‘They packed up last night and went, thank God. I can’t tell you how pleased I am. They’ve been there on and off over three weeks. But this time they’ve taken everything and I think they’ve gone for good.’

‘Hmm, I wonder where they’re going next.’

‘I’m just glad they’re not at my front gate.’

‘Yeah, that’s something positive. Take care, Tammy, and thanks for letting me know.’

Zara went into Lachy’s office and told him about the call.

‘You’d better get your skates on then,’ he said.

She ran down the stairs and jumped into her car. As she navigated her way out of the city and weaved up through the Adelaide Hills and out onto the highway to Melbourne, she thought about what Tammy had said. There was something curious about the timing of the protesters leaving and a workplace accident nearby. If that’s what it was. Maybe she was being cynical but it seemed like too much of a coincidence.

The country passed by quickly. Deep valleys that held trickling water and were green with grass during winter were the colour of sun-bleached wheat. Even though the feed had begun to break down, the cattle grazing on the sides of the hills looked content and fat.

Zara turned down a gravel road and pulled up at Jantarna’s front gate. A large sign directed her to report to the office first. Biosecurity was important.

Slowly, she drove down the winding road and parked in the carpark, where another sign directed her to the headquarters. Before she could get out, a man flew out the door and down the steps of the portable office and jogged slowly towards her.

‘Can I help you?’ he called out.

Zara recognised him as Justin Hicks, the owner of the feedlot and the chairperson of the Lot Feeders Association.

‘Hi, Mr Hicks, I’m Zara from the Farming Telegraph.’ She opened the car door and got out, offering her hand so he could shake it. ‘I’m wondering if I could ask you—’ ‘I’d like you to leave, thanks.’ He stood in front of her and crossed his arms.

‘Really? Why?’

‘I’ve got nothing to say to a reporter.’

‘Mr Hicks, I actually don’t know what’s happened here, but I was hoping you’d be able to help me with that.’ She smiled encouragingly.

‘My lawyer will be issuing a statement in due course. Now I’d like you to leave.’

Zara’s mind went into overdrive. Shit! This was serious stuff if the lawyers were involved. ‘Okay,’ she backed away. ‘I’ll get going now. Thanks for your help.’

Justin Hicks stood there with his arms crossed and watched her exit the property. As soon as she hit the main road, she drove to the closest town and went to the pub.