Alice had been on call the previous week while Lucien had looked after Jean. She'd seen Jean a couple of times and she was still amazed at how well she coped. Was there nothing not in a day's work for Mrs Jean Blake?

A new consultant had been appointed by the hospital, a surgeon from England. Mr Irwen Smith, an arrogant swine in Alice's opinion. He strutted around the hospital as if he owned the place, was rude to the nursing sisters, and positively appallingly badly behaved to the junior nursing staff. He looked at them as if they were something he had picked up on the sole of his shoe!

She had had the misfortune to perform an autopsy on one of his patients. He had tried to remove a perforated appendix. Hacking into her he'd allowed infected material to flood her peritoneum and her heart had given up, shocked into submission. Alice was utterly appalled at the sight on her table in autopsy. A butcher would have made a better job.

Alice had filed her report stating that surgical incompetence was the cause of death. In her mind it was little more than murder.

She was called to account by the hospital board, but had held her ground.

Frank had found her outside the conference room. He'd heard what had happened. She was shaking with rage, shaking so much she couldn't light her cigarette. She'd been trying to give up and up to now had succeeded. Frank, unnoticed by Alice walked up to her and guided the match.

Inhaling deeply she gasped, 'Thank you, Frank.' She sank back, leaning against the wall.

He indicated the room, 'I'm going in, I've been asked to give a character reference.'

She raised an impeccably plucked eyebrow.

'Alice, you and Blake are the best I've ever met in your field. I'll fight to the last to keep you on the team.'

Alice's eyes widened. She was used to being dismissed as an unreliable, emotional woman, now here was this man prepared to put his reputation on the line for her. There were no words.

Frank found Alice at the Blake's later. He knew when she had an hour to spend she spent it there. She and Jean had become very close, both needed a female friend to talk to and this time Alice needed it more than Jean.

Jean answered the door to his knock, she was cradling Jenny and he could hear Alice's voice reading to Bobby.

'Alice, it's for you!' called Jean.

'Jean, could I talk to Alice in private?' he asked.

Jean looked worried, 'Yes, of course, I'll take the children into the garden.'

She showed him into the living room.

'Come on Bobby, let's go and water the plants,' and she held out her hand to her son.

Lucien was in his study, but on hearing familiar voices he poked his head out. Before he could say anything he saw Jean, who shook her head and indicated Frank and Jean. He ducked back in quickly, Jean would tell him later, now he wasn't wanted.

Alice looked up, 'She looks drained,' Frank thought, it was not a state he ever expected to find her in. She was always controlled even emotionless, but now, now this had hit her like a sledgehammer.

'Alice,' he went over to the sofa, 'I've spoken to the board. I've told them there is no question of your professional integrity. I have every confidence in you and they've agreed to continue your contract.'

'But...'

'No buts! you're the pathology registrar essential to the detection and solving of crime here in Ballarat.'

Alice gave him a grateful look, 'Thank you. You didn't have to.'

'Yes I did, and even if I didn't I would've.'

They looked at each other and Frank decided he'd better go. Something about Alice's expression told him he should. not dismissive just a 'go before I embarrass myself' type of look.

'I'll see you tomorrow.' He nodded and left.

Alice sank back into the couch. She wanted to cry, but nobody had seen her cry since she was twelve and she wasn't about to let that happen now.

Lucien poked his head out of the study. He'd heard everything but wasn't going to let on.

'Alice, I fancy a whisky, care to join me.' His tone was bright, casual as if nothing untoward had happened.

Music to her ears. 'Oh, that'd be lovely, thank you!' She knew Lucien had heard everything but she hoped he wouldn't try to discuss it.

'Everything ok?' he asked blandly.

'Yes fine, difficult case.'

'Well, if you need any help...'

'...or if Jean wants you out of the house...' they both laughed. Suddenly everything seemed as if it was going to be alright. She had a job she loved, people, no friends, who supported her, and, surprisingly enough someone who thought she was godparent material!

Jean had heard the crunch of Frank's car tyres on the drive as he left and had come back into the house.

'Staying for dinner, Alice?' she asked, brightly.

'I don't want to impose...' but Jean's cooking could solve anyone's problems.

'It's never an imposition,' Jean went over to her and gave her a hug. 'I'm going to feed Jenny, Lucien, give me half an hour.'

'Right oh, want anything doing?' he grinned.

'You could help Bobby set the table.' Lucien raised his glass.

Alice left the Blake household much later than she'd planned. She'd helped Jean put Bobby to bed and read him a story. She'd been completely blindsided by this, but had actually quite enjoyed it.

In her temper earlier in the day she'd walked to see Jean, something Frank had noticed when he left, her car wasn't there.

Feeling a little like a teenager in love, he'd positioned his car just down the road from their house. He reckoned that Jean would ask Alice to stay for dinner so that gave him time to get a pasty before Alice headed home.

He was right.

She rounded the corner, not paying attention. She didn't expect traffic at this time in the evening so a horn and lights instantly put her on her guard.

The car pulled alongside her, the window open, 'Need a lift, Alice?' She put her hand over her heart, Frank!

'Sorry, didn't mean to startle you.' He was grinning.

Actually, she'd had an extra whisky and was wearing high heels and her feet hurt, so yes she could do with a lift, but,

'Superintendent!' She tried to sound cross, but really she wasn't.

'I noticed you'd left your car in town and I know Jean...'

'Thank you, actually I hadn't planned to stay so long, but you know...Actually, my feet hurt.' It was all she could think of all to qualify her acceptance of the lift.

Ten minutes later Frank pulled the car onto her drive. She turned to look at him, he was smiling.

'Thank you, Frank,' deep breath, 'would you like a drink, tea, coffee or whisky?'

This was alien to her, and Frank knew it, so he said,

'I'd love a cuppa, I don't like to drink and drive.'

He stopped the engine and let her out of the car. Following her into the house he felt he was being tested. His feelings for Alice were growing, but she remained an enigma. He loved a puzzle but didn't want to put her in that category.

She made the tea and they sat side by side on the sofa discussing the minutiae of the day, but not the case.

Eventually Frank got up to leave. He took her hands in his and looked her full in the eyes,

'I trust your judgement, we'll get him.'

'I don't want to see butchery on my autopsy table again, Frank.'

He squeezed her forearm, 'I hope it doesn't come to that.'

Alice leaned towards him and, much to his and her surprise she kissed his cheek, 'So do I.'

Alice watched him drive out of the drive.

'Oh Lord!'