Finn waited a long beat before answering.He’d win multiple staring contests with that expression, while perfecting the art of silence.‘The team found a discarded security guard’s uniform and a lab coat with the swipe card.’
‘Seriously, you can buy lab coats anywhere.’Bastion dropped into his office chair, then spun around to face the large wall of windows to observe the crocodiles in the pens below them.Nearby, the row of monitors gave a greenish tinge to his pale complexion, while his long fingers nimbly worked the various dials, like you’d find in a recording studio.
‘How do you access the hatch?’Finn asked.
‘Through there.’Bastion pointed to what looked like the entrance to a broom closet.
Finn stepped in closer to Bastion.‘How about you show me and explain how often you use that hatch and why?’
‘Seriously?’Bastion tried to give a totally blasé look, but it failed when he struggled to swallow with his Adam’s apple stuck in his throat.
‘Go on, Bastion,’ urged Lenora.
‘Fine.If that’s where you think they’ve hidden our babies?Like, seriously?’
‘Bastion!’Lenora scowled at her employee.‘Please do everything you can to help the police who are trying to find our stolen animals.’
‘Very well, then.Even if I think they’re long gone by now…’ Bastion gave a dramatic sigh, like it was too much effort to get to his feet and drag out his swipe card.‘We access the hatch here.’Through the door, Bastion pointed to the steep ladder.
Romy tugged on Stone’s shirt.‘Do I need to go up?’
‘No.Stay here and take a shot of this room at various angles, especially Bastion’s desk.’
‘You want it from Bastion’s point of view?’
‘Yes, please.I want to be able to work out what all those buttons are for.’
‘Good idea, Stone.’Finn nodded.‘Constable—grab the DNA records from Lenora.Find out their ID process.Then help Romy get detailed shots of the control room.You’ll know what to look for.’
‘Yes, sir.’Amara nodded at Romy, full of encouragement.
‘Gloves on.’Finn held out some gloves.
‘I have my own, thank you.’Bastion slid on his leather gloves.
It was enough for Finn to narrow those dark eyes at the tech.
‘What?The roof gets so hot it’ll seriously melt those plastic gloves of yours.’
‘Good point.’Finn dragged out his gloves, while Stone was stuck with the plastic ones.
Bastion led them up the ladder, Finn followed closely with Stone at the rear.The plan was they’d visit here for answers and search for clues, so said Finn.
Next, they’d hit the other two crocodile farms.The Duchess would handle fingerprints, Romy would film, and Finn would run interrogations.All while, Stone babysat the juveniles, using the police van’s cage as a holding pen, with his helicopter’s transport crates to contain the babies for the short trip to Dustfire.
By then, Craig would’ve worked through Stone’s shopping list, getting the quarantine station prepped for their new guests and the identification process.
But first, they had to find answers to the questions raised in this morning’s meeting about Saltscale.
The ladder was warm under Stone’s plastic-gloved grip.Overhead the lanky Bastion pushed open a simple square manhole, where it folded over to land on the roof with a thud.
From his view, high on the ladder, they were right above the tech office’s control tower, giving them a grander view of the hatchery’s floor plan.
While hanging off the ladder, Stone took a stack of photos with his phone, remembering a trick Romy taught him about using the video for that panoramic view.Oh yeah, he’d be a pro in no time.
‘Don’t let the constable see you doing that.Or you’ll cop the lecture on this thing called health and safety.’Above, Finn gave a rare smile.
‘I’m used to hanging off a sling from a helicopter, Bossman.This ladder climb is a walk in the crocodile grass.’Stone continued to the roof, where the harsh sunlight was blinding enough to have him dragging his sunglasses off his hat brim.
