‘The ABARES conference is in a couple of weeks. I’d really like to report on that,’ Michael said. ‘I’ve got a few sources in there who should give me the good oil.’

‘Sure, but we’ll need a couple more there with you. Perhaps Zara and Liz?’ No mention of Claudia.

‘No worries,’ Zara said. She loved the big conferences. There was always so much to report on and so many interesting people to talk to. She’d struck solid-gold stories there a few times.

‘Yep, I’m in too,’ Liz answered.

She kicked Zara under the table and gave her a ‘I told you so’ wiggle of her eyebrows at the fact that Claudia wasn’t going to get the gig with Michael.

Zara dropped her eyes to the table to stop herself laughing.

‘Right, anything else? No? Okay, let’s put this paper together.’

Zara went straight to her desk and checked her messages.

‘Zara. It’s Jack. Ah, reckon today was the day you told me you were leaving town. Just wanted to wish you all the best with everything. Um. Yeah. Catch you sometime.’

Somewhere in the distance a phone rang. Then Lachy yelled for Michael. And Zara knew she was back.

CHAPTER 22

Chapter 22

‘You sure you’re cool with this?’ Dave asked Jack as he loaded a suitcase into the ute. ‘It’s a big ask.’

‘Nah, sounds pretty exciting, actually,’ Jack answered.

‘It’s dangerous, not exciting,’ Dave corrected. ‘You’ll have to be careful because, from my understanding, some of these protesters are violent. You’re there to gather information, not to get yourself hurt.’

‘I know, I know. Anyway, you’ll be close by when it’s time to go out in the field.’

‘Yeah, mate, I will.’ Dave clapped him on the shoulder. ‘I’ll be telling everyone you’ve gone on holidays. That you’ve gone overseas to meet a girl.’

Jack snorted. ‘Reckon they’ll all know that isn’t true.’ He rubbed at the beard he’d grown over the last three weeks. It had been incredibly itchy for the first week or so, but now it seemed to have settled on him, although he still got a bit of a shock when he looked in the mirror.

Dave had told him that was normal.

‘Right-o, you’d better get going. Enjoy the academy. The undercover officer course is a good one. I’ll be down there a day or so before you head out. Be safe.’

They shook hands and Jack climbed into the ute and started the engine. ‘I guess the biggest risk is that someone will recognise me,’ he said.

‘Absolutely. But it’s been a while since you lived in Adelaide. If you feel unsafe at any time, make sure you pull out.’

Jack nodded. ‘Catch you later.’ He let the clutch out and rolled forward, hearing Dave give the back of the ute a tap with his hand.