“Wake up. It’s your turn to be in charge today, bro. If you sleep any longer, you’re wasting ‘boss’ time.”
His brother rolled on to his back and stretched. “Hell, I’m thirsty. How about getting me a drink?” he said.
“Nah, drag your sorry butt out of bed. Let’s go to the communal kitchen and make a cooked breakfast after we’ve hit the showers. Or you can lie there and make a plan.”
“You’re too full of orders. Beat it.”
Jason laughed and dodged the returning pillow as it flew at him. He bounded down the steps, trotting across the grass to the ablution block. He’d almost reached the green concrete-block building when the sound of gems singing stopped him in his tracks.
He could hear several diamonds keening, a sapphire’s contralto and a few rubies singing at a lower pitch. These were the first gems he’d heard since they’d landed, other than those in the duty free shops at the airport. But where were they? He turned around slowly, locating the direction of the gem-song. There, that way, to the right across the path. He followed the song, immersed in the melody, until he stood next to a dust-covered red car. Somewhere inside this battered vehicle lurked gems, and their value by the sound of their voices would be much more than the car’s value. The tone and clarity told him these were cut gems, possibly mounted. He needed Levi to tell him if they sat in silver or white gold, platinum even. Not that it was any of his business, but it all seemed a bit odd.
A shout from behind startled him. “Hey you. What’d you want? You looking for something?” The gem-song in his head had deafened the approaching footsteps. He turned around to face the man who towered above him, dark-skinned, sporting a scraggly moustache and a menacing frown with shoulders as wide as a truck. Or so it looked standing in his shadow.
“I’m just admiring your car.”
“You trying to be funny?” The frown lines deepened on the man’s face and his lips curled.
“No, honestly, I like old cars and this one’s a beauty.”
The man straightened, his chest expanded and a smile crept across his face. “Well, she’s a bit dusty, but she cleans up well. Done nearly three hundred thousand miles, but she tracks along. Rattles a bit, but not bad for a ‘74 Capri.”
Jason nodded his agreement. “Do you mind if I bring my brother to have a look at her?”
“Sweet as, but don’t be long. I’m leaving soon.”
“We’ll be right back.” Jason trotted across to their cabin, all thoughts of a shower pushed to the back of his mind. He mentally called to Levi as he ran. Out of bed, Levi, I need you—NOW.
No need to shout, I’m on my way. What’s wrong? His brother’s tousled head appeared around the cabin’s doorway, his lanky frame following like a forgotten set of limbs. Hopping as he slipped his feet into his thongs, he came down the steps to meet Jason.
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s an old car over there,” Jason pointed to the red Capri, “and it’s full of gems. The owner’s a bit dark on people looking at his car, but I told him we liked old cars and asked if you could have a look. He agreed, but he’s leaving soon. We need to hurry.”
“We? Why me?”
“I think the gems are cut and mounted. Their song is really clear and bright. You can tell me if there’s gold or platinum, or rose gold or something in the car. I reckon the gems are stolen rings and things.”
“He might own them.”
“What? And drive around in a rust-bucket like that when he can afford to own a heap of gems. Nah.” Jason began to walk back towards the car, leaving Levi to trail behind. Just pretend to be interested. Okay? I don’t want to spook him.
Got it. I love old cars. Watch me drool.
Back at the car, the twins walked slowly around it, nodding in appreciation, running their hands over the bodywork, leaving trails in the dust and making admiring noises.
Well? Jason queried.
Gold, platinum, and some white gold, I think. Also some silver because I can taste pineapple and that’s usually silver. Might have something else mixed with it. There’s not a lot there, but probably just enough to hold the gems in rings. Might even be a bracelet or a necklace.
The car’s owner stood nearby watching their every move. At last murmuring their thanks the twins wandered off towards the ablution block. “What’re we going to do now? We can’t go to the nearest cop shop and say ‘hey, we know where some stolen gems are’. They’d say ‘Oh yeah, how d’you know that?’”
Jason couldn’t fault the logic of Levi’s comment. “But this morning a motorbike started up and I looked out the window. The guy driving looked like the monster who followed us yesterday, the marijuana grower. They might be mates?”
“Then they’re both too big and ugly to tangle with. Leave it.”
“I hate to leave the gems there, Levi. It’s like they’re crying.”
“Bro, you’re too deep. We’re prospectors, not detectives."
