‘The JP wasn’t thinking clearly that day,’ Dave said. ‘Sometimes they make our job that much harder, don’t they?’

‘Hmm, sometimes. But I guess it’s our job to catch him at it, isn’t it?’

Dave nodded his agreement.

‘You know, one interesting thing that’s come to light—and you’ll love this—is the reporting of drones.’

‘Drones?’ Dave put his feet down and leaned towards Jack.

‘I’ve had reports of drones being flown over some of the farms. The first time I dismissed it, thinking it could’ve been an enthusiast with a new toy, but I’ve had three reports now. Maybe it’s something more. What do you think?’

‘Could be someone learning to fly a drone and not realising the rules. Keep an eye on it, though. They shouldn’t be flying over private property. That’s illegal. Is there anyone new in town? The house next to us has been rented out, maybe they’re here with an alternative motive?’

‘Like what? That’s one suspicious mind you’ve got there.’

‘I’m supposed to have a suspicious mind,’ Dave retorted. ‘I don’t know, but maybe someone is flying it to see what they can steal, or maybe they’re trying to spy or perve or something. I think three reports of a drone flying where it shouldn’t is more than an enthusiast with a new toy.’

‘Yeah, you’re probably right,’ Jack agreed. He got up from the desk and went to the filing cabinet. ‘These are the reports: times, places, all that sort of thing.’ He put them down in front of Dave. ‘But you know what would be handy here?’

‘What’s that?’

‘A local police Facebook page. We could put up the rules on drones and other things. You know, keep people in the loop with what’s going on.’

Dave laughed as he picked up the reports. ‘I’ve got no problems with that. I know there are loads of stations doing it, but that’ll have to be your baby, Jack. My old brain doesn’t know how to cope with that sort of thing.’

‘Leave it with me. I’ll get it sorted.’

‘How’s Joan?’ Dave asked. The long-time station secretary kept him and Jack well in hand.

‘She’s had a few days off. Been sick with the flu, but she rang this morning and said she’d be back in tomorrow.’

‘Just so long as she doesn’t share it around! Don’t feel like getting sick when I’ve just got home.’ With that he remembered the look of shock on Kim’s face as he’d left the bedroom not fifteen minutes before. Involuntarily he groaned and ran his hands over his face.

‘That doesn’t look like the gesture of a rested man,’ Jack observed.

Dave shook his head. ‘I just snapped at Kim and I shouldn’t have.’

‘What?’ Jack leaned forward, a look of bewilderment on his face. ‘You two never argue. What’s going on?’

Clenching his jaw, Dave considered brushing off the question. Kim’s words came back to him: ‘I don’t understand how someone who is such a great communicator, who loves helping people sort out relationships, can be so stubborn and pigheaded about his own. You really should take some of your own advice, Dave.’