Page 17 of Stockman's Stowaway

‘Thank you.’ Mia hobbled inside then positioned herself to peek out from behind the curtain at the open window. Were the police here for her?

‘Are you lost, Porter?’ Bree asked, as the wrought-iron gate creaked.

‘Morning to you too, Bree. I’m looking for your grandfather?’

Mia recognised him. It was the policeman Cap had been talking to in the pub’s car park yesterday.

‘What did the old man do now?’

‘Nothin’ that concerns you, kid.’ Charlie rushed up the stone path from the back of the house. ‘What brings you here, Porter?’

‘I brought your brother’s bankbook back.’

‘Pop, you didn’t!’ Bree crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Charlie.

‘Leave off, kid, I had to know.’ Charlie snatched the bankbook back. ‘And I thought I told you not to tell Bree.’ Charlie wagged a plump finger at the police officer as if scolding a child.

‘Do you want to find out if your brother is still around or not?’

‘Too right, I do. I’m an old man who wants to know what happened to my brother, because I know Harry is no murderer.’

Murderer!Mia raised her eyebrows, peeking over the window’s ledge, their voices so clear.

‘It’s the family trade, right? Murder before breakfast,’ said Bree in a snarky tone.

‘Stop saying that, will ya.’ Charlie wagged his finger at Bree.

‘Er, hello, police officer here.’ Porter tapped at his uniform. ‘Please tell me you’re talking about a murder of crows.’

‘Relax, sugar bear, no need to flash the handcuffs as part of your foreplay.’

The policeman blushed, dropping his head.

His reaction had Bree grinning. But she soon sobered up as she spoke to her grandfather. ‘Do you think your brother is still out there, Pop?’

Charlie sighed, his shoulders sinking. ‘I don’t know what to think. I have too many questions and I’m hoping Policeman Porter—’

Porter cleared his throat. ‘It’s Senior Constable—’

‘Whatever. He can help me find some answers.’ Charlie then lifted his chin to the officer. ‘Anyhoodle, what did you find out?’

‘Nothing yet. I’ve put in a load of queries and I’m waiting for their replies.’

‘So, you drove all the way out here for nothing, besides getting me into trouble with the granddaughter?’ Charlie screwed his nose up. ‘We have a landline, you know.’

‘I came out here to give Cap this dog. Is Cap around?’ Porter went back to his police vehicle, opened the back door, and out jumped a glossy chocolate-brown kelpie attached to a lead. She was such a dainty thing.

‘She’s gorgeous.’ Charlie went to pat the dog, but it flinched and cowered behind Porter. ‘She’s a bit bullwhipped, isn’t she?’

‘The vet says Willow’s not too sure around men. I suspect her old owner hurt her.’

Inside the house, Mia gasped.

The dog tilted her head in Mia’s direction as if she’d heard her.

Bree held out her hand to the policeman. ‘I’ll take—’

‘Willow.’ Porter handed the lead to Bree.

---