Page 95 of Stockman's Showdown

Again, Porter nodded. ‘Penelope and Harry were the victims in all of this. Not Jack Price.’

‘Struth.’ Charlie ripped off his hat to run his fingers over his white hair.

‘So, what happens now?’ Bree asked the police, while rubbing her grandfather’s shoulder.

It was the senior sergeant, Marcus, who answered, ‘Since this case originally fell under South Australia’s jurisdiction, Porter’s findings will be sent to their regional commander for approval, after which the case will be officially closed.’

Porter closed the file, resting his hands on top, as if the matter was finally over. Case solved.

‘Are you okay, Pop?’

‘Yeah, nah, yeah…’ Charlie blinked a few times, shaking his head slowly. Then he lifted it fast to face his granddaughter with his smile growing. ‘Did you hear that, kid? My brother is innocent. Innocent, they said. Blimey,Harry isINNOCENT!’ He hugged Bree, with his joyous laughter filling the room.

Charlie then rushed around the table to drag the young constable in for a hug, giving him a hearty pat on the back. ‘You’re a good man, Policeman Porter.’

‘It’s Senior—’

‘Whatever. Just accept my thanks for doing a bloody good job, mate.’

‘You should thank Bree and Ryder, too. They found the extra evidence that allowed me to work it out.’

Charlie’s smile faltered. ‘Why didn’t you tell me, kid?’

Bree shrugged. ‘I didn’t want to get your hopes up.’

‘How did you get that DNA thingamabob stuff done so fast?’ Charlie asked the police.

‘You can thank Ryder for that.’ Marcus pointed to Ryder at the other end of the table.

Ryder didn’t want to say anything, but the way Bree was looking at him, he had to fess up. ‘I told you I knew people. I justcalled in a few favours and had it rushed through.’ The effort was worth it to see Charlie’s reaction, and for Bree.

‘You good man, you.’ Charlie shook Ryder’s hand, then gave him a hug with another hearty pat on the back. ‘All you boys are good men.’ Charlie shook Dex’s hand, Ash’s hand, then Cap’s. His smile infectious. ‘I reckon I’ll load up the big beer cooler from the cottage and have a drink to Harry’s innocence. Let’s really put a dent in that bar of yours, boys.’

‘Dex, do you want to give Charlie a hand?’ Ryder suggested. ‘I’ll fill you in shortly.’

‘No worries.’ Dex followed Charlie outside, and Ryder closed the door. Ash grabbed the TV remote control then switched on all the monitors lining the wall.

‘So, now that was the good news. I’m assuming you’re about to give us the bad news?’ Bree swivelled in her chair to face the police seated at the other end of the table.

‘Have some faith, Bree. We are the good guys.’ Marcus stood before the monitors with hands on hips, taking in the view of the huge cannabis crop. ‘Leo’s pretty brazen to grow his crop like that.’

‘I know,’ mumbled Ryder. It was obvious Leo was not threatened by anyone, especially the local police.

As the OIC, it was easy to see that Marcus was ticked, as he dropped a large envelope on the table. ‘That’s a copy of the paperwork asking for your assistance with the surveillance of your neighbour’s property. But only from 0600 hours yesterday. However, I’ve sent some still images I scraped off your video footage for my supervisor, who has a warrant ready to get signed off for me to act. No one knows anything except the people in this room and my superintendent. We’re being careful to not tip off Leo in any way.’

‘Are you bringing in the drug squad from Darwin?’

‘Can’t. They don’t have the manpower to spare.’

‘They never do,’ mumbled Porter quietly.

‘So when?’ Ryder asked, knowing his brothers were keen to put this nightmare behind them.

‘It’s the timing now.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Tomorrow night, all my team are working at the rodeo. I don’t have enough staff to do both. Even if I want to hit that prick today, we also have a town to look after, too.’

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