‘Exactly.It looks legit, because on the books, it is.But the genetics don’t match because the prime stock is being swapped out before they hit the yards.’
Marcus glanced up at the ceiling for a moment, as if letting all this news settle.‘Red may be smart, but he’d need someone bankrolling his operation.Someone who’d put in the collateral.’
‘I agree.You heard Sawyer telling us someone is pulling the strings.Red’s a local mover, he knows where to send a truckload of beef, maybe grease a few palms at the yards.But cryogenic stock for DNA cloning?Crocodile eggs and hatchlings.Banteng and polo horses.That’s way above Red’s pay grade.We’re talking about someone who knows how to ship shadows across international borders without leaving prints.’Creating an enormous threat to the entire industry.
‘Are you going to tell the Fed?’
Finn’s jaw ticked.
‘Thought not.’Marcus shuffled some files across his desk.‘Audits are common.’
‘But this isn’t your common audit.’Finn moved towards the door, only to pause like it might bite him.He didn’t want to findhersitting out there, winning over Tanisha and Porter, sipping their coffee like she’d always belonged.
‘We’re here if you need us.Just tell me what you want.’
‘Thanks.’He gave Marcus a nod.‘I’m planning a sting soon and will be running surveillance all week out at Spinifex.’
Marcus leaned back in his chair behind that desk drowning in paperwork.‘And this has nothing to do with the auditor sitting beside my station’s kitchen bench?’
Finn didn’t answer.
‘Uh-huh.’Marcus smirked.‘FYI, I overheard Porter talking to your auditor about the Hellhound, something about fuel invoices.She knows he’s NT Police, and your local backup.Not Stock Squad, but he’s close enough when you need another badge to make your arrests official.’
Porter was more help than Finn cared to admit.Between the Hellhound, his tracking skills, local knowledge and outback cop experience that came with an NT Police badge, Porter filled the gaps Finn couldn’t always cover.
Only Amara and Finn had the authority to make arrests and file the paperwork—at least until Stone finished his courses.Izzy was doing a great job of pushing her husband, Craig, into doing his as well—even if the cowboy kept feigning that paperwork gave him hives.
On the other side of the door, he heard Tanisha’s laugh, loud and unbothered, like it was just another cocktail party with friends, filled with juicy gossip.
And then Taryn’s laugh that was so much lighter.
It shouldn’t have made the hairs on his neck stand up.But it did.
Bloody Fed.
Not because she was in his way.
But because she was already under his skin.
Ten
The next morning, Taryn paused outside the Batcave, her workbag over her shoulder, her coffee and breakfast in hand, as a familiar voice echoed from inside the large room.
Amara’s.
‘That’s good to hear, Constable.I appreciate the update,’ came an authoritative male voice over a speaker.It was the kind of smooth voice designed to reassure a crowd, where every syllable was deliberate and polished to the point of feeling rehearsed.Like someone used to giving speeches or press briefings, not orders.
Taryn’s spine stiffened.She knew that voice.
Commissioner Andrew Bannon.
‘I’d appreciate it if you could monitor the team, and Finn, for me,’ he said.‘I trust you’ll raise anything if it looks off?’
‘But—’
‘Any concerns, you come straight to me, Constable.Don’t wait.Understood?’
‘Yes, Commissioner.’
