Matt knew more of what was going on, so she wasn’t as concerned about him. “Truly, Dad. I’m fine. Dot knows I’m safe, which is why she called off the search.”
“Why didn’t she call us?”
“She’s been busy dealing with some issues this group has thrown up,” Lee said.
“And who are you in all of this?” Her father demanded. “Why did you take my daughter?”
“Because Nhiari is tenacious and she would have continued searching for me until she found me.” He smiled. “Not unlike her father.”
He grunted, but his lips curved upwards.
“I’ve been working for this group, but only to stop them,” Lee continued.
Nhiari was surprised he admitted that much.
“You working undercover? You a cop or something?”
“I was military, but this is personal.”
“How?”
Nhiari limped over to lean against a rock, enjoying her father giving Lee the third degree. If she was honest, what impressed her the most was that Lee treated his concerns seriously and didn’t just brush him off.
“The man in charge murdered my father.”
Her father pursed his lips and then nodded. “All right.” He glanced at her. “Why are you limping?”
“Twisted it on a rock,” she replied. “It’s almost healed.”
He moved over to her and lowered his voice, shifting so Lee couldn’t see his lips. “Are you really OK? Do you have a safe word you need to tell me so that I know you’re not being coerced?”
She chuckled. “I’m really fine, Dad. Lee’s my best chance to stop these people.”
“Do you trust him?”
The question made her blink, but the answer was more surprising. She looked at Lee. “Yes, I do trust him.”
Lee’s lips quirked up, and he inclined his head a minute amount.
“What do you need me to do?” her father asked, turning back to involve Lee in the conversation.
“Nothing,” Lee answered before she could. “If you get involved, you’ll put yourself and your family in danger.”
“More than Matt and Nhiari are?” he countered.
“They’re not interested in Matt anymore,” Nhiari said. “And they think Lee is manipulating me. If they find out you’re helping us, you put yourself and Mum in danger.”
“So I’m meant to leave you here with him and do nothing?” He bristled.
Nhiari put a hand on his shoulder. “You trust me to do my job, just like you always have.”
“I don’t like it.”
“I know.” She thought about it. “You could keep an eye out for anyone on our land who shouldn’t be. Message me and tell me where and we’ll check it out.”
“You think they’re using our land again like they did with the animal smuggling?”
“They might be.”
