‘That’s where your father is, annoying Lenora upstairs.’At the heavy door, Celeste swiped a pass card at the panel.A light turned from red to green, and the door unlocked.
‘Heavy security,’ muttered Romy.Even the doors had bars on them like a prison.
‘It still didn’t stop them from stealing.’Celeste scowled with tight lips, as the heavy wrinkles shifted around her soft eyes.
‘It’ll be okay, Mum.You’ll see.’
‘I feel so violated.’Again, Celeste gripped her throat, her voice strained.‘It might be a farm, but this is our home, too.’
Jed rubbed his mother’s back, as he spoke to Stone.‘They broke into the hatchery last night, or so we think.’
Stone arched an eyebrow.‘What do you mean, you think?’
‘Dad only just noticed it.’
‘Our eldest, Lenora,’ Celeste explained to Romy, ‘is doing a stocktake now with her father.They’ve been at it all morning.’
Feeling awful for Celeste, Romy offered a soft smile of sympathy.It was lame, but it was all she could do.Normally Romy hid behind the camera, and no one noticed her, that she felt positively naked without a camera, or a phone.
‘Listen, Celeste, how about me and Jed tuck in these eggs first?And, by then, the rest of the team should be here so you and Malcolm can answer all our questions at once, and we’ll work out how to help recover your stock.Does that sound like a plan?’
‘You’re a gem, Stone.It must have been fate for you to show up like this to help our family.Right time, right place, huh.’Celeste gave Stone’s arm a motherly squeeze.‘I’ll radio security to let your colleagues in.Will they be in police cars?’
‘Nope.We’re not regular cops.’
They were led down a short corridor, and entered a muggy room made of meshed metal and glass, where in-ground water troughs ran along the sides like a clear drain.
‘Wash your boots, please.’Celeste dipped her gumboots into the drains.
Romy tugged on the back of Stone’s shirt.
‘You keep tugging on my shirt like that, shortcake, and you’ll strip me down.All you need to do is use your voice or sign language.I’m quite versed in both.’
Was he joking about understanding sign language?‘What is going on?’
‘We have to wash our shoes to go into the hatchery, Lennie keeps it pretty sterile.’
‘But you’re carrying dirt in that cooler.’
‘Don’t worry, they’re going straight into a quarantined room.’
Romy washed her hiking boots in the whooshing water that smelled like antiseptic detergent.She then wiped them down on another floor mat, and washed her hands alongside the others before entering an open room inside the large shed.The air was so thick with humidity, it was like entering a tropical sauna.Instantly her shirt stuck to her sweating skin.‘How hot is it?’
‘Answer her, Jed.It’s your show to share,’ urged Stone.
‘Um, well…’ Jed rubbed the back of his neck shyly.
‘Go on, it’ll do you good, son,’ said Celeste.‘My boy gets quite shy around the girls.’
‘Mum.’The poor guy dropped his head to his chest, adjusting his cap.
‘You go tuck in the new ones, while I go find your father.’Celeste rushed off.‘Just radio us when you’re done.’
‘So, where do you want these, Jed?’Stone hoisted the cooler to his chest.‘You can give Romy a tour while you’re at it.’
Romy gave young Jed an encouraging smile.‘This place is amazing.’Except it was sweltering hot.
‘We speak in indoor voices here,’ whispered Stone, pushing open another heavy glass door on the right, that led to a dark corridor.
