A Pathway of Adversity

Chapter 29

Charlie bit her lip nervously; her mind in turmoil. What was Joey's father's briefcase doing left lying casually around at the scene of a murder? She took out the report which accompanied the brief case and looked at the notes which forensics had duly supplied.

'ONE SET OF FINGER PRINTS; ONE BELONGING TO THE VICTIM AND ONE SET; CLEAR, BUT UNIDENTIFIED. SOME RECENT EVIDENCE OF LEATHER POLISH ADMINISTERED TO ITEM.'

Charlie took out the papers which had been found in the briefcase and chemically tested by the forensic team. Then, after a report had been submitted, the papers were returned as possible evidence in the murder investigation. Charlie hardly dared look at the documents; frightened that she might find something which would mention Joey Collins' name.

She took a deep breath and sat down in her chair, ready to examine the papers.

"Colleen!" Joey called as she walked through the Summer Bay Fish and Crab company canteen.

Colleen stopped wiping tables and looked up at Joey Collins suspiciously.

"Did you want something, Miss. Collins?" She asked, caustically.

"Miss. Collins?" Joey questioned. "Since when have you ever called me 'Miss. Collins'?"

"Is there something I can get for you?" The older woman asked, avoiding the question.

"Err... yeah. I wondered if you saw a brown, leather briefcase in my office when you cleaned it yesterday?"

"That's it! Something goes missing and I immediately get the blame!" Colleen announced in a very loud voice.

Joey looked about her uncomfortably as several questioning faces raised their eyebrows as they were taking a coffee break.

"I'm not accusing you of anything, Colleen. I only asked you a question." Joey replied, trying not to get angry.

"Maybe if you people in the offices were to tidy your equipment away, there wouldn't even be a need for accusations like you've just made!" Colleen replied tartly, and flounced into the kitchen.

Joey stood, open mouthed as Colleen retreated.

"You'll never win with that old rat-bag!"

Joey turned around and saw Doug Smooter, the Dispatch Manager who she had bawled out when the fish deliveries were going astray.

"Hey, Doug." Joey said; feeling a little embarrassed. "How are you?"

"Good, thanks."

"Doug, I'm sorry about the other day; I had no right to ball you out in front of your staff as I did. Will you accept my apology?" Joey asked sincerely.

"Geez, love. Life is too short to hold grudges. No worries. For a moment, you reminded me of your old man!" Doug grinned. "I had a lot of time for Ron Collins!"

Joey sat down at the Dispatch Manager's table.

"I wish my Dad was here right now." Joey confided sadly.

"I know, love. Pretty tough this business about Irene Roberts. She and your old man were pretty close, as I remember."

"Yeah. Irene helped out a lot when Mum died. God I miss her so much."

"I'm surprised to see you back at work so quickly!" Doug commented.

"Beats sitting at home brooding. Besides, I have a few things I need to get straightened out." Joey said sadly.

Colleen made another brief appearance into the dining room, collected some dirty cups, but before disappearing once again into the kitchen, fired Joey a killer-look.

"God! I've mortally offended that woman, haven't I?" Joey muttered.

"Don't let it worry you, lass. She's just a stupid, old busy-body. What is it you've lost?"

"Dad's old, brown, brief-case. I had some notes in it which I need, but it seems to have gone missing. I'm sure I left it in my office cupboard the other day." Joey mused with a frown.

"Seems to be a lot going missing just now." Doug commented after taking a sip of coffee.

"How do you mean?" Joey asked, hoping Doug was not going to bring up the subject of missing fish stocks again.

"A whole year's worth of delivery notes has mysteriously vanished from my office!" He replied.

Joey immediately thought of Ingrid Peters, the Police auditor and her search for evidence.

"Is it possible that the accounts department might be using them?" Joey asked innocently.

"No. It was Alison and that young bit of stuff – Ingrid, who wanted to use them. It was then that I noticed they'd gone missing! I've searched high and low for them. Alison seemed a bit agitated when I told her I couldn't find them. Have we got an audit coming up or something?"

"Err... No, not exactly an audit. Alison is teaching her cousin about accounts. She might want to take it up as a career. Can't think why!" Joey bluffed.

"Well..." Doug said and drained his coffee cup. "I guess I'd better be getting back to work. Don't want management coming down on me like a tonne of bricks for skiving and chatting up pretty young ladies!" He winked.

"Doug, thanks for the chat and for being there at the right time."

"No worries, love. Anytime! I know things are rough at the moment, but I'm sure it will all sort itself out soon. You've got your old man's spirit in you, love – use it! I've gotta feeling that you may have to, over the coming months."

"What do you mean, Doug?" Joey asked, feeling a little uncomfortable.

"I won't say anymore love. Just watch ya back!"

Doug walked away leaving Joey, bemused.

Charlie felt her heart beat increase as the blood pressure boomed in her ears. She could hardly believe the words she was reading. Having found a recently franked envelope in the brown briefcase addressed to Joey Collins, she opened it up and took out several sheets of writing paper; her eyes devouring the words.

'...And therefore, Joey, I must confess to having had an elitist affair with your Dad, Ron, for several years. It was after your brother, Brett, was born. Your Mum, Mary, was a long time pulling herself together and getting to grips with the new baby. Then suddenly it all fell into place and she wouldn't allow anyone else to take care of little Brett, let alone touch him, and this included your Dad. Whatever he tried to do was wrong and she scolded him from morning until night. This continued as the baby began to get older. Your poor Dad hardly had any contact with the poor little mite. Your Mum pushed your Dad away and their relationship became a sham.

Your Dad started to spend a lot more time at work, building up the business with Alf Stewart, so much so, he hardly ever saw your Mum. But he tried to keep up the 'happy family' image for everyone – apart from me, that is.

Each lunch time we'd meet down at the wharf and talk. At first, we just chatted about family stuff and gossip from the town, but as time went on, we spoke more about personal issues and one day, he asked me if I'd like to go with him on a business trip to Sydney. He was taking a consignment of fish there and wondered if I'd like a change of scenery. Rightly or wrongly, I jumped at the chance! I hadn't been to Sydney in years and I liked your Dad's company. So, I went.

It was an overnight stay as your Dad had business in the city the following day. We went out to dinner in a swell restaurant! I didn't have the money to spend in such places, so it was a rare treat for me! We had wine too! Too much to be honest, and I'm afraid one thing led to another. Your Dad had booked two rooms, but I blush to admit that we only used the one.

Nine months later, I heard the patter of tiny feet. When I found out I was pregnant, I told your Dad and he was just wonderful. He wanted to marry me, but I told him 'no' for the sake of young Brett. It wasn't his fault that his Mum had gone cold on Ron. Anyway, I left town and moved to a place called Todd's Ravine to have you. Gawd, love! There I was, an unmarried mother, but your Dad was as good as gold. He visited us whenever he could and provided everything we needed.

But then it happened; I got sick. You were about three months old and I just couldn't cope! I had to be taken into hospital and was told that I would need to rest for a long time. Your Dad was beside himself with worry, but did what any good father would do... He took you home with him and explained everything to Mary. He told me afterwards that when he confessed that the child was his, she went spare, but something strange happened; she sort of fell for your pretty little face and decided to temporarily foster you until I was well enough to take you back. It was a grand idea, but there was one problem; when I was ready to take you back, she couldn't give you up and you'd kinda bonded with her too. There you all were; a proper little family. She loved you just as much as she did Brett and even he loved his new little sister! So what could I do? Even the relationship between your Dad and Mary had improved and I could see that he didn't really need me any longer. So, as desperate as I was, I gave you up, knowing you would have a much happier life, with far more opportunities than I could ever give you.

So you grew up with the Collins family knowing nothing about your true history. Everything was going fine until one day, I returned to Summer Bay. When Mary found out, she wasn't best pleased. She caught me talking to you one day after School. You were about five years old, so it's unlikely you'll remember the occasion. But I wanted to meet 'my little girl' just to see whom you were growing into. She caught me and took me to one side, and told me to leave you alone. She said if I came into your life now, you'd be confused. I suppose she was right, but it broke my heart!

Over the years, my resentment began to grow. I used to watch you from a distance, angry and jealous that I'd been deprived of your love. So, I began to plot Mary's downfall. I began to hate her with every fibre of my body. I went to sleep hating her and I awoke, hating her. I wanted you back and I was going to make it my business to achieve it!

Well, the Gods were on my side, because one day, I was passing your home, always in hopes of getting a little glimpse of my girl all grown up now, when suddenly, Mary came bursting out of the door! I assumed she was gonna slag me off for breathing-in the same air as you all, but she didn't! She was clutching her stomach; obviously in great pain. There was blood running down her bare legs and she screamed at me that she was having a miscarriage. She'd found out she was pregnant a couple of weeks before but the doctor's had advised her that due to her age and general health, it wouldn't be easy. I took her back into the house and got her into bed, and promised to phone for a doctor as there was no one else at home. I then pulled out a wire from the telephone socket, which Brett later got the blame for. She kept yelling in pain and I tried to reassure her that the doctor wouldn't be long. She drifted in and out of consciousness; continuing to lose blood heavily. Every time she came round, I told her that I'd only just phoned for the doctor and he was on his way. If she challenged this, I told her she was delirious, due to the amount of blood she had lost.

By the time I left your house, she'd lost consciousness completely for two hours. Her pulse was weak and the likelihood of her making a recovery was unlikely.

The next day, I heard that Mary Collins had died of a miscarriage. Your father was beside himself and when I offered my condolences and help with you and Brett, he gladly accepted. From that moment on, Ron was putty in my hands.

But I had won the greatest prize of all – YOU! I had got you back at long last!

You might wonder why I am telling you all this now – it's because I want you to know the truth, that you are my daughter. You already know that you are the only beneficiary in my will; you will be a very wealthy woman when I die, Joey. Though I hope this won't be for many years yet!

I can't live any longer without telling you the truth. I hope you will forgive me for allowing your foster mother to die. She was an evil, manipulative woman. You are better off without her. Please come to me soon.

Yours affectionately,

Irene, (mum) Roberts.

Charlie Buckton sat back in her chair, absolutely astonished at what she had just read. Irene Roberts – Joey Collins real mother?

The letter had been in an envelope addressed to Joey, dated two days before Irene's death. Joey had said nothing of this letter to Charlie; not even a hint of what it contained. What did this mean? Had Joey known of this information before Irene had died? Had Joey become angry and visited Irene to confront her about it? Had there been an argument where Joey had lost her temper and...

Charlie shuddered at the thought. Joey was the one person in the world whom she trusted implicitly. But had she been mistaken? Was Joey really the person she thought she knew? Was she capable of slaughtering a fellow human being in a fit of rage, then running away; feigning innocence?