Novels 02 Red Dust by Fleur McDonald Read Free Book Online

talking into the phone in an animated sort of way, Bert was leaning against the wall talking on his mobile, and the merchandise blokes were firing up the computers in readiness for the day. The office always hummed madly in the early morning. Ben made his way to the kitchen to make a coffee.
    'Ben!' Ned's voice vibrated through the office. 'Get in here!'
    Ben turned and hurried back. 'What's wrong?'
    'Jake Birch has had a heart attack and the Carters, Smiths and Kettles think they have all had stock stolen overnight – out of their own yards, if you don't mind – and are going to the police. The cops are going out to interview all of the surrounding neighbours today. All of those farmers are within about a thirty k radius of Billbinya, Gemma's in here at the hospital and there isn't going to be anyone on Jake's place. Reckon we should take a trip out there and see what's going on.'
    Ben abandoned all thoughts of coffee and headed towards the car. He had some thoughts on this stockstealing business.
    Ben came from a long line of farmers, but he'd recently leased his farm out for three years in order to embark on a new venture. He'd always loved farming, but his enthusiasm had waned – finding it could be incredibly lonely and time-consuming. He hadn't managed to see his friends, or go to a B & S ball or concert, for at least a year. The weekly trips to the pub and the unwanted attention from single girls in the small town he frequented hadn't lessened his thirst for company, so he'd decided he needed some time away. Ben had come to Ned through his own stock agent down south. Knowing the rural industry as he did, and understanding how farmers thought, had made him an invaluable addition to Ned's team.
    'Is Jake all right?' asked Ben as Ned sped towards the main road that led to Billbinya.
    'Yeah, sounds like he's going to be fine. It'll put some pressure on Gemma though with no one on Hayelle. But she said her brother is coming down from Queensland to give her a hand so that'll be some help.'
    'What does he do?'
    'Oh, something with horses – breaking in stock horses, maybe? Dunno. He's a nice enough bloke, but I haven't had a lot to do with him since he was a kid.'
    'Ned, why are we racing out to Billbinya just because the cops might be going out? Why are you so protective of Gemma?'
    'Did you think that Billbinya could have stock stolen too? No, I didn't think so,' Ned said as Ben shook his head. 'She's a good girl and a hard worker. If Jake and Sinny aren't around to protect her, then someone needs to and that someone will be me. I don't like the way those sheep numbers are up and there is something wrong with the contract for the steers. Gemma just doesn't own that number of cattle. Where are they going to come from? I want to talk to Bulla and Gaz before the cops get there too. I noticed some foreign earmarks and I just wanted to check if some sheep had got through the fence and they hadn't noticed. Maybe the neighbour had bought some sheep in from outta town. I know that Sinny never dealt with another stock agent but Bert and me, and I know that I didn't sell him those sheep otherwise I'd know the earmarks. I don't think they're from around here. But where are they from and how did they get here? See? Best to have a chat to the guys, see what they know and if Gemma needs me then I'm right there.'
    Ben listened in silence. It was the longest speech he'd ever heard Ned make and he was surprised by the note of hysteria in the older man's voice. Why was he so concerned? Earmarks were important – it was how farmers could tell their stock apart from their neighbours' – but it didn't seem out of the question that Gemma would have other earmarks on Billbinya; it was a big place and he was sure that they couldn't breed all their own ewes. They would have to buy some in, so it stood to reason there would be different earmarks. Besides, sheep had been known to jump fences or walk through gates that had been left open