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‘Right, this is what we’ll do…’ Finn used a stick and drew an outline of Everlight’s shed in the crusty red soil, where they’d huddled behind a large group of ant mounds. The shed stood less than a hundred metres away as the Stock Squad gathered to hear Finn’s plan.

‘I can—’

‘Stone. I know everyone’s strengths and weaknesses here and how to use them to our advantage. It’s what makes me the boss.’ Finn thumbed at his bulletproof vest with FEDERAL POLICE emblazoned across the back, with his two handguns strapped in their side holsters. ‘Got it?’

‘Got it.’ Stone gave no cheeky smile, but a clear nod of compliance, as he crouched down beside Craig.

Itching to get into that shed, Craig had already copped the same lecture from Finn about doing foolish things that could do Izzy more harm than good. Finn was a professional, and Craig had to trust Finn with this. ‘I want Izzy.’

‘I know. And she’ll be our number one priority, but we need to do this so she’s safe. Constable, where is Izzy inside that shed?’

Amara lowered her binoculars and crept closer to their huddle, also wearing her bulletproof vest over her South Australia police uniform. Only Craig and Stone weren’t. It was a reminder of how dangerous this was.

‘They have Izzy inside the portable livestock crate, secured to the back of the flatbed truck, here…’ In the dirt, Amara drew within the shed’s outline. ‘The guy with the handgun strapped to his chest, has the key to the padlock with him, wearing it around his neck while he’s taking a shower at the back here.’ Again, she drew on their dirt map.

‘Where’s Dane? Fiftyish. Wears a stockman’s hat, like mine.’ Craig tapped the brim of his hat.

‘Inside, guarding Izzy. Seated by her cage, here.’ Amara drew another mark in the dirt. ‘And all of the stolen livestock are here in these three pens.’

‘I’ve got bolt cutters in my kit for the padlock. Constable…’

‘On it, sir.’ Amara unzipped the heavy pack full of tools, ropes, and other assorted equipment. It was enough for Stone and Craig to share a raised eyebrow at each other.

‘Do I get a gun?’ Stone pointed at Craig with his rifle.

‘Are you licenced?’ Amara mumbled, dragging out the heavy tool.

‘Stone the crows, I’m taking a knife to a gunfight.’ Stone dramatically rolled his eyes. ‘What about one of them fancy vests? I feel so underdressed.’

‘We’ve ordered one for you and Craig,’ replied Amara. ‘Craig, you’ll need to do a firearms course—’

‘Not today, I’m not.’ Craig spilled the bullets from the box and started loading up his rifle and then filled his jeans pockets.

‘What about me?’ Stone asked. ‘Got a stockwhip? I can use one of those. And yes, Duchess, I am licenced to carry firearms, though I usually dance with man-eating crocodiles, not crooks. So I’ll be locked and loaded the next time we do this.’

‘Take one of my ropes.’ Finn dragged out two ropes from the large backpack. He passed one to Stone, the other he tied to his belt, the way Craig would tie his stockwhip for a muster.

In this gunfight, Craig wasn’t going in there without his rifle, even if he’d been using it to help him walk. It was the very thing Izzy was worried about with him taking this job—the gunplay.

Sorry, baby, I’m doing this for you. And nothing and no one was going to stop him, Craig had signed up for the job and he was in.

Finn narrowed his eyes at the team, his voice deepening with that lethal edge to it. ‘As this is a hostage situation, I should warn you I don’t and won’t negotiate with these types of bastards. Does anyone here have a problem with that?’

‘I’m good.’ Craig gripped his gun tighter.

‘No offence, brother, but are you good with your injuries?’ Stone asked Craig.

His leg was seriously killing him. Even though he’d just about ground his teeth so hard they were close to cracking, to fight off the pain, Craig was not letting his injury stand in the way of saving his wife. ‘I’m in.’

‘Good. Then this is what I want you to do…’ Finn laid out his plans, answering questions, until they felt ready to do their part. ‘But we need to do this slowly, guys. It’s daylight, with no cover to hide behind, so watch your shadows.’

The silence suddenly heavy, Craig could feel the adrenaline punching through his veins—it was worse than waiting to give the nod in the rodeo chute to ride a bull.

‘Watch for my signals, and for each team member. Most of all, take your time. Stealth is key, until you get into position. When I give the nod, we’ll strike.’ Finn removed his pistol and pulled back the slide to load the chamber, clicking off the safety. ‘As this is a risky operation, you’ll all be putting yourselves in danger if you proceed, so I’m giving you all one last chance to back out. No judgement from me.’

Craig gripped his rifle tighter. ‘We all know that’s my wife in there, but I’ll understand if none of you want to do this.’

Stone patted Craig’s shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze. ‘I’m in all the way, mate. There is no I in team, there’s us .’

Amara readjusted her police hat, then drew her handgun. ‘I’m ready when you are, sir.’

Finn nodded at them, and it was as if they’d bonded as a team under the scorching outback sun where their shadows blended into one. ‘Alright, let’s finish this and make damn sure this party ends our way.’