Page 88 of Stockman's Showdown

‘It’s Porter’s case, and I know he’s trying really hard.’

‘Do you think he’ll get upset over us…’Finding all the relevant evidence.

‘If you call Porter, tell him what we found, then wait for those neurons to pop behind his eyes as he works it out for himself.’

‘You know, I can’t work out if you’re being manipulative or just using the power of suggestion for good.’ Bree had a knack for it—she’d done it to his brothers with the wildlife corridor set-up and other projects. All this time, she’d been the quiet instigator behind much of the station’s management, where of course, Ryder was always the last to know.

It had irritated him to no end, even if he now understood it was for the good of the station. Still, being kept in the dark was one of the reasons he’d been angry enough to accuse Bree of cattle rustling. But she’d never explained why she did what she did. So he had to ask now. ‘Why?’

‘Porter is trying to get his detective’s certificate. And he’s been good to our family,’ she said. ‘He’s never arrested Charlie once for driving without a licence.’

‘How come Charlie hasn’t got a licence when he drives the Razorback, and your horse truck around the property just fine?’

‘Charlie got busted for drink driving, coming home from the pub one night. Porter found him parked on the side of the road, just outside of town, fast asleep behind the wheel, with the engine still running.’

‘You would have been in a panic.’

‘I was. I was in the Kombi, searching for him, when Porter flagged me down and told me what had happened. He had Charlie in the cells, sleeping it off before they could book him.’

‘Did you lose your temper?’ he asked the redhead.

‘After being so worried, I was furious. Pop knew better that that...’ She exhaled heavily, hands on hips as if to temper herself. ‘But then I found the medical notes on the front seat of his ute. It was the day Charlie was told he had a heart condition.’

‘Exactly what is wrong with his heart? Because Charlie acts like a healthy man to me.’

‘Severe aortic stenosis. It’s the narrowing of the heart’s aortic valve that significantly reduces blood flow from the heart to therest of his body. He gets chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. And he does get tired, he just hides it from you guys.’

‘Hmm...’ That didn’t sound good.

And neither was Bree’s sigh that accompanied her sad eyes. ‘They told Charlie he had a year, maybe less, if he didn’t have the valve replacement surgery. But he refused.’

‘When was that?’

‘Five years ago.’

Damn.

‘Anyway, the magistrate took into account Charlie’s age and unblemished record, suspending his licence for twelve months along with a small fine. But Charlie was told to re-sit the driving test, which, of course, the old man refused. So, no licence. Not that he cares—he likes people driving him around now.’

‘I noticed.’ Charlie had been like a kid in the front seat of Ryder’s ute today.

With her arms crossed over her belly, she stared at the gun. ‘You did it, Ryder.’

His brow creased. ‘Ryder, huh? Where’s the Captain Cupcake?’

‘Do you notice how Charlie calls youson?’

He nodded.

‘Do you know when he switched toson?’

‘After we found Harry. When I escorted him back from the cave, coming through Scary Forest, to call the police.’

‘Charlie respects you.’

‘I respect Charlie, too. Always have.’

‘Even when you kick him out of the driver’s seat of the Razorback that Charlie owns?’

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