‘Right, and he was in good spirits when you spoke to him? Hadn’t changed his mind about selling?’
‘No. Not at all. In fact, like I said, it seemed he was in a hurry. Having never met him, I couldn’t say if he was in good spirits or not.’ Ross lowered his voice and looked around, even though there wasn’t anyone else in the dining room. ‘I did get the impression he needed the money.’
‘That’s why he wanted a quick sale?’
Ross nodded. ‘He said he had a large payment coming up. HMA Mining were offering him a substantial sum of money. They were more than happy to reduce the settlement period. They’d do anything to get the land they want.’
Dave was writing down notes but looked up at the word ‘anything’.
‘Really?’ Spencer took the lead.
Ross realised what he’d said. ‘Not anything, obviously. But they’re keen.’
‘Did Glen say what he needed the money for?’
Ross shook his head.
‘Right.’ Spencer paused. ‘I need to clarify—he was the executor of his father’s will and he had a right to sell this land?’
‘He was bringing the required paperwork for me to sight.’
‘I see,’ Spencer glanced at Dave who wrote a reminder note to check this. ‘Can you tell me—’
‘Look, I understand the need for questions, but I’m beginning to feel—’
‘I just need you to remind me,’ Spencer interrupted him, ‘you approached Mr Bartlett, not the other way around?’
‘Yes! We’d written many letters to owners and he responded to me by phone.’
‘And how do you find out the identities of the people who own the land?’
‘We speak to Landgate, find out the owners’ names and their details. We give them a call or send an email if they have an address. Or write a letter. Mostly we prefer to visit them face to face, which is why I’m in the area. I’ve spent the whole time I’ve been here trying to find humpies in the middle of the bush and offer these people a gold nugget they wouldn’t otherwise find.’
‘I would have thought that information was privileged.’
Ross looked uncomfortable. ‘I’m not sure. I just do what I’m instructed to do with the information I’m given.’
‘You spend a lot of time here in Barrabine?’
‘I won’t be going until I secure at least another three parcels of land. That’s what HMA need.’
‘And what if leaseholders just won’t sell to you?’
Ross considered his answer. ‘Oh, neither the company nor I are concerned about that. I think they’ll be persuaded.’
‘We appreciate your time, mate,’ Spencer said, stretching his legs out and getting up. ‘Sounds like there’s a bit of urgency in getting hold of the land. What’s that all about?’
Ross pursed his lips. ‘I’ll have to refer you to my supervisors if you want to know anything more than what I’ve told you because I don’t know the answers.’
‘But they must think there’s a lot more gold in the ground to offer crazy money like they are?’
‘My job is to get people to sell their land. I don’t know what the company intends for it long-term.’
‘One last question,’ Dave said and the two men turned to him. ‘Why did you decided to camp out the other night? I mean, the hotel is pretty comfortable.’
Ross shrugged. ‘Just something I wanted to do. I’d seen so many great spots to roll out a swag. I did a lot of camping when I was a kid but none since, so I thought it was time to revisit. See if it was as good as I remember, you know?’
‘Reliving childhood memories,’ Spencer said.
‘Yeah, that’s about the sum of it. I borrowed an old swag and a few bits and pieces and went—’ he frowned, trying to find the right words ‘—country? Bush? I’ve enjoyed being out in nature. Anyway, I was driving by a little creek and saw the perfect place for a camp.’ He gave a bark of self-deprecating laughter. ‘I got that wrong! Woke up while it was still dark, and everything, including me, was dripping wet! The tree I’d rolled the swag out under was dripping on my head. And I was freezing. So I thought, Stuff it. The company’s paying for a perfectly good bed back in the hotel, I might as well go back there, have a shower and warm up. Then, as I was packing up, I was sure I heard a dingo.’ Ross gave a shake of his head. ‘Frightened the crap out of me, so I took off back to the hotel.’
Dave crinkled his brow slightly and wrote down what Ross had said.
‘Time of the year,’ Spencer said. ‘Even though it’s as hot as Hades during the day, the night-time is a different matter altogether. Often drops below zero. I can imagine how a first-time camper could get caught by that.’
Spencer nodded at Dave and the two men left Pollard to the remains of his breakfast.
Chapter 21
1945
The first thing Paddy registered as he woke was his cracking headache. He rolled over in his swag and reached for his water bag. His mouth was dry as cotton wool and the water didn’t seem to make any difference. Blinking against the glare, he quickly assessed the time from the position of the sun: about nine in the morning. The hangover must be a good one; he didn’t think he’d ever slept that late. The sun usually woke him.
He didn’t remember getting the swag out of the car last night and he certainly didn’t remember unrolling it right next to the front tyres. He wouldn’t have normally slept in such a dangerous place. He was glad no one had thought to take his car for a joy ride.
‘Geez, I feel crook,’ came a voice from behind a thick bush.
‘You’re not on your own there, Rocco,’ Paddy said. ‘I think I need a Bex and a cup of tea. Maybe another good sleep. Where are the others?’
‘Who knows? Who cares?’
Paddy saw Rocco’s head rise above the bush. His friend certainly
