A Pathway of Adversity
Chapter 30
Charlie sat for a long time, just staring at the letter which she had placed back in its envelope. The sound of her mobile phone ringing caused her to jump. Picking it up, she checked the caller's identity and her heart sunk when she read the words;
'Joey Collins'.
Charlie could no sooner speak to Joey at that moment than bring Irene Roberts back to life. Any words which Charlie might think of to say to Joey would sound hollow and imitation. How could she face Joey again with the same degree of affection which she had possessed only an hour and a half ago? All she wanted was to run away, alone, never to see or hear from another soul... especially Joey.
The phone stopped ringing and Charlie bit her lip as she stared at the phone. How was she ever to face Joey again?
Joey frowned at her mobile phone in disappointment. Charlie must be busy and unable to answer her call. She felt sad and a little frightened. Doug Smooter's words; "But watch ya back" still rang loud and clear in her ears. She needed to run the statement by Charlie to see if she considered it worth worrying about. Charlie was the only one whom she could share this with and trusted. Picking up the mobile phone again, she pushed some buttons.
Sergeant Charlie Buckton made ready to securely lock away the items of evidence in her office safe. The last item was the brown, leather briefcase which she knew Joey valued so much. Her thumb tenderly brushed over the brass letters, 'RC' and she smiled softly, remembering Joey's tenderness towards her; her conscience once again, questioning if she really believed that Joey was capable of committing such a violent act on another person. Her desk telephone rang. Without further ado, Charlie locked the safe and put the keys into her trousers pockets. She walked hastily over to the ringing phone and picked up the receiver.
"Charlie Buckton."
"Hi darling, it's me!" Joey said; trying to sound cheerful.
"Err... Hi, Joey. Look, I'm really sorry but I can't talk at the moment. I'm in a meeting which might last a while. I'll call you as soon as I can."
But before Joey had a chance to respond, Charlie had replaced the receiver and her head fell into her hands.
"Who were you telling porky-pies to?" Watson laughed as she entered Charlie's office, unannounced.
"What?" Charlie asked sheepishly.
"You were telling someone you were in a meeting! Now, unless my eyes deceive me..."
Charlie laughed half-heartedly.
"Oh, just a friend who keeps ringing to chat about her philandering husband!"
"I keep telling you girls to keep away from men! You know, getting it on with another girl is far more fun and we're far more dependable!" Watson grinned.
Charlie became flustered. She worried what was on her mind was clear for the entire world to see and quickly averted her eyes.
"Coffee?" Watson suddenly offered.
"Errr, no! I think I'm going home early today. I have something to do. Can you keep an eye...?"
"Yeah, no worries! What's his name?"
"What do you mean?" Charlie asked shakily; her cheeks flushing.
"The guy who has been keeping you out late and keeping your mind off your work!" Watson laughed.
Charlie was confused and a little annoyed.
"Kindly attend to your business, Watson. I'll see you in the morning." She said, brusquely and walked out of the office leaving Watson bemused.
Joey's heart beat quickly and ached at the cold response she had received from Charlie. She tried to think rationally; Sergeant Charlie Buckton was a busy woman and Joey considered that this might often happen during their relationship. She tried to smile with pride that the woman she loved was such an important part of their community in Summer Bay. But she could not shake off the pain of Charlie putting the telephone down on her without a kind word first. Maybe she was just over sensitive due to the happenings of the last few days. She and Charlie had confessed their affection for one another and they had made the most delicious love together. Then Irene had been murdered and Charlie had vowed she would do all she could to find her murderer. She had treated Joey with much tenderness until now. Why had her attitude suddenly changed? Again, Joey tried to dismiss Charlie's abrupt manner as a mere nothing, but a little doubt came creeping into her mind.
"What the hell is wrong with you, these days?" Martha Holden scolded as she brushed past Hugo Austen who was sitting in deep thought by a window.
"There's nothing wrong." He said quietly.
"Well, you could've fooled me! You've hardly spoken a word to me since we heard about Irene's death! Anyone would think you had something to do with it!"
"What do you mean?" Hugo screamed.
Martha stopped in her tracks and stared back at her boyfriend's pale face.
"I – I meant, nothing! I just observed that you've been quiet ever since the business with Irene." Martha explained, meekly.
Hugo's face was dark; his eyes hollow and dangerous. She had not noticed just how much until now. She swallowed and picking up the ashtray, which was full of cigarette butts, walked hastily out of the room leaving Hugo to stare out of the window in peace.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Stuart!" Constable Watson chirped when she answered the call. "How are you today?"
Alf, still residing in his hospital bed, was unusually free from any female company.
"Getting there, love, thanks. Is Charlie Buckton available?" He asked, not wishing to waste any more time on niceties.
"Unfortunately, she left the office sometime ago. Is there anything I can do to help?"
Alf thought for a few moments.
"Well, I dare say you'll have to do." He replied, grudgingly.
Watson cleared her throat and tried to ignore the slight.
"You see love, I have some very important information which concerns the murder of Irene Roberts and may just blast this case, wide open!"
Charlie walked alone, along the sea shore. Her mind had been in turmoil ever since she found the letter addressed to Joey, by Irene Roberts, in the brown leather, brief case. She tried to think rationally, and professionally. Were the contents of the letter to be believed or was this some cruel joke being played on Joey?
She stopped walking for a few moments and looked back towards her car parked along the beach road. She wanted to believe Joey had nothing to do with Irene's murder, and though the letter might have given Joey good reason to feel bitter against Irene, she could hardly believe that Joey would ever do such a vial thing. Suddenly, upon impulse, she began to run back to the grass bank and climbing up hastily, jumped into her vehicle. She pulled away and headed for Joey's house.