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Just as Finn was about to stand and intervene, Scanner lay a warning hand on Dale’s arm. They were all wrought up, and emotions were running high. Dale drew in a visible breath and shook his arm free.
“This has put a spanner in the works for everyone,” he said, voice slightly calmer. “We’ll make sure we do everything in our power to get you back on schedule as soon as is humanly possible. But some things are out of our hands.”
The sound of an approaching vehicle cut through any retort Swampy might’ve been about to throw in Dale’s direction. A Land Cruiser barrelled down the gravel road and pulled to a dusty halt next to the small trailer Bindi used as her base to store her foodstuff and do some of the cooking.
“It’s about time,” Dale muttered. He shot Swampy another hard glare, then went to welcome the newcomers.
Finn had briefly met Steve on the first night of the muster, before he’d headed back to the lodge and left Dale in charge, and so he recognized the owner of Stormcloud when he stepped out of the four-wheel-drive. A smartly dressed lady that Finn guessed was his partner, Daniella, quickly followed suit. But the easygoing, affable man he’d met the other night was nowhere to be seen today. A dark frown lined the owner’s face as he stalked toward them.
“Mum. Steve.” Dale acknowledged them with a nod of his head.
“Dale,” Steve returned the nod.
But Daniella came up and touched her son’s arm, a worried frown playing over her features.
“How is everyone?” Steve lifted his gaze, encompassing the whole crew with his question. Finn couldn’t help but be impressed. It was the sign of a good leader that Steve was more worried about his staff than about the dead man found on his property.
There were murmurs ofokay, andfine, from the group. A typical reply from a group of staunch country folk, and Finn had to suppress a smile. The replies might’ve been a lot different if this were a group of city slickers.
Apart from Swampy, of course, who stood and glowered at Steve. “I need to get going. With or without your damn cattle. When can I leave?” he asked.
This guy was certainly in a rush to get out of here. Finn narrowed his eyes and studied him.
Steve regarded him for a few silent seconds. “Nash says he’s going to send Constable Willow over soon to check the trucks. Once that’s done, he’ll allow us to load up Swampy’s truck,” Steve said.
“Thank Christ for small mercies,” Swampy muttered.
“But Wombat’s truck will have to stay right where it is. And no one is to go near the trucks until then,” Steve added with lowered eyebrows.
Shit. Finn needed to get to that truck before the constable did. Being spooked by Indy last night and not checking the trucks might come back to bite him in the butt. It now seemed more than likely that Wombat, at least, was involved with the drug gang. And perhaps Swampy was, too. Was that why he was so fired up about getting moving? Or was it more sinister than that? Could Swampy be the murderer? Had the two men had a fight over the drugs? A turf war, where Swampy was asserting his dominance?
Finn pretended to study the flames while trying to figure out a way to get over to that truck. But they were parked right outin plain view, over on the perimeter of the camp. There was no way he could even take a nonchalant wander over there without being seen, let alone crawl underneath looking for hidden drug stashes, like he wanted to.
Constable Willow would check the trucks for clues, but would he even know what to look for? Then forensics would give it a more thorough going-over once they’d finished with the body. Even if Willow didn’t find the drugs, forensics might.
Shit. He needed to warn Mike, so he could get on the phone and see if he could stop these bozos from blowing this whole investigation sky high. He might not be able to sneak over and snoop around the trucks, but he could excuse himself and make a call on his sat phone. It was risky, but he didn’t see any other option.
“And no one is to leave the camp until Constable Willow has spoken to you,” Steve added with pursed lips.
Finn saw the moment comprehension sunk in, as some of the other crew turned to look at Steve.
“What?” Rosie surged from her chair. “Surely you’re not saying we’re all suspects?” she demanded.
But that was exactly what Steve was saying. Or, at least, what Senior Constable King had told him.
“Settle down, love.” Brian pulled Rosie back to her seat and talked to her in a low voice.
Finn thought he heard Rosie say, “I want to get out of here…” before Brian cut her off, making soothing noises and stroking her hair. Rosie was freaked out, and Finn didn’t blame her.
“Do you think they’ll let us get back to work anytime soon?” Dave asked, always the pragmatic one.
Steve nodded. “I’m hoping things will get back to normal tomorrow. But for now, you guys all need to sit tight and take the rest of the day off.” He lifted an eyebrow in Indy’s direction and then motioned for Dale and Daniella to follow him into thetent, where he gathered with Mack, Bindi and Aaron in the back corner. Indy grimaced at Finn as if in apology, but got up and followed them into the shade. Steve was obviously checking on his valued staff, as well as debriefing them on their morning so far.
Perhaps Finn should take this opportunity while it presented itself. Steve had told them not to leave the campsite, but a short trip into the surrounding bush torelieve himselfwouldn’t take too long.
“I’m off to the dunny,” Finn said quietly to Dave and Carrot, who merely lifted a hand in reply.
After a quick stop by his tent to grab his sat phone, Finn headed into the floodplain on the opposite side of the camp, hoping the large trucks would block his progress from view until he was far enough out for the trees to cover him completely.
