Lengthier A/N at the end. But for now, our visitors must connect the dots … at last. x

Thursday, 2 February

"Violet!?"

Charles backed away and ushered her inside.

"Well, who else might you have been expecting?"

"Alice," Elsie said from where she was standing. "But not for a little while yet."

Violet just stared at them for a moment. "Alice?" she asked hesitantly.

"You'd better come in and have some tea," Elsie said. "Charles can catch you up while I get the kettle going." She headed into the kitchen, checked on the roast, and replenished the tea tray.

As far as Elsie was concerned, this day was decidedly not turning out to be what she'd expected.

oOoOoOo

"So Edith is going to go ahead, then?" Violet asked, and Charles nodded.

"That's what Mary said - unless something changes between now and then, of course."

"Good." Violet gave a sharp nod of her own. "It's important for her to do that, to not back down from the threat. This family has withstood some rough waters in the past … particularly Mary. We can do so again."

Elsie saw a look pass between Violet and Charles, and she simply couldn't let it go.

"Will someone please tell me what happened with Mary before? Carlisle has something on her - I can put that much together, and I don't mean that she turned him down for a date. But the thing with Gillingham isn't worth paying out any sum that Edith may receive a request for, so ..."

Violet pursed her lips and looked over at Charles, but he shook his head a bit in clear deference to her.

"Mary found herself in a rather … unpleasant situation a few years back," she said, clearly still upset by it. "She was in a precarious relationship with a young foreign diplomat, a Mr. Kemal Pamuk."

Violet let that sink in for a moment, watching Elsie as the younger woman tried to determine why the name seemed so familiar … and knowing exactly when Elsie put it all together.

"He died," she said quietly. "On British soil. It was rather … suspicious."

"He died in Mary's bed," Violet stated bluntly. "An overdose, some drugs that he'd brought with him that Mary knew nothing about."

Elsie was staring down at some random point on the table, but she nodded slowly. "And Mary hates drugs … I remember that came up a few weeks ago, when some of the others on set were chatting nonchalantly about having tried a few things and she told them off."

"Precisely. But, apparently, someone had found out about their secret affair then, had even followed Pamuk and taken a photograph of him with Mary, and now it's been sent to Edith's office along with the other things."

Elsie's head snapped up and she looked into Violet's grey eyes. "You suspect Carlisle found out about that? But how?"

"Who knows? But who else would have sent that particular photo? It arrived in the same envelope as the ones of Mary with Tony Gillingham, along with the one of Robert paying off that scruffy-looking man. And the only other person who knew about the death itself is Anna Bates, who was working for us back then, when John was still in London."

Violet stopped to take a sip of her tea before continuing. "I trust Anna implicitly; she is definitely not behind this. No - someone sold that particular photograph and story to Carlisle, and I don't think we'll ever find out who it was. Not that it matters now."

"Well, I think we do need to find out who that was," Charles said. "Because clearly there are things we're missing."

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the doorbell rang again. He checked his watch and shot Elsie an uncomfortable smile.

"That will be Alice," he said needlessly. "A bit late, which is unlike her - but good for us, I suppose." He went to open the door and let her in.

Elsie looked at Violet a bit awkwardly as the two women stood. "Look, Violet, I'm sure it's strange for you to see me here …"

"On the contrary, Elsie," Violet said warmly, reaching over to pat her hand, "I'm glad he's come to his senses at last."

Elsie's eyes widened but she didn't have time to speak before Charles brought Alice through.

"It's nice," Alice was saying, looking over the apartment with a scrutinous eye. "Clean. Small, but probably all you need. You never were one for glitz and glamour, Charles."

"No, I wasn't."

"Alice … hello." Violet nodded curtly at her.

"Violet."

Elsie felt as though the temperature in the room had dropped, and she stifled a smile at the pride she felt in the rather nice conversation she had just been having with the Crawley matriarch.

"I was just leaving," Violet said. "Keep me up to date with everything, Charles."

She turned to Elsie and added quietly, "And you. Remember what I said, please; I am glad."

The corner of Elsie's mouth turned up in a small smile, and she nodded appreciatively.

"What was that all about?" Charles murmured quietly as Violet let herself out.

"Nothing much," Elsie said evasively.

Charles noticed that Alice was looking around at the things he'd unpacked; he couldn't help but wonder what was going on inside her head.

"Alice?"

She turned and smiled sadly at him. "Dinner first, perhaps. What are we having? It smells lovely."

"I've got a roast in," Charles told her. "It'll be ready soon."

"I brought this," she replied, pulling a bottle of wine out of her bag. "I presume you brought the opener you love?"

"Top center drawer," Elsie piped up, slightly annoyed at feeling like a third wheel. "Underneath the toaster."

Alice's laugh startled Elsie, who couldn't quite figure out what was so funny.

"Charles, the fact that you bought a toaster for this place is beyond hilarious," Alice teased.

"Oh, it's Elsie's,"* Charles said, and Elsie saw a ghost of a smile playing about his lips. She wasn't quite sure if Alice had seen it, though. "She was appalled at the thought of being without one for a few days."

He looked over at Elsie with fond amusement, and she blushed at the overt attention.

"I see," Alice replied quietly. "Well, I'm sure that makes sense."

Elsie didn't know what to say to that, and so she simply followed Alice and Charles into the kitchen and fetched some glasses as Charles peered into the oven, checked the potatoes for doneness, and checked the thermometer that was plugged into the roast.

"Looks like this can actually come out now," he said, and Elsie heard a bit of relief in his voice. Yes, it would be much easier once they were all eating, and they all knew it.

Alice set the table while Elsie helped Charles plate things up; he sliced the roast once it had rested for a bit, and they chatted about nonsense things while eating dinner: weather, annoyance with taxi drivers, some political rumblings from some of their actor friends. Elsie discovered that she and Alice had a few friends in common, business-related ones anyhow, and it surprised her a bit that she'd not run into Alice even once before Charles had reappeared in her life.

Once the plates had been cleared and the last of the wine disappeared, Charles turned to Alice.

"What was it that you needed to discuss, Alice? It must be important."

"It is," she agreed, sitting back in the chair and licking her lips, decidedly uncomfortable. It wasn't a look Charles was used to seeing, and he was suddenly wary of what was to come.

"You said it had to do with Elsie as well?" he prompted, and Alice nodded.

"Yes, indirectly. It's about that mess regarding Robert, and that stupid article in the paper with your photo from London."

"I see."

She sighed. "I know Edith received a package a while back," she said lowly. "And I know what was in it."

"Of course you do," Charles said. "We discussed it."

"No," she clarified. "We discussed that Carlisle was out to get the family, and that he was trying to involve Edith."

Elsie and Charles exchanged a look.

"All right," he acknowledged. "And I did mention she received some photos that indicated she was going to be blackmailed."

"Right. Well, I know what they were." Alice's eyes were focused on Charles, and Elsie felt her heart skip; she knew Charles had discussed the basics with Alice the other day … and that Alice had feigned complete ignorance about it all until Charles brought her into the loop.

"What?" Elsie's voice was high-pitched; unlike her, Alice presumed. "How could you possibly know what they were pictures of?" She wasn't even sure why she asked, as the answer was now obvious to them all.

"Because I know who sent them," Alice admitted, picking at her cuticle instead of meeting their inquisitive, astonished looks. "Because I was with him when he stuffed them in, and when he mailed it."

Elsie felt a shudder pass through her body. No, she thought, it can't be. What would be the chances?

"Charles," Elsie said quietly, "have you seen the photograph of Robert handing over that payoff?" She watched as Alice blanched upon hearing the words, and she knew she was right.

"No," he replied, clearly a bit agitated. "But Mary described it to me. She didn't know who it was."

"I think I do," Elsie said, looking pointedly at Alice. "It's Charlie Grigg, isn't it?"

"What?" Charles was flabbergasted. "How do you know that?"

"Why else would Alice know all of this?" Elsie replied calmly, her gaze still intent on Alice. "I'm right, aren't I, Alice? It's why you're here … because you were a party to it all along. Unless you're involved with Carlisle, but I highly doubt that."

Alice looked tearfully at Charles. "It's true," she whispered. "I managed to see the photos as they went into the envelope destined for the Times. I didn't say anything at first because … well, I was a bit afraid, truth be told, and I didn't think Edith would actually do anything about it, anyhow. She sure as hell wouldn't pay anyone off like …"

"Like Robert?" Charles asked, clearly getting incensed. "I see. Kind of you to just make that assumption. What the hell, Alice? How could you not say anything to the family - to me?"

And then the rest of the truth hit as Charles did the math. "Wait. You knew he was planning something like this before we separated! You were with him then; I know you were, because -"

Elsie's cool hand on his wrist cut him off instantly. "It doesn't matter, does it?" she asked quietly, gently squeezing his wrist and then caressing the underside of it with her finger. "None of that matters now, Charlie."

He calmed almost instantly under her touch and managed to swallow back the rest of what he'd been about to say.

"I suppose not," he grumbled, but his eyes were virtually shooting daggers at Alice.

"Why are you here, Alice?" Elsie asked. "Why tell us all of this now? The deed's been done, and we already knew Carlisle was behind it."

Alice looked down at her hands once again, ashamed to have to admit the truth.

"He's left me," she said quietly. "Charlie, I mean. He 'no longer needed me,' he said." She barked out a harsh laugh. "I suppose he didn't. He'd gotten the job at Robert's studio, gotten a lot of secrets from people here and there -"

"Well, I can assure you that he'll be losing that job tomorrow," Charles interjected.

"Too late," Alice said, looking at him. "He's done a bunk. Took the cash I had in the house and scarpered off last night with all of his things. Left a note, if you can believe it. 'It's been fun, doll.' That's what he wrote. Didn't even sign his name. And so I have no proof of what I've told you ... and no idea where he is."

"Alice? Do you still have the note?" Elsie asked, and the other woman nodded. "Don't throw it away, please. Can you get it to us, or at least a copy of it?"

"I can do one better," Alice said, digging her phone out of her handbag. "I snapped a photo of it; figured you'd want proof I'm not lying." She tapped a few things on her phone, and they all heard Charles's phone vibrate from where it lay on the kitchen counter, charging.

He got up to retrieve it, opened the message, and showed it to Elsie.

"Thank you, Alice," Elsie said, smiling broadly, and she turned to Charles. "Call Edith, and have her call the police."

"Elsie?"

She showed Charles the note, and a satisfied smile came to his face as he nodded slowly.

"What is it?" Alice said, clearly missing something.

"The envelope Edith received had a blackmail note in it from when Robert paid Grigg off," Charles explained. "And I'm going to bet that it matches this handwriting one hundred percent."

"She received a note? I didn't know that," she said. "Well, then, I'm very glad I kept this one and got a picture of it for you."

"Alice," Charles asked thoughtfully, "do you remember precisely what you did see going into that envelope?"

"Just a couple of photos. Looked professional, and they were ... they made my skin crawl," she said. "They were close-ups of Mary and Tony Gillingham." She looked at Charles sympathetically. "She's our niece, Charles. Seeing her like that … I know it wasn't right."

"Definitely not - no matter who it would have been," he agreed. "Were there others?"

"There was one of Robert handing over the money. That's it, I think."

Charles looked at Elsie and raised an eyebrow, and she shook her head with a clear, silent I have no idea in her eyes.

"What am I missing?" Alice asked.

Elsie sighed. "There was one other thing," she said, "but it doesn't matter. Edith has everything now, locked up somewhere safe. If Grigg contacts you, Alice, I advise that you go straight to the police. You don't need to be mixed up in this anymore."

"He used me," Alice spat. "Believe me, I will be heading to the police station directly from here, and I'll have them on speed-dial for the foreseeable future."

Elsie was impressed, she had to admit. For a fleeting, fear-filled minute, she worried that now that Alice was free, she'd be back for Charles.

But at that very moment, as if reading her very thoughts, Charles brushed his fingertips over Elsie's thigh, and she caught the reassuring look in his eyes and knew she had nothing to fear.

Alice thanked them for dinner as they all walked to the door. She turned and kissed Charles on the cheek, and then - quite unexpectedly to everyone, even her, perhaps - she reached over and squeezed Elsie's hand.

"You make him happy," she said simply. "And he deserves to be happy. Just don't let him overdo it."

Elsie nodded slowly, once again unsure of what to make of the woman who stood before her.

"Don't worry," she said quietly. "I won't."

Alice took one more look at Charles. "Goodbye, Charlie."

"Goodbye, Alice."

Elsie watched as Alice left, and she felt that she wouldn't be seeing her again for quite a while.

Thank God.

"Well," Charles said, closing the door, "that was something."

He turned around and gathered Elsie in his embrace.

"You're feeling all right?" she asked.

"Perfectly fine," he reassured her as his hands drifted down toward her bottom.

"Charlie," she warned, "you're not supposed to overdo it."

"I'm also supposed to exercise periodically," he reminded her, kissing her on the tip of her nose. "If you recall."

"But you hate to exercise," she said, a quiver to her voice. Her resolve was waning rapidly as she recalled Isobel telling her in a very hushed conversation that morning that sex wasn't off limits as long as they didn't get too carried away.

"I used to," he corrected gently, taking her hand and leading her toward the bedroom. "Not anymore."

"I see," she breathed. "Well, then, I suppose if we're careful …"

Charles smiled brilliantly as she passed by him into the bedroom. He clicked on the lamp by the bed as she closed the blinds, and they met in the center of the room for a long, lingering kiss.

"Perfect," he said. "This is absolutely perfect."

He kissed her again, and she happily hummed her agreement.

*I had to have Elsie bring the toaster. Because I love you, Stoki. :)

A/N: Put it at the end this time. So … Alice is nice/not nice. She deceives to cover her ass, but then again so do a lot of folks. And she does care for Charles. I've really enjoyed chatting with you all about her. It's tricky writing a character that exists in canon but isn't actually seen in canon. I cannot see her as entirely bad, because otherwise canon Charles never would have loved her. But the only canon knowledge we have of her is that she left Charles for Grigg and ended up regretting that decision. I tried to pull that in here as much as possible and she will show up once or twice again, but only briefly. (Cheers from the "sick of Alice" crowd, I know.) lol

Thanks again for all your awesome reviews. More answers are coming - including Elsie's story - in the next couple of chapters. And thanks as always to chelsie fan for her awesome beta work.

xxx

CSotA