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He’d wait for a while and then drive to the farm, and suss out if there was anyone else working there. He had answers ready in case there was someone there.

Fifteen minutes later, he pulled out on the highway and turned his right indicator on. The front gate of the farm was open and the timber sign saying it was the McLaren Mango Farm swung in the light breeze.

He’d driven past here most days this week because the Marrakai pub wasn’t far away. The locals had been happy to talk about Kane McLaren when Dean said he was going to work there. One stupid bastard who seemed like a know-all reckoned McLaren and his missus were overseas, but he’d got howled down by a couple of other blokes.

‘Bloody McLaren won’t leave his precious farm. He’s making a motza.’

Dean got the impression that McLaren was an arrogant bastard. The old bloke in the corner who reckoned he was away just shook his head.

Sounded like McLaren was a jerk. Russell hated them and Dean would do his best to get Russell’s approval. The man was a king; he’d made Dean’s time inside bearable. He’d never find another mate like Russell, and he had no intention of getting caught again. Maybe when Russ got out, he’d come back to Darwin and they could hang together.

Dean drove into the farm, and all looked quiet. The shed was locked up and there was no sign of any vehicles.

Here he was out in the wild blue yonder in the fresh air earning money, with a brand-new ute and a brand-new name.

Life was bloody damn good.

##

An hour later Dean drove out of the gate satisfied with his afternoon’s work. On second thoughts he’d decided to do what Russell had told him to. Everything had been enhanced with a first dose of ten mls from his bottle of orange magic, and he’d made sure that he’d missed nothing. He grinned to himself, feeling very clever. He reckoned Russell should hear a result within a week.

Now his biggest dilemma was which pub to go to tonight. He weighed up his options and headed for Darwin. As he drove past the Marrakai pub, he wondered if he should have quizzed the locals about Kane McLaren. If the cops ever went there, those blokes might remember him asking about the McLarens.

Maybe he wouldn’t mention that to Russell.

Chapter 20

Arnhem Highway - Sunday afternoon.

Cy

As they drove west along the Arnhem Highway, Tarni put her head back on the headrest. Cy glanced over at her; her eyes were closed, and a frown marred her usually smooth forehead.

‘Hurting again?” he asked quietly.

‘A bit. The painkillers haven’t done much.’

‘Hopefully you won’t have to wait too long. It’s only about forty-five minutes from here.’

‘You were right. I couldn’t have driven myself. What do you do if there’s a medical emergency out here? I haven’t seen an ambulance station yet. Is there any help at all? A doctor’s surgery? Or a small health centre?’

Cy shook his head. ‘You’re in the bush now, even though we’re so close to Darwin. We’re lucky it’s only an hour for us. Most of the outlying stations have to depend on the Royal Flying Doctor service. And there is a medical air service with helicopters operating out of the international airport in Darwin.’

‘I don’t think a cut hand would warrant calling one of them,’ Tarni said.

‘No, but it’s reassuring to know it’s there in emergencies. Ryan and Dee have twins and they’re about two and a half hours out. You need to have good first aid skills and a well-stocked medical kit when you’re that far out.’

Cy stared ahead remembering the situation the night that Joe had blown up the donga thinking that Dee was inside. She would have had no chance if she had been. And the afternoon that Ryan had set the trap for Joe out at Hidden Valley, and Dee had needed stitches in her head.

‘We could have gone to Jabiru, but being Sunday, I doubt if the clinic will be open. There’s a new health centre under construction; since the Ranger Uranium mine closed there’s been a lot of changes there. Once the health centre is open, it will make a difference to the stations around here. But many will still have to rely on the RFDS.’

She pulled a face. ‘I feel like a fraud even going to emergency.’

‘No, it’s a nasty cut and it needs attention. And you did plan to go to Darwin today, but this wasn’t what you expected. I know you said you had a bit of shopping to do. If you like, once you’re stitched up and have had some painkillers, I’m happy to take you to the shopping centre.’

‘That’s very kind of you. I’ll see how I feel, although I do need a couple of things.’

‘I’ll be honest. I do have an ulterior motive,’ Cy said. ‘There’s somebody in another hospital which isn’t far from the Casuarina shopping centre. I should call in. If you’re up to it, I’ll drop you at the shopping centre and make a quick visit. Maybe.’