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Dru put her hand to her chest. ‘Thank God.’ Then she felt immediately guilty. ‘You know what I mean. It’s a relief, but it’s sad. What happened?’
‘Come on, we’ll serve up and I’ll get us a cold drink. Is it too windy to sit on the balcony?’
‘I’d rather sit inside.’
‘Okay.’
Connor was quiet as they served the rice and Massaman curry into bowls. They carried their dinner and glasses of water into the living room and placed them on the coffee table.
Dru leaned back on the sofa cushions and ignored the bowl sitting on the table. ‘Tell me what else he said. I know you too well, Connor. There’s something you’re holding back.’
He reached over and took her hand. ‘The local police aren’t aware of what Greg’s picked up. I don’t know if we should even tell the family yet.’
‘Tell them what?’ Dru put her hand on her stomach and leaned forward.
‘The two dead were trekkers on the Larapinta Luxury trek Sandra booked.’
‘What? She’ll be so upset.’ Dru leaned forward to pick up her phone from the coffee table. ‘She should be in phone service now that’s happened. They wouldn’t keep going.’
Connor pulled her back down gently. ‘No, Dru. There’s something else. They’ve closed the trail. The official reason is—and the local police know this much, Greg thinks—is because there has been an incident, but that’s all they know. They’ve also been told to keep quiet about it.’
‘What’s the real reason?’
‘The Federal Police are co-operating with Interpol who have a team on an international flight now.’
‘A team on the way for what?’
‘To try to catch a couple of operatives they’ve been watching for a while.’
‘Operatives? I don’t understand? Why would there be operatives on the Larapinta trail in Central Australia.’
Connor didn’t look away. ‘To carry out a paid kill.’
‘What? That sounds like a movie! So, where’s Mum?’
‘That’s what we don’t know. It appears the whole group, including the guides are missing.’
‘What?’ Dru’s mouth dropped open and she stared at her husband. Her voice shook when she finally spoke. ‘Can Greg help us? What else can he find out?’
‘He’s on it. He’s managed to infiltrate Interpol electronically and he’s watching every communication, both internally and with the Australian Federal Police.’
‘Without them knowing?’
‘Sweetie, it’s Greg, remember.’
‘Right. As long as he tells us as soon as he finds out anything. We need to let everyone know and we need to get down there. Now.’
‘No. We don’t. Kane, Ryan, and I will go.’
‘Jeremy?’
‘No, Emma needs him.’
Dru nodded slowly. ‘As much I hate to admit it, you’re right. I’ll tell Ellie she and James can stay here. Kane won’t want her out at the farm by herself.’
‘I’m proud of you, Dru. I thought I’d have a fight on my hands.’
Chapter 20
