Brax skidded to a halt outside Bianca's and they both jumped out and ran inside "April!" Charlie shouted as soon as she saw her.
"Charlie," April whimpered and ran to her "he broke in Ruby tried to get him he hurt her!" she cried.
"How bad?" Charlie asked closing her eyes trying to remain calm.
"He tried to choke her," Peter said walking over to her "she passed out Charlie but she's okay Bianca is in there with her she's coming around now she's a bit dizzy and out of it that's all."
"What about Jack Lou said he was attacked too-is he okay?"
"He was stabbed- hey, he's not too bad he's up and talking," Peter said and grabbed her as she gasped and tried to barge pass him.
"I need to see them," she said pulling away from him and hurrying into the kitchen, she let a tear fall when she saw Ruby in Bianca's arms being rocked back and forth. She knelt down beside her "Rubes it's mum," she said shakily.
"Mum," she whimpered and opened her eyes for a second "he's not dead," she muttered.
"Who baby?" she said moving closer she couldn't hear her with her voice being all shaky and low.
"Him… the guy you killed- he was here," she muttered and closed her eyes again.
Charlie stood up in shock Ruby must be mixed up it couldn't be him she killed him she saw his body. She looked for Jack and found him sitting at the table with a medic at his side patching him up she walked to him and stopped in front of him. He glared up at her then looked away "now's not the time but we need to talk!" He hissed and ignored her.
"Yes we do," she said glaring back at him he knew what Cosgrove looked like and by his tone Ruby was telling the truth….how was that even possible?
"Alright Charlie why don't we take the girls and Bianca back to your house," Brax said stepping in, he knew the look they had when they were about to argue nobody needed that now.
Charlie glared at Jack again before she turned away from him "Ruby needs to go to hospital and so does he can you go with back to mine April and Lou? B will want to go with Jack," she said and walked away to Ruby.
"How does Ruby know?" Jack asked Brax.
Brax looked back at him "how does she know what?"
"That Cosgrove isn't dead how does she know it was him she's never seen him before-how does she know about any of it?"
"I don't know mate you should be asking her."
"Either you told her or Charlie was lying!" He hissed.
"Now hold on mate Charlie wouldn't lie about that and I didn't tell anyone if that's what you're insinuating!" Brax hissed back.
Jack sighed "I'm not getting into it now I need to talk to her first."
"I'm taking Louise and April back to Charlie's let Bianca know she's okay," he said and walked away.
Charlie walked beside the stretcher as the medics wheeled Ruby out "Charlie!" Louise shrieked and ran to her "is she gonna be okay- is she?" she cried.
"She's gonna be fine Lou we need to get her checked out you and April are going back to ours with Brax okay I'll be home as soon as I can," Charlie said and climbed into the ambulance.
"What about dad?" she asked.
"He's fine it wasn't too deep he'll need to be checked out too don't worry sweetie they'll both be fine… Brax!" She called as the medic shut one of the doors.
"Come on Lou," he called, Louise watched Jack being loaded into an ambulance followed by Bianca knowing she wouldn't leave him she walked to the car and climbed in beside April watching both Ambulances pull away.
When they arrived they all climbed out and walked towards the house "you girls just go up to bed I'll let you know if Cha-" he stopped mid-sentence spotting a guy sitting on the steps "can I help you mate?" He asked pulling the girls behind him.
The guy stood up and took a step towards them "granddad!" Louise shrieked and ran to him "what are you doing here?" she said happily and hugged him.
"Hello Lou," he replied and hugged her tight "Rubes called me…where is she?" He asked looking at Brax and April his eyes widened "April Scott is that you?"
"Hey Ross," she smiled and took a step closer to him.
"Well get over here and give me a hug," he chuckled "my how you've grown it's been too long Sweetie."
Brax stood there awkwardly what a way to meet Charlie's dad now he'd have to explain to him where everyone was "uh hi I'm Brax," he said and held out his hand.
Ross shook it "Ross Buckton nice to meet you Ruby's told me all about you," he smiled "so where's my two and my granddaughter?"
"Uh they're…" Brax started and scratched his head what did he say?
"They're at the hospital granddad, dad's been stabbed and Ruby's been attacked," Louise said "…they're not too bad though Charlie and Bianca went with them to get checked out," she added when his face drained of colour.
Ross sighed in relief and smiled "how about we get inside it's getting late," he said and walked to the door.
...
A while later Brax had finally got April and Louise upstairs and settled in Louise's room, walking back to the kitchen he sunk into a seat at the table "you know you're a lot like Jack…and Charlie I know when something's been kept from me."
Ross chuckled "yeah they get it from me we all share a certain look that's how I used to catch them out when they were smaller."
"So what is it you're not saying?"
Ross sighed "Ruby called me and said Charlie was in some sort of trouble that she'd been fighting with some guy and had shot him dead, what had puzzled me the most was why Charlie had sent Ruby away and told her to keep it to herself that no one was to know Ruby was there."
"Ruby was there?" Brax asked in shock Ross nodded "Charlie never mentioned it."
"And she wouldn't I'm the only person that knows she was there apart from herself and Charlie. I asked her to keep an eye on Charlie the way she was acting and what not I knew something wasn't right Charlie always followed the book and would be the first to admit it if she had done something wrong I couldn't understand why she was covering it up."
Ross stood up and started to pace "I have a friend that works in IA he got me Charlie's statement and my suspicions were confirmed, there was only one person on this earth that Charlie would risk her career to get."
"And that was the guy that killed her mum and Denise," Brax finished.
"Exactly so I was happy to know he was dead he deserved it I'm just not so happy it was my daughter that did it- anyway I knew something wasn't right IA dropped it after that and ruled it an accident but it wasn't death by accident it was just and accident. I called Ruby and she had told me about the guy breaking in and little thing that were happening so I asked her to listen out and call me as soon as the name was confirmed I knew this would fall back on her and that she would need me. I was on my way the second Ruby called- she heard you at Jack talking earlier I know he's still alive."
Brax sat there taking it all in he couldn't believe Charlie had lied to him-to Jack sighing he stood up "I can't believe she didn't tell us Ruby was there."
"She's doing it to protect her daughter the less she's involved the better Ruby couldn't handle the pressure and Charlie knows that she wouldn't put her through that."
"She still could have told us!" he hissed he really couldn't get over it the poor kid what she must have been thinking-what she had seen.
Ross walked over and sat beside him "I understand why you're mad Brax but don't take it out on her she did what was right by her daughter."
"The cops will eat her alive if they find out she lied she'll lose her badge she could go to jail!"
"Keep your voice down!" Ross hissed "no one will know Ruby knows not to tell anyone Lou doesn't even know and we're gonna keep it that way."
Brax sighed and stood up "you do know that this guy is after her."
"I do and he won't get near her I'll find him before he gets a chance," Ross said and stood up "I'm going to see how my son and granddaughter are you just keep an eye on the girls," he called on his way out.
Brax stood looking after him sighing before going in and falling into the sofa this was about to get messier that it was so far Charlie couldn't take much more.
At the hospital Charlie sat at Ruby's bedside she was sleeping Sid had given her the all clear to head home in the morning she had a slightly crushed windpipe but not too badly damaged she'd have sore throat for a few days that was it. She looked up when the door opened and Jack nodded for her to come out.
"How's she doing?" He asked peering in at her.
"She'll be fine she's a crushed windpipe from him squeezing it she'll be out by morning…you?"
"I'm going now Sid wasn't happy about it he wants me to stay overnight."
"Then why aren't you staying?" Charlie asked.
"Because you and I need to talk B is gonna check up on the girls and sit with Ruby while we're gone we're gonna talk now," he said and walked away.
Charlie sighed and followed him. They took a seat in the hospital canteen and stared each other down-one waiting for the other to start "so when were you gonna tell me about this?" she asked.
"About what?" Jack asked.
"That Cosgrove wasn't dead."
"Don't know what you mean as far as I'm concerned he is dead- you killed him," Jack replied.
"Oh come off it Jack I'm not stupid! I saw Sean's car when Peter conveniently sent me home and I know you, I see the looks the flash of panic cross your face when I'm going somewhere alone-even upstairs I know something is going on."
"Must have been someone else's car I didn't see Wilson," he replied casually.
"Jack this guy got to my daughter MY DAUGHTER! He attacked her he could have killed her!" Charlie yelled and shot up out of her seat "you better tell me everything you were told not to tell me…now!" she yelled and slammed her fists down on the table.
Jack shot out of his seat and went face to face with her "when were you gonna tell me Ruby was there Charlie?"
Charlie stood back in shock "R-Ruby wasn't there no one was," she said quickly.
"I know you Charlie!" he shot back "you can't lie I can see it I know she was there-I get why you told no one she was there but me? I'm your brother you should have told me!"
"I couldn't tell anyone it's best if she's kept out of it she couldn't handle the questions they'd throw at her she's better off out of the whole mess."
"For Christ sake Charlie it's me! Who the hell was I gonna tell?"
"I couldn't risk it Jack! I can't believe you kept it from me who else knows huh? Peter- my old team in the city- Brax?" Jack flinched when she mentioned Brax "oh my god he does know doesn't he?" She asked horrified.
Jack sighed she was gonna kill him "yes Charlie he does but I only because I wanted him to keep an eye on you when I couldn't."
"I can't believe this!" She yelled and threw her hands behind her head "so that's why he didn't want to go out- why he insisted on coming everywhere with me…to keep an eye on me?" she yelled.
"Well that and he wanted to-he likes you Charlie," Jack said.
Charlie laughed "he didn't want to- he only did it because you asked him to- I can't believe I've been such a moron!" she yelled and started to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Jack called after her and began to follow her.
"I'm getting my girls and going back to the city TO PEOPLE I CAN TRUST!" she hissed and stormed off to the nurse's station "can you page Dr Walker for me please?" she asked and walked to Ruby's room.
"You're not taking the girls anywhere," Jack spat.
Charlie stopped and whirled around to face him "and who's gonna stop me?" she snarled.
Jack glared at her and walked to her "I will if I have to I mean it Charlie you're not taking my daughter or my niece anywhere!" he snapped.
"Oh so now she's you're daughter?" She laughed "what about all the years I raised her- all the years you didn't wanna know- all the years I've had to tell her daddy does love you it's just hard at the moment with mummy being gone or should I have told her daddy doesn't give a fuck about you he's out enjoying his new life without you, you're stuck with me sorry kiddo… don't make me laugh you're not a father!" She spat- she yelped in surprise when Jack lashed out and slapped her across the face.
"JACK ANTHONY BUCKTON!" they both whirled around wide eyed at the sound of that voice.
"D-dad?" Charlie stuttered and took a step back.
Ross took large steps to get to them he was angry as hell "what the hell is the matter with the two of you I could hear you around the bloody corner this is a damn hospital, and you," he said smacking Jack across the back of the head "I ever see you do that again and you'll be in one of those beds permanently you got it?" He yelled he was in a state shock that Jack had hit her they were always so close never argued.
Jack just nodded he was in shock too that he'd actually hit her… that and he was afraid of Ross "and Charlie apologise to your brother you shouldn't have said any of that!" Ross snapped.
Charlie however had some backbone when it came to her dad "no one will tell me what to do," she said giving him an icy glare. "I don't know why you decided to turn up now but I'm not interested- maybe you two can catch up- talk about running away you're both great at that!" She hissed and walked into Ruby's room.
Ross stood there in total shock this wasn't his daughter this wasn't his daughter at all she had always given him the respect she'd given their mother "what happened Jack?" he asked.
"She found out the guy she killed wasn't dead and we all kept it from her… and that Brax knew," Jack answered and sank into a seat.
Ross nodded and sat beside him "maybe her going back to the city might be a good idea that guy is here looking for her at least she'll be out of danger."
"No dad no way she's just settled in the girls are happy here now- they've made friends and Charlie has Brax now they can't just up and go again."
Ross chuckled "do you really think she's gonna go anywhere near Brax after what you told her? Come on son you know your sister."
Jack sighed "yeah I do that's what I'm worried about…she knows now dad she's gonna spend all her time looking for him."
Ross stood up "well then we better make sure we get him first," he said and walked to Ruby's room.
Jack sighed and stood up Brax was gonna kill him he walked along the hall and pulled out his phone Bianca had been gone a while.
Back at the house Brax jumped when he heard footsteps on the stairs "hey," he said when Louise walked in with a look on her face and her phone in her hand "what's up?" he asked.
"I just got a really weird text off Charlie," she replied and sat beside him.
"What did it say?" he asked.
Louise pulled up the message and read it out "be dressed and ready in half an hour a cruiser will be by to pick you and April up and bring you to me we're going back to the city tonight make sure Brax stays where he is," she looked over at Brax "what's going on Brax…why have you to stay here?" she asked confused.
"I have no idea go on back up to April and I'll call her…see what's going on," he said ad stood up. Pulling out his phone he called Charlie and let it ring a slight state of panic washing over him was this even her had someone taken her phone was she okay?
"What?" she snapped.
What's going on babe Lou is really confused here did you send her a message?"
"What the confusion?" Charlie said icily "they're to be ready to go by the time the cruiser gets there and you're not to come."
"What's wrong babe?" He asked "has something happened?"
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!" she screamed down the phone "you don't have to pretend anymore Brax yeah something's happened I just realised I've been an idiot that someone I thought liked me was only being with me because my stupid brother kept something from me and asked him to babysit me…how could you do this to me Brax I thought we were going somewhere!" she yelled.
"Whoa hold on a sec Charlie- I have no idea what you're talking about what has Jack said?" he asked panicking.
Charlie scoffed "like you don't know…how about that guy I told you I killed- sorry thought I'd killed is alive and well and out looking for me and my brother you and everyone but me knew about it deciding to treat me like a child and keep it from me!"
"Charlie calm down it's not like that I'm coming to the hospital we need to talk properly," he said grabbing his coat.
"Yes it's exactly like that and don't come near me I swear to god Brax if I see I'll knock you out that goes for Jack too!" she yelled "just make sure they're ready," she said and hung up.
...
Back at the hospital Charlie paced the room- after her dad had had a few minutes with Ruby she asked him to leave. Sid had Okayed the transfer to the city hospital now they were just waiting for the car to take them. Ruby sat in the bed dressed and wide eyed she'd never seen Charlie like this before "mum," she said cautiously.
"What?" Charlie said and turned to face her.
"Why are you gone all crazy?"
"Crazy is right crazy I ever set foot in the Bay," she replied angrily.
Ruby nodded "this is not about what is going on with that guy this about you and your feelings for Brax."
"I don't have feelings for Brax," she snapped.
"Oh come on mum I know you do…you're falling for him I've never seen you so happy it wasn't his fault don't take it out on him," Ruby said and climbed off the bed. "Jack asked him to keep an eye on you he begged Brax not to tell you he wasn't doing it because Jack asked him to he was doing it because he cares about you if he didn't he'd have been gone the second you told him what you'd done."
Charlie sighed and sat down "you're right I am falling for him-I think I am anyway I may be more upset about him than anything else…maybe I over reacted a little, he still should have told me."
"Like you should have told him and Jack I was there but you didn't for the same reasons they didn't tell you-to protect you mum, they know as well as I do what you will do and what you're still gonna do," Ruby said and sat beside her.
"I'm not going to do anything," Charlie said and stood up again.
Ruby scoffed "mum I can guarantee by morning you'll be out looking for him."
"Ruby please," she snapped "stop predicting what I'm gonna do or what I feel- there are some things you don't know about me!"
Ruby nodded and stood up "I know why you asked granddad to leave why you're so pissed at Uncle Jack-Brax too and why you're fleeing back to the city and why you're dragging us all with you."
Charlie rolled her eyes "enlighten me," she said and sat down "come on then miss know it all."
Ruby shook her head "I'll let tone go because you're crazy Charlie okay granddad… you can't forgive him for leaving or that he hasn't been in touch. Jack because he sees you as his baby sister not a fully grown woman that outranks him as a cop he thinks he has to protect you and that pisses you off. Brax because you can't face the fact he cares about you too and was trying to protect you- that pisses you off too like he thinks you can't look after yourself. We're all heading back to the city B and April included because it's the only place you feel safe… in that house, you'd never leave me and Lou… B and April are family so you're bringing them with us because you're worried what could happen to them if you're not there…how am I doing so far?" she asked with a smirk.
"Didn't Sid tell you not to talk?" Charlie huffed and stood up.
Ruby smiled sarcastically and gulped down a heap of water "he said if I could help it that couldn't be helped…so have I gotten through to you yet?" Charlie shook her head "you sure coz I can break out the tears."
"You were right about everything on that list so no Rubes we're not staying I have to go back I need to be in that house it's the only place I can think straight."
"So go alone mum we'll be fine we've cops all over us- now granddad is here too."
"I'm not leaving you girls so you can get that thought right out of your head….and don't get too attached to granddad he'll be gone soon."
Outside Jack stood listening and sighed if Ruby couldn't talk her out of it no one could he looked up when he heard footsteps "alright Buckton!"
"Mel," Jack smiled and hugged her tight….no one except Mel "so glad you're here."
"Has she self-destructed yet?" She asked looking in at Charlie "man Ruby is so big now."
"No not yet but she's close Ruby just tried and failed."
"So she knows everything?"
"Yeah she knows and she's not taking it too well she's ready to head back to the city."
"We'll see," Mel said and shoved the door "Oi Daisy we're going for a walk."
"MEL!" Ruby screeched and shot across the room launching herself at her.
"Hey cutie how are ya?" she asked and hugged her tight.
"I'm good see if you can talk some sense into her," she replied and stepped around her.
"Still calling me that? Charlie asked playing with something on the bed.
"Yup you're my Daisy and you always will be," Mel replied and sat on the bed.
Charlie sniffed and hugged her "god how I've missed you….I'm so glad you came back everything is a mess Mel!" she cried.
"Hey hey it's gonna be okay I'm not going anywhere okay," Mel said softly and held her close "so what's this I hear about you fleeing back to the city I know I heard that wrong right?"
Charlie pulled away from her and stood up "I can't trust any of them Mel-they've all lied to me I need to go back I know I can trust Dave and everyone else just for a few days even I can't think straight here."
"That's not gonna happen Charlie," Mel said and stood up "you're team at the station already know and are under the same orders Jack and I are under….Dave included, and it's not that you were lied to it was Wilson hoping they'd have him off the street before you found out he wasn't dead."
Charlie nodded Dave was her last source of comfort "Karl and Kellie too?"
Mel nodded "I spoke to Kel a while ago she doesn't know much just that if you showed up she was to call Wilson- Karl knows everything actually I'm surprised he's not here already."
Charlie nodded again she pulled out her phone and saw she'd over twenty missed calls and a few messages, she frowned they were all from Dave. Looking through a few she smiled "Dave's on his way," she said "he needs to talk to me that he had to tell me something he wasn't allowed to…see one true friend," she said and walked out of the room "come on then!" She called when Mel didn't move "coffee won't buy itself!"
Mel hurried after her winking at Jack and Ruby as she passed "done," she whispered and jogged to catch up with her.
Brax had arrived with Louise and April he walked along the hallways calling Jack he hung up when he spotted him and Ruby sitting on nearby chairs. "Someone wanna tell me what's going on?" he asked once he was close enough.
Jack looked up "Charlie let rip at ya?" he asked.
"Uh yeah, something about she was going back to the city and she'd kill me if she saw me," he said and sat beside them "so?" He asked again.
"She's just being crazy at the moment Brax let her cool off," Ruby said and smiled reassuringly at him.
"Yeah Mel will talk sense into her," Jack added
"Mel's here!" Louise squealed excitedly "is Dilly with her?"
"Yeah she's here didn't see Dylan though-didn't ask either," Jack replied.
"Who's Mel?" Brax asked.
"Mum's best mate from the city she became a cop too, her, D, B, and Mel and another girl Kellie were joined at the hip," Ruby answered.
"Until she was made inspector in Perth somewhere," Louise added.
"Yeah we were gone by then," April said "I can't remember what she looks like."
Jack chuckled "she's exactly the same."
"Where's your dad?" Brax asked.
"Charlie ran him she won't talk to him I'd say he's back at one of the houses," Jack answered "I'm going for a walk B was asleep on a chair on the next floor I'll tell her everyone's here."
...
Charlie and Mel sat in the canteen playing with their coffee cups "so you're staying then?"
Charlie nodded "looks like," she said and looked up "but don't think you had any say I thought about the girls I've just moved them here they're settled now I can't move them again."
Mel chuckled "good enough for me…so tell me about this new guy," she asked leaning in closer
"How'd you know about him?" Charlie asked surprised.
"Dilly's friends with the girls on facebook I talk to them sometimes…so?"
"Well I practically told him to get lost when he called me so nothi-" she stopped when someone stopped behind Mel.
Mel looked behind her to see Brax standing there "and that's my cue," she said and stood up "I'll be back at Ruby's room."
Brax stood looking down on Charlie she played with her cup and sighed looking up at him she stood up she walked to him and walked into him "I'm sorry," she mumbled and wrapped her arms around him.
Brax wrapped his arms around her and blew out a breath he didn't know he was holding "you kinda scared me there," he said and pulled her back to look at him.
Charlie smiled weakly "moment of madness," she said and leaned up on her toes to kiss him.
...
"So what are we gonna do?" Mel asked once it was just her and Jack the girls had gone into the room to try get some sleep.
Jack shrugged "now she knows there's no point in sneaking around she'll want in on it she'll want to know everything so we just go about our business like normal hoping we catch him along the way."
"I'm coming home Jack," Mel said after a few minutes.
Jack smiled he already knew that "be good to have you back Inspector," he teased and nudged her.
"Not Inspector anymore that wasn't for me I stuck with it for so long because the money was great and it suited me with Dilly… in two days' time I'll be Senior Detective Harper."
Jack chuckled "I'll look forward to working with you Detective Charlie will be over the moon."
"Yeah one more thing seems she's not filling out her Sergeant duties."
"What?" Jack yelled "you can't fire her!" he yelled in shock.
Mel laughed "I'm not firing her dummy- she's not from my panel anyway… this goes no further," Jack nodded Mel looked around to see was anyone listening she leaned in "seems they want a senior Sergeant and a Sergeant there."
"Wow," Jack said and sat back "who's up for it?"
"Well we all met the other day and agreed Charlie was to be the Senior Sergeant and you and Dave Barton are up for the Sergeant position… I know you don't want it Jack I never understood why, you should have got that job before it was even offered to Charlie.
"I didn't want it then and I don't want it now I'm happy being acting Sergeant when I'm needed, other than a few fill in's I'm good with being a Senior Constable."
Mel chuckled and stood up "I'm going to check on Dylan I'll be back in an hour or so."
"Where is he?" Jack asked.
"Oh my brother has him he hasn't seen him in a while so he was making strange when I left."
"Bring him back with you the girls will be delighted to see him!" Jack called after her.
In the canteen Charlie and Brax sat at a table "we better get back they'll be wondering what's going on," Brax said nudging her up off him.
Charlie mumbled something and stood up Brax chuckled and grabbed her hand "and about me been asked to babysit you," he said as they walked.
"I was angry I didn't mean it," Charlie replied.
"I know you didn't I'm just letting you know I'm spending time with you because I want to," he said and whirled her to face him "if I didn't I wouldn't be able to kiss you."
"Such a charmer you aren't you," she giggled and pulled him by the shirt "I knew you were with me for one thing," she said and kissed him "hey!" she yelled when a guy in a hoodie knocked into her and kept walking "walk much!" she yelled after him.
"Don't you think you've done enough yelling for today," Brax chuckled and pulled her along.
Unknowing to either of them Aaron Cosgrove walked along the hospital hallway with a smirk on his face looking down at what he'd just taken from her. He let out a chuckled and slipped out the exit this is where the fun began.
"Mum Sid checked me out again he said if it's alright with you we can go home," Ruby said as soon as Charlie was back.
"Yeah that suits me fine we could all do with some sleep," Charlie yawned and sat down "where's Mel?"
"She went to her brothers place to check on Dylan she said she'd be back soon," Jack said and stood up.
"I'll go wake the girls," Bianca said and walked into April and Louise.
"So does this mean you're not going back to the city?" Jack asked.
"I may have over reacted," Charlie muttered.
"Ya think?" Jack chuckled and pulled her into a hug "can we talk about earlier?" he asked and ran his hand across where he'd slapped her.
"No," she said and sat up properly "I'm sorry I never should have said any of that I don't blame you for lashing out I deserved it."
"I still shouldn't have slapped you I lost it I know I haven't been there what you said was true."
"No Jack that was just me being bitch don't think about any of it none of it is true you're a great dad and Uncle the girls love you just think about that… anyway," Charlie stood up "I'm gonna go see where Dave is he should have been here by now," she said and searched her pockets for her phone "Brax have you my phone?" She asked when she's searched them all.
"No babe, didn't see you with it," he replied.
"I had it in Ruby's room," she said and walked in to the girls "have any of you seen my phone?" She asked pulling the covers from the bed.
"You had it in your pocket when you left with Mel," Ruby answered "I saw you put it in your front pocket."
"Damn it," she muttered "I've lost it."
"We'll find it Charlie," Bianca said and stood up "girls check this room again check the bin and all we're going to go back to the canteen maybe you left it on the table," she said and led Charlie out of the room.
"Hey Jack can you go to the nurse's station and see if anyone handed in my phone," she asked.
"On it," Jack said and walked away.
"Anywhere you need me to check?" Brax asked "were you anywhere else other than here and the canteen?"
"No I haven't been anywhere else I'll check the canteen and ask the girls there have they seen it," Charlie replied.
"Could Mel have taken it?" Brax asked.
"She could have but I don't think so me and the girls bought her an i phone for her birthday and sent it over mine looks nothing like that."
"Okay we'll just go check Brax can you keep an eye on the girls!" Bianca called as she pulled a pissed off Charlie along.
Charlie wandered the canteen looking on and under all the tables she stopped and thought about the guy that bumped into her…so random to just bump into someone who was standing to the side she thought about it for a moment "nah," she said and shook it off "he wouldn't be that stupid Jack and Mel know what he looks like he wouldn't come here and I'd have felt him take it from my pocket," she said and continued to look.
At the motel he was staying at Aaron sat whistling to himself as he looked through Charlie's phone "bingo," he laughed when he came to photo's of everyone "okay," he said "Charlie and Jack Buckton already knew that- their brats Ruby and Louise, don't care which is which," he said and jotted down things "who's the blonde I saw at the house?" He asked himself and flicked through more photos "ah," he said stopping on a photo of April and Bianca "B and April," he said jotting it down "now all we need is this guy she's hanging around," he said and flicked through more photo's.
He jumped off the bed when he heard voices getting closer to his door "it could be him detective I'm sure it is he looked so like that guy the officer showed me," the manager said as he stopped outside the door.
"And he paid in cash for three nights?"
"Yes cash signed his names as John Smith."
"And you didn't think that was unusual?" Another officer asked.
"Hey you can call yourself the queen of Sheba for all I care as long as you pay it's that room there."
Aaron grabbed his stuff and ran into the bathroom, hearing keys in the lock he opened the bathroom door and slipped out clutching Charlie's phone.
Peter opened the door with his gun drawn and slipped into the room "hello?" He called "police!" getting no reply he looked under the bed "clear!" he called and went to stand up- papers on the floor on the other side caught his attention. Walking to them he picked them up and scanned them "he was here," he sighed.
"I found this is the bathroom," Watson said handing him over another sheet of paper "guess we just missed him, I've sent units to check out back and in the surrounding area….do you think he'll hurt the girls?"
"I don't know" Peter said looking at a printed photo of Ruby Louise and April "we need to up the security on that house I've spoken to Jack they're all at the hospital and all leaving soon."
"I'll go myself," Watson said and hurried out the door.
"Damn it," Peter muttered as he read the names off the sheet Ruby Louise Buckton's kids (easiest target) brown haired kid April or B? (will followed the other two) blonde could be a relation looks a bit dumb (easy) guy Buckton's hanging with….could be tricky. Jacky boy and Buckton…mention kids and they'll come running Peter pulled out his phone "Sean," he greeted when he answered "we got a big problem here…he's watching them all he's going after the girls."
Aaron stood in the shadows watching with a smirk on his face he'd finished what he needed to do there tomorrow everything will be all over. Laughing he patted his bag and walked down an alleyway the cops had juts cleared… his footsteps echoing as he went.