Page 42 of Rough Stock

‘That, too. It’s a big win for my team to have you on board.’ Finn held out his hand to Craig. ‘So, let’s make it official. Welcome to the Stock Squad.’

Finn had a solid handshake.

‘Do I get a badge?’

‘You’ll get ID, similar to your stock inspector’s badge, but it’ll give you powers on a federal level, and also a pass card to come and go from the office here. But leave the official arrests up to me and Amara.’

‘And the paperwork? I don’t do paperwork.’ Craig shook his head.

‘I’ll be emailing you an electronic logbook. I’m hoping Izzy can help you with that.’

‘Like a travel log?’

Finn nodded. ‘It’s more of a notebook we use to remember names and dates.’

‘For reports?’ Which sounded like paperwork to Craig.

‘For Amara, she’s our paperwork queen, she loves the stuff. I haven’t had to type out a single report since she came on board. Just sign off on it.’

‘And Stone?’

‘Don’t worry about Stone. He’s a damn good pilot with his own chopper and seaplane—both of which we’ll need. He’s also got skills, just like you do. And I know once the male posturing settles down, you two will work well together.’ Finn patted Craig’s shoulder like a friend. ‘In the meantime, hurry up and get better, so I can use your skills. And, I’d like to start using your quarantine station on the stock we do recover.’ Finn gave them a curt nod then walked away.

‘How do you feel?’ Izzy asked Craig, as they walked down the corridor of the police station.

‘Tired.’ And sore. It’d been a big day, and it was just shy of lunchtime.

‘No, I meant about the job?’

Through the police station’s front doors, he paused to hobble on his crutch to slide on his hat as they greeted the sunshine. ‘I’d never expected to do this kind of work. What do you think?’

‘Are you worried about the quarantine thing?’

‘No, Dustfire will be perfect as a quarantine station, and I can manage that easily enough…’ He peered over the car park with the police van parked out front. ‘It’s the other side of the job. I don’t really know how to interview people.’

‘I can type you up a standard set of questions you can study for interviewing people. It’s how I learned. The rest will come with practice.’

‘What do you think about me taking this job?’

‘Do you really want my opinion? When really, it’s none of my b—’

‘Stop that.’ He pressed his fingers over her luscious lips, standing close enough to admire her soft honeyed fragrance and smooth skin. ‘I trust your opinion.’

‘Fine…’ She inhaled heavily as if to calm herself down, opening the ute’s passenger door for him. Talk about role reversal, when he used to do it for her all the time. ‘I think once you get over your nerves and some minor teething problems, you’ll be brilliant at it.’ She stood square in front of him, her eyes so clear and focused. ‘Honestly, the Stock Squad is lucky to have someone with your special set of skills and vast experience, and they know it. You’ve always been more than just a stockman, Craig.’

The smile shone from inside his chest. He had to be beaming. ‘Thank you, Izzy.’

She tried to hide her smile. ‘Now, get in the car so you can get off that leg.’

‘Yes, boss.’ He chuckled, settling into his seat, with Izzy rolling her pretty eyes at him as she closed his door. The door’s creak wasn’t as loud, now it was getting used more frequently.

‘Do we need to get anything for you to make those bull ropes?’ She slid in behind the steering wheel.

‘I’ve got enough supplies at home.’ And it felt right saying that word, too.Home.‘Can you swing by the bottle shop, though? I think we should celebrate the new job for me and for Dustfire.’ There was no way he’d sell the house now. He just had to find a way to convince Izzy to stay on as his partner.

Twelve

Izzy couldn’t stop pacing. She was trying to focus on making dinner, planning to wait for Craig to be busy or asleep before she did her own research about Everlight. It was a shock that they were in the same area as her, which was far too close. How long had they been here? Was it a coincidence? Did they know she was here? What were they planning to do to the locals? To her?

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