“We’ve put the photo of Salvatore on social media, so hopefully someone will spot him,” Dot said. “You should be safe at the Ridge as long as Tan doesn’t decide to visit again.”
“He’d be stupid if he did,” Ed said. “Darcy and Bran are likely to run him off with the rifle.”
Dot placed her hands over her ears. “I did not hear that.”
Ed grinned and waited for Tess to decide. She stared out the window, and finally, she nodded. “All right. I’ll stay, if you’re sure there’s room.”
“Plenty. Georgie’s gone home, so there’s a spare bed in the house, and a couple in the shearers’ quarters.”
“I’ll keep you posted.” Dot stood and held out her hand for Tess to shake.
Once outside, Ed called Sam and discovered they’d gone to the brewery for a drink. It wasn’t far so they could walk.
Tess was silent beside him.
“How are you feeling?”
“Tired,” she said. “Relieved the woman has a name, and the police know who she is. I kept thinking her family may never discover what happened to her.”
“They will now, thanks to you,” Ed said.
The shadows fell long over the street as the sun sank towards the horizon. It was finally cooling down, but the heat hadn’t been noticeable out on the boat.
“Ed, I feel awful bringing your family into this.” The concern on her face touched his heart.
“We were already involved,” he said. “We’ve been fighting Stonefish for months. But we still can’t figure out why they want the Ridge.”
“Tan never discussed business with me, but I heard him talking about a business in the north. Maybe it has something to do with that.”
Ed frowned. “I’ll mention it to Dot later. Maybe she can find out what it is.”
A car slowed as it drove past, and Tess gripped his arm, but relaxed as Gretchen wound down her window. “Sam didn’t abandon you in town, did he?”
Ed grinned. “No, just showing Tess around. We’re meeting him at the brewery.”
“Thanks for today,” Tess called. “It was wonderful.”
Gretchen smiled. “Glad you liked it. I’ve got to go pick up my boy, but do you want a lift?”
Ed turned to Tess, who hesitated. “Is it far?”
“Just around the corner,” he replied.
Tess scanned the street ahead. “We’ll walk, but thank you for the offer.”
“All right. Have fun.” With a wave, Gretchen drove away.
“People are so friendly here,” Tess said.
“Mostly,” Ed replied. “We’re so isolated, it pays to be on good terms with people.” He picked up his pace. Tess was right to be wary. They still didn’t know where Salvatore was.
“I never considered living in a small town before,” she said. “Did you ever get lonely living on the station?”
All the time. He bit back the words. Was that fair? After Charlie died, he had Georgie, and then Lara had been born, but still he felt like the odd one out. “Sometimes. Georgie was into the ocean and horses, and Mum was often busy taking care of Lara when Darcy was working. I had my computer.”
She nodded. “I had my books. I always wanted more adventure than my sister, and Mum insisted I had to get a sensible, well-paying job.”
“Hence majoring in biochemistry, not history,” Ed said.
