“Doesn’t sound great. Could she be involved in something illegal too?”
He hesitated. “My gut tells me she’s not.” But could he really trust it?
“Amy showed me her photo,” Brandon said. “You’re not being swayed by her pretty looks?”
Annoyance filled him. “Give me some credit, Bran.” His older brother had no idea who he was.
Brandon grunted, and Ed’s phone beeped with Darcy’s text. “I’ll call Dot,” he said. “I’ll see you when we get there. Have we got a room for Tess to stay?”
“We’ll sort something,” Darcy said.
“Great. Is Georgie out there yet?”
“Coming out this morning,” Brandon answered.
“Ask her to bring an extra dress in case Tess is there for the wedding.” He didn’t want her to feel out of place.
“You sure you’re seeing things clearly?” Brandon asked.
Brandon was questioning his integrity. He was the one who had abandoned their family. Ed shook his head, trying to keep the irritation from his voice. “I’m going.”
“Watch out for the ’roos,” Darcy said.
“Will do.” He hung up, feeling better that his brothers were aware of what was happening. He took a deep breath and dialled the police sergeant.
“Sergeant Dot Campbell.” Her voice was cheerful despite the early hour.
“Hey, Dot, it’s Ed Stokes.”
“What’s happened?” Alert now and not impressed.
He chuckled. “It’s a bad thing when you associate my name with trouble.”
“After the past couple of months, I’m expecting it. Spill.”
He’d always liked Dot, remembered her coming out to the station when she dated Brandon. He’d thought her beautiful and so cool. “I picked up a woman at the airport who it turns out witnessed a murder and is on the run.”
She swore and his eyebrows raised at the colourful language.
“They tracked her via her phone, and they attacked us at a rest stop last night,” he continued.
“You still have the phone?”
“No, she threw it away after we left. When I called the police, we lost reception before I could explain everything.” It was a lot to explain. “Long story short, I got his gun, stole his car keys, and left him stranded at the rest stop. I imagine he hitch-hiked, but the car might still be there. It’s about fifty kilometres north of Meekatharra.”
“You told dispatch that?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll follow it up. Where are you now?”
“Tom Price. Hope to get home around midday.”
“I’m heading out there this afternoon to help set up. I’ll get all the details then, but what can you tell me about the murder?”
“Not a lot.”
“Can I speak to the girl?”
