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‘A per cent of the profits. As it is, I work for nothing. I do the books at Saltscale, I wash the uniforms, I do the cleaning. Yet, I’m never involved with any contract negotiations.

’ She then leaned closer to the table and said to Finn, ‘You know, I don’t even have a permit to do the same job as Malcolm.

You see, I’m the one who’s expected to remain silent while wiping my hands on my apron in the kitchen, listening to Malcolm’s bitching about this and that.

When, for almost thirty years, I was the one running around managing the place, ensuring the bills were paid, while carrying a child on my hip, checking on staff, the stock, and smoothing over the many mistakes Malcolm made over the years.

And not once was I ever included or considered in Malcolm’s retirement plan. ’

‘Why did you suddenly decide to retire, Malcolm?’ Stone asked, from the other side of the table.

Malcolm said nothing, swallowing hard, with his head down.

‘A juvenile crocodile attacked him,’ said Celeste. ‘I was there. I saved him. But then, an hour later, Mal’s gripping his chest, telling me he was dying and going into cardiac arrest.’

‘Did you have a heart attack?’ Stone asked.

Again, Malcolm said nothing.

‘No, Mal had a panic attack. He just didn’t want anyone to know that his wife saved him. Malcolm Rowntree, the mean and moody crocodile wrangler, didn’t want anyone to know that the big tough guy with the bigger mouth had lost his nerve with crocodiles.’

‘Ease, off, woman. The doctor said it was stress.’

‘How? When you did nothing but lord over the place telling people what to do, you pompous twit.’ Celeste scowled at her husband.

‘It was me, Lenora and Jed who did the work. And with Jed getting everything, taking a tiny portion of stock was a way for Lenora and I to get a share.’ She then patted Jed’s hand.

‘You might have to lend us some money for my legal fees, son. I don’t think what I’ve saved will be enough. ’

Stone shuffled his boots, wanting to say something, just like Craig. They were both going to recommend Izzy, who was the best criminal lawyer they knew.

But then the Duchess hissed at them, giving her best death look. ‘ Don’t. ’

Who knew the Duchess could be so scary?

‘No, Mum. I’m not pressing charges. There is no theft.

’ Jed wrapped his arm around his mother’s shoulders.

‘The paperwork Dad and I signed said I’m the proprietor of Saltscale.

I’m responsible for it, so I’m not pressing charges against my partners, my mother and my sister.

It is a family business, after all. But what about Griffin? ’

‘Griffin’s role in the crime will be seen independently,’ replied Finn. ‘We’ll focus on his involvement in the execution, and handling of the stolen stock.’

‘What happens to me? ’Celeste meekly asked.

Finn folded his arms, his expression grim.

‘You’re facing serious charges. Even after all Jed has said, you were still involved with organising the theft of livestock.

And that is a major offence. Including penalties for fraud, criminal conspiracy, and property damage, that includes the threat to the livelihood of neighbouring crocodile farms. Then there’s the issue with Doug.

Supplying a hazardous substance that triggered his asthma attack, leads to charges of reckless endangerment or even criminal negligence causing harm.

Even though your intent wasn’t to hurt Doug, it’s still a serious matter. ’

‘But this is my mother,’ pleaded Jed. ‘Is there anything we can do?’

‘Well, if your mother cooperates, and if Doug, and the neighbouring crocodile farms don’t press charges, the DPP may be able to reduce the penalties to community service and fines instead of jail time.’

‘What do you need from me?’ Celeste asked Finn.

‘Do you know who the Stock Agent is?’

Stone held his breath, hoping for some clue as to who this guy was.

‘No.’ Celeste shook her head. ‘Only Bastion dealt with him. I think he was a local, though.’

‘Why do you say that?’

‘Because Bastion asked me directions to a few places. Like where was the Spinifex Highway, as they were meeting near Billycan Crossing one night.’

‘Where’s that?’ Finn tapped on the rolls of maps that were normally spread out over the table.

‘It’s not found on any map, only the locals know it.’

Finn turned to Craig and Stone for answers.

‘Celeste is right, it’s not on the maps,’ replied Craig. ‘Spinifex Highway is an old stock route made by the cameleers. And Billycan Crossing is an old stock camp at the five-way intersection that’ll hook you up to the main roads to Darwin, Alice, Broome, or Brisbane.’

‘And it’s still in use?’ asked Finn.

Craig hesitated, as if breaking some code, and glanced at Stone to answer that landmine.

‘Locals use it more to skip the random breath testing on the main roads. Billycan Crossing was good for off-the-shelf trade deals and the odd outback bareknuckle fight-nights. Your ex-wife would know the story of the Spinifex Highway, Bossman.’

‘Hmph.’ Finn rubbed his forehead as if fighting a migraine. ‘Celeste, do you know why Bastion was involved with this Stock Agent?’

‘Money. Bastion was going to buy a house in Tasmania and finish his veterinary studies. His student loans were crippling him so much he had to put it on hold.’

‘Did Bastion tell you about the work he did for the Stock Agent?’

‘No. All I know is the Stock Agent approached Bastion first. It must have been some big money, for Bastion to start looking at buying a house.’

‘Do you know when Bastion did this job for the Stock Agent?’

‘It was around the same time those rodeo bulls were stolen,’ Celeste admitted. ‘Didn’t take much to connect the dots, when Bastion suddenly asked for a few days off—and didn’t want Lenora to know. So I covered for him.’

Celeste leaned forward, her voice more earnest. ‘But poor Bastion was getting out. He had a plan for his future, like Lenora was building her own crocodile farm. And the plans for her new farm were gorgeous.’ She then sneered at her husband.

‘If only you’d bothered to look at Lenora’s plans or listen to what she was trying to tell you, you would have seen her incredible vision.

But you only saw what Malcolm Rowntree wanted. ’

Malcolm didn’t even move. His head hung low, with his hands in his lap. And for a big man known for his mean moods, Stone had never seen Malcolm Rowntree look so small.

‘Malcolm, do you have anything to add?’ Finn asked.

Malcolm slowly shook his heavy head. ‘I’d like to leave.’

‘Stay in town.’

‘I’ll be in the pub, then.’

‘And you can stay there, too,’ said Celeste. ‘I’ll have Doug deliver your bags, because we’re getting divorced.’

With slumped shoulders, as if carrying the burden of shame, Malcolm said nothing as Amara escorted him to the front desk.

Celeste calmly sat back down at the table with her hands neatly crossed in front of her. ‘I will help you with your enquiries, and I’ll make sure Lenora cooperates, too. But I want her released first. Then I’ll tell you everything you want to know. Times, dates, stock numbers. Everything.’

‘I’m good with that.’ Finn gave a curt nod. ‘And I’ll do my best to speak with the DPP over Lenora’s cooperation, and I’ll have her bailed into Jed’s custody. But I’ll need you to be separated in the interview room, so you can’t coordinate your stories.’

‘I’m fine with that.’ Celeste then lifted her eyes to meet Stone’s and gave him a soft smile. ‘I bet you didn’t see this coming?’

‘No, I didn’t.’

‘I do want to thank you for helping our family,’ Celeste said, her voice quiet but steady. ‘I know this isn’t the result you were hoping for, but you did the right thing—for us and for our stock.’

She hesitated, her gaze flicking to the tabletop before meeting Stone’s again. ‘Two-stroke would be so proud of you for joining the Stock Squad. We all are. You guys do good work. And it’s nice to see the good guys win.’

Yet Stone didn’t feel like the good guy—not when he knew just how nice these particular bad guys could be.