“Good idea.” Dot turned to Colin. “Get Georgie to show you the traps but keep an eye out.”
Georgie grabbed her binoculars from the car and then led Colin through the bush, keeping low to the shrubs. Before stepping out into the open, she said, “The light was about halfway up.” She used the binoculars to scan the range where she’d seen the light. Nothing but red dirt, rocks and shrubs.
She expanded her scan but saw nothing out of place. “I can’t see anyone.”
Colin nodded and moved forward to take photos of the traps. “Did Matt teach you to move like that?”
She frowned. “What?”
“The way you placed your steps and moved was just like Matt did when he showed me the other traps.”
She smiled, liking the comparison. “I tagged along when I was a kid and took note.”
“It’s impressive. I might have to get him to teach me.” After Colin had the evidence he needed, Georgie set the lizards free. She got her snake catching kit from her car and moved the brown snake carefully to the bush. By the time they returned, Lance and Jay were in the back of the police car and Dot was documenting what was in the back of their four-wheel drive. Georgie peered over her shoulder. “What’s in there?”
“More animals,” Dot said. “Lance says they’re from further south.”
There were several dozen plastic containers inside, most containing myriad reptiles. They’d have to be released where they came from and it would take time to remove the duct tape from their fragile skin. “Want me to take them and arrange for their release?” Georgie asked.
Dot nodded. “That would be great. They’re all still alive.”
Georgie reported to the office and let them know she’d be bringing in the animals, then carefully transferred them into the back of her car.
“Lance told me the guy he reported to was called Mark,” Georgie said. “They take the animals to the gulf.” Using Ridge land.
Dot scowled. “Can you stop by the station when you’re done so I can get your statement?” she asked. “It’s probably best to take care of the animals first.”
“I will.”
Georgie climbed into her car and headed back to town. What a morning. She still had a lot of work to do, but the animals took precedence.
In the rear-view mirror, the ranges soared into the air. Had it been Lee there or someone else?
She sighed.
At least they hadn’t taken a shot.
Chapter 14
“You’ve been in a better mood today,” Darcy noted as he and Matt walked towards the house at the end of the day.
Matt’s half smile vanished as he stiffened. He couldn’t tell Darcy he was thinking about Georgie. Not when he hadn’t figured out the best way to broach the subject. He could hardly blurt it out with no warning. He shrugged. “Nothing broke today.”
Darcy studied him as they took off their boots on the verandah. “Did the stuff with your mum go well yesterday?”
“Yeah.” He hesitated. “It was at Parks and Wildlife. I spent the day with Georgie reviewing the signs in the park.”
Darcy smiled. “How’s she going? I was going to call her today.”
Crap, he wasn’t ready for that. He had to tell Darcy about the change in their relationship himself. “She’s a natural,” Matt said with a smile. “But she mentioned she had a busy week. She pretty much went straight to bed yesterday.” His body warmed at the memory.
“How do you know?”
“She told me that was her plan.” OK, so it wasn’t totally a lie, but he moved inside to avoid answering more questions. “Hi, La La.”
Lara sat at the kitchen table doing homework, still wearing her yellow and brown school uniform. She looked up and pouted. “Hi, Uncle Matt.” She twisted her head so Darcy could kiss her cheek.
“Hey, pumpkin. How was school?”
