" Looking at the screen "the coms are down and the cameras are down" looking at the screen trying to control the fear she is feeling "who sent TR2 out and found out it was a hoax, why wasn't I told earlier" looking at Kerry her eyes boring into his "I don't know … Lawson rang in asking about it, no one knew anything …. I don't know Kerry I don't know" facing Leon her voice loud of full of anger pointing to the screen "How can you not know, this is your job Leon, to know where each member is on a job, to log the jobs they are sent out on" then moving closer to him "that is what your paid for, not the other shit you do" then trying to hide her fear yelling at him, pointing at the computer "find out Leon, use that computer and find out …. If TR is sent out then you need to know exactly what is going on, what about the GPS on the car" looking up at the screen still talking to Leon "can you locate him by his phone?" looking at the screen "If it is turned on and in range, I can triangulate the phone, the GPS was taken off the car" biting her lip "do it Leon, can you get information from where the TR car was before the GPS was taken off where is the GPS now"
Tapping her foot impatiently "hurry up Leon, call Amber if need be" not even looking at Kerry "I can only go as fast as the computer" then facing Kerry "it is between Humpty Doo and Bark Hut Inn is all I can give so far" not waiting for any more information "I think I know where he could be" calling out after Kerry "where" seeing her ignoring him as she drive out of the base.
Turning off the Arnhem Highway she hopes her hunch is right, she is pretty sure this is where he is, and pretty sure who made the call. Driving down the dirt road hearing Leon's voice coming through "the best I can get is around Point Stuart area, do you want TR there, the GPS is not even giving a signal anymore?" biting her lip there was only one reason she can think off that Lawson was there "not yet Leon, how can it not give a signal" then hearing Leon's voice "Either smashed or put in the river? The last signal we have from it though is around Point Stuart, I'll send through the co-ordinates to your phone"
Pulling up the parking area, banging the wheel, shit where are you Lawson into her com "Leon send through a map of the area, all the tracks where they lead too, send out TR 1 down here" pulling out onto the dirt track getting out of the car looking around, seeing a track ahead.
Arriving at the clearing, she sees TR car partly hidden near by "Leon, I've found TR car" not even thinking of putting the bullet proof vest on, getting her gun out off her hip, walking around the corner, stopping on the spot, a body there looking around before walking over rolling them over her mouth open, shit Steve, kneeling down feeling his neck a faint pulse there. Into her com "Leon, I need an ambulance now" reaching out for his hand "hang on, an ambulance is on the way" seeing him trying to focus on her "Steve where's Lawson" touching his face "Stay with me Steve, come on … who did this?" trying to focus on her his eyes starting to glaze over "he, he took Lawson" biting her lips trying to keep the panic from her voice "who Steve" seeing his close his eyes "Steve open your eyes stay with me who took Lawson" looking at Kerry his eyes trying to focus "Chr….. he had a" into her com "Leon I need that ambulance now, where is it" looking at the screen "about 5 minutes away TR1 is about 10 minutes away" looking around carefully, shit where is he walking closer to the river looking around wanting to call out "Leon, is there any CCTV footage around here"
Walking closer to the river looking around, seeing something in the distance hurrying over, seeing the TR uniform taking a deep breath closing her eyes rolling the body over looking around shit where is he kneeling down trying to feel for a pulse putting her hand across her mouth "two members of her team down shot, one dead the other one injured and one now missing" following the river looking out, the place a good one isolated and a river full of crocodiles into her com "Leon, get homicide out here" staring at the screen "Homicide only meant one thing, someone was already dead".
Seeing a figure ahead of her, go around the corner as she gets closer they turn around as much as she didn't want to admit it her mouth slightly open. Turning around seeing Kerry there, he wondered if she would figure it out, he had warned her, slightly glad now she is here, there is no way he is going to jail or Kerry is leaving turning back to the river walking slightly away. She was the one to blame for this how could she do this, he thought they were working things out.
Seeing Chris turn and look at her, her eyes fixed on him moving her mouth shaking her head, "Put the gun down Chris, drop it, turn around and face me" seeing Chris not moving "Chris, Please" seeing Chris turn around looking at her the gun still in his hand "Put the gun down Chris" looking at Kerry seeing uncertainity in her eyes "You don't want to do this Kerry" seeing him start to move towards her firing at the ground near him "stay where you are". Seeing the shot near him Chris looks up at Kerry she wouldn't shoot him "alright" her gaze not moving from Chris trying not to let her hand shake "Put down the gun" watching Chris ignore her, cocking the gun her voice louder wanting him to take notice of her "I said put down the gun" looking at Kerry's eyes trying to get her nervous "I can't go to jail Kerry, you know that" moving the gun around a bit her hand shaking slightly "Put down the gun" his voice softer trying to reason with Kerry she was his wife, he knew she didn't want to do it "You love me still Kerry, you don't want to do this, just turn around and let me walk away and You can be with Lawson" shaking her head, Lawson "I can't do that Chris" then her voice very loud her hands shaking with the gun "Please Chris, put it down" staring at Kerry's eyes maintaining her gaze he knew Kerry better than she knew herself, she was tough and in control on the exterior but underneath it all she had a vulnerability which she kept hidden from most, with her upbringing she didn't think she was good enough and that guys wouldn't go out with her, she let down her barrier with him eventually and she fell in love with him like he had with her for so long "You love me Kerry, you don't want to do this" staring at him was this the same person she was married too, her eyes glancing around briefly "where is Lawson" knowing she probably wouldn't let him walk away but he was sure he could talk her slightly around, he knew what she was like when she loved someone and he was sure she loved Lawson partly surprised she acted on her feelings but now it could work in his advantage, how badly did she want Lawson shaking his head "Not sure what you're talking about Kerry I came out here, chasing up a lead" her hand shaking slightly "two of my officers are shot Chris, and one missing, just tell me what you've done with him" not looking away from him, seeing his eyes with a coldness in them "If I can't have you I won't let you have Lawson" her eyes glancing around him "Chris just put the gun down ….. why are you doing this" looking at Kerry didn't she get it, did she really think he would let her go "This is your fault Kerry, all of this is because of you" staring at Chris her eyes wide open realisation of the seriousness of the situation, that Chris wasn't listening to reason "Shit Chris, what have you done with Lawson" a laugh coming from him a knowing smile on his face "wouldn't you like to know …. Who said I did anything … if you shoot me you'll never know, let me go and I'll tell you where Lawson is" her eyes darting around, she can't let him go, she will find Lawson with or without his help, her voice louder as she moves slightly closer to him her gun still aimed on him "Put down the gun, put down the bloody gun" looking at Kerry he can see it in her eyes trying to remain in control from it all but she isn't her hand slightly wavering "alright" watching as he puts the gun down on the ground wanting to sigh in relief but her eyes fixed on him not even looking around, biting her lips " walk away from it" watching as Chris turns around away from her yelling at him "Chris turn around" watching as he turns around a gun in his hand moving upwards firing her gun at him, watching as he falls to the ground all she can do is stand there staring at him her eyes not moving.
Watching Kerry yelling at him loosing her control this is what he wanted Kerry just came quicker than he thought he wanted Kerry to watch what he did to Lawson, helpless watching him die before he shot her too, did she really think she could lead him on pretend everything was alright, didn't she realise how much he loved her. He knew if he didn't cover his tracks she would find out and come and find him, did she think he was stupid and wouldn't find the divorce papers and transfer papers. He knew Sarah wasn't his daughter but he treated her like her own, here she was wanting Lawson to be a part of her life now, where would that leave him. Remaining calm, he doubted Kerry could do it, shoot him, sure he could talk her out of it, his voice calm and soft. Putting the gun down slowly he is sure Kerry would start to relax now, standing up slowly turning around, pulling the gun out from behind him turning to face her before he could even bring the gun up the shots coming from her gun.
Her face showing the shock on it her mouth open staring at Chris lying on the ground, only hesitating a minute before racing over, leaning over him there was a faint pulse. Hearing a noise looking up seeing Stella and Josh race over followed by Katie "be careful, call an ambulance" seeing Josh move over not even looking at him "Don't touch him … oh Chris I'm so sorry hang in there an ambulance is on its way" looking up at Kerry she did do it, she shot actually pulled the trigger and shot him, seeing Chris look at her his eyes glazed over grabbing her shirt "you've won" her eyes open wide and sad "no one won here ….." her voice firmer "where's Lawson" seeing his eyes close as she shakes him gently "Don't you dare die on me, stay with me" opening his eyes looking at Kerry, here she still was talking about Lawson he wasn't going to make it easy on her, he didn't want them together his voice raspy and soft "you don't have long" seeing him fall back down, feeling a pulse faint still, into her com "Leon where is the ambulance" before getting up turning to Josh and Stella "Search the area, everywhere he has to be here somewhere?" Stella turns to glance at Josh before looking around "Shit where do we start to look he could be anywhere" glancing at Stella and Kerry, this was his mate here, glaring at Chris on the ground "Hope the prick dies"
Hearing the ambulance arrive turning to Katie and Mick having to walk around glancing back at them often, the worry of where Lawson is and Chris here, it doesn't look good she wants to stay with him but not able to bring herself to kneel down next to him, she can't walk away but she can't say with him looking at them worry in her voice "geez here they come he's still breathing yeah" nodding at Kerry seeing her pacing the worry etched on her drawn face seeing her trying to be strong and holding it together "he's unconscious but breathing" nodding not taking much in, watching as the ambulance walks over standing near by watching what they are doing, her eyes searching around shit how did it all happen rubbing her hands over her face trying to keep it together why did it happen, looking up the path the body of Dave there Steve now taken to hospital. Looking out across the Mary River, seeing the odd crocodile, one sunning itself on the bank, another gliding near by, did he dump Lawson in the river. Brought back to the presence as she hears the ambulance officers "he's gone into cardiac arrest" watching her mouth and eyes wide open as they try to revive him hearing the machine beep as his chest jerks with the machine trying to keep the sobs that are threatened to spill over under control she can't lose it, not now. Running her hand through her hair he can't die, despite it all he was her husband, how could he do it all she thought once she was here it was what he wanted, never thinking of the carnage already here. Watching each attempt the ambulance officers make trying to revive him, seeing them look up at her "I'm sorry he's gone" nodding at them here mouth slightly open not taking it all in not even seeing Matt next to her until she hears his voice "let's get you back to base" feeling his hand on her arm, shaking it off determination in her voice, trying to stop the tremble "I'm not going anywhere, there is still an officer missing out there"
Hearing Leon's voice "ethical standards is on its way out there and the water police are about 30 minutes away" looking at Kerry, she was in no state to deal with them, but as a gun was discharged, she had to do the piss test "Kerry you're in shock, at least wait in the car, I'll come and get you if they find him" shaking her head she can't move watching as the ambulance puts Chris's body in a bag moving it away from the banks walking over to the river, throwing up, feeling the tears well up in her eyes blinking them back before facing out on the river his words echoing in her mind "You don't have long" into her com "Leon send through the tidal charts and map of this area of the river" turning to look at Kerry "what are you thinking" facing Matt she needs to keep busy "Chris said "he doesn't have long" hurrying along the river "if its tidal he is somewhere for when the tide comes in or a creek or close to the river" catching up to her he is worried about her, she just shot someone, he had heard the rumours about her and Lawson again despite them being caught together you would have to be deaf not too "Josh and Stella have looked along here" facing the other side "what about down there" nodding at Kerry "Mick and Katie are searching down there and Christian up towards the road"
Hearing a car arrive turning around closing her eyes shit Ethical Standards seeing them walk towards her "Inspector Kerry Vincent" not even looking at them "Yeah" seeing them show their badge "inspector Peter Cox and Inspector David Wilson from Ethical Standards" her eyes moving around to the other two guys "Detective Anthony Hatch and Detective Tommy Skyes from Homicide, you up to going through what happened" glaring at them, she didn't want to talk to them her voice harsh "Can't this wait, I have an officer missing still". Looking at Senior Sergeant Matthew Watson his voice quiet "Senior Sergeant Lawson Blake is still missing, Tactical Response is out looking for him as we speak" nodding at Matt before turning to Kerry "we just need a sample of your urine for the time being" looking at them her face blank "what" "A weapon was discharged" nodding absently going through the motions now with them all here, it all started to seem so real before facing back to the river.
Walking along the banks Stella turns to Josh "all of this is because Kerry had an affair with Lawson…. What if we don't find him Josh …. Who knows what Chris did with him" the thoughts going through Josh's mind wondering if Chris had already killed and disposed of him "Just concentrate on finding him Stel"
Coming to the creek, "This place gives me the creeps Josh, I'm not going in that creek" nodding at Stella, he has to agree, the mangroves near by hearing a noise did he imagine it "Did you hear that?" looking at Josh, hearing a moaning again nodding "over here" hurrying over calling out "Lawson, Lawson" looking around hearing Stella's voice call out, hurrying out "Help me Josh we need to get him out of here". Into her com "we're found him, 150 metres downstream" pulling him up to the bank moving him away from the Mangroves, quickly untying his hands and feet.
Was that a voice, hearing his name, calling out again, his head hurting, not able to move his arms or legs, trying not to panic, or make much noise, he knew the water was rising and coming in. Relief in his eyes as he sees Stella and Josh pulling him up onto the bank, his head hurting, hearing Stella "we need to get you checked out" nodding at her "Kerry, where's Kerry". Looking at them, he knew there was something they weren't telling him "let's just get you back, and checked over".
….
Leaning on a car with a blanket wrapped around her, her eyes down her face blank she doesn't want to think, not seeing Matt come up next to her followed by homicide "Kerry you need to come to the station" looking at Kerry she was in no state "Can't it wait until tomorrow?" shaking their head "better she does it tonight" putting his hand on her back guiding her towards her car seeing her stop not moving turning around looking out over the river her eyes fixed not moving.
Lawson watches Kerry with concern on his face not wanting to leave her, he wanted to comfort her, to hold her and protect her, her face etched with guilt, sorrow keeping it all together, seeing her look out over the river putting her arms over her head.
Looking out over the river was it only a few hours ago it all happened relief Lawson was found not wanting to go back to their house, she never wanted this to happen, the memories all flashing back, Chris taking out another gun turning around, the shots coming from her gun, seeing him drop to the ground putting her arms over her head what is she going to do now, she wanted him out of her life now he is dead because of her, she shot him, she was the one who killed him.
Walking over to Kerry putting his arm on Kerry, guiding her to the car, all he has to do is look at her face drawn trying to remain strong. Putting her in the car "I won't be long" not even understanding what Lawson is saying her face blank staring out the window, it seemed so long ago that she pulled up here biting her lips no longer able to remain strong as the tears start to fall pulling her knees up towards her chest what had she done, how is she going to explain it to Sarah, still hearing Ethical Standards voice "were you or are you in a relationship with Senior Sergeant Lawson Blake" before hearing the shots echoing Chris falling to the ground.
Seeing Matt walking over to him "I'm taking Kerry back" nodding at Lawson "Give me a minute and I'll drive you", walking over to the team "I'm taking Kerry back, go home or do what ever you need to do, tomorrow will be a long day. I'll see you at base at 2pm, there will be debriefing, pysch. Today we lost two team members ….. someone will need to take TR2 back and Lawson's car" seeing them nod the mood still sombre, not only was Chris killed but he had killed two members of their team, he still hadn't told Kerry that Steve had died earlier on, they couldn't save him, but pretty sure she had guessed.
Looking at the car seeing Kerry sitting in it just staring straight ahead, he wished he could do more. Looking out across the water and around waiting for Matt to come back, Chris' body taken away a while ago, was this all because of him and Kerry, shaking his head no Chris was the one who had done this, he had a problem and couldn't let Kerry go needing to keep himself together for Kerry's sake and the team, the toll of the day catching up on him, could he of done anything different could he of saved Steve and Dave, they were causalities in Chris's vendetta against him and Kerry.
Pulling up at the base, Matt sees Kerry sitting in the car still staring ahead "I'm sorry Kerry" seeing her look at him, her face glazed over. Watching as Kerry walked back into the base Leon looked at her, not imagining what she had been through her face drawn full of sorrow and sadness he could only imagine what it would be like for her "is there anything you need". Looking at Leon a blank look on her face not even hearing really what he said, her eyes looking around everything seems the same but it wasn't and never would be again. She had to see Ethical standards again tomorrow, she can't be here anymore trying to remain strong not wanting for anyone to see her fall apart. Walking into base after Kerry Lawson knew that he would have to step up and be the leader he was assigned to be to keep the team together. It would take Kerry a while to come back from this, even as strong as she was, underneath it all she was vulnerable, and she had just shot and killed her husband despite it all she would feel guilty about it.
Lawson stood in the shadow of the doorway, silently watching Kerry fall apart. He was amazed at how she tried to hard to keep it together but was slowly failing. He knew at some point she would break completely and that he needed to be there for her. He knew what a huge responsibility it was running TR and that Kerry did an amazing job, but even she had her limits even though it never seemed like it.
She felt strong arms wrap around her shoulders and instinctively leaned back into the embrace, not caring who saw her she was trying to be strong but starting to fall apart she couldn't go home to her place, she would see Chris everywhere there. A voice spoke softly in her ear. "Come on Kerry, you can come and stay at my place tonight, you're in no shape to be alone right now." Lawson said quietly. Kerry felt numb but nodded, allowing herself to be turned around and slowly escorted from the room, gently led by Lawson to the carpark as they passed TR's car Kerry started crying again her feet buckling underneath her. Watching start to fall, quickly putting his arms around her even then it was taking her all her strength to walk, leaning on Lawson as they make there way to his car.
When they reached his house, Lawson quietly got out of the car, shutting the door and went around to Kerry's side. He noted that she had fallen asleep not wanting to wake her, sure if he would she wouldn't be able to sleep again. He opened the door quietly and picked her up, shut the door and carried her inside. He pushed the covers aside, laid her on his bed and drew the covers over her small frame. As he straightened up and turned away, preparing to leave, he heard a quiet voice say "don't leave me." He turned back around and saw that Kerry's eyes trained in his direction, grief still etched across her face. Lawson nodded silently and moved around to the other side of the bed, sat down, removed his shoes, socks and shirt, leaving his t-shirt on underneath and climbed into bed beside Kerry. He wrapped his arms around her as she relaxed and finally drifted off to sleep exhausted. He closed his eyes, knowing that no amount of sleep could undo what happened, but it was a welcome break from reality, even for a short time, ensuring Kerry was still asleep. And with that final thought, he drifted off to sleep.
….
Sitting at the table at base the day finally over, Stella looks at Josh "none of this would of happened if Kerry didn't sleep with Lawson and cheat on Chris, I kind of feel sorry for him to have his wife cheat on him." Looking at Stella "There's more to it than that Stel, No one forced Chris to do it" sipping her drink "Cheating on your partner isn't on Josh, there are so many people affected by Kerry cheating on Chris, Shannon one of them." Looking at Stella saying nothing, the day had been long and hard and one none of them would forget in a very long time, one he doubt Kerry would ever forget seeing her shrug "Wonder how long before they start something" staring out over the base Josh wonders even though Chris is dead the guilt would eat away at Kerry stopping her happiness with Lawson.