BACKWOODS RIPPER: a gripping action suspense thriller by Anna Willett

struck by how pale she looked. He realised the sight of his leg had affected her as much as it had him. He clenched his lips together and swallowed. His wife’s distress, coupled with pain and fatigue, threatened to overwhelm him. He laid his forearm over his eyes so Paige wouldn’t see the building tears.
    Lizzy reappeared and slid a small needle into the muscle of his upper arm. Soon he drifted off, voices seemed distant, movement and touch dream-like in its slowness. He was vaguely aware of Paige whispering something in his ear. It sounded like “moo pong”, but could have been “hold on.” He chuckled and closed his eyes.

Chapter Six
    The ute still sat parked around the side of the house. Paige followed Lizzy along the same stone path she’d walked the night before, only now sunshine blanketed the property rather than darkness. Paige stepped over a cracked stone. In between glancing at the path and her surroundings, she took in details hidden in the night. Weeds and dandelions sprouted from the overgrown lawn. The house revealed itself to be in worse shape than she thought. The once red brick structure had faded to the colour of stale gingerbread. The veranda sagged drunkenly to the right and some of the many windows were boarded over. The overall effect came close to derelict.
    Paige watched Lizzy’s back as the woman marched towards the old Holden. Dressed in navy blue pants and a lighter blue loose shirt with short sleeves, it was as though Lizzy had donned her nursing clothes to properly inhabit her role. The fabric of the shirt strained against the woman’s broad shoulders. Paige found herself hurrying in order to keep up with her long strides.
    Once in the car, Lizzy turned to her and spoke for the first time since leaving the house. “When’s the baby due?”
    Caught off guard by the question, Page hesitated. It was the first time Lizzy had made mention of Paige’s obvious pregnancy, which in itself seemed strange. A big baby bump was usually the first thing people talked about. But until that moment, Lizzy had managed to avoid the subject.
    “Two months.” Paige put her hand on the swelling.
    “Not long,” Lizzy said, looking not at Paige, but straight ahead at the windscreen.
    “No. Not long,” Paige agreed and wondered if it would be rude to ask her to hurry up and drive.
    Lizzy tapped a thick finger to her lip as if thinking. A few seconds ticked by and then she put the key in the ignition. The engine clicked a few times, but refused to start. Paige gripped the hem of her dress and waited while Lizzy tried again. A metallic grinding filled the cab, then nothing.
    Paige shook her head. “What’s wrong? Why won’t it start?” Her voice rose, the frustration jagged in her words.
    Lizzy shrugged. “Probably the starter motor.”
    “What’s that? Can you fix it?” Paige asked, turning her body towards Lizzy.
    Lizzy reached under the seat and pulled out a large silver spanner. For a terrifying second, Paige thought she meant to hit her with it. Then Lizzy pulled the release lever next to the steering wheel.
    “Wait here,” she said and got out of the cab.
    Paige bit her lip and watched Lizzy lift the bonnet. Paige whispered a litany of curses under her breath. She jumped when she heard a metal crack.
    “Slide over and try turning it on.” Lizzy’s voice came from under the bonnet.
    Paige slid sideways, lifting one leg at a time over the gear stick. Squeezing herself behind the wheel, she called out, “Now?”
    “Yes. Turn the keys and press on the accelerator.”
    Paige held her breath and did as instructed, trying to ignore the growing certainty that the ute wouldn’t start. Again the grind of metal and clicking rose from under the bonnet, but the engine didn’t catch. Paige lowered her head onto the steering wheel and closed her eyes.
    “I’ll tell Soona to take a look at it.” Lizzy’s voice next to the window startled her.
    Paige lifted her head and regarded the woman. She