Mrs Wallace stared into the doctor's eyes, a vague recollection tried to insinuate itself into her mind.

'Lizzie?' Now quieter and with a slight hiccup, Alice swallowed at the sight, her once lively, skittish, sister, reduced to a moaning, walking skeleton. 'Lizzie, it's Alice, come on, let's get you warmed up.'

Lizzie cautiously crawled to the voice and was enveloped in the blanket and felt a soft kiss drop onto her unwashed hair.

'Oh, Liz, what happened?' Alice murmured, 'what has he done to you?'

Lizzie just nuzzled into her shoulder, savouring the warmth so long missing from her life.

Seeing, what he surmised was, a reunion of some kind, Matthew approached with caution. Alice felt, rather than heard, his presence and looked up. The harrowing look on her face cut him like a knife. Alice was always so pragmatic in such situations, but she looked almost as broken as Mrs Wallace.

'This is my sister, Matthew, Lizzie.' She almost whispered. 'Can you help me get her inside. I need to get her clothed and a warm drink inside her.' As she spoke she grew stronger, 'then hospital.'

'Right,' he didn't question her, he could do that later, 'Parks,' he turned to Danny, 'go and put the kettle on.'

Not having heard the conversation, Danny was faintly confused, but the superintendant always knew what he was doing, so...

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The house was dull, not clean or tidy, but it was warmer than the garden. Between them, Alice and Matthew had carried Lizzie into the living room where they had set her down gently on the couch. Alice sent Matthew to find a nightgown and robe while she soothed the keening woman. She looked around at the clutter in the room; evidence of a baby, tiny clothes strewn over the furniture but the neighbour said she had lost a child ten years previously. Had this sent her sister into madness? If so, why hadn't Wallace sought treatment or care for her? She felt angry, more than angry, furious, at him and a profound sadness that she wasn't there when Lizzie needed her. Fizzy Lizzie, destined to be adored by millions with her sweet singing voice, her light, infectious laugh and the way she danced on stage, as if there was nothing to hold her down. The last she had heard, Lizzie was in London, a part in a musical. Their diverse careers sent them in opposite directions and eventually the letters had dried up; she now understood the look on Lucien's face when she admitted she didn't know where she was. Her thoughts were interrupted by Matthew with a nightgown and robe, and Danny, carrying a cup of hot sweet tea.

While she dressed Lizzie and had a quick check to see if there were any injuries, Matthew and Danny left her one to call the ambos and the other to make sure the garden fire was out. She found evidence of a caesarean, a few scratches from the garden and some bruises.

'Is there anything else I can do, doctor?' Danny appeared behind her.

'Yes, see if he has a study here,' Alice looked up, 'I want her medical notes.' She turned and helped Lizzie drink the tea, soothing her, and telling her everything would be alright.

'Can you do that?' Danny thought that would be confidential.

'I'm her sister, Sergeant, I have a right to know what has happened.' Her answer was terse, so he headed to have a look round and see if he could find the information she wanted. He didn't know Alice and hadn't picked up that she was distressed to find her sister in such a condition, at first. He'd heard, in the station, about how she could be acidic when it suited her, didn't suffer fools gladly, but there was also talk about her and the boss. He couldn't see it, she wasn't Lawson's type, he thought.

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Alice had travelled in the ambulance with Lizzie, holding her hand and talking to her, reminding her of their childhood and parents. How they were so different, that she was always buried in her books while Lizzie sang and danced her way through life.

She gave the doctors and nurses all the information she had, Lizzie's name, age, date of birth, the notes Danny had found, secreted in a drawer, that showed she had had a caesarean ten years ago, being delivered of a daughter, who died two days later. No reason was given for the child passing, just that Lizzie had suffered from depression after the birth and subsequent death of her baby and then the notes had ended.

The doctor overseeing her care pronounced her dehydrated and starving. She was bathed by the nurses, her hair washed and then she was dressed in a clean gown and placed in a clean, warm bed. A drip was set up to administer the fluids she desperately needed and then the doctor decided he'd better discuss things with Alice.

'I don't think she'd have lasted much longer, Dr Harvey.' He knew there was no point hiding anything from her, 'we can make her comfortable, rehydrate and feed her up, but it is her mental state that worries me.'

'And me.' Alice admitted, 'her husband is a doctor, I don't understand how he could let her get to this state. Why didn't he ask for help? He's not a psychiatrist...'

'You know him?'

'Dr Wallace and I have ... met.' She didn't want to blacken the man's name, for all she knew he was a perfectly acceptable GP, unless you had children or a learning or physical disability. She wondered again about the child Lizzie had lost. 'I had no idea he was married to my sister.'

'I see,' the doctor felt the underlying tension. 'Well, I expect we can ask him. Do you know where he is?'

'Apparently he couldn't be located, I was called because I am acting police surgeon. I didn't know it was her until I got there. In fact Lizzie and I had lost touch, I had no idea she was here, in Ballarat.'

Alice was desperately trying to keep her emotions in check and the longer she stood with this doctor, the harder it was getting.

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Jean closed her eyes as they floated in a gondola under the Bridge of Sighs. It had been a magical few days in Venice, Lucien had even accompanied her to Sunday mass. They had wandered hand in hand through the streets, visited galleries, and made love whenever they wanted. Some mornings when she woke she expected to be staring at the pink walls of her bedroom in Ballarat, that it was all a dream, a wonderful one but a dream, nevertheless. But it wasn't, it was real, she was married to Lucien Blake and he had organised a honeymoon round Europe. She was in seventh heaven!

Tomorrow they were heading to Milan and then after a brief stop they would go to Switzerland, Geneva for a few days.

The gondolier smiled as he guided the vessel through the water and Lucien leant over her and kissed her, softly but passionately. She hummed into his mouth, wondering how long it would be before they were back at their hotel!

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Lucien smiled as they took in the breathtaking scenery between Venice and Milan. Train journeys at home were never this interesting, in fact Jean usually managed to do a fair bit of knitting between Ballarat and Melbourne. Everything was so green and lush,

'I bet Matthew has killed my plants,' she observed, not unkindly.

Lucien laughed, 'I'm sure Janet will have seen to them, or Alice will have reminded him.'

'Alice said she'd have more success reviving a long dead corpse than keeping houseplants alive.' Jean laughed, imagining Alice trying to resuscitate a body on the morgue table.

'Yes, well, let's hope she hasn't tried that.'

Milan was going to be a short stop, just one night before heading to Geneva, Lucien had joked one day when Jean had told him he gave her too much, that if he could give her the stars he would, and when perusing a guide book he had found the way to do just that. They registered at a small, intimate hotel and freshened up before heading to where he could give her the stars, in fact the universe - the planetarium.

'Lucien!' Jean smiled.

'Well, as space travel is not easy to organise yet, so...' He grinned cheekily, 'shall we...' he held out his hand and they went inside.

It was quiet, very few visitors at that time, which was just how Lucien wanted it. They wandered into the dome where the night sky was projected onto the ceiling. Jean took a short breath,

'Oh, it's beautiful.' She whispered. 'Even though I've looked at the stars at home, to see them so clearly...'

Lucien stole a sideways look at her, she was entranced by the sight of the night sky gently moving through the year. Perhaps he could get her to lie on a blanket in the garden on a clear night and... He slipped his arm round her shoulders and pointed out as much as he knew. Others around them left, until there was just the two of them, gazing into each other's eyes. The stars were reflected in her clear green eyes and he was lost.

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'Parks!' Matthew shouted as he limped crossly into the office, 'take another officer and search that house. I want to know if she was living there alone, if Wallace has been seen there recently, and Dr Harvey wants to know what food there was in the kitchen.' He had stayed at the hospital until Lizzie was settled and Alice had spoken to the doctor. Persuading Alice to go and take surgery had been tough going. She wanted to find Wallace and ask him how he let his wife, her sister, get into such a state. Matthew knew that if she did find him, before his men did, she would probably skin him alive!

Thankfully surgery was light, Alice managed to get through it without alienating anyone, nor did she bite Matthew's head off when he poked his nose round the door and offered her a cuppa.

'Come through to the living room,' he smiled gently, 'we'll talk there.'

'Have you found him yet?' She asked, sharply, 'who's looking?'

'Parks is at the house, looking at what's there, evidence that he lives there, Bill and the others are checking his surgery in town and anywhere else he goes. I've put a guard on Lizzie, I didn't think you would want him to go near her, and, frankly Alice, I don't think he should, either.'

'Matthew, thank you. You seem to know what I was thinking. It is clearly a case of extreme neglect, I also want to know about the baby that died. I want to know why she passed, why Lizzie had a caesarean. There was nothing in the notes after it happened save that she suffered from the baby blues.' She was insistent as she ran through the missing pieces of the jigsaw.

'Well, surely that's only to be expected, isn't it?' Matthew put his cup down, 'I know it happens to some women but after losing the baby I suppose it exacerbates it.'

'True.' She sighed, 'Matthew my sister is very ill, it is going to take time before she is well enough to speak to anyone, even me, and then I don't think she is going to be much help. She was never the tidiest of girls, mother used to get really angry when she got distracted cleaning her room, but that house... it was more than unhealthy, Wallace should have made sure she was looked after, even if he had her committed or preferably engaged a housekeeper.' She stood up, 'I'd best be off, I want to see her now she has settled.'

'I'll drive you over, then I want you to collect your things and stay here.' He faced her.

'Matthew I'll be fine at home.'

'No you won't,' he reached for her hand, 'no, Alice. Stay here, there's plenty of room and, independent as you are...'

'...it's nice to know someone else has your back.' Alice knew he was right, and she also knew that left to her own devices she was likely to go round Ballarat trying to find the low life that had hurt her sister.

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Alice stood at the end of the bed contemplating the figure there. Lizzie was sleeping and she had no intention of waking her. The nurses said she was comfortable, had eaten a little soup with some help but mainly had slept.

'Would you mind if I brought a little transistor radio in for her.' Alice had been thinking on the way over of ways to bring her back to her, 'only she used to sing herself, and maybe if she had some music quietly playing in the background it would help.'

'I don't think it would do any harm,' the nurse smiled, 'and if it is part of her life then yes, do.'

'I'll get her some nightwear and toiletries tomorrow.' Alice made a mental list of all she would need. New things, the nightgown they had dressed her in to bring her over to the hospital was old and tatty, and frankly, Alice was ashamed she had put it on her. 'You can contact me at Dr Blake's.'

'Thank you, I hope she'll sleep through the night, but if we need you to come over we will ring.'

Alice sat for a while stroking the fragile hand on top of the bedclothes. Matthew was checking up on the search for Wallace, he was going to collect her when he had seen what Danny and Bill had found out.

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Matthew made her eat, she wouldn't before she went to the hospital so he said they would have a late dinner and talk.

'Parks found several plated meals in the fridge, obviously needing heating up, but it looks like he didn't expect to be back for a few days. The neighbours say he doesn't appear to live there, just turns up daily with a basket, stays for about an hour and then leaves.' He watched her take in this information as she slowly ate the stew Janet had left for them.

'So, he locks her in?'

'Must do, or she would be long gone by now.' Matthew nodded, 'he must have left the back door unlocked, perhaps she is allowed in the garden.'

'It was secure, at least until your boys kicked the gate in.' Alice tipped her head to one side, 'but, Lizzie, as we found her, was in no state to use an oven.' She thought a little longer, 'Matthew, what did Danny do with the meals?'

'Nothing, why?'

'I want them tested, I think he must have been giving her some kind of tranquiliser drugs. That's why he felt able to leave her for a few days.'

'Alice...you've been around Blake too long.' He didn't want to admit she could be right. She just shrugged her shoulders and took her plate to the sink.

They continued to discuss the case, over a couple of whiskies, until Alice said she was going to bed. She was going to use Lucien's old room, as it was closer to a phone should the hospital ring in the night. She also wanted to be alone while she worked out what to do with Lizzie once she was released from hospital. She hated the thought of her being committed to the asylum but she only had a one bedroom flat and she couldn't have her with her there. But, before long, the images of the day, the realisation that her sister had been badly used caught up with her and she couldn't stop the tears, the choking sobs that Matthew could hear as he too lay in his bed wondering what Alice would do now.

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'Well, darling husband,' Jean stroked her finger down his lapel as they stood in their bedroom in Milan, 'you finally found a way to give me the universe. Thank you, it was truly amazing. Now, it's my turn to give you all that I can.' She smiled her coy, teasing smile and lifted up to give him just the ghost of a kiss. Taking his hand she drew him to the bathroom and started to fill the bath. Lucien was agog, the bath was, so far, one place he didn't disturb his wife, and now here she was...

Jean started to undress him, that was not unusual nor was her invitation for him to undress her, it was the bath that was unusual. Standing naked before her he had not been able to still the urges so when Jean slid her finger up his hardness he bit his lip and groaned. She smirked and stepped into the bath.

They sat facing each other, she was pink from the warmth and the cheeky look on her face told him he was in trouble, in a nice kind of way. She took the sponge and drew the warm water down his torso, following it with her tongue and her lips. She nipped each nipple and kissed his well defined muscles before the sponge found him.

'Mmph, Jean,' he inhaled, 'oh my...'

She kissed him just on the tip, there were some things she was not used to doing, then pulled herself up his body and touched her lips to his. There followed a deeply passionate kiss as her tongue played with his and she slid her body over his, parting her legs and wriggling to align herself with him; before sliding over him and moving in a rhythm that sent the bath water in waves around them until she pushed up on his shoulders and arched back, a groan as she released and he spilled into her.

The water had gone cold before they thought about getting out of the bath. He had turned her round, once he had got over the shock of her treatment, and taken her from behind, which made her squeal with shock and eventually; as he had reached round to touch her; ecstasy.

As they curled together, Lucien tracing circles on her bare shoulder, she smiled, the rest of the honeymoon and their lives was ahead of them, and she was looking forward to both.

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Matthew limped softly along the corridor and stood outside the bedroom door. He wasn't sure if he should knock or just go straight in. Either way he was determined to do something to help her. He decided to tap lightly and wait a few seconds before pushing the door ajar.

Alice froze, then sniffed,

'Alice?' Matthew's voice was barely a whisper, a concerned whisper but a whisper none the less.

'Uh, what?' She didn't have the energy to snap.

'I, er... ' yes, what, Matthew, he thought. 'Is there anything I can do?'

She sat up and pushed her hair off her tearstained face.

'Tell me it's all a nightmare.'

He took that as an invitation to enter, 'I wish I could,' he sat on the side of the bed, 'but that would be a lie, and I could never lie...to you.'

'I don't know what to do.' She wrapped her arms across her breasts and rubbed her hands over her upper arms, 'I have to look after her, she's my sister, but I don't know how. My flat isn't big enough for her to live with me, and if she did I don't know if I can leave her on her own while I work and...'

'Stop, Alice, stop.' He put his hands on her shoulders, fearing she would keep going with scenarios, ways to look after Lizzie, why they wouldn't work, 'Lizzie has to get well before any of those decisions can be made. And when that time comes I'll help, so will Jean and Lucien, she will be safe, we'll see to it, I promise.'

That only served to make her cry again, and she hated that she was so emotional, but she couldn't fight it. She fell forward, resting her forehead on his chest and let him pull her into an embrace. He stroked her head and breathed in the smell of antiseptic from the morgue and clean soap from her evening wash, only Alice could make the two combined scents enticing. He put it out of his mind and let her cry out her fears. A damp pyjama top was easily dealt with. As the sobbing subsided he made to lay her down on the bed, thinking she was asleep. She was, but she also had a handful of his top that she gripped tighter as he tried to move away from her.

Damn, he thought, now what?

There was just enough room for him to lie next to her but as soon as she relaxed her grip he decided he would leave, to spare her any embarrassment.

He lay listening to her snuffle, rather sweetly, in her sleep, then she coughed and turned over. He didn't realise how tense he had been until he relaxed and pulled himself up and off the bed, tiptoeing as best he could out of the room and back to his own, now cold, bed.

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The train to Geneva left mid morning, giving Jean and Lucien a couple of hours to wander round Milan and through the gardens.

'So, my dear wife,' Lucien smiled at her, 'how is Europe so far?'

'Beautiful, interesting, awe inspiring in places...' She looked up at him, 'thank you for everything. For making all my dreams come true.'

Lucien steered her towards a small clump of trees where they couldn't be seen and pushed her up against a tree, where they lost themselves in a long kiss leaving her breathless and regretting they had given up their hotel so soon.

Lucien had pretty much the same thoughts, but they would need a rest after the travelling, when they got to Geneva, so perhaps..!

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On the train they confined their thoughts to what they would see in Switzerland, they were there for a week, so apart from Geneva, galleries, museums and perhaps the theatre he suggested Lausanne for a couple of days. But only if they could allow themselves to leave their room occasionally. More than once Lucien had remarked they had a lot of time to make up and he had noticed his new wife was more than willing to spend the time exploring her husband and learn new ways to please him and to be pleased. There were times they could barely wait until the door had closed before practically ripping each other's clothes off and other times when they took things more slowly, touching, tasting and then finally entering a state of bliss. Given Lucien's predisposition to lose buttons off his shirt during what passed for a normal day at home, Jean had brought a little sewing set with her, so the morning after a particularly frantic session of lovemaking she would sit by a window and sew the buttons back on. He had laughed the first time she had done so, but,

'If I don't dearest,' she smiled, 'you will have no shirts to wear, within a week!'

'I'm not the one who got carried away last night,' he teased, sitting at her feet and running a finger lightly up her leg, up under her robe making her jump and prick her finger.

'Ow!' She hissed, 'Lucien! Oh... Lucien...' as his finger found her centre and started to move. She put her sewing down and bent down to kiss the top of his head which only served to encourage him and before she knew it she was tipping over the edge as his tongue worked it's magic.

Once she had recovered enough, she slipped down onto his lap and opened his robe grinning wickedly. She raised herself up, her knees each side of his hips and leaned over to kiss him slowly, swirling her tongue inside his mouth. She moved one hand down and positioned him before sliding down and grinding onto him until they released together. She sighed her pleasure and he nuzzled against her breasts, taking in her scent, he love the smell of her after they made love, sweet and sour musk.

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Alice woke with a headache. Her sleep had been deep, too deep, after Matthew had been with her. She was grateful that, unlike most men she had dated, he hadn't taken advantage of her vulnerability, he had been kind, only wanting to help, and in a way he had. She knew she would have to accept his help and support over the coming months, for it would be sometime before Lizzie was able to cope outside of the hospital, if ever. She got out of bed and dragged her robe on before heading to the bathroom to see if Jean kept aspirin in. She did, and she hadn't taken it with her. Alice took two out of the bottle and swallowed them with a handful of water.

Matthew had heard her get up and go into the bathroom so he headed to the kitchen and made some tea for them both.

'Mornin' Matthew,' she grumbled, 'I'm sorry I disturbed you last night.' She slumped into a chair.

'No worries.' He pushed a cup in front of her, 'drink.' He commanded, before taking his own cup and sitting opposite her. 'You alright?' He noticed she looked pretty dreadful.

'Thumping headache.' She sipped the tea, 'I've taken some of Jean's aspirin, it should ease shortly.'

'What are you doing today?'

'I need to get Lizzie some new nightwear and toiletries and sister said I could put a radio in her room, let her listen to music.' She drained the cup and nodded when he offered a refill, 'then I need to test the meals.'

'I asked Saul, your assistant to do it, and to make sure he was thorough.' Matthew reached over a touched her hand, 'I told him he was looking for tranquilisers, and that you were the only one he was to talk to about it.'

'Oh, thank you.' She brightened a little, he had really meant he would help and he had. 'What did Bill find, by the way? We didn't get round to that last night.'

'Wallace has a small flat above his surgery in town. He's out in Castlemaine, has been for a couple of days, which accounts for the number of meals he left for Lizzie.'

'So he really doesn't live with her, bastard.' She snapped.

'Quite.' Was all he could reply. 'Breakfast?'

'Better had.'

'It might help the head.'

'Hey, I'm the doctor round here.' But it did bring a small smile to her face.

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They were halfway through breakfast when the phone rang. It was the hospital, could she get over there, her sister had begun to fight the nurses and scream, and as she had given specific instructions that she was not to be medicated...

'Right,' she reached for a piece of toast, 'I'll be right over.'

'Trouble?'

'Uh uh,' she nodded, munching on the food, then swallowed, 'sounds like she's withdrawing from meds.'

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By the time Alice got there Lizzie was crouched in a corner of the room. She had pulled her drip out and had obviously thrown the glass and water jug at the door.

Alice closed the door behind her even though a patient in withdrawal could be violent and she could get hurt, she was going to deal with this her way.

'Lizzie,' she spoke quietly, 'Lizzie, it's Alice.'

Lizzie retreated further into the corner, though she was pressed hard against the wall,

'Sis,' Alice took a couple of steps closer, 'I'm coming over to you, I won't hurt you, I promise.' She picked up a blanket and slowly went towards the shaking woman. 'Come on, Liz, it's only me.' She knelt down and held her arms wide, 'Lizzie, please...'

Tears began to roll down Alice's cheek, a voice in the back of her mind told her to get a grip, but it was Lizzie who took the step. She almost fell into her sister's arms and snuggled down into the blanket and Alice's arms.

'Come on,' Alice took a deep breath, 'let's get you back to bed.'

With the help of a nurse she got Lizzie into bed and a fresh drip set up. She requested some breakfast of scrambled eggs and some tea, and while she waited she started to talk to Lizzie.

She told her she was safe, that it would take time before she was free of whatever drugs her husband had fed her, but she wasn't alone, she had more friends than she knew and they would see she was kept safe.

Lizzie lay shivering, the withdrawal playing havoc with her temperature, but she looked at Alice, stared even and most of all, gripped her sister's hand. After she had persuaded Lizzie to eat the breakfast and drink some tea she sat with her, stroking her arm until she fell asleep.

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'Saul,' Alice went into the path lab and looked for her assistant, 'ah, there you are.' She spotted him at a corner station, 'have you anything for me?'

'Oh, Dr Harvey, good, glad you're here,' he smiled, 'it would appear all these meals are laced with a high dose of benzadiazepine, valium, to give it it's common name. Whoever was taking this must have spent most of their days almost comatose. The withdrawal is going to be very hard.'

'Mood swings, night terrors, sweats...' Alice mused, 'yes, it's going to be difficult for her.'

'May I ask.. ?' Saul looked at the faraway stare of his boss.

'My sister,' Alice admitted, 'she has been force fed them, or fed them without her knowledge. This goes no further than you and I. I will speak to Superintendant Lawson with regard to the case. For now, thank you, I know it can't have been easy to do this without formal instruction.'

'It's ok, doctor,' he grinned, 'the superintendant was most insistent it was done quietly, that's good enough for me.' He handed her his written analysis, 'you might need this.'

She smiled and headed out of the lab, deciding she was going straight to Matthew, she was not going to become a loose cannon, like Blake would be, but she was going to recommend Bill Hobart lead the team, Wallace was going to get the fright of his life when he was arrested on charges of cruelty and administering drugs without the permission or knowledge of his patient.

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'Bloody hell!' whistled Matthew, 'will she be alright?' When Alice explained Saul's findings.

'Hard to tell just yet,' Alice sat back and sighed heavily, 'at the moment it's going to be tough for her,...'

'...for both of you.' Matthew wanted her to acknowledge it would affect her as well.

'Yes, well, anyway, I'm likely to be called out to her day or night,' Alice folded her arms, 'she will have night terrors, sweats, suffer paranoia, but she does seem to know me, so maybe...' She paused and thought, 'I'm going to get the things she needs, then, unless you have anything for me, superintendant, I am going to see to surgery before spending some time with her. Let me know when you find Wallace.' She stood up and turned away, then turned back, 'Thank you, Matthew,' she smiled and left.

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Jack Wallace smiled to himself as he headed into his surgery. He would soon be leaving Ballarat for a surgery in Castlemaine, there was nothing to keep him here, his one tie would be gone, the high dose of benzadiazepine would have taken her off and nobody would know until the neighbours noticed he wasn't visiting anymore. He saw that bloody Harvey woman heading across to the hospital, carrying some bags. By the time Liz's body was on her table it would be unrecognisable. He remembered Liz talking about her sister, how she was a cold scientist and even though he didn't know where Alice was; when he had met her in the morgue he could see the likeness. It had given him great pleasure to talk down to her, refuse to use her title, shame Lawson seemed so keen on her. Well, that was by the by, he had surgery to do, patients to give notice to.

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Geneva was bright: beautiful parks, wide avenues, small backstreets and grand buildings. Lucien had booked a hotel overlooking the lake; they took their breakfasts on a small balcony watching the boats, yachts and various watercraft in the early morning sun, and planning their day, once they left the room sometime around noon! More than once Jean had remarked they behaved like teenagers, not mature adults.

'Well, if that's how you feel,' he rolled out of bed, 'perhaps you would prefer a sedate walk in the park.'

Jen stuck out her lower lip, 'get back here, I haven't finished with you, yet.' She sat up, letting the sheet fall from her perfect, neat breasts.

'Huh,' he huffed and tossed his head.

'Lucien...' she teased and slipped her hand down under the bed clothes, 'I have something for you,' she added, seductively running her tongue across her teeth.

He groaned, aroused already, and went back to the bed. He slipped his hand down to hers and found her more than ready,

'Let me help you there,' grinning as she jumped and squeaked, then lay down and stretched.

'Mmph, aah, oh g...g...g...god!'

'No, just me,' he moved over her and entered her before he lost it completely. He brought her to the stars, tipped her over the edge, leaving her gasping for breath but still holding him just where she wanted him. He smirked but she didn't have the energy to raise her hand and bat his shoulder as she usually did when he exhibited signs of smugness.

'I love you,' he whispered in her ear.

'Oh Lucien...' she turned and nipped his ear lobe, 'I love you more than I ever thought I could.'

They managed to catch a performance of 'The Merry Widow' at the theatre; a light bright operetta; one evening, and Lucien arranged a champagne supper afterwards. Jean had always loved the theatre but rarely got the chance to go so Lucien was prepared to indulge her during their honeymoon. The supper was an added bonus, served in their room so they were all alone and able to play little games with the meal. Feeding each other, Jean sat on his lap and held little pieces of meats and sausages, crisp salad vegetables, between her lips and invited him to take them from her, he did the same to her with nuggets of cheese and apple. He took a chocolate and drew it down her neck towards her breasts,

'Lucien, my dress!'

He used his free hand to pull the zip down and slip the straps of her ice blue gown over her arms and the bodice off, the chocolate melted down her warm body and he licked it from between her breasts. He liked the boned bodices of her evening gowns, it meant she didn't wear a bra, less for him to remove in his need to take in her nakedness, and easier for him to melt sweet chocolate on her.

She giggled when she woke the next morning, he still had some chocolate in his beard, she leant over and sucked it away, humming her appreciation at the sweetness. She felt his lips turn up into a smile and he grabbed her backside, rolling her over sucking the remains of some of the sweet treat from round her nipple, she groaned and moved under him, lifting her hips to meet his, sighing as he kissed her all over, grabbing his hair as he moved lower and played her with his tongue.

'Lucien... please...' she gasped, 'oh... oh...' she was putty in his hands, again, resistance was futile, she floated away as he moved to take her to the outer reaches of the universe.

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Alice was just tuning the radio to a suitable station when Matthew knocked on the door and entered the room. Lizzie was lying staring up at the ceiling but, even so soon after her rescue, there seemed to be more life in her eyes. Alice instinctively knew it was him and didn't turn round until she was satisfied the reception was good.

'There, Lizzie,' she smiled at her sister, 'that should do it. Something to cheer you up.'

Lizzie moved her eyes to meet Alice's in thanks, Matthew thought there was even the ghost of a smile.

'Hello Matthew,' Alice turned her attention to the visitor, 'come and be properly introduced.'

Matthew limped over to stand by her side.

'Lizzie, this is Matthew,' she took his hand, 'he is the Superintendant of Police here, and a very, very good friend of mine. He's your friend too, he's here to help and keep you safe.'

Lizzie moved her eyes from her sister to Matthew. She regarded him with a softness, there was no fear or hatred of a male, he noticed she moved her hand so he bent and took it, softly kissing the back.

'It's very nice to meet you, Lizzie.' He smiled.

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So, what next? Will Wallace get his comeuppance, will Matthew leave him to Alice's tender mercies?