The train was relatively quiet. Where had the clickety-click of the old days gone? Must be the modern way the tracks were laid, no breaks to cause the clickety-click.
What next? He saw Isabella’s reflection in the window. “Where we going, Bella?”
“I was hoping you’d tell me. But then I’m the Melburnian, so I suppose I need to work it out.”
“Yep, I don’t know anybody in this fair city, and I’ll have to think about giving myself up some time. For now, I’m enjoying your company.” He felt a surge of warmth flow from those words.
“I’m sure if you think hard enough, you’ll come up with someone, but it doesn’t matter too much because I’m enjoying your company too.” She snuggled up to him. “I feel safe but this train will eventually stop so we have to think of something”
Who did he know in this fair city? What could they do?
He felt Isabella move. “I haven’t told you about the Messenger, have I?”
“Messenger?”
“You saw the lady following us?”
“Yes.” Lucas moved in his seat. He felt exposed.
“And you saw that man block her access to the train?”
“I did. I didn’t want to alarm you.”
She squeezed his arm. “I know that, Lucas. But I want to tell you about the Messenger. He blocked her access.”
“So you give people names by the actions they perform?”
“No. I’ve come across that man a number of times now.”
Bells chimed as the train shot through a railway crossing. Lucas stared at the flashing lights on the boom gates and the people behind the pedestrian barrier. In a flash the scene was gone.
“A number of times? Are you sure, Bella?”
“The first time was on the bus trip from Melbourne. He sat next to me even though there were plenty of seats available. He told me I was going on a journey that would help others.” She stopped and looked out the window.
“Well, he was reasonably accurate with that.” Lucas put his hand on her lap.
Isabella smiled. “The next time was when we came down from the bush. He protected me from that lady.”
“Really?”
“Yep and he was dressed for bushwalking. All the latest upmarket gear. The first time I saw him, he wore a mismatch of clothes topped off with a tartan scarf. Funny, he emphasised the tartan to me and it’s stuck in my head ever since. It was the Mackenzie tartan. You know the bus service to Healesville is also known as Mackenzie, but I think it was Mc not Mac. Wonder what the relevance is?”
Lucas stared at Isabella. Something she said was ringing bells. “Have there been other times?”
“Yes. I think I got a text message from him. That’s why I knocked on your door.”
“Wow. What a friend. Any more?”
The train was slowing. Coming into a station.
“Just the train. But there may have been other times.”
“Is he still on the train?”
Isabella turned and looked.
The train had stopped.
“Doesn’t look like it. He’s not in the seat.”
Some passengers were disembarking. Isabella looked out the window.
“There he is.”
Lucas looked. A tall man walked past. He flicked his scarf around his neck, turned, and smiled.
Things lined up in Lucas’s head. Yes, the name: Mackenzie.
62 – The Mackenzie connection
“MACKENZIE. There must have been a reason for that name to pop into your head. Keep following that thought,” Isabella said.
“She came and saw me in prison.”
More and more people were getting on the train now.
“She? A girl named Mackenzie? Is she an old sweetheart or something?”
