Pathway of Adversity
Chapter 43
Detective Richard Arnold sat on the edge of the desk, in the interrogation room, facing a notice board.
"So, run that by me one more time, if you please." He said without turning.
The detainee shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"I can't hear you!" Arnold sang, standing up and turning around.
"I've told you all I know."
"Humour me and tell me once more and this time, with feeling!"
"Don't be an arse."
"I'd like to remind you, that you've been brought here for questioning regarding several important issues; one, illegal sales of fish stocks from the Summer Bay Fish and Crab company, cheating or conspiring to cheat at Poker and thirdly, your possible involvement in the Irene Roberts murder case!"
Arnold emphasised the last point by banging his fist on the desk, making his unwilling companion jump.
"I've told you before; I know nothing about any of them."
"Mr. Austen..." The detection said, waving a folder in his hand. "I have enough evidence in this one little paper folder to ruin you from here to Kingdom Cum. Now, I suggest you cut the tough guy image and talk to me before I really lose my temper!"
Hugo Austen remained quiet.
"What's going on? Where is Hugo?" Martha Holden cried as she walked into the Police Station at Yabbie Creek.
"Now calm down, Martha. Hugo is having a few little words with Detective Arnold at present." Constable Watson replied. "If you'd like to take a seat and wait, I'm sure we will have some information for you later."
"Where's Charlie?" Martha demanded. "Is she in there too?"
"No... Sergeant Buckton isn't available at present."
"Well, where the hell is she?!"
"The Sergeant is out on official Police business at present. Now, unless I can help you with anything further, I suggest you either take a seat or come back later." Watson advised.
"My Grandfather will hear about this! Just you wait and see!" Martha yelled and stormed out of the Police Station.
"How nice to have such an influential relative." Watson muttered under her breath.
"What the hell did you start a riot for?" Alf Stewart asked his sister who sat at his bedside. "Don't you realise, if Joey did murder Irene, all that prancing about, yelling your socks off will have had her running for the hills by now, you silly old faggot!"
"I'll ask you to keep a civil tongue in your head, Alf Stewart!" Colleen Smart replied. "Summer Bay needs justice and it appears the Police aren't willing to arrest her of their own accord, then, we citizens need to act and act fast!"
"Colleen, love... I'm not sure you've grasped the stick! The Police obviously have no evidence which will hold up in court, to arrest and charge Joey Collins. If they did, do you think they'd be sitting on their backsides and doing nothing?"
"I told you what I knew... I told you about what Irene said to me before she died." Colleen said, flinging her arms about.
"You told me about a letter which Irene had sent to Joey... a letter which Irene would have been better keeping to herself than sharing with anyone, including you! What if Irene did help Mary Collins on her way? It's hardly any of your business now, is it? And if Irene sent the letter to Joey, then she was a fool."
"How so?" Colleen asked; affronted.
"Because it was provocative! She must have known that by telling Joey stuff like that, it would upset and enrage the girl! It would anyone!"
"You've soon changed your tune!" Colleen said; bristling.
"I've had time to think... Spending time here, alone in hospital; when you and Marilyn allow, that is... gives one time to reflect. If Irene did kill, or at least help Mary Collins on her way, then she was wrong, but in a way, it was understandable... After all, the woman deprived Irene of her own kid for many years and I guess a lot of resentment can accumulate in that time. Possibly Irene became obsessive about it in the end. You'd be surprised what a mother will do to keep her young by her."
"Alf, you're talking nonsense! You seem to have forgotten that it's Joey Collins who is the one we should be discussing here, not what Irene did to Mary Collins!"
"Do you really think Joey Collins would have killed Irene for that?"
"She did and I can prove it!" Colleen announced proudly.
"What?" Alf shrieked. "In Heaven's name, woman, what have you got up your sleeve now?"
Charlie reached the Prince Alfred Hospital after a long journey to the city. Sydney was busy and the hustle and bustle gave Charlie a headache. After showing her face at work, she's informed Detective Arnold about Angelo's accident and he was happy for her to journey to the city to visit. Police head-quarters in Sydney had already contacted Arnold, sharing their information, topped by the hum-dinger of a package which had been presented to them hours before by ex-Sergeant Rosetta.
Before entering the hospital, Charlie took out her phone and keyed Joey's phone number, praying she would answer.
"Hello."
"Hey Joey, it's me."
"And who else would be ringing me on this phone?" Joey asked sarcastically.
"Oh for God's sake, Joey! How long are you going to keep this up? What do I have to do to prove that I love you and no one else? Huh?"
Charlie glanced around her, catching one of two looks from passers-by who were surprised at her outburst.
"Look..." Charlie continued in a more subdued voice. "I'm sorry that I've had to come here, but one day, I'll be able to explain the reason why and then you'll understand. I'm not here because I want to be with Angelo! I'm here, partly on official duty and also because he has recently done something honourable and decent and I just need to know he is okay. I'll be here for no more than an hour and then I'll be returning home. Please Joey, cut me some slack on this one!"
Joey was silent at the other end and Charlie sighed.
"At least say something... Even if it's to tell me to 'go to hell'!" Charlie said at long last.
"Is that what you want me to say?"
"No, Joey... I want you to say you understand and you trust me! I want you to tell me how much you love me and miss me and can't wait to have me back in your arms! I don't want an iceberg coming between us, Jo!"
Joey could hear in Charlie's voice that she was suffering and hated herself for being the cause of it.
"Charlie, I'm sorry. I've been a total arse! I do love and miss you and I can't wait to feel you in my arms again. I miss you so desperately and it was pure jealousy of Angelo that made me act the way I did this morning. I'm stupid beyond anything you can think of! Please forgive me?"
Charlie closed her eyes and mentally thanked God for what she was hearing.
"Of course I forgive you... And I miss you so much and wish you were here with me now!"
"Where exactly are you?"
"I'm overlooking the harbour at the moment. The Opera House looks magnificent with the lights on it and all the little boats in the harbour are lit up with pretty little coloured lights!" Charlie said, describing the scene. "And I think half the city has turned out tonight! It's so busy!"
"Guess there must be something special on at the Opera House... or perhaps they are all visiting Angelo!"
Charlie laughed.
"Angelo has his moments of charm, but I don't think it's strong enough to warrant all these people rocking up at his bedside!"
It was Joey's turn to laugh.
"Well, as long as he doesn't charm you!"
"No fear of that! Well, my love, I'd better be making tracks."
"You'll ring me when you get home?"
"I may be very late."
"I don't care! I won't sleep knowing you're travelling all that way late at night. Promise me you'll call?"
"Okay, I promise. Try and get some rest though..."
"I will do."
"Good girl. I love you."
"Love you too!"
"You're telling me you saw Joey do it?" Alf cried, perplexed.
"I saw her do it and I even heard her say, "take that, you old witch!" after she'd bludgeoned her!"
Alf looked at his sister incredulously. Her eyes were black as she told her gruesome tale; her hand gestures were large and theatrical as she paced about the hospital room like a caged animal, looking for an escape route.
It was only here that Alf began to wonder about Colleen and this fantastic story which she had so cleverly told and had so much intimate knowledge of. Why would Irene have confided in an old busy-body like Colleen who was bound to spread such a horrific tale as this one? Colleen wouldn't have been able to help herself! No, Irene wouldn't have told a soul, let alone Colleen or even Joey, come to that.
"Well, I think I've had enough for one day, Colleen. I'm feeling rather tired now. Thanks for your visit and I look forward to the next one!" Alf said, through an artificial yawn.
"Oh... okay, Pet. Can't wear you out now, can we? You have forty winks and I'm sure it will refresh you. Next time I come, I'll bring you in a nice soup."
"You do that!" Alf said, almost willing the door to open so Colleen might go.