Wyatt - 01 - Kick Back by Garry Disher

he said.

    Hobba moved across to the passenger
seat and Wyatt climbed in behind the steering wheel. He started the engine,
then jerked his head at the big car behind them. How longs he been there?

    Hobba began to chew on a mint. After
I ordered the van I called in at my place to get a jacket. He picked me up
there.

    Wyatt put the Holden in gear. Have
you been treading on any toes lately?

    Hobba shook his head. You have, he
said. Its your little mate.

    * * * *

    Sixteen

    That
car of his sticks out like a sore thumb, Hobba said. Dumb prick.

    Wyatt turned onto the Boulevard and
accelerated. Bright enough to know he could find me by following you.

    Hobba grunted. Think Ivan put him
up to it?

    Well soon find out.

    A few minutes later they were in
back streets much like those in Burnley. Now and then Wyatt glimpsed Sugarfoot
Youngers massive red car in the rear view mirror, gingerly negotiating the
humps and holes in the bitumen behind them.

    Hobba tossed a mint into his mouth. Whats
he want anyway?

    Wyatt shrugged. Get even with me.

    Muscle in on this job?

    That too.

    Why dont we just waste the little
prick?

    It seemed to be a rhetorical
question, but Wyatt treated it seriously. It hasnt become necessary yet. We
cant afford heat at this stage.

    Hes a mad bastard, Hobba said
after a while. Hes stupid, but dangerous with it. Gun happy.

    Wyatt nodded. Got Hoddle Street
written all over him.

    Before Ivan took him on he was
trying to be Mr Big, but he was just a jumped-up standover merchant. Ivans got
him at his natural level. If a head needs kicking in, send young Sugar

    Wyatt checked the rear view mirror
again. He grinned. I think Ivans trying to smarten him up. Like sending him
with me on that insurance job last week.

    Sort of work experience, Hobba
said, enjoying this. He almost never saw Wyatt smile. Writes it up afterwards,
three-hour exam at the end of the year

    TAFE certificate after two years,
Wyatt said.

    They drove deeper into the back
streets, peering into alleys and lanes. Wyatt said, Go all right at Lomans?

    Beautifully, Hobba said. He gave
me three sets of fake ID. Tomorrow hell have a van ready with clean papers,
plus some handcuffs, a drill and bits for Max, and C4 plastic if we need to
blow the safe.

    Hassle you over the money?

    I gave him the thousand, Hobba
said. Like you said, all he needed was a sweetener. Hes expecting another six
and a half within the week.

    Wyatt nodded. How about the
transfers?

    Ready tomorrow. Compatible
Computer Servicing. Black letters on a white background.

    Good. What about Max?

    Watching Finn, like you wanted. Were
going to need cars though, Wyatt. You cant watch a place on foot. People
notice you.

    Wyatt nodded. There was a give-way
sign ahead. He slowed for it and entered another narrow street. Hobba lit a
cigarette and threw away the match. Try there, he said suddenly, pointing to
an alley.

    Wyatt slowed, but accelerated again.
Too open.

    After a while, Hobba said, How come
its never straightforward, Wyatt? You ever wondered that? I mean, is it
because were bent? God looks down, sees what were doing, and sends Sugarfoot
along to fuck us around? I often wonder.

    Could be testing us, Wyatt said.

    Whats the point? Weve already
failed. Nuh, God likes to fuck you around. Take a bloke, hes a pillar of
society, wife and kids, church on Sundayif he fucks up you can bet hes got
something going on the side. Hobba finished his cigarette and popped another
mint. Check this one, he said, pointing ahead.

    Wyatt braked. They were at the
entrance to a narrow, cobblestoned, dead-end back alley lined by high rusty
fences. The cottages and sheds on either side were boarded up and empty-looking.
He glanced in the rear view mirror; the red Customline was two blocks behind
them. He drove a short distance beyond the entrance, shifted into reverse, and
backed into the alley. He reversed for fifty metres and stopped, keeping the
engine idling. No windows overlooked the alley.