“There are a lot of outdoor tourist things. Maybe I’ll chat to your cute little sister about work.”
Shock filled him. “Georgie?”
“Come on, mate. I know she’s your sister, but you’ve got to realise how hot she is.”
He shook his head. “I don’t want to know.” Though Georgie could do far worse than Sam. He was a good man.
His sister swam over as if she knew they were talking about her. “Are you two playing or what?”
“I’ll play any game you like.” Sam winked at her and Georgie raised her eyebrows and grinned back at him.
“Come on then, soldier. Show me what you’ve got.”
Brandon hadn’t spent nearly enough time with his sister. It was hard to reconcile the cute kid with a ponytail with this blue-haired woman in front of him flirting with his best friend. He’d been gone too long. Even when she’d been at university in Perth, he’d barely made the time to see her, past helping her settle in and then the occasional visit when he was in town.
He glanced at the game. Matt watched Georgie and Sam with a scowl on his face and didn’t notice Amy getting closer until she tagged him.
And so the game continued until Darcy called a halt and said they had to be getting back to the station.
Brandon waded out of the water with his family and déjà vu hit him of so many other times when the family had been to the beach together. Then, their father had called a halt to the games and told them it was time to go.
That wouldn’t happen again.
With a sigh, he dried himself and took the snack Ed handed him from the esky. He was the last to climb in the ute before they headed home.
***
The machinery was still out in the yard when they returned, but Amy had already stacked the tables and chairs ready for collection. Brandon closed his eyes as the now familiar feeling of loss enveloped him. His parents were gone. He would have to get used to this feeling, the reminders which hit him when he wasn’t expecting it. He followed the others into the kitchen and Amy filled the kettle.
Lara retrieved some biscuits from the pantry and placed them in the middle of the table. The swim had returned everyone’s appetite. Darcy wandered out of the kitchen and as Brandon reached for a biscuit, Darcy yelled, “What the fuck?”
Not good. Brandon strode down the corridor to where his brother stood outside his father’s study. The place was a mess. Drawers had been emptied, the bookshelf contents were now on the floor and the safe door was open.
Shit.
Darcy already had his phone out and was calling Dot. The others crowded behind Brandon.
“Daddy, what happened?”
Darcy was still on the phone so Brandon turned to his niece. “It looks like someone had a look around Grandfather’s office.”
“Why would anyone do that?”
A good question. “I’m sure we’ll find out.”
“Lara, why don’t you help me with the drinks while they tidy up?” Amy called. Quick thinking.
A deep frown on her face, Lara followed Amy back to the kitchen.
When Lara was out of earshot he asked, “Anyone come in here before we left for the beach?” There’d been plenty of opportunity for people to be in the house during the funeral.
“Darcy got the whiskey,” Ed said.
Did that mean someone had been watching the farmhouse, waiting for them to leave? Amy had been right to be concerned. It took balls to do this on the day of the funeral—or cold-hearted malice. “We should ask the guests if they saw anyone.”
Sam nodded. “I’ll take over preparing the drinks and get Amy to check.”
Darcy hung up. “Dot said she’ll be out as soon as she can, and not to touch anything. Have any of the other rooms been searched?”
