Stone carried the drone into a clear space for Romy as she activated the control panel.As a pilot—who’d done this a few times for her now—he instinctively set it in the perfect spot: flat, with plenty of clearance, free from trees and sheltered from the wind.
On her nod, Stone switched the drone on and stepped back.It soon came to life, buzzing like a high-pitched swarm of mechanical bees as it rose steadily into the air.
‘That take-off is almost as good as mine in the helicopter.’Stone peered over her shoulder to check out the image on the control panel.
‘Got any flying tips?’
‘You don’t need them.You know what you’re doing.’
‘Thanks.’She rolled her shoulders as the pride brush over them.
‘What are you guys doing?’Doug asked.
‘Stone noticed this strange relay box,’ Finn said, while directing Amara to steer the police van close to the pole.‘It’s not on your security plans, or the architectural plans.As the head of security, did you know this was here?’
Doug looked downright uncomfortable, tugging at his shirt’s collar that suddenly seemed too tight.
‘It’s okay, Doug, you’re not in any trouble,’ said Stone, while Finn remained stony-faced.
‘Yeah, but…’
‘But what?’Finn was scary when he stared down a suspect, especially when he had his shirt sleeves rolled up, exposing his heavily tattooed arms, and even over the back of his hands and neck.The man had some serious presence.
Doug swallowed, tugging again on that collar as sweat beads trickled down the sides of his face.‘I’ve never noticed that or know what it is.’
‘Hey, take a deep breath, mate.We don’t need you having an asthma attack.’Stone patted Doug’s shoulder.‘When were you sent to the hospital over that paint bombing incident with The Vegan?’
‘A few months back.Why?’
Stone then mumbled to Finn, ‘I bet you a new pair of crocodile boots that’s when they installed that box.’
‘Who was in charge when you were off ill?’Finn asked Doug.
‘Macca.He’s been leading the night-shift team for years.’
Stone squinted up the pole.‘The way I see it, if this other security guard was so used to working the night shift, he wouldn’t have noticed something that small.At night, the top power box would cleverly shade the smaller relay box to not notice any difference.’
‘Good point.’Again, Finn slipped on his leather gloves, then hoisted a small toolbox onto the roof of the police van, with its massive four-wheel-drive tyres, and big bull bar.‘Come on, Stone, let’s open it and see if your theory is right.’Finn climbed up the back cage of the police van.
Romy gripped the back of Stone’s shirt again.‘You’re not climbing up there.’
‘What is it with you grabbing my shirt like that?Do you want to see me shirtless again?Is that it?’He grinned at her.‘You know, you can take another shot of my arse while I’m up on that roof.’
‘Excuse me?’Romy stepped back.Her cheeks had to be glowing a pomegranate red because the heat was steaming out from under her shirt collar.
‘Your camera took an awful lot of footage of my backside yesterday.Did you do that on purpose?’
‘I-I-I was following you through the scrub.I film everything.A lot gets cut out in the editing process.This is raw footage.’
‘Well, hell, Romy if you want raw footage of my—’
‘Stone, get up here!’
‘Yes, Bossman.’Stone chuckled as he easily climbed to the roof of the paddy wagon, displaying his athleticism—which, of course, she had to film.
‘Sir, do I need to explain the risks in this situation?’Amara slid on a different hat from yesterday.This hat was made of dark green felt that featured a flat, oval-shaped crown with a wide brim that provided excellent sun protection.
‘We’re not unplugging it, constable.But find us a sparky to give us an independent report.’
