‘A cave, huh? Doesn’t really strike up images of Spanish. Maybe of cave-dwelling Celts though.’
Hemi thought he detected a twinge of amusement in Warren’s voice.
‘Ah yeah, anything’s possible I guess.’ he said. Anything to keep his thoughts away from the Spanish investigation. Warren seemed to really hate the whole scenario any time it went down that road.
‘I don’t expect they will head out there tonight though,’ Warren said. ‘So we can settle for a quiet film or something and then we’ll track them from a little bit behind in the morning. Unlike you, I don’t want them to know we’re following them until the time is right.’
‘Alright,’ Hemi answered, feeling a little uncomfortable about sitting down for a film with the man responsible for his father’s death. But if he could discover anything incriminating about Warren, it would be worth it. ‘Should I go get us a feed? Some KFC sound good to you?’
‘KFC will be perfect, my shout though.’
Hemi watched as Warren pulled his jacket back slightly, reaching in to take his wallet from the inside pocket. In doing so, Warren inadvertently gave Hemi a clear look at the concealed handgun that he was carrying. Hemi did a double-take. He looked at Warren’s eyes, they weren’t watching him. Hemi decided that Warren didn’t know he had seen the gun. That was lucky. Warren continued to take thirty dollars out of his wallet and pass it to Hemi, asking for a Works Burger, chips, and gravy. Hemi confirmed the order and went into the bedroom to grab his keys and the bathroom for a quick piss. He used the opportunity to collect his thoughts.
Shit. The bastard’s got a gun. This situation is getting way out of hand. What if he intends to use it? I need to warn them. Hemi washed his hands. He wanted to wash his hands of Warren too. He would. He had too. Tomorrow. Tomorrow he would sort this situation out once and for all.
‘See you in a half hour or so,’ Hemi said as nonchalantly as possible, walking through the main room of the unit. The noise of the TV already filled the air. He closed the door behind him and got in the car. Right, KFC it is, but first things first. Hemi drove out of the motel car-park and about one hundred metres up the road before pulling over and parking again. He pulled his mobile from his pocket and dialled a number that he had never used before, the emergency line to the NISO.
Matt’s phone vibrated, causing his ass to lift two inches off the sofa. The ringing noise wasn’t so bad, but the vibration got him every bloody time. He checked the number that was displayed on the screen, but didn’t recognise it. Someone in New Zealand though, he shrugged at Aimee and accepted the call.
‘Matthew Cameron,’ he said.
‘Hi Matt!’
‘Oh, Warren. Hi, how are you?’ Matt blurted the words out in his excitement. He had completely forgotten to make contact for the last few days.
‘I’m good, mate. How are you going down there? Been to the beach? Enjoying sunny Nelson?’
God, Matt had neglected Warren. He didn’t even know they weren’t in Nelson anymore.
‘Actually, the beach is kind of a no-go zone where we are.’ Matt said light-heartedly, hoping he wasn’t going to upset his friend by his interest in his father’s investigation. Oh God, you haven’t even told Warren about your father’s death.
‘Where are you then?’ Warren chuckled. ‘Invercargill?’
‘Not quite, but close enough. We’re in Dunedin.’
‘Dunedin! What on earth would inspire you to waste your time on that town?’
‘What? It’s beautiful. So far, if I had to choose somewhere to live in New Zealand, it would be a fight between Dunedin and Nelson.’
‘I’m just teasing. Us Aucklanders can’t admit to liking a place like Dunedin. So what’s going on there that warrants your attention?’
Matt explained to Warren what had happened at his father’s house. Warren sounded interested and asked lots of questions and was even able to fill in a few details for Matt surrounding oral histories and the Spanish helmet. Then Matt broke the news about his father.
‘Bugger, I’m really sorry mate. Is there anything I can do? Are you coming back for the funeral?’
‘No, I’ll stay down here and keep looking into his work.’
‘That’s also honourable, Matthew. I’d have been blessed to have had a son like you. But God apparently didn’t have the same plans as me.’
Matthew was touched by Warren’s words. A tear formed in the corner of his eye, but he was able to wipe it away before Aimee noticed.
‘Do you want me to go the funeral in your place? Pay your respects on your behalf?’
‘Would you do that, Warren?’
‘Sure, I’d do anything.’
‘That would be great. Thanks, it means a lot to me.’
‘Look, it’s no problem. You don’t even think on it, alright?’
‘OK,’ Matt answered.
‘So where will you go from here?’ Warren asked. ‘Have you got some more direction since you got to Dunedin?’
‘We sure have,’ Matt answered, happy to change the direction of the conversation back to the rumoured Spanish. He continued to tell Warren about the meetings with the Maori elders and on the marae, and how excited they were to have found what they think will be the location where there apparently were Spanish people settled long before Tasman or Cook came by. Warren sounded excited too. He even said he wished he could be there with them, exploring Murdering Beach, seeing if they could find the cave.
‘Will you call me as soon as you find the cave? Will you let me know if you find anything?’ Warren asked.
‘Of course I will,’ Matt answered. ‘You’ll be the first person to know.’
‘I’m very happy for you Matt. Sorry about your father, but happy that you’re having a successful time over here.’
‘Thanks Warren, and thanks for going to my father’s funeral. It’s real decent of you.’
‘I’ll hear from you tomorrow then?’
‘You will.’
Matt said his goodbyes and ended the call. He looked over at Aimee who had quite obviously listened in.
‘That man amazes me,’ Matt said. ‘Even after I leave him in the lurch and go traipsing off with some other theory, he remains the most supportive person I have known in my life.’
‘More supportive than me?’ Aimee’s voice was teasing.
Matt laughed. ‘OK… one of the most supportive people I have ever known.’
‘Let’s hope we have something exciting to call and tell him about tomorrow then.’ Aimee smiled.
Matt nodded in agreement. There was hope. The way things had panned out for them so far had left Matt feeling optimistic. If they could find the cave tomorrow, and find some evidence there of a Spanish settlement, that would be the best phone call that Matt would ever make. He knew that his pride would be shared by Warren and Aimee. If he could make that call, Matt’s life would change forever.
CHAPTER 44
Sunday, February 6, 1527
The San Lesmes is fully repaired and again sea-worthy. She sits on our makeshift dry dock/launch ramp, awaiting her first visit back to the salty waters since almost three months. We, however, are not ready to leave. The people of our village have made us feel so at home that departing from them to attempt a fool-hardy return to Spain is far from our minds. Rather, we will stay here and establish a church and explore these lands. When we are fully settled here, some of us will return to Spain with news of the new colony and bring back more settlers. That is, assuming that we aren’t first joined by further Spanish explorers.
I have been learning the Waitaha language from Hine, the daughter of the chief. Her name also means girl. I have since learned that her father’s name, Tane, is the word for man. But not all the villagers are so simply named. Many of the names are very hard to pronounce.
Hine is very patient with me, and she too has been a good student, picking up our own Espanol with flair. Hardly a minute of waking time goes by without her at my side. I wouldn’t choose it any other way. Some of the hunters from the village look at me a little oddly, but Tane just laughs it off, saying that Hine only has eyes for me now. It amazes me how welcomed we have been. They treat us almost like Gods and we have been given many gifts of the fine jade which the majority of the villagers are involved in working.