"Two Years, Four Months & 27 Days"
Rating: K +
Sorry about all the suspense and violence in the last chapter but don't worry Charlie's on her way now to save Joey...but will she get there in time??
Chapter Eleven
"What have we got? Anything new?" Charlie demanded as she walked up to Nathan and Angelo. She had taken a few minutes to check in on Ruby and Aden to see if they had heard anything. They hadn't. And Charlie was starting to panic. If Robbo wasn't going to contact them for a ransom or anything then Joey could be in a lot more danger than they anticipated. Nathan spoke up, "Well we know that Robbo's stolen vehicle was spotted a few blocks from Joey's work at around six. The meeting Joey had at work concluded around the same time. None of her workmates saw where she left as she didn't say. She didn't turn up for the dinner at seven. It's now just past midnight...which means he has at least a five to six hour head start. So he could be anywhere...he could be halfway up the coast by now..." "We have nothing," Angelo concluded.
"Angelo, not helping!" Charlie screeched at him. "Well what do you want me to do Charlz? Lie to you? Shouldn't be too hard. It's what you do isn't it? It's what you're good at," he said sadly. "Angelo, please stop this. I don't have time to worry about Joey and deal with the fact that you're here. I hurt you, I know. But that doesn't change things," she told her former lover. "We were good together Charlie. You can't change that," Angelo maintained. "It was a lie. I was never happy. The only time I was really happy was when..."
"Alright enough already! Joey's missing. Robbo's probably got her. I don't give a crap about either of your histories. If you're not here to help find her, Angelo, get the hell out of this city before I beat you out. And if you," Nathan pointed to Charlie, "don't really love Joey like you keep saying you do then you get out too. I'll do this myself if I have to! And if I hear another snipe out of either of you about your past relationship I will beat both of you. Don't think I won't! So can we get back to the same page here and try to find Joey?" "Right yes...sorry," Charlie apologised. Why the hell do I let him work me up like that? I need to concentrate on finding Joey. I need to find her.
"Senior Constable, we have some news," Constable Dave interrupted, "Robbo's stolen vehicle was just found stranded about a two hour drive north of here." Charlie snapped back into focus, "Any sign of him or Joey?" "None, sorry," Dave replied. "Where exactly was the car found? Is it near anywhere particular? There must be a reason why he left it there?" Charlie asked. "I don't understand it, but the car was found a few towns south of the prison Robbo was incarcerated in. Why would he go back there?" "He wouldn't," Angelo perked up, "That prison is only about 10, maybe 15 minutes from Yabbie Creek, and..." "Summer Bay," Charlie finished.
"Why? Why in the world would Robbo take Joey back to Summer Bay? He could've taken her to the middle of nowhere, but he takes her to the one place that'll lead us to him," Nathan questioned. "Yeah well Robbo – not that bright!" Charlie told him. "Well then, we gonna get a move on? I can call Yabbie Creek on the way, let them know to be on the lookout for him," Angelo said. "Right, let's go. Charlie you want me to drive? Not sure if you're up to," Nathan asked. "Sounds good, bout time I saw you do your job properly," she agreed. "And what'll I do? Sit in the back seat? Watch you two fight over who's gonna save the love of both your lives?" Angelo suggested smugly. Nathan turned to him, "You aren't coming with me. You wanta help? Take your own car, and get outta my way." Angelo chuckled, "Idiot! Charlie you sure you don't want to come with me? Anything's gotta be better than spending the next few hours in a car with him." Walking out the door of the station, she looked back at him, "Doubt it." Angelo sighed and followed them out.
"So any news or suggestions on where Robbo might have taken her if they are in Summer Bay?" Nathan asked as Charlie got off the phone to Yabbie Creek for about the tenth time. "None sorry. They still have cop cars out everywhere looking for them. But it's too early in the morning to exactly ask around if anyone's seen them. They've searched Robbo's house, and the places he used to hang out. No luck. Even the boat he, Joey and Aden worked on is empty. We might have found where he is, but it's still a needle in a haystack," Charlie sighed. "We'll find her. We have to," Nathan persevered. "How can you be so positive? Robbo's had Joey in his grips for nearly eight hours. He's been in the Bay for at least the last three or so hours. There's only a million things he could've done to her by now," Charlie said as a few tears ran down her face.
"Hey now, don't start crying on me. Robbo doesn't know that Joey has us. Both of us, fighting for her. To save her. Is there anywhere else he could've taken her? Any place you saw him hanging out, any place abandoned that he might have taken her, any friends who might still be in contact with him...What?" Nathan concluded as he looked at Charlie who had a sense of realization on her face. "It's just a hunch," she let on. "Care to give me a clue about this hunch of yours or do you just want me to drive faster?" he asked. "Both. It's just that Watson at Yabbie Creek said they had checked with his family. But she didn't mention checking with any friends. As far as I know he didn't have too many. But he was really good friends with Brett," Charlie told him.
"Brett as in Joey's brother? Brett was friends with this monster?" he asked, putting his foot down on the accelerator. "Guess Joey didn't want to tell you. Sure you woulda been on Brett's door breaking it down, injured leg be damned, if you knew." Sighing Charlie continued, "Brett took Robbo's side. He didn't believe Joey when she told him Robbo attacked her. And he threw her out of home when she told him she's...gay. And he was also the linchpin to the end of my relationship with Joey. It wasn't his fault entirely, but he ripped us apart from one another, and I completely freaked out about the whole town finding out about us and I did the rest to screw everything up. You ok?" "Besides the fact that I wanta kill him. And Robbo. I'm just fine."
"Don't talk like that. I know you're angry, I am too. But we need to be calm. Otherwise we won't be any help to Jo," Charlie recommended. "You're right. Never did like Brett. Now I know why. We're nearly there. Do you wanta maybe give me directions to Brett's place? Then tell the Yabbie Creek mob to meet us there? Suppose we should also tell Mr. Big-Shot behind us where we're headed? I know you're technically my boss, but I gotta tell you I'm not surprised you fell for Joey 'cause girl you have bloody tragic taste in men!" Nathan laughed. Charlie looked at him, and giggled. I can see what Joey saw in him. He really is a sweet guy. "Thanks I'll take that as a compliment," and back to business, "Take a left here at the next street up ahead, that'll lead you into the main town. Summer Bay huh? It's been a while, bet it hasn't changed." Hold on Jo, we're coming.
Joey collapsed into another heap, struggling to breathe. She was in so much pain, every breath added to the throbbing. Robbo was still there, standing across the room from her. He was taking a break from beating her. I can't take this anymore. The pain, I can't feel my jaw. Joey's ribs had been cracked in several places. Her arm twisted so badly behind her. Bruises covered her body. Can I still hold on? I need to. I can't just give up and die here. Let Robbo win. I have too much to live for. I have to keep fighting. Ignoring the numbness from her jaw, not even sure if her words were coming out correctly, "Robbo, please. You need to stop. I don't deserve this."
Robbo walked back up to her, "Haven't learnt a thing have you? What you deserve Jo, is not open for debate. You are getting exactly what you deserve. Face it Jo, you brought this on yourself. You should've kept your mouth shut. Always getting you into trouble." Robbo grabbed Joey by her good arm and slung her across the room. "We can do this all night you know. Or we can just end this now. It's your choice," he offered, pulling out a gun. "How-how are you going to explain this to Brett? I know Brett hates me, but he'll never forgive you if you kill me. They'll find me, and your life will be over," she pleaded. "My life's already over. Don't you get that!" he raged, "And now yours will be too. Say goodnight, bitch."