Something skittered across the ground then over her legs. She sneezed as dust tickled her nose, which made her head hurt. A dampness had settled over her and she shivered. She opened her eyes to night, the vague shape of her car, overturned, the doors flung open, stood out against some trees in the moonlight. How long had she been lying there, in the dirt?

She pushed herself up onto her knees, wincing at the movement and the stones cutting into her. Brushing her hands down her coat then pushing her hair off her face, grimacing at the obvious cut to her forehead, over her left eyebrow.

'Damn!' She hissed and groaned. Everything hurt. Opening her coat she felt gingerly round her person, identifying a couple of cracked ribs, she thought, bruising, of course, further up her collar bone hurt, possibly fractured or chipped.

She tried to think what happened. She remembered setting off from the court, driving, she hated public transport. People on the trains tried to engage her in conversation, on the bus it was hot and an uncomfortable ride, so Alice always drove herself.

There was nothing of note until she had come to a diversion on the main Melbourne road, sending her along unfamiliar small roads as the light was failing. There was no other traffic or street lighting so she had reduced her speed a little. Not that she was a particularly fast driver, nobody could accuse her of being reckless or a speeder, she just drove sensibly.

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The previous week:

Alice had studied the results of the tests and smiled. Proof positive that they had got their man, or in this case, woman and the court case could go ahead. Matthew had asked her to testify in court, as she had done the bulk of the work. It would mean a trip to Melbourne, a couple of days in court and overnighting in a hotel.

'Keep me informed, doctor,' he had said, handing over the file with all the other documentation for the case.

'I'll let you know the outcome, superintendant,' she had her back to the office and could risk a little smile. Nobody was yet aware how close they were growing and they wanted to keep it that way.

Apart from the scientific evidence, Alice had familiarised herself with the rest of the physical evidence, the statements, not that she would be called to comment on those, but it made her feel more comfortable and tied everything together. She arranged to travel back at the end of the case, though Matthew suggested she travel in the daylight, not at the end of the day.

When it came to it, she decided to travel back towards the end of the afternoon, but with traffic she found herself more delayed than she had hoped. Still, there was nothing for it, and once she got out of the city she reasoned she would have a clear run to Ballarat, home.

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Now she was lying in a ditch, miles from anywhere, with no one knowing she had not made it home. She had told Matthew she was going straight to her house and would see him the following day.

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Earlier in the evening:

Lucien had had an evening call to the hospital and was on his way home. Passing Alice's house he noticed her car was not on the drive, which was odd, she should have made it by now. Maybe... no she wouldn't call at their house, or would she? Alice was like that, she may have decided to tell Matthew all about the court regardless of the time. Lucien had noticed the softening of his old friend when the acerbic pathologist was around, the occasional hand touching when they thought he wasn't looking.

Her car was not on his drive, he began to feel something deep inside, something was wrong, very wrong.

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'No,' Matthew raised his eyebrows, in answer to Lucien asking if she had rung to say she was staying another night. 'Why?'

'Her car isn't on her drive, and if she left when she said she was going to she should have been home ages ago. Even driving sedately, which she does.' Lucien ran his hand over his head.

'She may have decided to stay, you know Alice.'

'Not as well as you.' Lucien teased, 'but honestly, if she said she was leaving at a certain time how likely is it she would change her mind without letting one of us know?'

'You don't suppose she's had an accident, do you?' Jean looked from one to the other.

'There's been no reports of hold ups due to any,' Matthew began to look as worried as Lucien felt. 'Bloody hell! Search party?'

'Let's call the lads, send Bill and Danny out along the Melbourne road, there's no other way she would go, the most straightforward route.' Lucien went to the phone and dialled the station.

'I need to go.' Matthew stood up and grabbed his stick.

'Matthew,' Jean put her hand on his arm, 'why don't you wait until we have news?'

'No!' He turned to Lucien, 'get your keys, Blake, you're driving.'

'Jean, we'll link up with Bill and Danny, send any news through the radio to the station and get them to ring you,' he kissed her cheek, 'sorry, love, it might be a late night.'

'Don't worry about me, I'm used to the phone ringing at all times, let me fill a flask with tea.'

'Just a bottle of water, thanks Jean.' Lucien smiled, 'I can clean wounds with water.'

'Of course.' She went to find an empty bottle and quickly came back with a whisky bottle she had rinsed well and filled with cold water. 'This do?'

'Perfect.' He kissed her cheek again and they left.

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Alice knew that staying where she was, was not an option. She had to find somewhere she could call Matthew and Lucien, and if she walked she would at least keep warm. She made it to her car, fighting to quell the nausea and dizziness that threatened to overwhelm her. Finding her handbag lying on the floor, untouched she grabbed it, but the briefcase with her notes and the files had gone. She only had copies, for the records in Ballarat, but it wouldn't do for them to be out in public. Who would have bothered? It was almost a cut and dried case and over, judgement and sentences pronounced.

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The woman had murdered her bullying husband by systematically feeding him her heart medication for months, until, a supposedly healthy and robust man had had a massive heart attack. She must have known there would have to be an autopsy so had, with the help of one of her equally robust sons, buried him in a patch of scrubland behind their house. All would have been well if one of the fire fighters hadn't been walking his dog, some weeks later. The dog had found the remains, in the early stages of decay and dug enough to reveal a hand.

Diligent investigations by the police and dogged scientific testing by Dr Harvey had concluded that death was due to abnormally high doses of a common heart drug, digitalis, and so Matthew and Danny had gone to the appropriate lengths to identify the man, his family and eventually his wife had confessed, telling how he had been a bully, a wife beater for all of their marriage and she was well shot of him. Her son, had admitted he had helped her conceal the body and both had been sent for trial. Despite pleas for mitigation she would be hanged for murder and he jailed for aiding and abetting the concealment of a crime. The other two sons, for she had three, had caused some commotion in the court room and had to be removed before they were charged with contempt. Alice thought it was rather sad, if she had complained to the police they could have done something about it. She had discussed it with Matthew and he agreed,

'...or, given the size of her sons, they could have given him a good beating and a warning.' Matthew sighed, he had wanted to do that to his father but instead had joined the police force and reminded him he was honour bound to uphold the law, and would he kindly mind getting his backside out of the house and out of the town. His father had essentially been a weak man, picking on those weaker than himself, and had gone and got himself beaten to death in a card game. No tears were shed.

'That might have worked,' she agreed.

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She wasn't sure which direction she should walk in; not sure if her car, although upside down, had spun and, was now facing the wrong direction. She swore, uncharacteristically. Either way would, she hoped, take her to the main road. She had a feeling the diversion was simply a way to get her alone.

As she walked, pausing occasionally by a tree to take a breath and steady herself as another wave of dizziness washed over her, she thought about what had happened. She had to keep the story straight, Matthew would want to know everything, but, frustratingly, she was having trouble remembering.

'Bit by bit, Alice,' she told herself, not unkindly; Alice was her own worst critic; 'bit by bit.'

She leant against a tree, 'Headlights; headlights, full beam in the rear view mirror, blinding.' File that. Next; 'Too close.' Then; 'Nudged,' she started to walk again, fighting the concussion and the increasing thirst. She kept fruit drops in the car, in the car, not her handbag. 'Damn!' She turned to see how far she had come, too quick; her legs buckled and she sank to the ground as the world swum round her. She heaved and spat bile into the dust. Hoping to be home in time for dinner, of sorts, she had eaten nothing since her lunchtime sandwich.

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About an hour out of Ballarat Bill and Danny had seen no sign of Dr Harvey's car, the road was relatively quiet due to the lateness of the hour. They stopped at the junction where Alice had turned off because of the diversion sign. That sign had been kicked too far into the greenery at the side of the road for them to see in the dark. Lucien pulled up behind them and the four stood wondering if they should go on to Melbourne or wait until daylight, which would be in two to three hours.

'On foot, torches, check the ditches,' Matthew leaned into the police car. 'You two,' he pointed at Bill, 'that side, we'll take the other side. Couple of hundred yards.'

Nobody argued, Matthew was worried, as were the others, but for him it was more, and, at the moment, he didn't care who knew it.

They swung their torches left and right, going down into the ditches, inspecting tyre marks, skid marks anything that could help them locate their friend and colleague.

'Much farther and we'll reach Melbourne, Matthew.' Lucien put his hand on his friends shoulder. 'Lads!' He called over to the other two, 'let's go back, still checking, maybe...'

Matthew's shoulders slumped. He blamed himself, he should have gone with her, but she didn't like being 'protected', and he wasn't needed, not for the case, that was in the hands of a new sergeant, who had opted to take some leave and was not due back for another couple of days.

'We'll find her,' Lucien spoke softly, he couldn't remember Matthew ever being this smitten with a girl. 'She can't have gone far.'

They got back to the cars and Danny swept the area with his torch, one last time.

'Hey, over here!' He strode over to the hedge, his torch had caught something in its beam. Pulling out the object they saw a piece of wood, attached to another, crudely, and the word 'diversion' with an arrow painted on it, in black. There was only one turning, she must have taken it.

'That's a bloody awful road,' Matthew grunted, 'no lights, very quiet. This has to be deliberate, to get to her.' He got into the car, 'Well, what're you waiting for?'

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She must have passed out. She found herself lying on the ground again, on the edge of the road, not in the ditch. It was not a comfortable place to be, her shoulder ached where she had been lying on it, her hip was sore and she was cold, so very cold. She wanted to sleep so badly, but knew she mustn't, she wanted to go home, but couldn't, she wanted to cry, but wouldn't. Crying served no purpose. She sniffed and pushed herself painfully up into a sitting position, leaning against a rock, equally as hard as the road.

Now she was hearing noises, low rumblings, god help her, not a storm. That's all she needed, to get soaking wet.

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It was Danny that saw her first, he sounded the car horn and looked over at Lucien, pointing ahead and to the side. Both cars stopped. Far in the distance they could see the overturned car but nearer Matthew could see the forlorn figure of Alice Harvey. She hadn't looked up, thirst, exhaustion and pain made her think she was seeing and hearing things, so she waited for the vision to fade. Even the familiar tapping of Matthew's stick seemed a dream, until he touched her,

'Alice,' just a whisper, 'Alice...'

She slumped forward and he caught her, gently holding her against his warm chest, the soft wool of his sweater against her cheek, and she gave in to the tears she had held back for hours.

'It's ok, sweetheart, everything's going to be ok, now. I've got you.' He stroked her back and kissed the top of her head. 'Shhh.'

'Danny, ambo!' Lucien called over, grabbing his medical bag from the car and a blanket he and Jean used for picnics, and headed over to see how badly, or not, she was hurt.

In the light from the cars Lucien could see the head injury, which he cleaned and dressed, gently. Her torn stockings showed the cut knees which he also cleaned and covered, but, until he got her to hospital he would not know what other injuries she had sustained. Matthew took the blanket and draped it over her, while Lucien helped her to sip some water.

'Boss,' Bill came back from looking at the car. 'There's a ding in the rear off side wing, reckon she's been hit on purpose, car's rolled over, she must'a ended up in the ditch there,' he shone his torch to where Alice had originally woken up, 'there's blood in the dirt.'

'Alice, do you remember what happened?' Matthew leant down to look into her eyes, 'if you can tell me... but if you can't don't worry, it can wait.'

'Hit from behind,' She hiccupped, 'then, not sure, don't know how I ended up in the ditch.' She looked up, eyes wide, 'feel sick.'

Matthew helped her lean over so she could vomit onto the road. It was only the few sips of water that she threw up, so Lucien fished into his bag and found a small pot he would usually mix some drugs in and tipped in a little more water.

'Here, rinse your mouth, don't swallow,' He smiled, kindly, 'we'll get an IV into you at the hospital.'

'Thank you,' she was in no position to argue and, anyway, she was a doctor, and knew she would have to have, at least, a twenty four hour stay in hospital.

The ambulance arrived and she was helped onto the stretcher. Matthew hauled himself in with her,

'Try to keep her awake, Matthew,' Lucien caught his arm, 'just until she's been x-rayed and made comfortable. I'll follow.'

'Boss,' Danny appeared at Lucien's shoulder, 'I've sent for a breakdown truck, see you back there.'

'Good work, Parks,' Matthew gave him a half smile, 'when you get back let Jean know. She's waiting by the phone.'

'Tell her I'll be back as soon as I can be.' Lucien added.

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Jean sighed with relief as she put down the phone, she hadn't been able to sleep, had sat drinking multiple cups of tea imagining Alice lying in a ditch somewhere or something even worse which she wouldn't put a name to, not even in her thoughts. Alice would need some things, she would have to stay in hospital, you didn't go from doctor's receptionist to doctor's wife without learning a thing or two, so, judging the pathologist to be a similar size to herself she gathered some nightwear, a fresh toothbrush, flannel, soap and toothpaste. After that, perhaps she could have the keys to her house to get anything else she wanted. She also needed to make up the guest room; damn! Matthew was in that one, Mattie's old room then; or Lucien's, they'd all be on the same level that way. Yes, Lucien's would be best. She'd promise not to fuss over her.

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Alice's x-rays showed a small fracture over her left eye, three cracked ribs, left side only, but nothing else. She was badly bruised over the fractures, and on her hips, knees and shoulder. She wavered between consciousness and semi-consciousness but Lucien put that down to exhaustion and dehydration. She was washed gently, her ribs strapped, and dressed in the nightwear Jean had taken for her. Lucien set up a drip to administer essential fluids and in case she needed pain relief.

'Now, you rest. I'll drop by later to see how you're doing,' Lucien touched her arm, 'sleep. You have my permission.' He smiled gently at her. He extended his hand to Matthew,

'Come on, old friend.'

'I'm staying here, she might remember something.' He grunted, holding Alice's hand.

Lucien didn't argue, he would be the same for Jean, but he smiled as he walked away.

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Down at the station Bill and Danny were examining the car. There was a scraping of black paint that didn't belong to Alice's pale blue car, the roof was badly scratched and the doors had been wrenched open. She must have locked the driver's side, and wouldn't have unlocked the passenger side.

Anything, lads?' Lucien crept up behind them.

'Only the outside damage.' Danny stood back, 'but I thought she would have brought back the station files.'

'She would.' Lucien nodded, 'so... looks like we have a likely suspect.'

'Bernie and Jeff Chapman,' Bill snarled, 'Maureen Chapman's lads, the ones who went to the trial. What would they want them for? I mean the trial's over, the court'll have the other files, the originals, ours are only copies for filing.'

'This was calculated, though, Bill.' Danny pointed out. 'Setting up the diversion, so...'

'They must have left the court before Dr Harvey,' Lucien interrupted, 'set up the road block, followed her at a distance...'

'... nudged the car, tipped it...' continued Bill,

'jemmied the doors, pulled her out...' Danny showed the damage,

'...thrown her into the ditch, knocking her out,' Lucien continued, mimicking the action,

'...grabbed the files and legged it.' Danny finished.

'I'll leave you to it, lads. Lawson is waiting for her to regain consciousness to take a statement,' he watched for a reaction and got two pairs of raised eyebrows, 'then I suppose he'll be over to see how it's going.' Lucien sauntered off, whistling.

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Matthew sat and watched Alice as she slept, he hoped she wouldn't mind. They had been 'dating', on and off for a few months; dinner, maybe a drink after work, nothing serious. They had shared the odd kiss, an evening whisky at her house, a walk round the lake. Now as he sat and watched her chest rise and fall, gazed on the dark lashes bouncing off her cheeks, her mouth slightly open, he wanted more, and if she came through all this without further effect he was going to tell her. She'd probably tell him to go away, that she wasn't interested in a relationship, well so be it, it didn't mean he couldn't tell her he was. He wanted to wipe away the purple bruise on her forehead, as if it was an ink stain, kiss away the scratches, the cuts. He found himself crying, ever so softly, kissing her fingertips.

'Get a grip, Matthew Lawson,' he internally chided himself, 'you're too old for sentimentality.'

Alice stirred and mumbled in her sleep. He looked up and waited.

'Um,' she whispered, and licked her dry lips, 'ugh,' so quietly.

'Alice?' He murmured, 'do you want something?'

'Thirsty.' A breath only, barely audible.

He reached for the glass on the locker and poured about an inch into it. Slipping his hand under her head he raised it to such a position he could put the glass to her lips and trickle some water into her mouth.

'Um,' she almost smiled. 'More.'

'Just a little,' he smiled, 'small sips, then some more later.'

'Aah.' She sighed and settled back onto the pillows.

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Lucien called by Alice's room later, after Jean had insisted he take some rest, get some sleep.

'You are no good to your patients, Alice included, if you are tired,' She wrapped her arms round him, ' sleep, dear Lucien, before you drop.'

She had been right, as she so often was and he woke, refreshed, four hours later. Jean made him eat, parcelled up some sandwiches, fruit and cake for Matthew and bade him attend to Alice before he did anything else.

Alice was propped up on the pillows, still very pale, a pallor accentuated by the bruise over her eye. Matthew was standing staring out of the window, hands in pockets. Lucien approached him and lightly touched his shoulder,

'Lawson?'

Matthew turned, 'I think I'm in love with her, Lucien,' he whispered, 'mad, isn't it?'

'No, it isn't mad...' His old friend smiled, sympathetically, '...but I think you should tell her.'

'Easier said than done,' he limped over to a chair in the corner of the room and slumped into it, 'you know Alice, not the sentimental type.'

'Doesn't mean she can't love.' Lucien put the parcel of food down on a small table, 'she may not show it, but she is quite a loving person, you know, deep down. She just needs the right person to dig deep enough to find her love. I think you might be the person with the long enough spade.'

'Jean feeding me up?' Matthew turned to the parcel and decided to change the subject.

'Of course.' Lucien went to the bed and did a few checks on his patient. Pulse and breathing rate acceptable, she stirred as he touched her wrist, 'only me, Alice.' He whispered, 'can you hear me?'

'Mm... Lucien,' she hummed back. 'Water, please.'

He helped her drink half a glass, slowly, then put it down on the locker. She hadn't opened her eyes. He took out a small torch and checked each pupil quickly,

'Lovely, you can open your eyes, you know.'

'That hurt,' she mumbled, but did open her eyes, warily.

'Sorry, but you know I have to. Everything seems ok, with that. How are you feeling?'

'Sore.' Alice grumbled, not a good patient. 'What's the damage?'

'A small fracture over your left eye, three cracked ribs, left side, bruising to head, shoulder, hips, cuts to left side of your forehead and your knees.' He reeled off the injuries.

'Collar bone?'

'Nothing seen, probably just bruised.' Lucien sat on the edge of the bed. 'I think you should remain in here until tomorrow, then Jean has made up a bed for you at ours.'

'I'll be fine at home.'

'No you won't.' He was firm, but smiled, 'you won't be fussed over, you will be fed, you can stay in your room and sulk...'

'I do not sulk!'

'... rest, or sit in the sun room, garden or living room.' He grinned, she was alright, 'I can keep an eye on your cuts and your progress. Or... you can stay here until I decide you are healed enough, probably ten days.'

Her eyes shot open again, a stay in hospital meant nurses fussing, washing her, the dreaded bed pan! Suddenly, staying at the Blake's seemed like the best idea he had had in ages... and Matthew would be close...not that that mattered...but...

'I suppose...' she sighed.

'Good, that's settled.' He patted her hand, 'now, I'm going to take the superintendant out of your way, I'm sure he's keeping you awake.'

'No... er, he hasn't disturbed me.' She blushed, wondering what he thought, but it was true, Matthew had not interrupted her sleep, well not in the way she would like!

'Still, Parks and Hobart need to update him on their findings.' Lucien smiled, 'you rest, and behave yourself.' He winked.

'I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Dr Blake.'

'Hm.'

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Danny and Bill were going over the results of their investigation. They had found the two Chapman boys burning the file, with the odd idea that without the evidence, already used in court, they could challenge the findings and get their mother off the charge.

They put up a fight and landed a couple of hits on Danny until Bill tripped one up as he tried to flee the scene. When Matthew got to the station both were languishing in the cells having protested their innocence, that they had come upon the car and taken the file.

Bill had laughed at the thought, that they would take a court file, a copy, no less, and leave a handbag, or at least the cash therein.

'Hobart,' Parks was at the door of the cell, 'Melbourne court on the phone, apparently the Chapman's lawyer has been caught with the original file, ripping it up. Looks like there's more to this than meets the eye.'

'Bugger.' Bill grunted, 'Has the boss appeared?'

'Yeah, he's in the office going over what we've got so far.' Danny nodded.

'How's the doc?'

'Bruised, got concussion, fractured skull and ribs.' He made it sound worse than it was, 'got to stay in hospital.'

'Bloody hell!' Hobart whistled, instantly feeling sorry for the nursing staff.

'Yeah, right.'

They both left the cell and headed to talk to Lawson and Blake.

'It's completely stupid,' Matthew almost snarled, 'I want to know what the lawyer has to say, why would he destroy the original testimonies? The case is done. Even if they try for a retrial...'

'...all the paperwork would need to be done again, the pathology would have to be done again.' Lucien perched on the edge of Bill's desk. 'It would be long and onerous task, but Alice will have kept samples.'

'She said, when she phoned, that the lawyer tried to discredit her findings.'

'Bet she didn't like that,' Danny huffed.

'She had them checked and verified, she always does, if it's going to be part of a court case. Most pathologists do.' Lucien shrugged, 'nothing worse than a smarmy lawyer thinking he can discount scientific evidence, it confuses the jury, you see.'

'I want to know about this lawyer.' Matthew rubbed his chin and realised he needed a shave, 'how many cases has he been involved with, how many have gone to re trial, how many have 'lost' the paperwork? I think this is bigger than the Chapman case.'

Bill and Danny had the same thought, 'been around Lucien Blake too long!' But decided against voicing it.

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So, is this bigger than one case? This was meant to be a one shot Malice story...