PREVIOUSLY:
Charlie laughs, "Tea sounds good." Reaching for the tea bags, Charlie jumps again when her phone rings. "Damn," Charlie mutters. "Sergeant Buckton."
Joey looks on with concern when the blood drains from Charlie's face. "Sergeant, what is it?"
"There's been another rape."
Charlie takes one look at the crime scene and runs out of the room and the house, Joey following closely behind. Joey stands next to her, rubbing her back as Charlie leans over and vomits into the garden.
"She's a friend of yours, isn't she?" Joey asks when Charlie's finished being sick.
Wiping her mouth, Charlie looks up. "She's one of my closest friends and Ruby's teacher."
"What's her name?"
"May Copeland. She wasn't supposed to be here," Charlie struggles with her emotions as she straightens up. "She's been visiting her sick mother for the past few weeks."
"Where's her husband?"
"Miles and his sister Sally are at some teacher's thing in Sydney." Charlie shudders as she hugs herself, "Oh God, Nicole found her."
"She's the reason why May is still alive."
"You don't understand. Nicole is Ruby's best friend; she's been staying with the Copelands while her father and step-mother are on their second honeymoon. Ruby could have been here."
"He only attacks the victims when they're alone." Joey glances up at the window, the memory of the scene inside clear, despite only seeing it briefly. "If she's been away, she may not have known about the dangers of staying here while her husband was away."
Charlie shudders again. "She wasn't supposed to be here," Charlie repeats tearfully.
"Hey, come here." Joey wraps her arms around her. "She's alive Sergeant, hold on to that." Held within those strong, comforting arms proves too much for Charlie, allowing her tears for her friend to fall.
Becoming aware of her surroundings as she gets her emotions under control, Charlie stands there, not wanting to move from her embrace, the heat radiating from her touch warming more than just Charlie's skin.
"You ok?"
The soft words and breath so close to her ear startles Charlie as she jumps away. "Ah, thanks, I'm better," Charlie stutters, feeling embarrassed and nervous.
Charlie holds her breath when Joey reaches out and gently wipes the tear stains from her cheeks with her thumbs. "Sergeant, it's ok to lose it at a scene like that, especially when it's someone you know; it shows you're human."
The sound of voices breaks through Charlie's daze, reminding her that they weren't alone. Stepping completely away from the detective, Charlie turns her back on her as she focuses on the ambulance which was just driving off. "I still can't believe she survived what that animal did to her."
"It's going to be awhile before the doctor allows us to see her, so why don't we go and get a coffee; give you time to get yourself together."
"I have to be here."
"Georgie's more than capable of keeping an eye on things here. Sergeant, there's nothing more for you to do here."
"I suppose there isn't."
"Why don't you wait by the car and I'll let Georgie know we're leaving."
"Thank you," Charlie says softy as her eyes continue to follow Joey. "Fuck Charlie, get a grip," she chastises herself, making her way to the car. "What the hell is wrong with me? I'm engaged to a great guy, she's a bitchy detective trying to arrest him." Charlie flops onto the car seat, "So why can't I stop thinking about her." Hating herself for even thinking about it while May was fighting for her life, Charlie closes her eyes.
Leaning against the car as she stares out across the sea, Charlie jumps when Joey hops up onto the car bonnet beside her, not having heard her return.
"Here," handing Charlie the cup.
"Thanks." Charlie grips the coffee in her hands, drawing on the warmth.
"Have you known May long?"
"About three years. She was a relief teacher at the school, she fell in love with Miles and decided to take a permanent teaching position here."
"Any kids?"
"Twin boys, Tom and Michael; they named them after Miles and Sally's foster fathers." Charlie smiles fondly, "They've just hit the terrible twos."
"You close to them?"
"Yeah, I am. God, how do you explain what happened to their mother to them?"
"Their mother's alive, but even at that young age, they'll know that she's hurting. Where are they at the moment?"
"With Pippa Ross, Sally and Miles' adoptive mum. I suppose in a way they're lucky, if anyone knows how to help the twins through this, it's Pippa."
"A good woman?"
"The best. She's taken in so many foster kids, loved them, helped them get their lives back together; she deserves a medal." Charlie looks at Joey when she realises she's gone quiet. "Did I say something wrong?"
"What?" Joey stares at her blankly.
"You just went all quiet and pensive."
Joey shakes her head, "Just thinking about things."
"I hope May recovers, because I can't even imagine what she went through," Charlie says, resting her head against Joey's shoulder, trying to ignore the feelings when Joey puts her arm around her back.
Watching them from a distance, the figure frowns when Joey puts her arm around the Sergeant. "Fuck."
"You ready?" Joey asks Charlie when they pull up to the hospital.
"Yeah, I'm just a little worried by what the doctor might say."
"Just stay positive, because whatever the doctor says, May's going to need her family and friends."
"I know." Charlie takes a deep breath, "Let's do this."
Walking into the hospital, Charlie is shocked when the doctor strides down the corridor and wraps Joey up in a big bear hug, spinning her around. "Whoa, put me down you big idiot." Finally on her feet, Joey punches him in the arm, "You know how much I hate it when you do that."
"Why do you think I do it?" He says, ruffling her hair, annoying her even more.
Swatting his hand away, Joey glares at him, "What the hell are you even doing here?"
"I'm covering for a friend while she's on maternity leave."
"Does Graves know?"
"I only just got here yesterday and I've been rushed off my feet so I haven't had a chance to call her yet."
"I take it you two know each other," Charlie says, still recovering from the shock of someone greeting Joey so enthusiastically.
"Sorry. Sid Walker this is Sgt Charlie Buckton. Sid is Graves' father-in-law."
"How is May?" Charlie asks as she shakes his hand.
"May's a very lucky woman. She's suffered a horrific trauma and if she hadn't been found when she had been, she would have died from massive blood loss, now, we've managed to stabilise her and we're just waiting for the plastic surgeon to arrive before we take her into surgery. I take it her breasts were not found?"
"No, the bastard takes them with him."
"Dr Walker, what about May's injuries, will she recover fully?"
"Physically, she'll recover and with reconstructive surgery, she's likely to have only slight scarring but emotionally, it's far too early to say."
"Can we talk to her before the surgery?"
"I'm sorry Joey, the rape was particularly brutal and with the physical trauma, she's severely traumatised and unable to answer questions; in fact, she's not talking at all."
"Any idea when we'll be able to see her?"
"I realise how important it is for you to speak to her Joey, but at the moment, that's impossible and I really don't know when she will be well enough to speak to you."
"Damn it, what sort of sick bastard would do this to a woman."
"Wish I could answer that for you Joey."
"Sid, do you think someone with a broken wrist could have done this?"
"Highly unlikely Joey."
"Dr Walker, could I just duck in and see May?"
"I really don't think that's a good idea."
"Sid, May's a good friend of hers."
Sid nods, "Just make it quick and no questions." Sid keeps an eye on her as she walks away.
Joey thumps him again, "Hey, you're married, quit perving."
"I'm married Joey, that doesn't mean I can't appreciate looking at a beautiful woman."
"I'll tell Marilyn you said that."
"I love my wife Joey and I have no intention of ever betraying her."
"Then for your own safety, keep your eyes elsewhere; the Sergeant's engaged and her fiancé is a suspect in a murder enquiry so just watch yourself around him."
"You're trying to put her fiancé in jail?"
"Yep."
"And she's still talking to you? Just kidding," Sid assures her when she glares at him. "So Joey, how's the family?"
Joey shrugs, "You know, the usual."
Sid chuckles, "How's Georgina surviving having you around?"
Joey shrugs, "You know, the usual."
"And I see nothing has changed with you." Sid glances over her shoulder. "Sergeant, are you ok?" Sid asks Charlie as she rejoins them.
"May was sleeping but she looked so frail."
"She's survived this far Sergeant, that tells me she's a fighter. Look, I have to be getting back to my patients; I'll let you know as soon as you can speak to May."
"Thank you doctor."
"Please Sergeant, it's Sid." Sid takes the opportunity to ruffle Joey's hair again as he walks by.
"Damn it Sid."
"He obviously likes you."
"Yeah well, I wish he'd show it in a less physical way," Joey mutters. "Sergeant, Sid's a good doctor, May will get through this."
"I just wish we had something to go on so we can get this bastard off the streets."
"So do I."
"I take it from your question to Sid, that you don't think Robbo is our rapist?"
"He was always an unlikely suspect; like you said, he's an idiot and Ruby doesn't match the profile of the other victims and with his hand in a cast, there's no way he could have restrained May, tied her up and cut off her breasts."
Charlie sighs, "I called Georgina from May's room; DNA was found, but it's likely to belong to May or Miles, which means we're in the same place as we are with all the other rapes; nowhere."
"Mum." Charlie turns at the sound of Ruby's voice.
"Ruby, what are you doing here?" Charlie asks as she hugs her daughter.
"I came to see Nic."
"How is she?"
"The doctor had to sedate her. I was just going to sit with her until Miles and Sally came back."
"I'll join you in a minute, I just want to finish up with Det. Collins."
"Hey Joey."
"Ruby, I'm sorry about your friend."
"Thanks. You will get this guy, won't you?"
"We will. Sergeant, I don't think there's anything else we can go over at the moment, so why don't you head off with Ruby now."
"I suppose you're right. If anything comes in, you'll let me know."
"Straight away."
"Aren't you forgetting something Detective?" Charlie calls out when Joey starts to leave.
"I don't think so."
"You were at my place when the call came in."
"Oh right, I don't have my car."
Charlie tosses her car keys to her. "Ruby and I can get a lift home later."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure."
"I'll see you guys later."
"Wow, who was that?" Ruby jokes.
"Don't be rude Ruby."
"Come on mum, you two barely get along, yet here you are giving her your car keys."
"She's been very supportive to the both of us recently, it's the least I can do."
"Mum, do you like Joey?"
Charlie hesitates, wondering how to answer that. "Put it this way; I like her a little more than I did when I first met her, but she's still investigating Angelo."
"She's just doing her job mum and under all those prickles and her bitchiness, she really is nice."
"Ruby."
"I'm just saying."
"Let's just concentrate on Nicole and May," Charlie suggests, wanting to forget about the detective and the way she made her feel.
Tossing the keys onto her desk, Joey sorts through the mail, pausing when she comes to the large envelope. Flipping it over and seeing no return address, Joey's curiosity is peaked. Opening the envelope, Joey tips the contents onto the desk. Staring at the photos of her and Martha having sex, Joey picks up the paper that fell out with the photos.
"No doubt your husband will enjoy these. We'll contact you shortly."
Watching through the partly open door, Angelo sniggers softly before walking away.