“Have you met Aria before?” Xander said.
I shook my head.
“You’ll like her. Aria Morgan is the head of Wolf Security. There’s a story you’ll want to hear. Short version: she used to work for ASIO, but the head of ASIO turned out to be the bad guy. So, if Bob thinks his uniform’s going to save him, he’s about to learn how wrong he is.”
Four people emerged from the chopper. Three men and a woman. They moved as a team, and I had a feeling they’d all landed in much more remote places than this. Possibly ex-military, every one of them.
As we reached them, a tall, dark-haired man called to us. “Constable Delaney?” His voice was clipped but not unfriendly.
“That’s me,” I said. “Are you Detective Jaxson Callahan?”
“Just Jaxson, and it’s good to meet you.”
“I wish it was under better circumstances,” I said.
“In our line of business, it rarely is,” he said. He gestured to the others. “This is Aria Morgan, that’s my brother Parker Callahan, and our chopper pilot, Levi.”
I nodded to each of them. Aria had long dark hair pulled back in a practical ponytail, and eyes that assessed me with the same professional calculation as Jaxson’s. Parker was identical to Jaxson. Right down to the last detail. Same height, same build, same chiseled features. Had to be twins.
“Lead the way,” Jaxson said.
Aria’s gaze snapped to me. Sharp. Focused. “Fill me in.”
“The wounded man is Frank Branson,” I said.
“My father,” Kayden added.
“Frank was shot in the back by Senior Sergeant Bob Ackerman of Winton Police Station.”
“Shit.” Aria’s jaw tightened. “You’re certain of that?”
“I didn’t witness it, but the sarge did shoot at Kayden and me yesterday.” I nodded at Kayden, noting how pale he looked. I made a mental note to make sure they treated his arm while they were here.
“There’s an entire story behind all of this,” Kayden added. “You’re going to need a week to catch up.”
“Bob’s crimes go back decades,” I said.
“Bloody hell,” Xander said. “Well, he won’t be on the run for long now that Aria’s onto it. Right?”
Aria’s jaw tightened again.
With Kayden close to my side, I led them into the cave where the air dropped cooler.
I pointed at the pool of blood. “Lyle Henderson was shot here. Lyle confirmed Bob shot him in the stomach.”
“Christ almighty,” Aria said.
We kept walking to Frank. He was still breathing shallow, and his face was gray with pain.
Izak knelt beside him, quickly checking his vitals and assessing the wound. “Gunshot to the left shoulder. Bullet has gone straight through. Second bullet wound, lower back, right-hand side. I need to check for an exit.” He looked up. “Help me roll him.”
Xander kneeled at Izak’s side, and as they rolled Frank slightly, Frank groaned.
“No exit,” Izak said. “Bullet’s still in there.”
“Please,” Frank rasped. “Just put me out of my damn misery, will ya?”
“Shut up, Frank,” Kayden said.
