‘What’s going on?’Romy called out, hearing the shower turn on.Did she dare go scrub his back?
‘The Duchess has found something.’
Twenty-eight
Just off the main road, Stone’s helicopter parked in a field, where Stone led Romy to meet up with Finn’s large troopy parked under a nearby tree, where Craig, Amara, and Finn waited.
‘I hope you brought coffee, Duchess.’
‘And breakfast for you both.’Amara handed them a tray of coffee and some toasted sandwiches in paper bags.‘Finn said you left in a hurry.’
‘You’re so good to us.’Stone passed the coffee and warm food to Romy.The rush to get here helped avoid that shyness she was exhibiting, plus it helped avoid the whole,aboutlast nighttalk.
Last night, he’d seen it in her eyes.Hell, he’d felt it in her body, and the way his body reacted to hers.It was more than a one-night stand.
But it had to be one night and one night only.The world he lived in was dangerous.Messing with crocodiles, he couldn’t guarantee his own safety, let alone take care of another person.Not after failing Two-stroke like he’d done.Yesterday’s close call with both Chook and Romy had pretty much kissed all sweet dreams of any happily-ever-after far, far away.
At least he had the job to focus on—same as Finn.And Stone knew Finn had been to purgatory and back.No wonder he was cold to most people.
‘Why did you want us to land out here, Bossman?’
‘Good spot for our morning meeting, don’t you think?’In a rare mood, Finn hid the hint of a grin behind his coffee cup.But the shine in his eyes showed he was already hunting, as if the thrill of the chase sparked something beneath that stone-cold exterior Finn was known for, as the hard-arse cop who was even harder on the criminals he caught.‘The constable received the DNA results back this morning.’
Even Amara was bouncing on her toes, full of excited energy.‘It’s from the security uniform and lab coat you and Craig found by The Vegan’s place.’
‘What did you find?’Stone asked, as Romy stepped closer, curiosity filling her eyes.
‘The security uniform gave us nothing.But DNA from the lab coat matched the DNA from the surgical gloves we found at the shed where we recovered that stolen rodeo bull, and his progeny.And…’ Amara paused, peeking at Craig, obviously reluctant to say it.
‘Are you saying it’s the same guy?The techie that Dane Carter told us about?The one who took the canisters filled with genetic deposits from that stolen rough stock?’It had been their first job together as a team, and judging by Craig’s foul expression, that’s exactly what Amara meant.
‘Get me five minutes with that idiot techie, and I’ll get the whole story.’Craig was so livid his eyes were an almost iridescent blue.‘I don’t mind dishing out my own form of payback.’
Stone patted Craig’s tense shoulder, not only to calm down the cowboy, but as a sign that Stone had his back, like a brother.‘Which reminds me about what I heard yesterday, speaking with an old mate on the river.’
‘Who?’Finn asked.
‘Chook.He’s a crocodile hunter.’
‘A proper living legend, he is,’ said Craig, taking a calming breath.‘Chook lost part of his leg in a crocodile attack, and still managed to drag himself out of the river, and drive to the hospital hours away.Now that’s Territory tough.’
Stone didn’t dare look at Romy, even though he could feel her staring at him, remembering the close call they’d had yesterday.‘It was Chook who lent me those holding tanks and incubators for the quarantine station.’
‘Don’t forget to invoice us for that,’ said Amara.‘And I’ll be expecting yours, too, Romy.’
‘Can we get back to what Stone is trying to say.’Finn was blunt as usual.‘Stone?’
‘Chook was telling me there was a stock agent asking about the old smugglers’ route.’
‘Are we talking about the same stock agent that Dane told Izzy about when they kidnapped her?’Craig’s scowl matched Finn’s, somehow making the air heavier around them.It was too coincidental to ignore.
This time it was Amara who put a tender hand on Craig’s arm.‘Izzy is safe now.’
‘You’ve got that app to check on your wife, mate.’It’s why Stone got them the best security system he could find.
‘A dog would help as personal protection,’ muttered Finn.
‘We’re working on it.’
