A Pathway of Adversity
Chapter 53
Martha paused at the door of the old cloakroom block where former warehouse operatives and packers had once hung their day-wear and changed into their work clothes. There were a few sinks left against the right hand side wall which were still plumbed into the mains water. Martha ran over to a sink and turned the tap on and attempted to wash away the blood and guilt from her heinous crime.
Joey Collins' mouth had dropped open as she read a letter, allegedly penned by Irene Roberts. The writing was not Irene's – it was similar, but not genuine. Joey knew this immediately - Irene had a quaint way of finishing her 'g's and 'y's with a tiny, curly pigs-tail which, the writer of this letter, clearly hadn't. The content was shocking and bizarre but ridiculous. She took a deep breath. She knew someone was out to get her. This letter could implicate Joey as Irene's murdered if believed. She wondered where the original letter was and thumbed through the file. She didn't find it, but found four more copies. She clipped the letter back in the file and closed it up. She stood up and tucked the file under her arm. She was about to use the telephone again to contact Alison when a noise like heavy breathing close by made her start. She turned around and came face to face with Martha Holden. Martha was as startled as Joey. Martha's sleeve was soaking wet and a little pink. Joey looked down at it.
"What are you doing here?" Martha wanted to know.
Joey noticed her breathing was rapid.
"I might ask you the same!" Joey responded. "You're all wet!"
Martha looked down at her sleeve and then back at Joey.
"How did you get here?"
"I've known about this area since I was a kid. I used to play here with my brother when we were kids – hiding from you, mostly!" Joey explained. "And you? What are you doing all the way down here? No one comes down here anymore – except the snakes!"
Joey noticed Martha physically jump. She hated snakes and the possibility of them being here made her sweat. After a moment or two she recovered.
"What are you doing with that file?" She asked pointing at the envelope Joey was clutching.
"Why do you need to know? Is it yours?" Joey enquired.
"Yes. It's mine – All of it! You have no right to be here! You should be locked up for killing Irene!"
"I think this file and all these others here will explain who killed Irene Roberts. And when I present them to the Police, I'm sure the real killer of Irene will be brought to justice."
Martha gulped. She glanced past Joey down the dark corridor; her escape route temporarily cut off.
"I... I need to get some fresh air!" Martha suddenly announced. "I'm feeling a little faint. Please let me pass."
"Hey! Not so fast! You and I don't often get the chance to have a little chat, do we Martha? We will need to talk about the future of the SBF &C, soon."
"You won't be a part of it, so I don't know why you'd think this."
Joey watched Martha glance past her again.
"Martha, is that blood on your other sleeve?" Joey asked, pointing to her other arm.
Martha looked down and seeing the blood, quickly hid her arm behind her.
"No! It's paint. Get out of my way!" She yelled, pushing past Joey.
"Hey! Stop!" Joey yelled, grabbing hold of Martha's arm.
"Let go of me!" Martha yelled angrily.
"No way! You're gonna explain all this stuff to the board and the Police."
"Fuck off, Joey!" Martha cried, shoving the other girl aside. "I'm not explaining anything!"
She started to run into the dark corridor but Joey was in hot pursuit.
The ambulance pulled away from the Summerbay Fish & Crab Company with the injured under-cover Police officer inside. Ingrid Peters had managed to tell Sergeant Charlie Buckton a little about her attack before losing conciseness. The remaining Police officers collected evidence of the attack whilst the Sergeant and her Constable, Watson, considered their next move.
"She can't be far, surely?" Watson suggested.
"I'll call for reinforcements." Charlie said, putting her phone to her ear.
"Sergeant Buckton!"
Charlie Buckton and Georgina Watson looked around.
"Detective. Glad you're here."
"What's going on?" Richard Arnold asked in surprise.
Charlie looked at the little crowd who followed Arnold. Alf Stewart, Morag Bellingham and Marilyn fisher looked on in amazement.
"Can I have a word please, Sir... in private?"
"No! You can't!" Alf Stewart interposed, pushing his way past his sister. "What's going on? Why is the place swarming with cops?"
Charlie glanced at Watson and took a deep breath.
"There's been a serious assort."
"Where? To whom?"
"Ingrid Peters – has been stabbed in the stomach."
Marilyn gasped; her dainty hands covering her face.
"Oh my goodness!" She cried.
"Bloody 'ell! Who did this?" Alf demanded.
Charlie glanced at the officer in charge.
"Sir, I need to speak to you."
"Now, just a cotton-pickin' minute, Charlie..."
"Mr. Stewart. If you'll just excuse us for a moment..."
Detective Arnold steered Charlie away from the others.
"What the hell has happened here, Sergeant?"
"Martha Holden, Sir. It looks like Ingrid got a little too close to Martha's tender spot and she lashed out... with an eight inch knife, by all accounts."
"And Peters... Is she going to be alright?"
"I think so, Sir. Another thing, Sir... Joey Collins is around, too."
"Oh for Christ's sake! Where?"
"Not sure, but not too far away, I think."
"She's contacted you?"
"No Sir."
"She contacted me about an hour and a half ago."
Both officers looked around.
"She's here, Charlie."
Alison looked sheepishly at the officer in command.
"And who is this young lady?" Detective Arnold asked with interest.
"This is Alison. She's the Financial Controller at the SBF & C, Sir."
"Pleased to meet you, young lady."
Alison smiled shyly.
"Where is she Ali?" Charlie asked quickly.
"She's down at the old achieve."
"Where's that?"
"I'll show you."
"Not without back-up, Sergeant." The detective suggested.
"Yes Sir."
"Where the hell do you think you're going, Martha?" Joey yelled, catching hold of the other girl in the dark. "I think you should have a chat with Grandpa!"
Martha shook herself free.
"I hate you, Joey Collins! You've always been a thorn in my side!"
"You're talking rubbish, Martha. It's not my fault that your randy boyfriend can't keep his hands and eyes off every woman in sight! But why worry about me? I'm not interested in your scummy boyfriend or any other guy, come to that."
"You've got Irene's shares! They should be mine!" Martha yelled.
"How so?" Joey asked; intrigued.
"Hugo needs them to run the company as it should be run... and when Granddad dies, he will be the major shareholder!"
"Not very democratic, though Martha!"
"And now you'll have nearly as many shares as Hugo."
"Just as well. Its best to keep things well balanced."
"But if he doesn't get full control, he'll get bored and leave me!" Martha Wailed.
"Don't be ridiculous!"
"He will! I know he will."
"Not a sound basis for a relationship, Martha. You might be better off without him."
"What would you know about it, Lesbian?"
"Now, let's not get personal, Martha. Look, let's go and have a chat with Alf. I'm sure..."
"I can't do that! Granddad doesn't understand! He'll just sack Hugo, again!"
"Again?"
"I've got to find Hugo. Get out of my way!" Martha yelled, making another attempt to pass Joey.
"But Martha..."
"Joey! If you don't get out of my fucking way, I swear – I'll stick this in you!"
Joey felt a sharp edge poking at her throat. She swallowed and the tip of the blade scratched her skin.
"Don't be a fool, Martha. Don't do this! Hugo isn't worth it!" Joey reasoned; with each word, a fresh scratch.
"You know nothing, bitch. He's my world! I have to keep him here, with me! Now get out of my way!"
Alison, Watson and Charlie ran into the cloakroom. Watson spotted water on the floor around one of the wash-hand basins.
"Charlie! Look!"
The three stood looking into the basin. There were streaks of blood splashed up both side and some up the old, chipped white tiles on the wall.
"Geez! Martha!" Alison squeaked.
"Where is the old archiving corridor from here?" Watson asked.
Alison swallowed and pointed.
Charlie and Watson looked at each other and simultaneously cried...
"Joey!"
At that moment, they heard a scream.
"Shit! Come on! Alison! You go back and direct back-up here! You are not to follow, do you understand?"
Alison nodded and ran in the opposite direction.
Charlie looked at Watson.
"George... what if...?"
"She'll be ok, Charlie. Let's go get her!"
