10 Weeks Later
Brax saw Ruby outside the surf club.
"I texted you're Mum this morning and I have had no reply. Do you know where she is?" He asked Ruby
"She left for work as usual but I haven't heard from her either. I'll let you know when I do." Ruby's phone started making a bleeping sound. She looked at her phone and stared at the message from her Mum. She told Brax, "Mum has had to go the city. It's something to do with a court case. She'll be back later." As she told Brax his phone started bleeping.
"I've got the same message." Brax told her.
Charlie got back to the Bay late. Leah and Ruby were sat watching late night television when she walked into the house. She put her purse down and sat down in the room with them.
"Where have you been Mum?" Ruby asked her.
"I've been in the city with the prosecution team going over my evidence to do with Jakes trail. The trail starts next week. He is being tried for organizing my kidnap, the drugs and weapons the police found the day of the fire. He is also being tried for perverting the course of justice in relation to Brax being set up for the armed robbery. Hayley will be tried in another court case. I will have to back to the city for the trail next week." Charlie answered her daughter. "I'm going to make a drink then I'm off to bed. G'night."
Charlie stood up and walked over to where her daughter sat. She hugged Ruby and went out into the kitchen to make her drink. She took it into her room and drunk it while she got ready for bed. Once she was in bed Charlie picked up her phone and typed a message for Brax.
"I'm back. See U in the morning, G'night, Luv Charlie x"
Within minutes her phone beeped with Brax's reply.
"See U 4 breakfast at mine. Luv Brax x"
The following morning Charlie drove to Brax's house for breakfast. Over breakfast she told him what she could about the trail next week. Brax told her he had a summons in relation to Hayley's trail. Charlie told him not to say anymore.
"We will have to be discreet when we meet for the next few weeks. If Hayley's lawyers find out they will use it to prejudice your evidence."
"We can always lie low," Brax replied. "Makes it exciting," He laughed.
4 Weeks Later
The trail against Jake Pirovic was in its last stages. Charlie had given her evidence in relation to the drugs bust and his younger brother kidnapping her and Brax. Jakes lawyer tried to use her relationship with Brax to discredit her evidence. He tried to say she was bias towards Brax during the investigation into the petrol station robbery. She sat in the court room listening to the judge summing up the case. He finished and sent the jury off to their deliberations. Three days later they came back with a verdict.
For the drug crop found in the National Park he was found guilty. For the drugs and guns found at his house the day of the arson attack he was found guilty. For perverting the course of justice he was also found guilty.
The clerk of the court told him to stand. Pirovic faced the Judge and stared at him. The clerk read the charges out to him. The judge listened then he pronounced his sentences. He jailed him for 10 years for the drugs at his house and the National Park. He added another 5 years for the illegal guns found at his house and then he added 10 years on to the sentences for perverting the course of justice.
"Because of the seriousness of your crimes I am going to recommend that you serve at least 23 years before you can go before the parole board. Take him down" He finished. The judge stood up and left the court. As he did so Jake was dragged down to the cells struggling with the guard's and shouting obscenities at the Judge and anyone else he could blame for his misfortune.