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“I’ll do it,” Finn said. He almost put his hand up like a small child at school, but didn’t want to reveal his eagerness.
This could be the break he was looking for. A chance to snoop around the camp while everyone else was away for the day. If he could get away from Dale for even fifteen minutes, it would help.
Indy cast him a strange look, perhaps guessing what he was up to. Hopefully, no one else suspected his motives.
Even though it was part of the reason Mike had put him in this undercover position, he’d had very little chance of much investigation so far. There was always someone around, making it nearly impossible to sneak into people’s tents or take a look through their vehicles. Finn had scored a major coup, by confirming how the drugs were being shipped, and now Mike’s team was watching each and every truck that came in and out ofthis stock camp, as well as other camps in the area like a hawk. Some people might think that Finn had achieved the job he’d been sent to do. And some of the younger, less knowledgeable detectives might agree and perhaps even want to pull him out. But Mike still suspected there was another link that they were missing with this drug ring. And Finn agreed with him. There must be some reason the syndicate had decided to use this transport option. Apart from the fact that the cattle trucks used the back roads and byways and were less likely to be stopped and searched on their way to the docks. Some important link they were missing. And of course, now they were dealing with two murders, it wasn’t merely drug shipments they were worried about. Finn remained on the lookout for signs of any other illegal activities.
In their last stock camp before they’d come to Stormcloud, he’d uncovered a small-time drug dealer, when the station manager had hinted that he might have access to“something to help Finn get through the long days”.After cautiously talking to a couple of the station stock hands, and witnessing one guy’s erratic mood swings and behaviors, as well as noticing more traffic going to and from the farmhouse than was normally warranted, Finn decided the rumors of cocaine usage in the camp might well be true. He passed on the details to the sarge and after he and Dave and Carrot moved on, the local cops raided the station homestead and found large amounts of cocaine and money. The manager had been arrested and charged and was waiting for a trial date, and so far, Mike had gained very little info from him. It seemed the manager had been using his position of trust to become the local drug lord in the area. But this man was small fry compared to what Mike’s team was looking for. Cocaine users and meth users rarely mixed, but they couldn’t completely discount the fact they may be connected, somehow. It wouldn’t be the first time a gang wasextending their reach and dealing in more than one illicit drug. Not putting all their eggs in one basket, so to speak.
“Great, we’ll join the muster later on this morning.” Dale nodded in Finn’s direction. “Come and find me once the rest of the crew has gone out. The trucks are due to arrive in the next half an hour.”
Ever since word had got out that a truckie had turned up dead after spending the night in the camp, most of the other drivers were opting to overnight in their trucks in the small township of Dimbulah, or leave Townsville extra early in the morning to make it here on time. Finn didn’t really blame them. Truckies were a tough breed, but they could also be a superstitious bunch.
“Will do,” Finn replied.
Finn sat across the fire from Indy to eat his breakfast. He didn’t trust himself not to reach out and touch her if he sat next to her. So, he put himself out of temptation’s way. But he couldn’t help the way his eyes were drawn to her, like a moth to a flame. She’d tied her hair back into her customary neat ponytail, sleek and put-together once more. The image of that dark hair fanned around her face as he thrust into her last night startled him with its intensity, and he nearly dropped his plate. Wow, he needed to get himself under control.
“You drew the short straw today,” Carrot said, taking the chair beside him, already shoving a forkful of beans into his mouth before his bum had even hit the seat.
“Nah, mate.” Finn tore his gaze away from Indy to concentrate on the other man. “Someone had to do it, and I don’t mind giving the boss a hand.”
Carrot screwed up his nose. Given the chance, they’d all rather be out there chasing cattle through the bush, enjoying the adrenaline rush and the freedom, than back here in the hot, dusty cattle yards.
“Whatever.” Carrot waved away his arguments. “We’ve probably only got another three days out here, then the job will be finished. Dave’s already lined us up another gig farther west, at a station called Muglibimby. Personally, I’m looking forward to getting outta here. This place is cursed.” Carrot lowered his voice as he said this and glanced around to see if anyone else was listening.
No one would say it to any of the Stormcloud staff’s faces, but it was what all the contract musterers were thinking. Which was sad, and Finn felt for Dale, because he must be able to feel this undercurrent of unease running through the group. But he had to hand it to all of them; they’d stayed on to finish the job, even under these strange circumstances. Country folk weren’t easily scared, but a lot of them had a strong skeptical streak. Finn wondered if Steve and Dale might struggle to get contract musterers next year, once word got around.
Finn knew this job would be coming to an end soon, but he hadn’t realized it’d be that soon. Would Mike want him to stay with this team? Want him to keep turning over every rock until they cracked this drug syndicate? Or would he decide they had enough info now and pull him back to help the team follow up with the great information they had? Finn wasn’t looking forward to the conversation between himself, Dave, and Carrot if Mike recalled him. It would mean he’d be leaving their team of three one man short, and he didn’t like the idea of not following through with a job. Be it a fake, undercover job, or not. He’d signed on with Dave for the next three months, minimum. What would they do if he left them in the lurch half-way through the season? Would they be able to find someone else to replace him?
Finn’s gaze rested on Indy across the fire. Whatever happened next, he’d be leaving Stormcloud soon. Would never see Indy again. His chest constricted at the thought.
After breakfast, Finn couldn’t help himself, he followed Indy back to her tent, making sure he wasn’t seen. Everyone was too busy preparing for their day to notice much else going on, anyway. He caught her elbow right before ducking through the flap into her tent.
“Indy, wait. I just needed to make sure you’re okay this morning.”
She gave a small squeak of alarm before she turned and saw who it was. “Jesus, Finn. You have to stop sneaking up on me.”
“Sorry,” he apologized. But he wasn’t, really. He was close enough to draw in the distinct smell that was Indy, feel the presence of her body so close to his. “Are you? Okay?”
Her pinched face softened, and her eyes crinkled as she held back a smile. “Yes, Finn, I’m fine.” She studied him for a few seconds. “More than fine,” she admitted, tipping her chin up. “And I don’t regret a minute of last night, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Me, either.” He had no control over the wide grin that overtook his face. The urge to lean in and take her mouth with his was so strong, he was almost overwhelmed.
Her dogs began to yip with excitement; they knew they were about to be let off to go on the muster. She turned her head and shushed them. “I have to go.”
“I know,” he replied, the cheeky grin refusing to leave his lips. “I’ll see you later?” The question hung between them, unanswered. They both knew he wasn’t referring to seeing her out on the muster later this morning. He was asking if he should come back to her tent tonight. If she said yes, he would come. All his complications be damned.
She gave a quick nod, and his heart jumped into his throat. He wanted to fist-pump the sky. Instead, he raised a seductive eyebrow and quirked his lips as he nodded his own reply.
Then he watched her slip into her tent, and he sauntered back to the mess tent to get his orders from Dale.
“One of the truck drivers just radioed in. He’s blown a tire. They’re only just down the road. The other driver has stopped to help him. But they’ll be twenty minutes late.”
“That’s not good.” Finn grimaced, but inside he was doing a cautious, happy dance.
“Not ideal, no.” Dale removed his hat and scraped a hand through his hair. “I’m gonna see the crew off. Looks like you got twenty minutes to yourself. I’ll come get you when they’re on the way.”
“Thanks, boss.” This morning was just getting better and better. The cards seemed to be falling Finn’s way.
