified, but what he'd said earlier about being wary of them now made sense. “How can you be certain it was one of them who damaged the cage? I don't imagine they owned up.”

“It's an easy assumption. A few evenings earlier two of them approached me in the pub and made threats. The day after my trap had been tampered with I made a point of going to the pub to see their reactions. As expected, they looked real surprised to see me.”

Lara frowned, wondering why Rick risked his life for almost no reward. “Will the monster croc fit into your new cage?”

“No, he's much too big.”

“So how will you move him?”

“I'll have to snare him with a rope, a lot of rope.” He laughed but Lara was flabbergasted.

“You can't be serious,” she said. “How could one man possibly snare a crocodile of that size? It's impossible!”

Rick smiled and his dark eyes grew warm with amusement.

“I can't believe you are teasing me about something so serious,” Lara said crossly.

“I'm sorry. You are not yet ready to see the lighter side of crocodile hunting,” Rick said trying to look serious.

“That's because there isn't one. This monster crocodile could kill you.”

“You're quite right,” he said, touching the tip of her nose with his forefinger and making her feel like his kid sister. “Even with the help of a couple of mates, it would be impossible to snare such a large crocodile.” He tried to keep a straight face as he took a seat at the table again. “What were you doing when the big croc appeared in the doorway?”

“Is that important?”

“It could be because that is extremely unusual behavior for a croc. They are normally cautious around people and very cunning. Something drew him here and I'd like to know what it was. Obviously you weren't cooking meat outside.”

Lara was reluctant to tell him that she'd been sitting on the floor, crying, but it sounded like it could be relevant. “No, I was ... upset, actually.”

“Upset?”

“Yes, I'd been working hard cleaning the kitchen. It was hot and I was exhausted, sleep deprived, and very homesick. I had a bit of a breakdown, if you must know.”

“That explains it,” Rick said with a frown.

“Explains it? What do you mean?”

“You were crying, sobbing, and distressed. Am I Right?”

“You don't have to rub it in, but yes, that's right,” Lara said, blushing. “I was... sitting on the floor.”

“The crocodile heard you. If he were hunting, the sounds of distress from another animal would attract him. Say, a water buffalo stumbled and broke his leg near the water's edge and was making sounds of distress because he couldn't get up. The crocodile sees that as an opportunity not to be missed for an easy meal. Do you know, if you were in the water, a croc could hear your heart beat more than half a mile away?”

Lara paled at the thought.

“This building is close enough to the billabong that your sobs would've been heard and they attracted him. I wonder why he didn't...” He stopped.

“Attack me,” Lara finished, feeling sick. “I can tell you the answer to that. A water buffalo's very young calf began calling its mother nearby. When the crocodile heard the vulnerable calf, he went after it.”

“You were lucky,” Rick said. He wondered if she knew exactly how lucky she was.

“The calf no doubt wasn't so lucky,” Lara said, feeling so sorry for the poor young animal. “I'll remember to shut the door if I ever get upset again.”

“If you understand their behavior it's possible to live with them,” Rick said.

“It sounds like you understand them well,” Lara said, admiring his knowledge. “Perhaps I could get you to talk to my students about them. Having that kind of knowledge might one day save their lives.”

“I'd be happy too, on one condition.” His dark eyes lit up.

“That I hire you,” Lara said, guessing what he was thinking.

“That's right.”

“First tell me how you are going to catch and remove the big croc.”

“I'll build a bigger raft and a bigger cage, one that will hold him. I've already drawn up plans based on his length and estimated weight.”

“Are you sure it will work?”

“I'd stake my reputation on it. Meanwhile, I'll trap the smaller crocs in the smaller cage.”

“The locals will see the big trap if you build it here.”

“I'll tell them I'm humoring you.” Rick smirked.

Lara scowled at him.

“They won't know it's for the monster croc,” Rick said seriously.

“All right, you're hired,” Lara said. “I guess you want to discuss your pay rate.”

“That can wait. I'll have two spoons of sugar in my tea, please,” he said grinning again.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Monty, Colin, and Charlie were sitting alongside the bar in the hotel, with their backs to the door and deep in conversation. They didn't hear Lara walk up behind them. Kiwi was distracted, happily chewing on shelled peanuts on the bar and dropping bits of shell into Charlie's beer when he wasn't looking.

“Honestly, yer should've seen this bloke.” Colin was still unable to believe the size of the biggest croc hunter. He also couldn't believe he'd found the nerve to approach him. “His name wasn't Timber for nothing. He was near seven-feet tall with arms the size of my thighs and I'm not exaggerating. He could've been related to one of those Sasquatch creatures that supposedly roam North America.”

“Maybe you should've asked him if he had relatives in North America,” Monty suggested, sure Colin was indeed exaggerating.

Colin scoffed. “I wouldn't be brave enough to insult him by telegram from Alice Springs. It took all my willpower to stand my ground and show no fear when he looked like he was about to tear me to bits with his bare hands. But I did it! Yer would've been proud of me, lads.”

Monty rolled his eyes. He'd already heard variations of this story several times since Colin returned from the city with Lara. The more he drank, the more he tended to repeat himself. Unfortunately the story was growing like a fishing tale about the one that got away.

“He tried to stare me down and intimidate me,” Colin went on. “But I called his bluff. Men like that respect someone with guts.”

Lara couldn't help smiling. She was remembering how eager he'd been to get away from the hotel.

“So when is Sasquatch coming here to shoot crocs?” Monty asked sarcastically. “I'll make sure I've got plenty of beer in stock.”

“Well ... that's just it. I didn't think Lara should hire him or his mates,” Colin said as if he knew better than anyone.

“Why not?”

“Lara is a lady. I didn't like the look of those ruffians and I didn't want her to be dealing with them.”

“That was very chivalrous of you, Colin,” Charlie said with mock admiration. But Colin was so full of himself that he didn't notice.

“Well, you know, that's the type of man I am,” he boasted. “Just ask Betty.”

“They probably knocked you back,” Monty said laughing. He knew Colin too well.

Colin looked indignant. “Believe me, you wouldn't want the likes of them around here,” he said. “One of them, a crazy Polak, was quite discourteous to Lara,” Colin insisted. “I thought I was going to have to sort him out.”

“Was he a Sasquatch, too?”

“No, he was built like a gorilla, but with less intelligence. Lara soon put him in his place. Which is just as well as you might've had to take up a collection to raise my fatherless children.” Colin downed his beer; grateful he'd had a lucky escape.

“So why weren't they interested in the job?” Monty asked. “The truth this time!”

Colin looked shame-faced. “Apparently, they only hunt big salties. All they're interested in is the money they make from their skins and meat.”

“Lara should've told them about the big saltie she saw here,” Monty said more seriously.

“We both know there was no sixteen-foot crocodile in the kitchen doorway of the rectory. That's just not possible,” Colin said. “Isn't that right, Charlie?”

“It's doubtful,” Charlie agreed. “But she must've seen something frightening if it caused her to faint. She doesn't come across as the wilting type.”

“I happen to believe her,” Monty said.

“You know crocs don't make house calls,” Colin maintained.

“I know it's not common, but stranger things have happened,” Monty insisted.

Lara would've been upset to overhear Colin's words a few hours earlier, but now she felt differently. When Rick trapped the big croc, she was going to make sure they all saw it before he took it up the coast. Then they'd eat their words.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” she said, startling the three men.

“Saints preserve us,” Colin said, going quite pale with his hand over his leaping heart. “Where did you come from?”

“Thought it was the Sasquatch, did yer, Colin?” Monty said, laughing.

“Of course not,” Colin snapped.

Betty walked in. Hello, love,” she called to Lara. “How's the classroom coming along?”

“It's all ready for Monday morning. As tomorrow is Sunday, I thought I might visit the parents of the children who will be attending.”

“Good idea,” Betty said.

“Do you want a shandy, love?” Monty asked Lara.

“I'll just have lemonade on ice for now, thanks, Monty,” Lara said. “I've got things to do this afternoon.”

“Make that two,” Betty said, “and thanks for asking, Monty,” she added sarcastically.

“I actually came over to tell Colin that I've hired a crocodile hunter,” Lara said.

Colin was startled. “How ... Did someone else in town drive you back to the Hotel Darwin?” he asked anxiously. “Or did ... Timber and his mates come out here?”

Monty's eyes widened. “Did you see a Sasquatch, Charlie?”

Charlie shook his head.

Lara looked puzzled. “The man who spoke to me on the Esplanade came to see me this morning. It turns out he's right for the job after all. What's this about a Sasquatch?”

“Nothing,” Colin snapped, glowering at Monty.

“I just wanted to thank you again for your help. The way you stood up to those frightful hunters in the bar in town was nothing short of truly brave.”

Colin looked at Lara intently. Even though her expression gave nothing away, he suspected she'd overheard his conversation with Monty and Charlie. “I was just saying that one of the hunters was a giant,” he said with a touch of humility.

“He claimed the man was a Sasquatch,” Monty said.

“Oh,” Lara said, understanding.

“I said he was as big as one,” Colin countered defensively.

“Colin's quite right,” Lara agreed. “I've never seen such a big man, but you weren't intimidated, were you, Colin? You were remarkably brave.”

Now that she was laying it on so thick, Colin was certain she'd overheard what he'd said. “I wouldn't go that far,” he mumbled. Betty had caught on and knowing her husband's penchant for exaggeration, she was glaring at him.

“We've just been hearing about how courageous and chivalrous he was,” Monty said sarcastically. “Apparently the Sasquatch was terrified.”

“I never said that,” Colin insisted in a fluster. “He would've beaten me to a pulp, given even the smallest provocation.”

“From what you've just said Monty and I were under the impression the Sasquatch was quaking in his boots,” Charlie added.

“Shut up the pair of you,” Colin snapped, feeling foolish while Monty and Charlie laughed. “I got the impression that you didn't approve of the man you spoke to on the Esplanade, Lara,” he said tactfully, but Lara knew what he meant.

“I decided to give him a chance,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. “He won't be charging me much and he lives on his boat,” she added. “So he'll be close by until he's gotten rid of all the crocs that are menacing the town.”

“He's not some big ugly brute, too, is he?” Betty asked.

“He doesn't need to be handsome to hunt crocs,” Colin put in indignantly.

“If we women have to look at him, it never hurts,” Betty said, nudging Lara. When she noticed that Lara was blushing, her eyes lit up. “He is handsome,” she said excitedly.

“I won't deny he's easy on the eye,” Lara said.

“G'day, folks,” Rick said from behind them.

Startled, Lara and Betty jumped. No one had noticed him enter the pub.

“I hope you were talking about me,” he said to Lara, smiling cheekily. He'd caught the last thing she said, but hadn't really thought she was talking about him until he noticed how uncomfortable she suddenly appeared. “Oh, you were,” he said, his grin broadening.

“We weren't talking about you,” Lara snapped. “We were discussing someone else.”

“Who?”

“That's none of your business.” Lara elbowed Betty who was trying unsuccessfully to hide a smirk and making her a complete liar. “But since you are here, Rick, I'd like you to meet Colin and Betty Jeffries, the local shop owners, and Monty Dwyer the hotel publican. And this is Charlie and Kiwi,” she added.

“Pleased to meet you, folks,” Rick said. “I'll be moored at the jetty for awhile, so we'll be seeing quite a bit of each other.” He shook hands with all of them. Betty blushed like a schoolgirl and reminded him that if he needed any supplies, she'd be more than happy to help.

“If we don't have what you want, we can get it in,” she offered magnanimously.

“I need some meat,” Rick said. “Do you keep fresh meat?”

“We have a freezer but it doesn't take long to thaw,” Betty said.

“Would you like a beer, Rick?” Monty asked.

“I'd love one,” Rick said. He looked at Lara. “I've found a good location for the first trap, so I just need to add the meat. If I load the trap tonight, with a bit of luck I should have a croc by the morning.” He'd scouted the billabong for a mile either side of the jetty, searching for the right location, and noticed plenty of crocs of a good size. Fortunately, there were a few good sites for the traps. He'd caught sight of three reasonable-sized male crocodiles so he knew there must be quite a few females in the area.

“Good,” Lara said, still embarrassed and unable to hold his gaze.

“You trap crocs!” Colin said in amazement. “Why?”

“I relocate them instead of killing them,” Rick said. “It's more humane.”

The men were gobsmacked.

“They're crocs,” Monty said when he recovered from the shock. “This is what they do.” He pulled his trouser leg up to show off his wooden leg.

“They hunt for food and attack if they're being attacked,” Rick insisted. “I don't see a need to kill such an awesome predator.”

Monty shook his head. “See if you still think like that when you've lost a leg, or an arm, or worse, your life.”

“Trapping them does sound very dangerous,” Betty said.

“Crazy, more like it,” Colin added.

“I know what I'm doing,” Rick assured them.

“Why isn't a fit young fella like you in the army?” Charlie asked. He thought all young men should be enlisted.

“I served time in the Second Australian Imperial Force, 7th division, in North Africa. How about you?” Rick sensed Charlie was a former soldier, and that's why he'd asked the question.

“I served in the British army for six years,” Charlie said proudly. “I saw conflict when we fought the Boers in the South African province of Natal.”

“Are you on leave from the army?” Colin asked Rick.

“No, I was wounded in the Western Desert Campaign a few months ago, so I was sent home just before the biggest battle in April.”

“So you weren't one of the ‘Rats of Tobruk?'” Charlie said.

“That's a strange name,” Betty said.

“It was given to the Aussie soldiers by the Germans, but it's a badge they wear with honor,” Rick said. “And no, I wished I'd been there to fight alongside my buddies, but I was wounded in January.”

“You look pretty fit,” Charlie observed.

“I took a bullet to the left shoulder, which shattered some bone. I'm right handed, so I could still shoot, but I had trouble carrying a pack. The army thought I'd be a liability. I know I was one of the lucky ones, though. I've still got my arm, and my life. The Aussies have so far suffered more than three thousand casualties in Libya and Tobruk.”

She recalled Lord Hornsby had been injured in Tobruk, but Rick didn't seem to have the chip on his shoulder that Roy had. Inevitably, her father's image appeared in her mind and immediately she felt a lump in her throat. Charlie pulled her out of her thoughts. “Wars ruin lives, and for what? Man's greed for territory, oil or diamonds, usually. And for that, thousands of men are dying.”

“There isn't any chance the army will send you back, is there?” Lara asked worried.

“No, I was honorably discharged. My time as a serviceman has come to an end.”

“Don't you be one of those men who feel guilty for surviving,” Charlie said. “It will do you no good.”

Rick nodded. “I know I have to get on with life. I just wish the war would end.”

“Don't we all,” Charlie said.

“Are you in pain?” Betty asked.

“Sometimes, but it's not too bad.”

“Doesn't your arm give you problems when you are trying to trap crocodiles? I don't imagine they go quietly,” Betty said.

“That's an understatement,” Rick said. “I trap them in a cage on a raft so I don't have to lift the trap, which would be impossible for me, given the size and weight of some big crocs. Once I've caught one, I just tow the raft somewhere suitable to release the croc and then open the trap door and hope he goes quietly. Sometimes there's a bit of animosity. I've had a few angry crocs attack my boat, but mostly they're happy to be set free.” He grinned but everyone knew he was playing down the dangers and difficulties.