Page 72 of Rough Stock

‘Isobel Callahan.’ The commissioner sandwiched Izzy’s hand in a fatherly manner. ‘I am so sorry for what happened to you, young lady. But I would sincerely like to say thank you for what you did in helping the Stock Squad expose Everlight Energy. Your work was instrumental.’

‘Thank you, sir, but it was a team effort.’ Izzy had been brilliant as an unofficial member of the team. She’d helped them with the heavy load of paperwork, providing Finn with all her evidence, while ensuring their legal case file was watertight, before they handballed it to the federal authorities, effectively blowing the lid on a fifty-million-dollar scandal.

‘While we’re in this trial phase,’ said the commissioner, ‘the Stock Squad has a set budget. But I have been given approval to extend the budget for some consulting fees. Say for a local lawyer with vast experience in criminal law?’

The team looked at Izzy, waiting for a response.

‘I’m sure we can come to some arrangement,’ said Izzy calmly, playing her part as the lawyer. Damn it was a sexy look on her.

‘Well done to you all,’ said the commissioner, glancing back to find his assistant tapping his watch at the bottom of the stairs to their plane, as the pilot closed the bottom carrier hatches, then climbed on board. ‘I’m sorry I can’t stay, but I wanted to give you your IDs personally and meet you all. I expect big things from you, and no doubt the local livestock producers are expecting the same.’ The commissioner gave them a nod, and with Finn escorting him back onto the tarmac, the jet was soon in the air.

‘That was a quick trip,’ Stone said to Finn.

‘Drew said he’s got a meeting in Singapore.’

‘But I had morning tea made,’ whined Amara. ‘I even polished the cutlery and folded the napkins.’

‘It won’t go to waste,’ replied Finn, strolling up to them. ‘Stone and Craig will knock it over, no sweat.’

Stone flipped open his case and bit on the new federal badge. ‘It’s real. So, it’s official?’

Finn nodded.

‘Hey, we should get a matching squad tattoo. What do you say, Bossman?’

‘I doubt Finn has any room left.’ Craig chuckled, nodding at Finn’s sleeves covered in ink work.

‘Go on, you lot, go make a mess of Amara’s morning tea,’ said Finn.

‘Sir, you said my name.’ Amara’s jaw dropped.

‘A slip-up. Won’t happen again, Constable.’

‘Thank you, sir.’ It seemed to please Amara as she spun on the heel of her flat shiny shoes. Tugging her police blazer straight, and with chin high, she marched for the door. Only to jostle with Stone as they reached for the doorhandle. ‘I’ve got it.’

‘Let me. Don’t you like gentlemen opening the doors for you?’

‘Since when are you a gentleman?’

‘I got this badge now. See.’ Stone practically shoved the badge in her face while opening the door. ‘Reckon it’ll be a hit with the ladies?’

‘I don’t want to hear about your nocturnal activities. I’ll have nightmares for a week.’ Their arguing carried down the corridor as the door slowly swung closed behind them.

Craig caught the door before it shut. ‘I don’t mind being a gentleman for the ladies.’

‘Only one lady, I hope. You flirt.’ Izzy narrowed her eyes in warning.

‘I only have eyes for one woman. The woman I love.’ He kissed her temple, then tenderly stroked her hair as she stepped inside. ‘We’ll have some of Amara’s morning smoko, then I’d like to go see Charlie.’ He was finally ready to see his mentor and say that goodbye he’d been putting off for so long. Craig hadn’t been back since the funeral. But he wanted to show Charlie his new badge, and talk of the quarantine station, and his retirement from the rodeo, like he used to. As Bree said, his mentor would be proud of him. ‘But first we’ll get you a hat. No excuses. No detours. Straight to the stockman’s store. Deal?’

‘Deal.’ Izzy grinned, with her beautiful brown eyes all shiny. ‘Can I get two? One for town and one for the farm.’

‘As my ever-sweet Bee Queen, you can wear as many crowns as you like.’ He tenderly kissed her temple, admiring the love they shared reflecting in her eyes.

‘Craig, gotta second?’ called out Finn from the yard.

‘Sure… I’ll catch up, babe.’

Izzy pulled a face, holding open the door. ‘And leave me as the middleman, with Amara and Stone bickering?’

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