“We need to figure out if that guy’s working with anyone else,” Brandon said.
“He has a four-wheel drive which will get him anywhere he needs to go,” Sam said. “Easy to get around your property.”
“They also used a motorbike,” Brandon said.
The sand was cool under Amy’s feet. “Dot will get answers.” She didn’t know the process when someone was arrested. Did they get bail straight away, or were they held until a court date? There wasn’t a courtroom in Retribution Bay so perhaps they had to travel to Carnarvon.
“She’s not likely to tell us anything,” Brandon said.
Sam rubbed the back of his neck. “Think Ed will be able to trace the guy’s details?”
Amy looked at Brandon. “What exactly does Ed do?”
Brandon shrugged. “I don’t know. Some kind of IT thing.”
That didn’t help.
“I’m supposed to fly out tomorrow,” Sam said. “But I can always ask Dobby for more time.”
“Dot has arrested him,” Amy said.
The men exchanged a glance.
Realisation struck and her skin crawled. “He’s not responsible for everything.” She didn’t need Brandon’s nod to confirm that. There wasn’t a motorbike at the caravan site and Stonefish were a big company. Her fatigue slowed her brain, had allowed her foolish hopes that this was all over.
“We’re paid to be cautious,” Brandon said.
She desperately wanted to put this all behind her, but facing reality was safer. Brandon’s phone buzzed with a message and he glanced down at it. “Dot’s taken him to the station. Let’s get back to the Ridge.”
That sounded like a wonderful idea. When she’d rested, she’d help them figure out the next step. They reached her car, she handed Brandon her keys and almost immediately fell asleep in the back seat.
***
Fatigue settled over Brandon as he drove into the Ridge. Across from the house, Lara was racing her horse around three barrels set up in a triangular shape while Darcy watched. “Barrel racing.” The words fell from his lips as he watched Lara’s technique. She was good. The longing in his chest was immediate, creating a powerful pull towards the yard, but Darcy and Lara were having a father-daughter moment. They might like to keep it that way.
“You ever do that?” Sam asked.
“I was junior champion at the last gymkhana I went to,” he admitted.
Sam whistled. “That I’ve got to see.”
Brandon shook his head. “I’m not interrupting them.”
He parked and handed the keys back to Amy. “Thanks for the loan.” His fingers brushed hers and desire filled him again. It would be impossible to get her out of his system now.
“You’re welcome,” she said. “You know, Lara has joined the new pony club that’s opened in town. There’s a gymkhana tomorrow. She could do with some tips.”
He glanced over at the pair. “Darcy knows as much as I do.”
“But was he junior champion?” Sam asked.
Brandon shrugged off the question and headed into the kitchen only to be faced with a wall of fury. Georgie and Ed stood side by side, arms crossed and unhappy. “What the hell do you three think you were doing?” Georgie demanded.
Next to him, Sam turned his laugh into a cough when Georgie glared at him. “You were supposed to be keeping him out of trouble.” Then her gaze fixed on Amy. “And you, you’re supposed to be the sensible one.”
Beside him Amy shifted.
“It wasn’t her fault,” Brandon said. “I stole her laptop and car, and she was trying to get them back.”
