Kirk rocked Lily, who was sleepily watching the by-play.
The sound of friendly bickering filled the air for several minutes, insults were traded and then the blokes got back down to the business of motorbikes.
Ah yes, an almost perfect day.
Moz’s mobile rang out the ring tone of “All My Life”. Pulling it from his pocket, he placed it to his ear. “Hi, baby.”
“Hey.” Behind Del’s voice came the sound of low feminine chatter. “We’re on our way back from Ellor’s Loop.”
“Did you get your parcel?”
“Yep. Not to mention that the boot is full of crap.”
“Hey!”
“Zip it, Molly, I’m on the phone. Geez, it’s rude to interrupt someone on the phone. So, Moz, my boot is full of crap, mostly Molly’s. Can you believe she dragged us to a bloody sex toy shop?”
“What?” Molly yelled. “I did not! You lying-”
“Dee bought something for Ryder.”
Moz grinned. “Is it a cock ring?”
Every man looked up, startled.
“No, a limited edition of some superhero comic Ryder’s into. Crikey Moses, Moz, your mind is disgusting sometimes.”
“I do apologise.” To Ryder, Moz gestured an imaginary dick, used thumb and forefinger to pull on an imaginary ring, and made an agonised face. “Special present from your wife coming.”
“I don’t bloody think so!” Ryder said indignantly.
Obviously Del knew he’d done something, because she gave a snort of laughter.
“What the hell?” Dee demanded. “Give me the phone, Del.”
“What? No, get back.”
“You’ll have Ryder after my blood. What the hell are you telling them, Miller?”
“Nothing but the truth, sweetheart. Besides, you like it when Ryder’s after your blood. Sicko.”
“I will kick your arse.”
“Now, girls,” Ash said soothingly. “I’m sure Del didn’t mean any harm-”
“Oh, she did.” Molly stirred the pot happily.
“I don’t think that gesture is very lady-like,” Elissa commented.
“You’re not exempt from an arse-kicking, Baylon,” Dee stated.
“Oh. Okay. In that case, I’m sure you learned that gesture from the Ladies School of Etiquette.”
“Moz, this trip has been enlightening,” Del continued blithely, obviously ignoring what was now happening in her car.
“You don’t say.” He had no doubt any trip involving those five women would not only be enlightening, but highly entertaining.
“But listen, we’re going to be a little later home than planned, as I’m going to swing past Maryanne Dooley’s place to deliver a couple of things she wanted that we picked up. Then we’re swinging past Old Jack Stanton to drop off those toffees he loves so much. But we should be home by seven.”
“Okay, I’ll tell the others.”
“No worries. Listen, can you pass the phone to Kirk? Molly wants to whisper sweet nothings in his ear.”
“No worries. See you when you get home. Love you, baby.” The words slipped from him before he realised it. Oops. He’d certainly never said that before in her hearing.
There was silence for several seconds, then Molly’s voice came on clear. “Hi, Kirk?”
“Uh - no, it’s still Moz. Hang on.” He waggled the phone at Kirk. “Your missus.”
Taking the phone, Kirk placed it to his ear, speaking softly. He laughed quietly so as not to disturb Lily who had fallen asleep in his arm.
None of the other men seemed to have noticed what Moz had said, all of them doing what they had been doing before the call, Simon swinging in the hammock, Scott and Ryder squatting by the motorbike talking, Grant staring off into the distance while still stroking Tilly, who was taking it as her God-given right, eyes shut, purring loudly.
Moz rubbed his jaw. Had Del notice what he’d said? Would she think he meant it lightly? Because he certainly hadn’t, in fact, it had slipped out so naturally. Or was she freaking a little?
Did she love him back?
Did he even want to go down that pathway of thought? Fingertips holding the now empty glass loosely, he rolled the base on his knee. Yes and no. Yes, he wanted to know if she loved him in turn, had even the beginnings of some feelings for him as more than just a lover. No, because if she didn’t love him - but then she’d always said she was waiting for ‘The One’. And he was in her bed. So that meant she saw him as more than just a lover, felt more for him.
Del didn’t take a man to her bed unless she felt something more than just attraction. She’d stated it, believed it, and he knew it personally.
His heart skipped a beat.
Kirk said a few more words into the phone before handing it back to Moz. “Thanks, mate.”
“Yeah, no worries.” Moz checked the phone was silent before placing it on the grass beside the deck chair.
Kirk looked past him, his expression still calm but a flicker in his eyes. Moz turned to see what had caught his attention to see the cop car pulling into the driveway. Phil and Maggie got out.
“Sorry to interrupt your day.” Phil looked at Moz. “We’ve got news on the dog fighting ring.”
Immediately every man grew alert. Scott and Ryder joining them, Simon pushing his cap back to sit upright on the swing.
Moz stood up. “What’s the news?”
“There’s a fight on tonight, one hundred and twenty kms south of here.” Maggie’s face was grim. “At nine o’clock dogs will arrive with their various owners from all over the place, not sure who is turning up yet but the stakes are high, so they’re expecting a big turn-out.”
Moz looked at Kirk. “We get those ring-leaders, we can crack the ring completely.” Anticipation coursing through him, he cracked his knuckles. “Shut it down once and for all.”
Scott angled his head. “Doesn’t Dawson’s uncle own some land out there?”
“Bundy’s place.” Simon nodded. “We did a fire break out there recently because that moron didn’t do it. Got a bloody good fine but - anyway, we didn’t see anything, and we’ve been keeping our eyes peeled when we go out anywhere isolated.”
“Ditto,” Ryder agreed. “On every ambulance call out we’ve been keeping our eyes peeled like you told us to. Seen nothing so far.”
“They’re hard to pin down,” Moz said. “They shift places, move around. But now...” His gaze shifted to Phil. “How did you find out?”
“And how reliable is the information?” Kirk tucked Lily’s head under his chin, running his hand soothingly up and down her back when she gave a soft whimper in her sleep. “Easy, honey-bunch.”
“Caught a DUI out on the highway,” Phil replied. “Address on his license was Marcor Downs. Had a little chat with the cops there and this bloke’s been done before for some very shady things, amongst them dealing dope.”
“Wanker,” Ryder muttered in disgust.
“Yep,” Maggie agreed. “So we had to do a little search on him, and guess what came up? A little black diary in his top pocket.”
Moz looked at her. “You’re not saying…?”
“Yep again. Dumb bastard had marked today’s page with ‘Dog fight, 9pm, Bundy’s.’ Don’t you just love when the crooks are so helpful?”
“And so stupid,” Simon remarked.
“Oh, this bloke’s a real dickhead, trust me. High on dope, high on drink, and with a very loose mouth.”
“How much did he spill?” Kirk asked.
“Most of it was garbled, Sarge, but we got our old friend Dawson and Harding both named.”
“And Cutter?” Moz asked.
“Cutter’s supposed to be there. He takes the bets, holds the stakes, arranges the fights.” Maggie pushed a stray greying curl behind one ear. “Sarge, he organises the out-of-state dogs coming in.”
“Shit.” Scott looked at Moz. “How big is this ring?”
“Oh, I’d say we’ve stumbled on something really big.” Moz smiled with grim satisfactio
n. “Really big.”
Kirk rocked Lily, his face thoughtful. “There’s no time to get more RSPCA officers flown up. You’re the only one in hundreds of kms.”
“We’ll need the rangers to help.” Grant broke his silence. “We’ll need cages, experienced dog handlers, police for back-up not only to help catch this mob, but if those dogs are savage and break free.”
Moz’s gut tightened. “We need to keep this operation tight, fast, controlled.”
“You don’t say,” Maggie said dryly.
Kirk shifted Lily slightly. “We need to start planning this, make phone calls, get everything organised.”
Moz looked at Grant. “We’ll need you as well, God knows what condition we’ll find some of those dogs in.”
“That was always the plan,” Grant answered calmly.
“Damn.” Scott’s expression was tight as he looked at Tilly still sitting on the newspaper. “Wish we were going with you. Bastards deserve a bloody good beating.”
“You’ve done your part,” Moz said. “The firies and ambos keeping a look out on their call-outs helped us. You blokes are everywhere, right out in the country, you see a lot.”
“We didn’t see this.” Ryder scowled.
“But you could have done. Having more eyes watching helped.” Moz clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Thanks.”
Ryder’s knees wobbled a little under the weight. “Don’t thank me. Really. And I mean that. Really.”
“I’ll meet you at the station,” Kirk said.
“What about Lily?” Ryder queried.
Kirk rubbed his cheek on his sleeping daughter’s head. “This is going to take awhile to plan. Molly will be home before we have to leave. I’ll ask Mrs Miller if she can baby-sit Lily meanwhile.”
“Dee’s Mum will be all over that.”
“I’ll ring Mrs Miller then Molly.” Kirk slid a mobile from his shorts pocket, scrolled through the contact list, put it up to his ear as he paced away.
Good idea. Moz should let Del know he wouldn’t be home until, well, God knew when. Early hours of the morning, maybe later. So much to plan, so much to do, a lot of it dangerous.
On the phone, Del was uncharacteristically quiet for several seconds.
“I’m sorry, baby,” Moz said.
“Moz, there’s nothing to be sorry for. You just…” She hesitated, mindful that those in the car with her didn’t know anything. “You do what you have to do.”
“I’m hoping we can get it done quickly.” But he doubted it.
Dogs of dubious temper, mongrel owners trying to run or talk their way out, police, cages…it could go either way - better than hoped for or downright ugly.
“Moz?” She interrupted his thoughts.
“Yeah, Del?”
“You be careful.”
“I will.”
“You get hurt and I will bust your arse when you get home.”
He chuckled. “I promise to be careful.”
“Okay, then.”
There was silence for several seconds, he could hear her breathing, pictured her driving, one hand on the wheel, the other - “Del, you aren’t driving while talking, are you?”
“No, I’m sitting on the side of the road, Baylon. Geez.”
“Just want you to stay safe.”
“Same here.”
“Okay, I better get a move on. I have to get in touch with headquarters, do some phoning.” See where the police want me to wait until it’s safe for me, Grant and the rangers to move in. No need for her to know that last part.
“Moz?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“Stay safe. I’ll see you when you get home.”
“You bet. Give Mozart a hug for me.”
“I will.”
Beforehand it had been a slip of the tongue. This time…well, he didn’t know what could happen tonight. Best laid plans and all that. Wanted her to know just in case. “Love you, baby.” Not forcing her to reply to that, he was about to hang up when she said softly, “Love you right back,” and hung up.
Blankly, he stared at the phone in his hand. Had he heard right? Had she really said - yes, she had. It was burned into his brain.
Kirk nudged him. “Let’s go, there’s a lot to do.”
Focussing on what was coming, Moz pushed the blossoming joy down, buried it to take out later and examine. He wanted to laugh, wanted to call her back, wanted to hear Del say it again.
Later.
Later when he was with her, when he could see her face while she said it, when he could gather her close and - later.
First he had unpleasant business that would take him from her and place him in what could be a battle zone. Do that first then come home to her arms.
Pocketing the mobile, he nodded to Kirk. “Molly okay?”
“She’s more worried about me than Lily.” Kirk started for the car. “Mrs Miller’s coming to our house to look after Lily. The girls are coming straight back, no detouring, so they’ll be here around six. We’ll be gone by then. Scott, can you grab Lily’s bag of stuff?”
And just like that the lazy, pleasant afternoon was over.
~*~
It was a long night.
Del was hoping she’d see Moz, but by the time she got home he’d already left town. Unpacking the car, she brought everything into the house, locking the security screen behind her, leaving the wooden door open so a cool breeze could sweep down the hallway.
Mozart and Missy danced around, meowing for food. Both tucked into bowls of ‘roo meat.
A quick check of the mobile and another of the answering machine showed no calls. With a sigh, Del had a shower before retiring to the sofa to curl up with a bowl of ice cream and the TV for company.
Not long after, her father rang. “Hello, sweetie.”
“Hey, Dad.”
“Moz told me he wasn’t home tonight, won’t be back until late.”
She smiled. “Let me guess, you’re checking up on me?”
“Can’t be too careful.”
“Aw, that’s sweet, Dad.”
“Want me to come over?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Maybe I should anyway.”
“Geez, I’m not a baby.”
“I know you’re not a baby-”
“You’ll always be our baby,” her mother called from the background.
Del rolled her eyes. Catching sight of Mozart prowling around the armchair in stalker mode after Missy, she seized upon a new topic. “So, how’re Ian and the dog doing?”
“Dog’s doing well, still cowed but coming out of his shell. The vet warned Ian to keep a close eye on him in case he shows any aggression, but that dog is a push-over. He caught sight of Farris’s dog in the back of Farris’s ute, and when the dog barked at him, he took off and hid behind Ian’s legs. That dog hasn’t got an aggressive bone in his body.”
Probably why it got belted, Brand had been trying to make him aggressive enough to fight. Del scowled. Bastard. “He’s better off with Ian. Plus it’s good for Ian, too. He was lonely.”
“Yeah, Martha dying took it out of him. This dog has given him something to do besides bury himself in work.” Her father chuckled. “Every good man needs a woman to keep in order. Ouch!”
“Mum hit you?”
“She’s a mean hand with that tea towel.”
Resting her heels on the coffee table, Del admired the pink nail polish on her toes. “How’s the new cat going?”
“Seffi’s a holy terror. I thought young cats were supposed to mature. She keeps trying to grab your Mum’s wool while she’s knitting.”
“Inside every cat is a kitten waiting to express itself.” Del watched Mozart peek around the armchair, and spotting Missy looking right back at him, he leaped into the air and shot off, Missy scampering behind him.
One black-haired kitten and one bald-arsed cat. She loved them both.
After chatting for awhile, her father rang off.
Flicking through the TV channe
ls, Del’s thoughts kept drifting back to Moz and Kirk, the other cops, Grant, the rangers, hoping they were all safe. That Moz was safe. Wondering what was happening, knowing it was dangerous. Wondering how the hell Molly handled waiting for Kirk to come home.
As if on cue, the phone rang again.
“Hey,” said Molly.
“How do you do it?” Del demanded.
Her friend knew what she meant straight away. “Easy.” Small pause. “Okay, not so easy. But its Kirk’s job, he loves it. I support him.”
“Doesn’t it kill you wondering if he’s okay?”
“Hopefully small town life makes it safer, but there’s always an element of danger, the unknown. Tourists pass through, people go a little crazy at times, he meets total strangers on the road.”
“Hard.”
“Yeah, well, I just make sure I’m here if he needs to talk, and I value our time together. Never take it for granted, Del.”
“Do you know where they’ve gone tonight?”
“Dog fighting ring.”
“So Kirk told you.”
“Only this afternoon.”
“Does he tell you everything?”
“Nope.”
“And you’re okay with that.”
“I never said that. Sometimes I’m so curious I try to bribe him with sex.”
“Huh. What does that get you?”
“No answers, lots of sex.” Molly gave a gurgle of laughter. “Hot sex.”
“Okay, too much information.”
“Hey, you asked.” Molly sobered. “You doing okay?”
“Yeah. Kirk’s the one in the thick of it from what I understand.”
“He won’t let anything happen to Moz. Cops go in first, get everyone rounded up, then Moz, the rangers and the vet will go in and clear the dogs.”
Del chewed her bottom lip worriedly. “Those dogs aren’t sweet little poodles.”
“Nope, but Moz isn’t an amateur, either, and nor are the rangers.”
“I know.” Del blew out a breath of air, clinked the spoon against the bowl. “I’m just being a worry-wart.”
“That’s what happens when you love someone. You just want them safe.” The sound of a baby crying came over the phone. “Uh oh, Lily’s awake. Gotta go. You need me, you call me, okay?”
“Thanks Molly.”
Hanging up the phone, Del looked down to find Mozart sitting at her feet, ears flicking forward as he looked up at her.
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