He nodded. “She’s heading to the ranges now. We should meet her.”
Yeah, he wouldn’t want her to be alone with a killer.
“What?” Dot asked, her voice flat.
Arthur waited until Nhiari left the house with Kurt in tow. “Kurt said Lee had Jordan and Cody. Georgie is trying to find them.”
Dot’s eyes narrowed. “How does she know where he is?”
Matt spoke. “Apparently, she sees him from time to time at work.” He nodded at Dot’s growl. “I’m not pleased either. We didn’t know until recently.”
Nhiari returned. “We need to document this place.”
“We also need to find those boys,” Dot said.
“We’ll do it,” Gretchen said.
Dot shook her head. “Nhiari, you go with them. They think Lee has the boys.”
Nhiari sucked in a breath, her face hardening. Definitely some history there.
Dot continued her orders. “I’ll stay here. Brandon, you’re with me. Sam, you and Arthur go with Nhiari.”
Brandon seemed as surprised as Arthur felt. “You want us to work with you?”
“What choice do I have?” Dot snapped. “You’ll do it anyway, and the rest of my team are busy in town with the clean up.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Brandon saluted.
The sound of tyres on the gravel outside. Darcy called, “Ed, Amy and Tess are back.”
Which meant they had a four-wheel drive. “Let’s go,” Arthur said.
***
Gretchen’s wound throbbed, but it was nothing compared to the fear squeezing her insides at the thought of Jordan and Cody alone with a Stonefish representative. Matt was directing Sam to the base of the ranges where they would begin their search.
Nhiari was silent in the passenger seat, but Gretchen knew her well enough to know she was seething. Nhiari had gone out with Lee before they’d discovered who he worked for. This had to be difficult for her.
Arthur slipped his hand into hers. “They’ll be all right.”
Gretchen nodded. She had to believe it. Georgie was convinced Lee was a good person. He wouldn’t hurt the boys. But damn it, she wanted Jordan in her arms. “Can’t you drive any faster?”
Sam chuckled. “Not with a police officer in the car.”
Nhiari grunted. “When we get there, I go in first. You wait until I give the all-clear.”
Arthur shifted next to Gretchen, but it was Matt who spoke. “Not going to happen,gunyjan. None of us are letting you in there without backup.”
“I’m in charge here,” Nhiari said. “You’ll do as I say.”
“With all due respect,” Sam said. “That’s not in our nature. We’re a team and we protect and support the team.”
Arthur nodded.
He was like a different man, determined, focused, strong. If anyone could get Jordan back safely, it was him. Some of Gretchen’s terror faded.
Nhiari growled. “I’m going to throw the lot of you in gaol when we get back.”
