Hours later, there was still no sign of Joey. Search and rescue still had boats going up and down the river, with divers in the water. Visibility was low, and with the river leading out into the sea, some were already speculating that Joey's body had been dragged out to the sea with the current. Charlie didn't want to believe that, but with each passing second that Joey remained missing, it was becoming harder to hold out hope for her being found alive.

"Oh god," Charlie murmured under her breath. She was feeling a mix of numbness and rawness, along with exhaustion. This had been the longest day, then night in her entire life, and it showed no sign of ever ending, and having to keep up her ruse while worrying over Joey's fate, just added to the weight on her shoulders. Every now and then, Charlie had felt eyes on her and whenever she'd looked around, she'd find Graves staring at her. Sometimes it felt as if those eyes saw right through her, and it quite unnerved Charlie at times. Graves hadn't said anything more to her since their last chat, but she didn't need to. The damn woman definitely suspected something, and she didn't care if Charlie knew it or not. Maybe leaving the scene wasn't such a bad idea after all. At least it would free her from Graves' watchful gaze for a time.

"No," Charlie said. She couldn't leave, not while the search for Joey continued. She just had to ignore Graves and focus elsewhere. Like on that bitch, Hayley. Avery's dog mates had turned up. They'd quickly found a scent from the shooter's last known position and were tracking it. With any luck, Hayley was still nearby, waiting for Tegan, and completely unaware of her capture. That bitch deserved to pay for what she'd done. Charlie felt her hands tightening into fists at what she'd like to do to that woman if she ever got her hands on her.

"Charlie."

"Fuck," Charlie yelped, and spun around to find a slightly amused Graves watching her.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you like that."

Somehow I think you did, Charlie said in her own thoughts.

"I just wanted to update you on the latest development," Graves said. "The dogs followed the scent through the bush and came out onto a dirt track. O'Connor must have had her car parked there, because they lost the scent."

"So they've lost her," Charlie muttered unhappily.

"The dogs did, but Avery called in a squad car and after following the track a few kilometres, they found O'Connor's car. Looks like her tyre blew out, and she'd run off the road and crashed into a tree," Graves informed her.

"And her?"

"Found behind the wheel," she replied. "She's unconscious, but the paramedics at the scene said there didn't appear to be anything too serious with her injuries."

"Good," Charlie said and Graves shivered at the coldness in that single word.

"I'll be speaking to her the moment the doctors give the all clear, until then, a guard will be posted on her door at all times," Graves told. "We don't want a repeat of Rosetta, so each guard will have a photo of the hospital staff allowed into the room. If they're not on the list, they're not getting in," she said. "Same goes for our mystery man, and our other guests. No one will be allowed to see any of them without the proper authorisation."

"Any word yet on who our mystery man is?"

"His face and prints are being run through the system, but so far, there's been no match with any missing person or criminal history."

Charlie nodded, unsurprised by that. Joey's prints hadn't been in the system either, even though they now knew she had been at multiple crime scenes, and if this guy was connected to her, then his fingerprints were probably a dead end.

"What about Watson?" asked Charlie.

"She obviously hadn't been too concerned about leaving a trail behind, because the officers had little trouble picking up her trail, but as with O'Connor, Watson must have had a car nearby."

"Then she's long gone by now."

"Unfortunately, Station personnel have been stretched thin with everything going on here, and at the other scenes, so it's possible Watson could have slipped through via a back road, since we just can't cover every possible exit." Graves was studying Charlie's face yet again as she said that. "Do you feel you owe her something for saving you from being raped?"

"What, like I owe Joey?" she said. "Not even close. Joey never tried to kill me, Watson did, even after she killed Pee Wee, she wanted me dead."

"Then why do you think she let you go?" asked Graves. "Because it obviously wasn't to follow you to Joey, since her escape broke off into a different direction to where you and Joey had gone."

"Honestly, I don't really know," replied Charlie. "It made sense at the time that it was so I'd lead her to Joey," she said, leaving out the part where that had been Joey's suggestion. "Perhaps though, it was just out of self preservation. I did point out that another shot would help you guys pin point where we were, and that she'd have more chance of getting away if she'd left right then."

"Well, whatever her reasons, she's now on the run," murmured Graves. "Again."

"She will be captured eventually, won't she?" said Charlie. "I mean, you can't turn around anywhere without seeing her face on the news or in the papers, and there are only so many places she can hide."

"She's survived this long by hiding in plain sight and soon enough, the press and public will move onto something more interesting than a missing cop, like the Braxtons. They're like the rock stars of the criminal underworld and they demand attention like few others," she explained. "Of course, we won't stop looking for Watson, but without the full attention of the public or media interest, she'll have much more freedom to move around."

"I just hate the thought that Watson will escape justice."

"It's a sad fact that we don't always get all the bad guys, no matter how hard we try to," Graves said. "But she may still be captured."

"I hope so," Charlie murmured. Watson was the one who had kicked off this nightmare in that Motel room, and though she did hold some gratitude for her stopping Pee Wee from raping her, Charlie wanted Watson caught, because as long as she was out there, it would feel like a loose end, and she wanted them all to pay.

The figure peered from behind the tree, patiently waiting for the chance to speak to the dark haired woman who had never been far from her thoughts. She had to be careful though. No one could see her here. This was as risky as fuck, especially with the sun now coming up, but she'd found it impossible to just disappear without first seeing her again.

The warmth of the rising sun sent a chill through Charlie's heart. A whole night had past, and Joey was still missing. Charlie looked around her. There was still a bustle of people coming and going, so no one had given up yet, but her heavy heart knew it was only a matter of time before the search was called off. She didn't want it to happen, but without some sign of Joey, then it was inevitable. The hurt cut through the numbness, and she struggled to maintain her composure. She was so tired, she feared she'd make a mistake, but she hadn't been able to leave this place. Robertson had though. He'd headed back to the city to prepare the search warrants for all Braxton premises, while Graves had stayed behind to oversee the details here. Personally, Charlie would have preferred if Graves had been the one in the city, not here, because that woman was continually forcing her to be on her toes around her. Just the slightest slip up and Graves would be all over her. At this rate, Charlie was going to be an emotional wreck by the time this was all over, if she wasn't already. However, she at least had had some reprieve from Graves. The hospital had called to say both their mystery man and Hayley were now awake, and so the young Detective had headed off to speak to them. It truly had been such a relief to be free of those prying eyes, yet it had been short lived, because she could see Graves making her way back to her right now.

"I wish someone had warned me that the woman who found our mystery man, had been a damn local reporter," Graves muttered by way of greeting. "The woman is like a bad rash you can't get rid of."

In spite of her heavy heart, Charlie found herself smiling, because she could certainly relate to Graves where journos were concerned.

"Here," Graves said, handing her a coffee.

"Thanks," Charlie said, breathing in the aromas, before taking a welcoming sip. "What did our guests have to say for themselves?"

"O'Connor's response was, I didn't do it, while our mystery man's was, who am I?," she replied.

"Sorry?" Charlie said with some confusion.

"Our mystery man is even a mystery to himself," she said. "He can't remember who he is."

"You're kidding me," said Charlie. "Could he be faking it?"

Graves shook her head. "Doctors said between the psychological and physical traumas he's sustained, then it's not unusual to suffer from memory loss, especially when he has a fractured skull," she explained. "Doctors believe he was tossed around in that boot for some time, and he must have smashed his head against something in there."

"Tegan or Hayley couldn't have caused it?"

"It's not the same type of injury you'd receive from someone striking you with an object."

"So he really doesn't remember anything?"

"Not a thing," she replied. "It's possible his memory will come back, but for the time being, he's a mystery to all," Graves told her. "Are you sure he is connected to Joey Collins?"

Charlie shrugged as she sipped her coffee. "I guess I really can't be certain. It was more how they were arguing, than anything, that lead us to believe he was."

"What exactly did they say again?"

"Hayley accused Tegan of letting him go, because she hadn't wanted to upset her lover if she found out about him."

"Her lover?"

"She and Joey had had a one night stand."

"I can see now why O'Connor wanted her dead so badly," murmured Graves. "And Joey claimed not to know who they were talking about?"

"That's right," said Charlie. "And I don't think she was lying."

"Ok, so if they were carting him around in their boot and torturing him, then chances are, they were after information that they believed he could provide, otherwise he'd have been dead long before he was dumped," Graves surmised. "What information? Did he know where Joey was?"

"It's hard to see how, since we never really set a course for any specific destination until we were well into our journey," Charlie told her.

"Could Joey have called him without you knowing?"

"I guess," she replied, knowing Joey had in fact contacted someone from her past, but if he was the man in the boot, then surely Joey would have reacted more to what Tegan and Hayley had said, yet Joey had seemed genuinely in the dark about him. "I mean, we weren't joined at the hip 24-7, so Joey could have contacted him without my knowledge, but if she did, she never said anything when Tegan and Hayley were arguing about him."

"Since neither Joey nor he can help us to identify him, then perhaps one of our jailbirds can," Graves said somewhat doubtfully.

"Speaking of the jailbirds, did Hayley really say she didn't do it?"

"I have a feeling she wanted to say a whole lot more, but after she swore she never shot Joey, she clammed up," replied Graves. "She had to be lying though. A rifle was found in her car, along with shells that match the one found where the shot had come from, and if that spent shell comes back with a match to that rifle, we'll have her."

"Good," said Charlie.

"As for our mystery man, if our jailbirds refuse to help and nothing more comes from the fingerprints, then we're probably going to have to put his face out there into the public arena, and hope someone comes forward to identify him."

"And if they don't, and he doesn't get his memory back?"

"Well, he's not much good to us as a witness without a memory, and unless there is something to link him to this investigation besides being a victim, then he'll be a free man, and it will be up to the appropriate people to do whatever they can to help him to adjust to his 'new' life," she replied.

"I can't imagine not remembering like that," said Charlie, even though part of her would love to forget things right now.

"Yeah, same," said Graves.

"How chatty have the other jailbirds been?"

"As expected, not very," replied Graves. "Callahan did use her phone call to call a lawyer, and hasn't said a word since, same with Upton, though he did answer one question before he called his own lawyer," she said. "Once the doctor had given him the all clear, and he'd been charged at the Station, Const. Hogan asked him about the bag that was found. Upton said he'd seen you drop it and so picked it up as he ran back to the car, figuring there might be something of value to you in it. When Hogan told him what the contents actually contained, he said it was pretty obvious from Upton's reaction, that he hadn't even bothered to look in the bag."

"Good thing he didn't, because that evidence would have disappeared forever."

"Unfortunately, that's all we got from him, because he then demanded to call his lawyer," said Graves. "You look beat," she said to Charlie. "You really should go and get some sleep before you drop on your feet."

Just then, the man in charge of the search and rescue team, walked toward them. Alf Stewart's expression told Charlie all she needed to know. The item of clothing in his hand, confirmed it. Joey was dead.

She smiled when she finally saw her opportunity. Putting on her sunnies, she strode across the road from where she'd been hiding. She'd seriously contemplated going after Charlie last night, before self-interest had eventually set in, along with the acceptance that it was all over for her. There was no way she could salvage this, or risk going anywhere near the Braxtons, so she had to get away completely. Only she'd decided to make one small detour. This was stupid, this was dangerous, yet here she was, knocking on the door of a woman she'd only spent one night with, but had never really been able to forget.

When the door opened, Leah's eyes opened in surprise at the woman on her doorstep. Her hair was shorter and darker and she looked like she'd lost weight, but there was no mistaking her.

"Oh my god,"

"That's my name," the woman said with a smirk and Leah threw her arms around her, their lips locked in a passionate embrace. Finally, coming up for air, Leah heard the words she'd secretly been hoping for, ever since that night. "Run away with me."

"I'm married."

"Are you happy?"

After that night they'd spent together, sex with Zac had become downright dull and depressing and severely lacking in any enjoyment, at least on her side. It was like being poked with a pencil devoid of any emotional attachment whenever his dick was inside her, unlike how this woman, with one fake cock, had awoken something inside her. She hadn't been able to forget the incredible sex or the way her body had felt. Even that kiss just then, had made her feel more alive than she'd ever felt with Zac.

"Are you happy?" the woman asked again

"Not really."

"Did you tell your husband about me?"

"No."

"Did you tell him about that man and what he had tried to do to you?"

"No."

"Doesn't that tell you something?"

"Yes."

"Then come away with me."

"Who are you?"

"I'm your future."

"I don't even know you."

"Take a chance."

This was crazy. It was irresponsible. It was beyond stupid. All of that was going through Leah's mind, yet when her mouth opened, she said. "Give me five minutes to pack."

"No, just leave everything behind and we'll start anew."

"This is so crazy."

"Yes it is."

Leah grinned and kissed the woman again. Her soft lips left her breathless. "Is this real?"

"Yes."

"I saw you on the news."

"That's not me," she said. "Well, not anymore."

"So what do I call you then?"

"Rose."

She of course knew this woman's real name, but there was a connection between them that called to her, and there was such promise in her eyes. Of excitement, of passion, of wonder, and both her body and mind responded as one. She found herself taking Rose's hand, closing the door behind her and walking out on her old life without a backward glance.