The girl smiled as she walked into Mt Thomas. She was of a solid build, with red hair
and piercing green eyes. She smiled at the pub and headed for it.

‘Boss. That was Mr Edwards on the phone. He wants you to come out to his house
and I have a burg to go to,’ Jack told him.
Tom groaned. ‘Right. Parrish, Hasham, stay here and man the building.’

‘Can I help?’ Chris asked.
‘Yeah thanks. I was wondering if you had a room?’ the girl asked.
‘You’re in luck. We’ve got one left. What name is it?’
‘Constable Lucy Mitchell.’
‘You our new cop?’
‘Yep.’
‘Another girl,’ a fat middleaged man smiled. ‘Girls can’t cop.’
Lucy rolled her eyes and waited for Chris.
‘Well, missy, you want to regulate me.’
‘No, you’re too small time,’ she replied.
‘Right! That’s it!’ the man lunged for her and Lucy tripped him, sending him
sprawling to the floor. She put a foot on his back and cuffed him.
In the meantime, Chris had called the station and Tom came in.
‘Excuse me! Who are you?’ Tom asked, pulling her back.
‘Constable Lucy Mitchell sir. Just been transferred to Mt Thomas. This man assaulted
a police officer, was showing lewd and laviscious behaviour and caused disturbance
on a premises. I am just about to book him and take him to the police station here.’
Tom rolled his eyes.

OPENING CREDITS

‘Parrish,’ Tom sighed, ‘Book Monty for assaulting an officer.’
‘Are you alright Boss?’ Jo asked.
‘It wasn’t me,’ he replied. ‘Mitchell, follow me.’
Lucy sighed and followed the boss into the office.
‘Who assaulted who first?’
‘He assaulted me! What do you take me for!?’
‘Alright, alright. So you’re our new copper?’
‘Looks like it,’ Lucy replied.
‘Okay. You can call me Boss. I’ll get Parrish to show you around. Lawson is out and
Hasham, Gallagher and Stewart are somewhere.’
‘Thanks boss,’ Lucy smiled.
‘You’re going to be trouble, aren’t you?’
Lucy grinned. ‘You’ll learn to love me.’
Tom sighed.

‘I’m Jo Parrish,’ Jo smiled, sticking her hand out.
‘Lucy Mitchell,’ Lucy replied, shaking hands.
‘So, you came into Mt Thomas with a bang.’
‘I have a habit of doing that,’ Lucy smiled.
‘Me too,’ Jo smiled.
‘Mt Thomas 208 to Mt Thomas.’
‘Proceed 208.’
‘Jo, Mr Edwards thinks that his daughter Sue is on her way to talk to someone about
her missing husband so be tactful.’
‘Missing husbands? What do people do around here? Lose them?’ Lucy asked.
‘Usually,’ PJ replied, entering the room.
‘Constable Lucy Mitchell, Senior Detective PJ Hasham,’ Jo introduced.
‘Pleased to meet you Senior Detective,’ Lucy replied.
PJ nodded and went into his office.
‘Friendly place around here isn’t it?’ Lucy sighed.
‘Don’t worry about him. He’s always like that. He grows on you,’ Jo replied.
‘Can’t wait,’ Lucy added.
‘Excuse me?’ a lady asked. ‘Can I speak to someone?’
‘Sure,’ Jo replied. ‘How can I help?’
The lady moved a small and beaten child in front of her. ‘This is Jessica Lincoln. Her
father keeps beating her. This is the worst she’s been. I thought Tom Croyden could
help.’
Lucy’s eyes widened. At the child and at the name. ‘Tom Croyden?’
‘Yeah. The boss,’ Jo replied.
Lucy felt a little weak at the knees. ‘Oh. Right.’

‘Where’s the child staying tonight?’ Tom asked Jo, who had just arrived with Jack at
the pub.
‘At the hospital. She was beaten pretty badly.’
Lucy came downstairs and sat down. She turned to Tom. ‘You should have told me
that you were Tom Croyden.’
‘Sorry?’ Tom asked.
‘You knew my Dad. Luke Mitchell.’
‘You’re Luke’s daughter?’
Lucy nodded.
Tom smiled. ‘How is Luke nowadays?’
Lucy’s smile fell. ‘My mother and father died two years ago. Drunk driver smashed
into my mother and my father was murdered.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Tom replied. ‘Do you have any brothers or sisters?’
‘I had a brother. Died in a bungled drug operation.’
‘Sorry.’
‘If I had know who you were, I would have given you this straight away.’
‘What?’
‘My dad left this to you in his will. We couldn’t find you. It’s the medal he won in the
war, for bravery.’
‘For saving my life,’ Tom finished.
Lucy nodded.

Lucy wandered into Mt Thomas hospital and asked for the room where the little girl
was. She entered it. ‘Hey. Jessica right?’
The girl nodded. ‘You’re the policelady from the station?’
‘Lucy Mitchell. Pleased to meet you.’
‘Are you going to ask more questions?’
‘Nope. I just thought you might like some company.’
‘I’d like that. Thanks.’
‘So, how old are you?’
‘Eight.’
‘Cool. So, how long have you lived in Mt Thomas?’
‘2 years.’
‘Excuse me Constable Mitchell,’ the nurse smiled. ‘Visiting hours are over.’
‘Right,’ Lucy smiled. ‘I’ll come and see you during visiting hours next time okay?’
‘I’d like that,’ Jessica smiled.
Lucy nodded and left.

‘Mitchell!’ Tom boomed through the station.
‘What did you do?’ Jo asked, raising an eyebrow.
‘Obviously something wrong,’ Lucy replied, entering the office. ‘Yes boss?"
‘I have had reports that you were at the hospital last night with Jessica Lincoln.’
‘Yeah. So?’
‘So! So! The ‘so’ Mitchell, is that you did so without police okay. That girl could be a
witness and victim. People can say that you were influencing her!’
‘I just went to visit her. I thought she might be lonely.’
Tom put his head in his hands. ‘Just don’t do it again okay Mitchell?’
‘But boss, I said I’d go visit her.’
‘Well you can ring the nurses and tell her you won’t be there can’t you?’
Lucy rolled her eyes and left the room.

Lucy sat deep in thought and Ben caught her.
‘Don’t even think about it.’
‘About what?’
‘Going up to see Jessica Lincoln. The boss has eyes everywhere. Why don’t you come
down to the pub with us?’
Lucy drummed her fingers on the table. ‘Okay. I guess....’
‘Don’t,’ Ben told her.
‘Can a guy get service around here?’ a voice familiar to Lucy asked.
‘Jacob?’ she smiled and hugged him. ‘What are you doing here?’
Jacob kissed her soundly. ‘I just got transferred to be the manager of the new stables
up here.’
‘Liar,’ Lucy replied. ‘You transferred yourself.’
Jaocb grinned. ‘Guilty,’ he smiled, kissing her again.
Tom cleared his throat. ‘Mitchell?’
Lucy pulled away hurriedly. ‘Boss. Uh, this is my boyfriend, Jacob Gregory. Jacob,
this is my boss. Tom Croyden.’
‘Really? Lucy’s dad talked about you a lot,’ Jacob smiled, shaking hands.
Tom smiled back. ‘Hmm. Mitchell, in future can we keep public displays of affection
extremely discreet? And, uh, go and get the lunches.’
‘Yes boss.’
‘Do you think the boss knows that we had lunch two hours ago?’ Jack asked, sitting
down next to Ben.
‘I think he knows very well,’ Ben smiled.

pt2

‘So, how long have you been dating Jacob?’ Jo asked, sipping her juice.
‘Since I was sixteen, so uh, six years. How long have you been dating Jack?’
Jo almost coughed up her juice. ‘Jack!? Stretch!? We’re not dating.’
‘Sorry. You just seemed pretty close and you kind of look at each other.’
‘No we don’t.’
Lucy smiled slightly. ‘Uh huh. You like him don’t you?’
Jo smiled slightly. ‘Alright, maybe a little.’
Lucy smiled. ‘Oh look. Jack’s here. Hi Jack. Bye Jack.’
Jo glared at her, smiling slightly.

THREE WEEKS LATER

‘Did you tell him?’ Lucy asked, for the fiftieth time.
‘No,’ Jo replied.
‘You gotta tell him sometime,’ Lucy told her.
‘I know. I just, I’m not ready yet.’
Lucy nodded. ‘Listen, I’ll meet you later at the pub. I’ve got some stuff to do here.’
Jo nodded and left. Lucy watched her go and ushered a young man in.
‘I could get in serious trouble,’ she told him.
‘You could! So could I,’ the man said. ‘If this gets out that I gave info to you.’
‘Jimmy. Talk. You said you knew something.’
"Right. Your dad wasn’t like by a lot of people around our group. Their names, and
addresses are on this disk. Like I said, I didn’t kill him.’
‘This better not be a fake disk Jimmy. Because I’m sure there were lots of things that
you kept undercover that I could put you in jail for.’
Jimmy shuffled. ‘You’re just as bad as your old man.’
‘Get out of here Jimmy,’ Lucy told him.
‘Yeah yeah whatever,’ Jimmy said, and went out the front door.
‘You know how much trouble you could land yourself in?’ Jo asked, as she walked
into the area.
‘Jo! You’re still here. Uh, how long have you been here?’
‘Long enough.’
‘Then you know about this?’
Jo nodded. ‘I won’t tell, if that’s what your asking. But why are you doing this?’
‘I have no one. My parents are dead and so is my brother. I have no extended family
and both my parents are only children. Apart from Jacob, I am alone. Jacob knows
why I do this.’
‘I won’t tell anyone. But if you want some help, ask me next time. Okay?’
Lucy nodded.
‘Listen, leave this for tonight. Come down to the pub.’
‘Yeah, okay,’ Lucy replied, putting the disk in her pocket. ‘Let’s go.’

‘You two are late,’ Ben said, as Lucy and Jo sat down.
‘I hope you didn’t visit any hospitals,’ Tom said, peering over his glass of beer.
‘No,’ Lucy replied.
‘Where’s Jacob?’ Jack asked.
‘He had to go back to Melbourne for awhile. There was stuff to do to get the house
sold and other stuff.’
‘What’s happening about Jessica Lincoln?’ Ben asked Tom.
‘She’s staying at the hospital till they can find somewhere more permanent.’ Tom
looked at Lucy. ‘Don’t even think about it.’
Lucy raised her hands in surrender. ‘So, when am I meeting this new sergeant of
yours.’
‘She’s down in St Davids at the moment. Some kind of help they needed. She should
be back soon,’ Tom replied.
‘Yay,’ Jo said glumly.

‘I’m sorry I’m late,’ Lucy said, racing in. ‘Chris wanted me to help her with some
tables.’
‘No problem,’ Ben smiled.
‘I’m afraid there is,’ Tess said, entering the room.
‘Huh?’ Lucy said, turning around.
‘You’re the new constable, correct?’
Lucy nodded. ‘Constable Lucy Mitchell. Pleased to meet you,’ she said, holding out
her hand.
Tess didn’t take it. ‘You’re an hour late Constable.’
Jo and Jack had just entered the station and stood stock still. Everyone was wondering
who’d blow up first.
‘Yes. That was why I apologised to Ben.’
‘You apologise to me from now on.’
‘And you would be?’ Lucy asked, raising an eyebrow.
‘Sergeant Tess Gallagher.’
‘Okay. Well Sergeant, I shall do what you asked, but for now I am sure I have work to
do so see you later,’ Lucy said, moving off.
Tess started tapping her foot.
Lucy slowly turned around. ‘Yes?’
‘I’m waiting for that apology.’
‘But I..’ Lucy stopped as she saw the look on Tess’ face. ‘Oh geez, for pity’s sake!
Where did you come from? Melbourne central I’ll bet.’
Tess’ face darkened. ‘Is that all Constable? I don’t want to have to put you on
paperwork duty.’
Lucy sighed. ‘I apologise for being late. Sergeant,’ she added crisply, and marched off
to the lockers.
‘Tess. My office please,’ Tom said.

‘I think, maybe, you could go a bit easier on Mitchell,’ Tom said.
‘Why boss? She’s late and she was very disrespectful. She has to face the
consequences of her actions.’
‘Just, go easy on her.’
‘Yes boss,’ Tess sighed.

‘You okay?’ Jo asked, entering the locker room.
Lucy was fidgeting with her uniform. ‘Is there a punching bag around here?’
‘Sorry?’
‘Nothing. I just need something to take my anger out on, apart from the Sergeant.
She’s right you know. She could demote my backside all the way back to the
Academy.’
Jo smiled. ‘Don’t worry about her. You’ll get used to her eventually.’
‘Jo! Lucy! There’s a burg needing your attendance.’
‘Coming your majesty,’ Lucy muttered.

pt3
‘150 000 dollars!’ the scrawny man sighed.
‘You stated that. And it was all in different hiding places around the house?’ Lucy
asked.
‘Yeah.’
‘Mr. Jason, why didn’t you put your money in a bank?’ Jo asked.
‘Don’t be ridiculous lady,’ he replied. ‘I just got out of jail a week ago. They’re not
going to give me an account. All my money was hidden in my house.’
‘Does anyone else have access?’ Jo asked.
‘Yeah. My ex-wife. She was here yesterday with the kids to pick up some stuff.’
‘Could she have taken it?’ Lucy asked.
‘Nope. She only knew where the piddly amounts were kept.’
‘Okay. We’ll get back to you if we find anything,’ Lucy said.

‘What do you think?’ Jo asked, as they drove back to the station.
‘Well, the mother said she didn’t take it..but what about the kids?’
‘Beg yours?’
‘Well, one of them is eight and the other is four. The parents broke up three years ago.
Surely, the kids could have seen their father hide the money.’

‘You want to talk to the kids?’ Tess burst out. ‘Out of the question. That’s
preposterous!’
‘Well then who else took it?’ Lucy asked Tess.
Tess admitted defeat. ‘Alright! But do it after hours. We have more important things
to do at the moment.’
‘I hope we get payed overtime,’ Lucy muttered to Jo.
Tess turned around. ‘Jo, Lucy, Jessica Lincoln’s father is causing a disturbance up at
the hospital.’
‘Come back to town has he?’ Jo asked, grabbing the keys.

‘Mr Lincoln,’ Jo said, as she and Lucy approached him.
‘They won’t let me see Jessica!’ he cried.
Lucy nodded. ‘That’s right Mr Lincoln. That’s because you’re being charged with
child abuse and it is illegal for you to see her at the moment.’
Michael Lincoln finally caught on and, pushing Lucy down, ran off.
‘You okay?’ Jo asked, as she went to follow.
‘Yeah. Get him.’

‘You LOST him?’ Tess exploded.
‘He was on to us before we knew it. He had a fairly big lead on us too,’ Jo replied.
‘It’s my fault,’ Lucy said. ‘I should’ve reacted quicker.’
‘It’s no one’s fault,’ Tom said, coming out. ‘Steve’s a slippery character.’
‘Jack, Ben, go out to the Lincoln’s house and see if he’s there,’ Tess ordered.
‘Right,’ Ben answered.

Things had quietly returned to normal. Tess was in with PJ, discussing CI cases, while
the boss was in his office. Jo and Lucy were looking through Ben’s desk to try and
find some files they were looking for. Ben and Jack hadn’t returned from the Lincoln
place yet.
Out of nowhere, a car barrelled through the interview room, stopping barely an inch
from the two girls faces.
‘Parrish! Mitchell!?’ Tom called, as he edged out past the car.
‘Are you okay?’ PJ asked, coming out to the girls.
Jack and Ben, who had just pulled in, bolted up and inside.
‘What the hell happened?’ Ben asked.
Jo and Lucy sat stock still, staring at the car.
‘PJ get a blanket. They’re in shock,’ Tom said. He knelt down beside them. ‘Are you
okay?’
‘We’re fine,’ Jo replied.
Lucy just nodded.
‘Boss,’ Ben said. ‘Check this out.’
Tom stood up. ‘What?’
Ben pointed to the windscreen. Red paint adorned it with the words ‘For you ladies’
on it.
‘Lincoln?’ Jack asked, from his place next to Jo.
‘I’d say so,’ Ben replied.
‘Any sign of him?’
‘Nothing,’ Jack answered.
Lucy stood up and looked at the car. ‘He must have been on his way here when you
were at the house.’ She looked at the brick on the accelerator. ‘But why go to all this
trouble just for me and Jo?’
‘Maybe in his own odd way, he loves his daughter and when you and Jo told him that
he was being arrested for child abuse, he directly blamed you two,’ Ben answered.
‘That was Dr Carter,’ Tess said, putting the phone down. ‘Jessica Lincoln’s gone.
And his car has been sighted on the road to his house.’
‘Right,’ Tom said. ‘Bullet proof vests.’ He looked at Jo and Lucy. ‘You want to be in
on this?’
The girls nodded.
‘Right. Ben and Tess will go on first. Then myself, Jack and PJ. You two come last.’

‘Mr Lincoln! It’s the police! We’re coming in!’ Tess called.
‘Gee, don’t surprise him,’ Lucy muttered.
Tess sent her a dirty look.
Ben and Tess burst in and everyone followed up the rear.
‘Take the living room.’ Ben said to Tom. ‘You girls take the kids bedroom.’

Lucy and Jo entered the girls bedroom, and found Steve Lincoln and Jessica inside.
‘Mr Lincoln, please put your hands up and step away from your daughter,’ Lucy said.
Before Jo or Lucy could move, Steve had turned around and fired a shot at Lucy. Jo
then fired one and Steve clutched his shoulder.
‘Ben! Jack!’ Jo called.
The rest of the cops ran in and PJ rang for the ambo’s.

‘First, I would like to say how lucky you are that he didn’t aim elsewhere,’ Mel Carter
stated to Lucy. ‘Then, that you can go home and not work for at least a week and then
just paperwork.’
"What!?’
‘No arguing Mitchell,’ Tom said. He followed Mel out. ‘How is she really?’
‘She’ll be fine. She might be a little sore for a while though. I’ll prescribe some pain
killers. Will there be someone at her home?’
‘She’s staying at the pub so I think she’ll be fine,’ Tom smiled.

‘I am not an invalid guys,’ Lucy growled, as PJ held her chair out and she sat down.
‘Of course not,’ PJ grinned, sitting down next to her.
Lucy rolled her eyes.
‘Hey guys,’ Chris smiled. ‘This lady was looking for you.’
An elderly lady walked over with Jessica Lincoln. ‘I was looking for Constable
Mitchell.’
‘That’s me,’ Lucy smiled.
‘I want to thank you, and your colleauges for saving Jessica. I live in Melbourne, so I
never knew what was going on.’
‘We’re glad we could help,’ Lucy answered.
‘Father shot you didn’t he?’ Jessica asked.
‘Hey, it’s nothing. It won’t kill me,’ Lucy grinned.
A while later, after Jessica and her grandmother left, Chris came up to them.
‘You know, you’re lucky Steve was such a lousy shot.’
‘Beg yours?’ Tom asked.
‘Steve. He bought that gun about two months ago. Apparantly he nearly killed a
couple of people down at the shooting range.’
‘I need another drink,’ Jack said.
‘I think we all do,’ Ben replied.

Jack raised an eyebrow as he heard the knock on his door later that night. ‘Coming,’
he said.
He opened the door and saw Jo standing there. ‘Hey. Are you okay?’
‘Can I come in?’ Jo asked.
Jack’s forhead creased in worry as he admitted her. ‘Have a seat.’
Jo sat on the bed.
‘Want to tell me to what I owe this pleasure?’ he asked, giving her one of his
lop-sided grins.
Jo looked at him and smiled slightly. ‘I just needed company.’
Jack sat down beside her. ‘Come on. We’re friends aren’t we? What’s really the
matter?’
Jo turned to him. ‘When Lucy got shot today, it made me think. What if it had been
me? What if I had died? I would have missed out on so much. Everything I wanted to
do.’
‘First of all..you worry too much,’ Jack told her. ‘And second of all, your life is pretty
good, from what I’ve seen.’
‘You haven’t exactly seen much,’ Jo answered.
Jack smiled and hugged her. ‘You know, I have a feeling nothing will happen to you.
You’re very capable of looking after yourself.’
Jo smiled. ‘Yeah. But I wouldn’t mind, you know?’
‘Mind what?’ Jack asked, looking at her.
‘Having someone look after me. Someone to hold me at the end of the day.’ She
turned around in his embrace and saw him watching her intently. She blushed. ‘Don’t
mind me. Babbling on as usual.’
‘I don’t mind. I’m a good person to talk to.’
‘Yeah, you are,’ Jo answered honestly. She turned away as soon as she’d said it,
wondering what Jack would think. To her surprise, he just hugged her tighter.
‘I just get messed sometimes. Then I tend to blurt out whatever comes into my head,’
she explained.
Jack smiled to himself. ‘Yeah, I’ve witnessed a couple of those times.’
Jo turned around and looked at him. ‘Can I tell you something?’
‘Go for it,’ Jack smiled.
She took a deep breath. ‘I’ve fallen for you. I’m in love with you. I don’t know how it
happened or when but it just did and I know that you probably....’
Jack clamped his hand over her mouth. ‘You talk too much Parrish,’ he told her, as
his mouth claimed hers.

Lucy handed the glasses to Chris. ‘Not that I don’t appreciate being given something
to do,’ she began.
‘You want to go back to work,’ Chris replied.
Lucy nodded. ‘It’s been a week and I’m going nuts!’
Chris smiled. ‘Have you spoken to Tom?’
‘Not yet. I thought I might go down to the station today. Maybe I could at least do
some paperwork!’
‘I don’t fancy your chances,’ Chris replied, ‘but why don’t you take the lunches down
now?’
‘Thanks Chris,’ Lucy smiled gratefully.

‘Mitchell! What are you doing here?’ Tom asked, coming out of his office.
‘Hey Lucy!’ Jo smiled. ‘I’ve got something to tell you later,’ she whispered.
Lucy smiled wryly. ‘Boss, Lunches.’
Tom grunted and took the boxes.
‘Boss, is there any paperwork I can do?’
Jack and Jo snickered.
‘Mitchell, you’re supposed to be on sick leave.’
‘I know boss, but it’s driving me insane! I need to do something.’
‘Mitchell...’
‘She could do the paperwork boss,’ Ben said.
‘Besides, then we wouldn’t have to do it,’ Jo offered.
The Boss peered over his glasses at her. ‘Thankyou Parrish, I am well aware of that.’
‘Please boss?’ Lucy asked.
‘Don’t beg Mitchell. It doesn’t become you. Paperwork. NO more.’
Lucy smiled to herself and went into the locker room. Jo followed her in and shut the
door.
‘So?’ Lucy asked, clipping her badge on.
‘I told him,’ Jo said, smiling.
‘And?’ Lucy asked.
Jo tapped her nose.
‘I’m really happy for you,’ Lucy said.
Jo narrowed her eyes. ‘You miss Jacob don’t you?’
Lucy smiled slightly. ‘Yeah. He’s usually always been around.’
‘Did you ring him to tell him what happened?’
Lucy shook her head. ‘He would have just worried and I don’t want that. Then he
would have wanted to come up here and that could cost him his job. I can wait. I’ve
done it before.’ She smiled and left the locker room, leaving Jo deep in thought.

It had been two weeks since the shooting and Jo and Lucy decided to pay a visit to the
Jason’s. PJ had been out there a week ago with Tess and they hadn’t seen anything
out of the ordinary.
‘Mr Jason?’ Lucy called, knocking on the door.
‘So you’re back again.’
‘Yes Mr Jason. Your wife denies ever taking the money. We wanted to see if it has
been found yet,’ Jo said.
‘No it hasn’t. And you coppers have been doing bugger all about it.’
Lucy raised her eyes heavenward and Jo smiled slightly.

‘Pay a visit to the kids?’ Lucy asked.
‘Heading there now,’ Jo replied.

‘I hate Fridays,’ Tess grumbled, as she rooted through a drawer.
Jack and Ben looked at her strangely.
‘Are you feeling okay?’ PJ asked.
‘I’m fine. Why do you ask?’ Tess asked, reading over a brief.
‘Because you just said you hated Fridays,’ Ben pointed out.
‘I do,’ Tess answered.
‘Why?’ Jack asked. ‘I love Fridays.’
‘Doesn’t everybody?’ Jacob asked, standing at the counter.
‘Welcome back Jacob!’ Jack smiled, shaking his hand.
The rest of the station welcomed him. Tess just stared and left the room.
‘Don’t mind her,’ Ben said.
‘No problem,’ Jacob smiled. ‘There wouldn’t be a troublesome constable around
would there?’
‘She’s out with Jo. I’m sure they’ll be back soon,’ PJ said.
‘Okay. I’ll go up and see Chris then.’
‘How are the stables going?’ Jack asked.
‘Slowly,’ Jacob sighed. ‘There are heaps of people who are getting better pay in the
city so we get the few that are left over.’
‘Anytime you need a hand, give me a call,’ Jack smiled.
‘Will do,’ Jacob answered. ‘See you lot later.’
As she heard the door close, Tess reappeared.
‘What’s the matter with you?’ PJ asked.
‘Who was that?’ Tess asked. ‘Why was he here?’
Ben raised an eyebrow. ‘That’s Jacob Gregory. He’s Lucy’s boyfriend.’
Tess’s mouth nearly fell open, but she got back her composure and went back to her
desk. The three men exchanged looks.

‘We need to talk to your children Mrs Jason,’ Jo explained.
‘Why? They haven’t been up to anything have they?’
‘No. We just need to further some inquiries,’ Lucy said.
Mrs Jason nodded. ‘Eric! Kelli!’
Two little children ran out. Eric was the oldest and shielded his sister from the two
girls.
‘Eric, Kelli, these two constables want to talk to you.’
‘Okay mum,’ Eric said.
The two kids sat down on the big couch and Lucy and Jo sat across from them.
‘Okay, Eric, Kelli. Did you go with you mum to your dad’s house a month ago?’ Jo
asked.
Eric nodded and Kelli nodded too, imitating her brother.
‘Great. So what happened?’ Lucy asked.
‘I know what this is about,’ Eric stated. ‘It’s about the money that went missing at
that man’s place.’
Jo nodded. ‘Yeah.’
‘Me and Kelli took it. We saw that man hide it for years. When Mum told us that she
and Daddy weren’t going to be married anymore, we figured she’d need it. So we
went to all the hiding places and took the money.’
‘All of it?’ Lucy asked.
‘All of it,’ Kelli answered. ‘No more money for bad man!’
Jo and Lucy exchanged glances.

‘So, since it technically wasn’t stealing, as they are entitled to some of the money, we
gave them a warning,’ Jo explained.
‘Good work you two,’ Tom smiled.
‘And I didn’t even hurt my shoulder,’ Lucy grinned.
Tom scowled.
‘Can I speak to you please Constable?’ Tess asked, opening the interview room door.
Jo had sat down at her desk and was being bombarded by paper planes by Jack. Ben
was watching with amusement.

‘Lucy, Jacob was in here earlier.’
‘Great! Uh, why do you need to speak to me about him?’
‘Did, he uh, tell you about anybody he used to know in Queensland before he came to
Melbourne?’
‘No. Why?’
‘Nothing. No reason. You can go.’
Lucy raised an eyebrow as she left the room.

Jo watched Lucy stare oddly at Tess and walked over to her.
‘What are you doing?’ she asked.
‘Nothing,’ Lucy said, breaking the stare and looking at Jo.
‘Yeah right,’ Jo answered. ‘What’s going on?’
Lucy explained the story.
‘You’ve got to be kidding! She’s like...old!’
Lucy rolled her eyes. ‘Thanks for the support Jo.’
‘Stop thinking like a cop and think like a person. Ask him!’
Lucy smiled. ‘Thanks Jo.’

‘Who?’
‘Tess Gallagher.’
‘I knew her, yeah.’
‘Did you date her?’ Lucy asked, staring at him.
‘No!’ Jacob cried. ‘I didn’t. She wanted me too and I said no. I was with another girl
at the time. Jessica in fact. Tess then dated my brother.’
‘Steven?’
Jacob nodded. ‘Then they broke up.’
Lucy heaved a sigh of relief.
‘You weren’t worried were you?’
‘Me? No. Not at all.’

Tom sighed as he looked around his station. Tess and Ben were discussing some case
whilst Jo, Jack and Lucy were engaged in a paper plane war. PJ, the smart fellow, had
retired to his office to only every now and then, send a paper plane Ben’s way. This,
is what he was in charge of. This, was supposed to be his dignified and effecient
station and these were supposed to be his dignified and effecient members. Who was
he kidding?