His boss made a sound of approval. “Australia is a very big country.”
“She has to turn up sometime.”
“Unless the police are hiding her.”
“I have people working on it.” His police contacts were still digging to find the name of the guy who’d reported Salvatore’s attack on Tess, and the police officer who had taken Tess’s statement. With the information he could track them down, but his police contact said all the information was being monitored, and didn’t want to give himself away.
That cop should be more scared of Tan. Perhaps Tan should send him a reminder.
“Get them to work faster. How much closer are you to getting me the land?”
Tan wanted to lie, but he could almost guarantee his boss already knew the answer. “The money for the cattle was refunded last month.”
Silence.
“We didn’t want the authorities looking closer.”
“And yet you failed spectacularly.”
Tan’s hand shook, and he moved out of the living room, away from the windows.
“Find the girl, silence her, and get me that land.”
The only way to get the land would be to kill all the Stokes children and their partners, and while he didn’t flinch away from that, it would bring more trouble than his boss wanted. “What about the station next to theirs? I’ve heard they want to sell.”
“No. It must be the Ridge. Don’t fail me, Tan.” He hung up.
Tan went into the bathroom and vomited into the toilet. Then he wiped his mouth and opened his safe, checking his fake passport, identification and cash were all in order. He checked his grab bag to ensure everything was there. If he failed to resolve the situation, he would be dead. No more chances.
He rang his police contact at the station down the road. “I need answers.”
Chapter 14
Tess followed Ed over the brewery yard strewn with blue metal, the crunch of the stones announcing their arrival. Heath, Sam and Dobby sat nursing beers around a table made from a large wooden cable spool and the other tables held families or groups of friends. Heath raised a hand in welcome. “How’d it go?”
Ed lowered his voice. “They identified the woman who was shot.” He explained where she fit in the story.
Tess couldn’t quite believe everything was connected. It should scare her and prompt her to get as far away from the Ridge as possible, but being with Ed made her feel safe. It also helped that these army men had welcomed her, and it was as if she had three older brothers watching over her.
“We were going to order pizza if you aren’t in a rush to get home,” Dobby said. “It looks amazing and we’re starving.”
Ed checked with her, and she double-checked the tables for anyone suspicious. Nearby someone carried a pizza to their table, the scent of melted cheese and toppings making her stomach rumble. “Sounds good.” Her skin was still covered in salt, her hair was a mess, and she wore shorts and thongs in a brewery, but no one seemed to care. In fact, it appeared as if it was normal. For once in her life, she fit in.
The brewery itself was a large metal shed, and most of the seating was outside under shade cloth sails. There were two counters where people could order food and drinks, and a pool table in the corner. The pair playing pool had just finished and were hanging up their sticks.
“Let’s play,” Heath said, getting to his feet and holding his hand out to her.
She stepped back. “I don’t know how to.”
“Then we’ll have to teach you.” Dobby grinned.
Their enthusiasm was difficult to ignore. “All right.” She glanced at Ed. “Are you coming?”
“I’ll order us some drinks and food. What do you want?”
“Anything.” She didn’t care. She didn’t drink much alcohol, so whatever he chose would be new and interesting.
While Dobby set the balls on the table, Heath explained the rules, and then handed her a stick. “This is the cue. You hit the ball with the smaller end.” He showed her how to hold it, and then sent the white ball hurtling towards the balls, cracking them apart. “Now decide if you’re going for solid or striped balls,” Heath said. “And use the white ball to hit the ball you choose into the pocket.”
