"Always knew you were a glutton for punishment," Hogan said, slapping Watson on the back in congratulations.
"Martha is hardly a punishment," she replied in good humour.
"I'm talking about the wedding and all the planning," he said. "It's all the bride's decisions in which we have very little say in the matter, and then we have to put up with all the lace and thrills without comment. We're basically just there to go along for the ride."
"You're assuming I'm not going to be the bride."
"If you are the bride, does that mean you'll be wearing the dress at the wedding?"
Before Watson could answer, Robertson's voice interrupted them.
"My, there seems to be some revelling going on this morning," he said rather laconically.
"That's because Watson has signed up for a ball and chain," explained Hogan. "She's getting married."
"Congratulations," said Roberson. It was a simple word said rather brusquely, yet Charlie felt he actually meant it with all the best wishes.
"Martha is a lucky woman," added Graves.
"I like to think I'm the lucky one," replied Watson.
"As pleased as I am for your impeding marital bliss, this is a workplace and there are duties to be performed and things to be discussed," Robertson said to them all. "Now, if you and your cousin could join us, we'll discuss some of those things."
"Are you sure you're going to be ok here today?" Joey asked as she brought the last of Watson and Martha's bags into their house. She hated the thought of leaving Martha alone when she wasn't yet completely mobile.
"Mum is going to come over and stay with me while Georgie's at work," she said. "At least until I'm a little more steady on my feet." Martha set her crutches aside and sat down on her couch. It felt wonderful to finally be home. It would feel even more wonderful when her fiancé was able to join her. Her fiancé. She never got tired of saying that to herself. Her fiancé. After Jack, she never expected to feel like this again and certainly not with Georgie. How things had changed. She was happy though. Incredibly happy at the thought of spending the rest of her life with the woman she loved.
"Earth to Martha," Joey drawled.
"Oh, sorry."
"Daydreaming of weddings?"
"More of my fiancé and our future," she said. "I guess we really do need to start thinking of the wedding though."
"You can bounce ideas off me if you like, unless you're one of those bridezillas who wants to do it all yourself."
"I admit to some moments of unreasonableness during my wedding planning with Jack, but once everyone realised I was right and to obey me, things went smoothly," she said completely straight faced.
Joey laughed. "Oh, just the thought of you and Georgie arranging this wedding is hilarious."
"Honestly, I'd be happy to stand on the beach and exchange our vows if it meant marrying the woman I love."
"A beach wedding does sound romantic," Joey said somewhat wistfully.
"When the time comes, you and Charlie should totally have a beach wedding."
"We haven't even really discussed anything like that all that much just yet," she said. "There was little point talking marriage when the divorce was going to be so far away." Joey sighed when she realised that was no longer necessary. "I guess with Angelo's death, I'm now a widow and so I don't have to wait around for the divorce anymore," she said. "As much as I wanted Angelo out of my life, I didn't want it to be like this."
"I know you didn't," said Martha. "But the path has now cleared for you and Charlie and there is no reason why you shouldn't be enjoying it."
"Oh, I will be enjoying it," she said. "Especially tonight when I get Charlie alone."
"Sorry if we were crimping your love life."
"Oh it's fine," said Joey. "We loved having you guys there and besides, I had great fun teasing Charlie."
"And the making up for lost time will certainly help to ease it all."
"Now that, is what I am really looking forward too."
"It's well worth it."
"You and Georgie definitely got a start on it at our place, that's for sure."
"And we've only just begun."
"I decided to stop by April Scott's place on the way into work," Robertson said to the other three officers in the room. "None of you will be surprised to learn that she remained tight lipped as to her sister's activities."
"I thought she'd at least want to help us to find out what happened to Bianca," said Graves.
"Not at the expense of damaging her sister's reputation."
"Bianca is already being portrayed as a hit-run driver in hiding in the press," she argued.
"I believe April Scott sees that as the least of her worries, especially now that Martha is out of hospital and is on the mend from her injuries caused by the accident," he replied. "However, having the sordid details of her sister's history as an escort and blackmailer with possible links to the gun that has killed two cops being dragged through the mud, is something she doesn't want to see."
"And once some of the details of Gypsy's confession is made public, then Bianca likely becomes little more than a footnote in all of this," muttered Charlie. "She'll be forgotten because Gypsy will be the main attraction to the media hordes. She's the married and scorned lover who killed her cop lover in a fit of jealousy. That's the juicy stuff those vultures live off right there."
"And closing the cases will almost certainly see Bianca forgotten," Watson added. "Aside of course, from those who actually want to know what happened to her and they're few and far between."
"I do have some further news on the cases," Robertson said. "Ballistic confirms the gun that Gypsy Nash handed over is the murder weapon. Her prints were also on the gun and the magazine."
"What about on the bullets?"
"None were found on the bullets at Angelo's murder scene and the gun was unloaded when she brought it in," he replied. "It's easy enough to assume the gun was already loaded when she got it, so she had no need to touch the bullets or she had actually set out to murder Angelo instead of just intending to scare him that night and so wore gloves when she loaded the gun to avoid them being traced back to her."
"Assumptions is pretty much all we have," said Charlie. "Since Gypsy's facts aren't necessarily facts."
"Her facts are fitting in with the evidence just nicely though," he said. "Forensics has also confirmed that the a/c vent at the shop where she claimed the gun had been hidden, had been opened recently," said Robertson. "There were no prints on the vent, but there is some evidence that something had been in there. No way to prove if it was a gun or not, though."
"Then that's it then," Charlie said. "Gypsy goes down for Angelo's murder, case closed."
"As of now, this case is in the hands of the DPP," Robertson told them. "However, after stressing to the Brass the gravity of two police officers having lost their lives to that one weapon, we've been granted some leniency to continue with part of the investigation. We have till the end of the week to see if that gun will turn up any new leads on Jack's murder."
Five days was better than none thought Charlie and even if they just concentrated on Jack's case, it was still possible they'd uncover something along the way that might shed a different light on Gypsy Nash's version of events. Like the real killer, if he or she did exist.
"Don't look at me like that," Martha said to her fiancé after Watson had gone looking for her after her shift had ended for the day.
"I can't even leave you for one day and you're already back at work."
"I did warn her," Joey said from behind the bar as she wiped dry some glasses.
"I'm hardly working," Martha argued. "I just dropped by for five minutes to see how business was going."
"And how long ago was that?"
"About an hour ago," she sheepishly replied. "Mum is watching Jay, so I had Romeo swing by on his way to work to pick me up."
"If you wanted to know how the business was going, you could have just asked Alf."
"The business could be in the doghouse and granddad would still tell me it was all roses, just so I wouldn't stress over it."
"And is business in the doghouse?"
"No, it actually is all roses."
"How was your day?" Joey asked Charlie as they watched the newly engaged couple engage in their debate on whether Martha was doing too much.
"Not too bad actually," she replied. "The Dees are still allowed to investigate for a little bit longer, Gypsy Nash has been charged and shipped off to the city and the media vultures followed right on behind her once Robertson had filled them in on her confession."
"Yeah, I caught some of that press conference he held earlier."
"I'll give him one thing, he really can spin a yarn and is very convincing." The media had certainly swallowed it, which was exactly what he'd intended.
"You still having doubts about her guilt?"
"My doubts are having their own doubts," muttered Charlie. "Sometimes I think she's lying about most of it, yet other times I look at the way her facts fit in with the narrative and believe she is guilty," she explained to Joey. "I'm honestly not sure though and that is what worries me. She is most certainly involved in some way, but if she wasn't the one to actually pull the trigger, then Angelo's killer is still out there."
Joey shivered. It was a scary thought.
"Martha, it is so good to see you up and about," Gina said. She'd arrived at the Club with Shandi and had immediately spied her stepdaughter and Martha chatting to Charlie, Leah, Belle and Aden.
"It's good to be up and about, that's for sure."
"It certainly is agree with you," she said. "You look absolutely radiant."
"I think that radiance has more to do with Georgie proposing to her this morning," Charlie helpfully added.
Gina's eyes darted from Watson to Martha and back again. "You proposed?"
"Yep and she was silly enough to say yes," replied Watson.
"And Georgie was silly enough to agree to adopt Jay and officially become his legal parent," added Martha.
"Wow, an upcoming wedding and adoption, you sure don't do things in halves, sis," said Shandi. "Congratulations on both, by the way."
"Thanks."
"Are you two waiting for John?" Charlie asked them.
"Yeah, he's going to be caught up at a meeting with some business partners in Yabbie Creek for the next hour or so," replied Gina.
"Well why don't you join us while you wait," Watson suggested.
"We don't want to intrude."
"Nonsense. We already have quite a gathering here, so we might as well make this an impromptu celebration and you're both invited to it."
"I'll get the first round," offered Shandi.
"How did Jay take the news about his adoption?" Gina asked them once they all had their drinks in front of them.
"I think he's still too young to fully understand it," replied Martha. "Because as far as he's concerned, Georgie is already his mama, so he doesn't really get the big deal about the adoption," she explained. "However, the moment he found out he was soon going to be a Watson, he became super excited."
"I think Jay is possibly the first person in this town to ever be excited by the Watson name," Watson drolly said.
Gina had a little chuckle at the way she said that. "And his reaction to the engagement?"
"He wanted to be the best man for the both of us at the wedding," said Watson.
"I can just see the Bucks and Hens nights involving toy soldiers and dolls," joked Shandi.
"That was my first thought," Martha said. "We compromised and talked him into being the ring bearer when we explained to him how important that role was."
"I can't wait to see him in his little tux," said Belle.
"We haven't really discussed any real details yet," said Martha. "But we won't be going for formal gowns or tuxes."
"Are both of you going to be in dresses?" asked a curious Shandi.
"I might demand that just to see Georgie all dolled up in a dress," laughed Martha.
"Ok, I'll do it," Watson said, to everyone's, including Martha's, surprise. "I'll wear a dress and all the trimmings, as long as I get to pick out the dresses for my attendants."
"Martha, while Georgie would look stunning in a dress, you really don't want anyone to take attention off the bride on her big day, do you?" Charlie hastily said. "And Georgie does pull off pants and top wonderfully well."
"I'm with Charlie on this one," Belle added.
"Anyone would think that you're trying to dissuade Georgie from wearing a dress for some reason," Martha said. She knew damn well what was going on and she found it highly amusing. There was no way her fiancé wanted to wear a dress, but rather than say it herself, she threatened to pick the dresses for Charlie and Belle, knowing they'd object for her, because of their own fear at the monstrosities Georgie would deliberately pick out for them.
"Oh no, not at all," said Charlie. "Georgie really would be stunning in a dress, I just think that some contrast between the two brides would be in order."
"I'll wear pink, Georgie can have yellow, that should contrast us nicely," she said.
"Uh oh, we're busted," murmured a bemused Watson.
"Seriously guys, our wedding is meant to be a happy day for both Georgie and me and so if Georgie is going to be more comfortable in pants and a shirt, then that is what she will be in."
"Thanks baby."
"So does this mean we can also wear what we want?" asked Belle. "Dresses, pants, whatever?"
"As long as there is some colour and style coordination with Martha and me," said Watson. "Then you can wear whatever you want to." There was a collective sigh of relief from both Charlie and Belle.
"On one condition," said Martha. "I really would like to see Georgie in a dress for our engagement party."
"Does Georgie even own a dress?" asked Shandi.
He'd seen them inside, all of them happy at the news. It had infuriated him. In a rage, he'd had to leave in case he did something stupid. Only he hadn't left completely.
"So Martha, who have you roped into for the Matron of Honour duties?" Charlie asked her future cousin-in-law.
"Rachel."
"Woohoo," Shandi fist pumped the air. "Hens night is going to be a blast if Rachel is in charge of organising it."
"Hang on, who goes to which party?" Aden suddenly asked. "I mean, it's not like Georgie's will be a Bucks party where only the men go to it, since like the Hens party, it will have a woman as the guest of honour and a woman as the best man."
"Everyone goes to both parties of course," Belle told him. "Double the trouble."
"Double the hangover," drawled Charlie. She smiled when she saw Joey walking their way. "Please tell me your shift is finished," she hopefully said.
"Not quite," Joey replied. "Martha, the suppliers van has broken down and so I'm going to have to go to Yabbie Creek and get it myself or we'll be running a little low on the steak and fresh vegies for tonight."
"We can take my car," said Watson. "I need to pick up a few things myself," she said. Charlie smiled behind her hand. She knew just what her cousin intended to pick up, since she'd been with her when she'd made the purchase over lunch. It had just needed to be engraved.
"Shit," muttered Watson and she pulled the car to the side of the road.
"What's wrong?"
"The car is feeling a bit funny, I think we might have a flat or something," she said. "I'll just check."
Walking around the car, she found the back tyre flat as a tack. "Funny, I could swear that was fine earlier," she murmured to herself. She checked the cap. It was loose enough to have slowly been letting out a little bit of air at a time, allowing them to get far enough so they'd end up stranded somewhere. "Bloody kids," she muttered.
"Do you want some help?" Joey yelled out the passenger side window.
"Nah, this shouldn't take long," she yelled back. Heading to the boot, Watson sorted around till she found the pump. "I hope it doesn't take long."
"I think we should be drinking whatever you lot are drinking," Graves amusedly said from behind Charlie. Everyone at the table certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves. "It looks like good stuff."
"It's a drink especially made for this occasion," Charlie informed her. "It's called celebrating Martha and Georgie's engagement."
"Aren't you short one?"
"Georgie's just stepped out for a moment," she replied. "Graves, I'm not sure if you've met everyone yet," said Charlie and she proceeded to introduce her to the others, while Graves introduced Shannon to them.
Watson had nearly finished pumping the tyre up when she heard another car approach, then stop. "Oh great," she moaned when she saw who stepped out of the car. Her eyes widened in surprise when she noticed his hands weren't empty. "What the hell!"
"You're not going to take her from me again."
"I never took Martha from you," she replied, trying to keep her voice as calm as possible. As much as she despised the man, he'd always been calm and collected. Now, he just looked crazed, as if he'd snapped or something.
"She was meant to be mine," he said.
"She doesn't love you anymore Hugo."
"She will learn to love me again once you're out of the way and I can be there for her."
"Don't do this Hugo, she'll never forgive you."
"She'll never know it was me."
Charlie's ears perked up at something in Leah's voice as she spoke of her last date with Robertson and she leant in closer.
"Am I right in guessing that a certain Detective got past the front door last night?" Charlie smirked and Leah blushed furiously, as did Graves.
Her hands went over her ears. "Please, no details on my partner's sex life."
"See Charlie, you're upsetting Graves, so let us drop this," a flushing Leah said.
"Yes, for poor Graves' sake," chuckled Charlie.
"And for Jay's," said Martha. "I don't want my son picking up any ideas just yet."
"Oops, sorry," said Charlie. She'd momentarily forgotten that Roo and Jay had since joined them, along with Irene. Luckily though, it appeared that Jay was too wrapped up in a discussion about favourite ice creams with Aden and Shandi to have been listening to them.
"Knowing that girl of mine, Jay will already have inadvertently learnt a few things that shouldn't be repeated in the company of other kids," Irene said with an amused smile.
"I daresay my daughter has let slip a few things as well," added Roo.
"If I did, it would only be what I learned from you mumsy," Martha told her.
"She's got you there, Roo," said Gina.
"Jay is certainly going to have a very colourful childhood with this lot to influence him," Charlie said, indicating all those at the table.
"And God help us all if he has either of his mums pigheadedness," Irene said with a heavy sigh that had the others laughing.
"Hey Georgie, are you sure you don't need a hand?" Joey yelled out from the car.
"Oh fuck," Hugo cursed when he realised Watson wasn't alone.
"Shit," Joey gasped the moment she stepped from the car to see what was happening and saw Hugo there.
"Just put the gun down Hugo," Watson told him.
"It's too late."
"Hear that Hugo?" she said. "That's a car coming this way."
"Bullshit."
Ten seconds later, the car Watson had heard came around the curve.
"Oh you have got to be fucking kidding me," muttered Hugo. This wasn't how he'd planned it. In fact, he hadn't planned it at all. One minute he'd been stewing in his car at the Club, then the next he had been loosening the cap on her tyre just out of spite. Then when he'd seen her drive off, he'd followed. Again, without any thought. He hadn't even noticed that Joey had left with her, because he'd been so blinded by his emotions and hatred, that he'd just reacted, instead of thinking this through.
And now his own stepfather was driving right into it.
"Don't say a word," he hissed to the two women as he lowered the gun to his side and out of sight to the approaching car. He was far enough away to know he'd still be able to shoot if she tried to rush him. Watson knew it too.
The car slowed to a stop and John stuck his head out the window. "Is everything ok?" he called out to them.
"They had a flat, that's all," Hugo told him. "It's fixed now."
John wasn't sure what it was, but his senses suddenly went on alert. He got out of the car and walked over to them.
"Why did you have to stop," Hugo said.
"What the hell is going on," John demanded to know.
"If you really must know, I was about to make my life a whole lot better by ridding it of your daughter."
John finally noticed the gun at Hugo's side. "Don't be silly, boy."
"Silly was letting Martha go, silly was sitting by and watching other people be happy at my expense," he ranted. "Now out of the way John," he ordered.
"I won't let you hurt my daughter."
Hugo's arm came up, the gun pointing right at Watson. His finger tightened.
"John, no!" yelled Watson when her father stepped in front of her just as Hugo fired.