Three weeks later.
FIFTH PERSON IS NOW DEAD
Just over four months ago James Bradley was the driver of a vehicle that caused a major accident as we already know four people have died due to that accident two at the scene another one five days later when his family turned off life support, the fourth died another three weeks later due to complications from the injuries sustained and then yesterday a fifth person passed away, her body was just unable to cope and her family made the tuff choice to allow her to pass away in peace. Two people have manged to survive from this accident, but for some like the Flynn family this driver has taken far too much from them, not one but two family members. James Bradley will now be able to stand trial for what has happened, but this will not bring back the lives of all those he has killed four months ago and ten years ago.
JAMES BRADLEY TO STAND TRAIL
James Bradley will now stand trial for the accident he caused four months ago while out on leave from prison, we are asking why was someone with a driving charge and killing under the influence allowed out for a day trip to then get in a car and drive it while drunk. The Flynn family must be wondering that now. Not only did Mr Bradley kill Mrs Janet Flynn a mother and grandmother and friend to many four months ago but this same person took the life of Mike and Kate Flynn's unborn child just over ten years ago. How can this be fear for this family and many others when people like this get out and the repeat history you may be asking? Well so are we….
ANOTHER LIFE LOST
Yesterday Lisa Johnson peacefully passed away surrounded by her family and friends; this lovely bright young adult was planning her wedding before she was involved in a car accident she is the fifth person to have passed away due to the injuries sustained in that accident four months ago. An accident that was caused by James Bradley who was somehow out on leave for the day. For Miss Johnson parents they will be burying their first child in a few days' time, celebrating a life she had lived before it was tragically cut short. But then again at least her parents did get to see her grow up into a well admired professional lawyer, unlike Mr and Mrs Flynn who will never get to see their first born grow up. Though then again any life that is taken too soon is always a lost to those that have been part of that person's life.
The mornings papers are a buzz with more information in regards to James Bradley.
Kate walks into Navcom to start her day like she has done since taking her shore posting Mike is back out on Hammersley. She heads to her office and starts to work on some reports that she didn't get finished yesterday when Maxine appears.
"Kate have you seen the papers this morning?" Maxine asks her
"No why?" She replies to her Superior
"You guys are back in the paper again another person died yesterday, he will be going to trail soon now." Maxine says to her, Kate sits there saying nothing.
"Kate?"
"Has Mike been informed yet?"
"No I was waiting for more information before patching a call through to him. Kate I also got a phone call form Jim Brown a lawyer the navy use he told me he has been in contact with the crown lawyer about the case the crown are seriously considering putting Mike and you on the stand not just as witnesses and victims of the first accident but also how the second accident effected you two."
"Maxine I don't think I can do that." Kate says quietly to her.
"I can understand that Kate, but sadly I get no say in it I just thought I would let you know what had been happening between the lawyers and what the crown lawyer is trying to do so at least you had some time to brace yourself for it if they do ask. I don't really want to contact Mike till I know more about what they are planning on doing so that I can give him the answers to the questions he is bound to ask."
"When will that be?"
"I am hoping I can do it later today."
"Ok thank you Maxine." Kate says as she turns back to fave her desk, Maxine taking notice of what Kate has done that she needs some space and time alone to process what has been said.
"Kate if you want some time off today or need anything you know I'm here for you, all you have to do is ask and it doesn't make you weak if you do ask." Maxine says to her before turning and leaving after noticing Kate move her head up and down.
HAMMERSLEY
Out somewhere cruising the high seas, Hammersley is tracking a suspected FFV, when a mayday call comes in. They head off to deal with it.
Having only been out at sea for just over a week everyone is enjoying it well nearly everyone, Swain seems a little side tracked no one is sure what is up with their normal bright Coxswain but something is up as he is often caught in a day dream, today while at the helm of Hammersley Mike takes a look over at Swain and notices a grin on his face. Mmm wondering whats going on at home that has Swain daydreaming a lot more than normal, and that grin on his face what ever it is must be good, maybe Sally is pregnant again, I hope so those two have been trying for some time now. Mike thinks to himself as they steam to the last known position of the mayday call.
Back in cairns Maxine is on the phone talking when Kate enters to drop off some reports as she goes to leave Maxine waves her hand at her and jesters to her to sit which Kate does. ten minutes later Maxine hangs up the phone.
"Ok Kate that was Jim Brown he wants to talk to Mike and you with the crown lawyer present."
"When does he want to do that?"
"As soon as I can get Hammersley back in port, so I will get in touch and let Mike know that they need to return find out their eta to base and go from there, nothing I can do about it the brass as told me what ever the lawyers need you two have to do, I was hoping they might be able to stop them from using you two but I can't." She says, Kate looks down at her hands.
"Kate I don't know what it is like to loose a child, but I will say this don't bottle things up talk to someone Mike, me, your parents his parents just someone."
"Easy said than done ma'am"
"Yes I will agree to that one, easy said than done, but Kate you have family who love you, friends who respect you greatly and if people saw the way you and the crew interact they would think you where all family not crew members put together to do a job. You have so many people around you who care for you both and I would really hate for this to pull that all apart from you both." there is silence for a few seconds. "I have never had to feel the lose you and Mike have and don't take this the wrong way but I hope I never have too, but you are one exceptional woman Kate and one damn fine officer be proud of yourself, stand tall and show them that even though this jerk has taken two family members away you, you are not letting it stop you from being the best person you can be."
"Thank you Maxine." she replies
"Why don't you go home and rest, I'll give you a ring once I know when Mike will be back in port."
They talk for a few more minutes before Kate leaves her office and heads home.
Maxine rings Hammersley and talks to Mike, she finds out their dealing with a mayday call and will be having to tow the broken down vessel back to base, they aren't expect back till about 2100hours. When Maxine informs him of what had transpired during the day his tone of voice changed, she let him know she had sent Kate home early and that she will inform Jim that he will be in port tomorrow as she had to ground Hammersley from sailing on ordered from above, which Mike was not happy to hear.
Some how I get the feeling from both of them they would just like this all to disappear and to never have to be address again or spoken about. God I wish I had some understanding of what it must of felt like for them so I could understand what they must be feeling or thinking at least. Maxine thinks to herself after hanging up the phone, she then rings Kate to let her know when Mike will be home and as Kate answers she can tell she has been crying. Once off the phone to Kate Maxine decides to ring Steve and let him know what is going on, thinking to herself Kate needs someone she can talk to and if anything Maxine has learnt from what happened four months ago is that when she starts to shut down she turns to Helen.
After the phone form Maxine Steve rings his wife and informs her of what Maxine has said and asks her to pack two bags and to meet him at the airport as they are flying to Cairns. After his phone call to her he gets someone to drive him to the airport and on the way there he rings Mike's parents and informs them of what is happening. Steve informs them of the time that they are landing in Cairns and it works our perfect for them to pick them up form the airport. Thirty minutes later Mikes parents are on the road to Cairns and another ten minutes later Steve and Helen are boarding their flight to Cairns.
Kate is sitting at home crying and does not know that soon she will have visitors at her place.
Back out on the water Mike is thinking about Kate, he has been worried since he got a phone call from Maxine. He wants to ring his parents and Kate's but first he wants to know what state she is in, he would hate to ring them and find out she is total fine and nothing is wrong and then get an ear full from her for tinging them.
