Chapter 28
Nina opened her eyes, instantly awake. Normally it took her a few moments to place herself in the new day, but not this morning. Today was the day of reckoning – auction day.
Lockie had arrived last night, and they’d eaten sausages rolled-up in bread out on the back porch. They’d drunk cider and talked about the remarkable heatwave that had marched unabated into autumn. They’d argued about the tricks and traps of making bids, and trawled endlessly over the events of the past few weeks.
Almost a month now since Max disappeared, and the Drovers’ community was divided into two camps. Those who believed in her father’s innocence – mainly dry-land farmers and their families and friends. And those who swore he was guilty of murder – mainly irrigators and their supporters. Dad had g
