Page 61 of Stockman's Showdown

‘Which means?’ Ryder opened the back tray of his ute to put his guns away.

‘Bush weed yields anywhere between five hundred to two thousand pounds per acre. That,’ Dex said, pointing back to the neighbour’s property, ‘is a twenty-acre crop that could potentially produce ten thousand pounds, easy.’

‘What would that be worth?’ Ryder asked.

‘The street value is anywhere between a thousand and fifteen hundred dollars a pound, depending on the quality. But brother,’ said Dex with wide, worried eyes, ‘I’m betting Leo’s field is worthabout ten to fifteen million dollars, easy, with only a few weeks left to harvest. If that.’

Bree’s heart fell, as if her entire world was being crushed by the weighty complications of having something that big right next door. No wonder Dex was in a panic. ‘Leo is in the big leagues, isn’t he?’

Ryder put his arm around her, protectively tucking her against his side. ‘Yeah, babe, he is.’

Twenty-four

‘Are you going to tell the police?’ Bree asked.

‘I’ll have a quiet word with Marcus in the morning. I’ll let him sleep, like you should be.’ After dropping Dex off at the stockman’s shack, Ryder drove Bree around to the caretaker’s cottage. It was just after one o’clock in the morning, when Ryder opened her car door.

‘What are you doing?’

‘I’m walking you to the front door.’

‘I’m fine. I know the way.’

A rich and sweet floral fragrance floated up from the cottage’s front garden as he rushed to open the front gate for her. ‘I’m already halfway there.’

‘Why? It’s not like this was a date or anything.’

‘Normally dating is a boring time for me. And it doesn’t involve guns, war paint, and hiding from a drug lord in the long grass.’

There it was, that slight smile.

‘What are you doing tomorrow?’ He knew Bree wouldn’t sit still for long. And that’s what bothered him, because he didn’t want her rushing off and doing her own thing—not when he had to keep her safe.

‘I’m taking Charlie into town. We’re going to the morgue to talk about Harry’s remains, and Charlie wants to visit Porter at the police station.’

‘I’ll take you.’

‘Why?’

‘If I’m going to talk to Marcus, it’s better to do it face to face. I can show him the evidence I taped tonight. And, if you’re with me, you’ll be fully informed of what’s going on.’ Not to mention he could keep an eye on her.

‘My grandfather and I live here, of course I want to know.’ Knowing Bree, she was probably planning some elaborate defence system already.

‘Which is why I promise to tell you everything. But you need to do the same as well.’

She hesitated.

‘Bree?’ With his fingertip, he gently lifted her chin. ‘It’s a two-way street of communication between us. No more secrets. Okay?’

She narrowed her eyes, as if trying to get a read on him. He had nothing to hide.

‘Deal.’

He grinned with relief. ‘Good girl.’ He kissed her forehead.

‘You know, I’m not a good girl.’

‘That’s true.’ His forehead rested against hers. ‘Good girls don’t kiss like you, my pretty little outlaw.’

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