Matthew had returned and all was well with the world well, maybe a bit of an over exaggeration, but things were looking up. He'd arrived on the doorstep of Mycroft Avenue asking Lucien for help and by God would Lucien help him. Sod the resignation to William Munro: what an arse. It was almost dinner time anyway, so Lucien invited Matthew in for dinner to catch up on the happenings in Melbourne and catch Matthew up on the goings on in Ballaratt.
"It's inspector now" Matthew informed Lucien and Jean, "but it's all politics. Hopefully if we can sort out Munro, we can change that." Matthew looked over at Lucien.
"We'll do our bloody best Matthew" replied Lucien.
Jean served dinner and she did she turned to Matthew and said, "have you seen Alice yet?"
Matthew looked at Jean and said, "no. Why would I have?"
"Didn't Lucien pass on her messages? Every time I saw her, or Lucien was in the morgue, she was asking after you. Didn't you at least call and let her know you were alright?"
Matthew looked over at Lucien, "Blake? Why didn't you tell me? She'll think I'm a right tosser!"
Jean looked over at Lucien and asked, "did you tell Matthew what happened at the hospital and Colonist's Club?"
Lucien looked over at Jean, furrowed his brown and said, "with what?"
"With Alice you fool!" huffed Jean.
Matthew looked over and Lucien hung his head, so he looked back at Jean as if waiting for her to explain.
"Did you hear that Jaqueline Maddern was in town for a charity performance at the Colonists Club?"
Matthew nodded his head and said, "yeah, Blake mentioned the investigation when she was murdered. Rose thorns with poison, wasn't it?"
Jean continued, "yes but did he mentioned that when Munro went to arrest Sergeant Nelson, he punched Munro and grabbed Alice in a neck hold? Said he'd snap her neck? He had her so tightly she couldn't breathe then fainted just as he let her go."
"You're shitting me?" Matthew looked over at Lucien in disbelief. "You didn't think that was something I might want to know? I mean, Alice and I aren't great friends, but I'd have given her a call from Melbourne, Blake."
Jean continued, "that's not all. Dr Orton? One of the surgeons from the hospital…was murdered. Turns out one of the ambos killed him. Did it for Alice."
Matthew looked between Jean and Lucien.
"Matthew, I didn't tell you because…well…you know Alice. She's a private person."
"Lucien, what happened? Tell me?"
"Turns out Alice made a complaint about Orton. Sexual harassment. Anyway, Beaufort let word spread around the hospital and no one would talk to Alice. Beaufort made out like it was all Alice's fault then he started disciplinary action against her as a result of her complaint."
"Bastard" cursed Matthew.
"That's not the worst of it, Matthew" commented Jean.
Matthew looked back at Lucien for him to continue the story.
"Munro brought her in for questioning. Said she was secretive woman who's lack of discretion may have jeopardised a police investigation…she told Orton's wife he'd been trying it on with some of the nurses…and Alice. He humiliated Alice and…turns out Alice was abused. She never elaborated. Just said her childhood was bad and she hadn't needed protecting since she was 12 years old."
"Jesus. How is she? Have you seen her?"
"Just at work. You know Alice…business as usual" replied Lucien.
"I might pop in on my way home from here. Thanks to you she probably thinks I'm another one to add to the list of arseholes. Thanks Blake!"
When they finished dinner and Jean was tidying up, she wrapped up some leftovers and some chocolate cake she had made the previous day.
"Here, take these to Alice. Lucien said she's not the greatest cook and she might need some perking up after the time she's been having of it lately. Tell her to pop round for dinner on Friday, if she's free. You too Matthew."
Matthew looked at Jean, looked down at the basket she'd prepared and said, "thanks Jean. I want to slap Lucien right now.
Jean just smiled and handed Matthew the basket.
