Page 48 of Masquerade

“Kate did some research for that campaign.” Rory issued a rare compliment.

Kate had provided the bulk of research, although Rory’s evidence to the legal team had cemented the win.

“The situation here’s not as clear cut as Gloucester,” Billy muttered.

“Let’s eat.” Rosie handed out platters from the oven and fridge to carry outside. “Billy, can you organise the drinks, please—beer, wine or water?”

Kate barely noticed time passing. Rosie served dessert, Billy poured more drinks, and conversations moved around the table, splitting into two groups then reforming as one. Environmental campaigns were a hot topic as was the past. Liam unwound, joking about his and Billy’s childhood, and she learned the young Liam was the protector and Niall the nurturer.

“Remember when you climbed out on that huge gum tree and dangled over the edge of the cliff. You wanted photos of the falling away of the cliff face for future generations to see what they’d lost. I thought for sure you’d fall. Was already shuffling excuses in my head to explain the body at the bottom of the ravine to your parents.” Billy scratched his jaw. “Niall was in the undergrowth. He’d found a chunk of wood with a piece of granite half-buried in it. He was stroking the damned thing like he’d found gold.”

“He’s still got it.” Liam’s expression softened. “I saw it when I was there the other day.” He glanced at her.

He and Kate shared secret knowledge. About the billboard campaign. About his estrangement from his brother and their recent reconciliation. About her complicated relationship with her parents. In the candles’ shadows, she could imagine sharing all her secrets with Liam Quinn. The thought stole her breath.

“Let me help with clearing up.” Liam slid easily into the role of domestic helper. “Then we can talk business.”

Kate watched him through the open doorway while Billy and Rory set up computers. A man content in his own skin. Helping Rosie store leftovers, laughing with her, wrapping his arm around her when she leaned into him.

The clothes made a difference. He was sexily rumpled in faded jeans and work-toughened boots. His barely-there, Irish lilt played a tune to make Kate’s blood dance. She liked this man. Liked the man who’d pulled into a layby on a mountain top and slid into a kiss that had left her breathless and wishing for more; who’d casually bought a romance novel; who’d accepted a dinner invitation to give her time to come to terms with the discovery he was sinfully attractive.

Liam and Rosie’s return with the coffee signalled the beginning of the formal part of the evening.

Billy took them through his slideshow presentation. “The tricky thing is people are having a tough time. Between droughts and floods, farm production’s been decimated. People are genuinely worrying about long-term survival.

“Quite a few farmers think selling is their only option.” Billy flashed through a series of photos showing dry earth and parched crops, then submerged fields. “Even those on state-significant land.”

“So, the location of the hospital, the lack of transparency around the decision and the knowledge farmers are being approached to sell at rock bottom prices are all dividing the community,” Rosie added.

“Have you identified the purchasers?” Liam asked.

“We think purchaser—singular—but they’re going to a lot of trouble to cover their tracks. We’ve got lots of rumours—international mining interests, a local miner, developers,” Rory offered. “And if they’ve made offers to specific farmers no one’s talking.”

“They could have signed confidentiality agreements.” Kate recalled a line item in an old media interview. “Your state politician has recommended a no-comment strategy in the past to overcome opposition.”

“Not exactly ethical, but not criminal either. That’s our Daniel Elliott.” Billy pursed his lips as if reluctant to accuse publicly. “He also bought a share in his wife’s name in some land in the protected zone. Before the tender.”

“What’s your strategy?” Liam understood they’d have one.

Kate lost count of the number of times Liam said, “what do you think?”. He wasn’t being polite. He was genuinely interested in what they had to say. A meeting of equals. He valued their local expertise, their contacts with farmers, with itinerant workers, with greenies, with the owners of the local post office and shops in town.

The trio had also chatted to the new building companies trolling for work in the biggest nearby town. A growing number of families were moving into the satellite suburbs. Her admiration for Liam’s forensic attention to detail grew, joining her hip-bump reaction to his sexiness.

Billy summed up the situation. “Leaks suggest the geological surveys of the valley have identified coal seam gas among other things.

“We’re looking at the possibility of intensive mining if that’s what all the land deals are about. We’ve pulled together a rebuttal on the basis of contamination of land and water, reduction in biodiversity and damage to prime agricultural land.”

“There’s a good chance we’d win the environmental case,” Rory explained. “We need to identify a viable source of long-term income. Without a reliable income, farmers will continue to be tempted to sell.”

* * *

Liam leaned back inhis chair and surveyed the group. Billy and Rosie were known entities. He’d trust Billy with his life. Kate was a revelation. She’d backed him all night, rarely with words. He wasn’t sure what voodoo she used but, despite this being their first project reconnaissance, her mind kept pace with his. Rory was a pain in the butt.

“So, we might succeed through negotiation rather than litigation?” he asked.

“We’re talking creating livelihoods and long-term sustainability of a way of life,” Billy said. “You’d get a lot of local support, but the barracudas looking to make a killing would try and undo any deal we worked out.”

“Have you got a deal?” Liam knew any deal needed to be easy to understand to sell it.

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