Chapter Three Hundred and Twenty Nine
Charlie drove herself and Joey to the police station. Having found that the car was gone, Charlie wanted to run the registration plate through the computer at work to see if she could track down who it belonged to. She had offered to drop Joey back off at home but she had refused on the grounds of not wanting to lose her to work for the whole night. They might not be doing what they'd planned exactly but Joey was happy to spend time with Charlie. Plus, watching her girlfriend in 'cop mode' was more than a little appealing.
Gina arrived at the Surf Club. Tony had approached her earlier in the day and implored her to give John another chance. Even though he didn't like the guy, he could see how serious John was about her and he was determined that Gina seek happiness wherever she could find it.
Pushing through the doors, she froze when she saw Jill drunkenly draped all over John. It was like a horrible case a déjà vu. He caught sight of her just as she stormed back out of the venue. She didn't pause to listen to his pathetic explanations. Getting caught with another woman once was a mistake but twice was just habit and Gina had been through enough in her life without having to put up with it.
"Nothing," Charlie sighed.
Joey leant on the opposite side of the reception desk while Charlie entered the registration number several times.
"Nothing at all?" Joey asked. "Isn't registration a law or something?"
"Not if you're a criminal, I guess," Charlie sighed.
For a moment there, she really thought she might be onto something.
"What's going on?" said a voice across the room.
Both women turned and glared as Angelo anxiously approached.
"Nothing," Joey snapped. "Leave us alone."
"Well, I'm just curious as to why our Sergeant is sharing computer files and information with a civilian," Angelo said, not prepared to be nice to her.
"Shut up, Angelo," Charlie snapped. "Why do you have to act like such a bloody child every time Joey's in the room?"
Joey's glare became stronger and he matched the expression.
"We need to talk to you about Martha," Charlie snapped.
Then she led the way back to her office.
Romeo was sitting at home feeling despondent. Jill had been supposed to meet him so that they could sit down and talk things through properly but typically, she hadn't shown up. He looked up when the door burst open and his mother stumbled drunkenly through the door.
"Todd!" she said giddily. "Or Romeo, or whatever it is these stupid people call you."
She wobbled past him and crashed onto the sofa where she promptly fell asleep.
Disgusted, Romeo cursed under his breath and then stormed upstairs to his room.
"They must think Hugo's staying there," Angelo concluded.
"Well, no shit, Sherlock," Joey said sarcastically.
Charlie shot her a warning look. While she completely understood Joey's contempt for the guy, bitterness wasn't helping now.
"What the hell are you doing here anyway?" Angelo snapped at her. "Who died and made you a cop?"
"Who died and got you back on the police force?" Joey shot back. "Oh right, it was hundreds of human trafficking victims. Do I need to ask who died and stopped you being a cop?"
"Would you both stop arguing?" Charlie begged. "This isn't helping."
"Sorry," Joey mumbled.
Angelo continued to glare hatefully at her.
"That was low," he said.
"And deserved," Joey replied.
"Anyway," Charlie said, attempting to move the conversation on. "I think we might have enough to try and get the case kick started. I suggest we go home, get a good night's sleep and get back to it first thing tomorrow."
"Without her, I hope," Angelo said, still glaring at Joey who forced herself not to respond.
Charlie stood and took Joey's hand, ushering Angelo out of her office.
"I suggest you grow up before we get back to work tomorrow too," she added icily, leading Joey back out of the police station.
That night, Martha and Hugo were just about ready to go to bed when Martha cautiously checked out of the window. She had been unnerved by the noise they'd heard earlier and then by Charlie and Joey's visit. It was obvious that they knew Hugo was staying with her and she was terrified of them finding a way to prove it.
"Shit…" she muttered.
Hugo appeared behind her.
"What is it?" he asked worriedly.
"There's a fire!"
She hurried outside, onto the front porch. Despite the recklessness, Hugo hurried after her and stamped out the fire in a panic. He dashed back inside as soon as he could, hoping that nobody had set it in a bid to lure him out. Martha followed, looking shaken.
"How on earth did that happen?" he asked.
"Cigarettes," Martha said. "A whole pack has been lit and left for us."
Lying in bed, cuddled up in the dark, Joey stroked Charlie's hair.
"Sorry," she murmured.
"Sorry?" Charlie repeated, confused.
"For sniping at Angelo," Joey explained. "It wasn't my most helpful moment."
Charlie managed a smile and sought her lips out in the dark to kiss her.
"It's fine," she said. "At least you had reason to snipe at him. He was just being a bastard."
Joey chuckled.
"I think you might be biased," she said, pressing her lips against Charlie's neck.
Charlie felt a rush go through her as she felt Joey touch her skin with her tongue.
"Not that I'm complaining," Joey added. "Not complaining at all."
She snuggled ever closer and they both quickly drifted off to sleep.
The following morning, Summer Bay was abuzz with news of Leah and Elijah's engagement and everyone, even Colleen was happy for them.
"Congratulations," Charlie said, leaning across the counter at the Diner and kissing her best friend's cheek.
"We're really happy for you," Joey said, copying the gesture.
"Thanks!" Leah beamed.
She looked flushed with sheer joy. It might not have been the most conventional engagement in the world but it was still very exciting.
"We're hoping to have a dinner at our place tonight for people we're particularly close to," she said. "Would you like to come?"
"Of course!" Charlie and Joey said in excited unison.
With Charlie having gone to work, Joey ducked into the Surf Club to try and have a private word with Alf. It probably wasn't her place but after yesterday, she felt like she had to do something about the Martha situation.
"Hello, love," her boss greeted warmly.
"Hey," she replied a little hesitantly.
"Is everything okay?"
"Um… well, Charlie and I followed some thugs to the farm last night," she ventured.
Alf blanched and looked immediately concerned.
"Nothing happened," Joey said. "But um… well, just in case someone is staying there that shouldn't be, they're probably putting Martha in unnecessary danger."
The two friends looked grimly at each other before Alf nodded in understanding.
"I think you're right," he said gravely.
Joey smiled and patted him gently on the arm.
"I hope I haven't overstepped the mark," she said. "I'm just very concerned about the situation."
"You haven't," Alf assured her. "Thank you."
Nodding, Joey grinned and headed off out to work.
Next time… Alf confronts Hugo, Charlie brings Watson in on the case and Leah and Elijah celebrate their engagement…
