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‘We’ve got a group of tourists missing. Stupid fools set out on a walk just on dark last night and they haven’t come back.’

‘No park choppers available?’ Ellie frowned. The lodge choppers weren’t usually called in to help this early in the tourist season.

‘The national park choppers are all down at the southern end of the park so they’ve asked us if we can get our bird up before dark. They expected the ground rangers would pick them up quickly because they’re not in one of the remote areas and they haven’t been missing for long.’

‘And the ground rangers didn’t find them?’

‘Not a sign.’

Ellie thought of the wide expanses of the park. When she did her tourist commentary on the scenic flights for the lodge, visitors often found it hard to believe that the park was almost half the size of Switzerland.

‘It’s not like I can see into a croc’s belly from the air,’ she pointed out with a little shiver. ‘But you never can tell in this place.’

‘We’re hoping they stayed up in the rocks away from the river. Three adults and a child.’ Her boss didn’t sound very hopeful. ‘The rangers have been out since noon, and now they want our chopper up before dark. Can you make it? You’re my only pilot today.’

Ellie was speeding along the road now, heading for the Kakadu Highway turn-off. Purpose filled her; she was back doing what she loved. ‘Where’s Mike?’

‘His ex-wife tracked him down and he’s done a runner. I’ve hired a new guy, but he doesn’t know his way around yet.’

‘Can he spot for me?’

‘Yeah, I called him in a few minutes ago. I’ve asked him to check over the chopper for you since he’s doubling up as engineer for us.’

‘Great. Two pairs of eyes will be good. Log me a search grid and fax it through to the hangar. I’ll get there as quick as I can.’ She glanced at the turn-off to Ubirr as her car flew past the intersection. Funny to think she’d be up in the air in this same spot in a couple of hours. Ever since Paul Hogan had stood there in Crocodile Dundee, Ubirr Rock had become a tourist icon.

‘Thanks, Ellie. Appreciate it.’ The phone crackled and Jock’s voice faded in and out as she headed away from the high phone tower behind the Jabiru township. ‘It’s good to have you back, kid.’

‘Ditto.’ She turned south onto the Kakadu Highway, opening the window to let the breeze in. For a moment she let the wind blow her hair back, knowing she was grinning like a fool. Family time was good, but this was what she lived for.

Up in the air, where the world was clear and true. And all hers.

*

Kane McLaren drained the last of the avgas into the small Robinson R44 helicopter. He stepped back and placed the empty drum beside the pump, and pulled a rag from the back pocket of his jeans before wiping his hands.

Even though it was late July – winter down under – the heat rose off the tarmac in waves, sending sweat trickling down his bare chest. He’d pulled his shirt off as soon as he’d opened the hangar and the temperature had hit him. Even with the doors open, the air hung thick and humid and motionless.

After the disaster of his last tour, he’d taken the job at Makowa in a bid to lose himself in one of the last untamed areas of Australia for a while. How long he stayed here depended on his mum, and how ill she was. Despite her emails, he’d had a feeling that the prognosis was more serious than she’d let on. Today’s visit had confirmed that. Something was seriously wrong. And what the hell was she doing living out here by herself anyway? He’d deal with that later.

He was about to start the pre-flight checks when footsteps pounded on the concrete floor behind him.

‘Hey.’

Kane put the rag down and turned. Cargo shorts, heavy lace-up boots and a khaki shirt didn’t hide the curves of the hot little package standing in front of him. His mood lifted a fraction. He wiped a sweaty hand on his jeans leg before taking her outstretched hand.

‘I’m Ellie Porter. You’re the new pilot?’

Her grip was firm. ‘Kane McLaren. I’m the engineer.’

‘Jock told me he’d hired a new pilot.’ Her eyebrow was crooked above a steady gaze.

‘I am a pilot, but I only signed on here to do the maintenance work.’

She pulled her hand out of his and gave him a smile. ‘Okay, you can sort that out with him later. Let’s just get this bird up in the air. Is she ready?’

‘You’re the pilot?’ She looked way too young to be in control of a chopper. Her dark hair was pulled back into a braid and she looked like she was barely out of school.

The look she shot him reminded him of the only woman in his unit; Hawk they’d called her – she’d had night vision to rival a superhero.