On the Lookout by Kerry J Donovan

Author:Kerry J Donovan [Donovan, Kerry J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-28T16:00:00+00:00

“So,” Cadwallader said, “how long do you plan to keep up your vigil on Great Scar?”

The table, groaning under the weight of six enormous breakfasts and a normal-sized plate for Rhodri, fell silent. All eyes turned on Kaine, the recognised leader.

“Until the next attack,” Kaine said, slicing into the last of his three sausages.

“That could be ages.”

“I doubt that. In fact, I’m expecting another visit from your tormentors very soon.”

“What makes you think that?” Becky asked.

“Myfanwy’s excellent records,” Kaine said. He nodded to the teenager, who flushed bright red at the compliment and beamed. “Whoever’s targeting the farm has been stepping up their attacks recently. If they follow the pattern, their next visit will likely take place within the next few days.”

“Are you sure?” Cadwallader asked.

“As sure as we can be,” Rollo answered for Kaine.

As Kaine had predicted, Rollo had blundered into the kitchen the moment Becky began serving breakfast. The Colour Sergeant’s ability to sniff out a meal bordered on precognition. Lara arrived shortly afterwards, dressed in preparation for a day in the stables—white T-shirt under a plaid shirt, tight jeans, walking boots, and a cheerful smile.

“And when you do stumble upon some unwanted ‘guests’, you’ll capture them in the act and hand them straight over to the police,” Gwynfor said, making it a statement not a question.

“Not necessarily,” Kaine said.

Again, all eyes around the table turned towards him. In fact, the only time Myfanwy looked away from Kaine was to scoop another forkful of food into her mouth. Lara’s amused patience showed on her beautiful face.

“Peter Sidings,” Cadwallader snapped, “I will not have you dispensing summary punishment! Judgement must be left to the Lord and the Welsh courts. If you cannot agree to that, you must leave this house right away. I will have nothing to do with vigilantism.”

Kaine lowered his cutlery to the plate and held up both hands as a sign of appeasement.

“That’s not what I meant, Gwyn. We have no intention of meting out range justice. If and when the rustlers return, I plan to follow them back to whoever’s in charge. The paymaster.”

“You think they’re being paid to do these horrible things?” Becky asked.

“Don’t you?” Kaine asked.

“I never thought—”

“Given the note they left on the stable door,” Lara said, “this is personal.”

“A note? What note?” Rhodri asked, speaking up for the first time since sitting at the table.

“Never you mind, Rhodri Pierce,” Cadwallader said, dropping his voice. “Adults are talking.”

Rhodri lowered his head and mumbled an apology. He dug a fork into his last rasher of streaky bacon, sliced off a piece and stuffed it into his mouth.

“As Annie suggested,” Kaine said, “these attacks are personal and they’re going to carry on until we stop them. And I can’t see the person in charge getting his or her hands dirty, can you? Which is why we have to follow the lackeys back to their leader. Back to the source.”

Cadwallader frowned and stared into the fire Becky had lit before breakfast as though searching for inspiration.

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