I'm sorry this had taken so long to update but I have been dealing with a huge thing in my life. I wasn't sure if I should share this but I had nearly finished the chapter when my sister, who has been living with cancer for a very long time, became very unwell and died. I'm not sharing this to shock or to get sympathy (I'm very lucky to have lots of support from family and friends), but just to explain. My sister died too young, but before she got sick, and even throughout her illness, she lived life well. While just how much we'll miss her has not truly sunk in yet, it is a relief her suffering is over. She became progressively sicker over this last year, which coincidently was when I began writing this fic. In fact writing this (and reading all those other Golly fics) and getting your feedback has been a really sustaining thing for me over a really sad and difficult year.

Thank you as always for the feedback and the follows and favs and of course for reading!

To the guest who declared this fic boring and seemed to imply that not just me but all Golly writers had run out of ideas you should take a look at all the updates and new fics posted in the last three weeks or so. I think those stories proved you wrong. Perhaps this story of mine is getting boring and it is time to wind it up, but I would have appreciated it if you'd articulated that in a more constructive manner. For example, what in particular didn't you like or think I could do better. Constructive criticism is actually helpful. I feel like I've always been very responsive to readers' comments, especially when they point out something that might not be gelling or have ideas for where I could take the story, and I believe this helps me be a better writer. While I get great rewards from writing and feel especially happy when I hear readers are enjoying this, writing takes time and effort. It's not something I get paid for. I have a job and a partner and family and as you can see all sorts of other things happening in my life that can leave little time for writing. Still I think I approach writing with a generosity (as do all the other writers in this fandom) and most readers return that generosity (and thank you to those reviewers who responded to that guest's comments). So guest you benefit from writers' generosity, and it wouldn't take a lot for you to be a little less thoughtless and offhand in the way you express your dissatisfaction.

Anyway I hope the rest of you enjoy this chapter. As always let me know. And apologies for any mistakes.

Gail shepherded Holly and the two interns out of the house to their car. O'Leary had disappeared into his study again, and Traci was still with Maree in the kitchen. As Wilson and Natasha stowed the gear in the trunk, Gail hung back with Holly. They had barely said a word to each other since O'Leary had threatened Gail.

When Gail made it clear she shouldn't interfere, Holly had stood absolutely still, staring at the back of the gang leader's head. Gail watched Holly draw herself in, literally, to stop herself from giving way to the instinct to defend Gail. Then Holly had quietly set about doing her job, only speaking when she needed to give the interns instructions or ask a question.

It reminded Gail of that day in the woods when they'd found two more of Trent's victims, one with a message for Gail carved in her stomach. Then Holly couldn't look at Gail, couldn't even acknowledge her presence, couldn't bear to because she was so frightened for Gail. Almost paralyzed by it. So it became easier to focus on work, on practicalities and procedure and on the science that was known and logical.

O'Leary had put his back to Gail and watched as Holly and the interns went about collecting samples. After a moment he turned and nodded at Gail. His expression wasn't friendly but neither did it hold its earlier menace, rather it was as if the two of them had struck some sort of deal. Then O'Leary left, going back downstairs presumably, Gail thought, to his study.

'So you got all the samples you needed?' Gail asked finally, knowing Holly had but desperate to break the silence. Gail could see Wilson and Natasha had almost finished packing the car and she wanted to set Holly's mind at rest before she left for the morgue.

Holly stopped and looked at Gail and nodded but her expression was bleak. Gail could tell Holly wanted to say something and she was fairly certain what it was.

'Hey,' Gail said softly, lightly touching the inside of Holly's hand, 'it's okay. It was just bravado.'

'That man threatened you,' Holly said, 'you shouldn't be on this case. What was Elaine thinking.'

Gail bit her lip. She tried not to look worried but she had a feeling Elaine might have just landed her in a whole lot of trouble. As far as she knew, O'Leary had forgotten about Steve but now it seemed her presence had stirred things up again. Gail was fairly certain she'd figured out Elaine's plan and it had backfired spectacularly.

'The Superintendent's wants Caitlin's DNA to see if she can link O'Leary to other crimes doesn't she?' Holly asked.

Gail nodded slowly. 'It figures. If she can put away O'Leary, then Steve won't have this threat hanging over him anymore'

'And she doesn't care she's put you in danger?' Holly's voice had begun to rise.

Gail noticed the interns look up and across at them with interest. This was probably not the best place to be having this conversation. Especially with the two thugs at the gate observing the exchange. At least the guards were far enough away they couldn't overhear, and Gail had positioned herself so they wouldn't see she was touching Holly's hand.

'I think my mother's been too clever for her own good. O'Leary's not known for his brains but he's cunning. He must have guessed this is a possibility.'

'So why agree to let us collect DNA samples from Caitlin's room?'

'He's her father. He loves her and he wants her back,' Gail said simply, 'and maybe O'Leary thinks Elaine won't use the DNA to put him away but as a bargaining chip.'

'Wait, are you saying if we link O'Leary to another crime, Elaine would agree not to pursue a case against him in exchange for leaving Steve alone?' Holly frowned, 'Would Elaine do that? It's corrupt.'

Gail bit her lip again.

'I don't know, but I'm fast learning nothing is beyond my family,' she smiled ruefully. 'Hey, you better get going. Your minions are waiting for you.'

Gail gave a slight jerk of her head to indicate the car. She could feel Holly hesitating so she took her hand more firmly and pressed it gently, and then leaned in close.

'I'll be all right. Traci is here. Anyway O'Leary just wants his daughter back. He pretty much only knows how to communicate in threats, so what he said back there, well that was probably just his way of making sure I did my job.'

Holly sighed, clearly not convinced. She held Gail's gaze for a moment.

'Be safe,' she finally said, and gave Gail's hand a squeeze, 'I love you.'

'I know,' Gail smiled, 'and I love you too nerd.'

When Elaine heard the call was from O'Leary she immediately asked for him to be put through. Before she had a chance to greet him or in fact take control of the conversation as she normally did, O'Leary was yelling down the phone.

'What the fuck are you playing at, Superintendent,' he said, 'sending your daughter here.'

'Detective Peck is one of our finest,' Elaine said, not allowing herself to be put off by O'Leary, 'I would expect you'd want our best officers looking for your daughter.'

'She better be,' O'Leary snarled, 'because if either of you use Caitlin's disappearance to come after me, your daughter will pay. And I know plenty of ways to make her tell me where her brother is.'

'Are you threatening a police officer,' Elaine started to say but O'Leary disconnected before she could finish.

'This is my first year teaching,' Julia Lombardo explained.

She was tiny, gamine and reminded Gail a little of Audrey Hepburn. Just this past weekend, when Holly discovered Gail hadn't seen any of her films she insisted they watch Breakfast at Tiffany's and Roman Holiday. Julia had the same oval face and big almond shaped eyes, and her dark hair was cut short with a blunt fringe high on her forehead.

Unlike Audrey Hepburn her skin was olive, thanks Gail guessed to an Italian heritage. Julia barely looked like she was out of school herself, and as this thought crossed her mind Gail realized how old it made her sound.

'I shouldn't have favorites, but Caitlin is such a bright spark,' Julia continued.

'What was she doing on the phone when you confiscated it?' Traci asked.

'Playing Candy Crush.'

'So she wasn't texting anyone?'

Julia shook her head. 'Should I be worried?' she asked nervously. She held a paperclip between her hands, tangling and untangling it over and over.

'What do you mean?' Traci said.

'Well, everyone knows Niall O'Leary's a gangster. Most of the parents won't let their kids play with Caitlin because of that. And that guy he sent to get the phone was kind of aggressive.'

'Did he threaten you,' Gail said, looking up sharply.

'No, not exactly. He was just a little menacing. He stood over me while I unlocked my desk to get Caitlin's phone. Then as he left he said I should pray Caitlin was okay and hadn't gone missing because she didn't have her cell.'

'It's probably just talk,' Traci said, 'sometimes when people are worried they need someone to blame.'

'But call us immediately,' Gail said, handing Julia their cards, 'if you're worried about anything at all or if O'Leary does threaten you.'

Julia nodded.

'Have you noticed anyone hanging around the school lately. Someone who doesn't belong?' Traci asked. The Principal had already confirmed there had been no reports of strangers lurking in the vicinity of the school, but still Traci thought it was worth double-checking.

'No. You don't think she's been taken by someone like that?' The teacher's face creased with concern.

'We just need to rule things out.'

'I hope you find her soon. She's such a special little girl. Full of joy and life,' Julia said, her voice faltering, 'I can't imagine what her parents are going through. Maree often volunteers in the classroom. Caitlin means the world to her.'

Reverend Robert Siddle had a genial boyish face. Frankie guessed he was in his early forties. Tall and broad, he had the sort of looks that were a little too pleasant to be handsome. She would have picked him for a Phys Ed teacher rather than a preacher.

'Graham attends a program I run for sex-offenders. I do group and one on one sessions. We had an individual session yesterday afternoon.'

'What time?' Frankie asked.

'3.30pm but he was running late. He got there about quarter to four. I thought maybe he'd forgotten the appointment and I was about to call him when he turned up.'

Frankie looked across at Chloe. Fifteen minutes late. Was that enough time for Graham Fielding to snatch Caitlin and hide her somewhere and still get to St Stephen's for his appointment with the Reverend.

'How did he seem when he showed?'

'Um, normal. He apologized for running late.'

'So not out of breath or agitated?'

The Reverend shook his head.

'Did he explain why he was late?' Chloe asked.

'Graham said he had some errands.'

'Did he say what those errands were?' Frankie asked.

Reverend Siddle shook his head. 'I didn't have any reason to ask.

'So was this a regularly scheduled session?' Chloe said.

'No, he,' the Reverend stopped, 'I feel like I'm breaking his confidence. Graham trusts me. He's working really hard to rehabilitate himself.'

'Do you believe it's possible for men like him to rehabilitate?' Frankie asked.

'I have to. The alternative is too awful to contemplate. I don't believe Graham has reoffended since he was released from jail.'

'Reverend, a little girl is missing. You might have information that could lead us to her. Alternatively it might allow us eliminate Graham as a suspect which means we can turn our attention to other leads,' Frankie said.

Reverend Siddle nodded but still looked conflicted.

'So why did he make an appointment with you?' Chloe asked gently.

The Reverend hesitated for a moment before answering. 'I don't want you to take this the wrong way but two girls had stopped to talk to him three days ago when he was on his way home from the shops. He usually avoids children and it unsettled him.'

'Unsettled him?' Frankie asked.

'He found it difficult to suppress the fantasies.'

'About the girls?'

'Not necessarily. His preference is for boys.'

'Would Graham have acted on those fantasies?' Frankie said.

'I don't believe so, no. Otherwise he wouldn't have come to see me. He wanted me to help him control those thoughts.'

'Did Graham say anything else about the girls. How old they were. Their names?' Chloe asked.

'No, but I got the impression they were ten or eleven. He said they were on bikes.'

.…

'Do you think Julia Lombardo should be worried?' Gail asked Traci.

After leaving the school, Gail and Traci double backed to the O'Leary's street, although this time they were headed to the home of Caitlin's best friend, Macy Harris.

'I don't think so, although O'Leary can be volatile. You'd think he'd be focused on helping us find his daughter rather than retribution.'

'Tell that to Mickey Chen. You know we're going to have to look at him and Maree as possible suspects.'

'Yep,' Traci sighed, 'my gut says they're not involved. O'Leary is a thug, but I get the feeling he and Maree are devoted to Caitlin.'

Even though they lived two doors apart, the Harris' house, though spacious, was far more modest than the O'Leary residence. A two-story clapboard, it was painted a cheery light blue and had a wide wrap around verandah. Queen Anne revival, Gail decided, probably built in the late 1800's

She hadn't ever thought much about architecture until purchasing her own house. The interest grew when she dated Olivia, an architect passionate about renovating Victorian era buildings. Which was how Gail had met her. Olivia had drawn up the plans for Gail's renovation. Still even Gail had been surprised at how much she had gotten caught up in Olivia's enthusiasm.

Holly loved the house, and Gail wondered if it was weird living in a place that so clearly bore the mark of one of her exes. Not that she and Olivia had started anything until the renovation was finished. If it hadn't been for Holly it might have been different, but after six months Olivia realized Gail was incapable of loving her completely and certainly not in the way she loved Gail, and she left. It had been something of a relief to Gail not to be the one to do the breaking-up. She had, however, felt a measure of guilt for going into the relationship knowing she couldn't be in it as wholeheartedly as Olivia.

Yep, it was a fact. Holly had ruined her for anyone else, Gail thought as she and Traci climbed the steps to the Harris' house. Traci lifted the large brass knocker and rapped it against the door. Almost immediately they heard footsteps.

Paula Harris was a large big boned woman with an easy, welcoming smile. She'd be the type of mother who'd envelop you in warm hugs and feed you up on home baked treats, Gail decided.

'Macy's in the kitchen. We've just made brownies,' she said, confirming Gail's impression was at least half right.

As Gail and Traci followed her down the corridor, Paula stopped suddenly.

'Macy's very upset. That's why I kept her home from school today. We can stop the interview anytime can't we?'

'Of course,' Traci nodded, 'we're not going to push Macy in any way and we certainly don't want to cause her further distress.'

'Okay,' Paula smiled at them briefly. A tight little smile which couldn't disguise the worry in her eyes. A protective mother as well, Gail thought.

Macy was sitting at the kitchen table. Her face was smeared with chocolate and there was an empty mixing bowl by her side and she was licking the last of the brownie mixture from a spoon. There was something about her that reminded Gail of Sophie. Even though she knew Sophie was happy with her new family, as always when she thought about Sophie, Gail felt a stab of regret and of grief.

'You're pretty,' Macy said to Gail when Paula introduced the two detectives.

Gail smiled at Macy widely, and Macy smiled back. Traci observed the two with fascination. She knew children gravitated to Gail, and Gail in turn treated them with a generosity and a gentleness that, until the appearance of Holly, seemed entirely out of character. Leo adored Gail. In some ways she was like a big kid and maybe this explained her affinity with children, but Traci suspected it went deeper than that.

Unlike Macy, Gail didn't have a warm and nurturing upbringing. No, Elaine and Bill had seen childhood as an opportunity to shape Gail and Steve into the adults they wanted them to be. From what Steve had said the two of them, but Gail especially, had been subjected to endless tests and drills and exercises and somehow Gail always fell short of those weird exPecktations. No wonder she found it hard to trust when her parents' love had been so conditional and when their chief way of communicating was to bully and manipulate.

Despite Gail's own complexity, there was straightforwardness in kids that appealed to Gail, Traci decided. Maybe because it was knocked out of her so quickly as a child. It was this desire for the uncomplicated which led Gail to that ill-matched relationship with Chris. Simple was different to straightforward. At least, Traci thought, Gail had found Holly. Smart like Gail, but with absolutely no interest in game playing.

'Caitlin wants to be a detective,' Macy said.

'Yeah,' Gail said, 'does she like investigating things?'

Macy nodded solemnly.

'So sometimes do you and Caitlin pretend to be detectives and go investigate things?'

Macy started to nod and then her eyes went wide and she shook her head.

'We're not allowed,' Macy's eyes darted to her mother and then back to Gail, 'we always go the same way to school and back home and don't stop for anything. Caitlin's dad made us promise.'

'Sometimes,' Gail said, sounding like she was about to tell a story, 'sometimes we can't always keep our promises and that's okay. Everyone breaks a promise once in a while.'

Macy eyed Gail uncertainly.

'Did you and Caitlin ever go a different way to school, maybe stop and talk to someone?'

Macy screwed her eyes shut and shook her head.

'No, no, no. We're not allowed,' she insisted.

'It's okay. You won't get into trouble,' Gail looked across at Paula, who had sat down next to Macy, 'will she?'

'No, baby girl,' Paula said kindly, 'you won't be in trouble. It's important you tell the Detective everything so she can find Caitlin quicker.'

'We did what we were told,' Macy said, a single tear sliding down her face. Her head was bowed. She wouldn't look at Gail anymore and Gail knew there was something she wasn't telling them.

'Are you scared of Caitlin's father?' Gail asked.

Macy looked up at Gail then. Just for a moment, but her expression was one of surprise, alarm even. Had she hit the nail on the head, Gail wondered. Was Macy surprised because Gail had not only figured out she wasn't being completely honest but the reason why? Gail sensed Macy wasn't in the habit of lying and her reaction seemed to confirm that.

'No,' Macy breathed out. She turned and buried her face in her mother's neck and began to sob. Loud, uncontrollable gasps. Paula wrapped her arms around Macy and drew her closer into a tight embrace.

'It's okay, it's okay baby girl,' Paula whispered over and over, rocking Macy slightly.

Gail bit her lip. She hated seeing Macy like this, hated that it was her questioning that had made the girl so upset.

'We should stop now,' Paula said firmly, looking up at Gail and Traci.

'Of course,' Traci said.

She and Gail stood up from the table.

'I'm sorry Macy for making you so sad,' Gail said, 'but I really want to find Caitlin. You are her best friend which means you know her best of all and maybe there is something only you know which could help us find her.'

Macy's sobs became louder and even more wretched and she clutched her mother harder.

'That is enough Detective,' Paula said tersely, her expression a lot less friendly than earlier.

'Okay. I'm sorry,' Gail said softly.

...

Holly had begun extracting the DNA from the saliva left on Caitlin's toothbrush when Elaine showed up in the lab. Having sent the interns on a late lunch break, Holly was alone.

'How close are you to getting a DNA profile?' Elaine asked.

'I'm just at the beginning of the process. It takes a while,' Holly said, wondering if this impatience for DNA results was a Peck thing.

'Hmm,' Elaine nodded then cleared her throat, 'I'm wondering if you could do something for me Holly.'

Holly looked at Elaine sharply. There was something in her tone she didn't like. Elaine had never asked anything of Holly before. From what Gail and others said the Superintendent didn't take kindly to being told no.

'Yes Elaine,' Holly said evenly, deciding to use her first name seeing as Elaine hadn't addressed her as Dr Stewart. Maybe that's why there was something off about Elaine's manner. She was normally a stickler for using formal titles in the workplace.

'Once you've identified Caitlin's DNA sequence I'd like you to compare it with DNA from two cold cases.'

It wasn't so much a request as an order.

'Looking for a familial match?' Holly asked.

'So you'll do it,' Elaine said, the eagerness in her voice indicating she thought Holly was on the same page.

'Elaine, you know the protocol,' Holly sighed, wondering if Elaine really imagined she would agree so readily. 'You need to lodge a formal request. Put it in the system. But, as I'm sure you're aware, current investigations take priority, unless you have a compelling reason to bump this up the queue.'

'I was hoping we could avoid a paper trail, at least for now. No need to stir things up unless there is a match.'

'Is your plan to charge O'Leary or blackmail him?' Holly was surprised at how calm she sounded. Elaine, a senior police officer, her girlfriend's mother, had just asked her to do something that, while technically not illegal, fell into a very grey area. If not a sackable offence, at the very least Holly would receive a reprimand if she were found out.

'That's a very serious allegation you appear to be making,' Elaine said stiffly.

'I can only think of one reason you'd want this off the record - you're hoping to use this information in some way to protect Steve.'

'And if I say yes will you do it?'

'No,' Holly said firmly, 'not only is it ethically wrong but it would be an abuse of my position as deputy chief.'

'Holly, I don't think you understand dear. You are family now and in the Peck family we look out for each other.'

'Funny,' Holly said, not bothering to disguise the bitterness she felt in that moment, 'that never seemed to work out that well for Gail.'

Elaine tightened her lips into a grim line that was equal parts approbation and anger.

'Sometimes Holly we don't have the luxury of taking the high moral ground.'

'Make a request for us to reopen those cases and if we can prove O'Leary's involved, you'll get a conviction.'

'You won't help me then?'

'No.'

'Not even when O'Leary has threatened Gail?'

There was something almost triumphant in the way Elaine spoke, like she'd found the very thing to make Holly crumble. Had literally pulled out that trump card.

Holly looked at Elaine steadily. She didn't trust herself to speak. Had Gail told her mother about O'Leary's threat back at the house? Did Elaine know Holly had heard it? Had seen O'Leary stand over Gail. Surely Elaine could see she had caused this mess. She must have realized how provocative it was to send Gail to interview O'Leary.

Holly didn't feel calm anymore. Instead she felt a rage building, hot and uncontrollable and so unlike her. Even Lisa at her stupidest, at her most inconsiderate and narcissistic hadn't made Holly feel this consuming anger.

Just as Holly was about to speak, to say what she didn't know because her resolve to be calm, her usual level headedness, had deserted her, she heard a cough. Actually, it was more a deliberate clearing of the throat. She looked across to see Natasha at the door. How long had the intern been standing there, Holly wondered? She took a deep breath and turned back to Elaine.

'I think we're done here, Superintendent. Now if you'll excuse us, Dr LaPaige and I need to get back to work.' Holly made sure nothing about the way she spoke sounded like a request.

'So the Reverend said you were late for your meeting,' Frankie said, 'why was that?'

She was sitting at the table in an interrogation room, arms crossed, her expression skeptical. Chloe was on her right, and Graham Fielding was across from them, cuffed to the table.

'I had to collect something,' Graham shifted uncomfortably in his chair, wincing as the movement caused the handcuffs to dig into his wrists.

'What was it you needed to collect? Wasn't a ten year old girl by any chance?'

'No!' Graham glared at Frankie, 'I could have touched those girls. I could have but I didn't. I tried not to talk to them but they kept asking me questions.'

'Which girls?' Frankie asked sharply.

'The one in the photo and the little black girl. She said her name was Macy.'

'When was this?'

'Three days ago. It was on Caldicott Street. They were coming home from school. The chain on Macy's bike had fallen off and they asked me to fix it.'

'And did you?'

'Yes and then I left. I swear. You can ask Macy.'

'So you didn't arrange to meet Caitlin again or decide to wait for her when she left school yesterday?'

'No!'

'So,' Chloe spoke for the first time, 'what did you need to collect yesterday on your way to see Reverend Siddle.'

Graham shrugged.

'My partner here,' Chloe said pleasantly, in fact quite conversationally, 'is this close', she held up her thumb and forefinger to indicate an inch, 'to charging you with child abduction. If you're not involved with Caitlin's disappearance then you need to help us out here. Tell us what made you late.'

Graham looked down as if considering.

'I went to see my dealer,' he finally said, 'to buy some weed. I get anxious when I interact with children. It helps calm that.'

'Yeah?' Frankie raised a skeptical eyebrow, 'who's your dealer?'

'Marty Finnegan.'

Frankie caught Chloe's eye. Finnegan was a small time dealer, but his brother Pat worked for O'Leary.

….

Some hours after her conversation with Elaine, Holly walked back into the lab to find the Superintendent speaking to Natasha. It had been a busy afternoon and Holly had taken five minutes out to get some fresh air and a drink of water. Wilson was assisting Rodney with an autopsy and Natasha had stayed behind to help Holly process the samples taken from Caitlin's room.

Holly stopped in the doorway when she saw Elaine. The Superintendent had her back to the door so didn't immediately notice Holly.

'I never forget a favor,' Elaine was saying, her voice all charm and flattery, 'you seem very good at your job. I do have some influence over which of you interns will be offered a permanent position.'

Natasha looked pained. A heavily furrowed brow marred her normally attractive features, making that perfectly symmetrical face seem off kilter. She pursed her lips and hesitated for a moment before replying.

'Superintendent Peck, I believe, as Dr Stewart told you earlier, you need to lodge a formal request.'

'So you don't care about your career?'

'I care very much about my career which is why I'm suggesting you follow protocol,' Natasha stammered.

'Well, you might not care about your career, but what about Officer Robinson. You two are dating aren't you?'

Natasha nodded.

'Do you think she'll be happy never being anything but a beat cop?'

'Enough Elaine,' Holly said, stepping into the room.

Elaine turned around. If she was surprised to see Holly, she disguised it well. She went to speak but Holly cut her off.

'I'm going to assume it's concern over the welfare of your children which has driven you to take the unorthodox step of approaching not just me but Dr LaPaige to do these tests. So I won't report your behavior. However, if you don't submit a formal request for us to carry out this work, I will reconsider reporting you.'

'Holly, I don't think you realize why it's important we do it this way. If O'Leary knows I'm going after him, he'll go after Gail.'

….

During Gail and Traci's absence from the station, Elaine and Oliver had set up an Incident room. Which was where they found themselves at 9pm, along with Frankie, Chloe, Dov and Oliver for a briefing from Elaine. As Gail looked around the assembled team, she could see they were all beginning to flag. They'd been pursuing leads for close to fourteen hours with few results. Except for the surveillance footage, it was like Caitlin had disappeared into thin air. Worse still, it was now thirty hours since the little girl had gone missing.

'So,' Elaine said, 'surveillance footage shows Caitlin turning down Caldicott Street and that's the last we see her. Graham Fielding confirmed he spoke to Caitlin and Macy two days ago on Caldicott Street.'

'So is there something or someone who lured these two girls down that street?' Gail said.

'You didn't ask Macy?' Dov said.

'She was adamant she and Caitlin hadn't changed their route home. She became upset when we pressed her, and her mother stopped the interview.'

'Have you tried again since Fielding said he saw them on Caldicott?' Frankie asked.

'Yeah, Paula - Macy's mother - still won't let us talk to her. She agreed to ask Macy herself and came back saying Macy denied having been on Caldicott or meeting Fielding. I got the sense Macy wasn't being entirely truthful. She's frightened of something. Maybe O'Leary because it sounds like he was really strict about Macy and Caitlin sticking to the agreed route to and from school.'

'Okay,' Elaine said briskly, 'Detectives Nash and Peck, I want you to try Macy again in the morning. Maybe she and her mother will be calmer or at least more amenable after a night's sleep.'

Traci and Gail nodded.

'And Fielding's in the clear?' Traci asked.

'Yep. We spoke to his dealer who confirmed he was there just after 3pm. The dealer lives a way past the church so there wouldn't have been time for him to double back, take Caitlin, hide her somewhere and still make it to the church by 3.45,' Frankie said.

'Could someone have helped him snatch Caitlin?' Oliver asked.

Frankie shook her head. 'I doubt it. He's definitely a loner. According to his record, he acts alone. But we can look into that.'

'The dealer's connection to O'Leary could be worth pursuing,' Chloe said.

'It's a tenuous connection at best,' Elaine said dismissively, 'what about the parents? What's your take on them?'

'Genuinely grieving. I very much doubt they are responsible,' Traci said, 'I spoke to Maree O'Leary privately and she admitted her husband quote "sometimes has a quick temper" but said never at home and never with Caitlin. I believe her.'

Elaine nodded. 'The uniforms door knocked Caldicott and the adjacent streets this afternoon and came up with nothing. They're canvassing again right now, speaking to anyone who wasn't at home earlier. Unless they find something of interest, I suggest we call it a night. It's late and I doubt we can achieve anything more today. Let's reassemble here at 7am.'

As Oliver and the five detectives began to shuffle out of the room, Elaine said, 'Oh, Detective Peck a word before you go.'

Gail turned, a quizzical look on her face. Elaine didn't speak until the door was shut.

'I spoke to Holly today and she wasn't very cooperative.' The way Elaine said it was as if it Gail was somehow to blame for Holly's intransigence.

'What do you mean?' Gail asked warily, because her mother's statement confirmed, just as Gail suspected, that the Superintendent was up to something.

'I wonder if you could use your influence,' Elaine ignored Gail's question, 'I need Holly to run some tests on the side. Discretely. We have two cold cases - murders and we're certain O'Leary was the killer, but we've never been able to prove it. We have DNA taken from the scenes. I need Holly to check if Caitlin's DNA is a familial match.'

'And then you'll blackmail O'Leary to stay away from Steve.'

'No one said anything about blackmail, Abigail. I want him convicted.'

'And what's to stop one of his lieutenants, who'll no doubt take over the gang if O'Leary's jailed, from going after Steve.'

'Oh I doubt that will happen. Once O'Leary's out of the picture, Lee Chou will move in. It will be the end of O'Leary's gang and our problem.' Elaine smiled smugly, entirely pleased with herself.

'So you're happy to let a man who has links with Hong Kong triads, and is rumored to trade not just guns and drugs but sex slaves, to have unfettered control of Toronto just to keep Steve safe.'

'You always were dramatic,' Elaine sighed, 'of course we'll find ways of going after Chou. With O'Leary gone, we can concentrate our efforts on shutting down Chou.'

'So why the secrecy? Why ask Holly to do this "discretely",' Gail made air quotes.

'Because O'Leary will come after us. In fact you in particular if he gets wind of this plan.'

Gail looked at her mother in disbelief.

'You engineered this. You made this happen,' Gail shook her head, 'anything for Steve. Even sending me in as bait.'

'Really, Gail,' Elaine protested.

'O'Leary's ten year old daughter is missing. He is a grieving father and we should treat him as such. Once we find Caitlin, then you should investigate him but not before and not in secret.'

'But,' Elaine began.

'And I'm about to go and congratulate Holly for standing up to you. And if you ever try and bully her again, one I will never speak to you ever again, and two I'll report you so fast you'll have whiplash.'

With that Gail left, careful to slam the door on her way out. It was childish but she knew how much it would irritate her mother.

….

Gail found Holly in her office. Holly was focused on a document open on her computer, her brow was puckered in concentration, and Gail could tell by the dark circles under her eyes how tired she was. Not only had it been a long day and they were seemingly no closer to finding Caitlin then, as Gail had just found out, Elaine had paid Holly a visit.

'Hey,' Gail said softly from the doorway.

'Hey,' Holly looked up, a smile breaking across her face at the sight of Gail.

'I've come to take you home,' Gail said, walking into the room.

'I've still got this report to finish,' Holly said, making a face.

'You look exhausted. Can it wait til morning?' Gail kissed Holly on the lips and then leant back against the desk, her arms crossed.

'I guess. I'm beginning to think I never should have applied for this job. There wasn't this much paperwork when I was just a pathologist.'

'Yeah, I guess that's what happens when you go further up the work ladder,' Gail said sympathetically, 'but I've ordered Thai take-out, and I have cold beer and it's time you quit work for today and come home with me.'

'Why are you being so nice?'

'I'm you're girlfriend. I'm always nice. To you anyway'

Holly laughed. It was true though. Lisa of course and even Rachel worried the relationship was one sided, that Holly was too empathetic and it was she who was always looking after Gail. People rarely saw it but in private Gail was sweet and solicitous and made Holly feel so incredibly loved.

'Actually,' Gail said, biting her lip uncertainly at the admission she was about to make. 'I know Elaine came to speak to you and you refused to cave. And believe me I know how hard it is to say no to Elaine when she's insistent like that, well being a bully, and I'm impressed by your resolve, but then of course you wouldn't crumble because you're strong and have integrity, which is something my mother seems to be sorely lacking. But I know how soul destroying it can be dealing with Superintendent Mom and I'm so sorry you had to experience that but.'

Before Gail could finish, Holly stood and, cupping her cheeks, kissed her.

'You just had to stop talking,' Holly smirked.

Gail grinned then.

'Okay, but as I said I've ordered Thai takeout, I've got cold beer and so now all I need to do is take you home because I'm not planning on eating or drinking alone.'

'Bossy,' Holly teased.

'You don't like me being bossy?'

'Oh,' Holly said, linking her arms around Gail's neck, and pushing her body up against Gail's, 'oh, I like it very much.'

This time when Gail bit her lip it was in a futile attempt to suppress the mischievous smile breaking out across her face.

….

Gail was choking. O'Leary pulled the cord around her neck tighter and tighter until her head snapped back. Her eyes were bulging and she was fighting for air. The room was bare except for a single chair to which Gail had been tied, hands bound together at the wrists.

A naked bulb on a long cord swayed hypnotically above the chair and Holly had a flash of someone swinging from a noose. She'd been called out to one of those when she was in San Francisco. The detective in charge had wanted to call it suicide and was annoyed when Holly demurred, unwillingly to give a finding until she'd done a thorough examination. Turned out to be murder, the man strung up, lynched.

One of Gail's fingers had been severed and there was a steady drip drip of blood from the gaping wound onto the linoleum floor. O'Leary stood behind her gloating.

'If we can't have Steve, you'll do,' he said, yanking the cord so hard Gail's head snapped back.

'It's a fair trade,' a voice Holly recognized said, and then suddenly Elaine stepped out of the shadows from somewhere behind O'Leary, smiling hideously.

Then there was a gurgling sound, ghastly and primal, and Holly realized it came from Gail. O'Leary let go of the cord and Gail's head fell forward, lifeless.

Holly tried to scream but no sound came out. She was in the room but somehow not there. O'Leary and Elaine certainly hadn't noticed her. She tried to get to Gail but her feet wouldn't move. She could feel the panic rising and then she did scream 'No, No, No' over and over again.

Then Gail was holding her and shaking her gently awake, making soft shushing noises and saying 'it's alright Holly, it was just a nightmare.'

Now it was Holly who was gulping air and, even though she tried to suppress it, a little sob, which was more hiccup than sob, escaped from deep within her chest. Holly buried her head in Gail's neck and wrapped her arms around her waist, pulling Gail flush against her, gripping her tightly.

'It's okay, Holly,' Gail soothed, 'you're okay.'

This time a louder sob came from Holly, muffled slightly because she still had her face pressed into Gail's neck.

'Do you want to talk about it?' Gail asked softly, tentatively.

She felt rather than saw Holly shake her head. It was just after 3.30am. That time where the darkness still hung heavy even though the balance had tipped to begin the gradual transition to light. That period where forms, including the shape of one another, were ill defined, simply outlines. Gail could feel Holly's trembling subsiding.

'Did you dream Trump was elected US President?' Gail said, 'oh hang on, wait he was.'

The wisecrack earned a half-hearted laugh from Holly.

'Bad joke?'

'Bad joke,' Holly agreed.

'Your nightmare was about me, wasn't it?' Gail said, turning serious.

Holly nodded.

'I'm sorry,' Gail said softly, knowing all too well from her own nightmares what horrors may have visited Holly.

Holly tightened her hold on Gail's waist, squeezing her fiercely.

'It's not your fault,' she finally said, her voice subdued, small and sad.

Gail brushed her lips against the top of Holly's head.

Holly titled her head upwards and, despite the dark, found Gail's mouth immediately. Gail had thought she wanted just a gentle kiss, a brief reassurance, so she drew back quickly but Holly had other ideas. She placed her hand on the back of Gail's head and pulled her back in and this time the kiss was longer, insistent.

Gail knew that sometimes when Holly was afraid for her she wanted this – a physical connection which in that moment made Gail, made them tangible, unassailable.

Before long Gail was pushing Holly's sleep top up and over her head, and then pulling off her own t-shirt. Gail ran her hand across Holly's stomach and down to the band of her boy shorts and then cupped Holly's center making Holly arch up into her hand. She found Holly's clit through the material of the boy shorts, and pressed with two fingers, using the friction of the material to some effect judging from Holly's response. Gail placed her other hand on one of Holly's breasts, caressing it and then rolling the nipple between her thumb and forefinger. Holly gave a sharp intake of breath and kissed her harder.

Gail would have liked nothing more than to take Holly's nipple between her lips, graze her teeth against it and soothe it with her tongue and then give Holly's other breast the same treatment. After that she'd use her mouth and tongue to trace a path down Holly's body. But she sensed Holly needed her here with her, face to face.

So Gail pulled the boy shorts down Holly's long, long legs and over her ankles. It was Holly who shifted then so Gail's thigh fell between her legs and she began to push against it. Gail felt Holly's arousal wet and slick on her leg. She moved slightly to the side and placed her hand on Holly's center, running her fingers down through her folds and then pushing two just inside Holly. Then she brought those fingers to her mouth and sucked them slowly, wantonly, the taste of Holly making her smile.

Holly moaned and jerked her hips upwards, and Gail sensed this was partly a response to her actions and part protest against the removal of her hand. So Gail moved her fingers back to Holly's clit. She started slow at first, a circular motion with one finger and then a second, but as Holly's breathing quickened, she applied more pressure, the two fingers now working in an alternate up and down movement Gail knew Holly liked.

Gail dipped her head to kiss Holly again. Beginning with little nips, then she pulled at Holly's bottom lip and finally tangled her tongue with Holly's. All these sensations - the kissing, the feel of Holly naked pressed against her, her clit hard beneath Gail's fingertips, Holly's gathering excitement and the breathy sounds she made - caused Gail's own arousal to build and she felt a wetness between her own legs. As Holly's breath became more ragged, Gail increased her pace.

'I want you inside me,' Holly said, and Gail complied, moving her hand to Holly's entrance. She pushed two and then three fingers in, and placed her thumb on Holly's clit, resuming the rhythm of before.

Gail could feel Holly's walls tightening around her fingers. Then Holly abruptly broke off the kiss, and was calling out Gail's name and arcing her back, one arm now across Gail's shoulders drawing her close and her other hand clutching the sheets. Gail curled her fingers upwards and Holly gave a final cry and pulled Gail into a fierce embrace. After a moment Gail could feel Holly smiling against her.

'I needed that,' Holly finally said, 'I needed something good about us to erase,' she broke off.

'Yeah,' Gail nodded, understanding what Holly was saying, 'I'm sorry.'

'For what?'

'For making you afraid for me'

'It's not your fault,' Holly said for the second time that night.

But that old fear resurfaced for Gail. That one day it would become too much for Holly to live with that constant fear Gail might be hurt or worse. That no matter how much she loved Gail, in fact because she loved Gail so much, Holly would have to walk away.

'I'm not going anywhere,' Holly said when Gail didn't speak.

'How did you – I mean I didn't say anything.'

Holly took one of Gail's hands and linked their fingers together.

'It was kinda obvious what was going on in your head,' she shrugged.

'Oh,' was Gail's reply.

'And your job does scare me sometimes and I do worry about you, but I accept this is what it means to love a police officer.'

'You wouldn't rather I worked in a, I dunno, a bakery?'

Holly pretended to consider for a moment.

'Nah. You wouldn't last a single day because you'd eat more products than you'd sell,' she teased, 'especially the donuts.'

'Hey,' Gail mock protested, giving Holly a light shove.

'I like you just the way you are,' Holly said, snuggling back into Gail, and yawning. 'I wouldn't change a thing about you.'

Gail wrapped her arms around Holly and kissed her lightly on the lips. She felt Holly's body becoming heavy, shifting from wakefulness to that relaxed pre-sleep state. Holly had told her it was called hypnagogia. Of course she would know, the nerd, Gail thought fondly.

'Don't let me fall asleep,' Holly mumbled, 'It's your turn.'

'Shh,' Gail said, 'sleep now. You can return the favor another time.'

As Holly began to drift off, Gail thought about how in her previous relationships people wanted to change her but not Holly. It was liberating and extraordinary and made Gail want to do cartwheels or something. Maybe shout from a rooftop. Cartwheels weren't really her thing.

To be accepted and loved for who she was, well that was something she'd never dared hoped for but always wanted. And Holly knew her. Gail didn't hide anything from Holly, didn't try to be someone she wasn't or disguise some of her less endearing traits and still Holly loved her. In fact the snark and the attitude and the sometimes prickliness just amused Holly. Well, most of the time.

Holly shifted slightly in Gail's arm, burrowing into her. 'You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Gail,' she breathed, as if she had actually heard what Gail was thinking.

Gail smiled wide and happy.

'You just say that because no one's ever made you come like I do,' Gail teased, as much to distract herself as to divert Holly's attention from how Holly's declaration made her literally burst with joy.

'Smug much,' Holly said yawning.

'I give you the best orgasms. Say it isn't true.'

'I could say it but then,' Holly paused, 'I'd be lying.'

Gail smiled again and pulled Holly closer. 'I love you,' she said.

'I love you too,' Holly said sleepily, but she tightened her grip on Gail.

Just over an hour later, Gail was woken by her phone ringing. Holly stirred beside her. When Gail answered the call, it took her a moment to register what Elaine was saying.

'Graham Fielding's been killed. I need you and Holly at the scene,' she said.

So, one of the reviewers asked for smut and the sex scene in this chapter is possibly more detailed than any I've written before. When I started writing this I didn't intend to be too descriptive about sex – I've said it before but I find it hard to write those scenes in an original or un-clichéd way - but somehow the sex scenes are getting more graphic.