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

At last an update. Hopefully, followers will get an email alert. Nothing was sent when I updated the last chapter of Elusive. Support on this site never responds to emails so I don't know what was going on there.

It's so nice that 40 chapters in new people are still occasionally following and favoriting this fic, and that the rest of you keep following, favoriting and reading it. And of course, I so appreciate hearing from the dedicated band of reviewers :)

To the guest who wants me to write a blind or deaf Holly fic, I hadn't thought of doing something like that and, with this and Elusive, I don't have much time. But you never know in the future…

It is a very long chapter so that may make up for the long stretch between updates. My computer died halfway through writing this, so I completed it on an iPad (yay for backup in the Cloud) and I suspect there may be more typos than ever. So apologies for that.

This chapter is deliberately told completely from Gail's point of view.

Hope you enjoy. Let me know!

Frankie was coming out of the interview room as Gail made her way down the corridor.

'Fuck, I heard what happened with Holly,' she exclaimed, 'you want me to go arrest Francine?'

Gail smiled weakly. 'It may come to that.'

'I always suspected that woman was unbalanced. How is Holly doing?'

'Being Holly – brave, stoic and strangely calm. If this was happening to me she'd be having a major freak out.'

'And you're not?' Frankie raised an eyebrow and Gail scowled at her. 'Do you need to go home? Be with Holly?'

'Once we're done here. Holly's parents are at our house. Let's get this interview with Gimlet over.'

Frankie looked at Gail for a long moment, assessing, and nodded as if satisfied. 'Okay. Gimlet has had very little to say so far. Denies knowledge of what was happening in the basement lab and blames Phil Holbeck, the head research scientist at EquanimityPlus. I think we need you to go rattle his cage. We haven't said anything about his son yet. I thought we'd save that surprise for you.'

'Okay, let's nail this bastard,' Gail said vehemently. The whole Francine thing had only heightened the antipathy she was felt towards Gimlet, especially after seeing the condition of the animals in the basement lab.

'You're so certain he's our murderer.'

'If you can allow puppies to be tortured like that, murder is not such a big leap.'

….

'So Mr Gimlet,' Gail drawled, 'I bet you'd do anything to keep your company afloat.'

Gimlet stared at Gail, making no attempt to disguise his disdain. 'I can see what you're trying to do detective,' he said with a heavy sigh to make clear, in case Gail and Frankie were in any doubt, how irritated he was. 'You're suggesting I would resort to murder to save EquanimityPlus.'

'Well, did you?' Gail's tone was conversational, belying the directness of the question.

'Nice try, detective,' Gimlet sneered. 'Can she asks questions like that,' he said, turning to his lawyer.

As the lawyer began to nod, Frankie spoke up. 'This is a murder investigation, Mr Gimlet. The victim is one of your employees. We have a right and an obligation to follow all lines of inquiry.'

Gimlet huffed out a breath and, crossing his arms, leaned back in his chair. There was definitely something disconcerting about him. It wasn't just his stare, which was pitiless and unflinching, or his air of detachment. No, there was a coldness about him, which Gail, as she held his gaze across the interrogation table, realized reminded her of Perick. The complete absence of empathy. The calculating way he sized you up. Maybe that's why she found Gimlet so unnerving. She knew exactly what people like this were capable of.

'You really think I decapitated a man because he what, was going to tell tales to the SPCA,' Gimlet scoffed, 'we'll be slapped with a fine and be subject to more stringent inspections, nothing more.'

'I think you'll find the penalties are a little harsher,' Gail said, 'according to the SPCA your treatment of those animals, and the fact that they were obtained illegally, are grounds to shut down EquanimityPus.'

'Look, detective, I'm distressed as you are by the way those animals were treated and I'm grateful you uncovered this cruelty. As I told your colleagues, I was unaware it was going on. If I'm guilty of anything, it's being too trusting a boss, too soft on my employees. I like to be hands-off, let my research scientists take the lead. But I can see now that was a mistake. This is a wake-up call. We can introduce better practices so this never happens again.'

Gail looked at Gimlet skeptically. Nothing about this man said he was a hands-off boss. It was all about control. You could see it in his tidy grooming, not a hair out of place or a crease in his shirt, and in the way he spoke, his tone measured and his words carefully chosen. She bet he knew everything that went on at his company right down to the very last detail. Nothing would escape that gimlet-eye of his.

'I'm guessing those big pharmaceuticals who pay you to conduct experiments won't want to be associated with EquanimityPlus once this comes to light,' she said, a touch provocatively.

'I wish Brierly had come to me with this. I could have acted sooner. Put a stop to it,' Gimlet spread out his hands in an if only gesture, choosing to ignore Gail's dig about the pharmaceuticals. In truth, he must be shitting himself about this. The pharmaceuticals were his life blood. Clearly, Gimlet was building a defence against the animal cruelty charges

'So if he had come to you, and had you then acted, Brierly might still be alive,'' Gail said matter of factually, keeping her skepticism to herself.

'As I've stated before. I think it's pure coincidence Brierly worked for EquanimityPlus. That fact, and the treatment of the animals has nothing to do with his murder.'

'And yet,' Frankie said, 'it appears he was collecting evidence to prove your company was torturing animals, and you've just been busted for doing just that. Feels like too much of a coincidence not to be connected.'

'The animals were treated a little roughly, yes, but to say they were tortured is excessive,' Gimlet said, so smooth and unflappable it was clear not an inch of him felt remorse.

'Your son is opposed to the torture of these animals,' Gail deliberately used the word torture again, not only to niggle Gimlet but to stop him from downplaying the horror of what had taken place.

'My son is six years old. I doubt he knows what I do for a living, let alone that my company conducts drug trials on animals –trials, I might add, which are saving countless lives.'

'I'm not referring to Felix. I'm talking about your first born son, Damien.'

There was a flicker in Gimlet's eyes, a reaction so tiny Gail almost missed it, but it was there and then in the very next instant Gimlet composed himself.

'I wouldn't know. Damien and I are estranged.'

'And why is that?'

Gimlet shrugged, making a good show of being unperturbed. 'You know, teenage rebellion. Boys need to act out against their fathers – establish their own place in the world. I'm sure he'll get over it.'

'So no particular event triggered the estrangement? A disagreement perhaps about the way you run your company?' Gail pushed.

'No. We drifted apart. That's all.'

'So when was the last time you saw him?' Frankie asked.

'Three years ago. Not long after his eighteenth birthday.'

'You sure about that?' Gail asked, and then, when Gimlet nodded, continued, 'your ex-wife has a distinct memory of you arguing with Damien just over a year ago at the Bridle Path house.'

This time Gimlet did react. 'The bitch,' he spat out, leaning forward in his chair looking as if he might leap up out of it at any moment, 'she'd do anything to bring me down. You can't possibly believe she's telling the truth?'

'So Mr Gimlet you are absolutely certain you have not seen your son Damien for three years?' Gail asked calmly, ignoring his question.

'Yes,' Gimlet said, relaxing back into the chair. He clearly thought Gail satisfied with his answer.

'And have you visited the Bridle Path house since your divorce.'

'Of course. To collect my two youngest children. They spend every second weekend with me.'

Lucky them, thought Gail. Gimlet was such a cold fish he actually made Bill Peck look like a reasonable father. Hard as it was to imagine, maybe, like Bill, he had his moments.

'You said you knew John Brierly only by sight, yet your ex-wife recalls you saying he'd been pestering you for a promotion.'

'She's a fantasist, detective. A compulsive liar. Why'd you think I divorced her? I have no recollection of speaking to Brierly.'

Gimlet's lawyer, who had said very little through out the interrogation, fidgeted with some papers, shuffling them into order, and then looked up at Gail and Frankie. 'Detectives, I believe my client has been most cooperative with you but as the hour is late, unless you have any further questions, I would request this interview be terminated.'

Cooperative. That was not the word Gail would have used to describe Gimlet. Dissembling perhaps. Specious. Now that was another good word. While on the surface Gimlet's story was plausible, she had a strong feeling that very little of what he had told them was actually true.

Frankie gave a curt nod. 'Very well, but we may require Mr Gimlet for further questioning.'

'Oh, one last thing. Would you have any idea where Damien is living?' Gail said as she began to stand, her voice casual like the question was of no great import. Just an afterthought really.

'No. I told you, we're estranged.'

'Hmm. Were you aware Damien has changed his name and was behind the animal rights protest outside EquanimityPlus?'

'That's a lie. No son of mine would be involved in something like that.'

It was nearly 11 pm when Gail trudged up her porch steps. Inside, Kurt and Becca were seated at the kitchen table drinking herbal tea.

'I'm sorry I'm so late. The interview took longer than expected,' Gail said, 'how's Holly?'

'She went to bed an hour ago,' Becca said, 'Holly always plays this kind of thing down but I think she was exhausted.'

'Delayed shock,' Kurt suggested.

'Possibly,' Gail agreed.

'Should we be worried. Your mother said the police would do everything to protect Holly, but if we're dealing with someone who's, well deranged,' Becca trailed off and sighed. 'It seems ridiculous something like this is happening when she lives with a police detective.'

'Becca,' Kurt chided gently, 'you know this could happen to anyone.'

'I'm sorry, I know. It's just,' Becca clenched her hands into two tight fists, 'I couldn't bear if Holly got hurt.'

'Becca,' Gail said solemnly, 'I promise I'm not going to let anything happen to your daughter.' She knew she shouldn't be giving such an undertaking. Yes, she was a police officer but still, there was no way she could guarantee Holly's safety. It was a rash promise, one made to reassure herself as much as Becca. The older woman's relief was palpable. Kurt, on the other hand, was circumspect, like he recognized Gail might not be able to deliver on her undertaking.

'I know you will,' Becca said.

They went home soon after, but not before Becca insisted Kurt accompany Gail around the house to ensure every door and window was locked. 'Keep us in the loop,' Kurt said as they left, 'we need to know what's happening.' Gail hesitated before going upstairs to bed. Then she detoured to the spare room where she kept her gun safe. Holly wouldn't like it, but she had a promise to keep.

Holly was asleep and Gail slipped in behind her, lightly draping her arm around Holly's waist and snuggling in close, careful not to disturb her. She breathed in the scent of Holly. Vanilla and cinnamon and something else Gail couldn't quite place but nevertheless a synthesis that had come to represent love and comfort and security and really everything she adored about Holly.

At 2 am Gail was still wide-awake. Not long after going to bed, she heard Chloe and Dov come in. They'd insisted on sleeping here tonight rather than at Dov's apartment because 'you know, just in case,' Dov said, all serious and concerned. 'Not that anything is going to happen,' Chloe had smiled too brightly.

After tossing this way and that, Gail finally found herself staring at the ceiling. She tried not to think about Francine, turning her mind to the case instead. After Gimlet left the station, Frankie couldn't hide her frustration.

'That was a monumental waste of time,' she'd said, 'we got nothing out of him.'

'You think,' Gail said in surprise, 'the more I talk to Gimlet the more I'm convinced he's our murderer.'

'Just cause you don't like him,' Frankie started.

'No,' Gail cut across her, 'he gave us just enough but not enough. He's hiding something. And he lied about when he last saw Damien and how well he knew Breirly.'

'Unless his ex is lying. Maybe Gimlet's hiding Damien because he murdered Brierly.'

'Breirly and Damien were working together to expose EquanimityPlus.'

'According to Francine Hart,' Frankie rolled her eyes as she said the doctor's name.

'Francine had no reason to lie about that,' Gail said, 'but whatever, Damien is the key to this, which means we need to find him.'

God, now she was back to thinking about Francine. That woman was trouble. Gail had sensed it the first time she met Francine when Lisa was parading her around the hospital, trying to convince Francine to take a job in Toronto. A feeling there was something off about the surgeon. It wasn't just because, like Lisa, Francine had dismissed her as being out of Holly's league. It wasn't jealousy, even though at the time, Gail had tried to dismiss it as such. Easier to think that, then imagine Francine a troublemaker. But there was no reason to be jealous. For starters, Holly had made abundantly clear her disinterest in the surgeon. Regardless, and more importantly, Gail felt totally secure in her relationship with Holly, which was an interesting and wholly welcome first.

She had to convince Holly to charge Francine. Becca was right. Holly tended to make light of things when it came to her own wellbeing. She hated fuss. For someone as self-possessed as Holly, it was hard to see herself as a victim. Gail got all that. Like so many people before her who had been stalked and preyed upon, Holly probably hoped Francine's behavior was a one-off, something out of character and unlikely to repeated. That having been caught and warned, she'd back off.

But Gail had been a victim. She knew about obsession. How it festered and grew, often more so when thwarted. She'd looked into the eyes of a madman who knew no reason and for whom a warning would have been an irritant. Worst still, may have spurred him to prove his invisibility, for psychopaths like Perick were nothing if not egotistical. Was Francine a psychopath? Gail didn't think so, but having been a victim, she knew there was no point taking a risk. Knew too how volatile and unpredictable someone like that could become if things didn't go according to their plan or when put under the least amount of pressure.

'Too much thinking,' came Holly's voice out of the darkness.

'Oh. Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you,' Gail said softly, apologetically even though there had been no complaint in Holly's tone, rather it was warm and gentle and full of concern.

Holly didn't say anything. Just turned so she was facing Gail and could lean down to kiss her. Tenderly, lovingly, unhurriedly. Gail couldn't help but respond to those soft lips against her own. It was those lips formed in a crooked smile which had drawn her to Holly. Well, that and Holly's particular brand of sass. That very first day in the woods when Gail couldn't get a reading on her feelings. In fact was perplexed by her reaction to this woman in her strange puffy teal colored jacket, and so did what Gail Peck did best, she hid it beneath snark.

Here in the darkened bedroom, Gail savored the feel of those lips, the kiss a kind of anchoring to Holly, a tangible reassurance on a day when fear had crept into her heart. It was nothing like the fear Gail felt lying in Perick's basement, believing she about to die and knowing exactly what he intended to do to her before that final act. Then Gail had been at a low ebb, uncertain of her worth, and that was before Jerry sacrificed himself for her. So she had simply prayed death would come quickly, all the while knowing Perick would not spare her from his perverse ritual, not when the suffering of his victims was as thrilling to him as the kill itself. But now, now she would do anything to save Holly and yep, if needed she would trade her life for Holly's. In a heartbeat.

Holly moved over Gail, holding herself up on an elbow and dipping down to kiss her again but less languorously now. Actually, quite determinedly, leaving Gail in no doubt as to her intention. She slipped a hand up under Gail's top to caress her breast, pinching a nipple between thumb and forefinger. Gail found herself pushing up and into Holly, sliding a thigh between her legs and placing a hand on her ass to pull her closer. They began rocking against each other, the material of their pajama pants producing a delicious, teasing friction. Then Holly started moving down Gail's body, pushing her top up and leaving a trial of kisses until Gail pulled her back.

'I need you up here, with me,' she said. In the dark, Gail couldn't see that lopsided smile, but she sensed it.

Holly kissed her again and tugged Gail's top up over her head, then pulled off her own. Their pajama pants went next, their movements a little frenzied as if all this clothing between them had suddenly become too much. Holly cupped Gail's center with her hand, and then placed a finger on her clit, moving it in tight little circles and then in an up and down motion.

'You are so wet,' she whispered huskily, moving to kneel between Gail's legs, pushing two, then three fingers inside her.

It didn't take long before Gail was arching her back and crying out. The orgasm was intense and long and she knew she was loud. It started with a fluttering in Gail's center and then spread to her stomach until she felt it throughout her body and right to the tips of her toes and fingers. Warm and tingling and somehow soaring and immeasurably huge, until just for a moment everything went blank in the best possible way and all she knew was a euphoria. She hoped Chloe and Dov were asleep and then she banished any thought of them as Holly again began a descent of her body. When Holly took Gail's clit in her mouth, Gail, despite the strength of that first orgasm, soon found herself coming again.

'Relaxed now?' Holly grinned.

Gail let out a contented sigh. 'I'm not sure I can move just yet.' She reached out and hugged Holly to her.

'I need to pee. I'll be back,' Holly said, getting up and going to the bathroom.

When she returned Gail was sitting up, leaning against the headboard.

'Still awake?' Holly asked and Gail made a 'mmm' noise. If she could have made out Gail's face in the darkness, Holly would have seen that look of vulnerability. It was one Gail often wore after sex with Holly, trusting and open, but now it held a tension, barely perceptible but which had not been entirely quieted by Holly's attentions.

Getting back on the bed, Holly straddled Gail, tilting her head down to kiss her, her hands on Gail's cheeks. Playfully at first, little nips, until gradually the kiss became more forceful until they were both out of breath. Before long, Holly was riding Gail's fingers, having moved her own hand to her clit, her fingers working in increasingly frenetic circles the nearer she came to losing all control.

Gail could always tell when Holly was close. There was something in the way her body sort of hummed that signaled the build up. Holly's breathing quickened and the noises she was making became louder until she stilled and just for a second it seemed like her breath stopped. Then Holly laughed like she always did after sex. Delighted. Uninhibited and Gail loved her for it.

That had been wholly unexpected, Gail mused as her eyes began to close, her brain barely functioning, which made sense given her body was now flooded with endorphins. God, when did she start thinking about sex in terms of chemicals? She was becoming such a nerd, but that thought seemed to float away as soon as it occurred. Holly had told her studies showed that in women sexual excitement numbed the nervous system, blocking it to pain and only allowing pleasure. Was it wise to give into pleasure at a time like this, Gail wondered, but that question drifted the same way as the earlier thought and in that same instant she fell asleep.

'What the hell is this?' Holly's voice woke Gail. Not warm and gentle like last night but pissed off, like Holly was doing her best to keep her rage in check.

Gail struggled to open her eyes and pull herself up into a sitting position. The clock on the bedside table said 6.45am. Great. Not even four hours sleep, Gail winced internally, knowing today would be a struggle. As her eyes focused, she saw Holly was standing next to her, still naked and in the chill morning air little goose bumps had appeared on her skin. Clearly just out of bed, and pointing to something on the floor. Oh shit, the gun, Gail realized. She'd tucked it just under the bed, far enough in to conceal it, or so she thought, but not too far that she couldn't reach down and grab it.

'Um. Holly, you're like super smart. I think you can figure it out,' Gail said facetiously, trying for humor but, judging from the expression on Holly's face, failing spectacularly.

'Very amusing,' Holly said, not sounding the least bit amused and crossing her arms over her chest.

'You're freezing. Come back to bed,' Gail tried.

'Why is there a gun under the bed?'

'Um. Just in case. You know,' Gail puffed out a breath. How to explain? Her head was so full of all the reasons she needed to keep Holly safe. There was her undertaking to Becca and then there was the fact that she loved Holly too much to let anything happen to her. Then there was the fact, that she of all people, should be able to safeguard Holly.

It sounded simple enough, but in reality it was far more complicated. Holly had always been adamant that just because Gail was a police officer it wasn't her job to protect Holly, that their's was a relationship of equals (ha, tell that to Lisa), that they looked out for each other. Yet, Gail also knew Holly was so used to being on her own, so fiercely independent, she sometimes misread Gail's solicitude as paternalistic and controlling. Then Gail would have to explain that was not her intention. Sometimes though, just like earlier this evening at the station, Gail couldn't help but go all Peck – despite her best efforts, it was hard to completely renounce all that indoctrination - and just like this evening, Holly would gently bring her back.

'So if Francine broke into the house, which is a far-fetched scenario anyway, you'd what, shoot her? I mean I guess that's what you cops do. Shoot first, asks questions later.'

Gail bit her lip. 'Holly, I'm not that sort of cop,' she said quietly. Holly didn't really believe that Gail felt certain. She was just lashing out, surely.

Holly blew out a breath, and with it lost the hard look on her face. 'I know,' she sighed heavily, 'it's just. Oh fuck. I'm sorry. That was unfair.'

'I just wanted to make sure you were safe,' Gail said, her voice small.

'Guns don't make me feel safe, you know that,' Holly said.

'It's only while Francine remains a threat. I just thought –'

'What, that you'll keep a gun under the pillow. And when does she stop being a threat? Next week. In a year? Two? How long do we have to live like this?' Holly shivered.

'You're freezing,' Gail said, lifting up the duvet, 'come back to bed.'

'No, I'm going to have a shower and go to work.'

After Holly left the room, Gail lay very still, her face screwed up. She was annoyed with herself for not better explaining why she thought the gun necessary and frustrated by Holly's unwillingness to concede Francine might do her harm.

Normally, she and Holly showered together, which Gail had to admit was not always conducive to getting clean or being on time for work. Ever since that first time, shower sex had been something of a thing for her and Holly. Today, however, Gail was completely certain she would not be welcome, even if it were only to shower.

Coming downstairs for breakfast, Gail found Holly on her way out with Dov.

'He's giving me a ride to the morgue,' she said, kissing Gail quickly but not looking directly at her.

Still not completely forgiven, Gail thought, and that realization made a little bubble of resentment rise up inside her. Fuck, she was only trying to do what was right. Then Holly was gone, out on the porch and moving in the direction of Dov's car. Gail grabbed Dov's arm as he headed out the door.

'Make sure you escort Holly into the morgue, okay,' Gail said, knowing from the way Dov winced she was griping his arm way too tightly.

'Of course,' he nodded, 'don't worry Gail. I'll look out for Holly.'

'Yes, that's Dominic,' Mimi nodded, handing the photo to Elspeth who nodded in confirmation, 'such a nice young man. I hope he's not mixed up in this.'

The photo was taken a few years ago and showed Frank Gimlet with an arm slung around his son's shoulder. They were somewhere tropical, clearly on holiday, and Damien Gimlet looked distinctly uncomfortable like he'd rather be anywhere else than having a photo taken with his old man. Patricia Gimlet had supplied Gail and Dov with the photo when they were at her house the previous evening. 'It's the most recent one I have,' she'd shrugged, 'but if it helps.'

'He looks a little older now,' Elspeth added, 'but that other man in the photo. I recognize him.'

'You do?' Gail asked, 'where from?'

'I've seen him several times, over at the lot. I guess he must own it. It looked like he was inspecting it. Once he had surveyors with him.'

'And have you seen him recently. For example in the last few weeks?' said Chloe She'd accompanied Gail to the costume shop.

'Not that I can recall,' Elspeth said, 'but he's a nasty man.'

'Nasty?' Gail arched an eyebrow.

'Last time he was on the lot, two boys walking their dog stopped to let it defecate on the corner of the lot. The man was furious. Shouted at the boys. Kicked the dog.'

Sounds about right, Gail wanted to say but instead exchanged a knowing look with Chloe.

'I went outside and waved my cane at him,' Elspeth said, 'I threatened to report him to the police.'

'How did he respond?' Gail asked. Elspeth must be close to eighty. The woman had chutzpah that was for sure.

'He swore at me and told me I should be in old people's home,' Elspeth sniffed disparagingly.

'Really?' Gail said, sounding outraged, her newfound admiration for Elspeth making her completely forget that on first meeting the owners of the costume shop she had suggested to Chloe they might be better off in a nursing home.

'Now he, he I could see as a murderer. Not Dominic,' Elspeth poked an arthritic finger at the photo to indicate Frank Gimlet.

'At this stage, we're just hoping Dominic can help us with our inquiries,' Chloe reassured.

'Did Dominic ever say where he lived?' Gail asked.

'No' Mimi shook her head, 'but it must have been near by because one day he had a bag of washing he was taking to the laundromat down the street.'

'And somewhere without laundry facilities,' Gail added.

….

'Yeah, I've seen him, comes in on a semi-regular basis,' Ace, the attendant at the laundromat, said. He was a scruffy sort of fellow, beanie pulled low on his forehead, his clothes baggy and in need of a wash. Not a great advertisement for the business, Gail thought.

'Recently?'

'Ah,' Ace scratched the stubble on his chin so it made an unpleasant rasping sound, 'before Christmas. Probably three weeks back.'

'Did you get the impression he lived around here?'

Ace shrugged. 'Couldn't say. I never spoke to him except to say good morning or afternoon and if he asked for change for the machines. '

'Do you have security cameras?' Chloe asked.

'Nope,' Ace said.

'Okay, well thanks,' Gail handed Ace her card, 'if you remember anything else give us a call.'

They were almost out the door – one of those ones which set off an electronic bell when it was opened, the chimes loud and jarring – when Ace called out.

'Hey detectives, wait. We get a lot of people here from the tent city in Victoria Park. I've seen that guy speaking to some of them.'

'Like he knew them?' Gail asked.

'Yeah, I guess.'

…..

'The Tame Avenger,' Dov said as Gail and Chloe walked back into the detective's pen. He had a big, smug grin on his face like he'd won the lottery or, as it transpired, cracked a code.

'What,' Gail asked, 'isn't being a cop enough for you Dov? Are you becoming a vigilante now? Maybe you can get a cute little outfit with tights and a cape. Oh wait, that wouldn't scare the bad guys off because they'd see how puny you really are.'

Frankie, who was seated next to Dov, suppressed a smirk. It wasn't so much that Gail's comments were particularly amusing, it was more this whole routine Gail had going with Dov where she couldn't pass up a chance to taunt him.

'Ha ha, very funny Gail,' Dov gave a long-suffering sigh, 'it's the name Damien Gimlet used in the chatroom with John Brierly. I've traced all their conversations. They'd been planning to expose EquanimityPlus for a long time. He convinced Brierly to take that footage of the animals in the lab. And get this, the name Damien means one who tames or subdues.'

'Aka the Tame Avenger,' Chloe said.

'Exactly,' Dov grinned.

'That's a relief,' Gail said.

'What is?' Dov asked.

'If Damien is the Tame Avenger, we'll be spared the vision of you in tights.'

'You can talk Gail with your noodle arms.'

Gail arched an eyebrow. 'One I don't have fantasies about being a superhero. Two,' she gestured to her body, 'all this hotness in a skin tight costume, of course, I'm going to look good.'

'Gail, I'm sure you'll mesmerize villains with your magnetism,' Frankie said drily, 'but now children it is time to do some actual work. You know the thing you're paid to do.'

Gail pushed her bottom lip forward in a pout, her eyebrows furrowed exaggeratedly, so she did indeed resemble a child. It was done in jest. Dov, however, looked somewhat chastened. 'She started it,' he began to say, but Frankie held up her hand in a stop gesture.

'Enough.'

'So,' Chloe said, who had regarded the whole exchange with good-natured resignation, 'were you able to get a lead on Damien's location, Dov?'

'I haven't been able to trace an ISP address. He used Internet cafes, libraries and any place he could get free wifi. He was clever - moved around. It had to be deliberate to avoid being traced.'

'Any of those Internet cafes or libraries near Victoria Park?' Gail asked.

Dov pulled up a document on his computer and considered it for a moment.

'Yep, most of them are within a ten-kilometer radius. What are you thinking Gail?'

'I think that's where Damien is living,' Gail said, and then told Dov and Frankie about what Ace had said about Damien knowing people from Victoria Park. 'Plus Mitchell Warner, the junkie John Brierly paid to buy a burner phone was living at Victoria Park. What's the bet Damien knew him and even pointed him out to Brierly.'

'And if Damien was careful about covering his tracks, chances are he wouldn't approach Warner to buy the phone himself,' Chloe said.

'So fancy a trip to Victoria Park,' Frankie said, looking as if she were about to stand and spring into action. She seemed quite buoyed by this information. Unsurprising, Gail thought, given it brought them a step closer to the man who it seemed held the key to this whole thing.

'Not so fast,'Chloe said and, ignoring Frankie, who screwed up her face in annoyance, continued, 'things at Victoria Park are volatile. The city has periodically tried to shut down the camp. The drug squad did a raid a few months back which ended with a number of uniforms and squatters in hospital. It was a low point. Oliver has been working hard to establish good relations with the squatters ever since. I don't think we should go in there without clearing it with him first.'

'Oh, I remember that raid. It was a fiasco,' Frankie said, 'it will probably go in the training manual of how not to do a raid. I'll talk to Oliver,' Frankie started to rise up out of the chair again.

'He's at a meeting in the big building. Won't be back until 2 pm,' Dov said.

'Damm,' Frankie sat back down again, 'let's get lunch. Meet back here in an hour.'

…..

Ten minutes later Frankie and Gail were standing at the counter of one of Gail's regular cafés. It was halfway between 15 and the morgue and was the go-to place for Holly's favorite sandwich. Not that Gail wanted to think about Holly. Not right now, at least. Not until she came up with a plan for how to deal with this whole Francine thing. A plan Holly would agree to. Problem was, short of charging Francine, Gail couldn't think of what else to do to protect Holly.

'Oh shit,' Frankie said, for all intents and purposes sounding like the world was coming to an end, which was dramatic for the normally unflappable detective.

'What,' Gail said, looking around wildly, and instinctively reaching for her gun.

'Shit, don't look,' Frankie grabbed her arm urgently and pulled Gail back to face the counter, 'she'll notice us.'

'Who?' Gail started to turn around again but Frankie stopped her.

'I said don't look,' she hissed.

'Look at what?' Gail was beginning to feel irritated. It was annoying enough that Frankie wasn't explaining what was going on, but the way she kept grabbing Gail's arm was starting to grate. 'And stop touching me.'

Frankie ostentatiously removed her hand from Gail's wrist. 'It's Alannah. Having lunch with Holly.'

'Where,' Gail turned automatically at the mention of Holly. Frankie grabbed the back of Gail's leather jacket and was pulling her back, but it was too late. Holly and it seemed Alannah had spotted them. Holly had a wide smile. Weird. Maybe she was forgiven, Gail thought.

'Fuck, now they've seen us, Peck. You better go over and say something.'

'Why don't you go talk to them,' Gail whined.

'Because Alannah's not speaking to me.'

'Or actually, you're not speaking to Alannah.'

'Whatever,' Frankie waved her hand dismissively, 'why don't you want to speak to Holly? Normally you take any excuse to orbit her.'

'Orbit? What the fuck Anderson?'

'You know what I mean. You can't keep away from Holly. So what's up? And by the way, she's waving.'

Gail looked down at her boots and twisted her mouth. 'I put a gun under the bed last night,' she blurted out in a rush, the omission making her feel a little embarrassed because of course, she should have known how Holly would react.

'And Holly found it in this morning?' Frankie ask. Gail nodded. 'Jesus, you're an idiot, Peck. Go and apologize.'

'What? I was just trying to keep her safe.'

'Holly hates guns. You know that,' Frankie's tone was incredulous, 'and what were you going to do if Francine broke in. Shoot her? That'd go down well with the top brass.''

'Yeah, yeah. It was a dumb idea.'

'So go tell her that,' Frankie gave Gail a little push in the direction of Holly and Alannah's table.

Gail scowled. A moment ago Frankie was trying to make her pretend she hadn't seen Holly and Alannah. Now she was practically ordering her to go talk to Holly. Gail looked up. Holly was still smiling, although there was a hint of puzzlement in her expression. Gail bit her lip and then, taking a deep breath, threaded her way through the other tables until she reached Holly and Alannah. It would have been easy to miss them. They were seated at the back - the café was a popular place and being lunchtime it was especially busy.

'For a minute there I wondered if you were ignoring us,' Holly said, but she was smiling. The lop-sided smile that made Gail's heart catch.

Before Gail could reply, Alannah spoke. 'Well, clearly Frankie is,' she said, looking beyond Gail to the front counter.

Gail whipped her head around to see Frankie disappearing out the door.

'Apparently, we are all of six years old,' she said apologetically but Alannah was already standing.

'I'm going to talk to her,' she said determinedly and hurried off after Frankie.

'So you were ignoring me? 'Holly asked, sounding surprised.

'I,' Gail shifted from one foot to the other, at a loss for what to say. It was unusual for her to be uncomfortable around Holly of all people. 'I think I'm an idiot.'

'No, you're not,' Holly flashed that warm smile again and patted the seat next to her, 'sit down for a minute.'

'Okay,' Gail said, uncertainly, like she was expecting to be chastised. Holly was seated on a long, cushioned bench that ran the length of the back wall and, given the nearness of the adjacent table, Gail had no choice but to squeeze in next to her.

'Why do you think you're an idiot?'

'I should never have done that thing last night,' Gail said, lowering her voice and deliberately avoiding using the word 'gun' given the close proximity of the neighboring tables.

'What particular thing are you referring to Gail,' Holly smirked, her voice suddenly husky.

Gail colored. 'Not that thing,' she said in a hoarse whisper, but not quiet enough that a woman at the adjoining table didn't look up in amusement. She smiled at Gail which made Gail even more flustered because really the woman was quite cute. Short black hair and an impish smile, and if Holly wasn't back in Gail's life she was just the sort of person Gail might strike up a conversation with. 'That other thing. You know. The thing you didn't like.'

'Oh,' Holly said, as understanding dawned on her, 'oh. Is that why you were avoiding me.'

'I thought you were mad,' Gail said, pulling at a loose thread on the cushion, 'it seemed like you couldn't wait to get away this morning.' She stopped and glanced at the woman at the other table who seemed to be taking an even keener interest in the conversation. Not appreciating the eavesdropping, Gail shifted even closer to Holly. At this rate, she thought, she'd be in Holly's lap before long. 'And I felt like you didn't want to kiss me goodbye.'

'Oh honey,' Holly said, taking Gail's hand, 'I thought you were mad at me for not pressing charges against Francine and because you think I'm not taking her threats seriously enough.'

'Oh. So we're both idiots,' Gail said quietly.

Holly didn't say anything, just shifted so she was facing Gail. Then she cupped her hands around Gail's cheeks and kissed her on the lips. 'Better,' she said, pulling back.

'Much better,' Gail grinned, leaning in for another kiss. Although this time she lingered longer, forgetting for a moment where they were. Holly broke the kiss again and then looked across at the next table. Gail followed her gaze. The eavesdropping woman was regarding them with interest.

'I think your admirer is disappointed,' Holly teased in a whisper, leaning into Gail.

'My what,' Gail made a face. She'd seen the look the woman had given her. The once over when she sat down, but she wasn't going to admit that to Holly. She was used to people, women and men, finding her hot, but it didn't make her big headed. It was just a matter of fact. Most of them didn't stick around once they got to know her. Holly had but then Holly wasn't most people. It was a reason to love Holly unreservedly, but just one among many and not the most compelling either. Deciding to ignore the reference to the woman at the other table, Gail said earnestly, 'Look, Holly, I know I screwed up.'

'You were worried,' Holly interrupted, 'and you were right. I've been in denial. I didn't really want to admit this was happening.'

'Okay,' Gail could hear the wariness in her voice, 'why the change of heart.'

'It's not exactly a change of heart. I still think Francine needs help. Alannah agrees.'

'Yeah,' Gail tried not to sound dubious.

'Alannah thought there was something not quite right about Francine the very first time they met. The night of Lisa's birthday, she noticed Francine seemed angry that people, well mainly me, were ignoring her. Apparently, there have been a few incidents at the hospital too. Other staff have commented Francine likes everything to revolve around her.'

'Well, yeah duh she's a narcissist,' Gail said, as it were the most obvious thing in the world.

'Close but no cigar,' Holly smiled, 'Alannah suspects Francine has histrionic personality disorder and I'm inclined to agree. I'm kind of annoyed with myself for not picking it up sooner.'

'Histrionic as in melodramatic? Holly, I think this is more than that.'

'You're right, it's more than melodrama. True, people with this kind of personality disorder can be theatrical and overly emotional, but that's because they crave attention. In fact, they hate not being the center of attention and will even use sex to get that attention. Even in inappropriate situations like at work.'

'Or when people clearly aren't interested.'

'Yeah,' Holly twisted her mouth ruefully.

'Holly, I hate to ask again but what did you ever see in Francine?'

Holly blew out a breath. 'Histrionic personality types can be very charming and flirtatious, you know the life of the party. Confident, enthusiastic, full of ideas. Francine was all those things. I mean I could tell she was shallow, which also fits with this personality, but she was kinda pursuing me and I just felt like sex. It had been a while and Francine seemed like a good time girl. I thought it would be uncomplicated. I was only after a one-night stand.'

'So you had a few of those when you were in San Francisco – one night stands,' Gail asked, wondering why she was jealous but feeling that way none the less, even though she felt absolutely secure in her relationship with Holly.

'A few, yeah,' Holly said, 'you know that Gail. We've talked about it. You didn't expect me to be a nun while we were apart.'

It was had talked. Indeed Gail had come to the conclusion it was actually better Holly hadn't had anything other than a few casual and not at all serious relationships and the occasional one night stand because otherwise, she may not have been open, or, in fact, available for anything with Gail. Holly had laughed at that. 'You have no idea, do you,' she'd said when Gail mentioned it. There was disbelief in her voice but also a hint of wonder. 'It was only ever going to be you.' God if only Gail had been aware of that. She could have saved Holly from the disaster of Francine.

'Yeah, yeah,' Gail said now, 'I just wish one of those one night stands hadn't been Francine.'

'You and me both,' Holly winced.

'So what do we do now? I'm guessing this personality disorder isn't a new thing for Francine. So other people may be willing to come forward and make a complaint about her behavior.'

'Or perhaps they already have. Francine frequently changes jobs. My guess is she's running from those complaints.'

'Is stalking typical of people with this disorder.'

'Not necessarily, ' Holly mused.

'But it kind of fits. The more you reject her, the more fixated she becomes and maybe that's because you're not giving her the attention she craves.'

'Could be,' Holly agreed.

'So this is only going to escalate. Holly, I know you don't want to hear this, but you should charge Francine.'

'Can we just wait until we track down other complaints. Alannah said she'd ask around at the hospital - discretely of course. Apparently, Francine treads a fine line between friendly and flirty with colleagues and patients. If we get enough evidence of misconduct we could approach the hospital to take disciplinary action.'

Gail frowned. Would disciplinary action put a stop to Francine's obsession with Holly? It was unlikely. Before Gail could voice her doubts, one of the guys who worked behind the counter appeared with two brown paper bags.

'Here's your order, Gail. I didn't know if you wanted to eat here or,' he trailed off.

'Um thanks, Brett,' Gail said, taking the sandwiches. She was enough of a regular that the wait staff knew her by name, and had probably figured out Holly was her girlfriend, 'but I should go find my colleague.' She didn't immediately stand, but waited until Brett left before turning back to Holly. 'John Brierly,' she said, speaking quietly so any nosey diners like the woman at the neighboring table couldn't eavesdrop.

'Yes,' Holly said, looking unfazed at the sudden change in topic.

'I know you like the idea of the guillotine but could Brierly have been decapitated by a Samurai sword.'

'It's possible,' Holly said slowly, clearly considering the option, 'I only liked the idea of him being guillotined because it seemed a fitting end for someone who experimented on animals, given that's how labs often dispose of mice once they've finished with them.'

'Jeez Holly, you're as macabre as me,' Gail grinned wickedly.

'Must have been hanging around you too long,' Holly smiled teasingly and then turned serious, 'why a Samurai sword?'

'The ex Mrs Gimlet has two hanging on a wall in her house. Apparently, Frank Gimlet brought them back from a trip to Japan.'

'Does that put her in the frame?'

'We can't rule her out, but Gimlet still has access to the house so it could just as easily be him.'

'I can check it out,' Holly said, 'but I'd guess if the blade was sharp enough it would make a clean cut.'

Gail stood. 'I better go find Frankie.'

'You don't think she and Alannah are making up. They've been gone long enough.'

'We can only hope. Frankie's doing that –,'she paused and flapped her hands about, looking for the right description.

'Cat up a tree thing,' Holly interjected.

'Yeah, I guess and so far I haven't been able to talk her down.'

'Maybe Alannah will have better luck. I mean, look at you and me. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't I the first one to talk you out of the tree.'

'Yeah, well I had no choice. You wouldn't stop talking Stewart,' Gail kidded, 'I had to do something to stop the verbal diarrhea.'

'Okay, shouldn't you be off saving the city. Go and do some work, detective,' Holly said, arching an eyebrow and pretending to be miffed as Gail leaned down to give her a quick kiss. 'And honey,' she added as Gail straightened up, her tone now one of concern, 'stay safe.'

'Always,' Gail grinned impishly.

Once outside, Gail looked left and then right in search of Frankie. Then she peered across the street to where she'd parked the car. Oh just great, Frankie and Alannah were in the front kissing. Now she'd have to go break it up, which would be awkward and put Frankie in a bad mood. But it was great, actually, she realized, because it must mean the two women were sorting things out. Either that or they couldn't keep their hands off each other.

Before she had a chance to move, Gail heard an 'excuse me' from behind her. Turning, she found the dark haired woman from inside who had taken such a keen interest in she and Holly.

'Uh, yeah,' Gail said uncertainly.

'Is that Holly Stewart you were talking to inside just then,' the woman asked.

'Um, why'd you want to know?''

'I'm a resident at the hospital. I work with Francine Hart. According to her, Holly is her girlfriend. So either Holly's cheating or Francine's delusional.'

The way she phrased the question it was more like she doubted Francine. Gail regarded the woman for a moment. She seemed okay. Still, the chances, in a city the size of Toronto, of sitting next to someone in a café who worked with Francine were surely remote. Admittedly, the hospital was only a block away and Gail was aware hospital staff often ate at the café. Electing to trust her gut feeling, Gail said, 'Definitely delusional. Holly is my girlfriend. We live together.'

'I figured, you know, that it was you two who were together. That didn't look like cheating back there,' she indicated the café with her thumb.

'How did you know who Holly is?'

'Francine has photos of her plastered all over Facebook and stuck up at work. She said she and Holly moved to Toronto when Holly got a job with the Department of Forensics.'

'Actually, Holly and I were together before Holly moved back. Listen, I'm a police detective,' Gail pulled out her badge and showed it to the woman, 'Francine has been – ' She stopped. This was tricky. She needed to be careful about how she worded this. Francine was part of an active investigation but it was Gail's conduct, not her's which was under the microscope. Gail was certain Elaine had instructed Fiona Vincent to dig up any dirt on Francine, but until Holly filed a formal complaint she wasn't the one under investigation.

'Harassing you,' the woman suggested when Gail's pause stretched for too long.

'Yeah,' Gail grimaced, 'um would you be willing to talk to some of my colleagues about this, sorry I don't know your name.'

'Gemma Lister. Give me your phone. I'll add my number.'

As Gail handed over her cell, it struck her how to an observer this would look like a classic pick up. It certainly had an element of that, which may have had something to do with the way Gemma had checked her out in the café.

Gemma clearly sensed the vibe. 'So if things don't work out with you and Holly,' she trailed off as she returned Gail's phone.

'Not a chance,' Gail smiled softly.

'I thought as much,' Gemma sighed, 'it's pretty obvious you guys are head over heels.'

'Hey, have there been any issues with Francine at work?' Gail said, deciding it best to steer the conversation in a different direction. Not that the question wasn't real. Gail was extremely curious to hear what Gemma had to say.

'You bet. Don't get me wrong. She has her fans. They're usually the ones she outrageously flirts with, but let me tell you that behavior rubs the rest of us up the wrong way. She always big notes herself. She's the best surgeon, has the best manner with patients, is the most liked, most innovative. The list goes on. Some people, staff and patients, fall for it but there have been cases were she's overstepped.'

'How do you mean?'

'Francine's convinced patients to undertake dangerous and possibly unnecessary procedures, but she comes on so strong and they are so blinded by her personality they agree.'

'Have any of those surgeries gone wrong?'

'A few, I believe, including some fatalities. I mean this is just stuff I'm hearing from other residents.'

'Would any of them be willing to come forward and speak about it?'

'I reckon quite a few,' Gemma nodded.

'Okay, here's my card. Maybe don't mention this at work just yet. Obviously, this isn't something I can investigate and I'm not sure how my colleagues will want to proceed.'

'Sure,' Gemma said, looking at the card.'Detective Gail Peck,' she read, 'it was a pleasure meeting you.'

'Um, yeah, yeah,' Gail responded awkwardly. Jeez, what was wrong with her. It seemed like the only person she knew how to flirt with these days was Holly. Anyone else made her feel uncomfortable. Gemma seemed to take pity on her, giving her a small smile and a nod, before sauntering off.

Alannah was getting out of the car when Gail crossed the street. Her lips were slightly swollen from kissing and Gail guessed Frankie's look the same.

'Ah Gail,' Alannah said, somewhat flustered, the color in her cheeks high, 'you got lunch. Good. See you soon.' Then she headed back in the direction of the café.

'All sorted?' Gail asked, opening the passenger door. She was rewarded with a scowl. 'Shift over. I need you to drive, Anderson,' Gail added without explanation.

'So, why am I driving?' Frankie asked as she nosed the car into the traffic.

'I'll tell you in a minute,' Gail said, not looking up from scrolling through her phone, 'but first, what's going on with you and Alannah.'

'We're having dinner tonight. We're going to talk,' Frankie said, her voice expressionless, clearly not wanting to reveal much but the lack of bite in her tone was a giveaway. When Gail glanced up she saw Frankie looked the most cheerful she had in days. No longer glowering but actually quite optimistic.

'So it seems you didn't do much talking just now,' Gail raised an eyebrow and looked directly at Frankie, who actually reddened. Super cool, love 'em and leave 'em Frankie actually blushed.

'Don't know what you're talking about.'

'Really. You want me to describe exactly what I just witnessed. You know I have excellent recall, Anderson.'

'I didn't figure you for a perv Peck,'

'Bit hard to miss what was going on when you were sucking face so enthusiastically.'

'Sucking face. When did you become so crude? I thought being with Holly might have made you a little more refined,' Frankie said.

'You forget I still have to hang around you all day,' Gail sassed. 'But no denying it now. Frankie, you're smitten,' she said before returning to the phone.

'Whatever Peck. What's got you so fascinated with your phone? Holly messaging love hearts or something.'

'Aha! Here it is. Gemma was telling the truth. Francine Hart has a Facebook page filled with photos of Holly. God, she's so attention seeking she doesn't even block strangers from looking at her account.'

'Okay, backup Gail. What are you talking about and who is Gemma?'

So Gail filled Frankie in on her conversation with Gemma, as well as Alannah's theory about Francine having histrionic personality disorder.

'Francine has posted photos taken at Lisa's birthday, and one that must be from the night she had dinner at Rachel's when she tried to kiss Holly in the kitchen,' Gail said as she continued scrolling. 'Oh fuck, there's even some of Holly outside our house. They must have been taken with a long-distance lens. Jesus, listen to this post. "I have the most awesome girlfriend in the world – love you Holly Stewart" and "Holly has taught me the true meaning of love. For that, I am eternally grateful".'

'What the fuck? Why hasn't Lisa said anything? She must be friends with Francine on Facebook.'

'Nah, she doesn't have an account. Claims Facebook is passé. I suspect she's too busy to use it, plus she's been extra cautious since that guy stalked her.'

'Okay, you have to tell Fiona Vincent. This a serious obsession.'

'And I need to break the news to Holly.'

'Do it in person but call Fiona Vincent now,' Frankie said kindly, no trace in her voice of the bite of a moment before.

Fiona Vincent didn't pick up so Gail left a message. When they reached the station, Chloe was practically bouncing up and down like an over eager puppy. Given the events of the past hour, Gail wasn't sure she had the patience for Chloe's excitability.

'What is it muppet?' Frankie asked, amused rather than irritated by Chloe's irrepressibility. Ever since Frankie and Chloe had become friends, the word muppet had entered the slightly weird bantering vernacular the two shared.

'You'll never guess who did fencing lessons,' Chloe gushed.

'Donald Trump,' Gail offered.

'Ha ha. Very funny Gail. Frank Gimlet. He almost made it to the 1992 Olympic games. Apparently just missed out being picked for the Canadian team.'

'Really,' Frankie said, 'would a fencer have the skills to behead someone?'

'It's not exactly what they teach in fencing school,' Gail said drily.

'And you're what, an expert?' Dov said.

'Um, I may have had some lessons,' Gail mumbled, painfully aware she had just flushed red.

'Really,' Frankie chuckled, 'you got dressed up in a white suit and said en garde.'

'It was Elaine's idea. I didn't last long, ' Gail twisted her mouth, partly at the memory, partly in embarrassment at having to reveal this part of her past. 'But you use finer rapier swords and the swordplay or fight is quite controlled and precise. You know parrying and ripostes, that sort of thing.'

'But Gimlet would be comfortable with a sword,' Frankie said.

'I guess. His interest in fencing may be the reason he bought the Samurai swords. Chloe, does he still fence?'

'It appears he gave it up after failing to get into the Olympics. Not long after he married the first Mrs Gimlet and set up EquanimityPlus.'

'So no time to lunge or feint,' Dov said, looking smug because he knew some fencing terms.

'I have a feeling that's all he knows what to do,' Gail said, recalling that on every single occasion she and Frankie had spoken to Gimlet he'd been combative. In fact, with each meeting, Gail became more and more convinced he was hiding something.

Before they could discuss Gimlet and fencing any further, Oliver appeared, not looking quite as genial as usual. 'I hear you're looking for a suspect who might be living in Victoria Park?' The way he said it, Gail got the impression a visit to the park was not an easy thing.

'Not necessarily a suspect,' she said, 'but definitely someone who can help us with this case.'

'Hmm,' Oliver considered for a moment, 'the thing is ever since the bungled raid the relationship between us and the squatters is volatile. They can sniff out a cop a mile away. If you went in there unannounced, all hell could break lose again.'

'That's,' Frankie paused, 'crazy. If someone's broken the law the police have a right to go after them. There can't be no go zones. These squatters aren't above the law.'

'Of course not,' Oliver said, not at all fazed by Frankie's belligerent tone, 'but to avoid a situation we need to tread carefully. I've been liaising with two of the squatters – Josh Parsons and Louisa Johnson - the camp is supposedly non-hierarchical but the two of them are the unofficial leaders. They will cooperate with the police as long as we speak to them first. Explain what we want.'

'Fair enough,' Gail said, 'so when can we meet with them.'

'I'll try and set up something for this afternoon.'

After Oliver left, Gail went outside and tried to call Holly. She was hoping she might be able to duck out to tell her about Francine's Facebook posts. When she didn't pick up, Gail put a call through to Holly's assistant Sally.

'Oh, Dr Stewart has just gone into a meeting,' Sally said, 'she'll probably be tied up for the next hour. Can I take a message, dear?'

'No,' Gail said, 'actually yes. Can you tell Holly I'll come collect her after work.' Frankie was right. She should talk to Holly about the Facebook posts in person, and it was probably best if she waited until they were home.

Shortly after, Oliver reappeared with news that Josh and Louisa would meet them in a café close to Victoria Park. Frankie decided she and Gail should accompany Oliver, leaving Dov to keep trawling through Brierly's online life. She pulled Chloe aside as they were leaving.

'Can you just check Francine Hart's employment record. See if any complaints have been lodged against her and why she changes jobs so often. On the quiet.'

Chloe nodded. 'Does Gail know you're asking me to do this?'

'No,' Frankie shook her head, 'let's see what you can dig up before we say anything. And hey thanks, Chloe.'

'Anything to help Gail and Holly.'

Gail was just coming out of the locker room when she overheard the exchange. She knew she wasn't supposed to have been privy to the conversation, but it made her feel supported and yes cared about like she meant something to Chloe and Frankie. Of course, they'd like Holly, because duh who wouldn't, Gail reasoned, but to know she counted, well it meant something. Not that she'd be telling Frankie or Chloe that anytime soon.

The neighborhood surrounding Victoria Park was fairly well-heeled, home to young families and professionals, the streets lined with big old oak trees which in the warmer months when the leaves were out, lent them a grandeur. While for the most part people tolerated the camp, there was disquiet among some residents about a motley crew of homeless people literally squatting in their backyard, and some outrage the police hadn't moved them on.

But where were they to go, Gail wondered. Emergency accommodation was stretched to the limit, wait lists for public housing were groaning and most of the people in the camp didn't have the means to rent a place privately. After initially trying to shut down the camp, the authorities had tacitly agreed to turn a blind-eye as long as no one from the camp caused trouble.

Josh was a bear of a man. Grey hair tied back in a ponytail and a grizzled beard. He clasped Oliver's hand in a firm grip, smiling broadly. 'Sergeant Shaw. Oliver,' he said.

Where Josh was large, Louise was petite. Frizzy hair in two braids piled on top of her head, her features were delicate, her mouth shaped like a bow. She was probably ten years Josh's junior, but together they radiated a calm and centeredness, a kind of easy assurance as if nothing would surprise or disconcert them. Ex-hippies, Gail guessed, or perhaps not so ex. Holly's parents would doubtless be quite comfortable talking to them. Becca and Kurt. Gail had promised to keep them in the loop as far as Francine was concerned. She should tell them about the latest developments, though of course, she needed to talk to Holly first.

'He's a suspect?' Josh asked after carefully examining the photograph of Damien Gimlet. The five of them were seated at a wide wooden table.

'Possibly,' Frankie hedged, and then trotted out the standard line, 'we believe he can help us with our inquiry.'

Josh looked at her impassively. Okay, so less laid back than he first appeared, Gail decided.

'I'm actually concerned he knows something which may put him in danger, possibly even of being killed,' Gail said, aware she was going out on a limb. Frankie shot her a reproving look. If Oliver was surprised by her revelation, he didn't show it. Gail knew it was risky, but they had to do something to make these people trust them. Anyway, it was what she believed. Damien Gimlet wasn't the killer but she was damm sure he knew who was.

Josh regarded Gail for a moment and then looked across at Louisa, who inclined her head as if agreeing to something.

'It's a murder investigation?' Josh asked.

Gail nodded. 'It's possible he knows the killer's identity, and the killer is aware of that. I think Damien, or Dominic as you know him, may need protection.'

'Dominic hasn't been around the camp for weeks.' It was Louisa who spoke. 'He disappeared right after that animal rights protest he organized. I guessed he needed to lie low. Maybe was feeling the heat a bit.'

'So you haven't seen him since?' Oliver asked.

'Actually, he turned up just before Christmas,' Josh admitted, 'just for a few nights. I saw him briefly. I didn't mention it to Louisa. Dominic didn't say where he'd been. He seemed a bit spooked. I even asked if he was in some sort of trouble but he just laughed and told me to chill and stop trying to solve the world's problems.'

'Any idea where he may have gone?' Oliver asked. Both Louisa and Josh shook their heads.

'Will you contact us if he comes back to the camp?' Gail asked.

'I'm guessing you don't want us to tell him the police are after him.'

'Not if you want to keep him safe,' Gail said, 'he's likely to run if he knows we want to speak to him.'

On the way back to the car, they passed a jewelry shop already advertising Valentine's Day.

'Jeez, Christmas is barely over and already they're trying to get us to buy presents for Valentines,' Gail grumbled.

'Not a fan of the day?' Oliver asked.

'It's just commercial bullshit,' Gail shook her head.

'Ever petulant Detective Peck,' Oliver smiled secretively like he knew Gail wasn't really that cynical.

Once in the car, Frankie sighed elaborately. 'I think you overstepped back there, detective,' she said to Gail.

'It got Louise and Josh to cooperate,' Gail shrugged, 'and I'm convinced Damien is on the run from the killer.'

'Except he was in Toronto around Christmas. That puts him in the right place at the right time to decapitate Brierly.'

'How do we know Damien hasn't been in Toronto this whole time. It still doesn't make him a murderer,' Gail said. Just then her phone pinged with a message from Holly saying she'd be working late and could Gail collect her at 7 pm.

...

It was 5 pm by the time Frankie, Oliver and Gail returned to the station. Frankie decided to call it a night,

'We can't do anything more today,' she told the team, 'get a good night's sleep. Let's look at this with fresh eyes in the morning.'

Holly wouldn't be ready for another two hours. Despite feeling fatigued, Gail decided to go swimming. There was too much going on in her head and the steady repetition of laps might help sort those thoughts into some kind of order, or at least help her figure how to get Francine out of their lives.

It seemed like they were always reacting to Francine, never on the front foot. Gail hadn't admitted it to Frankie, but Francine's Facebook posts had spiked her anxiety. It literally felt like a band of fear, like a cold, hard metal belt was being tightened around her. She knew she was on edge, trying to suppress the memories, that had inevitably surfaced, of Perick's basement. Trying to stay strong for Holly, because keeping Holly safe was the priority.

Then there was Brierly's case. It was hard going too. A slow chipping away that had left Gail convinced finding Damien Gimlet was a matter of urgency. She wasn't certain Frankie shared this view. 'Even if Gimlet is the murderer, would he kill his own son?' Frankie had asked, the skepticism plain in her voice.

Just as she finished her final lap, Gail noticed someone standing at the end of the lane. Thinking they wanted to ask if they could share her lane, Gail looked up but it wasn't a lap swimmer. No, this person was fully dressed. She stood with feet planted firmly apart, hands clenched in tight fists at her side and a look of madness in her eyes. Gail knew that look. Perick had worn it.

Without thinking, Gail hauled herself out of the pool so she was standing so close she was dripping water on Francine. It gave Gail a small sense of satisfaction. Petty, she knew, but then being dressed only in a pair of swimmers put her at a distinct disadvantage for a confrontation with Francine.

'Francine,' Gail said icily.

'Stay way from her. You hear. Stay away from Holly.' Francine's voice started to rise, so much so other people at the facility turned their heads. Gail wished she'd gone to the Police Academy pool, but then this one was closer to the morgue.

'Bit hard when Holly is my girlfriend and lives with me,' Gail said quietly, coolly, not wanting to unnecessarily incite Francine.

'Holly doesn't know what's good for her.'

'And you do,' Gail took a step toward Francine so there was practically no distance between them. It was intended to intimidate. It probably wasn't the best idea, but the way Francine spoke – smug and possessive – chilled Gail. There was a menace behind the words and Gail found she could no longer pretend to be unaffected. When Francine claimed she knew what was best for Holly, Gail had a flash of Perick tending her head wound in the basement, careful and solicitous, all the while fantasizing about the depravities he would subject her to.

'You stupid, ignorant bitch,' Francine grabbed Gail's upper arms and gripped hard, 'stay away if you know what's good for you.' She was practically shouting now.

It didn't take much for Gail to get out of Francine's hold. She was a police officer after all. She was tempted to spin Francine around and pin her hands behind her back, but was acutely conscious of how many people had gathered to witness this exchange. Given Francine had already accused her of intimidation and given Fiona Vincent's investigation into that complaint, restraining Francine may not play out well.

'Are you threatening a police officer?' Gail said, taking a step back.

Before Francine could answer, a pool attendant stepped forward. 'Is everything alright here?' he asked.

It was on the tip of Gail's tongue to say 'gravy' but she checked herself. However, in the time it took for her to turn to the attendant, Francine had made a run for the exit.

'Domestic altercation?' a guy in too tight speedos asked.

Gail sighed. Once dressed and in the parking lot, Gail put a call through to Fiona Vincent.

'Francine Hart just approached me and told me to stay away from Holly.'

'Where were you?''

'The swimming pool. She was waiting for me at the end of my lane. She must have followed me.'

Fiona swore. 'This is spiraling. Any witnesses?'

'A pool attendant and a couple of other people at the facility. Problem is, most of them were under the impression it was a domestic dispute.'

'Gail, I have to ask this, you know I do. Is there any chance Holly gave Francine any encouragement? Maybe they started seeing each other on the quiet after Francine moved to Toronto.'

Gail laughed derisively. 'Not a chance. Ask Holly. She'll say the same thing.'

'I will have to ask her,' Fiona said apologetically.

'Fiona, you've met Holly. She's not a cheater. You can check with Lisa. I guarantee she'll back that up.'

'Okay,' Fiona sighed, 'Did Francine threaten you?'

'She came close but she's too clever for that.'

'Gail, you need to convince Holly to press charges. It's the only way to contain this. Do you think now that Francine's approached you, Holly will take action.'

'Maybe, but there is also something else.' Then Gail explained about Francine's Facebook.

'Okay. This is enough to get a restraining order. Can you and Holly meet me at the station at 8 am tomorrow? To formally press charges. And If you can't change her mind about pressing charges, then I will.'

'Yeah,' Gail said doubtfully, wondering why Fiona thought she might have more sway over Holly, 'Holly believes Francine has a mental illness and we should be getting her help.'

'Yeah, well I've uncovered some information I believe will make Holly think very differently about Dr Hart.'

'Misconduct.'

'You know I can't give you details, Gail. At least not until I've spoken to Holly, but yeah, there have been complaints.'

As Gail went to hang up, Fiona spoke again, 'And Gail, don't do anything stupid.'

'Jesus, you're worried about me being out of control,' Gail snapped, 'Fiona, I'm not the crazy one here.'

Holly had a Samurai sword raised high above her head and she brought it down swiftly and with great force upon the neck of the body laid on the slab before her. The head rolled off to the side, and Natasha caught it before it fell onto the floor.

'Jesus,' Gail said. She was standing at the door to the lab, and for a moment in her state of, well, hyper-vigilance, she guessed that's how you might describe in, but anyway just for a second she thought she was hallucinating. It was a fearsome image, the sight of Holly brandishing the sword. Kind of bad-ass too, like Holly was a warrior from an ancient army.

'Oh, hi honey,' Holly smiled, 'is it 7 already?'

'Um, Holly,' Gail said, not moving from the doorway, 'what are you doing.'

'Testing your theory about the Samurai sword.'

'Is it okay to use a corpse to do that?'

'Buddy here was donated to the Med School for students to practice on. I've got a contact there, a professor who owes me a favor after I gave those lectures on forensics. Anyway, he agreed to let me behead buddy. We need to return him by morning. Some budding surgeons are going to be cutting into him tomorrow.'

'Okay,' Gail advanced into the room and gave a nod in Natasha's direction. 'What do you think?'

'Nice, clean cut,' Holly said, 'we'll measure and photograph it, but take a look at the neck. It looks a lot like the severing around John Brierly's neck. The sharpness of the blade will have an impact, and we'll do a proper comparison tomorrow, but I'm almost ready to put money on a Samurai sword as the murder weapon.'

'Really,' Gail said. At last, something of a breakthrough.

'Don't get too excited yet, detective. We still need to make that comparison,' Holly said as she pulled off her gloves. 'Dr LaPaige, do you mind finishing up here.'

'No problem,' Natasha said, 'you guys have a good night.'

'Where did you get a Samurai sword anyway?' Gail asked as she and Holly walked out of the lab.

'One of the technicians is a martial arts fanatic. We borrowed it from him.'

'How very weird. I'm not sure I'd want to have something lying around my house that had sliced off a dead man's head.'

'The technician works in a morgue. He's surrounded by dead bodies. I somehow don't think that bothered him.'

'Oh yes, I see what you mean,' Gail took Holly's hand, but as she did so she had the distinct feeling they were being watched. She turned her head quickly to look behind her, and then to either side, but there was no one there. If she and Holly were in one of those horror movies, they'd be filmed from behind, the privileging of the observer's perspective robbing them of agency and making them seem vulnerable, the camera angle creeping and full of foreboding, the music haunting.

'Everything all right?' Holly asked.

'Yeah,' Gail smiled weakly. She decided to wait until they were home before talking to Holly about Francine.

...

Once at the house, Holly announced she needed to shower. 'Wash the morgue off,' she said.

'And I thought that was just you,' Gail teased, 'I'll get dinner started.'

She was pulling things out of the refrigerator when there was a knock on the door. Drawing her gun, Gail looked through the peephole. Lisa.

'I've got wine and beer for,' Lisa started to say.

'Beer for the blue-collar girlfriend,' Gail interrupted

'Very funny,' Lisa said, clearly noticing but not saying anything about the gun Gail had hastily tucked back into the waistband of her jeans. 'I thought you and Holly might need a drink. Fiona called me. To confirm what you said about Holly's fidelity. Which I told her was unshakable when it comes to you. Anyway, Fiona mentioned Francine threatened you.'

'Francine threatened you,' came Holly's voice from the stairs. It was incredulous and outraged and hard. 'Why didn't you tell me, Gail?'

'I was going to. Over dinner,' Gail said, stuttering a little and biting her lip. Not sure how it was that she was in trouble for this.

'We need to go to the station now. I want to press charges.'

'Okay hang on. Firstly, Fiona wants us to meet her at 8 am tomorrow with a view to pressing charges, and secondly, why did it take me being threatened for you to take action?'

'Because,' Holly tilted her head to one side and smiled softly, 'because it's you, Gail.' Her voice was gentle and it made Gail realize Holly's outburst of just before had been directed squarely at Francine and not her.

'You don't think I feel the same way about you?' Gail asked.

'We all need a drink,' Lisa said decisively.

'Yeah, there are a couple of other things I need to tell you about Francine, too,' Gail said.

By the end of the evening, Holly was on her way to being quite drunk. Lisa kept topping up her glass. Gail stuck to two beers, deciding someone needed to be sober.

'I dodged a bullet,' Lisa said, 'I mean I actually considered sleeping with Francine.'

'Oh god,' Holly said, 'sex with her was awful. It was like a bad porno. She kept saying things like give it to me baby, fuck me hard, I want to feel you fill me up baby, and let me spread my juices all over you.'

Lisa started to laugh so hard she nearly fell off her chair, and Gail blocked her ears and started saying 'la la la, I'm not listening. I don't want to know,' and before long Holly had joined Lisa in a fit of giggles.

'Seriously?' Gail said, taking her hands off her ears.

'Yep,' Holly popped the 'p'. Then she turned more serious. 'Of course, I know there are female stalkers, but whenever I picture a stalker, I think of men.'

'By far, more are men,' Gail said.

'Mine was male,' Lisa said, 'hey Holly, you and me, we're in the stalkee's club. Sorry, Gail, you don't make it.'

'Yeah, I just got kidnapped,' Gail said drily.

'Oh shit,' Lisa said, frowning at her faux par but too drunk to know what to say. Holly had told her a little about Perick. Gail knew that. In fact, back when Holly and Lisa were living at Rachel's place, had asked Holly to explain to the two other women why she was weird around things like taxis and sometimes had violent nightmares that woke them all.

'Well, here's to being a woman,' Lisa finally said sardonically, raising her wine glass, 'because it doesn't suck at all.'

'I'll drink to that. I'm glad I'm female, otherwise I don't think Holly would sleep with me,' Gail said with a playful smile. Her intention was to change the mood and it worked because the other two laughed.

'Geez, Peck, why is it you have to always remind me you have sex with Holly? If I'm not walking in on you, you're talking about it,' Lisa grumbled, but her tone was good-natured. 'Hey, you know how Francine is tied up with your decapitation case. You don't think she could have orchestrated it all to get Holly's attention?'

'Nah, too far-fetched, even for her,' Gail shook her head.

….

The call came just after 5 am. Both their phones were going. Holly swore and pulled a pillow over her head.

Gail picked up. 'Peck,' she whispered into the phone.

'Hey, it's Frankie. We've got another head. It was found near Lake Shore Park by some guys from a rowing club. We need you and Holly.'

'Sure it's not a fake one again?'

'No definitely real,' Frankie said.

It was a twenty minute trip to the lake. Holly kicked into gear with remarkable alacrity, taking the glass of water and painkillers Gail proferred, and following that with a strong cup of coffee. Still, she looked at little bleary-eyed.

'You okay for this?' Gail asked, 'I'm sure one of your colleagues could come out to the scene.'

'No. I'm on this case. I know what to look for,' Holly reassured her.

Gail decided to take a short-cut, a narrow and slightly winding road that ran along the shoreline and which not many people knew about. At this hour, there was no traffic on the road. At least not until they reached a section full of twists and turns. Seemingly out of nowhere, a car roared up behind them, screeching on the brakes and then revving loudly.

'Fuck,' Gail exclaimed, 'I have a good mind to stop and book that driver.'

'Just slow down and let them pass,' Holly said.

Gail scowled but did as Holly suggested, slowing right down, but still, the car didn't pass. As they approached a sharp bend in the road, they heard the car rev again. Louder this time, followed by a boom and a crunch as it rammed into the back of Gail's car. The car lurched forward and with it Gail and Holly. Their bodies jolting forward and then back like those crash dummies in a simulated accident. Even though she was wearing a seatbelt, Holly's head cracked against the windscreen and she slumped over. Gail couldn't tell if she was dazed or unconscious, and in any case was too preoccupied with regaining control of the vehicle to check. Just as she righted the car, the other driver once again rammed into the back of it, the force of the impact sending the car through the barrier alongside the road and then up over the small stretch of grassland abutting the lake.

In the instant it took for the car to hit the water, time seemed to stop. It occurred to Gail that this was not how she had imagined dying. Nor had she thought she would die with Holly by her side. Gail had always allowed that she might be killed in the line of duty, leaving Holly behind. She'd tried to talk to Holly about it once, to say if that happened she hoped Holly would move on, find someone new. Holly had shaken her head vigorously and put her hand on Gail's mouth to stop her talking. She looked so stricken, Gail had kissed her and they never spoke of it again. Now Gail knew why Holly was so upset. She wanted more, of course, she did, just like Gail did now. More time together. In fact, Gail wanted a lifetime and all it might bring. Maybe kids and old age, growing crotchety together but still in love. Always in love. Why was this too much to ask?

….

Have I sent Gail and Holly to a watery grave? Would I do that to Gail and Holly? Would I do that to you dear readers? That said, this fic is 41 chapters long and does have to end sometime, and the readership is dropping off, although I am always so grateful to those of you sticking with it and leaving comments. However, unlike ChapStickLez, I haven't promised to keep writing even if there is only one reader. But really, do you think I would be that evil? There is a clue in this story, but I'll say no more….

Thanks to Snarcasm318 for suggesting Francine's personality disorder and being a fabulous sounding board!