Page 66 of In Your Light

He let his head fall back with a groan. “This town was supposed to be boring,” he groused. “I was supposed to come here, enjoy the quiet life, do some fishing. Retire early. Live out my days in peace.”

“Aww, you love it,” Hendrix said.

“I do,” he said. “I’ve never felt I belonged anywhere more than I feel here. And the thought of those greedy motherfuckers coming into our town and blowing up the mountain...”

Then he had an idea.

He quickly googled a number.

“Oh shit,” Fray mumbled. “I’ve seen that look before. That’s the look he gets just before he does something stupid.”

Sawyer dialled the number on his screen at the same time that he gave Fray the bird. He put the call on speaker so everyone could hear. It would save him having to repeat it later.

A female voice answered. “Hobart Daily Times. How may I help you?”

“Hi, this is Detective Sergeant Sawyer. I’d like to speak to Phillip Lyons, please.”

“I’ll see if he’s in.”

Hold music began to play, so Sawyer explained to his audience. “Lyons has been the political correspondent in Hobart for twenty years. He’s old school.”

“Political correspondent?” Dylan asked.

“Running for office?” Fray joked.

Sawyer snorted. “Not likely.”

“Ciaran said not to poke any hornet nests while he’s gone,” Hendrix said. “He’s been gone two minutes, Sawyer.”

“I’m not poking it,” he replied.

“No,” Tobin replied with a smile. “You’re kicking it.”

The line picked up. “Phillip Lyons speaking. Detective Sergeant, is it?”

Sawyer grinned. “Yes, hi. Thanks for taking my call. I wanted to talk to you about the proposed mine in the Southwest National Park, and I’m wondering if you’re aware of any probes into the steamrolled environmental study by Bickstrom Corp, the mining giant, namely Mr John Bickell, and the political bribery involved at a state and federal level?”

There was a moment of pause. “Those are very serious accusations,” he said coolly.

“Oh, I know,” Sawyer replied. “And when you break the story and force a corruption investigation, they’ll be very serious charges.”

CIARAN

As soon as he hit the water, Ciaran called out, knowing Otis and Pania would hear. It’s just me. I’m coming down.

He got to the den. It’s me. Is everyone okay?

Yes, Aurin replied.

The helicopter’s gone.

Aurin appeared first. Thank you for letting us know.

Is Salem okay?

Aurin’s gold flecks shimmered, his eyes pools of sorrow. He will be. It was quite a shock.

I bet, Ciaran said. Look, he should know, Hadeom is still here. He’s in Fyn’s house. I haven’t seen him yet. I wanted to speak to Salem first. Salem and you and the four godlings are my priority. I need you to know that.