A Pathway of Adversity
Chapter 33
Charlie stared at the white wipe-board on her office wall. She had written the name 'Irene Roberts' at the top in the middle and below it, on either side had written down all the names which had become prominent in her investigation of Irene's death:
Hugo Austen, Angelo Rosetta, Alf Stuart, Colleen Smart, Doug Smooter and... Joey Collins. As much as she hated writing Joey's name alongside the others, she had no choice. Joey would benefit largely from Irene's death and the letter which Irene had allegedly penned to Joey, declaring a closer relationship than Joey might have liked, was more than enough reason for Joey to freak out and do something stupid. As much as Charlie loved and worshipped Joey, she had to either keep a level head in this investigation or step aside, declaring she was an interested party. Doing so would mean announcing the relationship she was having with Joey Collins and 'outing' herself to the world. Charlie knew it would happen one day, but with everything else which was happening, it was one less thing she needed to cope with at that moment. If she continued heading the investigation, she would at least be able to observe 'fair play' where Joey was concerned.
Colleen Smart... Colleen Smart... Why did Colleen's name keep appearing at the fore? Colleen, although a busy body, had formally been just another character in Summer Bay; annoying, but not really a problem. But now, her name and face were appearing just too often. Charlie underlined her name with a red pen and stepped back.
Colleen was Alf Stuart's sister and Martha Holden's aunt. To Charlie's knowledge, she had no shares or say in the running of The Summer Bay Fish and Crab Company. Yet Charlie had seen Colleen, with her own eyes, driving a van which, had intercepted stolen fish stocks. Why? Having questioned Colleen, Constable Watson reported that she had denied all knowledge of being the driver and had furnished the Police with a clean and satisfactory alibi which had been backed up by Irene Roberts; probably shortly before her death. Very convenient!
What of Hugo Austen? Why did he spend time with Colleen? A silly old woman would hardly make exciting company for this young, ambitious man.
And Angelo Rosetta; Charlie's ex-lover. How was he mixed up in this affair? He had recently spent much time stalking Hugo Austen; taking photographs and making recordings of conversations which Hugo had made, but what was in it for Angelo or was there something which Angelo was desperate to cover up?
Doug Smooter. What was his tie-up? He was the Dispatch Manager with the Summer Bay Fish and Crab Company. He had no shares, and though a manager, did not really have much of a say in the direction in which the company heading, yet he had confessed that someone had threatened him for money – somebody who must have dealings with the 'SBF & C' - and he had also mentioned a 'she'? Was this 'she' someone else who worked for the company or someone who had influence on one of the major players?
And Joey... Joey Collins. Was there any information which Joey hadn't shared with Charlie which may be useful in finding Irene Roberts' murderer? Or was she withholding facts which might incriminate her?
"Please, please keep a clear head!" Charlie muttered to herself.
Suddenly, the desk telephone rang.
"Charlie Buckton."
"Charlie! It's Alf Stuart! I've been expecting you to pay me a visit! I've given your Constable some very useful information and as far as I can see, she's done bugger-all with it!" He cried angrily.
"Alf. Yes, sorry I haven't been in to visit you. I hope you're feeling better?"
"I'd feel a lot better, love, if you were to get your finger out and arrest Joey Collins! She threatened Irene and she's threatened my sister and from what I understand, she is still running about, free, in Summer Bay!"
Charlie swallowed.
"Alf, my Constable did convey the information but in honesty, unless your sister comes forward with a complaint against Joey Collins, there is little I can do about it!"
"That's crap, Charlie! A member of my family is threatened and I expect something to be done about it before she's brutally murdered like Irene!"
"Please tell Mrs. Smart to visit me as soon as possible. After this, if I feel it's worth bringing Joey Collins in for questioning, I will." Charlie stated stoutly.
"Sorry love; not good enough! If you're not willing to do anything about it immediately, I'm going above you!"
Charlie froze. She knew that Alf's threat was not hollow. He had influence within the community and he would use it. He would get in touch with his other sister, Morag, who was a well practised lawyer, and start proceedings, and even though Morag was Charlie and Ruby's Step-Mother, Morag would certainly get involved.
"Okay, Alf. I'll go and speak to Joey Collins. But, I'd also like to remind you that to set the Bay ablaze with force accusations will not help. You know what a small community is like. Just remember who Joey Collins is and who her family were! You were her father's partner, for heaven's sake! Why would Joey start murdering people just for the sake of it?"
Alf went quiet for a moment.
"Well, I don't know. Ron Collins was a bloody good bloke, but could be misguided at times; that's how the poor bastard lost his shares! Then there's that brother of hers, Brett, who isn't any good. What makes you think that Joey is any better?"
"Alf, you probably know Joey Collins better than I do. I'd say you're a pretty good judge of character. If someone had said to you a week ago that she would be accused of murder, what would you have said?"
Alf remained quiet.
"Alf, don't do this to her! She's been trying to tell you for weeks that something was going on, but you chose to ignore her!" Charlie said quickly.
"And how the hell do you know all this?"
Charlie licked her lips; suddenly aware she may have said too much.
"Joey spoke to me. She was worried that something was wrong with fish stocks and deliveries going astray and I have been keeping an eye on your drivers."
Charlie closed her eyes as she waited for Alf's response.
"You had no bloody right to do that without my consent, young woman! It's none of your flaming business!"
"That might be so, Alf, and perhaps I should have spoken to you first, but I believe Joey had tried to do just that, but you ignored her!"
"Well, regardless of that, I'm not letting this matter rest! I'm going to be contacting the Police Superintendant and I shall speak to the media. If you won't pull Joey Collins in for questioning, I shall make damned sure that someone else will!"
Alf Stuart slammed down the telephone.
Charlie closed her eyes and gave a heavy sigh.
"Shit!" She hissed.
Joey closed all of the curtains as night began to fall. She had just spent her first day alone in the remote safe house. Thankfully, the house had a television and radio, so she was able to keep in touch with the outside world and it gave her something to do. In her rush, she had omitted to pack a book to read, she had no computer or internet and she had no work to do. She walked into each of the four rooms which the house provided. In the corner of the spare bedroom, there was a shelf containing some books. Joey meandered over and browsed the paperbacks until she found something to amuse her.
"Can you believe it? She threatened that if I didn't keep my mouth shut, she would bludgeon me, just like she did my dear old friend, Irene Roberts!" Colleen declared in the middle of the staff canteen.
Leah Pattison gasped. She could no more believe that Joey Collins would kill a fly, let alone Irene Roberts of whom she had been so fond. Leah sidled up to Colleen.
"Colleen! Keep your mouth shut and stop stirring things!" She hissed.
"Leah Pattison! Not a lie has passed from my mouth! Joey Collins murdered Irene Roberts and is now going to murder me!" She declared in a loud voice.
"Jeepers!" Alison said with wide eyes. "What the hell is that silly old cow going on about now!"
"She's slagging Joey off and calling her a murderer!" Melinda said with eyes as big as a saucepan. "It can't be true, can it?"
"Of course it's not bloody true! You know who's behind all this?" Alison said, outraged. "Its bloody Austen, that's who! I'd better get in touch with Charlie Buckton. I don't know where Joey is today, but the way Colleen Smart is whipping-up the whole town, they'll have Joey hung before she's had a chance to prove herself innocent!"