Lucy was filling out some paperwork when the phone rang. The office was empty and
she groaned. 'Don't worry! I'll get it!' She picked up the phone. 'Hello?'
There was no noise.
Lucy raised an eyebrow. 'Hello?'
There was a sudden click and Lucy frowned. She shrugged and went back to her
paperwork.

'Good morning!' Jo smiled, entering the station.
Lucy looked up. 'Why?'
'Huh?' Jo asked, dumping her bag in the locker room.
'Why is it a good morning?'
'It's a beautiful day outside, and we're on patrol.'
'Thankyou Lord!' Lucy smiled. 'I hate it when the Boss is away and you know who is
in charge.'
Jo smiled. 'You can drive.'
'Not so fast,' Tess said, entering the office.
Lucy groaned.
'I want you to keep an eye out for anyone loitering around places that there are women
living.'
'You mean pretty much every house in Mt Thomas?' Jo asked.
'Go,' Tess said, waving her hand.
The girls giggled and headed out the door.
Tess sighed.

PJ whistled as he walked along the pavement. Ben noticed and turned to him.
'Are you okay?'
'Of course I am,' PJ replied. 'Why do you ask?'
'You're whistling,' Ben pointed out.
'I know,' PJ answered.
‘Why?’ Ben asked curiously.
PJ tapped his nose. ‘Isabella.’
Ben widened his eyes. ‘You didn’t?’
PJ looked at him, shocked. ‘None of your business mate!’
Ben stared at him for a few moments and sighed.

‘Sure is quiet this morning,’ Lucy said, driving through the streets.
‘Yeah,’ Jo replied. ‘Almost eerily so.’
Lucy cast her a sideways glance. ‘Are you feeling okay?’
Jo turned and smiled. ‘Eyes on the road!’
‘Mt Thomas to VKC’
‘VKC responding.’
‘Reports of a prowler at 69 Mendle St. Can you attend?’
‘We’re on our way,’ Jo put the radio back. ‘Let’s go.’

‘PJ!’ Tess called, as PJ entered the station, sipping his coffee.
‘That’s me,’ PJ told her.
‘Right. Um, do you have any new leads on this guy?’
PJ put a finger up. ‘If he’s a guy.’
Tess rolled her eyes. ‘PJ. Two rapes on women?’
PJ nodded. ‘Well, I don’t have anything. This guy knows his stuff.’
‘Could he be a former guy?’
‘Checked it. All rapists that were ever in Mt Thomas are either locked up or dead.’
‘Dead?"
‘I went all the way back,’ PJ smiled.
‘It’s not funny PJ.’
‘Well, Tess, I’ll tell you when I come up with something. Till then, there is no point
in asking me questions I don’t know the answer to.’
Tess groaned in frustration as PJ entered his office.

Jo and Lucy trundled back into the station.
‘Where is he?’ Tess asked.
‘Gone by the time we got there. Apparantly, she rang you five minutes after she saw
him,’ Jo groaned.
Josh Stewart peeked into the station. There was that nasty lady again. Tess the
Barracuda, his father said she was called. Constable Jo, Jack and Lucy were nice.
Then he spotted PJ.
‘PJ!’ he cried.
PJ turned and smiled as Josh jumped into his arms. Maddie and Emma followed,
carrying his bags.
‘Uh, guys,’ Ben said, moving towards the group. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘We’re staying for two weeks Daddy! Mummy’s going to ‘Merica.’
Ben raised an eyebrow. ‘She’s what?’
‘He apparantly has business there and wants to take her on a holiday. We’re staying
with you,’ Maddie explained.
‘Is your mum here?’ Ben asked.
‘In the car. Can I use the bathroom?’ Emma asked.
Jo, Lucy, Jack and PJ chuckled.
‘Go ahead,’ Ben said tiredly.
The phones started ringing in succession and the officers dove for them.

‘So, you’re Constable Lucy,’ Emma said, walking around Lucy.
Lucy raised an eyebrow and looked down. ‘Yeah. And you are?’
Emma puffed her chest out. ‘Emma Stewart. I’m seven years old and I want a pink
parasol for my birthday.’
Maddie sighed. ‘She’s just watched Sound of Music 2 million times.’
‘I understand your pain,’ Lucy nodded to her.
Maddie cracked a small smile.
‘Okay guys, into the house,’ Ben said, coming through.
‘Yay! We’re staying!’ Emma cried.
‘Where’s Josh?’ Ben asked Jo.
‘Cracking a case with PJ,’ she replied.
Ben raised an eyebrow. ‘I don’t want to know. Let’s go you guys.’
The phones started ringing again.
‘Here we go again,’ Jack groaned.
‘Maybe they found Fluffy,’ Lucy smiled as the others cracked up.

pt2

Ben tucked Emma in.
‘What is she like?’ Emma asked.
‘Who?’ Ben asked her.
Emma sighed. ‘Constable Lucy.’
‘She’s nice.’
‘Are you going to date her?’
Ben groaned. ‘She is engaged Emma. Besides, she’s a little young for me, don’t you
think?’
Emma shrugged.
‘You’re such a matchmaker Emma,’ Maddie told her. ‘I kinda think Dad’s capable of
finding his own girlfriend.’
‘Thankyou Maddie,’ Ben answered.
‘Can we go see PJ tomorrow?’ Josh asked, clapping his hands.
‘Sure. You can come see PJ tomorrow.’ Ben was tired. ‘Now sleep!’

Lucy yawned and went to the front door to retrieve the paper. She was so used to
digging around for it, she was shocked to find it sitting on the front door step...in a
bouquet of flowers. She frowned as she picked up the paper and the flowers and went
inside. Jacob was in the kitchen making some coffee.
‘Secret admirer?’ he joked.
‘I don’t know,’ she said slowly. ‘You didn’t put them there?’
‘I wish I had,’ he replied. ‘Are you okay?’
‘I don’t know,’ Lucy said, dropping the flowers in the bin.

‘And they were just there?’ Jo asked, as she and Lucy discussed what had happened.
‘Yeah. I don’t know, it’s just kind of creepy.’
‘Kind of! It’s stalking!’
‘Maybe they just kind of left the flowers at the wrong doorstep. Maybe they were
meant for someone’s girlfriend.’ Lucy chuckled. ‘Never mind. Probably just a
mistake.’
Jo narrowed her eyes.

‘Another one,’ Tess said, as she and Ben wandered back into the station.
‘Another rape?’ Jack asked.
‘Attempted. He ran off when he heard the sirens. We didn’t even see him go.’
‘Great,’ Tom groaned, heading back into his office.
‘We’ve got to catch this guy,’ Ben growled.
‘What’s his form?’ Lucy asked PJ, who entered the room.
‘Trys to woo the women first. Chocolates, flowers, left on the doorstep. Starts ringing,
harrassing them. Then he goes to them.’
Lucy went white and headed outside. Jo noticed this and followed her.
‘What did I say?’ PJ asked.

‘We won’t let it happen to you,’ Jo told her, sitting on the rail next to her.
Lucy nodded. ‘I know. But, the likelihood is, since this sicko has eluded the police so
far, that I’m his next target.’
Jo felt awful. ‘We’ll get him. I promise.’

‘And you kept this from me because?’ Tom demanded, as Jo and Lucy stood in front
of him.
‘Don’t blame Jo boss. I only told her this morning. I thought the phone call was just a
wrong number but the flowers this morning were a little scary.’
‘I want you to go and stay somewhere.’
‘Boss, I won’t run! I want to stay and help catch him.’
‘You’re putting yourself in a very dangerous position.’
‘I’m a cop Boss. I was trained for dangerous positions.’
Tom sighed. ‘I want you to be very careful. Very careful.’
Lucy nodded.

‘I can’t believe you didn’t listen to him!’ Jacob cried, after Lucy told him about the
problem.
‘I can handle it!’ Lucy told him, turning away as she continued getting ready for bed.
Jacob suddenley felt awful. ‘Luce..I didn’t mean...’
‘I know,’ Lucy said quietly. ‘I know you didn’t.’
Jacob nodded and pulled her into his embrace. ‘I love you.’
‘Love you back.’
A face appeared at the window, and slipped away, unseen.

pt3.

Jo didn’t feel well. No, on second thoughts..Jo REALLY didn’t feel well. ‘Jack!
Move it!’ she told him, pushing him off the bed and heading to the bathroom
When Jack recovered and got himself off the floor, he raced into the bathroom, to
find Jo slumped next to the toilet, her head resting on the cool tiles on the wall.
He sat next to her and pulled her into his embrace. ‘What’s going on? You did this
yesterday and the day before.’
‘I don’t know. I’ll go and see Mel this morning.’

Lucy threw another bouquet into the bin. Not only was this getting annoying, but it
was getting creepy. She was getting jumpy and she kept feeling like someone was
always watching.
‘How many does that make it this week so far?’ Jacob asked.
‘Seven.’
‘Seven! I thought he was only leaving them in the morning.’
‘He started leaving them when I get home. And they’re always fresh.’
‘Meaning he’s been around just before you got home.’
Lucy nodded. ‘I’ll tell PJ about that.’
‘You think?’ Jacob asked sarcastically.
Lucy turned away. Jacob sighed and pulled her into his embrace.
‘I’m sorry. I just worry about you.’
Lucy nodded. ‘I better get ready for work.’

‘Okay. This guy is obviously now focussing his attentions on Lucy,’ PJ said. ‘Since he
started with her, there have been no reports.’
‘Was no reports,’ Jack said, coming over to him. ‘That was Leila on the phone. She
reckons there’s a stalker outside her house right now.’
‘Let’s go,’ Lucy said, grabbing her hat.
‘I don’t think so,’ Tess said.
‘Why not?’ Lucy asked.
Jo and Jack also looked confused.
‘If this guy is the same one that’s stalking Lucy, I don’t think you should be out
there.’
‘I’m a cop Sargeant. I’m trained for these kind of situations.’
‘I said no,’ Tess replied and sent Jo and Jack.
Lucy sighed and sat down in her chair.

‘He was dreadfully ugly,’ Leila informed them.
‘Yes, but what did he look like?’
‘Very dark eyes, almost black. He was very frightening.’
‘Did you have any warning?’
‘Not that I know of.’
Jo glanced at Jack, who shrugged.

The phone rang and Lucy answered it. ‘Mt Thomas Police, Constable Mitchell
speaking.’
‘How are you today constable?’ a voice asked.
‘Fine. What can I do for you?’
‘Lots of things Lucy. What do you like to do?’ the voice said.
Lucy stood stock still. PJ saw her and noticed she was going white.
‘Who is it? What’s the matter?’
The phone clicked as the voice hung up. Lucy swayed a little and PJ sat her down.
‘Who was it? What happened?’ PJ asked, as Tess quickly brought a glass of water.
‘It was him. Oh God, it was him,’ Lucy said, her body trembling.
‘What the hell happened?’ Tom asked, entering the room.
‘He rang,’ Tess told him.
‘Who?’
‘The stalker,’ she answered.
Jo and Jack came back and Jo rushed to her friends side.
‘What happened?’ Jo asked PJ, her eyes worried.
‘The bastard rang,’ PJ told her.
‘Parrish, I want you to take her back to the Imperial and get Lucy into a bed and to
sleep. I don’t want her staying at her house. And I want you to stay with her.’
Jo nodded. ‘Okay. Come on, Lucy,’ she told her, helping her up.

PJ stared at the whiteboard in front of him. There was no link between any of the
victims or intended victim. In fact, none of this case made sense. Tess and Ben
entered the room.
‘What have you got?’ Ben asked.
‘Nothing,’ PJ replied, defeated.
‘What about the Imperial?’ Tess asked.
‘What about the Imperial?’
‘Everyone who has been attacked or is an intended victim, drinks reguarly at the
Imperial.’
‘Meaning?’ Ben asked.
‘Meaning, the bloody bastard picks his victims there,’ PJ said, grabbing the keys.
Jo had gotten Lucy to lie down and she had almost immediately fallen asleep. Jo felt a
little tired herself, she had been up during the night with her stomach. She decided to
nip downstairs and get a coffee. She closed the door quietly and headed downstairs.

‘Where are you going Dad?’ Maddie asked, as Ben, Tess and PJ headed for the car.
‘The Imperial.’
Maddie raised an eyebrow. ‘You’re not off duty.’
‘I know. Maddie we have to go. This is a matter of life and death.’
Maddie felt something clench in her stomach. She remembered that clench, from
when Maggie Doyle had died. She grabbed her bike and headed after the car to the
Imperial.

Lucy moaned as she heard a thump in her room. She opened her eyes slowly and, as
they came into focus, she noticed someone who didn’t look anything like Jo. ‘Who
the hell are you and what are you doing in here?’ she asked, pulling the blankets
around her.
‘Remember my voice?’ he asked, sitting on the chair.
Lucy’s eyes became fearful and she cringed.
‘I’ve wanted you for so long.’
‘Keep away from me,’ Lucy cried, moving backwards on the bed.
Jo opened the door and was slightly fearful when she watched the gun being
produced.

‘Where’s Jo and Lucy?’ PJ asked, running through the door.
‘Upstairs. What’s going on?’
‘Sicko bastard is up there too,’ PJ said, heading upwards, Tess, Ben and Jack
following.

The man sat, perched on a chair, gun pointed straight for them.
‘I could scream,’ Jo informed him.
‘Well, that would be stupid, now wouldn’t it? The minute you screamed, I’d shoot
you both. You’re stuck here.’
‘Well, excuse me for being silly, but why are you just sitting there?’ Lucy asked,
staring at him crossly.
‘I’m waiting for the right time,’ he smiled.
‘Which is when? Two years from now? The other cops will be here by then,’ Jo told
him.
‘Oh yeah, like I was born yesterday. They know they can’t get in here. If they do, just
two shots and you’re both dead.’
‘You’re awfully cocky about your ability to shoot,’ Lucy commented.
The man chuckled. ‘I like to think I’m a good shot.’
‘But you’re not sure?’ Jo asked.
‘Nice try,’ he replied.
‘So, who are you?’ Lucy asked him.
‘Why do you want to know? So you can prosecute me later?’
Lucy sighed and lay back on the bed. She was really tired. She saw that Jo was as
well. God, she hoped PJ and the others came in time.

Maddie ran into the Imperial and Chris caught her.
‘I don’t think so,’ Chris told her, before the girl ran upstairs.
‘Dad’s up there!’ Maddie cried.
‘I know. And he’s a good cop. He’ll be fine.’
‘Maggie Doyle was a good cop too,’ Maddie replied.
Chris nodded and sat Maddie down in a chair.

‘Police!’ Tess called, as she, Ben, Jack and PJ stood in front of the door.
‘Welcome! Unfortunately, you can’t come in. Because..and this is funny..I have a gun
to both your cops heads.’
‘Are you guys okay in there?’ Ben asked.
‘Sure! We’re just dandy!’ Lucy called back.
‘Alright mate, what is it you want?’ PJ requested.
‘Some bloody peace and quiet! These two don’t shutup and now you lot are here!’
Ben turned to PJ. ‘We’ve got to get in there. He knows what he wants. And it’s not
peace and quiet.’
PJ nodded. ‘Okay. Mate, all we want is our two girls out of their unharmed.’
‘I haven’t harmed them,’ the man called back.

Lucy sat on the bed and stared at the barrel of the gun. She needed to catch him off
guard..grab the gun and sort this damn mess out. But they needed a distraction. She
turned to Jo. ‘Scream,’ she mouthed.
Jo raised an eyebrow and looked at the man. And she screamed. It was loud, piercing
and blood-curdling. It was just what they needed. Lucy took the opportunity and as
the man turned to look at Jo, Lucy startled him and grabbed the gun.
‘Funny position we’re in now, isn’t it?’ Lucy asked him, pointing the gun at him.
The man realised he was caught out. He looked at Jo and then lunged at Lucy. The
gun went off and the other cops burst in.

6

‘Well, he’s damn lucky it only damaged his liver. He’ll make it.’ Mel turned to Lucy.
‘Barely.’
‘What a pity,’ Lucy muttered, as she gathered her things. ‘Can we go now?’
Mel nodded. ‘Just as long as you both take it easy. I want to see you both in a week.’
‘Thanks Mel,’ Jo told her. ‘And thanks for the other thing too.’
Jacob hugged Lucy tight as they exited the room.
‘Mel told us about Daniel Lyle,’ Tom mentioned.
‘Yeah, pity isn’t it?’
‘You could have killed him, Mitchell.’
‘And he could have killed us.’
PJ and Ben squirmed.
‘I have to tell you, that Falcon Price is making his way up,’ Tom told her.
‘Bloody fantastic,’ Lucy groaned. ‘I need a drink.’
‘I’ll buy,’ Jacob offered.
‘Let’s go.’

Chris looked slightly shaken as she served the drinks to her favourite police officers
that evening. PJ noticed it and smiled.
‘It’s okay Chrissy. We’re all okay.’
Chris nodded. ‘I know. It just rattled me, that’s all. By the way, Isabella rang. She’s
back from Melbourne.’
PJ smiled. ‘Thanks Chrissy.’
‘Tom,’ Falcon Price said, standing behind him.
‘Geez, that was quick,’ Lucy murmured to Jo.
‘That’s because this is a very difficult situation. I want to dispense it as soon as
possible.’
‘Well, not tonight,’ Tess said slowly. ‘I think Jo and Lucy should rest. They’ve both
had a hectic day.’
Falcon Price nodded. ‘Absolutely. See you both tomorrow then.’
He turned and walked away.
‘Come on, Jo,’ Jack said, taking her hand. ‘Let’s go.’
Jo nodded. ‘Night guys.’

After the group left, Ben and Tess sat together in the pub.
‘Wonder why the Inspector really came so quickly?’ Ben wondered, glancing at Tess.
Tess saw him glance at her and groaned. ‘Alright! I’ll tell you why.’
Ben planted a smug look on his face and turned to face her.
‘Inspector Price is always kind of worried when an investigation is called into that
involves Lucy. She’s been removed from two other stations and he’s afraid she might
start trying to find who murdered her father. She can be a bit of a troublemaker and he
doesn’t want anything to get out of hand.’
‘Wow,’ Ben breathed. ‘Two stations.’
Tess nodded. ‘But she’s a good cop. Too much of people before rules though.’
‘Any examples?’ Ben asked slyly.
Tess rolled her eyes. ‘Isn’t that more something you should be asking her?’
‘Spoilsport,’ Ben told her.
Tess smiled. ‘Another drink? On me?’
Ben held out his glass. ‘How could I refuse?’

‘I’m sorry you’ve had such a hard time at work, PJ,’ Isabella said. ‘I wish I could’ve
helped somehow.’
‘I appreciate it,’ PJ answered. ‘But it was probably better you weren’t here. I was in
my moody state.’
Isabella moved closer and stared him straight in the eye. ‘I have been around in some
of your more moody states Patrick Joseph. Are you saying I can’t handle them?’
‘Not at all,’ PJ smiled, looking at the fiery brunette staring at him.
‘Good,’ Isabella smiled back, handing him his wine.
‘Did Alexander enjoy Melbourne?’
‘He wanted to be back here. Not that I blame him. Melbourne doesn’t hold too much
except my parents. All his friends are here in Mt Thomas. And so are you.’
PJ nodded and held her in an embrace. ‘I’m glad you’re back.’
Isabella kissed him softly. ‘I’m glad to be back.’

‘Goodmorning Constable Mitchell,’ Inspector Price addressed her.
‘Inspector Price,’ Lucy acknowledged.
‘Constable, would you mind accompanying me to the office.’
Lucy sighed and follwed him into Tom’s office.
‘Now, Constable all I want is what happened.’
‘Mr Lyle was holding Constable Lawson..’
‘Which one?’
‘Jo. Hostage. Then when the rest of the cops came to the door, he lunged at me with a
gun and in the ensuing struggle it went off.’
‘Do you recall firing?’
‘No. But it could have been anything that fired it.’
Falcon Price sighed. ‘Can I have Constable Jo Lawson in here?’
Emma quickly ran off from her listening place outside the door and Ben smiled.
Lucy stalked out and Jo squeezed her hand as she walked in.

Falcon Price exited the office in a foul mood. Jo had given him pretty much the same
story as Lucy and it peeved him. He wondered whether it was on purpose or not. ‘Is
Mr Lyle awake yet?’
Jo and Lucy’s heads snapped up.
‘Uh, yeah,’ Ben told him. ‘Dr Carter says he can handle questioning.’
‘Good. Hasham, you can come with me.’
PJ raised an eyebrow. ‘Uh, why sir?’
‘This is an attempted homocide Hasham.’
‘Homocide!’ Lucy cried. ‘I didn’t even know this bastard until he ended up in my
room!’
‘Exactly. But you knew that he had raped other women.’
‘So!? That wouldn’t give me the right to shoot him, no matter how much I wanted to!’
‘Settle down, Mitchell,’ Tom warned.
‘I’m a police officer. A good one. And if protecting myself and another officer is
attempted homocide you better start locking up the whole bloody force!’ With that,
Lucy stormed off into the locker room.
Tom stared at Tess, who sighed.
‘Well, that was a nice presentation. Hasham?’
PJ muttered something unpublishable and headed for the car. Jo glared at the
Inspector and went to the locker room.
Lucy sniffled and turned her head to the locker when Jo walked in.
‘Don’t worry about him, he makes accusations that he never follows through with,’ Jo
told her.
‘Ever since my father died, he’s looked for an excuse to kick me out of the force. He
couldn’t throw Dad out because he was higher above him. But he always hated us
because we put people before publicity. That always irked him. But, if he finds me
guilty of this, he’ll have a perfect excuse.’ She turned around. ‘I don’t want to fail,
Jo.’
Jo hugged her. ‘Everything will be fine. You’re going to stay.’

Inspector Falcon Price wandered into the pub and headed for the table where the
Heeler’s, Jacob and Isabella sat.
‘Constable Mitchell.’
Lucy swiveled around and stared at him. ‘Yes?’
‘There was not enough evidence in anyway to sustain any kind of complaint. But, if
you ever pull a stunt like you did in the police station this afternoon, I will kick you
out of this place quicker than your mouth can move.’
‘Yes sir.’
‘Care for a drink, Inspector?’ Jo offered.
‘You be careful too Parrish. And no. I won’t,’ he told them, leaving the room.
‘I’ll have another one,’ Tom said, calling Chris over. ‘And Mitchell?’
‘Yes boss?’
‘I don’t want him back here for a long time. Understood?’
‘Yes boss.’ Lucy nudged Jo. ‘Tell them.’
‘Tell us what?’ Ben asked quizzically.
Jo blushed slightly. ‘I’m pregnant.’
‘You mean there’s going to be a little Lawson Parrish hybrid running around?’ PJ
asked.
‘God help us,’ Tom sighed.