‘Don’t give him any ideas.’
‘So, where doyoupark your chopper now?’
‘Behind the pub.’
‘Ah, right.Hence the beer runs.’That made sense, but she wasn’t going to ask about the goat.However, they were momentarily united in mutual Mickey-induced trauma.
This could work.
Before she could steer him back on topic for answers, Stone cut in—
‘Let me guess, you want to know about Bastion.The tech?’
She kept her cool, taking notes, letting Stone do the talking.‘The tech…’
‘Big Daddy says I was cleared of that death.’
‘Who?’
‘The Commissioner.Finn’s boss.’
‘Big Daddy?’Taryn tried not to laugh.After having met the Commissioner a few times, she doubted someone like Drew Bannon would appreciate the nickname.
Stone winked at her, but the cheeky shine wasn’t there.‘I have to thank Romy and her drone footage.It proved it wasn’t my fault in cinematic clarity.Bastion didn’t off himself over a sad story—he was terrified.’Stone sighed, scratching beneath his chin.‘No surprise, really.Dane Carter died in prison.And then that Renzo had that littleaccidentdown south not long after we cracked theRough Stockcase.So when we started digging during theCold Stockcase, Bastion panicked and took a swim with the salties… Like I’ve said before, and I’ll keep saying it, all roads lead back to Everlight Energy Solutions.’
Her pen froze mid-scratch.
Everlight.
The name she’d been waiting to hear.
But before she could pounce, Stone smiled innocently and leaned back in his chair.‘Anyway, Finn knows what can and can’t be said on the record.He doesn’t need Izzy to lawyer-up.The man practically wrote the confidentiality clause himself.’
‘So now you’re stonewalling?’
‘I prefer evasive excellence.Sounds sexier.’
‘How did you get involved with the squad again?’
‘Told you already, front bar at the pub.’
‘That’s not how recruitment works.There should have been a tender for the use of your helicopter.’
‘Not where Finn’s concerned.He doesn’t give a damn about resumes or red tape.He hires by gut instinct.He looks for loyalty, and people who won’t flinch when it hits the fan.Lucky for you, we’ve got all that in spades.And we play to win.’
That made her sit back, because it was true.Every member so far had been extremely effective and fiercely loyal to Finn, even though the hiring methods had been wildly unconventional.
Still, there was one anomaly with Stone.
‘So why are all your invoices from this air service company?Are you employed by them?Like Amara is tied to the South Australia Police.’
Stone’s grin widened as he leaned in, resting his elbows on the table.‘Because I own it.I’m the CEO.’
‘You’re… what?’
‘Self-funded, self-employed, semi-retired, whatever.I could live in Bali and drink cocktails all day, if I wanted.Instead, I get to fly with my lady at my side, while protecting my patch of paradise, keeping one foot in the fight.’
‘This isn’t a job for you.’
