"Thanks," Watson said when a freshly made cup of coffee appeared in front of her.

"Anything else I can get for you two Detectives?" asked Fitzgerald.
"Not at the moment," Holmes said.

Watson shrugged an apology to Fitzy for Holmes' rather brusque dismissal. Rolling her eyes at Watson, she made a gesture that had Watson grinning, before she left, closing the door behind her.

"Now, where were we?" said Holmes.

"Discussing the reports we have on the evidence or more to the point, the lack of evidence in Heath Braxton's murder."

"Ah, that's right," murmured Holmes. "Except for a stash of drugs, nothing of note was recovered during the search of Heath Braxton's house and he wasn't big on saving money or using a bank, so there is no real money trail to follow," Holmes said. "With his brother also not talking about what he knew of Heath's recent activities, then all we have is the Hospital investigator's report and the nurse's confession that links Heath to the drug theft and through that, potentially to the murderer."

"And potentially to Joey's memory loss," Watson quietly added.

"By all accounts, Heath really wasn't the smartest of blokes, yet even he should have been able to make the possible connection between the drugs and murders once it was blabbed over the airwaves, but he did nothing."

"As I've said previously, Heath may just not have given a fuck who got hurt as long as he got what he wanted."

"I suspect a spear through the back of the head wasn't what he wanted or was expecting," Holmes said.

"Two people had been butchered, yet he stayed silent instead of coming to us," Watson pointed out. "Whether he knew the killer or not, Heath should have realised the potential danger to himself or to the others, but he did nothing except look after his own interests."

Holmes looked contemplative at that moment. "You know, there is another possibility we haven't considered," she said. "Now that we know Tegan had blackmailed Heath into helping with her little drug dealing enterprise, what if the killer had also blackmailed or threatened him into silence over the drugs?"

"That is possible, I suppose," conceded Watson. "Especially if a threat was made against his kids, but even if he was threatened into silence, it certainly appears that his own death was always going to be on the cards anyway," she said. They both believed that even more now after what Hogan and Bolton had found out. Under the pretence of investigating a spate of illegal tattooing, Hogan and Bolton had visited all known tattooists in the area, both legal and backyard varieties and had uncovered the theft of ink and a battery operated applicator. It had been from one of the two legal shops, yet was never reported because the owner hadn't wanted the cops sniffing around given that most of her clients weren't exactly model citizens and she'd just figured the theft was by some underage kids or cheap skate who wanted to do their own inking without paying. The tattooist had provided ink for a comparison and if the pigment matched to that which was used on Heath, then Heath's death was likely planned from the beginning, since the theft occurred the same day as the theft of the drugs from the hospital.

"Well, a man like Heath is not the most reliable of people and so the best way to ensure he maintained his silence, would be to permanently take him out of the equation," Holmes said. "The killer would just have needed him to keep his mouth shut long enough until such time that Heath could safely be taken out."

"The killer cut it fine though," Watson said. "From what we've learnt about tattooing, Heath's new tat would have taken at least five minutes to apply and Wilson heard the buzzing of the applicator, so our killer came very close to exposure."

"True," Holmes said. "Though if Wilson had returned a few minutes earlier, then we may very well have had two bodies to investigate that day."

"At least an unplanned murder might have left us some clue to find," muttered Watson. As it was, there had been no fingerprints found on the spear used to kill Heath and there had been no theft of spear guns in the area. There were plenty out there though, but as with the fire extinguisher, they'd had no real way to track the sales of them. The only prints found at the scene had been Peter Wilson's and Heath's on the condom wrapper and the condom itself and the semen had also belonged to both men. Heath's blood results had come back with faint traces of cocaine, but as expected, there had been no sign of any of the medical drugs he'd stolen. The killer hadn't needed them, since he or she had surprised Heath from behind and quickly. They basically had nothing, really.

The day hadn't all been a total waste so far though, what with the arrival of the report on Joey's scratches, which had made Holmes more open to the idea of Joey being set up. She wouldn't be able to reveal too much to Joey just yet, but letting her know about the expert's opinion on her scratches was something she could tell her when she got home. Home? It wasn't her home, it was Joey's and she was merely a guest, she reminded herself. She was in a quandary now though. While she wanted to go and tell Joey what she'd discovered, she was as nervous as hell about returning to that place, with the memory of what had happened last night still thresh in her thoughts. Watson also doubted that the awkwardness that had been there between them that morning would have evaporated in the few hours she'd been absent. "Oh god, why did I ever let that happen," she muttered.

"Excuse me?" Holmes asked and Watson shook herself from her funk.

"Oh nothing, just my mind going over the case and such," she told Holmes. It wasn't a total lie, since Joey was part of the case.


"Boo!"

Watson jumped and spun around at the voice behind her. "Bloody hell Fitzy," she muttered at the chuckling Constable.

"Sorry, you looked worlds away and I just couldn't resist."

"I have a lot on my mind," Watson said. It was why she'd stepped outside for some fresh air and hopefully, to refocus. It wasn't really helping.

"I'd say you could talk to me, but I know you and Holmes have to keep some things close to your chest."

Some things in particular, thought Watson. Like nearly stepping over the line and sleeping with a suspect who was now a potential witness. Either way, witness or suspect, Joey was off limits to her.

"Watson, you know both Robertson and Graves from back in the city, right?"

"Yeah," she replied. "We're in the same division of Homicide."

"Isn't Graves a little too young to be second in command of a Station?"

"She's younger than me, so yeah, she's a little young," said Watson. "But she's Robertson's partner, she works well with him and her being second here is only in an acting capacity, same as Robertson." She took a good look at Fitzy, who appeared uncomfortable, as if she was unsure about talking to her. "Fitzy, do you have a problem with our latest two arrivals?"

"Yeah, I do," she admitted. "And I'm not the only one. I've heard a few mumblings from other officers to this latest turn of events," she said. "We don't like it, I mean, not only have we lost two colleagues, two others have been suspended and now we have all these strangers turning up, including one who barely looks legal, yet now we have to follow her orders."

"Ignore Graves' youthful appearance and you'll soon see that she's a very capable officer."

"I'm not really doubting her abilities, it's just." She shrugged. "She's another stranger and trust is pretty thin around here at the moment."

"I'm also a stranger," Watson pointed out.

"You have ties here, so you sort of pass as local," replied Fitzy. "Besides, we all actually like you."

"Thanks," she murmured with a wry smile. "Fitzy, I understand where you're coming from. No cop likes to have outsiders trampling all over their patch, but it's unavoidable in a case like this and everyone needs to just make the best of it as they can."

"I realise that, I just don't like it."

"Hopefully we won't be here forever and then the town and this Station can begin to heal."

"That's going to take a long time," Fitzy said. "And whoever eventually takes over this Station, is going to have a lot of trust to gain."

Watson certainly didn't envy the next Sergeant of this Station. The place was a mess and while the majority of officers like Fitzy and Hogan were excellent at their job, there were others who were a little lacking in certain areas and whoever took over, was going to have a hard time restoring order after there had been so much mistrust and unrest. Small towns were notorious for being cautious around newbies and small Stations were no different.


Belle watched the man at the counter in the Diner like a predator watches its prey. He was tall, handsome, impeccably dressed. He exuded confidence and arrogance. He was exactly the type of man that attracted her.

"Eyeing off your next sucker," said Aden as he joined her at her side.

"That Aden," Belle said. "Is the new man in charge of the Yabbie Creek Police Station."

Aden studied him with his ever observant eyes. "He's way out of your league," he concluded.

"No one is out of my league," she stated. "I always get them in the end."

"Funny, I seem to recall a certain female Detective knocking you back?" he bemusedly reminded her.

Watson's rebuff still rankled her, as had her accusation of prostituting herself for work. She resented that. She was just doing her job so she could get out of this shit hole town and one day, she'd like to put Watson back in her place for making those comments.

"Perhaps I should rephrase that," she said to Aden. "No man is out of my league."

Aden chuckled. "If you get him, can I have that kid that is with him?"

"That kid is his second in command."

"Ooh, I love being commanded in all sorts of things," he wickedly said.

"I've done a little checking on them," Belle said. "Both unmarried and single, the kid in particular hasn't had much in the way of relationships."

It amazed Aden the way Belle gathered her information so quickly and he wondered just how many people she had in that little black book of hers to call in favours from. He doubted she knew he'd seen that little book. From the few pages he'd seen, it made for interesting reading.

"In fact, that kid is probably so straight and uptight, you'd need a crow bar to get her legs apart," she sniggeringly said. "It actually wouldn't surprise me if she's a virgin."

"I love bending the straight," Aden said. "Especially virgins."

Belle shook her head at him. "There is no way you would ever get into her pants."

"Care to make a wager on that?" he challenged. "Whoever gets their pants down first is the winner."

"No thanks," she replied. "When I get Robertson, it won't be for some bet."

"You know Belle, there will come a time when sex will only get you so far in your career."

"Then I'll just have to find another way," she said. "Because I sure as hell don't intend to stay at the bottom for the rest of my life."


Watson pulled the car up to the curb opposite Joey's house. That wasn't her destination though. It was the well-kept house she'd pulled up in front of. The house with the curtain drawn back and face peering out at her. She'd called ahead to make sure Colleen Smart was home, yet she suspected that Colleen's current position was a familiar one to her. Grabbing her notebook, Watson jumped out of the car and strode up the pathway. Colleen's front door opened before she reached it.

"Mrs Smart, so good of you to see me at such short notice," she greeted the older woman cordially.

"I'm glad to help," Colleen said.

And no doubt spread it all over town, thought Watson, but she kept that to herself as she followed the woman inside. Freshly brewed tea and scones were waiting for her in the lounge room. She'd rather coffee, but those scones looked delicious.

"Scone, Detective?"

"I really shouldn't," Watson said, nevertheless, she snatched one, heaped jam and whipped cream on top and took a bite. It tasted as good as it looked.

"I saw you leaving Joey's place this morning."

"That's right," she replied, ignoring the suggestive tone in Colleen's voice. "After yesterday's near miss, it was felt that Joey needed some protection at night."

Colleen's hand flew to her chest. "Oh my, I'm not in any danger, am I?"

"No Mrs Smart." At least she didn't think so.

"Oh thank god," she said dramatically. "It's scary enough being a senior citizen without having to worry about some killer coming after me."

"I wouldn't worry Mrs Smart." Watson took another bite of the scone, then set it aside. "Now, the reason I'm here, is that I've been reviewing the statement you made to Jack Holden and thought I'd take this opportunity to speak to you myself."

"Such a tragedy for that lovely young man," Colleen said. "Twice so with that hussy of a wife."

"Yes, such a tragedy," agreed Watson and before Colleen could go on any further about Martha, she continued on. "The night Charlie was murdered, you told Jack that you'd seen her and Joey leave the house at around 9 pm," she said. "Are you sure about the time?"

"Absolutely," replied Colleen. "I was preparing for bed and was turning off the lounge room light when I saw them leaving."

Watson glanced across the room. There was a clear view of Joey's place from the window. However, after spending last night in that house, she was aware of something else and that was the strength of illumination that the overhead streetlights provided. "Mrs Smart, where was Charlie's car parked that night?"

"In the driveway."

Watson peered out the window again and pictured Charlie's car in the driveway at night. It would have been some distance from the streetlights and that tree on the nature strip also did a good job of blocking out one of the lights.

"That area is rather dark that time of night," Watson pointed out to Colleen. "Are you certain of what you saw?"

"I saw two people leave the house and get into Sgt Buckton's car," she said. "They were all over each other," Colleen added with some disgust.

Watson recalled Jack saying Colleen was a bit behind the times and so wasn't too pleased by what she'd seen being displayed that night. "Did you see their faces?"

"It was definitely Sgt Buckton," she said.

"And Joey?"

"I never saw her face, but I knew it was her by her clothes."

Watson pulled out a photo of the clothes she had found in Joey's washing machine. The ones that had been bleached. "Was Joey wearing this?"

"Only the top," she said. "I'd seen her wearing that top before, but she had the hood up that night, which was why I didn't see her face."

None of this was in Colleen's original statement, only that she'd seen Joey and Charlie leaving together, but now Watson knew that Colleen had only identified Joey by her clothes and not by actually seeing her face. Damn it Jack, Watson thought to herself. Why in the hell hadn't he been more thorough with his questioning when he took her statement? It was proving to be a good decision to come here and she was now wondering what else Jack had missed.

"Mrs Smart, you also told Jack that they were all over each other when they left."

"That's right," Colleen said. "Charlie was leaning all over Joey and they nearly ended up in the bushes when they stumbled on the way to the car."

It almost sounded like Charlie was acting drunk. Or drugged. A theory was starting to form in Watson's mind, but she kept her tongue. She didn't want to provide Colleen with any more juicy gossip.

"It really was quite upsetting seeing that sort of affectionate display between two women, so I wasn't looking too hard."

Watson ignored her attitude for the time being. "When they left, who was driving the car?" she asked Colleen.

"Sgt Buckton."

"Are you sure?"

Colleen paused in her reply. "Actually, now that you mention it, I think it might have been Joey who was driving," she said.

It really was nothing more than a wild theory, yet what if it hadn't been Joey that had left with Charlie that night, but the killer dressed in her top? If the evidence had been planted in Joey's house, then the killer had access, so what if that access had been earlier than they'd thought? The killer got inside and somehow drugged both women and while Joey was out cold, the killer led a drugged Charlie to the car? Unfortunately, with the state Charlie's body had been in, they had no way of knowing if she had been drugged or not, but it was possible that after killing Charlie, the killer had then come back to the house, thrown those clothes into the machine and planted the shoes, all while Joey was still unconscious on that couch. Joey had been pretty out of it when they'd turned up on her doorstep the next morning, so being drugged into unconsciousness was certainly a possibility and that level of drugging would account for her memory lapses. It could also mean that Joey never even witnessed the murder nor saw the killer. There was just no way to prove any of it though. It was just a theory and a pretty far out one at that. What Watson did know however, was that Jack had been rather casual in his interview with Colleen and he'd missed crucial details that could have changed the way they'd conducted the investigation had they known sooner. She really needed to follow up on a few things right now.

"Well thank you for your time Mrs Smart," she said, getting to her feet. "I won't keep you any longer."

"Will I be seeing you again later, Det. Watson?"

"If you mean will I be staying with Joey tonight, then yes, I will be," replied Watson. "It's my job to protect people."

"Even the guilty?"

"Mrs Smart, Joey has not been charged with any crime and is entitled to the presumption of innocence."

"Oh, of course she is."

The old woman sounded disingenuous and Watson had a feeling Colleen had already made up her mind about Joey. That was her problem and Watson couldn't be bothered wasting any more time correcting her. "Good day Mrs Smart."

"Please feel free to drop by at anytime for tea and scones."

Watson tilted her head in reply. She had no intention of setting foot in this house unless it was work related.


Watson walked up the path to Joey's house after another long day. After leaving Colleen's place, she'd stopped in to see Dr Walker. He'd told her that it was possible a couple of the stolen drugs could make someone appear drunk and more pliable to suggestion. With that information in hand, she'd headed back to the Station and filled Holmes in on her theory. To her surprise, Holmes hadn't dismissed it. Her partner had definitely appeared to be more open to the view of a set up since that report into the scratches had come in and armed with the extra details gathered from Colleen Smart and the doctor, Holmes had agreed with her that it was possible that it had been the killer that Colleen had seen leaving with Charlie that night. She also agreed that they had no way yet of proving it. It was just another theory without the evidence to really support it.

She paused and glanced across the road. She'd have to keep an eye on there. While she and Holmes liked to keep their theories and more pertinent details to themselves, they didn't want the killer to get too curious as to what Colleen had actually seen that night or she might meet the same fate as Heath had. As annoying as Colleen was, she didn't deserve that fate.

Finishing her walk up the path, Watson stepped inside and was immediately greeted by Pippa Ross.

"Hello Georgie."

"Hello Mrs Ross." She'd noticed that since yesterday, Pippa was back to calling her by her first name again.

"Joey's in the shower," Pippa told her. "And I put a plate in the oven for you."

"Thank you, Mrs Ross."

"It's the least I can do after you saved Joey's life and for going out of your way to protect her."

"I'm just doing my job."

"You're far too modest, Georgie," Pippa said. "Are you sure you're really Harvey's daughter?"

Watson chuckled. "Dad says I get that from my mother, not him."

"Sounds about right. Well, I'll leave you to your meal."

Watson dumped her stuff on the couch and followed her nose to the kitchen. It smelled divine. Taking it out of the oven, she poured a wine and sat down. She'd just taken her first mouthful when Joey walked into the kitchen. It was deja vu from last night with Joey standing there like that and it made Watson wonder if she just had her knickers on under that robe or was she completely naked this time. She quickly dismissed that thought. Thinking like that would just get her into trouble.

"Sorry, I didn't realise you were home," Joey said, tightening the cord on her robe.

"Just got in."

"Pippa has gone then?"

"Yeah."

"I might just go and get dressed."

"Good idea," murmured Watson. She breathed a sigh of relief the moment Joey was gone.


"Then you do believe I was set up?" Joey asked after Watson had just told her about the scratches on her arm.

"It's a working theory," she replied.

"I guess that's better than nothing," murmured Joey.

"Joey, I really wish I could go into more detail with you about what we do and don't know." Watson had made no mention of the other part of the discussion she'd had with Holmes regarding the zero. Holmes was right, she had no way of knowing if that was indeed a zero or just a figment of her imagination because it's what she wanted to see.

"I get it, you can't discuss an active investigation with a suspect or witness or whatever the hell I am," she said. "I know that." Joey winced at the tone in her voice. "I'm sorry, I'm not snapping at you, I'm just tired of this all."

"I understand."

She did understand, thought Joey and she could see she only wanted to help. It was right there in those damn eyes of hers.

"Joey, I just thought you should know about the scratches and that we're considering the set up theory, because of the potential danger it may represent to you if it's true," Watson told her.

"I'm never alone now and thanks to Morag, the locks have been changed, so there's no way anyone else is getting in uninvited." At least she hoped.

"You should talk to Morag about what I just told you."

"She'll probably think you're trying to trick me."

"Ah typical lawyer, suspicious of everything," Watson said with a grin. "You can assure her that I'm not trying to trick you and I really am looking into the whole set up theory and if she wants to, she can even gloat, since she's the first one who suggested it."

"Thank you Watson, for not just writing me off as guilty and leaving it there."

"It's my job to investigate and consider all possibilities Joey, regardless of what I may believe about any suspect's guilt or innocence."

Watson had never come out and told her one way or the other what she believed in regards to her guilt or innocence, but Joey hadn't felt like Watson had been treating her as a suspect for some time now, so she'd found herself hoping that Watson had been leaning more to the side of her being innocent. Not just because she wanted her name cleared, but because she hated the thought that Watson might believe she was actually capable of murder.

"I suppose there is something I should tell you too," Joey said. "Morag didn't want me to say anything just yet, but if you're really starting to look into me being set up, then you should know that I've been seeing a counsellor and she's willing to testify in court that she believes my memory loss is due to side effects from drugs, rather than of me forcing myself to forget some traumatic event." When Watson didn't say anything, Joey looked intently at her. "That doesn't really come as much of a surprise to you, does it?"

"Let's just say that we've been tossing up a few theories lately."

"Do any of those theories involve those drugs that Heath stole?"

"Joey," Watson said warningly.

"I know, I know, you can't tell me."

"Do you mind if I speak to this counsellor myself?"

She shook her head. "I'll give you her card later," she said. "Oh, I forgot to thank you for calling earlier and letting me know about Brax making that call and throwing the brick. That's one less thing I have to worry about."

"I'm just sorry there wasn't better news about the hit and run." There had been no witnesses to the car being stolen or dumped and no new prints were found in the car except for the owner's, so it appeared to be another situation where they had no leads.

"Watson, I have every faith that you'll get whoever tried to run me down, just like you got Brax."

Their eyes met and for some reason, Watson found herself blushing at the certainly in Joey's words and eyes. "Well um, I think I might go have a shower now," Watson stammered out and hurriedly left the room.


Watson pulled the covers of her bed back and was just about to climb into bed when a piercing shriek broke through the silence of the house. Without even thinking, she raced from her room toward Joey's where the scream had come from.