“I reported in with the office before I even followed the car,” she said. “I’m following all the protocols.”
“They won’t help if the next guy has a gun.”
“I know that, Matt, but there’s no reason for them to seek me out. I’m not going out of my way to find them.”
“Stonefish don’t care about intentions.”
“You think it’s them?”
“Yeah. Those trails I followed the other day led straight to the traps and we know Stonefish knew about the trails.”
She sighed. “I’ll talk to Dot. She’ll tell me if I’m in danger.”
“All right.” It was the best he could hope for at the moment, but he’d call Nhiari and ask her opinion. He checked the time. “I’ve got to go to dinner. I’ll call you later?”
“Yeah. Say hi to everyone for me.”
He hung up without promising and rang Nhiari.
“Little brother, what have I done to warrant a call mid-week?”
Shit. He hadn’t thought how to phrase this. “How dangerous are the animal smugglers?”
She was silent a moment. “What makes you ask?”
“I spoke to Georgie today.”
She swore. “Dot should have told her to stay quiet.”
“Is she in danger being out there all alone?”
“She’s in as much danger working alone as you are,” Nhiari answered, which wasn’t really an answer as far as Matt was concerned. He regularly worked alone, but he always had a radio with him and he stuck to Ridge property.
“Did they have weapons?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
“What about the guy watching from the ranges? Are you going to look into that further?”
Nhiari sighed. “Matt, I understand you’re worried, but I can’t discuss details with you. All I can say is, we’ve spoken to Parks and Wildlife and they know what to do.”
Not good enough. “I need to know Georgie will be safe.”
“Have you finally admitted you love her?”
Matt’s mouth dropped open and then flapped without any words coming out.
Nhiari chuckled. “You still there, little brother?”
He swallowed. “What?”
“Matt, I’m a cop. I’ve seen the way you look at her. I know how much you care for her.”
Words failed him.
“Am I wrong?”
He shook his head. “No, but it’s new. Only Georgie knows.”
