Elizabeth finished putting Lucy to bed after feeding her and rocking her to sleep in her crib. Laszlo had sat on the side of the bed and watched his wife, his mind clearly somewhere else. Elizabeth didn't need to guess what it was he was thinking about. Once Lucy was fast asleep, Elizabeth checked that the window was locked and she closed the curtains. Moving to the side of the bed, she held her hand out towards Laszlo and he took hold of her fingers, moving to his feet.

He gave her hand a squeeze before letting go of it and moving his fingers to the small of her back, splaying outwards and guiding her forwards. Elizabeth went to double check on Charlotte in her room as Laszlo left the door to their bedroom ajar. He heard Elizabeth tell Charlotte that everything was fine and whoever had thrown that rock was just playing a joke on them. They were children messing around.

Laszlo kept a hand curled around the bannister, looking down the stairs to the hallway. It seemed too quiet for his liking. He usually loved the peace and quiet. He loved that he could be left alone with his thoughts, but at that moment in time, he found it eerie. He knew there was no one there. Noises in the dark were simply a figment of his imagination, but he had to confess that his mind was playing tricks on him.

"Come on," Elizabeth said, closing the door to Charlotte's bedroom and nodding to Laszlo, knowing that they had to discuss what had happened that evening. They had tried to play it down for the sake of Charlotte, but now she was asleep, they had to talk about it.

Laszlo nodded once, his expression serious as his hand returned to Elizabeth's back and they went down the stairs. Moving into the parlour, Elizabeth stoked the fire while Laszlo reached for a glass from the drink's trolley. He poured himself a glass of burgundy and downed it in one. Elizabeth stood up after she was certain the fire wasn't going to die out. It had been so warm earlier, but right at that moment, she felt like she was frozen.

"Can I have a bourbon?" Elizabeth asked from Laszlo as he poured himself another glass.

He arched a brow in her direction. "You're not normally one to drink," he commented.

"It might settle my nerves," Elizabeth responded, but Laszlo was already pouring her a small glass of bourbon. He handed it over to her and she took it as he noted that her hands were shaking, the liquid sloshing around in the glass. She placed the glass to her lips and tipped it back, the bourbon burning her throat as it went down.

"Did it help?" Laszlo asked.

"I'll let you know after another glass," Elizabeth said and she poured her own drink this time, Laszlo moving over to the couch and taking a seat. He placed his glass down on the table next to the seat before reaching for his tie. He tugged on it and pulled it loose, unbuttoning his top two buttons. Elizabeth remained stood at the drink's cart, downing her second glass in seconds. Laszlo wondered if he had ever seen her drink so quickly.

She poured a third glass, but this time kept it away from her lips and in her hand by her side. She tapped a finger against the rim of the glass and moved towards Laszlo on the couch. She sank down next to him, as she usually did, her side resting against his and her glass sitting in her hand in her lap. She swirled the liquid around and watched it dance up against the sides before falling. Laszlo watched the movement for a moment before his eyes skimmed across to his wife's face. She was tugging on her bottom lip with her teeth, her eyes downcast and her cheeks pale white.

"We both know that what happened tonight was not youths messing around," Laszlo said to his wife.

She nodded solemnly.

"If it was Doctor Markoe's flyer attached to that rock then there will be a reason for that," Laszlo said. "It could be someone…one of his associates…trying to scare me away from the case. I did embarrass him, after all."

"Perhaps," Elizabeth agreed with him.

"But would that be too obvious? Markoe is many things. A narcissist? Yes. Obnoxious? Most certainly. But…we both know that he keeps his business private, well, the business he would prefer to keep private anyway," Laszlo scoffed lowly. "And if he did wish to keep me away from this case then I do not think that he would have someone wrap his own flyer around the rock. It would be too straightforward."

"Then who do you think it could possibly be?" Elizabeth questioned and he picked his own glass up from the table once more. He took another sip of the alcohol while Elizabeth rested her head on his shoulder. "The same person who was watching the house?"

"It might be logical to assume as much," Laszlo nodded, jostling her with the movements.

"Do you think it is to do with the case?" Elizabeth asked. "Do you think it is because you worked on Martha's case and now you are working on Señora Linares case too?"

Laszlo chewed down on the inside of his cheek, shrugging his shoulder as she picked her gaze up and looked him in the eye. He nodded again and Elizabeth finished her drink again. She placed it down on the table in front of the couch, remaining bent at the waist, hands clasped together. Laszlo moved a hand to her back, running it up and down. He heard her let out a shaky breath, hands moving frantically in front of her.

"But it doesn't make any sense," Elizabeth commented. "None of this makes any sense because you are technically not working on the Linares case, are you? So why not threaten Sara instead? Why not go after her? You are obviously involved and I know that, but you're not the only one."

"I have been thinking about that too," Laszlo confessed and stood up, knowing that what he was going to tell her might worry her. It terrified him more than he wanted to admit. But it was what was going on in his mind.

"Martha Napp's child was taken from the Lying-In Hospital," Laszlo said and moved around the parlour, pacing up and down the room. "Señora Linares also has a newborn child…the night after someone was watching our house…where Lucy lives…our newborn baby…who was also, while not born at the Lying-In Hospital, there for a time. The only link I cannot find is that of how Señora Linares is connected to the Lying-In Hospital."

Laszlo looked at his wife after he had finished telling her those facts and he knew that she was going to start piecing things together for herself. She sat up straight and he wondered if he could see her look anymore horrified. She shook her head and moved to her feet, hands on her hips as she began pacing.

"No," Elizabeth said firmly, continuously moving up and down the room, her skirts catching around her legs as she turned. "Laszlo…that…" she couldn't even find the words that she wanted to speak. Her stomach churned and Laszlo remained fixed on the spot, eyes darting around at his pacing wife.

"I didn't want to think it, Elizabeth," he said. "I have done everything that I can not to think it, but it is in my mind. We cannot pretend that this person might be trying to scare us because we thwarted their plans."

Elizabeth took deep breaths, her chest heaving and her hands tugging through her hair, staying on the top of her head. "She's our daughter, Laszlo. She's our little girl…how could anyone take a child?"

"I don't know," Laszlo said, stepping forwards and catching Elizabeth by the waist to stop her from pacing. She tried to escape his grip, needing to move around, but Laszlo's hold was firm. She finally relented, a hand going to his chest and her head leaning forwards, resting her forehead by the hollow base of his throat exposed by his open shirt collar.

"Our daughter," Elizabeth whispered again.

"Nothing will happen to her," Laszlo whispered, a determination in his voice that Elizabeth had heard only a handful of times before, namely when he had promised that he would keep her safe from her husband. "I will do everything in my power to keep her safe and solve this case. Once we have caught whoever has done this…whoever would harm our Lucy…then she'll be safe."

"And if you don't?" Elizabeth asked him. She picked her head up and looked to him once more. "What if you don't solve this case? What then?"

"I will," Laszlo said, not wanting to entertain the idea of not being able to help Sara solve the case. "Elizabeth, I need you to believe me that I will solve this case."

He kept the hand on his left arm against her waist, his right hand reaching for her neck, fingers curling around it to keep her gaze on him.

"Do you think that Markoe knows? Do you think he is the one killing these children…taking them?"

"I think he knows and does things that he shouldn't, but this doesn't feel like him," Laszlo said, his thumb running up and down her throat. She moved her hands to his shoulders, her grip tight.

"If someone came here tonight…if someone is after Lucy…then we can't stay here, Laszlo," Elizabeth said. "We should go somewhere else. We should leave the city and go somewhere…anywhere…just away from here. We need to be away from here."

"I understand," Laszlo said to her, his thumb still running over her pulse point, trying to soothe her. "I understand completely, Elizabeth, and if you want to leave the city with the girls then I can arrange that. I know a number of places for you to stay in the Hamptons and-"

"-You wouldn't come?" Elizabeth interrupted him.

His mouth went dry at hearing her say that and he shook his head slowly, seeing Elizabeth's brows pinch together at hearing him. Before she could question him, he continued to speak: "I feel that I am better placed here, Elizabeth. I need to be here to solve this case…to work on it…where I am useful…for our family."

"And if I need you?" Elizabeth wondered from him. "Laszlo, I don't want you to get hurt."

"And I will do everything I can not to get hurt," Laszlo promised his wife, his voice a soft whisper as he spoke to her and he knew that he had to do everything in his power to calm her down. He didn't want her to worry. He needed her to be calm. "But I am better placed here. If I left...I would feel helpless…completely useless…I need you to understand that, my darling."

She lowered her head once again towards his chest, her forehead pressing there. Laszlo bowed his face and kissed her on the top of her head, letting his lips remain in the nest of her curls.

"I don't want to leave without you," she admitted in a gentle whisper.

"I could ask for a girl of Sara's to go with you," Laszlo said, but she shook her head against his chest. "Or…we can think of another way…a way to keep you hidden, but that allows me to stay with you too."

She was intrigued then, picking her head back up and looking up to him. He moved his hand to her hair, stroking it softly before letting his fingers curl into it. "What do you suggest?" she wondered.

"Leave the house," Laszlo said. "There are a number of hotels you can stay in for the time being…I can say that you have left the house and the city…people will think you have gone away for a short while."

"And if someone is watching?" Elizabeth wondered. "Would it not look suspicious if you continued visiting hotels?"

"Not if our home is being renovated while you are away. Did you not always say that you hated the wallpaper in the dining room and the carpet in the hall?"

Elizabeth's lips arched slightly despite everything. "I told Mary that in confidence," she said and Laszlo's own lips turned upwards.

"I was listening from the next room," Laszlo confessed. "But it is a tale that can be spun and would make sense. I only worry that you might possibly struggle with being confined to a hotel room instead of leaving the city."

"But that would mean being without you," Elizabeth said. "And, as much as I would prefer you to come with us, I know who you are. I know the man who you are…how determined he is…honourable he is…and how he is doing this because he wants to keep his daughter safe. I know who you are, Laszlo."

"And you married me," he told her.

"More fool me," she said and their lips arched once more for a moment before she sighed and rested her cheek against his shoulder, arms wrapping firmly around his waist. He moved his own arms around her, his hand cupping the back of her head. "But fine…that makes sense, Laszlo."

"Then I will put the plan in place," Laszlo said to her. "And everything will be fine. I promise."

She nodded and Laszlo kissed the top of her head once more before holding her tighter and closing his eyes, longing for the nightmare to be over sooner rather than later.

…

Laszlo knew that it would be for the best to act in the dark of the night than in the daylight. He had Stevie prepare the carriage and Elizabeth had helped pack Charlotte's case after she had packed her own case. Stevie had carried the trunks to the carriage and Elizabeth held Lucy to her chest, Charlotte following behind with Laszlo's hand on her shoulder.

They had snuck into the hotel through the back entrance and Laszlo had ensured that the hotel management, for a handsome fee, would maintain silence. Moving to the hotel room, Laszlo unlocked the door and stepped inside. Elizabeth followed him and looked around, her jaw falling open as Charlotte gasped at the sight of the room.

"Laszlo…this…"

"It is the hotel's most expensive room," Laszlo assured her, shrugging out of his coat and resting it over the arm of the couch in the sitting area of the hotel room. "It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms…alongside this sitting room and a dining room. If you are to be forced out of our home then you will be staying in only the best place."

Elizabeth carried Lucy forwards, eyes darting around the room. It was covered in extravagant floral wallpaper and plush beige carpets. There was expensive mahogany furniture placed around the room and a piano sat underneath a floor length window. The chandelier was bright, hanging on an intricately painted white ceiling.

"Charlotte, if you go to your bedroom on the right down the hall then you will find some new toys there...and some new books," Laszlo said and Elizabeth almost wanted to roll her eyes at the extravagance, but she knew why he was doing this. He would do anything for his family and to keep them happy.

"Really?" Charlotte asked.

"Really," Laszlo told her. "I know it won't make up for having to stay here, but they should entertain you for a while."

"Thank you," Charlotte said and Laszlo gave her shoulder an affectionate squeeze before she left down the hall and opened the door to the bedroom.

"You didn't need to do that," Elizabeth said to him.

"Yes, I did," Laszlo replied. "I want her not to want for anything and she is being particularly brave, we both know that, my darling. She…we have told her everything that she needs to know. She is still a child. She does not need to know the extent of what is happening here."

"I know," Elizabeth said as Lucy gurgled and she patted her back.

They had told Charlotte that they had to leave the house for a little while because they were worried that someone might be watching them because of a case Laszlo was working on. They hadn't mentioned anything about Laszlo's theory that Lucy might be the one in danger. Charlotte had been scared to begin with, but Elizabeth had promised her that she had no intention of leaving her alone, that she would be there for her and they would be safe.

"And Sara has insisted on checking up on you tomorrow morning. John has also agreed to write in the Times that you have left the city…claiming that you needed some time away."

"He would not be wrong on that," Elizabeth said. "But I will take this."

"And I will return here every night to be with you," Laszlo promised her.

"Good," Elizabeth said and sank down on the piano bench after laying Lucy in the crib in the middle of the room, no doubt placed there on Laszlo's request. Laszlo moved towards the bench, following her and sinking down besides her. "I only wish that I could be more help."

"You help more than you know," Laszlo assured his wife in a gentle voice. "You're the one who is here and looking after Charlotte and Lucy…the one who is keeping them safe."

"Well, I think you're the one doing that," Elizabeth said to him and he moved his arm around her shoulders, allowing her to nestle closer against his side. The sudden noise of thunder caused both of them to jump, Elizabeth turning her head over her shoulder and looking to the window, rain starting to hit the panes of glass and fall down it.

"We should get some rest," Elizabeth said, closing her eyes and wondering why she felt so exhausted. She had hardly done anything that day except for pack, apprehension running through her along with the longing to get away from the house. She had looked to the broken glass in the parlour and stared at it for a while, Laszlo snapping her from her thoughts after a while.

"Indeed," Laszlo nodded his head.

The two of them set about preparing for bed, Elizabeth tucking Charlotte in first and pulling the curtains tightly shut after checking the window again. They were six floors up in the air and so she doubted anyone would be bothering them. But she still checked anyway. She went to the bedroom her and Laszlo had claimed and found him changing their daughter and getting her ready for bed.

He helped his wife with her corset, tugging on the laces and planting a soft kiss on her shoulder blade as he did so. She helped him with his boots before changing into her nightgown and climbing into the bed. Laszlo knew that their sleep would be fitful, but he had to try and rest. Elizabeth had curled up against his side, a fist resting on his pyjama clad chest, her breath warm against his neck. He had his arm around her, his thumb running up and down her shoulder to try and keep her calm and soother her to sleep.

It seemed to work for Elizabeth was asleep within minutes. He listened to her light breathing, waiting for the eventual moment she woke up in the throes of a nightmare. It took her until two in the morning, judging by the clock on the bedside table. Laszlo was still there, his arm tightening around her to keep her grounded to him. She apologised, as always, and, as always, he told her she had no need to apologise. She bit down on the inside of her cheek and tried to get back to sleep.

Laszlo dozed most of the night, waking every hour and leaning over the bed to check that Lucy was still by their side and sleeping soundly. When the clock struck seven, Laszlo began to move from the bed. He dressed as Elizabeth began to wake, murmuring under her breath about something or nothing before her eyes dozily opened and he moved to sit at the side of the bed, pulling at the buttons of his waistcoat and fastening it up.

"How did you sleep?" Laszlo wondered.

"Surprisingly not too bad," Elizabeth mumbled, still waking slowly. "This mattress is quite comfortable."

"I should hope it is like sleeping on a cloud considering the amount I paid for it," Laszlo mumbled and he saw her lips pick up. She reached a hand out and ran it along his shirt-covered arm, frowning as she saw him check the pocket watch.

"You're dressed early," she said. "Where are you going?"

"I have business that I need to take care of," Laszlo said.

"What business?" she questioned and Laszlo sighed. He had promised her that he would not lie to her, but he knew that she would not approve of what he was going to do. She began to sit up when he didn't answer her, resting on her elbows, hair tumbling behind her shoulders. "What business, Laszlo?" she asked him again, voice sterner this time.

"I intend to go and see Señora Linares," Laszlo confessed. "I was hoping that I could persuade her to undergo hypnosis."

Elizabeth frowned. "Didn't Sara say that she was not keen on this idea?"

"She did."

"So has she changed her mind?"

Laszlo chewed down on the inside of his bottom lip and his silence and the look on his face told Elizabeth all she needed to know. She flopped back down onto the mattress, arms straightening out by her sides. "She hasn't," she answered her own question.

"I have no doubt that she might be annoyed, but she could be the answer we need to find this person…to let us go back home and be normal…to keep us safe."

"And I know that you're coming from a good place, but Sara is the one working this case," Elizabeth reminded her husband and he nodded once. He knew that. "So, you should really talk to her, Laszlo. I don't want you to fall out with her."

"I won't," Laszlo said. "But I need to try this, Elizabeth."

"Just…don't upset people," Elizabeth pleaded with him. "I know that you're coming from a good place, but Sara might not see it that way."

"Perhaps."

Elizabeth sighed at his non-committal and she closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You're not going to back down on this, are you?" she asked him, knowing that her talk trying to dissuade him would not work. Laszlo was stubborn, even more so when he had an idea in his mind.

He didn't answer. Instead, he just chuckled and bent down to kiss her softly, varying the pressure against her lips and closing his eyes, letting himself get lost for a moment or two. He came back to reality after another few moments and gave her one final quick peck before moving to his feet.

"I will have breakfast sent up for you," Laszlo said, reaching for his jacket and shrugging into it before taking hold of his cane. "And I will be back this evening."

"Be careful," Elizabeth urged and he nodded, about to leave before he thought better of it and returned to her, kissing her one final time. He left her reluctantly, moving to the door as she called after him. "And be nice!"

Laszlo chuckled and he turned his head over his shoulder to look back to his wife who had a stern look in her eye, but a small smile on her face. He gave her one final wave before closing the bedroom door and leaving her to collapse back against the pillows and shake her head, wondering what he was going to get up to.

…

"Is he here?"

Elizabeth had let Sara into the hotel room later on that afternoon and Elizabeth instantly wanted to roll her eyes, knowing that Laszlo must have gone ahead with his plan without telling Sara. The young detective stormed into the room, looking around the place as Elizabeth closed the door and Charlotte remained seated at the piano, her fingers moving over the keys slowly. She stopped playing as soon as Sara's footsteps stomped into the room, turning her head over her shoulder to look at her, her curls dangling over one shoulder.

"He's dining at Delmonico's this afternoon to keep up appearances," Elizabeth said. "I assume he went ahead with his plan?"

"Did you know?" Sara questioned, hands on her hips.

"He told me reluctantly this morning," Elizabeth nodded and went about tidying up the cushions on the couch and the armchair, finding herself squirming under Sara's gaze. "But I did warn him not to go against you."

Ironically, Sara found herself mellowing at that. Nodding her head, she moved her arms over her chest and remained indignant. "Well, he did go against me and almost cost me the case."

"That wasn't his intention," Elizabeth said and Sara's lips arched for a moment as the two's stares met once again.

"You still defend him," Sara observed.

"It's on my flaws, I suppose," Elizabeth sighed. "Just know that he is coming from a good place, Sara. His mind is focused on solving this case as soon as possible."

"Understandable," Sara said. "But I am still annoyed with him."

"Then I will allow you to have that argument with him," Elizabeth spoke. "But can I get you a drink before you go, Sara? I swear that there is every type of alcoholic beverage on that cart in the corner."

"Bourbon," Sara said. "Please."

"Coming up," Elizabeth responded and Sara turned to Charlotte, seeing that the little girl was staring back at her. Her features softened and she moved to the piano bench, settling down next to the girl.

"And how are you, Charlotte?" Sara questioned.

"Fine," Charlotte nodded. "I've managed to come top of my class a number of times in English Literature, but I find science to be particularly difficult."

"Much to Laszlo's dismay," Elizabeth added on, pouring the liquid as Charlotte rolled her eyes, recalling how Laszlo had spent many evenings in the past year with her trying to help her get to grips with science.

"We can't be good at everything. What are you reading in class?"

"Moby Dick," Charlotte said. "I want to read Frankenstein, but Elizabeth says that it might be too scary."

"That is exactly what I am reading right now," Sara said.

Charlotte's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Really," Sara said. "I shall let you know if it is too scary, how about that? Only if Elizabeth agrees to it, of course."

"Fine by me," Elizabeth nodded her agreement and moved to hand Sara the glass. She held it in her hands for a few moments as Elizabeth took her seat in the armchair across from the piano, the light dancing in through the patterned net curtains and striking the floor. "Charlotte, sweetheart, would you mind checking on Lucy for me?"

"I know you're trying to get rid of me," Charlotte said, but she stood up anyway. "But I'll go and let you have the adult conversation."

"I don't know if I like you being so observant," Elizabeth muttered as Charlotte smiled over at her and moved off down the hallway to the bedroom where Lucy was sleeping. Elizabeth's own lips quirked and she shook her head, looking back to Sara. "Going to school and being a few years off being a teenager has changed her, I swear on it."

"She's growing up," Sara said. "I remember how tenacious I could be at her age."

"Of that, I don't doubt."

"And I don't doubt you had your moments."

"Much to my mother's dismay," Elizabeth scoffed. "Anyway, tell me what is happening with the case? Have there been any leads?"

"Perhaps," Sara said. "We went to the department store yesterday. The doll that had been purchased in place of the Napp baby had been sold to someone with an address of an old boarding house called St. Ignatius. It took us to Duster territory. We went at night and Cyrus was working at the saloon. He told us Goo Goo Knox used to own that place. John insisted Cyrus introduce us and he did…well…to a man called Knox who was drinking there and is an associates of Goo Goo. He claimed not to know anything or having seen Goo Goo, but he was lying."

Elizabeth's brows pinched together on her forehead. "And so you think that Goo Goo Knox has something to do with the Napp child? How does that link to someone working at the Lying-In Hospital?"

"I don't know, but there has to be a connection," Sara said. "We'll keep digging and see what we can come up with, but at the moment everything feels like it is too much."

She took a sip of her drink and Elizabeth nodded, chewing her bottom lip between her teeth.

"And you?" Sara asked. "How are you holding up?"

"Fine," Elizabeth replied. "I'm fine."

"You know that you don't need to lie to me," Sara said and she saw a smirk form on Elizabeth's face before she ran a hand over her forehead, leaving it there as her elbow rested on the arm of the chair.

"Scared," Elizabeth admitted. "I just want whoever has taken the Linares baby…whoever was at our house…I want them found and I want this to be over."

"I'll do everything I can," Sara said, finishing her drink off and moving to her feet. "I mean it, Elizabeth, I will keep you all safe."

"You're a great detective, so I don't doubt it," Elizabeth said to her.

"Thank you, Elizabeth. It's rare to receive such praise in a male dominated world so when it does happen…well…I am not egotistical, but I do like to hear it every now and then. Anyway, do you happen to think I could see my goddaughter for a brief moment or two before I go?"

"You don't need to ask," Elizabeth said and moved to her feet. "Come on, I'll take you to see Lucy and then you can go and berate my husband."

…

Two men had ended up dead in the Hudson, according to the Journal. The blame was being placed on the Spanish, heightening the already existing tensions between Spain and America. Of course, John knew differently. He had spoke with Goo Goo Knox and Sara had met him at the dock. But the meeting had been particularly fruitless. Goo Goo had simply threatened John and Sara had arrived just in time to save him. And then she had gone on to Delmonico's to find Laszlo, arguing with him and telling him how she was annoyed with his antics. But then he had said something. He had told Sara how he had been let into the Linares household by a member of staff he couldn't remember.

When they had arrived at the household, Señora Linares was being arrested, the police having heard wind of her missing daughter. Sara and Laszlo had managed to diffuse the situation, warning the police that they were wrongfully arresting the woman and telling them that she had diplomatic immunity, which Doyle was not aware of when he was arresting her. Laszlo had felt anger at the sight of Doyle, remembering what he had done when he had gone to his household over a year ago. Thankfully, he had left easily and Laszlo and Sara had gone into the house, asking to speak to Eva, the woman who had let them into the household. Señora Linares told them the story of how Ana had come to be at the Lying-In Hospital.

"She had finished giving her daughter a bath and had left her on the bed. She fell off…onto the floor…she didn't want to tell her husband because she was scared about how he would react," Laszlo said, retelling the story to his wife as they stood by the window, Charlotte eating cake that Laszlo had brought back from Delmonico's that he had picked up on his way home.

"And so she took the child…her and Eva…her confidante, that is. They took the child to the Lying-In Hospital so that her husband would not find out," Laszlo said and Elizabeth nodded.

"There's the missing piece," she commented.

"Indeed," Laszlo confirmed, shrugging out of his dinner jacket and laying it on the window seat, his side resting against the wall by the window as Elizabeth occupied the other wall on the other side of the window. "And I went by 808 earlier today. The Isaacson's were there and they told us that the Napp baby had been poisoned with three types. Two are available quite easily, but the third is not. It is a pain suppressant that would kill a child…a sedative that eases the pain of mothers. You would usually find it on a maternity ward."

"The Lying-In Hospital," Elizabeth whispered and Laszlo nodded, agreeing with her on that one. They had all said the same thing back at the office.

"Can you remember anything from your time there?" Laszlo wondered from his wife, loosening his bow tie. "I know that you were only there a short while, Elizabeth, but was there anyone who looked suspicious?"

"I only saw Libby and she was the one who told you where to find me. She tried to save me, Laszlo, and has been a great friend ever since we met...tried to help on the Napp case...I don't think she has it in her to do anything like that and you should see how she is with Lucy. I don't think she could hurt a child," Elizabeth reminded him and she let out a deep sigh, moving a hand to her hair and tucking it behind her ear. She pinched her eyes tightly shut and leant her head back against the wall as she tried to remember that evening.

"It is possible that you have supressed the memory," Laszlo said to her.

"Oh no," Elizabeth shook her head. "It's not that I suppressed it, it's that I was drugged. I was sedated for the majority of it, but I remember Markoe. I remember him helping me onto the bed, my father asking how long it would take…and…being called stupid. Someone called me stupid and it wasn't him."

"Who was it?" Laszlo pressed her.

"I don't know," she responded, shaking her head. "It was a woman, I think. She said something about how I should've been virtuous…kept my legs closed…and how stupid I was for getting pregnant, asking Markoe if she was right and how he was doing a good deed to help right the mistakes I had made."

"And you think that she could be the one involved in this?"

"I don't know," Elizabeth said. "I never really thought about her. She just seemed nasty and more…well…almost as though she was sucking up to Markoe and trying to get on his good side. I don't think she is the person responsible for this."

"It might be worth investigating her, regardless," Laszlo said and he picked up his drink from the window seat, holding it by his side in his fingertips. "I will let Sara know about this woman tomorrow when I return to 808 Broadway."

"As I said, I don't think it is her, but anything is worth investigating. There is definitely something amiss at that hospital."

"Well, it has to be someone who knew you were going to be there that night and so far that pool of people is quite small."

"Is it?" Elizabeth questioned. "I don't know if other people knew. There were to be other midwives helping Markoe that night, I know that much, and, as I said, I was drugged."

"Indeed," Laszlo agreed with her. "I will still tell Sara and she can form a plan. It is her case, after all...for tonight...well...perhaps we can try to relax?"

Elizabeth nodded as she moved past him, her hand running down his arm and she went to Lucy as she began to squirm in her cot. Laszlo watched her pick her up and bounce her in her arms before looking over to Charlotte and telling her that it was time for her to get ready for bed and stop reading. Laszlo remained stood where he was, looking out the window as the rain hammered against the window. Elizabeth came back out after a few moments, tugging her hair into one hand and tossing it behind her back.

"They're both in bed," Elizabeth commented and moved to stand by the window, looking at the rain with Laszlo.

"Come here," Laszlo urged from her, placing his drink down on top of the piano next to him. He moved his arms around her waist, holding onto her and pressing his face against her neck, inhaling her floral perfume and his hands splaying over her stomach. He kissed her softly and Laszlo felt her tense for a brief moment, his lips pausing on her neck.

"What is it?" he asked from her.

"I…I know it sounds ridiculous, but I miss us being together, you know that, but you've been adamant that we have to wait, and I guess…it's…you know that I've changed. You know that I don't look the same as I used to."

"What are you saying?" Laszlo questioned from her, trying to get to the bottom of what she was attempting to tell him.

"I'm saying that I'm worried you might not be attracted to me now," Elizabeth said and Laszlo sighed. "I remember Jacob telling me that he wouldn't-"

"-I am not Jacob."

"You're not," Elizabeth agreed. "But I heard him when he spoke with other men who complained that their wives didn't look the same once they had given birth…as if that gave them an excuse to go out and find mistresses."

"Then I question if they married for love or other reasons," Laszlo responded. "Elizabeth, believe me when I say that nothing could ever stop me being attracted to you. Giving birth is a miraculous thing."

Elizabeth's lips arched upwards at hearing him and she turned around in his arms, her own hands cupping his neck. "I should have known not to doubt that…to doubt you," Elizabeth whispered.

"You have insecurities and I understand that," Laszlo promised her. "And I do not take any issue with reassuring you and putting your mind at ease. I am your husband…your partner…I love you, Elizabeth, and that means I will do anything for you."

Elizabeth stood on her toes, kissing him as he dropped down slightly to meet her halfway. He pulled on the strings at the back of the blue dress she wore, tugging on them as Elizabeth moaned against his mouth once his tongue had swept over her bottom lip. She felt her dress loosen and she almost wondered when Laszlo had become so adept at removing gowns. She pulled back after a moment, needing a break as he moved a hand up to the top of her gown, running his fingers under the material at the shoulder.

"I had read that it is best to wait a few weeks before engaging in such intimate activities and that the first time after giving birth can be different…perhaps uncomfortable for a woman," Laszlo said and Elizabeth's brow arched upwards at hearing him.

"You've been reading into it?"

"I told you that I had been missing you as much as you missed me," Laszlo said. "Of course, I read up on it."

Elizabeth chuckled despite everything and Laszlo's own lips arched upwards as she moved a hand to his cheek, her fingers running along his bearded cheek.

"Lucy is in our room," Elizabeth said.

"There are three bedrooms," Laszlo responded. "And she is fast asleep."

"Did you book a room with three bedrooms for this reason, Doctor Kreizler? To seduce me?"

Laszlo chuckled and shook his head. "Purely a coincidence, I promise you, but for tonight I confess that it is a coincidence I am glad of."

"Then I suppose we should continue this elsewhere," Elizabeth said and she almost shrieked as she felt Laszlo use all of his strength to pick her up from the floor with his one good arm around her waist. She draped her arms around his neck as he managed to carry her towards the bedroom and she wondered if, just for that night, they could forget what was happening, just for some semblance of peace.

…

The Kreizler household was bathed in darkness. There was no light illuminated behind the closed curtains. There was nothing. It was completely dark. She looked down at the newspaper in her grip and wondered if it was true. Had Elizabeth Kreizler left for the summer? Was her husband working in New York still? Had she gone too far with the rock through the window? Perhaps. But it was supposed to have the opposite effect.

It was supposed to scare Elizabeth. It was supposed to scare her and get her to confide her fears to her. It was supposed to bring them closer and then she could get to her. She could get to her and her plan would be in place.

She felt rage bubble up inside of her, hands clenching into balls by her side, the newspaper crumpling under the pressure. She glowered up at the building and hissed out low, teeth covered in charcoal and lips shaking:

"You can run, but you can't hide."

…

A/N: Thanks to anyone reading and the couple of reviewers who said they're still reading! Would love to know what you think and if you want to see a happy or a sad ending/any preferred ending as things begin winding up and I have different ideas about what path the story can take!