Chapter two in this murder story. Warning for some racist comments.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jean leaned back into him, loving the touch. He usually came into the kitchen or whichever room she was in when he arrived home after a day at the station or the morgue but today there was a different need to his touch. She turned and smiled, searching his face for a clue to his urgency.

'Jean,' He pulled her closer, 'promise me you won't go into town on your own, just for the time being, please.'

'Lucien, what's happened?' Lucien would never usually determine when and where she could go.

'There's been a particularly nasty murder, I'm just worried for your safety, that's all.' He really didn't want to go into details, but he knew that answer wouldn't satisfy her.

'That doesn't usually mean I have to stay home or go out with a security detail.' She tilted her head to one side, waiting for him to speak. She could see him thinking how he could tell her without going into too much detail, given her recent trouble with sickness.

'It was a young woman, she was pregnant and it looks like a revenge killing or a reaction to her pregnancy. I don't know, but I'm sure she was targeted because of her condition. Please, Jean, don't put yourself in danger, wait for me or Charlie to take you shopping, or even Alice.' There was so much fear in his eyes she could only agree to his request. She knew she wouldn't get any more details out of him and she was sure he had warned Charlie about discussing the case in front of her. She braced herself for nightmares and drinking, something that was so rare these days she had almost forgotten what it was like. She put her arms round his neck and pulled him into a passionate kiss, to reassure him she would take care and, for once, allow him to protect her.

Dinner was a quiet affair that evening. Usually a time when cases were discussed there was a stillness over the men. Jean tried to start conversations, but they fell into nothing. After another long silence Jean sighed and went to start washing the dinner plates. No one had cleared their plates properly, Charlie and Lucien because of the lingering image of the dead woman and Jean because she was worried about both of them. Lucien dried the dishes, not wanting to be away from her for an instant.

In the living room Charlie poured himself and Lucien a larger than usual whisky, Jean had stopped her usual sherry, it tasted odd, she'd said, so she stuck to tea or water.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lucien did have a nightmare that night, Jean just held him tight and murmured soothing words to him. Eventually he settled, but his sleep was fitful and, unbeknownst to her he kept waking to check his beloved wife was still next to him.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Much as Jean loved Lucien, his constant need to keep her safe was stifling; no other murder of a woman had got him so concerned, so nervous for her safety, she couldn't understand why this one was so different. Alright the woman had been pregnant but even so...

Neither Charlie nor Alice would help her out with further details, no one at the station was willing to divulge the information she craved.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The phone rang, breaking the stillness in the early morning. Jean felt Lucien leap out of bed, he didn't even let her answer the out of hours calls, anymore, in case it was the station. Another two murders had followed the first, the same modus operandi, Lucien had said, young pregnant women, mutilated. But that was a far as he would go, and now he would only allow her to go into town with himself of Charlie, not even Alice was deemed to be a suitable chaperone. This call, however, was from the orphanage. Could the doctor call? Sister Josephine was worried about two of the children who had been off colour for a few days but were not getting any better.

'What are the symptoms, Sister?' It was not like the nun to call unless a child was seriously ill, so it must be bad.

'They've both been unable to eat for over twenty four hours, their gums are bleeding when they clean their teeth and Jacob has a huge bruise where he banged his leg on a chair.'

Jean was by his side now, she mouthed 'The orphanage?'

He nodded, putting his hand over the received he whispered, 'Get dressed, you're coming with me.'

She knew why; Charlie was on duty and he wouldn't now leave her in the house on her own, no matter how much she told him she would keep the doors locked, not let anyone in she didn't know, he still insisted she had company or went with him. Of course she couldn't accompany him to the morgue or the station so Frank had kindly arranged she had a junior officer at the house when Lucien was there.

She was ready before him and was waiting at the door with his bag and his coat when he emerged from the bedroom.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sister Josephine was waiting at the door when they arrived. She hid her surprise at the doctor's wife's presence, but she had heard about the murders in town and knew how much in love with his wife Lucien was, so she supposed it was only to be expected. Lucien did not explain Jean being there as he was shown up to the room where all sick children were kept. Jean noticed the dour Sister Philomena was there, apparently tending to the children. She wasn't the warmest person in the room, stiff and uncompromising, she stood as they entered.

'Thank you, Sister.' Sister Josephine dismissed her, 'you can go and get something to eat, now.'

The other nun sailed out of the room, pursing her lips.

'Right, let's have a look,' Lucien smiled at the children. He examined them thoroughly, checking for more bruises and unusual bleeding. He was gentle with them, asking if they had eaten something they shouldn't have, or anything unusual. Had they cut or scratched themselves while outside, playing? All answers were negative. Lucien's final check was to analyse their urine. Jacob obligingly gave a sample. Using a dip strip Lucien noted blood in his urine and also in that of the other child, a girl called Elsie.

Turning to Sister Josephine, 'Do you have any rat poison on the premises?'

It was a strange question, she thought, Jean raised her eyebrows,

'Yes, doctor, we do. But it's kept well out of the way of the children, in a locked cupboard.' Sister Josephine could not think what he was getting at.

'Well, all symptoms point to Warfarin poisoning. Warfarin is the active ingredient in rat poison. It kills by making the animal bleed internally until it dies.' Lucien looked serious, hopefully the damage could be reversed in the children but it could have long term consequences for both of them. 'Can we check the cupboard and the level of the stock?'

'We haven't used any since we bought a new pack, so it should be easy to see if any has been taken.' Sister Josephine was horrified, someone poisoning the children, it was unthinkable.

They went to the kitchen where the cupboard was. It was hung high on the wall and even the nun, who was a reasonable height, had to get a stool to reach it. The key was on her house keeper's chain, so that couldn't be taken without her knowing. The pack of rat poison sat there on the top shelf, clearly marked. Sister Josephine took it down, the box had been opened and on examination there was a sachet missing.

'Is there another key?' Lucien asked, urgently.

'No, I have the only one. I assure you, doctor, I have not given it to the children.' Sister Josephine could see how it looked and if she had been he, she would have come to the same conclusion.

Lucien knew her well, in spite of a rocky start in their relationship he had come to admire and respect her. She was the last person he could think of that would willingly harm a child.

'Sister, I believe you. However, as a precaution I am going to take this away. If you have a rat problem, call me and I will oversee the use of it, just until we can sort this out.' Lucien took the unusual step of clasping the woman's hand to show her how he trusted her. 'Now, the children need to be admitted to the hospital. I just want to be sure they are given the right treatment and that nothing can be given to them that will make them any worse.'

'As you wish, doctor.' Sister Josephine had to agree.

'Don't worry about their medical bills, I'll see to that.' He smiled. His treatment of the children was free, he never charged her, this was just an extension of that care.

'Doctor, you do so much for them.' Sister Josephine could only admire the man's generosity.

'My pleasure, they are our future, aren't they? No matter where they come from, and as a father to be I have a stake in that future.' Lucien smiled. 'Now do you think, between the two of us, we can get these two into my car, and I'll drive them over to the hospital. While I do, could you ring and let them know we are on our way?'

'That sounds like the best course of action. I can carry Elsie, if you can manage Jacob.'

'Let's get to it.'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

At the hospital Jean carried Elsie in, at only four years old she was small enough, while Lucien carried the older Jacob. Two beds had been made available for the children as requested and while Lucien organised their treatment Jean sat with them and told them everything would be alright. She asked Jacob if he had any idea if he knew how they could have eaten the poison. He said he had no idea, they ate the same as everybody else.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

'What do we do now, Lucien?' Jean asked as she made them a cup of tea back at home.

'I need to check the kitchen, the waste bins, who has been cooking.' He scratched his head. 'Has someone punished them for a transgression?'

'That's a heck of a punishment.' She observed. With her boys she stuck to a smacked bottom or no treats for a set number of days. It usually worked.

'Mmm...' Lucien thought for a moment. 'Er, what do you know about the new nun?'

'Lucien! Surely you're not suggesting...' Jean was aghast, 'She's a nun.'

'She's a human being.' Lucien reminded her.

'Sister Philomena. I have to admit I've never seen her smile.' Jean said. She found the woman imposing.

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Lucien got up to answer it.

'Hello Dr Blake.' It was Ned, 'The Boss wants you down at the station. He's sent me to stay with Mrs Blake.' Ned liked this duty. Jean usually had cake or biscuits available in return for some odd jobs doing.

'Heard the kettle, did you Ned?' Jean called from the kitchen.

'Well, if you're offering...' Ned grinned, 'I am a bit dry.'

'Come on through.'

By the time Ned had got to the kitchen there was a steaming cup of tea and a piece of Jean's sponge cake waiting for him.

'Thanks, Mrs Blake.' He said, through a mouthful of cake crumbs.

'Don't get used to it, young man,' Jean laughed, he was such a sweet boy, 'when this case is solved it'll be back to normal duty for you.'

'Ok.' Ned grinned back. 'Want anything doing?'

Jean thought for a moment, she'd been meaning to ask Lucien to cut the grass today, but the call from the orphanage got in the way.

'Any good at mowing lawns?' She asked, she was a bit particular about the garden and she'd had to train Lucien to cut it just to her liking.

'Usually do it for my Gran.' He replied. 'Where's the mower?'

Jean showed him where the mower was kept and left him to it, telling him she would be in the kitchen preparing the evening meal. She'd call him when lunch was ready.

As she prepared vegetables and meat for a casserole there was a knock at the door. She was halfway up the hall when she realised she had promised Lucien she would not answer to door while he was out, but get her chaperone to do it.

'Surely...' she thought for an instant, but then, no, she'd promised, and she had a feeling Ned would give her away. She turned on her heel, calling, 'Just a minute!'

She called Ned in from the garden.

'Ned, there's someone at the door and I promised Lucien...' She went a little red at being seen to be subservient.

'That's ok, Mrs Beazley, he made me promise too.' Ned grinned and went to see who it was.

The door open he saw a nun he didn't recognise.

'Hello, can I help you?' He was most polite. The nun looked him up and down as if he was something the cat had dragged in. What were the Blake's doing having this being in the house? And what were the police doing hiring such a person?

'I'd like to see Mrs Blake.' She was sharp, impolite, but Ned was used to it and ignored it.

'Who shall I say is calling?' Ned risked a smile.

'Sister Philomena, from the Children's Home.'

Ned called through to Jean who said to let her in. He escorted her into the kitchen.

'Thank you Ned,' Jean smiled, 'Lunch will be read in about half an hour.'

'Thanks Mrs Blake. I should have finished the lawn by then.' He headed back out to the garden hoping she would be safe with the nun.

'Sit down, Sister.' Jean indicated a chair at the table. 'Would you like some tea?'

'Thank you, no.' Her voice sent shudders through Jean, who made a mental note not to be so uncharitable.

'Mrs Blake. I'll come straight to the point.' Sister Philomena seemed to take on the manner of an old headmistress Jean had known and been terrified of when she was a child, 'I don't like the suggestion that the children have been poisoned at the orphanage.'

'Well, that's more the doctor's area than mine.' Jean remained pleasant, 'those were his diagnoses, I'm sure there is a logical explanation for it.'

'Those children should count themselves lucky to be in such a place, a roof over their heads and food. What else do they need? They have, for the most part, been abandoned, not wanted, they should be grateful.'

'I'm sure they are, ' Jean was not having very Christian thoughts at this moment 'But they still need love as well as a roof and food, don't you think?' She offered a smile, but it was ignored.

'Children like that are a curse on our society, taking without giving. Born of sin, they are sinners themselves.'

Jean was now angry but refused to show it.

'I think you should go now, Sister,' Jean intoned through gritted teeth. 'I have to see to Constable Simmons' and my husband's lunches.'

'You intend to feed that creature,' she inclined her head in the direction of the garden, 'in your home.'

Jean stood up, flushed with anger.

'Constable Simmons!' she called, the mower had stopped, he must have finished.

'Mrs Blake,' he poked his head round the back door.

'Kindly escort Sister Philomena out.'

Ned took one look at Jean and moved over to the nun and took her elbow to guide her out.

'This way, Sister.'

'Take your hands off me!' Sister Philomena stalked out of the kitchen and up to the front door, where Ned politely wished her 'good day' and went back to the kitchen.

'Ned,' Jean looked at him, her eyes filled with sorrow that this should have happened in her home, 'I am so sorry. If I'd known how she would treat you I would never have let her in. Don't ever let her into this house again.'

'Don't worry, Mrs Blake.' Ned smiled, 'I've met worse. But she's upset you and Dr Blake is not going to be happy about that.'

'How on earth did she get sent to work in an orphanage? She must scare the children rigid.'

'God moves in mysterious ways, Mrs Blake.' Ned remarked as he washed his hands.

'Mysterious ways? He's lost the plot with that one!'

Ned was surprised at this, everyone knew Mrs Blake attended church regularly, it was a bit out of character to challenge the Almighty, he thought.

'Who's lost the plot?' Jean hadn't heard Lucien turn the key in the door.

'Oh Lucien, your timing...' She went and greeted him with a kiss, Ned was not embarrassed he'd seen it often enough when he was on security detail!

'What? Good or bad?' He kissed her back.

'Not sure, where do you stand on punching nuns?' Jean put the plates out for their lunch.

'Not in best interests of any of us, I'd have thought.' Lucien went to the sink and washed his hands. 'Why?'

'I've had a visit from Sister Philomena.' Jena sat down and indicated Ned should help himself.

'The one that looks like she's sucking a lemon?' Lucien reached over for the bread.

Ned spluttered, 'Good description, doc.' He managed to say, as Jean also burst out laughing.

'That's the one.' And she told him what the woman had said and how she had been so rude to and about Ned.

'Well, in that case, I'll have to think of some particularly uncomfortable cures for whatever ails her in the future. She'll think twice about insulting my wife and my friends.' Lucien had a twinkle in his eye, it wasn't just the children that got free treatment at the orphanage.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

So, what exactly is Lucien hiding?