‘Ah, out with Mrs Jenkins. She’s a good sort. And as far as I’ve heard, the rooms there are comfortable.’

‘Yeah, they’re not too bad. They fit our budget.’

‘Bit short of coin?’

‘We’re students, so of course we are.’

‘What are you studying?’

‘Sophie and I are studying environmental science and Terry is doing law.’

‘Highbrow careers. Good on you all.’

‘We can do a lot of good by studying these subjects.’

Dave leaned back and looked at Lee. ‘Good?’

‘We need to know how to look after this planet and environmental science teaches us that. And law—well, there’re always people needing help there, whether it’s the new animal rights law or public interest. We’ve all got a concern with public interest. Making sure society knows what is going on behind closed doors.’ Lee leaned forward as he spoke, the passion in his voice clear.

‘That’s an interesting comment, “Making sure society knows what’s going on behind closed doors.” Can you tell me what you mean by that?’

‘Take farming,’ Lee said. ‘As people who don’t farm, we have no idea what goes on beyond the boundaries of the fences. And I think we have a right to know. We feel it’s our job to find out.’

Dave blinked. ‘Wow. That’s intense. But admirable.’ He frowned and took a deep breath. His tone was curious. ‘Tell me what you’ve been doing with the drone then.’

‘Can I have my laptop? I can show you that way.’

‘Sure.’ Dave went to grab it, cheering up inside. He wouldn’t have to get a warrant. It all seemed a little too easy, the way Lee was spilling his guts. But the kid was passionate about what he was doing and, when people were passionate, they often talked more easily, wanting to persuade others to their viewpoint.

‘How’s it going?’ Jack asked when he went into the office.

‘Singing like a canary. Where’s the laptop?’

‘Put it on your desk.’

‘Have you had a chance to google any of them?’

‘Not yet, just back from picking up the vehicle. I’m starting now.’

‘I don’t know how you’d do it, but can you find out if any of them are members of activist groups?’

‘Onto it now.’

Dave went back into the interview room and put the laptop on the desk. Lee opened it and plugged in a password. Making some swift movements on the mouse pad, he brought up a short video.

Not able to tell where it had been taken, Dave watched as the drone flew over troughs, swooping down to capture the water level. It flew over mobs of sheep, after the farmer had been out trail feeding. It was clear they were gathering information on stock to make sure they weren’t being underfed and had access to water. All of the stock looked healthy from what Dave could see.