A Pathway of Adversity
Chapter 38
Two weeks passed; Angelo Rosetta had left Summer Bay and travelled to Sydney, taking with him a case filled with photographs, recordings, letters, playing cards and gaming chips; months of damning evidence which he hoped would put Hugo Austin and Big C away for good. He had never felt so strongly nor so strong, but his only regret was losing the love of his life, Charlie Buckton.
He had fallen for Charlie at first sight! She was tall, willowy and beautiful beyond compare and very soon, he had the delight in discovering an even more endearing side; her warmth and generosity, her complete loyalty and devotion, even when things went bad, Charlie had tried to make it right, but Angelo's heart had been set on busting the poisonous ring which Hugo Austin was infecting Summer Bay with, and the feelings and devotions offered by Charlie were temporarily pushed to one side. He had no idea that Charlie would ever withdraw them completely and eventually move on with somebody else. Somebody else? Who? This was a question which Angelo was vague about. Charlie had told him there was someone else, but had not mentioned names. Angelo had thought long and hard, trying to discover the identity of her new love, but he had not seen Charlie with any other men; well, no one in particular.
Charlie met with the detective who had been sent from the city to investigate the murder of Irene Roberts. His name was Arnold; Detective Richard Arnold. He was a nice man; pleasant looking and was about thirty eight years old. Richard knew Charlie's father, Ross, a retired detective himself, and most of their conversation until now was about Ross's ailing health.
"Well, thank you Sergeant Buckton, in anticipation of your help. I know how frustrating it is when we city slickers are sent out to take charge of cases like this. I know you are more than capable of handling this investigation, so I'll try not to poke my nose in or irritate you too much, if I can help it."
"I completely understand, Detective Arnold." Charlie smiled.
"Please, call me Richard. Perhaps I may call you Charlie, Sergeant?"
"Please do." Charlie beamed.
After a short pause, Charlie bit her lip.
"Richard, there are a few things I feel I must mention to you about the Roberts case. I have an interest in one of the key players."
The detective glanced over the top of some case-notes which Charlie had made available to him.
"Really?"
Charlie swallowed. It was revelation time! To lie, or more to the point, to be evasive with the truth could at this stage reflect badly, if, in the middle of his investigation, Richard found out that Charlie and Joey were lovers.
"I am closely involved with one of the murder suspects... Joey Collins." Charlie said quietly; her eyes focused on her hands resting in her lap.
"You mean the only murder suspect, don't you? Oh, well, I suppose living in a tight community like Summer Bay, it's inevitable that you form close ties with some of the inhibitors. I'm sure we can get over it without too much embarrassment." Richard smiled with certainty.
"I'm afraid my involvement with Joey Collins is a little more... involved than is generally realised. She and I are... well, we... damn it! We're in a relationship!" Charlie blurted out; fighting for breath as her words were being digested by the detective.
The detective stared hard at the sergeant for a few moments. Charlie glanced up, expecting him to have 'forty-fits', but as their eyes met, his look softened and he smiled.
"I have a gay brother. His name's Pete... Big tall chap; well built... you'd take him for a navvy!" He grinned. "Just goes to show; you never can tell. Thank you for confiding in me, Charlie. It must have been a hard thing to do. I'm assuming you're not 'out' to the community at large?"
"No. It's all quite a recent thing and quite unexpected on my part."
The detective nodded.
"And Joey... Where is she, Charlie?"
Charlie licked her lips and met the detective's kind eyes.
"Somewhere." She muttered.
"I take it from this that you have removed her?" The detective asked a little sharply.
Charlie looked up from the intense examination of her thumb nail.
"Yes, sir. I... I thought it best under the circumstances. I know what I did is technically against the rules as she should have been brought in for questioning, but I feared for her safety and my instinct was to get her away for a couple of weeks."
The detective remained silent, but continued to stare at Charlie until she became increasingly uncomfortable.
"Well, at least clap me in irons or something!" She cried, leaving her seat and walking to the window.
Charlie heard the detective leave his seat and follow.
They stared out into the car park where two Police vehicles and three unmarked cars were parked. A sun-ray caught the windscreen of one vehicle and a harsh, silver-light reflected back at Charlie, causing her to screw her eyelids closed; shutting out the pain of what must be the inevitable, for a few moments.
"Charlie." The detective said quietly. "You made a quick decision concerning your friend's safety. It may not have been the smartest move you've ever made, but you have an exemplary record in the Police force, and your instincts, Sergeant Buckton, are one hundred percent. Your relationship with the suspect cannot be dismissed, but, you have informed me as a good officer should, of your relationship and after all, maybe you have done what anyone would have done under the circumstances. Apart from this, I have read the notes of this case and most of it doesn't add up. I have also been briefed by H.Q. as to some other facts, but I am still waiting for more detail and confirmation. In truth, I'm not at liberty to say anymore at this point."
Charlie breathed out in relief and thought of Angelo.
"But this does not mean that your Joey Collins will be regarded as innocent until she is proven to be. Do you understand, Sergeant?" The detective said, sternly.
"Yes Sir, I fully understand. What happens now?"
"You will of course be taken off the Roberts case, forthwith. This may not be a bad thing for a gentleman who is quite a leading light in your community, Alf Stewart, is also a personal friend of the commissioner and has already submitted a complaint against you for not taking immediate action in arresting Joey Collins!" Richard pointed out.
The detective moved away from the window and resumed his seat at Charlie's desk.
"Of course, it is I, now, handling this investigation, and not your Mr. Stewart. I haven't as yet had the pleasure of meeting the old gentleman. I will be meeting him later today. He's now home from hospital and being taken care of by his finance, I believe. No doubt you can tell me a little more about him?"
Charlie drifted back to her desk and sat on the corner.
"Alf, truly is a wonderful guy! On more than one occasion he has pulled the Summer Bay community off its knees and kicked it back into life again. He has invested vast amounts of money, benefiting the community at large by providing jobs and recreation. What Alf says is always taken notice of and in most cases his advice is good and acted upon. Hence, my anxiety over Joey Collins. Even before I smuggled Joey away, Alf was making audible complaints about her and so was his sister, Colleen Smart. Mrs. Smart is the community gossip and soon, Joey's name was being bandied about like crazy. Joey had no idea of what danger she was in and was unhappy at having to be hidden away and being made to appear guilty. It was only I, cajoling Joey, which convinced her to go into hiding at last."
The detective nodded his head.
"When 'the big noise' rattles his cage, he expects justice to be done, according to the gospel of Alf Stewart, no doubt."
"That's about it."
Charlie bit her lip and glanced shyly at the detective.
"Richard... Do you know Angelo Rosetta?"
The detective gave her a half smile and began to file away case-notes into a document wallet.
"Don't worry about Mr. Rosetta. We've had a little chat. Your friend Joey has little to fear from us. But just to be on the safe side, keep her locked away in your little love-nest. She's best off there at present."
Charlie blushed at the detective's words but shock his hand warmly when it was offered.