Shallow Breath

53

Kate




Kate is stunned to discover that a new plan has emerged in the five minutes she’s been gone. But the more they discuss it, the more they decide it might work.

‘It only takes about ten minutes to drive to Taiji,’ Carl says. ‘I could drop you on one of the quieter roads near the harbour at about midnight, and be back in plenty of time for our raid on Dolphin Resort.’ He points to a small road close to the water, half-hidden by trees. ‘But you’ll be completely alone. You’ll have to make your own way to the pens, and wait in the dark for a few hours until it’s time. Are you okay with that?’

‘Of course,’ Desi replies.

‘Mum’s a really strong swimmer,’ Maya adds. ‘When she’s finished cutting the ropes, where should she aim for?’

Carl thinks for a moment. ‘I’m not sure – let me study the map for a while and I’ll see if I can figure something out.’

There’s a knock on the door, and Kate jumps up to open it, finding Jackson waiting. ‘Okay,’ he says when he sees her. ‘I still think this is madness, but I’m in. What can I do?’

‘Perfect timing!’ she says, kissing him on the cheek, noticing his smile as he joins the others.

They tell him about Desi’s plan. ‘Right,’ he says. ‘I’ll join you, Desi. We can drive there ourselves.’

‘No, it would still be better if Carl comes with you,’ Kate interrupts. ‘He knows the roads – and there’s plenty of time for him to get there and back before he’s needed in the boat. The last thing you want to do is get lost and run into the police. But you’ll need a car to have a chance of escaping.’

‘It’s going to be difficult,’ Carl agrees. ‘I wouldn’t try climbing out on the harbour side – there’s too great a risk that someone will spot you. Your best bet is to head out past the landing pier, circle those rocks and come in somewhere along this small beach here. There’s a road close by that’s hidden from view on the satellite map, beneath the trees. If we could leave a car around there, you might be able to reach it.’ He jumps up. ‘I’ll have to go and find Isamu, see if he can get hold of a vehicle or any equipment.’

‘I’ll wait until the surveillance van moves before I go in,’ Desi suggests. ‘Although if I think it’s getting too light, and the police stay put, I might jump in anyway and see how far I get.’

Kate leans against the wall, thinking. ‘Our biggest hurdle is keeping you hidden. If they find you too early, our whole plan could get blown. They’ll increase surveillance on all the pens.’

‘What exactly do they have in the pens at the harbour?’ Maya asks.

Kate goes to sit in front of her laptop. She clicks through a series of links and says, ‘Two pantropical spotted dolphins, three Pacific white-sided dolphins, two Risso’s dolphins and three false killer whales.’ She swings round in her chair and looks hard at Desi. ‘Those poor creatures. You’re right. If there’s a chance, we have to try. Only four pens are in use at the moment, which will make it a lot easier for you.’

‘I’m sure it’ll work,’ Desi says, eyes still on the map. ‘And if I go in soon after you, perhaps the ones I release will latch on to the sounds Isamu plays as he leads the others out. I can’t bear to think of them hearing it, with no way of escape.’

It is Jackson’s turn to study the plans. ‘I’m sorry to be the one putting a damper on things,’ he says eventually, ‘but you do realise those fishermen will go out tomorrow and do exactly the same thing? They might even recapture the ones you release. Are you sure it’s worth it?’

Kate folds her arms. ‘I thought you said you were in?’

‘I’m simply playing devil’s advocate.’

‘Well, I understand what you’re saying, but right now we’re not in the business of sinking boats. We want to give those dolphins a fighting chance. Even if that’s all we can do, it’s worth it. Until the law changes, those fishermen will go out tomorrow whether we do this or not. We need change on a number of levels, big and small. The greater change will have to come later. For now, let’s focus on what we can do tonight. Besides, it’s getting towards the end of the season – perhaps they won’t have time to recoup all their losses.’

As Kate and Jackson stare at one another in the silence that follows, Maya jumps up. ‘I think I might go for a walk and stretch my legs a bit.’

Kate spots Maya raising her eyebrows at Desi, who gets quickly to her feet. ‘I’ll come with you.’

As soon as the door closes, Jackson walks over to Kate and sits on the bed near her.

‘So, do you forgive me?’

She does her best to keep her reply businesslike, while Jackson attempts to disarm her with a hangdog expression and a hopeful smile.

‘We’ll see.’

‘So, have I finally got to the bottom of all your secrets?’ he asks. ‘Or is there anything else I need to know?’

She weighs him up carefully as he holds her gaze. ‘Actually,’ she says, ‘there is just one more thing.’