Amy shook her head. “Not unless you know how to stop Stonefish.” She filled the kettle with water and turned it on, and then began filling a backpack with cake and bottles of water. “Dot and Nhiari might be out there a while. I can take them some refreshments when we pick up Brandon and Sam.” She glanced at the radio. It had been more than ten minutes since they’d heard from them.
Lara stormed in. “Faith won’t let me go with her.” Outside, the car started and Lara glanced over her shoulder, and stamped her feet.
She was worried as well.
“Don’t worry, be happy,” Amy sang, then smiled. “It’s what Mum used to sing to us when my father was away.” She put an arm around Lara. “You can keep us company. I was going to examine Penelope’s knitting and see if I can help her.” She gestured to where Penelope had left it on the table. “Want to help me teach her?”
Lara pouted. “All right.”
Penelope grimaced. “It’s fine. I don’t need to learn.”
“Do you have a photo of what your first attempt looked like?” Amy asked.
She handed Amy her phone with the picture. Amy winced and showed Lara. Lara laughed, then slapped her hand over her mouth and said, “We can help you.”
Great, even a ten-year-old could knit better than her. Still, if it kept all of them distracted for a while, it was worth it. She didn’t want to think about what Sam was doing.
They sat at the table. “Show me your technique,” Amy said as she poured them all tea.
Penelope picked up the needles and knitted a few stitches, finding it difficult to get the needle through each stitch.
“Definitely too tight,” Amy said.
“She’s holding the yarn funny too,” Lara said.
“It’s a different style,” Amy explained. “There’s continental and English knitting. Let me get mine.” She left the room and a few minutes later returned with her work. She demonstrated her method, which had her holding the yarn more like Penelope had seen crocheters hold it.
Penelope watched and then mimicked her, finding the other method a little easier. She made a couple of false starts, but she didn’t have to worry about her stitches falling off the needles because she never let go of the needles. “This is so much better.”
The radio crackled and Sam’s voice came over it. “Dot and Nhiari are just about here. Will call when we need a pick up.”
Penelope exhaled while Amy answered. Her relief was mirrored in Amy’s expression. Both men were safe. They hadn’t done anything foolish.
“We should take Dot and Nhiari the shade shelter when we pick the guys up,” Amy said.
By the time they’d finished loading Darcy’s ute, Faith had returned with the first load of horses. Lara went to help her unload and then joined her on the second trip. It must be safer now.
Sam radioed to tell them they were ready for a pickup. He sounded his usual friendly self, as if he hadn’t been standing guard over a potentially deadly situation for the past hour or more.
He was incredible.
The trip to the gulf this time around seemed to take forever. “Has this been going on since May?” Penelope asked.
“Yeah,” Amy responded. “Too long. Almost every month it’s some new drama.”
Penelope couldn’t imagine what they’d been going through. “Maybe there’s a clue in whatever is buried.”
“Maybe,” Amy agreed, but didn’t sound hopeful.
When they reached the beach again, Penelope’s heart leapt seeing Sam standing near the police car chatting to Dot, Nhiari and Brandon. He was in one piece, no injury, no concern.
She exhaled and got out, striding across to them with Amy by her side. Her footsteps faltered as she glanced towards the hole and the cache of weapons.
Shit.
They’d been right. She’d never seen so many guns up close before and the reality was frightening.
Amy kept moving, making a beeline to Brandon, but Penelope stopped, leaned closer for a better look, fascinated by the equipment before her.
