Page 109 of Stockman's Stowaway

‘She did. We’re very proud of you, brother.’ Dex patted Cap’s shoulder as they headed to greet the police paddy wagon.

Cap tried to hide his smile, slinging his arm around Mia’s shoulders. ‘I’d do it again to protect you,’ he whispered in her ear, sending shivers down her spine. She matched his grin.

Climbing out of the police wagon, Porter adjusted his police cap and smiled. ‘Willow.’

Willow gave a yap of recognition and bolted across the yard to jump straight into Porter’s arms for a hearty hug.

‘You didn’t bring another dog out, did you?’ Ryder crossed over from the farmhouse to meet them, with Charlie and Bree leaning over the front fence of the caretaker’s cottage.

‘No. But we got Atlas’s blood test results.’ Porter pulled out a folder and flicked open the cover. ‘It was a high concentrate of lead commonly found in industrial batteries used in mining machinery.’

Ryder slid his hands into the pockets of his jeans. ‘Any clues who did this?’

‘I was hoping one of you guys might know. I’m aware you’re having issues with the neighbours over the new lithium mine, and now Willow.’

‘Did Leo ever show you the paperwork proving Willow’s ownership?’ Cap squeezed Mia’s hands, ever so gently. She knew they weren’t going to say anything about Gavin, to protect Cap for hitting him, and Bree for pointing a loaded shotgun in his face.

‘No,’ replied Porter, his brow shifting. ‘Leo said he got rid of it. Didn’t see the point if he couldn’t keep the dog. Said he lost the dog off the back of his ute when he was pig shooting.’

‘Do you think he ever owned the dog?’

‘Willow reacted to him like she knew him, which wasn’t good,’ replied Porter, his brow furrowing into a frown as he looked at the kelpie. ‘And Leo would have contacts to access lead, especially if he was opening a mine. And rumour has it, Charlie, you’d lost all your working dogs to lead poisoning. Is that true?’

‘Can’t prove nothin’.’

Porter narrowed his eyes at everyone as if he saw straight through them. He was a lot smarter than Mia had realised.

‘And before you ask,’ said Charlie, waving his hand at the officer, ‘it was in the tank. Not the soil.’

‘Pop. Stop.’ Bree hissed, as Dex rolled his eyes, even Ryder shook his head.

‘What?’ Charlie shrugged. ‘The dogs are long buried in the dog cemetery.’

‘Right. When did this happen?’ Porter dragged out his notebook.

Oh, no.Mia froze, while trying not to look guilty.

‘You lot do want justice?’ Porter pointed at Willow, who he’d cared for. ‘Don’t you want it too, Cap?’ His gaze dropped down to Cap’s hands, the knuckles still bruised.

Cap slid his hands in his pockets.

‘Alright, let’s kill the suspense, shall we…’ Bree opened the gate and approached the officer. ‘As a good and close personal friend of the family,’ said Bree quietly, sliding her arm overPorter’s shoulders, ‘will you trust me when I say justice has been served for Willow and Atlas.’

Porter frowned. ‘I have a job—’

‘That I would nevereverput you at risk of getting into trouble over. I know you love your job, and I have respect for you and your job, which is why I won’t tell you. The technicalities would’ve just gotten in the way of justice being served, Territory style.’

Porter stared at her for a long beat, then gave her a short sharp nod.

‘There’s a dog cemetery here at the station?’ Cap shrugged at his brothers, hoping to clear the tension in the air.

‘Yeah. Pleasant spot on the side of the hill, looks over the Mitchell Plains. A good spot for muster dogs as their eternal long paddock. Just don’t ask me to show you. Bree can.’ Charlie turned to head back inside.

‘Before you go, Charlie, I need to ask you something.’

Everyone froze.

‘It’s about your brother, Harry.’ Porter approached the old man.

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