That incessant babbling, since you ask, is Matilda, Cassie and Lucas desperately bringing Peter up to speed on the latest developments with Ric. As it's a bit like listening to the chipmunks after too many blue Smarties, we'll give you the gist here. They explain that Ric had someone follow Johnny to the phones after Guard Jones's tip-off; it transpired that Johnny rang one of the gang members, Jase, to tell him to wind his neck in for a while. Matilda insists this must be the guy that killed Rocco. And although Peter is sceptical at first, Alf persuades him to check it out. That afternoon, Peter and McGrath arrive at Jase's house with some other officers in tow. The occupier is in, and panicking like a wallaby trapped in the headlights. After a short chase, Peter brings Jase to the ground. The rest of the coppers turn their sights to a search of the house, and promptly find a piece of blood-stained cloth in the incinerator out the back. This evidence is promptly dispatched to forensics, while Peter hauls Jase back to the station for questioning. Sure enough, after running a few tests, the forensics reports reveal that the blood on the rag is undoubtedly Rocco's. And when Guard Jones is brought in for questioning, the truth is finally revealed!Pulling powerMartha is still knocking back the grog like an unpopular uncle at a wedding reception and it's not long before her beer goggles are well and truly donned. As she passes Cam, a customer who has been doing his best to charm her, they strike up a conversation which is cut short by the hoo-hah of a couple of impatient customers waiting to be served. Cam watches on as Martha struggles with the demands and, in no time, jumps behind the bar to help. Martha watches on, amazed at Cam's cheekiness, but doesn't think much of it. After all, this is probably just what the doctor ordered after the lousy day she's had. When the clock ticks around to closing time, Martha finally gives into to Cam's persistence and sits down with him to have a drink. But in no time, one drink becomes a few - and Martha ends up in party mood. She gives Cam a dirty wink while beckoning him to dance with her; in no time at all, their closeness leads to a kiss. Things quickly heat up as they move beyond a point of no return...

Free at last

Just as Ric is cornered by Johnny and his oily-foreheaded little cabal of thugs, a prison guard yanks him to safety with his shepherd's crook. In the governor's office, he hears that the police have found the evidence proving his innocence and are fast-tracking his release. In the meantime, Ric is sent to the infirmary to lay low until his release papers are processed. However, he's not exactly out of harm's way.

In fact, he's sound asleep when the curtains suddenly are ripped back to reveal "Here's" Johnny, who hasn't stopped by to shake his hand. He's there to wring the boy's neck instead, and is barely half-way through his shoeing when the guards finally arrive and drag him away.

Later, as he's escorted out of the prison, Ric casts one last glance at the yard. There stands Johnny, who can do nothing more but dish out a bit of a look. Smiling to himself, Ric turns his back and walks away into the arms of his family. The nightmare is finally over. But we're sure there'll be another one along in a minute...

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