A Pathway of Adversity
Chapter 44
Hugo Austin left Yabbie Creek Police station at twelve fifteen after a gruelling six hours of questioning. Martha had dutifully called her grandfather for advice and Alf had told her to ring her aunt, Morag. Morag Bellingham, a well respected Lawyer, had arrived, and after some negotiation, had managed to get conditional bail for her niece's partner.
Hugo's eyes were red rimmed from exhaustion and fear. His chin was more unshaven than usual and his curly locks were limp and lifeless. He ran his fingers through it, and then rubbed his eyes. Morag watched Hugo and wondered if he was the murderer. She didn't like Hugo; as far as she was concerned, he wasn't good enough for her great-niece, but Hugo was Martha's choice and there wasn't anything Morag or anyone else could do about it.
"Well, Hugo..." She sighed. "I suggest I take you home to get some rest and then we'd better have a little chat later in the day."
"What about?" Hugo muttered.
"Who killed Irene Roberts."
Hugo glanced at the lawyer warily.
"I did not kill Irene Roberts!" He hissed angrily. "Weren't you bloody listening in there!"
"No Hugo; maybe you didn't kill Irene, but someone has and I think, and obviously the police believe, that you know something or are mixed up with the killer."
"Don't be so damned stupid!" Hugo replied, angrily and hurried off in the direction of Morag's car.
Morag's eyes followed the young man and her head shook gently.
"How are you, Angelo?" Charlie asked gently as her ex-boyfriend awoke from sleep.
"Charlie!" He croaked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Charlie smiled and sat down in the visitor's chair beside the young man with broken bones, cuts and bruises.
"I've come to check up on you; I wasn't certain if the information I was receiving was correct, so I've come here to make sure you are still alive!"
Angelo smiled his gratitude and wondered why he had ever let work get in the way of keeping the love of his life at his side.
"Thanks, Charlie... but there really wasn't a need."
"Here... I've brought you some grapes!" Charlie said, handing the young man a bag containing large, plump green grapes.
"What? No chocolate?" Angelo moaned.
"Not this visit. Get much better, than I'll see."
Angelo pulled a face, but his smile soon appeared again as his eyes devoured the beautiful features of the woman before him.
"What happened to us, Charlie?"
Charlie fidgeted uncomfortably in her chair.
"I-I mean, why can't we still make it work?" Angelo asked, revising his words.
Charlie took a deep breath and looked down at her fingers.
"I'm sorry, Ang, but I can't go back to those days. I'm not that same person anymore."
"Of course you are!" Angelo cried; sitting up suddenly and grimacing in pain.
"Angelo!" Charlie cried, jumping out of her chair. "You'll do yourself a mischief!"
"Sorry. I guess I got a bit excited. I suppose it was just the sudden possibility that I might be able to hold you again in my arms."
"I'm sorry Angelo." Charlie repeated.
"I know. It was my own fault. I shouldn't have been such a fool and gone down that pathway. Our pathways should never have divided."
Charlie smiled and looked down at the grapes resting on the blanket covering Angelo's body.
"Maybe we should break these open?" She smiled.
"To what do I owe the honour of this visit?" Alf Stewart asked as he wriggled into a more comfortable position on the sofa. He was now home from hospital and enjoying some peace and quiet.
"Well, as your sister and lawyer, I thought I'd pop by as I'm in town, to see how my big brother is doing. How are you feeling, Alf?" Morag Bellingham asked sympathetically.
Alf sighed.
"Well, I've felt better, love, but with a little more peace and a lot less of Coleen, I'd be coming along leaps and bounds by now."
"Colleen! Always the thorn in everyone's side. Tell her to go to hell, Alf."
"It's ok for you to talk like that Morag, but she practically lives on top of me! She pops by and walks in unannounced, every day…even when…" Here, Alf hesitated.
"Yes, Alf?" Morag enquired with interest.
"Well!" Alf said, throwing his arms in the air. "I can't even entertain my… well, friends without her butting in where she's not wanted."
"Colleen has never been strong on tact, Alf. And how is the lovely Marilyn?" Morag quizzed gently.
"How the hell did you know?" Alf muttered, clearly irritated. "Blimey! She couldn't even give me the pleasure of telling you in my own good time!"
"Actually, on this occasion, it wasn't our dear sister who spilt the beans. It was Ruby Buckton!"
"Ruby Buckton!" Alf laughed. "Well, well… just goes to show! Even at my age I can excite the kids with a bit gossip!"
"Well, you know Ruby; always a tale to tell. Sometimes she says things which, perhaps are a little unnecessary." Morag muttered as she brushed some fluff from her smart, business suit.
"Oh yes?" Alf asked inquisitively.
"Well, yes…" Suddenly Morag felt a little uncomfortable.
Ruby had telephoned her father and step mother Morag, dropping into the conversation about Charlie and her new found 'friendship' with Joey Collins.
"How well do you know Joey Collins?" She asked suddenly.
"Joey? Why are you asking?"
Morag noticed Alf's countenance change at Joey's name.
"Just wondered where she fits in with Irene's murder."
Alf stared at his lawyer sister for a moment.
"Colleen hasn't been yacking to you, has she?"
"About what?" Morag replied with interest.
"About Joey being involved."
"You should know by now that Colleen only contacts me at Christmas and Easter and not always then! You know I'm not her favourite person in the world."
"Lucky you." Alf sighed.
"I heard about Joey on the news. It's not true, is it? What reason could she have to bludgeon Irene Roberts?"
"Morag. I think I need a word with you… As my lawyer."
Morag stared at her brother with interest.
"I'm listening."
"I'm in a new relationship, Ang. I s'pose you might say it's a bit…" Charlie sighed and closed her eyes; searching for the words. "A bit… radical, for me!"
Angelo Rosetta frowned.
"Radical?" He enquired.
Charlie fiddled with her finger nails – anything to avoid eye contact with her ex-partner.
"Charlie?"
Charlie took a deep breath and looked up meeting Angelo's eyes.
"I'm with Joey Collins."
Angelo stared at the Police Sergeant.
"What do you mean, with?"
"Just what I say… Joey and I are in…" Here she swallowed. "A relationship."
She closed her eyes waiting for the stream of abuse which she expected. Instead, Angelo continued to stare at Charlie.
"Well, say something!" She cried after a few moments.
"I-I'm astounded!" He said shortly. "I'd never have believed it… Not in a million years." He whispered. "You are kidding me, aren't you? It's all a joke to cheer me up, isn't it?" He chuckled.
Charlie shook her head slowly. In some ways, she wished he was right. How easy life would be not feeling this overwhelming love for a member of her own sex.
Angelo paled.
"Well… Wow! I'm… shocked! Where did that come from? You never showed any signs of… that sort of thing when we were together!"
"Sometimes, it just happens, Ang. It's Joey the person, I love, not the…"
"You love?! Geez!" He flopped back on the pillows, completely bemused.
"Ang! Sometimes, our pathways lead us to places like this!"
"What, Dykeland?!"
"Angelo! Don't make it sound cheap!"
"Well, isn't it? Isn't it just a cheap thrill on your part?" He cried.
Charlie remained silent. She wanted Angelo to understand her feelings, but clearly, he was in no mood to accept her explanation.
"I think I'd better be going. You are getting too excited." She said quietly after a few moments, and rose to leave.
"I just can't believe that you'd do this, Charlie! I thought we were happy! Our love was strong and true! How could you calmly turn around and tell me you're a dyke!"
"Don't call me that!" Charlie snapped. "I'm a human being! A decent human being who has fallen in love with another decent human being! That doesn't make me or her a monster!"
Angelo stared at Charlie. His look was dangerous.
"I could so stuff Joey Collins, you know! I could so change the evidence to get her charged."
"You wouldn't!" Charlie hissed.
"Just watch me!"