Sam shifted as his interest piqued. “Did he find it?”
“Some. It’s what sparked the mutiny, but Lilian and John found most of it later when they returned to set up the station. They buried it somewhere on the Ridge.”
“You haven’t found it?”
Brandon shook his head. “Lilian’s clues are cryptic. We’ve been searching for over a month with no success.” Brandon ran a hand through his hair. “We could desperately do with the funds.”
“How bad is it?”
“We can’t afford shearers for the season. We’re almost out of feed and if it wasn’t for the camp grounds we wouldn’t be able to eat.”
Shit. “What can I do to help?”
“Take a copy of both journals and see if you can decipher her clues. A fresh pair of eyes, someone who doesn’t know the Ridge like we do, will be good.”
“Sure. I’ll go through them this week.”
Brandon clapped him on the back. “Thanks, mate. Is there anything I can do to help you?”
“If you can sweet talk Penelope that would be great.”
He chuckled. “I’ll talk to Georgie, ask if she can think of something.”
Sam groaned. “There’s probably no point. We’ve already cancelled all the tours and left people very disappointed.”
“I’m sorry, mate. I know it’s not the start you were hoping for.”
“No.” But he could roll with it. Reacting to circumstances was what he was good at. “Have you got time to come diving this week?” He shrugged. “I figured I might take the tender out and check out some dive spots.”
“Maybe at the end of the week. I’ll call you.” Brandon sipped his tea. “Have you heard from Sherlock lately?”
Sam flinched at the name. “Why?”
It was the wrong thing to say. Brandon’s eyes pinned Sam to the chair. “Amy and I have both tried calling him, and there’s been no answer. He should be back from his mission by now.”
Sam nodded. “The team left again just before I finished.” It wasn’t a lie. “You know Sherlock, he lives for the mission.”
Brandon scowled. “When he gets back, I’m going to have words with him. He needs to get his priorities straight. Family is important.”
“Which is why you stayed away from yours for over a decade?” Sam asked, ignoring the unease in his gut.
“That’s different.”
“Maybe Sherlock feels as guilty as you did.”
Brandon swore. “You could be right. When’s the team due back?”
“After Christmas.”
“I’ll call him then.”
Sam pushed down on the guilt. The one thing Sherlock had asked of him was not to tell Brandon and Amy, and so Sam would keep his promise for as long as he could. He didn’t want the guilt Sherlock felt over his sister to compound on his misery of losing a leg and his career. It might just tip him over.
Chapter 5
Penelope had spent most of yesterday tracking down passengers on both Jimmy’s and Rob’s boats to get a full picture of what actually had happened. One passenger promised to send her a video of the whole thing, but so far it had not arrived. She would chase it up when she got back to the office. Today she wanted to go out to the Muiron Islands. A few spot checks on any boats to ensure they were all doing the right thing and a review of the island were in order. She’d been trying to get out there for more than a week, but Declan had given her other priorities. Today she was getting there, no matter what. Too many people thought they could flaunt the size and catch limits and get away with it.
Not on her watch.
