Barrabine. It must be Barrabine! In one of the pubs. Had he arrested him for a fight? The horseracing rounds maybe? Fuck! He wanted to pull his new hat down over his eyes but resisted, not wanting to draw extra attention to himself.
‘Show me your stuff. Branding iron’s there.’
Dave jumped into the yard and Larry went to help him, but Scotty put his arm out. ‘Let him do it. See what he’s like.’
Swallowing, Dave caught the piece of poly pipe Larry threw to him and walked to the edge of the yards, gathering five calves and turning their heads back towards the race.
‘Come on,’ he encouraged them. ‘In the yard! In the yard!’ he called out, banging the poly on the back of the closest one. ‘Get up! Get up!’
The calves, skittish, ran towards the round yard and Dave shut the gate behind them before opening the one into the raceway and guiding them through. He expertly opened the gate and ran the first calf into the calf-marking crush and slammed the side shut, rendering the calf immobile. With a push he sent the crate falling sideways onto three old tyres, which had been put there to soften the landing.
The calf bellowed and tried to move, but it was held tight. Dave turned around and grabbed the branding iron from the fire and lined up the right-hand side rump and placed the hot brand on the calf.
Instantly the smell of burning hair and skin filled his nostrils and the calf let out another loud bellow. Smoke rose thickly and the smell made Dave want to cough, but he didn’t.
One, two, three, four, he counted in his head, not moving the branding iron. He wanted the brand to be clear. As he got to four, he took the iron away and put it straight back into the fire, where it would heat up for the next one.
He picked up the earmarking pliers and notched the ear before opening the crush and letting the calf scramble to its feet. She ran with her tail in the air to the end of the yard and looked around at her rump as if to say, ‘What the hell was that?’ Then she saw the bale of hay and walked over, sniffed and used her long tongue to wind a lump of it into her mouth before chewing happily as if nothing had happened.
Turning back to get the next calf, Dave saw Larry was now in the yards and bringing up the next one.
The trip back seemed longer because Dave was agitated.
He’d recognised the brand on the calves and seen a ute that had a Western Australian numberplate on it. And he’d seen Scotty before.
There was a link to WA and he wasn’t sure what it was.
‘You’re quiet,’ Larry said.
Dave shrugged. ‘I’m buggered.’
‘It’s a long trip.’
‘How do you manage it?’
‘I’ll sleep for a week when I get home,’ Larry grinned. ‘So what’s your story? You trust us enough to tell us a bit about yourself yet?’
Dave shrugged. ‘Not much to tell. Got kicked off the family farm when I was twenty-three. My father didn’t want me there. Thought my brothers might stick up for me, but they didn’t. Packed my bags and fucked off. Decided to get on the bike and ride. That’s what I’ve done since then. Stop at a town when I need work.’
‘You’ll be staying here for good now, I reckon,’ Larry said. ‘Bulldust doesn’t let anyone go.’
‘Really?’
‘Yeah.’
‘That sounds—’ He broke off, looking for the right words. ‘Like long-life milk. Lasts forever.’
‘One way of putting it. Life sentence might be better.’
‘That Scotty, he’s a freaky-looking dude. His eyes scared the shit outta me. And what’s with the WA numberplates on the ute?’
It was Larry’s turn to be quiet. Dave looked out the window.
‘He’s Bulldust’s enforcer.’
‘Whoa, sounds frightening.’
‘It is.’
‘What do you mean by that?’
‘I mean if you ever see him in Queensland, something bad is about to go down.’
‘Does he come over often?’
‘Only when he’s needed.
‘When was the last time he was here?’ Dave put fear into his voice.
‘Couple of months ago.’ Larry looked over. ‘All I’m gonna say is watch your back when he’s around. He’s bad news. And I think he’s got a property in WA.’
Dave nodded, his face impassive, but inside he was fizzing with excitement.
Bingo!
Chapter 32
Shane walked into the house where Dave was sitting at the table reading another Jack Reacher novel.
Bulldust had said he could camp there until he got paid and found a place of his own.
‘Are you ready?’ she asked.
‘For what?’
‘The end of muster cut-out. You’re coming, aren’t you?’
‘Your dad mentioned it, but I’m not going. Haven’t been here long enough.’
‘Come on, Dave, don’t be like that. You’re one of us now.’
He put down the book and stood up. ‘Not quite but getting there. I’m going for a walk.’
‘But everyone comes. I drive the jet ski. Can you help me hook the trailer on?’
Dave shook his head. ‘Look, Shane, I’m not sure where you’re coming from, but I’ve been warned off you a couple of times. I’m not going near you. Okay?’ He raised his eyebrows and looked at her with the practised stare of cold ice. ‘Bulldust was good enough to give me a job when I needed it, I won’t be disloyal to him.’
‘My dad doesn’t tell me who I can and can’t be with.’
‘But he pays my wage and I don’t feel like dying for a woman I’ve hardly met. So back off, all right? All you’re gonna do is get me into trouble.’
Shane crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe and Dave had to admit she was incredibly attractive.
‘You know why I like you?’ she asked.
Holding up his hand, Dave said, ‘I don’t care. I’m not coming near you. I’m going for a walk.’
He pushed past her and got out into the open without her stopping him. With his book tucked under his arm, he made a beeline for the gate. He needed to leave before she did anything that could get him into trouble. Anyway, he needed to set things straight in his mind.
‘Where are you going?’ Bulldust called from underneath the trailer.
Dave walked over. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Fixing a couple of tail-lights that’ve blown. Don’t want to give the cops any reason to ever pull us up.’
‘Good thinking.’
‘Where are you off to?’
‘I’m going to see the mechanic about my bike.’
‘Right-oh. Then the river in an hour.’
‘I …’
‘Not negotiable.’
‘Right.’
Dave walked the tree-lined streets towards the mechanic’s, lost in thought. He wished he had a whiteboard so he could draw a flowchart of all the information he had. It would make things so much clearer.
One, he ticked off his first finger: he’d been asked to make some extra money and Bulldust had admitted they stole cattle.
Two: he’d been on an illegal muster. He’d seen how it worked and he’d contributed.
Three: by chance, he’d been sent to the holding property and helped brand the cleanskin calves.
Four: the brand, he’d seen it before. When he’d been out in the bush, cutting wood, outside of Barrabine. He remembered it had caught his interest because it looked nothing like a WA brand. This brand was an upturned horseshoe with the initials SA inside. Now he didn’t think it would take Einstein to work out the letters stood for Ashley and Shane. Dave had to hand it to Bulldust, that was pretty brazen.
First rule of being a crim: hide in broad daylight. No one would ever think the brand would lead back to Bulldust because it was too obvious.
What else did he know?
Five: there was a WA connection through Scotty.
Did he have proof that these guys had murdered Bill? Not really. A circumstantial conversation with Larry
that bad things happened when Scotty was around and he’d been over this way a couple of months ago. Even though the timing was right, it didn’t mean jack shit without more evidence.
There was certainly enough proof they were stealing cattle.
A car pulled up and he saw George grinning out at him. Beside him was a woman. She had to be the much talked about Margs.
‘You’re walking in the wrong direction!’
‘Why?’
‘River’s this way.’
‘I’m going to see if my bike’s fixed. Sick of walking everywhere.’
‘Isaac’s shut. I just came past.’
‘Shit.’ Dave frowned.
‘Come on, get in. You can’t do anything about that now. End of muster cut-out is much more important!’
With misgivings, Dave got into the car, hoping like hell that Shane stayed away from him.
Shane drove the jet ski hard and fast. Dave laughed as George tumbled head over skis as she executed a sharp turn on the river. It was a big jet ski but Dave hadn’t realised people were able to water-ski behind one until he’d seen it done here.
He had to admit he was pleased he’d come. The company was fun—Margs had proved herself to be humorous and quick-witted and Dave liked her immediately. Other than Shane, she was the only woman there, but it didn’t seem to bother her. She’d taken over cooking the barbecue and the two women had made up salads and cooked the meat and onions.
Standing next to Larry, a beer in his hand, Dave said, ‘That’s the fifth time he’s gone arse over tit on that same move. You’d think he would’ve learned by now.’
‘Not the sharpest tool in the shed.’
‘Don’t you be talking about my George like that,’ said Margs, a pair of tongs in her hand. She waved them at Larry. ‘I’m pretty good at using these.’
Larry touched his finger to his forehead. ‘Aye, ma’am.’
‘Beer anyone?’ Chris called, standing at the open esky.
‘Sure thing,’ Dave said, looking at the stubby in his hand. He wasn’t sure how but it was almost empty. The next beer would be his third. He’d need to stop after that.
‘Hey, Dave, have you heard the boxing tent is coming to Nundrew in a week or so?’ Larry said.
‘Boxing tent?’
‘Don’t tell me you haven’t heard about it? It’s famous!’
‘I’ve heard of it, but is it real one? Fred … What’s his name?’
‘Fred Brophy. Yeah. His tent is coming. You’re pretty handy with your fists, why don’t you have a go? Good way to earn a bit of extra coin.’
‘Reckon you’ve got the guts too,’ Bulldust put in, leaning back against his ute.
‘He’s a legend,’ Dave said. ‘In all my travels I’ve never seen him, but it would be an experience.’
‘I bet you a hun-gee to have a go,’ Chris said.
‘Have to be more if I’m gonna get my head smacked in!’
‘Right-oh, two hun-gee.’
‘I’ll go two as well,’ Bulldust said.
‘You’re on.’ Dave held out his hand to both men and shook on the bet. Four hundred dollars for stepping into a boxing ring. Pretty easy money. No one had said he had to win!
Shane pulled the jet ski next to the bank and killed the engine. George took the skis off in the water and climbed out. ‘Man, she’s a killer around those corners. I just can’t get ’em right.’
Dave laughed at the sight of a hard stockman in board shorts. He had the farmer’s tan: brown from the sock line to where his shorts stared and from the end of the shirt sleeves down. ‘Skiing suits you, mate,’ he said.
‘It’s your turn,’ George said, handing over the skis. ‘I’ve had enough.’
‘I don’t ski.’
‘Come on, Dave, have a crack,’ Bulldust said. ‘Remember your tatts. Stay strong. Be strong and have a go.’
He shook his head. ‘I can’t,’ he said. ‘I’ve got a bung ankle. That’s why I limp.’
‘Jump on the back,’ Shane said. ‘I’ll just take you for a spin.’
Holding up his beer, he shook his head. ‘No can do. Just opened.’
George reached out and snatched the beer out of his hand. ‘Just what I was looking for.’ He downed it in a couple of gulps and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. ‘God, I love my life.’ He pulled Margs to him and looked at Dave. ‘Go on, get on and have spin. It’ll blow the cobwebs out of yer head.’
There didn’t seem to be an option.
With trepidation, Dave took off his boots and waded out into the water. Shane leant down and crooked her arm so he could use it as a lever to pull himself up. With a hard push off the bottom, he settled in the seat behind her. Shane revved the engine and let out the clutch. The jet ski leapt forward, throwing Dave against Shane’s body.
She let out a wild giggle and threw the boat into a turn. Dave leaned with the motion and held on tight around her waist. Then she gunned the engine and headed out into the centre of the river, her hair streaming behind her and into Dave’s face. He took one hand off her waist to gather her hair and tuck it into the rashie she was wearing.
‘You know why I like you?’ she called over her shoulder.
The speed was making Dave feel reckless. ‘Tell me.’
‘You remind me of Dad. Strong and silent. You’d never let anything happen to me.’
‘You’ve already got your dad to look after you. You don’t need me.’
‘But I don’t just want looking after, I want someone to love me.’
Dave didn’t answer. This was getting too tricky. He looked back to shore and saw a patrol car.
‘Hey, think we should go back,’ he said, pointing to the car.
‘Hope they’re not here to shut our fun down.’
‘Me too.’
Cutting the engine, Shane let the jet ski glide into the boat ramp and anchored it while Dave jumped off the back and waded to shore. He turned and offered her a hand to help her out of the water.
Shane took it and hoisted herself out, stumbling as she did. She tripped and fell against Dave. His heart gave a hard thump against his chest as he felt the curve of her breast against his hand. Quickly he helped Shane stand up and moved away, not looking at her.
Turning around, he was just in time to see Joe get into the patrol car and slowly drive away. Dave eyeballed him and Joe slowed, pointing his finger at him. Bulldust came to stand beside Dave.
‘What the fuck was he doing here?’ Dave asked angrily.
‘Calm your farm, Dave. It’s a public place. He was just patrolling.’
‘Not here to bugger up our fun?’
‘Nothing like that. You know,’ Bulldust turned to Dave, ‘you really shouldn’t be so antsy towards the coppers. You’d be surprised what information they give you.’
‘I don’t like coppers. Especially him. He was the one who took me in the other day.’
‘Dave, Dave, Dave.’ Bulldust put a calming hand on his shoulder. ‘Haven’t you heard the saying: “You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar”?’
‘I still don’t like coppers.’
‘Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.’
‘Since when’ve you become philosophical?’
‘Since I knew what side my bread was buttered. Have another beer.’
As darkness fell, one by one they all left.
Larry and Chris first, then George and Margs.
Dave was packing up the leftover food and Bulldust had gone for a piss over behind the trees when Shane made her move. Dave had avoided being next to her all day, except for the jet-ski ride. Now, when he turned around she was right behind him, and he was cornered.
‘Shane,’ he put his hand up to ward her off. ‘I told you …’
It didn’t make any difference. She reached up and put her hand behind his head and drew him down to meet her lips. Dave wanted to pull away, but her softness made him want to stay. He kissed her back.
Until Bulldust hauled
him off and belted his fist into his face.
‘I told you to stay away,’ he said.
‘Dad, I’m old enough …’
‘You stay out of this.’ He bent over Dave who was on the ground touching his fingers to his cheek. ‘Stay away!’
Dave filled with anger and shot up. ‘Hey! I’ve told her I’m not interested and I told her why. You call your daughter off because she’s panting after me.’
Bulldust threw another punch but Dave was ready for him this time and got in first.
Shane screamed and tried to pull Bulldust’s arm back, but he shook her off.
‘I told you before that I like you, but not that much. I don’t care if she’s coming after you. Don’t go near her!’ He rounded on Shane. ‘Get in the car.’
‘Dad!’
‘Get in the car.’
Throwing her father a look of disgust, she got into the passenger’s seat and slammed the door.
‘And you,’ Bulldust said to Dave, ‘you get walking and make sure you’ve cooled down by the time you get back to the depot.’
Dave turned his back and started walking briskly down the road.
Chapter 33
Dave opened the pub door and went straight to his seat against the wall.
‘Beer,’ he said to Mac, who had come straight over to serve him.
‘Bad day?’ Mac asked, indicating the bruise that was beginning to show on his cheek.
‘Could say that,’ he answered moodily.
‘Want to talk?’
‘No. I want you to shut the fuck up and leave me alone.’ Mac sighed. ‘I thought Bulldust would’ve beaten that attitude out of you. Have it your way.’
A couple of young blokes let out a loud roar of laughter and looked over Dave’s way. He glared at them.
‘What’s up your arse, old man?’ one of them asked, leering towards him and spilling his beer as he did.
Dave turned away from them, but they kept coming.
‘Now, boys,’ Mac said, trying to regain control of his bar. ‘Boys, you don’t want me to call the coppers, do you?’
‘We want angry man over there to be nice.’
Dave put his beer on the bar and stood up. ‘You want nice?’ He threw a fist into the first boy’s face and followed up with a kick to his mate’s stomach. ‘I can be nice.’ He finished his beer and walked out of the pub.
Without a Doubt Page 21