Eddy Russell tapped Findlay on the face to bring him back to consciousness. When Findlay opened his eyes Eddy said, "Christ, mate. I don't need this shit at my business."

"I'm sorry but those pricks have hurt my girl again." He struggled to get up. Eddy offered to help. Findlay pushed him away. He needed to prove he was a man who could look after himself and his family and he needed to start now. "I'm sorry, Eddy, it won't happen again. We owe you money, is that right?"

"Sure do, one hundred and fifty. You know I don't like your credit to be over a hundred. I've let it go too long, Findlay. Like I said, I told Fin she couldn't have any more until she paid. She was supposed to come in yesterday but didn't."

"I'll fix it. Be back soon." Findlay got into the car and went to the bank. He had four hundred and seventy dollars. His dole for the fortnight. Findlay withdrew all but twenty dollars. He drove back to the service station, paid the bill, and then put fifty dollars' worth of fuel in the car.

Then he went back to the pawnbrokers and handed over fifty dollars. "Do I owe you anything else?"

"Another fifty and you can have your watch back."

Findlay handed it over and drove to Snakes Bar.

"Did you find her?" Snake said.

"No, but I found the Gallos. They've both been busted up real good. Said a friend of yours did it, a tall man with blonde hair. You know him because they reckon you do. Called him, Fin's fairy fucking godmother."

"That'd be Cody. Cody Compton. The one I told you about. Why'd he bust them up?"

"They said they were helping Fin get me in the car. He came up behind them and hit Jonno with a lump of timber. He messed up Rees's face." Findlay huffed. "I wish it was me who did it. I think they must have raped her again and this Cody caught them in the act. They said he did it because he wanted a piece of her, himself." Findlay sighed and ran his hand over his head. "Would he do that, Snake? Could he have killed her? Raped and killed her?"

Snake laughed and shook his head. "I told the bastard to stay out of it. Fuck!" He covered his mouth with his hand and added, "He did that to the Gallos? Wow. I'd have liked to have seen it. I'd have paid money." He looked over the bar at Findlay. "I think he knew they'd try and get Fin again because he sat here that night and watched them. And her. I reckon he was waiting for it." He gushed out a breath and gripped the edge of the counter. "She left with you and they moved out after that. Cody sat and had a chat. He left and said he wouldn't see me for a while because of the rain." Snake pointed at the door. "He must have walked out there and caught them in the act." He gasped, "Shit! I hope he got there before they had a chance."

"Where does he live? I'm gonna go and kick his arse if he's hurt my girl."

"I don't reckon you'll have much chance, Findlay. Look I don't reckon he's the sort to hurt her. He seems like a decent bloke. He hates how you treat Fin and wanted to knock your head off but I told him to stay out of it."

"Where's he live, Snake?"

"Out at old Mac Jorgensen's but now the rains have started you won't get anywhere near the place." As if to impress this a loud rumble of thunder shook the building and rain drummed on the roof.

"I'm going to the police, Snake. If he's taken her, it'd be against her will."

"Look, he seems like a genuine kind of bloke. If he's taken her, I don't think he'll hurt her, Findlay. Why would he take her anyway? Don't make trouble for someone you don't know for sure has done anything wrong."

"So, you're saying I should sit back and do nothing. Damn it, Snake that's your biggest problem! Sit back Snake. If it was a girl of yours, would you sit back and do nothing? You don't know anything about this bloke. For fuck's sake he's a man. A fucking single man stuck out in the sticks! What the hell do you think he'll do with a pretty girl like my Fin? Play fucking chess!"

Snake shrugged. Findlay's words stung him like Cody's accusation of him allowing Findlay to become a drunk. Maybe he did sit on the fence too much. Cody was very secretive. Even Maude had brought that up. "Alright, go to the police. If he's innocent it won't matter to him and if he's got something to hide... well... that's his problem."

The hunt is on. I wonder if Findlay will find Fin.

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