Hi, everyone. Sorry it's been so long since I last updated. Summer holidays, hospital appointments, cats, family, blah, blah, blah! Anyway, I hope you enjoy the 'Charlie cop' chapter. Love IJKS xxx

Chapter Five Hundred and Nineteen

Robertson arrived at work with a definite spring in his step. Not only did he have a search warrant for the bait shop ready to wave in Charlie's face when she arrived, he also had a lunch date with Leah arranged for afterwards. He had given up mooning over her and opted to be direct. She had accepted his invitation for lunch and suggested they meet at the Diner on her break. Granted, it probably wasn't the most romantic date he'd ever arranged but it was lunch with Leah and that was the best thing that had happened to him in a good long while. Plus the search warrant.


Charlie was exhausted before she even arrived at work and she knew she was likely to have a long day ahead of her. It had been a long drive up to her Dad and Morag's house and emotionally, a long day. She worried a lot about her Dad. She also worried about Morag. And she worried equally about Ruby and the toll her father's illness took on her. She didn't know if inviting Ross and Morag to live with them was in Ruby's best interests. But she needed to take care of everyone and that seemed the best way to do it. And as Joey said, they would do everything it took to make sure that Ruby was alright.

She parked her car and took several deep breaths before getting out. She just had a bad feeling about today.


Robertson pounced on Charlie the second she walked through the door to the police station. She knew from the inane grin on his face that her anxiety had been correct. Today was not going to be a good day.

"Well, I am very pleased to see you, Sergeant Buckton," he told her. "Although from the grimace on your face, it doesn't seem like the feeling is mutual."

"No, no," Charlie countered. "Always thrilled to see you."

She looked past him, hoping that Watson might be around.

"Well, isn't that nice?"

She continued to grimace.

"Well, I have some news," he announced. "I've obtained a search warrant for the bait shop."

"Didn't we search the bait shop already?"

"Briefly. Before we had a body. This is an intensive search. I've got a team organised. You're welcome to join us. We're set to leave in twenty minutes."

He turned to leave for his office. Charlie went off to find Watson.


Watson was making coffee before she was due to go out on patrol when Charlie arrived in the staffroom.

"Oh, hey," Watson greeted. "How are you? Kerri said you went to see your Dad yesterday. How is he doing?"

"He's okay," Charlie said with a shrug. "I mean… well, you know."

Watson nodded, offering Charlie a coffee, which she gratefully accepted.

"Listen, I think we need to put our theory about Will to Robertson," Charlie said, leaning against the counter as Watson continued to make the drinks. "Like, now. This morning."

"Really? Now?"

Charlie nodded and explained about the search warrant.

"I thought he was crowing about something this morning," Watson said. "He had a glint in his eye yesterday afternoon but he was keeping a lid on it."

"Now that Penn's body has washed up, he's gunning for Alf more than ever. If we're going to save him and prove his innocence, we need to act now. I don't know if we have enough but I feel like we have to try."

She stood up straight.

"Are you with me?"

"Always."

They took their coffees and went to find the Detective.


Robertson was sat behind his desk when Charlie and Watson knocked and entered. They each held a coffee (but not one for him) and a mass of papers. They sat down without waiting to be asked.

"What's all this?" he asked.

"A different perspective," Charlie told him.

He sat back and folded his arms, curious.

"I'm listening," he said.

"Will Smith," Charlie said. "We think in your pursuit of Alf Stewart, you've overlooked him."

"Will Smith? The bait shop boy? Come on, he can barely string a sentence together."

"I've watched him in interviews," Charlie said. "He's hiding something."

"He told his daughter that he did something bad and he feels guilty," Watson added.

"He's extremely close to Alf," Charlie said. "Extremely protective."

"His past is littered with misdemeanours, usually provoked by his temper," Watson put in.

"We've gone through the whole case file," Charlie said. "We're not expecting to change your mind in one meeting but at least consider it. Please?"

Robertson sat forward and took the papers.

"I don't think your theory has any credibility," he told them.

Charlie was about to lose her temper.

"But," he cut in quickly. "I will read your papers and consider what you've said. That's my job. And despite what you think, I am a team player. It just so happens that I am the captain of the team. However, don't think that this will cancel my plans today. I've got this search warrant and I am going to the bait shop… now. Come with me if you think you'll be useful."

He stood up.

"For the record, I think Will Smith has far too much to lose to throw his life away by committing murder," he added. "Even if, like the rest of this town, he is under the thrall of Alf Stewart."

He left the room. Unhappily, Charlie and Watson followed.


"Can I ask what exactly you think you're going to find here?" Alf asked.

He had been called at home and asked to open up the bait shop. The police had obtained a search warrant for the place and were now ransacking it. Seeing that her father was shaken, Roo had gone with him to escort the police to the business and now the two of them were watching Detective Robertson, Detective Graves and several constables searching the place.

"We'll know when we find it," Robertson said in his annoying, cheerful voice.


Charlie had opted not to go with Robertson to the bait shop and Watson had agreed with the decision. It didn't feel right to ransack Alf's business. They didn't want him to watch them tearing the place apart, especially when neither of them felt it was necessary. They couldn't understand why Robertson was being so blind when it came to this investigation. Why wasn't he listening to them?

"Tell me again why you closed the bait shop down?" Robertson said, pausing just outside, where Alf and Roo were standing.

"Because business was very slow," Alf said. "Something to do with someone accusing me of murder, I should think."

He glared at the Detective who nodded and walked back into the small building to continue his search. Alf looked helplessly at his daughter. He was scared.


It was just before lunch when Robertson and his team returned triumphantly to the police station with an evidence bag in tow. Charlie and Watson burst out of Charlie's office where they hadn't really been doing much work.

"My two favourite people!" Robertson greeted. "Look what we found!"

He held the bag out to them.

"Only a bloody apron! And I mean it in the literal sense."

Charlie grabbed the bag.

"What does that prove? There's probably any number of reasons why that sort of thing might be in there. Alf and Will use knives, fishing hooks, all sorts."

"But why would they hide the apron the way they did?" Robertson wondered.

Charlie didn't have an answer.

"Anyway," Robertson said, taking the evidence bag. "Graves, if you could send this off for testing, I have a lunch date."

He straightened his tie, turned on his heel and left the station. Charlie and Watson exchanged glances.

"Well, I can't concentrate," Charlie said. "Fancy a lunch date?"

"I already have one actually," Watson said. "Care to join me and Kerri in the Diner? Call Joey?"

"Perfect," Charlie said. "I'll drive."


With the police having left, Alf and Roo were attempting to put the bait shop back together. The officers hadn't been kind enough to tidy up after themselves. They also hadn't told them if they had taken anything or what it was. Alf couldn't recall anything that had been removed. Nothing seemed to be missing. He was finding the whole situation so stressful and so exhausting; he didn't know if he could take anymore.

"Why don't I get us some lunch?" Roo suggested. "We can just sit for a while before we carry on? I'll get something to take away."

Alf nodded tiredly. She hugged him and headed up towards the Diner.


Leah felt nervous as she watched Robertson appear in the doorway of the Diner. She hadn't imagined that she would be going on another date so soon after things had ended for good with Elijah. Just thinking about Elijah made her feel so guilty. There he was, over in Africa, injured and being looked after by Miles. And here she was, moving on and going on a date with another man. But she liked Robertson, even if hardly anyone else in Summer Bay did. And she had really enjoyed that kiss.

"Hello there," he greeted warmly.

He leant down and kissed her on the cheek before taking a seat.

"How are you?"

Roo walked into the Diner a few moments later. She spotted Robertson and Leah immediately. And immediately she lost her temper. Forgetting all about her food order, she marched up to them.

"Is this some sort of date?" she demanded.

"Um…"

"Can I ask what it has to do with you?" Robertson asked, unfazed.

"How could you, Leah?" Roo asked. "I thought you were my Dad's friend."

"I am!" Leah cried. "Of course I am."

"Then why are you on a date with the man that's trying to get my Dad sent to jail for a murder he didn't commit?"

Leah just stared at her, not knowing what to say. And for once, Robertson was silent.

"Roo, I'm sure Robert isn't doing that," Leah said when she eventually found her voice. "He just wants to find out what happened to Penn Graham."

Roo leant her hands on the table.

"That man you're on a date with is targeting my father," Roo told her firmly. "And if you continue to see him, everyone in Summer Bay will know that you are a traitor."

Deciding to buy her food elsewhere, she turned and left, passing Charlie, Joey, Watson and Kerri on their way in. They too were surprised to see Leah at a table with the Detective.

"Do you want me to go?" Robertson asked.

Leah didn't know the answer. She felt like the entire Diner was watching her, including the four friends who had just come in and possibly worse than that, Colleen behind the counter. She knew she had always liked Robert but now, having heard what Roo had to say, that was likely to change.

"Leah?" Robertson nudged.

"I don't know," Leah said. "Are you? Are you targeting Alf?"

"He's my number one suspect."

"But why? How? Alf wouldn't have done this."

"I'm sorry Leah but you don't know that. I can't base my case on public opinion. I have to base it on the evidence."

Leah shook her head. Charlie approached the table.

"I think you should probably go," she told Robertson. "At least for now."

Robertson glared at her. She tried not to look pleased. She looked at Leah who nodded.

"I'll call you," Robertson said to Leah who nodded vaguely.

Charlie sat down with her.

"Leah, what are you thinking?" she said as kindly as possible.

"He's always been so nice to me," she said.

"He's here to put Alf in jail," Charlie said.

"But…"

"Listen to me," Charlie said firmly. "I have presented different theories to him and he's not listening. It's not about finding Penn's killer anymore. It's about putting Alf in jail. Once upon a time he might have been a nice guy. And he might be nice to you. But you can't do this, Leah. Or Roo isn't going to be the only one shouting at you."

Leah nodded. She was hurt and disappointed. She reached across the table and squeezed Charlie's hand.

"Join us for lunch?" Charlie offered.

Leah looked across at Joey, Watson and Kerri who all smiled and waved cheerfully. She might have a disastrous love life but she could always count on her friends.


Robertson had arrived back at the station earlier than planned and he was in a foul mood. He locked himself away in his office, regularly nagging Graves to hassle the lab to hurry up the blood results. The results usually took a week but Robertson was demanding the impossible. He wanted them today. He wanted to prove that Alf Stewart was guilty once and for all.


Leah was feeling a lot better by the end of lunch. Charlie, Joey, Watson and Kerri had cheered her up and made her laugh. They had reassured her that no harm had been done with Robertson so long as she didn't go any further with him. And they could easily back her up when it came to Roo and anyone else who may have been listening in, such as Colleen.


It was nearly the end of the working day when the blood results from the apron finally came through. Robertson was elated and Charlie was both frustrated because she had just been packing up to go home and also horrified because the results were not what she had been expecting or hoping for.

"Well, that was a waste of my time then," Robertson remarked.

Charlie looked confused.

"Reading through your document on poor Will Smith," he said. "And there's you, telling everyone that I'm gunning for Alf. I mean, what has that poor boy ever done to you that you're fitting him up for murder?"

"I'm not fitting anyone up for anything," Charlie snapped. "I'm just trying not to be so tunnel visioned that we won't even consider another suspect."

"Well, as for my original suspect… his blood and Penn Graham's blood are on the same apron that we just found hidden away in the deep, dark depths of the bait shop," Robertson informed her. "Riddle me that, Sergeant Buckton."


Alf and Roo had only just got home when Robertson and Graves knocked on the door.

"What now?" Roo snapped. "Haven't we had enough for one damn day?"

"I'm here to speak to your father," Robertson said, his tone much more business-like than usual.

It was rather off-putting. Without another remark, Roo called for Alf, who appeared in the door looking uncomfortable.

"I'd like to have a chat with you down at the station, please, Alf," Robertson said.

"Am I under arrest?" Alf asked worriedly.

"No," Robertson said. "We'd just like to ask you some questions about something we found down at the bait shop."

Alf looked at Roo. They hadn't found anything missing, anything of concern.

"I'll follow you down," Roo said.

Alf nodded and left the house with the Detectives.


Charlie had called Joey to say she was going to have to work late. She then demanded to sit in on Robertson's interview with Alf. If he was going to interrogate her friend then she was going to ensure that he did it correctly and professionally. It really was the least she could do.

Now, she and Robertson sat on one side of the table and Alf sat, looking tired and worn on the other side. She tried to convey friendship and kindness with her eyes but she didn't know if she was succeeding or not.

"I'll get right to the point," Robertson said. "When we searched your business premises this morning, we found an apron. It was hidden away. Clearly on purpose."

Alf looked clearly confused.

"It was covered in blood."

"Sometimes you can get injured," Alf said. "It's part of the job. You know, working with knives and hooks and things. But I usually take aprons and such home to wash them. I mean, I don't remember to do it every time, I confess, but…"

"But this wasn't taken home," Robertson said. "Like I say, it was hidden. We didn't find it the first time we searched the place, it was so well concealed. Why would that be?"

"I don't know," Alf said, shaking his head. "It's not something I would do."

"We tested the blood on the apron and it came from two people," Robertson told him.

Alf waited.

"You. And Penn Graham."

Alf's heart lurched into his throat. It couldn't be true. There had to be a mistake. It just wasn't possible. He had never hurt Penn. He hadn't harmed him. He hadn't killed him. And he hadn't hidden a bloodied apron anywhere. How could this be happening?

He looked at Charlie but he couldn't read her. He prayed that she could help him. He prayed that she still believed in him and that she was still his friend. He felt like his whole world was crumbled down around him.

"So, how do you suppose your blood and Penn's blood got onto the same apron?" Robertson asked.

"I have no idea," Alf said honestly.

"But you see how it seems suspicious? Him being dead. You being enemies."

"Yes, I see."

"But you swear that you didn't kill him?"

"I did not kill him," Alf insisted.

"And you have no idea who did?"

"I don't know what happened to him," Alf said desperately. "I wish I did because then I would tell you. I'm as confused by the apron as you are. But I swear, none of this has anything to do with me."

Robertson nodded.

"Well, for now, you're free to go home," he said, switching off the tape.

He stood up, as did Charlie and Alf.

"But I wouldn't get too comfortable at home, if I were to be completely honest with you," he added. "The evidence is becoming pretty clear."

Charlie barged past him and escorted Alf out.

"Ignore him," she said. "I still know you're innocent, okay? I promise I'm still on your side and Watson and I are doing everything we can to find some kind of evidence to find to real killer."

Roo approached them, looking worried.

"What's happening?" she asked.

"I'll explain on the way home," Alf said. "You go to the car. I just need a word with Charlie, love."

Roo didn't look happy but nodded and left. Alf turned back to Sergeant Buckton.

"Charlie, level with me," he said. "He's right, isn't he? It's not looking good, is it? Unless you and Watson can find some damning piece of evidence, I'm going to jail, aren't I?"

"No," Charlie said but the word caught in her throat.

Alf nodded sadly and hugged her. A tear fell from her eye onto his shoulder.


That night, when Charlie arrived home, she collapsed into Joey's arms. She wanted to stay there forever and never have to face the world again. It made her happy that she didn't even need to explain anything. Joey just understood. She knew what to do and what to say. She comforted her over the awful situation she was trapped in.


Next time… Angelo opens up to Will about Jack's death, Joanna offends Bianca's friends and Will has a confession…