This is where realism takes a sky-dive... be warned... ;-)))
***
CARAVAN PARK
Sally knocked anxiously at the door, which was answered almost immediately by Jade, followed closely by Dani.
"Sally... hi"
She smiled weakly.
"I suppose you've all heard... Flynn"
"Yeah"
Dani was blunt, eying Sally with suspicion. Maybe she was in on it to. Flynn couldn't be working alone. And if Flynn was one of the bad guys, anyone could be.
"I'm so sorry, about everything... I have no idea why he would..."
Her voice broke slightly and she broke off. Flynn, her husband, had been involved in all sorts and she hadn't had a clue. Everything had been so normal, she hadn't realised the pain and destruction that Flynn was causing. Maybe she had just been too preoccupied with Leah and the plans for the surrogacy.
"Here, sit down"
Shelley motioned Sally towards the couch, knowing that this was no time to blow her cover.
"I'll get you a cup of tea"
The crowd looked across the room as the door rattled open and Rhys appeared in the doorway.
"Dad!" "Rhys!"
All attention was diverted to him and he forced a smile, overwhelmed by the attention but all too aware that all was not over. He had been briefed about the situation by the officer who had driven him over, another of Carter's henchmen.
"They bailed me this morning"
Dani hugged him, immense relief flooding over her. Maybe things weren't so bad after all. She'd never forget how he had looked back in that police cell, all the life gone from his face. At least now he appeared stinger, whether or not he was it was hard to tell.
"You should have called, I'd have picked you up"
"I fancied the walk... just to clear my head"
His eyes froze on Shelley.
"Thanks for coming... you know, supporting the kids"
She nodded, forcing a smile back at him. What she ever saw in him she had no idea.
..............................
Carter replaced the handset onto the phone on his desk, sitting back in his chair worriedly.
"Trouble sir?"
"Maybe... that was Birkett's wife"
"Wife?... he kept that quiet"
"Hmmm... apparently he never went home last night"
"You think something's happened?"
"I don't know..."
He recalled the conversation at the caravan park again. There had been something about the whole situation that had seemed odd. The way in which Shelley was behaving.
"Send a couple of cars around to the caravan park... something isn't right... I know it"
And Birkett wouldn't have chosen to walk home from the caravan park, not if he was exhausted.
"Yes sir"
And he wouldn't have left without his coat. It had still been draped across the back of the sofa.
"And send the armed response unit... I'm going to get over there too"
He leapt up from his seat, grabbing his car keys. Why hadn't he noticed it sooner? Of all the things to miss it had to be the coat. It had been right under his nose. His superiors weren't going to like it.
..............................
CARAVAN PARK
Shelley walked back into the back porch, composing herself to face another tedious session of playing the good mother. She froze in the doorway as she heard her daughter's voice. Kirsty. Her heart was already thudding as she strained to try and hear if Flynn was with her. Tried to determine what was going on. She scowled as she recognised Kane's voice. Something about picking Kirsty up on the way back to the city.
"Are you ok? What happened?"
Kirsty smiled weakly as Rhys rushed to her side by the door. Kane just felt out of place.
"I'm fine"
Her legs were still shaking and Kane's arm seemed to be the only thing supporting her
"I... I just need to sit down"
Kane glanced nervously around at the family. The journey back with Kirsty had been quite possibly the longest of his life. She had just stared out of the front windscreen, her face colourless. Recalling the events of the last day. All he could do was tell her everything would be alright. He looked around the room. Dani couldn't make eye contact and clung to Scott's for protection, Jade stared stonily at him and Rhys stood purposely in his way, forbidding him access to the house. Max watched intently as the scene unfolded. This drama could make a good book.
"I think you ought to go now"
Rhys looked determinedly at Kane, speaking through gritted teeth so as not to upset Kirsty with his anger. Rhys held out his arm to his daughter with every intention of sidelining Kane.
"I don't suppose there's... any chance of me renting a van?"
Rhys' expressionless face gave him the answer he was looking for before Rhys even opened his mouth.
"What do you think?"
"Dad... please just let him stay for a while... I need him"
Her Mum and Flynn. She still couldn't believe it. Trying to kill Kane. Having every intention of getting rid of her. Her own mother of all people. Kane had been nothing but supportive all the way back. She had been so grateful for him not pressuring her into saying anything. Just his company had calmed her down. She had been dreading facing the family. Revealing the truth about Shelley. She and Flynn were probably together by now. Planning their escape from Australia.
Rhys took a deep breath, already feeling nauseous at the thought of letting Kane into the same house where he had violated his other daughter only a couple of years before, and nodded, glancing for a split second at Dani apologetically. Kane helped Kirsty across to the couch before standing back, his eyes wandering around the room, avoiding looking at anyone by choosing to examine the decoration.
Rhys sat down next to Kirsty, trying to ignore Kane as best he could.
"Flynn... did he hurt you?"
She shook her head numbly. She just couldn't find the words. The shock had taken everything out of her.
Rhys looked at hr, his concern growing.
"What happened... did he tell you why he did it...?"
Kirsty looked him in the eye.
"Mum..."
Shelley made herself visible, walking across from the kitchen as she heard that word. The word that confirmed her fears. Flynn had been stupid enough to tell her about them. Rhys looked at Kirsty in confusion before looking back to Shelley, the reality finally sinking in. Pieces of the jigsaw slotting together.
"Shell...?"
She smirked.
"Sorry Rhys... I guess you didn't know me as well as you thought you did"
She had got that right. This wasn't the woman he had married. The woman that he had spent twenty years of his life with. He could see that in her eyes.
He strode across the room towards her and she produced a gun, laughing gently.
"Oh Rhys... you always were naïve..."
"But why...?"
"Because you're pathetic Rhys... you couldn't stop this family falling apart... I had to do something to stop... him"
She picked up her bag, gun waving in the direction of Kane.
"Goodbye Rhys"
She walked towards the door, pausing for a split second as she walked through the door, taking a single shot back into the room as she left.
..............................
RAAF Richmond. Flynn read the sign ahead of him as he slowed the car down, stopping a couple of metres from the barrier. A uniformed guard approached his car and he wound down his window, glancing briefly at the mirror to ensure he looked respectable.
"Doctor Saunders"
He raised his doctors bag from the passenger seat, using his professional voice.
"We haven't called for a doctor"
"I've been informed one of the officers has been having problems with his heart"
"I'm afraid I'm going to be unable to let you in until I get authorisation"
He turned, intending to go and radio for authorisation. Flynn shouted after him.
"He could be dead by then... do you really want that on your conscience?"
The man hesitated, before replying reluctantly.
"Alright... but I'll have to see your ID"
"Here"
The soldier glanced at the card, nodding, and went to raise the barrier. Flynn drove into the grounds, smiling faintly as he made way for the runways. It had been a long time since he'd flown, but he'd manage.
..............................
Shelley reversed the car, swinging it around and stepping on the accelerator. Out of nowhere a convoy of police cars skidded to a halt around her, blocking her in.
"Stop right where you are Mrs Sutherland"
She looked around as armed officers made themselves visible. She raised her hands, allowing her gun to fall to the ground. Finally accepting the inevitable. The moment the gun hit the floor the police were on top of her and she felt the cold metal of handcuffs clicking into place around her wrists.
She looked up as Carter stood, arms folded, a successful smirk on his face. They may not have located Flynn, but things seemed to be running well.
"Take a look in the car Jenkins"
He nodded towards two of his officers who approached Shelley's car as he turned to walk back to his own car, in dire need of a smoke.
"Sir"
He turned to face Jenkins, pale faced and staring into the car boot. Carter walked casually over to the open boot of the car, looking solemnly into the boot at the crumpled figure within.
***
CARAVAN PARK
Sally knocked anxiously at the door, which was answered almost immediately by Jade, followed closely by Dani.
"Sally... hi"
She smiled weakly.
"I suppose you've all heard... Flynn"
"Yeah"
Dani was blunt, eying Sally with suspicion. Maybe she was in on it to. Flynn couldn't be working alone. And if Flynn was one of the bad guys, anyone could be.
"I'm so sorry, about everything... I have no idea why he would..."
Her voice broke slightly and she broke off. Flynn, her husband, had been involved in all sorts and she hadn't had a clue. Everything had been so normal, she hadn't realised the pain and destruction that Flynn was causing. Maybe she had just been too preoccupied with Leah and the plans for the surrogacy.
"Here, sit down"
Shelley motioned Sally towards the couch, knowing that this was no time to blow her cover.
"I'll get you a cup of tea"
The crowd looked across the room as the door rattled open and Rhys appeared in the doorway.
"Dad!" "Rhys!"
All attention was diverted to him and he forced a smile, overwhelmed by the attention but all too aware that all was not over. He had been briefed about the situation by the officer who had driven him over, another of Carter's henchmen.
"They bailed me this morning"
Dani hugged him, immense relief flooding over her. Maybe things weren't so bad after all. She'd never forget how he had looked back in that police cell, all the life gone from his face. At least now he appeared stinger, whether or not he was it was hard to tell.
"You should have called, I'd have picked you up"
"I fancied the walk... just to clear my head"
His eyes froze on Shelley.
"Thanks for coming... you know, supporting the kids"
She nodded, forcing a smile back at him. What she ever saw in him she had no idea.
..............................
Carter replaced the handset onto the phone on his desk, sitting back in his chair worriedly.
"Trouble sir?"
"Maybe... that was Birkett's wife"
"Wife?... he kept that quiet"
"Hmmm... apparently he never went home last night"
"You think something's happened?"
"I don't know..."
He recalled the conversation at the caravan park again. There had been something about the whole situation that had seemed odd. The way in which Shelley was behaving.
"Send a couple of cars around to the caravan park... something isn't right... I know it"
And Birkett wouldn't have chosen to walk home from the caravan park, not if he was exhausted.
"Yes sir"
And he wouldn't have left without his coat. It had still been draped across the back of the sofa.
"And send the armed response unit... I'm going to get over there too"
He leapt up from his seat, grabbing his car keys. Why hadn't he noticed it sooner? Of all the things to miss it had to be the coat. It had been right under his nose. His superiors weren't going to like it.
..............................
CARAVAN PARK
Shelley walked back into the back porch, composing herself to face another tedious session of playing the good mother. She froze in the doorway as she heard her daughter's voice. Kirsty. Her heart was already thudding as she strained to try and hear if Flynn was with her. Tried to determine what was going on. She scowled as she recognised Kane's voice. Something about picking Kirsty up on the way back to the city.
"Are you ok? What happened?"
Kirsty smiled weakly as Rhys rushed to her side by the door. Kane just felt out of place.
"I'm fine"
Her legs were still shaking and Kane's arm seemed to be the only thing supporting her
"I... I just need to sit down"
Kane glanced nervously around at the family. The journey back with Kirsty had been quite possibly the longest of his life. She had just stared out of the front windscreen, her face colourless. Recalling the events of the last day. All he could do was tell her everything would be alright. He looked around the room. Dani couldn't make eye contact and clung to Scott's for protection, Jade stared stonily at him and Rhys stood purposely in his way, forbidding him access to the house. Max watched intently as the scene unfolded. This drama could make a good book.
"I think you ought to go now"
Rhys looked determinedly at Kane, speaking through gritted teeth so as not to upset Kirsty with his anger. Rhys held out his arm to his daughter with every intention of sidelining Kane.
"I don't suppose there's... any chance of me renting a van?"
Rhys' expressionless face gave him the answer he was looking for before Rhys even opened his mouth.
"What do you think?"
"Dad... please just let him stay for a while... I need him"
Her Mum and Flynn. She still couldn't believe it. Trying to kill Kane. Having every intention of getting rid of her. Her own mother of all people. Kane had been nothing but supportive all the way back. She had been so grateful for him not pressuring her into saying anything. Just his company had calmed her down. She had been dreading facing the family. Revealing the truth about Shelley. She and Flynn were probably together by now. Planning their escape from Australia.
Rhys took a deep breath, already feeling nauseous at the thought of letting Kane into the same house where he had violated his other daughter only a couple of years before, and nodded, glancing for a split second at Dani apologetically. Kane helped Kirsty across to the couch before standing back, his eyes wandering around the room, avoiding looking at anyone by choosing to examine the decoration.
Rhys sat down next to Kirsty, trying to ignore Kane as best he could.
"Flynn... did he hurt you?"
She shook her head numbly. She just couldn't find the words. The shock had taken everything out of her.
Rhys looked at hr, his concern growing.
"What happened... did he tell you why he did it...?"
Kirsty looked him in the eye.
"Mum..."
Shelley made herself visible, walking across from the kitchen as she heard that word. The word that confirmed her fears. Flynn had been stupid enough to tell her about them. Rhys looked at Kirsty in confusion before looking back to Shelley, the reality finally sinking in. Pieces of the jigsaw slotting together.
"Shell...?"
She smirked.
"Sorry Rhys... I guess you didn't know me as well as you thought you did"
She had got that right. This wasn't the woman he had married. The woman that he had spent twenty years of his life with. He could see that in her eyes.
He strode across the room towards her and she produced a gun, laughing gently.
"Oh Rhys... you always were naïve..."
"But why...?"
"Because you're pathetic Rhys... you couldn't stop this family falling apart... I had to do something to stop... him"
She picked up her bag, gun waving in the direction of Kane.
"Goodbye Rhys"
She walked towards the door, pausing for a split second as she walked through the door, taking a single shot back into the room as she left.
..............................
RAAF Richmond. Flynn read the sign ahead of him as he slowed the car down, stopping a couple of metres from the barrier. A uniformed guard approached his car and he wound down his window, glancing briefly at the mirror to ensure he looked respectable.
"Doctor Saunders"
He raised his doctors bag from the passenger seat, using his professional voice.
"We haven't called for a doctor"
"I've been informed one of the officers has been having problems with his heart"
"I'm afraid I'm going to be unable to let you in until I get authorisation"
He turned, intending to go and radio for authorisation. Flynn shouted after him.
"He could be dead by then... do you really want that on your conscience?"
The man hesitated, before replying reluctantly.
"Alright... but I'll have to see your ID"
"Here"
The soldier glanced at the card, nodding, and went to raise the barrier. Flynn drove into the grounds, smiling faintly as he made way for the runways. It had been a long time since he'd flown, but he'd manage.
..............................
Shelley reversed the car, swinging it around and stepping on the accelerator. Out of nowhere a convoy of police cars skidded to a halt around her, blocking her in.
"Stop right where you are Mrs Sutherland"
She looked around as armed officers made themselves visible. She raised her hands, allowing her gun to fall to the ground. Finally accepting the inevitable. The moment the gun hit the floor the police were on top of her and she felt the cold metal of handcuffs clicking into place around her wrists.
She looked up as Carter stood, arms folded, a successful smirk on his face. They may not have located Flynn, but things seemed to be running well.
"Take a look in the car Jenkins"
He nodded towards two of his officers who approached Shelley's car as he turned to walk back to his own car, in dire need of a smoke.
"Sir"
He turned to face Jenkins, pale faced and staring into the car boot. Carter walked casually over to the open boot of the car, looking solemnly into the boot at the crumpled figure within.