I do not own Rookie Blue or any of the characters….

Finally an update of Breaking Through! I feel like I've neglected this fic a little but I am back at work and don't have as much time to write. This story is more complex than Elusive so it always takes me longer to write. That said Elusive is starting to become quite entangled. I really wish I could have let the guests who, in the last couple of days, asked for an update of this fic know that one was on its way. Meantime a guest reviewer on Elusive urged me to forget about updating Breaking Through and update it instead. Which made me realize it was perhaps madness on my part to decide to write two fics at the same time.

While I wasn't updating, it was lovely to see lots of updates and new Golly fics posted over the last few days.

As always, thanks for reading, reviewing, the follows and favs. All are very much appreciated. And as always, let me know what you think. I love to hear from you, even if you think I'm not getting things right and, of course, if you do like what I'm doing.

Apologies for mistakes. Hope you enjoy.

….

Holly laughed when she saw the severed head. A throaty, amused laugh. Frankie looked annoyed.

'What have you done to her, Peck,' she snarled.

Gail shifted a little uncomfortably, remembering what had transpired in Holly's office not less than an hour ago. Surely Frankie wasn't referring to that. How would she even know? Was it somehow written all over their faces? Shaking her head, Gail peered into the crate at Gimlet's head. It had been placed on a platter and garnished with lettuce and slices of tomatoes and cucumber.

'It's not real,' Holly said, 'it looks like a 3D model. A very good one. I'd pull it out to show you but we'll need to dust for fingerprints later and I don't want to compromise that.'

Chloe appeared then, a little breathless and holding out her phone.

'Are you sure it's Gimlet's head?' she asked, 'I just spoke to one of the uniforms stationed at his apartment and Gimlet is alive and well. Drinking whiskey apparently.'

'Definitely Gimlet's head. It seems he has two,' Gail said cryptically, 'even though he's big headed enough with just the one.'

'Two. As in a twin?'

'No, as in a very good 3D model,' Holly said.

'A model? How did the killer get hold of that?'

'Good question, Princess,' Frankie said.

…..

'A friend of mine who runs a 3D modeling company had it made for me. It was a joke really,' Gimlet said, once again sounding impatient. It seemed to be the only way he knew how to communicate with Frankie and Gail. His words were slurred just enough to make Gail wonder just how much he'd consumed of the half empty whiskey bottle sitting on the table in front of him.

'Expensive joke,' Frankie observed.

'Not when you're CEO of the company.'

'So where's it normally kept?'

'In a store cupboard in my office.'

'Not on display?' Gail asked innocently, although her quirked eyebrow betrayed the disdain she felt towards Gimlet.

'It was,' Gimlet waved his hand dismissively, a gesture of which he seemed particularly fond. Reinforcing his superiority perhaps, Gail speculated.

'And?'

'And then it was stored away when my wife – ah, ex-wife - redecorated the office.'

'Didn't fit in with the new decor?' Gail asked, knowing she was needling but not caring. Clearly one of Gimlet was indeed enough for the ex-wife.

'No,' Gimlet replied testily, 'my wife thought it vulgar.'

'So have you seen the head recently in the store cupboard,' Frankie asked.

'No, I don't have any reason to use the store cupboard. Last I saw it was a year ago before the redecoration. Ask my secretary. She takes care of the store cupboard.'

'Who else would have access to the cupboard?' Frankie said.

'It's in the reception area behind my secretary's desk, so really only she and I. Although I guess cleaners come in after hours.'

'No one's been seconded to the office, filled in for your secretary when she was away sick?'

'No, I make do when Marjorie is away but really any employee could have had access after hours. We don't lock the office or the cupboard.'

'So really anyone?' Gail said.

Gimlet shrugged. 'I guess. If that is all, detectives, it's getting late and I have business meetings in Vancouver tomorrow. I'm catching the 6 am flight. I'm sure you know the way out by now.'

'Sure,' Frankie said evenly, 'we'll no doubt speak on your return.'

…..

'I still don't get why he's so reluctant to help us,' Gail observed as the lift took she and Frankie down to the ground floor of Gimlet's condo, 'he borders on being uncooperative.'

'Yeah, anyone would think we were accusing Gimlet of murder,' Frankie agreed and then stopped. The two women looked at each other, their expressions sharp, almost excited, as they considered this possibility. 'You don't think he murdered Brierly? Left his 3D head to throw us off the scent,' Frankie ventured.

'Nah, his alibis checked out but he's definitely hiding something.'

'True,' Frankie sighed, 'I can't help feeling whatever it is, it's got something to do with this case.'

In the car, Frankie complained about the long day, saying she hadn't even been home yet or eaten dinner. Gail got the sense Frankie wanted to hang out, so she invited her over.

'Chloe made this huge stir-fry we can heat-up,' she offered.

In the past, they would have hit the Penny for a few beers but right now the prospect of home was much more appealing. There was food, but more importantly, Holly would be back soon. She and Chloe had gone to the morgue with the head. Still, Gail reckoned there'd be enough time before their return for Frankie to tell her what was worrying her. Alannah, Gail would bet.

Once home, Gail dug two beers out of the fridge and plonked one down in front of Frankie. Then she went about heating up the stir-fry and cooking some Hokkien noodles to go with it. Frankie didn't speak, just sipped her beer sullenly.

'You are domesticated, Peck,' Frankie finally said as Gail slid a bowl of food in front of her. The word domesticated was said with distaste

Gail laughed, 'Okay Frankie spill. What's eating you.'

Frankie shrugged and picked at the label on her beer bottle.

'It's moving in with Alannah, isn't it?' Gail prodded, wondering when she had become the kind of person who talked to people about their relationships. Frankie and Chloe had become friends. Surely Frankie would be better off getting advice from Miss Sunshine and Rainbows.

'What if I fuck it up,' Frankie said forcefully, although Gail could hear the misery behind the aggression, 'I mean it's not as if I've had any role models.'

'Frankie,' Gail said, understanding immediately, 'you are not your mother. Just because she couldn't sustain a relationship, doesn't mean you can't.'

'I haven't exactly got a good track record.'

'And I'm guessing you haven't met anyone you've felt this strongly about either,' Gail said, 'so it's a no-brainer. Move in. Don't sabotage it.'

'When did you get so wise, Peck.'

Gail gave an impish shrug.

'At least you and Holly had Chloe as a kind of buffer.'

'She's moving out on the weekend,' Gail said, snagging two more beers from the fridge and handing one to Frankie.

'Oh my god, so you and Holly really will be living a life of domestic bliss. It'll be marriage next and then kids, a dog, and a cat. Then you'll get a seven-seater SUV to transport the kids' little league team, which Holly will coach, and there will be camping trips and birthday and slumber parties. I can picture it now.'

'Anyone told you, you have a fertile imagination,' Gail laughed, deciding that maybe not all of what Frankie described sounded bad. 'Not that I want to spook you Anderson, but isn't that the same trajectory you're on if you move in with Alannah?' Gail arched an eyebrow.

'Shit, you're right. Seriously, Gail, that's why I can't do it. I mean you know me. Perennially single, love 'em and leave 'em. Why would I want to trade that in for domesticity?'

'Happiness' Gail said simply, remembering the time Traci told her everyone deserved to be happy, even Gail herself.

There was a noise from the front of the house and, in the next moment, Holly and Chloe were in the kitchen. When Gail saw Holly her face broke out into a wide and adoring grin.

Yep, Frankie thought, that was happiness. Even the snarky, sometimes bratty and self-described misanthrope Gail Peck had managed it. Why did it seem so out of her reach, Frankie wondered. Well, it was a no-brainer, she sighed inwardly. She had her fucked up family to thank. As far as Frankie knew, none of her many siblings had managed a long-term relationship.

Gail jumped up out of her chair and, not caring that Frankie and Chloe were there, kissed Holly. Just on the lips, though Gail lingered long enough to hint at the passion behind the kiss, and there was a tenderness too that gave it an intimacy. Not for the first time around Gail and Holly, Frankie felt like an intruder. Chloe seemed oblivious and Frankie guessed she was used to these displays. Then Gail offered to heat up food for Holly and Chloe. Man, she is housebroken, Frankie shook her head, who'd have thought.

'Any luck with Gimlet's head?' Gail asked as she prepared two bowls of stir-fry.

'Nothing. No prints. It was wiped clean,' Holly shook her head.

'Who would put a 3D replica of their head on display in their office?' Gail wondered.

'A narcissist?' Frankie suggested.

'Well, we know Gimlet's that. It's still kind of creepy and weird,' Gail scrunched up her face.

'Think of all the monarchs and emperors who through the ages had countless reproductions of themselves made. And what about family portraits? Even today people get family portraits taken by professional photographers. Is Gimlet's 3D head any different to those or indeed the photos we've stuck up,' Holly nodded in the direction of the refrigerator.

Frankie followed her gaze. There was a collection of photos stuck haphazardly to the fridge, mainly of Gail and Holly, although there were a few of Dov and Chloe and of all four together and with various of their other friends. In one Gail stood in dress uniform and a proud Holly kissed her on the cheek, Elaine hovering in the background. Ah, the commendation ceremony, Frankie remembered. Then there were a series of Holly and Gail on the beach during their holiday in the Bahamas, looking ridiculously sexy.

In another taken at the Penny, the two were seated across from each other in a booth with Chris and Chloe in the middle. Holly and Gail, clearly unaware a photo was being taken, were caught looking across at each other, their love palpable. Like the kiss, Frankie had witnessed moments ago, there was a tenderness to their gaze and a passion that literally smoldered off the print. In fact, it almost hurt to look at it, Frankie decided. She couldn't work out why, but it made her feel sad and excluded.

Then Frankie's eye caught a photo taken at the Christmas Eve party in front of the decorated tree. Gail was in the center, grinning widely, with an arm around Holly's waist and the other slung across Leo's shoulders. Traci had taken the photo and all the other couples stood next to each other, with the exception of Frankie and Alannah who stood at opposite ends of the grouping. Frankie inhaled sharply. It was like a punch to the gut. Yep, that was her destiny. Always on the outer. It took all Frankie's willpower to focus back on what Gail was saying.

'Well, yeah, there is a difference' Gail said, 'the photos on the fridge remind us of good times with people who we ah,' she paused as if searching for a word.

Holly suppressed a smile. She bet Gail wanted to say care about. People who didn't know Gail well saw her reluctance to admit her feelings as bratty, but Holly knew it came from a shyness, and yes a measure of under confidence because Gail feared her friends might not feel the same way about her.

'Hang out with,' Gail finally found a word that would do, 'whereas I bet a lot of those emperors and monarchs used those statues and paintings of themselves to shore up their power and remind their subjects they ruled supreme. Look at Stalin and the cult of personality.'

'Queen Elizabeth the first issued a proclamation saying artists were only allowed to paint an approved representation of her. She said this was because the "errors and deformities" of some of her portraits "grieved" her subjects. In reality, it was to make sure portraits showed her as having this kind of ageless beauty and surrounded by symbols of her virginity and power, which of course were interdependent. So yeah that was all about shoring up her dominion.'

Gail laughed. 'Oh nerd,' she said, kissing Holly on the cheek and Holly blushed a little.

'Is that what Gimlet was doing with the head?' Chloe asked, 'reminding the staff at EquanimityPlus who was boss.'

'Given he's the CEO I don't think he would need to do that, ' Frankie mused.

'But what's the bet his style of leadership is dictatorial,' Gail said.

'Oh, absolutely,' Frankie agreed, 'which was why he didn't like it when you called him out.'

Not long after the four decided to call it a night. Frankie stayed in the spare room. Gail suspected she didn't want to go home to her empty apartment or face Alannah and the ever-pressing question of whether they should move in together. It was late anyway and Gail, realizing Frankie had downed four beers in quick succession, insisted she stay.

In bed, Holly snuggled in behind Gail, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her in close. Gail made a little noise of contentment, sleepy and indistinct.

'It's nice the way you look out for Frankie,' Holly said.

'Yeah,' Gail shifted a little, suddenly a little more awake. 'Does it bother you that, apart from Lisa and Rachel, most of our friends are people we work with?'

'Kind of makes sense given the work we do. Intense cases. Long hours. But they're good people,' Holly said, kissing Gail just behind the ear. 'You know I love you.'

'I love you too. I can't believe how lucky I was to find you,' Gail said feeling sleep overtake her again as Holly tightened her arm around her waist.

…..

In the morning Gail woke to more kisses just behind her ear. Holly was once again pressed up against Gail with an arm around her waist.

'You know what happened in my office yesterday,' Holly said.

'Um yeah,' Gail was suddenly wide-awake.

'We can't do that again.'

'We can't have sex again or we can't have sex in your office.'

'My office of course,' Holly laughed, brushing her lips against Gail's earlobe. She moved her hand from Gail's waist to splay across her stomach and then down further still. Gail was definitely awake now.

'You are indefatigable,' she said, starting to turn but Holly kept her there and pressed her center against Gail's ass. Gail pushed back into her just as Holly moved her fingers to Gail's clit and began an up and down rhythm Gail liked.

Holly moved her other hand to Gail's breast, rolling the nipple between her fingers, and placing a trail of kisses along Gail's neck. Oh yes, Gail was definitely awake now. She came ridiculously quickly, somehow the not seeing but feeling Holly, particularly the way she was thrusting up against Gail's ass, exciting her almost as much as Holly's well-practiced fingers. Gail turned in Holly's arms to find her smiling.

'I was lucky to find you,' Holly said, picking up the thread of the conversation from last night and making Gail laugh affectionately.

She kissed Holly, pulling at her bottom lip and Holly responded immediately. Then Gail made her way down Holly's body. She knew Holly was already fairly worked up so she didn't linger long. Stopping only to run her tongue across Holly's nipple, and tweak the other with her fingers before trailing kisses to her center. Gail blew on Holly's clit making her moan and push her hips upwards.

'Impatient,' Gail teased, and then she took the nub in her mouth and pushed two of her fingers inside Holly. It didn't take long before Holly was gasping adorably, and then, when she was finally done, giving that delighted, contented laugh Gail never tired of hearing. Gail gently removed her fingers and moved back up to kiss Holly.

'What brought that on?' Gail laughed as the kiss finished.

Holly looked sheepish. 'Ah,' was all she said.

'Yeah? ' Gail pulled back slightly to get a good view of Holly's face, 'ah and?'

'It was all that talk about sex in my office and then I had a flash of it,' Holly trailed off, coloring a little.

Gail laughed again. ' Oh nerd,' she said, pretending to sound pitying.

'Don't act like you didn't like it,' Holly challenged, Gail's teasing making her regain her poise.

'Never,' Gail said firmly, 'I can't imagine ever tiring of sex with you Holly Stewart.'

'And I've never had a girlfriend who liked sex as much as you.'

'Yeah,' Gail crinkled her brow. Maybe it was too much. Holly had never complained and Gail had always felt the attraction, the need to touch one another, the sheer delight in the physical side of their relationship was entirely mutual. Had she misread it, Gail wondered.

'That's okay, isn't it?' she said, the doubt she was feeling making her voice small.

'More than okay,' Holly smiled, the lopsided smile that always made Gail melt a little. 'Hey wait,' she said, propping herself on an elbow and regarding Gail keenly, 'you didn't think I had a problem with that did you?'

'No, um, well,' Gail said, 'I just got worried. I'm stupid.'

'Honey,' Holly dipped her head down to kiss Gail, pulling at her top lip in such a way it made Gail want to continue the kiss.

Gail marveled at Holly's ability to draw her in, to make her immediately want more, the frisson Holly's touch elicited so readily giving way to an urgent exploration of one another's bodies. Gail had always liked sex. In fact always believed sex was something she was good at, but never had it felt like this. Never had she been so selfless in her desire to please someone else. Past sexual encounters seemed insipid compared to the intensity, the completeness she and Holly had.

As she mulled this over, Gail realized, of course, Holly felt the same way and she was stupid to worry. And she stopped worrying because, in the next moment, Holly had flipped her over with the intention of doing to Gail exactly what Gail had just done to her.

….

The early morning activities made Gail and Holly late. They got downstairs to find Frankie and Chloe had already had breakfast. Frankie was sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee and tapping her foot impatiently.

'Geez, do you two ever stop,' she scowled, guessing immediately what Gail and Holly had been up to.

Holly became a little flustered but Gail shrugged and said 'Nah,' which only caused Frankie to scowl even more. The sooner she sorted out this commitment thing with Alannah the better for everyone, Gail thought.

Holly made her own way to the morgue while Gail and Chloe caught a ride with Frankie to the station, which Frankie pronounced dourly was an efficient use of time. Given Frankie's mood, Gail wasn't about to argue.

'Hey,' Dov said by way of greeting as the three women entered the detective pen, 'you want the good news?'

'Well, yeah,' Gail said as if Dov were an imbecile.

'For that, I might not tell you,' Dov threatened a little sulkily.

'What. All I said was yeah.'

'It was your tone.'

'Now, now children settle down,' Frankie said sarcastically, 'what is it Dov?'

'Dr Francine Hart. I contacted the president of Doctors Against Animal Experimentation. Seems like she was quite the avid emailer. DAAE just forwarded all the emails she sent out on their behalf to pharmaceutical companies asking them to stop testing on animals, including one to Frank Gimlet.'

'Shit,' Gail said.

'Yeah, the letters were supposed to be firm but polite but it seems Dr Hart embellished a little. Threatened direct action against these companies if they kept experimenting on animals.'

'What kind of direct action?' Frankie asked.

'You know pickets and boycotts of their products. Publishing the names and photographs of CEOs on the Internet. It was too extreme even for DAAE. They kicked her out.'

'Shit,' Gail said again.

'And I've been going through Dr Hart's phone records. Seems she was in contact with her second cousin a lot more than she claimed. There are a bunch of calls to John Brierley's cell.

'Shit,' Gail said.

'Is that all you're going to say, Gail?' Dov said.

'Actually, it's probably all she should say,' Frankie said, 'I think we need to bring Dr Hart in for another chat, but Gail you can't be anywhere near the interview room.'

'Not even on the observation side?' Gail asked.

'I guess that would be okay,' Frankie sighed, 'this case is a mess.'

'You better tell Fiona Vincent we're bringing in Dr Hart,' Chloe said.

Frankie nodded. 'Yeah, I might clear it with her first. Just so everything is above board.'

'We also need to speak to Gimlet about the email when he gets back from his trip tomorrow,' Gail said.

'Yep,' Frankie agreed, 'why don't you and Chloe start with his secretary. See if she can confirm his story about the head. She's also likely to know if anyone inside EquanimityPlus was threatening him. She might have even seen the email.'

Lisa had suggested lunch at a café near the hospital, and Holly agreed. Ever since she and Gail had got back together, Holly hadn't spent much time with Lisa and it made her feel guilty. Especially as it transpired this was Lisa's greatest fear about Holly settling into a serious relationship, and part of what had actually made her so antagonistic toward Gail the first time they met.

It was hard, though. Gail and Lisa had arrived at a begrudging sort of friendship, mainly for Holly's sake. Although Holly suspected the more the two women got to know each other, the more they found to respect. Like? Well, that was another matter. The snipping when they got together was usually exhausting, so as much as possible Holly tried to see Lisa on her own. Bigger gatherings worked, the presence of others giving Lisa and Gail less opportunity for barbed comments.

Still, Lisa had recently informed Holly she was 'team Gail,' because 'let's face it Hols, she makes you deliriously happy.' It was still said as though Lisa were making something of a grand concession for Holly's sake, and she did have to add, 'and based on what I've unfortunately walked in on, Gail is a sex machine so why would you let go of that?' Holly had sighed heavily.

The café was new and hipster, the coffee-machine taking center place on the marble counter top. The sides of the counter were made from recycled wood planks and the counter itself ran nearly the length of the room, with space for people to sit bar style. The walls were exposed brick, there was a blackboard menu and both of the baristas wore blue t-shirts and beanies. Holly wondered if it were some sort of uniform and if the beanies were ditched in summer. Lisa was running late so she snagged a table in a section out back.

The first sip of her coffee confirmed Lisa's hyperbole about the coffee being to die for. The second sip coincided with a shadow falling across the table. Holly, who had taken her glasses off to catch up on a journal article on her iPad, was so absorbed she didn't notice the new arrival until the table was thrown into gloom. Holly expected Lisa, but when she looked up she couldn't help but do a double-take. It was Francine Hart. Smiling in a way she probably thought sultry, but to Holly made her look like a simpleton.

'Amazing coffee isn't it,' Francine said, somehow making the simple statement leering and suggestive or so it seemed to Holly. She wondered whether, given she was so repulsed by Francine, she was reading too much into her behavior.

'Um,' Holly said. She couldn't figure out why Francine, having lodged a formal complaint against Gail, would approach her. Holly reached for her glasses and pushed them onto her face, more as a barrier between she and Francine than from any desire to see her clearly.

'I said amazing coffee isn't it,' Francine said and made as if to sit down.

'Don't,' Holly hissed, her arm shooting out to block the chair. Where had that vehemence come from, Holly wondered. It certainly startled Francine. 'Don't sit down,' Holly continued more evenly, 'I'm meeting someone for lunch.'

'Oh,' Francine raised an eyebrow, 'well perhaps another time. What about dinner tomorrow night? I know this nice French restaurant that's opened up around the corner from where I live.'

'Francine,' Holly said, aware her brow was furrowed in disbelief. The audacity of this woman was mindboggling. 'Are you asking me on a date?'

'Well yes.' The smile, the one Francine imagined was sultry was back in place. Holly had the sense the doctor's eyes had narrowed keenly as if sensing Holly was about to cave and agree to go out with her.

'Francine, you know I have a girlfriend. In fact, I'm now living with Gail. I'm very, very happy with Gail. In fact extremely happy with her and totally serious about her and I have absolutely no wish to date anyone else. Ever again.'

Having to share how she felt about Gail with Francine made Holly extremely annoyed but spelling it out seemed like the only way to force the woman to back off.

'You moved in with that cop?' Francine scoffed, 'I think you'll find she's about to be taken down a peg or two.'

'Are you referring to your complaint?' Holly asked, barely able to keep her anger in check. It had rocketed through her like it was a puck on those high strikers you found in carnivals that if struck hard went up and up and up until, if you were strong enough, it hit the bell at the top. A test of strength. Well, this situation was certainly that, or at least a test of strength of character, of Holly's ability to restrain herself in the face of Francine's amorality.

'Given you have made a complaint against my girlfriend,' Holly made sure she emphasized 'my' and 'girlfriend' and then continued, 'and that the complaint is the subject of a live investigation, I think it advisable we don't speak. In fact Francine, I would appreciate it if you left me alone.'

'Why so formal, Holly?' Francine reached out a hand as if to touch Holly's arm, and Holly instinctively shrank back.

'You heard her, Hart, back off.' It was Lisa. Holly had been so focused on dealing with Francine she hadn't seen Lisa arrive.

'This has nothing to do with you Lisa,' Francine said, half shrugging as if indicate Lisa was inconsequential.

'Oh yes, it does. Holly and Gail are my friends. Gail is Holly's girlfriend. End of story. Now beat it before I tell Sergeant Vincent you're trying to interfere in her investigation.'

Francine regarded her with hostility. Holly was reminded of that phrase looking daggers. It described Francine's expression to a T.

'Oh, I forgot you've gone blue collar too. I guarantee you'll both tire of slumming it eventually.' With that, Francine turned on her heel and left. Flounced out, Holly decided.

'Fuck, what an elitist bitch,' Lisa said, and then caught Holly's smirk. 'Shit, is that how it felt?'

'Worse,' Holly admitted, 'because you were my best friend and I cared about what you thought.'

'Oh,' Lisa said, her expression contrite, which was not an attitude she was particularly familiar with. 'I don't think I've ever really apologized for what I said, Hols. I was an ass.'

'Well, yeah, a total ass,' Holly nodded, 'but it's water under the bridge now.'

'Yeah,' Lisa brightened, 'Actually, I appreciate you haven't given me shit for dating Fiona. You do know we're going to have to tell Fiona about Francine speaking to you. Make sure everything is straight down the line, for Gail's sake at least.'

Holly nodded again. 'I can't believe I got Gail into this mess.'

'I can't believe I found Francine hot for five minutes,' Lisa said.

It was more than five minutes but Holly didn't have the energy to call Lisa on it. Nor did she point out Lisa was the one who encouraged Francine to take up the position at the hospital.

'Shit, I told her to move to Toronto,' Lisa said as if reading Holly's mind. 'Wait, you don't think Francine is using this complaint as some sort of elaborate and, might I add, very fucked up way to get Gail out of the picture so she can date you?'

'It does seem far-fetched and it's arrogant to think someone would go to such lengths to date me. Maybe it's just payback.'

'If Francine can't have you, she'll do anything possible to make Gail's life hell.'

'It would explain why she made the complaint,' Holly shrugged, 'because Lisa, you don't actually believe Gail harassed Francine.'

'God no, but this makes Francine a complete psycho. Remember that time she chased you into Rachel's kitchen and tried to kiss you. Maybe we should have seen this coming.'

'That's what Gail called her.'

'Called her what?'

'A psycho.'

Like her surname, Marjorie Flint was hard and unemotional. She was probably no more than thirty, dressed in stilettos and a tight pencil skirt, but her clipped, no-nonsense manner made her seem older. Gimlet and Flint, it sounded like a law firm or a comedy act, Gail decided. Marjorie confirmed Gimlet's 3D head had been placed in the store cupboard, and as far as she was concerned, that's where it should still be.

'Nothing comes in or out of this office without me knowing,' she said, drawing her body up so it was ramrod straight. She said it like it was a matter of professional pride. A mega controller, Gail guessed. She bet Marjorie was a bitch to the rest of the staff.

'Except this head,' Gail pointed out.

Marjorie made a little moue of annoyance.

'Did John Brierly ever come into the office?' Gail asked.

'Not that I recall,' Marjorie said briskly, 'Mr Gimlet has nothing to do with hiring at that lower level. That's Helen Marino's remit.'

'Any reason someone might threaten Mr Gimlet?' Gail asked, 'someone he may have put offside.'

'No. None I can think of.'

'So no disgruntled employee?'

'Of course, there are always disgruntled employees, even if we look after them well here. High wages, good benefits, generous leave provisions. You know people who believe they've been overlooked for promotions or just generally believe he world owes them.'

'So can you give us names?'

'No one springs to mind. I was speaking generally.'

Gail exchanged a look with Chloe. She really felt like rolling her eyes but that was highly unprofessional. She didn't need a second complaint made about her.

'No employee ever expressed opposition to testing on animals, or voiced their concern about it?' Chloe asked.

'Detective Price,' Marjorie said, 'testing on animals is core to our business. You wouldn't work here if you were uncomfortable with it.'

'Do you recall seeing an email from DAAE – Doctors against Animal Experimentation - addressed to Mr Gimlet?' Chloe said.

'Nope. Never heard of the group.' The way Marjorie shook her head was perhaps a tad too fast, Gail thought.

'The email contained inflammatory language and directly threatened Mr Gimlet. Does that ring a bell?' Chloe tried again.

'No,' Marjorie said tetchily.

'What's Gimlet like as a boss?' Gail asked, changing tack.

Marjorie faltered for just a moment, but enough that Gail saw her eyes dart to the left while she composed the lie she was about to tell. 'Good. Excellent. Very professional.'

'So you enjoy working for him?' Chloe asked quietly.

'Of course. Now if that is all, I have much work to do.'

'One last question,' Gail said and paused as Marjorie looked at her impatiently, 'the day of the protest – the animal rights one - was Gimlet at work.'

'I can't even remember what day it was.'

'Friday 22 July,' Gail supplied, 'I assume you have a copy of Gimlet's diary on your computer. Want to check.'

Marjorie sighed heavily and bent over her computer. Two clicks of the mouse later, she straightened and said 'he was out of town. The Pharmaceutical Development and Technology Conference in Pittsburg. It ran for three days.'

'And Gimlet definitely attended?' Gail asked.

'Yes. I accompanied him. He was definitely there.'

Marjorie insisted on escorting them out. It made Gail realize whenever they were at Equanimity Plus they were closely monitored. Not once had they been left alone. In fact, on their first visit, Frankie had asked to use the bathroom and was accompanied there and back by Helen Marino's assistant.

Was Gimlet worried about what they might see if they wandered around? Was the thing Gail was so convinced Gimlet was hiding right here under their noses?

'Dead ends, that's where this case is leading,' Gail said to Chloe once they were on the sidewalk.

'Marjorie was lying about liking Gimlet as a boss,' Chloe said.

'You picked that up too.'

Chloe nodded. 'I wonder what it was about?'

Gail shrugged. 'And why when we spoke to him did Gimlet give the impression he was here during the protest? It doesn't make any sense.'

…..

Back at 15, Frankie told Gail to make herself scarce. 'Francine Hart and her lawyer are coming in. Fiona Vincent is observing the interview. Now Vincent's involved I can't have you anywhere near this, even as an observer. Chloe, I need you in the interview with me.'

Gail made her way into the detective pen, a scowl on her face. Dov was there going through Brierly's phone records.

'Need something to distract you?' he asked and Gail nodded. 'Want to go through the raw footage CTV took of the demo outside EquanimityPlus. You might spot something I've missed.'

Gail arched an eyebrow. 'You admitting to being sloppy, Dov?'

'What? No! That's not what I meant,' Dov protested and then when he saw Gail was grinning wickedly, he said, 'oh shut Gail and watch the video.'

Gail laughed but did as she was told. Half an hour later she pressed pause. 'Dov, come take a look at this,' she tried not to sound excited.

'What?' Dov wheeled his chair over to Gail's desk.

'Look,' Gail pointed to the screen and pressed play. Several EquanimityPlus workers were trying to push their way through the protesters who had linked arms to block access to the building. The two sides started to jostle, the protesters chanting loudly 'Animals have rights too,' and some of the workers hurled abuse.

In the very corner of the frame, one of the protesters stepped toward a worker and appeared to whisper something to him. The worker nodded and smiled.

The protester was wearing the same mouse mask as the man caught by the surveillance camera outside Elspeth and Mimi's shop. The man who was carrying the exact same crate Brierly's head was found in, and who very likely was about to cross the street to dump the crate in the vacant lot opposite.

And the man he was speaking to at the protest? John Brierly. Gail was certain of it. The camera only caught the two for a few seconds before panning in the opposite direction to pick up Andy and Robinson arriving on the scene.

'It's Brierly,' Gail said rewinding the video and pressing play again, 'it's him and mouse man.'

'I think you're right,' Dov agreed, 'what's the bet mouse man is Dominic Swartz.'

Gail rewound the video and played it again. 'What does that smile say to you? A job well done?'

Dov considered for a moment. 'Sure looks like it.'

….

Gail wished the interview with Francine Hart would wind up. It was getting on to 6 pm and she was dying to show Frankie what she had discovered on the video. She also wanted to know what Francine had to say for herself. It seemed like the surgeon knew far more about Brierly's life than she had let on. Gail was annoyed with herself for not picking up on that. She was normally good at reading people in interviews, but maybe Francine's weird obsession with Holly had thrown her.

As she waited, Gail alternated between tapping her pen on the desk and pacing up and down the pen. Finally, Dov got sick of it.

'Gail,' he said, holding out some coins, 'go to the vending machine out front and buy some cheese puffs.'

Gail screwed up her face. 'I don't eat cheese puffs anymore, Dov,' she said like he should know, 'I'm trying to be healthy.'

'This once I don't think eating cheese puffs will kill you, but I might if you tap your pen on your desk one more time.'

'Charming,' Gail stood up and held out her hand, 'give.' Dov handed the coins over with a sigh.

Out front, she didn't make it to the vending machine because Holly was there. Smiling at her and it made Gail feel warm and happy and forget how irritated she'd felt in the moment before.

'Hey,' Holly said.

'Courier sick,' Gail quipped.

'Ha! No. Alannah suggested catching up at the Penny for a drink. I just swung by to see if you and Frankie were free.'

'Come through,' Gail said, taking Holly by the hand and leading her past the desk. Officer Moore was on duty again and gave them both a nod.

Once in the corridor, they literally ran into Corey Beaumont and Francine coming out of the interview room. Corey's suit looked like it cost more than most people made in a month. His hair was stylishly coiffed, possibly dyed now Gail decided, and his aftershave was pungent. 'Straight to heaven' that was what it was called, or so Corey had told Gail on that one desultory date. One of the most expensive cologne's for men, he'd bragged as if that would impressive her.

Corey stopped and took in Gail. The combat boots, the black jeans, the blue shirt and the leather jacket. The short blonde hair. She was still holding Holly's hand and he took that in as well.

'I can see why our date went nowhere,' he said imperiously.

Gail went to reply, to say something smart and snarky about Corey's shortcomings as a suitor but Holly squeezed her hand warningly. Gail sighed. It was probably sensible not to antagonize Corey further given he was representing Francine. Gail bit back the retort and smiled instead but it was that lethal one. One hundred watts of venom, Holly thought.

Francine had noticed Gail was holding Holly's hand too, her gaze flicking from their entwined fingers to their faces but she didn't say anything. In fact, she seemed somewhat subdued.

Frankie appeared out of the interview room then. 'Oh,' she said as she caught sight of the four, and Gail was certain she swore under her breath. 'I'll escort you out,' she said, bustling Corey and Francine along in front of her.

'What were you two doing in the corridor?' Frankie asked irritably when she came back to the detective pen.

'Uh, I work here,' Gail said dryly.

'And you went to get Holly from out front,' Frankie sighed. Gail didn't bother correcting her. She didn't really want to admit she'd gone in search of cheese puffs. 'Hell of a time to pick for a visit, Holly.'

'Yeah,' Holly pushed off from where she was leaning on Gail's desk, knowing she sounded annoyed. Frankie was being unreasonable. It was not like she and Gail had planned to run into Francine ad her overly slick lawyer. 'I'm going to meet Alannah at the Penny for a drink. See you guys there later?'

Frankie nodded tersely, 'We shouldn't be long.'

'It was just unfortunate timing,' Gail said after Holly left, 'surely Corey and Francine aren't going to see it as harassment.'

'After that interview, I have a feeling Dr Hart will be dropping the complaint altogether. Seems she was in contact with Brierly. In fact, he was feeding her information about some of EquanimityPlus' practices, even while she was still in San Francisco.'

'So that was bullshit about barely knowing him?' Gail asked.

'Yep. They met at a family thing in the states and when Francine told him about her involvement in DAAE Brierly opened up. It's what prompted her to write the threatening email to Gimlet.'

'Yeah, according to Francine not only is EquanimityPlus mistreating animals but it's sourcing them illegally,' Chloe added, 'apparently Brierly was about to provide Francine with evidence he claimed would shut the company down for good, but then he was murdered.'

'And her story sounded legit?'

'Yeah,' Frankie nodded.

'What about Dominic Swartz?' Gail asked.

'Apparently, Brierly met him in a chat room. That's as much as Francine knew. He said Swartz was behind the protest at EquanimityPlus and promised to introduce him to Francine,' Frankie said.

'So if Francine is telling the truth and Brierly had something on EquanimityPlus explosive enough to put it out of business then that might give Gimlet a motive.'

'Yep,' Frankie nodded, 'when does he get back from his business trip?'

'Tomorrow afternoon,' Gail said, 'think we need another chat?'

'For sure, you know how edifying it is talking to Mr Gimlet' Frankie laughed mirthlessly, 'meantime Dov, first thing tomorrow I need you to go through Brierly's computer. See if you can find those chat room conversations with Swartz.'

Dov nodded. 'It could take a while, but if we're lucky we may be able to trace Swartz's IP address and get some details from his service provider. Home address. Telephone number. That sort of thing. Although if he was careful, he might have used a different IP address.'

'About Swartz. Take a look at this,' Gail said, pointing to her computer and the paused CTV footage, 'Brierly spoke to mouse man at the protest.'

'Shit,' Frankie said after Gail played the video, 'you're thinking mouse man is Swartz.'

'Could be,' Gail nodded, 'what if Swartz aka mouse man is working for Gimlet.' She paused and held up her hand as Frankie frowned, 'hear me out. I know it sounds implausible, but what if Swartz was employed to keep an eye on any troublemakers. Report back to Gimlet. Maybe contain any protest action. It's not the first time a company has employed someone to infiltrate a radical fringe group. It would make sense if Gimlet is up to something illegal with animal testing.'

'And what? Swartz killed Brierly on Gimlet's say so. Yeah, it's far-fetched,' Frankie said, 'not that I'm dismissing it completely. You get points for creativity, though.'

'Yeah, yeah,' Gail grumbled.

Frankie decided they should call it a day then and head to the Penny. Arriving at the bar, the four detectives found Holly and Alannah in a booth in the corner.

Frankie made a beeline for the bar, saying she'd get the first round, which suited Gail. She slid into the booth next to Holly, right up close so their hips were touching, and, without saying anything, kissed Holly on the lips. Holly gave a low chuckle and moved her hand to Gail's thigh. Only then did Gail look up and greet Alannah.

She was looking across at them wistfully like they had something she hankered after. Frankie was not one for public displays of affection, Gail was well aware of that. Was that the cause of Alannah's longing expression? Alannah almost immediately switched her gaze to where Frankie stood at the bar with her back to them. Was Frankie actively avoiding Alannah? She had been very insistent about buying drinks, Gail realized.

Dov and Chloe slid in next to Alannah and, in the next moment, Frankie appeared with a tray of beers. She gave a nod in Alannah's direction as she placed the tray on the table. Dov and Chloe jumped up to make room for her next to Alannah, but Frankie waved them off and told them to sit back down.

Gail looked across at Alannah and watched as her face went from expectant to closed off. Fuck, what was Anderson playing at, Gail wondered as Frankie, having handed out the beers, perched at the end of the bench next to Dov and took a huge swig of her own drink. Brooding, that's what she was doing, Gail decided.

With Alannah there, work talk was off limits, so much of the conversation revolved around Chloe's plan to move to Dov's place that weekend.

'As long the case doesn't get in the way,' Chloe said, 'but I have started to pack already.'

'Sounds like this case has been hectic. I haven't seen Frankie at all these past couple of days,' Alannah said.

They had been busy but not that busy, Gail thought. Yep, Frankie was definitely avoiding Alannah. In fact, she was barely contributing to the conversation apart from the occasional grunt.

When Chloe and Dov decided to go play darts, Frankie sat down again on the edge of the bench. Alannah took the opportunity to scoot closer to her, placing a hand on her arm and leaning in as if to kiss her on the cheek. However before her lips could reach their intended target, Frankie bolted out of the booth.

'Another round' she said, already turning toward the bar.

'No,' Alannah was also standing now. 'I'm going home. Nice talking to you Holly and Gail.'

Frankie had half swiveled around when Alannah started speaking and now she stood motionless as if frozen.

'And Frankie grow up,' Alannah said as she swept past her girlfriend.

Frankie remained rooted to the spot for a moment watching Alannah as she walked out the door. Then she turned to Gail and Holly, her expression stricken. 'Fuck, what have I done?'

'Just go after her,' Gail said urgently, 'and Frankie, don't sabotage this.' With that, Frankie took off at a run.

Holly screwed up her face. 'Oh, poor Alannah. Frankie has a long way to go when it comes to learning to trust.'

'Some people might have said the same thing about me when I met you,' Gail pointed out.

'You're a much faster learner than Frankie,' Holly teased and, smiling, leaned across to kiss Gail, 'anyway you were much more relaxed about commitment than I was. I mean who went to San Francisco?'

Gail laughed. 'Yeah, well at least Frankie's gone after Alannah. In the past, she would have reacted by screwing half the lesbians in Toronto.'

'Progress then,' Holly smiled and took a swig of her beer.

'I better get another round,' Gail offered. She'd just put her order in at the bar when her phone rang. It was Duncan.

'I've been trying to get hold of Detective Anderson but she's not picking up,' he explained, 'I'm on desk duty and a courier just delivered a USB I think you're going to want to take a look at.'

'Yeah, why is that Gerald?' Gail said.

'It's labeled Animal torture at EquanimityPlus.'