Chapter 1 - The Necklace

Jean has been coveting a necklace for years, even before Lucien had returned to Ballarat. Every once in a while, she would stop at the local Jewelry shop and look at the necklace, fantasizing that it was hers. She always hated herself for doing this; she was only torturing herself because she knew she had a better chance of becoming the next Pope than she did of ever owning such a beautiful piece of jewelry. This is the first chapter of a story that could become a bit darker. After all, it is Ballarat, where there seems to be a murder every week. :o)

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Jean admired the necklace with such longing; it made the cashier at the jewelry store a little sad. The cashier, a woman named Katherine, was one of Jean's oldest friends and had witnessed Jean coveting the necklace for years. It was a beautiful piece, platinum with diamond and emerald settings. Every once in a while Jean would ask if she could try on the necklace, and it was only because they were friends that Katherine would allow her to do so. She never would have trusted such a valuable piece with anyone else unless it was obvious that person could afford it. At almost 150 pounds, the necklace was the most valuable piece of jewelry in the shop.

"Jean," Katherine smiled, "You have been admiring that necklace for years. You're married to a doctor now! Why don't you just ask him to buy it for you?"

"Oh Katherine," Jean just shook her head, "I couldn't possibly ask Lucien to buy it for me. I don't want to put him in that position. I know he would buy it in a heartbeat; that man would do anything to make me happy. I would just feel like I was taking advantage of him though."

"Well, you know Jean. Someday, someone is going to purchase that necklace and you may regret not buying it when you had the chance."

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Lucien was finally on his way home after a long day assisting the police with yet, another murder. This one was an especially brutal case and it hit a little too close to home. Lucien had been called out to the scene early in the morning and had been appalled to see a middle-aged woman had been beaten and mutilated beyond recognition. As he started on the autopsy later that day, he couldn't help think about his Jean and was overcome with a mixture of rage and nausea. He made a mental note that he would hold Jean a little closer that night. He would also tell her that she needed to make sure she did not go anywhere alone until this killer was apprehended. His coworker, Dr. Alice Harvey, knew Lucien was thinking about Jean, so she offered to finish the autopsy on her own. As anxious as he was to get home to his beautiful bride, he felt this poor woman deserved his best effort. He vowed to do everything he could to help catch her killer.

As they wrapped up the autopsy and sterilized their instruments, Lucien asked Alice if she would do a favor for him. He knew that she and Jean were planning to go to the cinema the following afternoon, and he was looking to Alice to do a little snooping for him.

"Jean's birthday is coming up and I want to surprise her with something she really wants. This will be the first time we have celebrated her special day as a married couple, so I want to make sure she remembers it like no other. I know she won't tell me what she wants, so I am wondering if you might be able to get the information out of her…without her knowing what you are up to of course."

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Lucien pulled into the drive and exhaled loudly. Since he and Jean had been married, this had become one of his favorite parts of his day. He was especially happy to be home tonight; the sight of the battered woman had disturbed him more than he was willing to admit. All he knew was that right now, he wanted to hold Jean and never let her go. The aroma of one of her delicious meals hit him as he walked through the door and hung up his hat and coat. Quietly, he walked to the kitchen so he could gaze upon his wife for a few precious seconds before being noticed. There was his Jean, her back to him as she stirred something in a pot on the stove. Feeling his eyes on her, Jean turned around and her face lit up instantly.

"Lucien! I didn't hear you come in!"

Lucien did not reply. He just crossed the kitchen as fast as he could without actually running, swept Jean into his arms, and kissed her deeply. Although she had grown accustomed to Lucien's affections, she still managed to blush a little. She thought she would never get tired of Lucien wrapping his arms around her and kissing her like this. He always made her feel like a schoolgirl whose first crush had finally noticed her.

Pulling back and looking Lucien in the eye, she noticed that he looked troubled. "Lucien, are you alright?"

"Not really. I had the most awful case today." Looking at Jean, the brutality of the woman's death finally hit him and he could feel the tears welling in his eyes. "A woman." He couldn't say anything else about her. He was afraid he would break down. "Please Jean, just promise me you won't go anywhere alone until we have caught her killer."

Jean was such a strong, independent woman; she would usually be annoyed with Lucien and tell him she was not a child. However, she could see, and even feel, the raw emotion coming from her husband, so she promised him she would be careful. She also made him promise to be careful too.

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They had enjoyed another of Jean's wonderful dinners and were curled up together on the couch. Charlie said he would be out late with Rose, so Jean and Lucien were locked in each other's arms, kissing like teenagers whose parents were out of town. Jean was expecting Lucien to sweep her into his arms and carry her to their bedroom like he had done so many times before. Tonight though, Lucien just kissed her one last time on her forehead and pulled her close, clutching her tightly to his chest. He needed to hold her, to know that she was completely safe. He rested his chin on Jean's head and inhaled deeply; breathing in Jean's lovely, clean scent. God he loved this woman, and swore, not for the first time, that he would do anything and everything to protect her and keep her out of harm's way.

Lucien was holding Jean so tightly; she was starting to have a hard time breathing. Confused at first, Jean finally realized that Lucien was still upset about the murdered woman and he just needed to hold her close. Instead of trying to pull away so she could catch her breath, Jean just tried to relax and let Lucien embrace her. She knew he needed this and if Jean were being honest with herself, she quite liked it too. She felt safe in his arms. She felt loved.

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The next day, Jean and Alice emerged from the cinema and strolled along the street, looking into shop windows and discussing the movie. Alice had not been able to get anything out of Jean. It was hard to find out what a woman wanted for her birthday when you couldn't actually ask her! As they passed the Jewelry store, Alice had an idea.

"Jean, let's pop into this shop." Alice was sure Jean would see something she liked. There had to be a piece of jewelry that would catch her eye.

Katherine was behind the register again and greeted the women warmly. Jean introduced Alice and walked straight to the cabinet where her favorite necklace was displayed.

Katherine smiled as she watched Jean. Turning to Alice, she chuckled and said "Jean has been coming in to look at that necklace for years. I dread the day someone buys it. I don't think I would ever see Jean again."

Alice noted the price tag on the necklace and quickly asked Jean if there was anything else in the shop that caught her eye. Jean was so enthralled with the necklace, she didn't answer immediately. Katherine pointed to a beautiful bracelet and told Alice that Jean adored that piece as well. The spell between Jean and the necklace was finally broken and she walked over to look at the bracelet that Katherine and Alice were admiring. She agreed it was lovely, but it was still too expensive. Alice admitted that it was pricey, but at 25 pounds, it was much more affordable than the necklace. As Jean held the bracelet, Alice smiled and made a mental note to tell Lucien. She was happy she could tell him exactly what Jean would like for her birthday.