“Georgie!” Nhiari barked.
She flinched and shook her head, bringing her gaze to the senior constable.
“We’re releasing the goanna and wanted to warn you in case it’s aggressive.”
“You were supposed to radio them.” Matt walked into the clearing. “It’s gone now.”
“Glad to hear it,” Nhiari said.
Georgie turned. They’d let it loose while she wasn’t there. Though it made her feel all warm inside that Matt wanted to protect her, she would have preferred him to be upfront about it. Matt pointed to Brandon who had followed him. “It was his idea.” The cheeky smile which followed the statement made her swallow her complaint.
Brandon pushed him. “Tell tale.”
The touch of humour was just what she needed. She exhaled and moved to hug both of them.
In the distance a car engine broke the silence. Her radio burst to life. “Just about back.”
Darcy.
Dot joined them. “We’re going to be here a while,” she said. “Go with Darcy and we’ll drop into the Ridge on our way back to town. Make sure Darcy’s sent those photos to the station. I want that man identified as soon as possible.”
Lee could probably identify the man, but Georgie doubted he would still be at the cave.
“Will do,” Matt promised. He glanced over Dot’s shoulder, flinched and then back at the sergeant. “How are you?”
“We’ve had better days.” Dot’s tone was clipped. Her gaze hard, she didn’t really look at them, but beyond them. She was holding it together, just.
“We’ll let you get back to work. Be careful,” Georgie said. Maybe with them gone, Dot would release her pain.
“Always are.”
Matt hugged Nhiari. “Take care, sister.”
Georgie held Matt’s hand on the way back to the cars, needing the comfort. When Darcy pulled up they got in and Matt placed his arm around her shoulder. She leaned into him. Protected.
“You sent the photos?” Brandon asked.
“Yeah, and called to confirm they got them,” Darcy answered. “What now?”
“We’ve freed the animals. Dot will drop by the house when they’re done here.”
Darcy turned the car around and drove them back to the house. Georgie closed her eyes but all she could see were the bodies of the dead. That could have been her and Matt. If Jerry had had a gun, or the man hadn’t missed them, they could have been lying on the ground baking in the sun. She trembled.
“We’re safe,” Matt murmured and kissed her forehead.
“He’s still out there.”
“There’s no reason to come after us.”
She shook her head. “Lee said they’re unhappy about us poking around.” What if they wanted revenge?
Matt stiffened. “When did you speak to Lee?”
Shit. She bit her lip as Darcy slowed and glanced in the rear-view mirror. “What’s this about Lee?”
Hell, they were going to be so mad. Georgie sighed and sat up, brushing the hair from her face. “Can this wait until we get back?”
“No.” All three men answered in unison.
