“A big, fuck off backpack, according to Brodie.”
“Not a crime,” Buster said.
“No, but carrying a shotgun down there is. That’s reserve land, no shooting or weapons.”
“How does Brodie know what Jay Herald looks like?”
“He’d hauled in a load of firewood for those, and I quote, ‘whining tree huggers.’”
“Fire? It’s summer?”
“My girl’s in trouble, so let’s try and stay focused,” Newman said when Buster opened his mouth.
Tex smiled. “You make a great couple.”
“Of course your approval is all I was seeking.”
“Tiger Point is like a day’s hike in,” Cubby interrupted them. “So that would mean he would have been hiking in the dark. Sounds to me like he’s a keen hiker or he didn’t want anyone seeing him. Plus, a shotgun was used on the night of the robbery. Layla Miller saw it, because it was pointed at her, then used to knock her to the floor.”
“If he’s behind this, I’m doing him some damage before you haul him in, Cub. The man’s made Hope’s life hell.”
“We need to nail him first, Newman. Gear up, and we’ll head out in five.”
Newman went to see Hope, to explain he would be away for a while. Her parents were still in the cell with her. The Lawrence women sat on the bed. Hope’s father paced.
“Hope.”
She got off the bed and came to the bars. He reached through and took her hands.
“I have to go with Cubby for a while. Your parents will watch you, and Belle and Willow will come soon with food for you.”
“Where are you going?”
“Cubby wants me to check out some stuff with him, Buster, and Tex.”
“What stuff? Is it dangerous?”
“You worried about me?”
She nodded, face serious.
“I’m okay, I promise. Cub just has a lead that needs following, and he wants to leave his deputies here to watch the town and you.”
“No risks, Newman.”
“We’ll get you out of here, Hope.”
“B-but if we don’t—”
“Firstly,” he pressed his hand over her mouth, “I’m not leaving you so don’t ask me, and secondly, if all else fails we’ll run. Maybe we’ll catch a flight somewhere. Tex will take us in one of his family jets.”
She leaned in.
“Is this love?”
“Think it could be.” He touched her cheek. “Ditto, by the way.” He wrapped a hand around her neck and eased her closer, and then kissed her gently.
The drive to Tiger Point took fifty minutes. In that time, Newman had Hope in jail and out of it in several different scenarios.
