A Pathway of Adversity

Chapter 49

Joey's escape from the safe house had gone surprising well. She had scratched her legs whilst trying to negotiate her way through some unruly bracken just outside the window, but after, had fared much better. Whoever was out there watching or waiting for her to make a move had dismally missed their opportunity to pounce or report back. The officer appointed for this task had dozed off to sleep an hour since and the replacement officer wasn't due until day break; some hours hence. Once free of the tangled undergrowth, Joey had jogged silently towards a clump of trees some fifty metres from the house. She hid with her back towards a tree; her heart beating rapidly. Fearful that her heart beats might be overheard, it wasn't long before she jogged another fifty metres to another clump of trees before resting to reconnoitre.

"Charlie – this is Doug Smooter. Ermmm… I need to speak to you urgently. I'm worried about something… something to do with… Well, as soon as you pick-up, please can you contact me urgently? Thanks Charlie."

Doug bit his lip after leaving a message for Sergeant Charlie Buckton. His family were well on the way to the city now and he had finished packing his own bag for an escape from Summerbay. He had no intention of staying – not while all this business regarding Irene Robert's murder was going on. He knew too much and was in too deep for his liking. All the time he had Hugo Austin and the 'other one' breathing down his neck and pulling in favours, he and his family weren't safe. He was about to pick up his bag and leave when a sudden thought struck him. He quickly turned on his son's computer and began to type. His fingers moved rapidly over the keys until his message was complete. He logged off, picked up his bag and phone and headed out into the night.

Charlie yawned and rubbed one eye as she drove in the darkness. It felt like she'd been up for hours but adrenaline had kept her going. Now she was nearing her destination, fatigue began to creep into her bones.

"Blast!" She cursed as she realised that she'd likely smudged her mascara.

She glanced in the interior mirror, but could hardly see her face. The night was so dark and no other driver's headlights were there to lighten her journey. She would have to deal with this when she got to the safe house. As angry as she was with Joey, she still wanted to present herself attractively. She yawned again, but this time, opened the windows to allow the fresher night air in to keep her awake. She also switched on the car radio. After hearing one or two songs, there was a news bulletin.

"… There have been further reports of large numbers of admissions into Yabbie Creek Hospital after a serious outbreak of fish poisoning in Rosewonger. Death rates have risen once again; a total of six since yesterday. One source has suggested that Scombroid poisoning is the cause. Scombroid poisoning usually occurs in large dark meat fish such as tuna, mackerel, mahi mahi, and albacore. Since this poison develops after a fish is caught and dies, the location where the fish is caught becomes irrelevant. The main factor is the length of time the fish is left sitting before being refrigerated or frozen. This means that the fish supplied to this small community has been presented with a potential death warrant! A delivery driver has been traced and is due to be interviewed by the Police."

Charlie frowned. Rosewonger was just a few miles away from Boggaroo – the very town where she had followed and witnessed fish stocks from the Summerbay Fish and Crab Company being transported by Colleen Smart – or someone very like! Could this have something to do with recent occurrences in Rosewonger? She made a mental note to make some enquires when she returned to Yabbie Creek. She yawned once again and looked at the clock. The sun was just creeping above the skyline – at least dawn was breaking.

"Geez! Where did she come from!" Charlie cried as a lone walker seemed to appear out of nowhere.

She checked her interior mirror after she'd passed. The girl was all alone and travelled light.

"Stupid idiot!" Charlie muttered to herself. "And they wonder why things happen to them!"

The surprise had shaken off all her drowsiness and though she knew she should stop the girl, question her and give her a lift to a less remote spot, continued to drive to the safe house as quickly as possible.

Joey yawned, sniffed and yawned again. It had been some hours since she'd last slept and now, after walking at least ten miles, in the dark and in fear, she was now feeling somewhat jaded as the sun began to lighten the horizon. A car passed from time to time; sometimes the driver observed the lone walker but others completely ignored her. No one stopped to offer her a lift, but for this, Joey was grateful. Though tired, she thought it best to remain alone.

Charlie pulled up by the side of the safe house. It was now early light and the birds were starting to chirp. She tried the door with her key but it was locked from the inside. At least Joey was following instructions in this respect. She walked around to the back of the house – all windows were closed. This surprised Charlie as the night had been warm – it must be hell inside the house. There was no entry in without disturbing Joey from her sleep. She contemplated sitting in her car until a more reasonable hour but a sudden instinct told her all was not well. She walked around the house again. It was like no one was there. She remembered the Police surveillance team keeping an eye on Joey. She wondered where they were hiding. She looked around for a probable position. After walking about for a while, she saw their secret 'hide' and grinned to herself. Once a policeman, always a policeman!

"Well, sorry to disturb your slumber!" Charlie said, as she nudged the sleeping Police officer.

Luckily, he was one of Detective Arnold's men; otherwise, she'd have had his skin!

"Sergeant Buckton!" The plain clothed officer jumped. "Sorry… I must have dropped off!"

"Mmmm. By the look of it, you dropped off at about ten last night!"

The officer looked sheepish.

"What's going on over at the house?" Charlie asked.

"All quiet. She did some sun bathing yesterday afternoon, but suddenly disappeared inside and hasn't shown her face since."

Charlie looked back towards the house. Why would Joey blatantly sunbathe, have all windows and doors open and then suddenly disappear inside and close the house up? Had she been frightened by something or someone?

"Ok. I'm going in to check that all's ok."

"Ok, boss. Call if you need help."

"I will, but try not to fall asleep again."

The officer grinned sheepishly.

Doug Smooter left his home with as little ceremony as possible. His wife had taken the family car, so Doug was on foot. He walked quickly past neighbouring gardens; checking over his shoulder from time to time. He found he was perspiring profusely and stopped to get his breath at the corner of Pier Street. He leant against a wall and sighed.

"Going somewhere, Douggie?"

Doug turned around quickly to face the voice.

"Thinking of escaping with all that knowledge, huh?"

"N-no... Just out for a bit of a walk." He replied; his heart pounding.

"Well, a little bird told me your wife and kids have gone away on holiday. Shame to have left you all alone. Are you sure you weren't about to follow them, Douggie?"

"No! No. I-I take a morning walk sometimes. Helps to clear my head." Doug explained.

"I'm not quite sure if Douggie is telling me the whole truth, now. What about taking a little drive? Maybe up into the hills? We can have a little chat and perhaps a little walk along the cliff. The wind will blow away those old cobwebs a treat. What do you say, Douggie?"

"Honestly! I'm fine... I'll..."

Suddenly, Doug found a gun poked into his ribs.

"It's not up for negotiation, Doug. Now move!"

"Detective! I have the Ministry of Health on the line." Constable Watson called.

"Thanks Watson... Detective Richard Arnold speaking."

"Good morning, Detective. I'm Christopher Watts, health official. I'm hoping for your help. No doubt you have heard about the trouble we are in over at Rosemonger?"

"Yes, indeed Mr. Watts. How can I be of assistance?"

"It appears that a consignment of fish products was transported here, possibly illegally, and the likely source originated from Summerbay. Now, it doesn't take a genius to work out that the major fish refiners around these parts are The Summerbay Fish and Crab Company. We are sending out officials to interview the directors this afternoon at two p.m. We would like you to attend, please."

Richard sat up straight. He had heard about the devastating affect the poisoning had created around the Rosewonger and Boggaroo communities and had half wondered if there was a link with Summerbay.

"I will certainly attend with my team. Are you expecting trouble?"

"Not trouble, exactly, but some hostilities... Perhaps."

"I understand, after all, the SBF & C aren't the only fish stockists around – why them in particular?"

"A driver called Bob Kelly was identified as the source of the cheap sale of fish. After questioning, it appears that he purchased the consignment from the Summerbay Fish & Crab Company."

"Pretty damning evidence, then." Arnold remarked.

"You might say that. So, I can rely on you?"

"Indeed."

Charlie knocked on the door for the third time but still no response came from within.

"Oh hell, Joey! Where are you!"

"Problems, Serg?"

"She isn't answering. I need to get in."

"I'll get a crowbar from the wagon." The surveillance officer said.

"Thanks."

Charlie checked her phone. She saw she'd received three calls; one from Ruby asking where her green shorts were, two from Doug Smooter asking her to contact him and to read his email. But nothing from Joey Collins.