Sh t Happens Chapter 1, a bad girls fanfic

Disclaimer: I do not claim to own the characters from Bad Girls, they are the property of Shed Productions with the exception of Laura Gossard who is completely fictional from my own head, innit. They are used here without permission, purely for entertainment purposes, not profit.

As this is my first attempt at writing a BG-based story, I would be grateful of any feedback.

E-mail me: liz_

Shit Happens – Chapter One

Helen had been back at Larkhall Prison for just two weeks and was still settling into her new role looking after the women serving life sentences, not to mention still adjusting to her new relationship with one such inmate, Nikki Wade. Helen smiled to herself as she drove home, remembering the instant delight on Nikki's face when she had found her in the library and told her about her new post. Everytime she thought of Nikki, she felt her stomach lurch and her pulse quicken. Helen dragged her wandering attention back to the road, realising she had missed the turning into her street. Reversing into a side street, Helen drove back to her turn off, chuckling to herself and shaking her head slightly. She laughingly chided herself for behaving like a lovesick teenager.

Helen pulled up outside her flat and climbed from the car. As she gathered her belongings together, the hairs rose on the back of her neck as she felt a sense of being watched. She glanced up and down the street but could not see anyone around. Hurrying up the steps to her front door, Helen was relieved when the door closed behind her without incident. Dumping what she was carrying in the hallway, she walked to the large window in the sitting room without switching on any lights. She could not be sure, but Helen thought she had seen someone lurking just beyond her gateway. Drawing the curtains, she turned on all the lights trying to convince herself she was simply being paranoid. The phone began to ring as she poured a large glass of red wine.

Nikki frowned, glancing again at her watch. Surely Helen should be home by now, she thought, puzzled as to why it was taking her so long to answer the phone.

" Hello? "

The sudden voice took Nikki by surprise and for a brief moment she could not return the greeting. Realising she had not spoken, she said quietly, "Helen, it's me…Sorry, are you busy?"

"Nikki…no, no not at all. Why d'you think that?" Helen replied. Nikki thought she had detected a hint of something in Helen's voice. Relief? Anxiety? Hard to tell.

"It just took you a while to answer, that's all. Anyway, I just wanted to hear your voice again and to wish you goodnight."

"I'm glad you called." Helen spoke softly, with notable sincerity in her voice, but did not elaborate on her statement.

"I love you. Listen, I've got to go. It'll be lock-up soon. I'll see you tomorrow?" There was no mistaking the hope and anticipation in Nikki's voice.

"Yes, you will. We've got an appeal to formulate. Sweet dreams, Nikki." Helen felt her anxiety slipping away as she talked to the woman she loved.

"Yeah, 'night Helen." Nikki replaced the receiver in its cradle and walked, as if floating on air, back to her cell, her heart pounding the way it did everytime she spoke to or saw Helen. Indeed it only took a mere thought of the beautiful young Scot to make Nikki's pulse race. Unbeknown to Nikki, her journey was witnessed by Jim Fenner, who made a mental note of the unusual spring in her step. Fenner had had it in for Nikki as soon as she arrived at Larkhall, and made no secret of his dislike for her. Since Shell Dockley had been shipped out to a secure mental hospital following her breakdown and suicide attempt, Fenner had been on Nikki's case more than ever. Jim blamed Helen for Shell's demise and had long suspected the lady governor of having more than a professional interest in the tall, dark lesbian. His suspicions had been heightened when the 'interfering Scot' had visited Nikki a few weeks earlier and now as he watched Nikki practically bounce away from the phone, he knew there could only have been one person on the other end.

Nikki was reading when her cell door opened. She glanced up to see who was visiting so soon before lock-up. Her face set like stone when she saw Jim Fenner standing in her cell doorway.

"Girlfriend well is she?" Jim smirked, shutting the door behind him, preparing for a bout of his favourite sport; Wade-baiting.

"What?" Nikki hissed remembering Helen's instructions to 'be good' at the end of her visit and resisting the urge to remove Fenner and his filthy, scheming mind from the face of the Earth.

"Well, you looked like the cat who'd got the cream just now after your phone call. Into telephone sex is she, our Helen?"

"Piss off, Fenner." Nikki managed to control her voice sounding as though she was merely bored by his stirring, and returned her attention to the book she was reading. Seeing that he would not get a rise out of her this evening, Fenner turned on his heel without another word, slamming the heavy metal door behind him. Nikki held her breath until the lock slid into place and she heard footsteps retreating before muttering "Shit" and kicking out at her locker. Although she was enjoying some peace and quiet now Barbara had been moved into Shell's old cell, it had left her open to visits from Fenner, hoping to provoke her into doing something that would give him an excuse to get rid of her. Nikki managed a smug smile, knowing that while Helen was waiting for her, she would do everything she could to keep her temper and avoid the creep.

Helen curled up on the sofa, wrapping her bathrobe around her damp body and cradling the last of the bottle of wine. The television was on but Helen was miles away, lost deep in thought. She had jumped almost out of her skin when Nikki had phoned earlier. After they had finished talking to each other, Helen had made her way upstairs and taken a long hot bath as she tried to put everything out of her mind and relax. The wine was helping slightly with the latter, but her mind would not switch off. Now, in the living room, she was playing out scenarios in her head, trying to figure out the best way to handle things if Nikki was successful in her appeal, her promise to make it work resounding in her ears. She desperately wanted to be with Nikki, but there were so many implications of them living together if she got out. Suddenly becoming aware of time ticking by, Helen glanced at the clock. 'Time for bed,' she thought as the hands pointed to midnight. The phone rang again as she wearily climbed the stairs but she decided to let the answer machine pick up.

Nikki awoke early and was already lounging fully dressed on her bunk reading when Dominic McAllister unlocked her cell.

"Morning Nikki." Dominic said cheerily, looking tanned and rested after his recent break.

"Hiya Dominic. Sorry, do you mind me using your first name?" Nikki asked as she sat up, suddenly realising she had done so automatically.

"Nah, it's alright Nikki, as long as you don't take the piss." Dominic replied trying to sound as though he was not bothered by Nikki's sudden friendliness. The fact of the matter was that he rather liked it. It made him realise the difference in Nikki since Helen had first taken charge of G-Wing and that reminded him of the gorgeous Miss Stewart. "Are you ready for breakfast?"

"You bet, I'm starved." Nikki's face lit up with a radiant grin at the thought of getting out of her cell and possibly seeing Helen.

"See you later, Nikki." Dominic shuffled off to finish unlocking the cells. Nikki put down her book and made her way to the servery.

Helen woke with a start and groaned as her head throbbed providing a painful reminder of her wine consumption the previous evening. She looked at the clock on her bedside table and cursed that the alarm had not gone off. She was supposed to be at work in twenty minutes and it was at least half an hour's drive away. She stood to get ready and immediately sat back on the bed as the room spun. For a moment, she thought she would be sick but it quickly passed and she rose to her feet again, slowly this time. Ten minutes later, Helen was dressed and after taking a couple of Alka-Seltzers, was as ready to face the world as she would be that morning. Walking swiftly to the car, she climbed in to the driver's seat, praying that the police did not stop her. She was sure she would still be over the legal limit.

Driving along, she kept a careful eye on her speed not wanting to give anyone any cause to pull her over. When she arrived at the gatehouse, she was running twenty-five minutes late and the guard informed her that Mr Stubberfield had been asking to see her as soon as she got in. Helen cursed at the thought of a meeting with Simon. The last thing she needed was a session of rambling and ranting in his uniquely pompous fashion. As she parked, she checked her make-up in the rear view mirror and grimaced at the pale face and bloodshot eyes staring back. Deciding it would have to do, she made her way to Stubberfield's office, hoping that it would be brief. All she could think of was seeing Nikki. The mere thought of the striking lifer brightened Helen's mood and seemed to ease the throbbing at her temples a little. Feeling a little more human, she knocked at the Governing governor's door.

Nikki was relaxing in the garden, leaning against the side of the potting shed, drawing on the last drags of her roll-up cigarette. She was taking the rare opportunity to soak up some sunshine before it disappeared back behind the gathering clouds. She felt a frown flash across her face as she recalled not having seen Helen arrive earlier. She was sure she could not have missed her arrival as she had leapt to the barred window everytime she had heard the gate opening. Shrugging almost imperceptibly, she resigned herself to the fact she would find out soon enough. In half an hour she would be meeting with Helen in private to 'discuss Nikki's appeal'.

A familiar, curvaceous shadow fell across the ground in front of Nikki's feet as she dropped the cigarette end. The light breeze that was beginning to stir in the garden carried Helen's delicate perfume to Nikki's nostrils. Without looking up, Nikki grinned, "You're early!" Nikki's smile faded as she looked into Helen's tired eyes. "Heavy night, was it?" Helen detected a hint of bitterness in Nikki's voice and noted the defensive stance that Nikki had taken, arms crossed tightly across her body. Shifting her weight slightly in the brief awkward silence, Helen breathed in deeply before speaking.

"Can we go into the shed, it's a bit bright out here?" Helen winced as she tilted her head into the sunlight to look up at the taller woman and started towards the door before Nikki could protest. "I was lonely after you called last night. I ended up over compensating with the wine." Helen was breathless as she spoke. Even when she felt like shit, being this close to Nikki was almost too much for her self-restraint. She sensed Nikki soften as she stood close behind Helen with her back to the now closed shed door. Helen felt her head begin to swim again and reached to steady herself on the bench. As she did so, Nikki slid a strong arm around Helen's slender waist, supporting her and pulling their bodies close together.

"Are you sure you should be here?" Nikki's voice was now filled with warmth and concern, as she idly stroked her free hand through Helen's bobbed brown hair. Helen leaned back into Nikki, only partly for support.

"What and miss spending time with you?" Helen tried to smile as she twisted round to face the woman holding her so tenderly.

"Helen, I would understand…" Nikki paused before adding, with a mischievous gleam in her eyes, "…but only if you promised to make it up to me!" Helen grinned, the sparkle returning to her own eyes, and lightly kissed Nikki's lips. The kiss quickly became deeper, both struggling to contain their passion for one another. Helen placed her hands gently on either side of Nikki's face and pulled back just enough for there to be a hint of daylight between them.

"I've got to go. I wanted to let you know personally that our meeting is going to have to be a bit later, I'm afraid. I'm running a bit late this morning. The alarm didn't go off and it took me a while to get going." Helen finally got round to the official reason for visiting Nikki.

"Sure, no problem, Helen." Nikki hoped her disappointment did not show too badly. The last thing she wanted was for Helen to feel pressured, especially as she was feeling somewhat under the weather.

"I promise to make it worth your while when you do see me." Helen added sensing the change in Nikki's mood. She kissed her again gently once more before leaving the shed. Nikki waited for a while, busying herself tidying the benches in the shed before venturing outside. She was acutely aware of the need to be careful not to be seen to be breaking the rules and whilst she could be impulsive, Nikki was not prepared to lose Helen because she could not control herself. It also gave her chance to regain her composure and for the colour to return to normal in her cheeks. Roughly shoving a plant pot to one side, Nikki reflected on how frustrating it was, even more so now that she knew Helen reciprocated her feelings.

Sylvia Hollamby, a warder with a 'face like a busted arse' and the temperament of an angry bull, was sent to escort Nikki to see Helen. Sylvia thought the special programme for women lifers was a waste of time and resources, but she felt that way about many things. It didn't help that Helen Stewart, who Hollamby felt had too many good ideas, was overseeing it at Larkhall. She held the same opinion of the 'meddling graduate' as Jim Fenner. Walking in silence, they headed off towards the classrooms, from where Helen had been working for the last couple of weeks, but as they neared them Sylvia veered off course.

"Where are you going? It's up this way." Nikki was confused and did not trust 'Bodybag' one bit.

"Not any more, it's not. Now just hurry up. As if I haven't got better things to do with my time." Nikki followed, still dubious about their destination, turning a deaf ear to Hollamby's moaning. She suddenly realised Bodybag had stopped and came to an abrupt halt behind her, only just preventing herself from stumbling into her. Hollamby opened the green door and ushered Nikki inside, where they paused briefly. Nikki scanned the inside of the room and saw that Helen now had her own secretary and private office off from this room, with a heavy wooden door. The secretary went to announce their arrival to Helen and as the door opened, Nikki caught a glimpse of the petite Scot behind a large desk, talking on the phone. Helen glanced up as the door opened and she caught sight of Nikki, waiting just beyond the secretary and quickly concluded her telephone conversation.

"Come in Nikki. Take a seat. I'll be with you in a second." Helen was careful to keep her tone professional and avoid eye contact with her lover. "That'll be all, thank you Sylvia. Mary, could you hold all my calls for the next hour and I don't want to see anyone unless it is an emergency, OK? We have a lot to do." The question was hypothetical. Helen's tone indicated she meant what she was saying, although the secretary thought it was for different reasons than Helen had in mind. Closing the door, she smiled over at Nikki, looking more alive than she had done earlier in the garden. "Look, a proper office where no one can over hear us or see us through the partitions." Helen swept her arms around the room, as she walked briskly to where Nikki was seated.

"You sound like a kid on Christmas morning with a brand new toy!" Nikki stood to face Helen, and playfully dug her in the ribs resting her hands on Helen's hips.

"Simon called me into his office this morning to let me know it was ready. We can finally be alone… and uninterrupted." There was no mistaking the excited and seductive gleam in Helen's eyes.

"I thought you were supposed to be helping me with my appeal, Miss." Nikki feigned wide-eyed innocence.

"All in good time!" Helen slipped her arms around Nikki's waist, moving in for a passionate kiss. It was all she could do to stop herself from screaming when there was a knock at the door. Nikki slumped back into the chair and Helen groaned as she turned to answer the door. Dominic was shocked by Helen's abrupt manner. "Yes?" she snapped at him, clearly annoyed by the interruption.

"Um…sorry…I, er…I've got some news for Nikki, Miss. I thought…she should know as soon as possible." Dominic spoke quietly hoping Nikki would not hear, but her head snapped round at the mention of her name, wondering what she was supposed to have done now.

"What is it? What's happened?" Helen's heart sank, her mind racing thinking about what it could be.

"It's Tricia Stoppard, Nikki's ex-girlfriend." Nikki sprang to her feet, demanding to know what was going on. Dominic informed her as gently as he could that there had been an accident, that Tricia had been killed.

"Okay Dominic, I'll take it from here. Thank you for telling her now." Helen put her hand on his arm and added softly, "I'm sorry I snapped at you. Bad day." Helen quietly shut the door and turned to face Nikki, who was standing as though frozen and unable to move. Her face was ashen, and Helen could see her eyes glisten as tears began to form and trickle unchecked down her cheeks. She went to put her arms around her, half expecting the old macho Nikki to return and shrug her off, but Nikki surprised her with a rare show of complete vulnerability. As Helen wrapped herself around Nikki's taut frame, she felt her sag against her sobbing and muttering something Helen could not make out through the tears. They remained like that for a few minutes before Helen guided the broken inmate towards a seat fearful that she would collapse under the weight of shock and grief. As she sat her down, Helen perched on the edge of her desk, stroking a hand through Nikki's dark, cropped hair.

"You must hate me." Nikki's voice was thick with tears. Helen suddenly realised that the statement had been aimed at her.

"Why would you think that?" Helen was taken aback by what Nikki had said.

"I'm supposed to be with you, and I get like this over my ex." The undertones of self-hate evident in Nikki's voice disturbed Helen.

"Nikki," Helen placed her hand under Nikki's chin, tilting it so that Nikki was looking at her, "you were together for nine years. That's a long time, and I know you still care about her. I'd have been more concerned if you hadn't reacted like this." Helen realised that Nikki needed reassuring right now and it caught her off-guard. Nikki had always been the strong one who Helen had turned to in times of need. Now the tables were turned, leaving Helen feeling unsure of what to do for the best. She walked around the desk and called for Dominic to escort Nikki back to her cell. Anger flared in Nikki's eyes.

"Fine, just throw me out then. Sorry I'm not in the mood for a shag anymore but shit happens, doesn't it Helen?" Helen ignored the outburst, realising that Nikki was hurting and needed to lash out at someone, and she preferred that it was her rather than another officer who might not be as sympathetic. She spoke calmly and quietly as she rejoined Nikki.

"I'm coming with you, but I think you need some time. Now is not the right time to talk about us, your appeal or even Tricia. Everything is too raw at the moment, but I am not going to abandon you." Helen gently placed her hand on Nikki's face, hoping to soothe the distraught young woman.

The new Wing Governor, Karen Betts, joined Helen and Dominic in Nikki's cell. She softly asked the young prison officer to fetch the nurse with something for Nikki. If Nikki did hear Karen ask for her to be sedated, Helen noticed she did not show it in any way. She sat on the narrow bed next to Nikki, holding her, gently rocking.

"I'd like to stay with her for a while, if that's OK?" Helen looked pleadingly at the blonde woman who had filled her vacated role on the wing.

"Of course, stay as long as she needs you." Karen felt for Nikki but Helen seemed to have the situation under control and so she turned to leave. As she did so, Dominic returned with the nurse. Nikki stirred, beginning to protest but Helen whispered something in Nikki's ear and the forlorn inmate stopped any attempts at struggling. She allowed herself to be injected with a sedative, which soon began to take effect. She could hear quiet conversations as though observing them from the end of a tunnel and they were receding rapidly. The last thing she was aware of was Helen telling her not to fight it, then everything faded to black as she leaned into the crook of Helen's shoulder.

It was beginning to go dark outside as Nikki woke. She lay unmoving as the sudden realisation of what had happened hit her with sledgehammer force. She rolled over and swung her legs on the cold hard floor, waiting for her head to catch up with the rest of her body, the sedative still not having fully worn off. She let out a sigh, which rapidly turned into a sob as tears pricked her eyes once more. Helen had been lying on the top bunk reading and had heard Nikki stirring. She slid down joining Nikki on the bottom bunk. At first she was too wrapped up in her sorrow to notice she was not alone, but when she realised Helen was still there, Nikki flung her arms around her, breathing rapidly giving in to the wave of emotion surging up from inside. Helen held her again gently rubbing her back and telling her it was going to be ok and to let it out.

There was a plate of food on the table for Nikki, as she had missed lunch and dinner whilst sleeping. Helen left Nikki's side briefly to retrieve the plate. Nikki took one look and turned away, her stomach performing somersaults at the thought of eating. "You need to try to eat something, Nikki." Helen had never seen her like this and it was causing her more than a little concern. She hated the thought of Nikki being locked up in here for hours without being able to talk to anyone. Most of the prison officers would not even care, not just because Nikki was a con, but because she was a lesbian too.

"I can't, not just now." Nikki paused breathing in deeply and slowly, "I dreamt that it was you in the accident, that something like this had happened to you. My ex is killed and all I can think of is what if it happened to you. Do you have any idea how that makes me feel? Guilty doesn't even begin to cover it. I feel like I've let her down. I know it probably sounds stupid, but ever since… well I got banged up, I've always had a fear that something would happen and I wouldn't be there for her. Now I know what hell is. This place has nothing on what I feel right now." Nikki bowed her head, struggling to hold back the tears she felt flooding her eyes.

"It will pass Nikki. You need time to grieve. It's normal to feel like you do. And as for me, I'm a big girl. I can look after myself. Why don't you let me look after you for a change? Accept the fact that you're human Nikki. There was probably nothing you could have done to prevent the accident and if you'd been there, then what? You probably wouldn't have survived either." Helen noticed that Nikki had gone quiet again, and lifting her drooping head, Helen realised Nikki was almost asleep again. Without much protestation, Helen helped Nikki back into bed, tucking the covers around her. Nikki fell into a restless slumber as Helen crouched by the bed stroking her head, tenderly. Helen glanced at her watch, realised it would be lock up soon and she would have to leave. Sighing, she found a piece of paper and wrote her telephone number on to leave on Nikki's locker. She wrote a note on the paper to let Nikki know that arrangements would be made for her to use the phone whenever she needed to and to call if she wanted to talk, no matter what time it was. As she finished, there was a sharp rap on the door, and Jim Fenner poked his head round the door without waiting for an answer.

"Sorry to break you two up, but it's lock-up and unless you intend on spending the night in here I'm going to have to ask you to leave, Miss." Fenner pointedly emphasised Helen's title, as though she needed reminding of her position at the prison.

"Thank you, Jim. I'm ready now anyway." Helen spoke evenly, levelling a calm stare at the arrogant prison officer, inwardly marvelling at his unbelievable ability to feel nothing, even at such a difficult time. She turned to check on Nikki once more before she left, aware that Fenner was painstakingly monitoring her body language so she satisfied herself with tucking Nikki's exposed arm under the covers, resisting the urge to kiss her goodnight.

Helen wearily made her way back to her office, having satisfied herself that those on night duty were going to keep an eye on Nikki and that she would be allowed access to the phone if she asked. Gathering her belongings together, she was surprised by a soft knocking at her door.

"Dominic, I'd have thought you'd have been gone by now." Helen glanced at her watch, hoping that whatever it was would not take long.

"Just off now. I wanted to see if you were okay. It's been a difficult day for Nikki, and for you. I was wondering if you fancied a drink, y'know just to unwind a bit." Helen welcomed the concern, something that seemed to be seriously lacking in most of the other officers. She did not realise the concern was borne more out of feelings for her than for the inmate.

"I really don't feel like going out tonight Dom," pausing briefly, she thought about the prospect of going home alone and added, "why don't you come back to mine? I could use the company otherwise I might end up sounding off to the fridge again. That is if you can put up with an evening of me whinging."

"Okay. I've got the bike here, so shall I follow you?"

"Yeah, just give me a minute to finish up here, then I'll be out."

A few minutes later, Helen was in her car driving the familiar route back home, being careful not to lose Dominic. She was relieved at the prospect of having company, but wished it was Nikki coming home with her. The normally self-sure, confident, strong inmate's helplessness had taken Helen by surprise. The pain and suffering evident in Nikki's eyes was a vision she knew would haunt her dreams that night.

She had temporarily lost Dominic as she pulled up outside her gate. Getting out of the car, she noticed an unfamiliar car parked across the street with someone sitting inside. She busied herself retrieving items from the back seat as she waited for Dominic to catch up. Glancing up, she noticed that the person in the car was watching her, but looked away when she made eye contact. Helen was glad to hear the roar of Dominic's motorbike pulling up behind her car.

The next morning, Helen was woken by the sound of someone moving around downstairs. Freezing momentarily, she thought someone had broken in, but then suddenly remembered offering the couch to Dominic after they had drunk too much for him to drive home. She jumped in the shower and dressed quickly, the smell of fresh coffee drifting upstairs. Wandering down to the kitchen, she found Dom staring out at the somewhat unkempt back garden, sipping coffee.

"Morning. It's a bit of a mess now Sean's not here." Helen reached for the pot of coffee as Dominic mentally noted the matter of fact way Helen referred to her ex-fiancé.

"Have you thought about getting someone in to do it? I don't mean to interfere but it looks like it wouldn't take much to bring it under control again." He felt his face redden, and he looked away again feeling like he was prying.

"It's just one of those things I never get round to." Helen was actually contemplating leaving it to run wild so that Nikki could tame it and work on it when she got out, if her appeal was successful. She grabbed her mug of steaming coffee, not really in the mood for small talk, and wandered into the hallway to pick up the morning paper. She noticed the answerphone blinking, indicating she had a message. Retrieving them, she discovered that there had been two hang-ups, the caller had waited for the message to end and the recording to start before putting the phone down. Frowning slightly, she erased them. There were no other messages, so she turned her attention to the newspaper. She idly flicked through the pages until a report about Tricia's accident grabbed her attention. The car Tricia had been travelling in appeared to have lost control going into a bend and had met a lorry coming in the opposite direction. Police were said to be investigating the accident. Helen passed the paper to Dominic so that he could read the report, her hand shaking slightly as she did so.

"Oh Jesus." Dominic muttered.

"I don't want Nikki hearing about this from anyone else. I want to be able to talk to her about it. You know how she is, if Jim or Sylvia tell her and start winding her up she'll do something we might all regret." Fear danced on Helen's face as she imagined worst case scenarios of Nikki's reaction to the news. Dominic agreed that Helen should be the one to talk to her and suggested that they leave early, so they could arrive before first unlock. This would also give Dom the chance to change as well as he was still in the same clothes as the day before and kept spare in his locker at work. Helen smiled her appreciation and they left the house without another word. As they both pulled away, the man from the unfamiliar car the night before discreetly watched their departure.

Karen Betts was already at work when Dominic and Helen arrived and she called the ex-wing governor in to see her immediately. Karen could see Helen was anxious to get to Nikki but thought she should pass on what she had been told by her friend in the police.

"Helen, I'll keep this brief because I know Nikki's been asking to see you since she woke up. There's been some interesting findings at the site of Tricia's crash. I asked a friend of mine last night about the investigation, so this is all off the record. It would seem that they found a nick in the brake cable on Tricia's car and there was no brake fluid left in the pipes. The interesting part is that there does not appear to be any spilled at the scene either, at least not enough to account for the pipes being dry." Karen paused to let what she had said sink in. "It may not have been an accident at all."