When Bronwyn awoke the next morning, the sun was rising. There was this warm golden morning light coming through the half-darkened curtains. She looked around, unsure for a moment where she was.

Then she remembered.

Ciara was sitting in an armchair near the window, a silk robe wrapped loosely around her, it felt as if she was looking at Bronwyn.

"Good morning, are you watching me sleep?"

"Listening to you wake up." She smiled. "Good morning. You slept through some messages on your phone. And there's coffee next to you."

Bronwyn sat up with a start, "Where's the phone? What time is it?"

Ciara smiled. "Next to your cup, I looked for it when it wouldn't stop ringing. As for the time, not eight yet."

She picked up the phone and scrolled through the messages. "Sorry, I need to check these."

"I'll leave you to it, I'll be in the kitchen." There was no disappointment in her voice, just quiet calm. Bronwyn watched her leave the room, remembering all the discussions she had had with her ex, each time checking work messages had taken priority.

When Bronwyn left the bedroom, Ciara sat at the dining table, a hearty breakfast for two in front of her. She smiled. "That looks great, but I'm sorry I have to go, I have to be at the station in about half an hour. Melody turned up for an interview a few minutes ago. And the coroner has sent the report. This is all very strange."

"Half an hour?" Ciara looked up, "then you have time for some breakfast."

"By subway, thirty minutes is barely enough."

"Leave it to me, I'll take you."

"I don't think I want you to drive."

Ciara snorted. "I don't drive, but I know people who do. You sit down and eat and tell me what's weird and I'll get you a car." She pulled out her phone and listened to the AI voice again as she typed.  "There, driver will be here soon." She held up the device.

Bronwyn obeyed, smiled and grabbed a crumpet. "Strange is the coroner's report. There's no poison in her stomach, but it's in her bloodstream. Linwood's last update was that he was checking her again for injection marks."

"Hm." Ciara pulled a piece from her croissant, "Any developments on a motive?"

Bronwyn shrugged and chewed.

Ciara tilted her head towards her, "Was that a nod or a shake?"

"Sorry, it was a shrug. I don't do it on purpose. I just come from an area where three grunts and a shrug are a full conversation."

Ciara laughed. "We'll work on that, but now explain the shrug."

"I don't know. The missed calls were Harrison talking about Melody. Until we talk to the husband and the girl, we don't know anything."

"Who would inject poison into a middle-aged, churchgoing woman in an upmarket London hotel?" Ciara wondered, chewing.

"Don't forget the array of toys she brought with her, maybe there's some weird sex cult thing going on." Bronwyn giggled.

"Trust me, I would know about the sex cult." Ciara winked.

"Can I go with you when you talk to Melody?"

"No, that's police business." Bronwyn's voice grew stern.

Ciara frowned. "But the Sergeant could meet a friend for tea later and brainstorm with her?"

Bronwyn sat back, "So we're friends?"

There was a shy smile on Ciara's lips. "We should probably get to know each other a bit better, but I think we're already quite compatible in bed."

Bronwyn shook her head and laughed. "To be honest, I think that's an area I really want to explore a bit more." She sighed. "21 West Cafe. Around three. But if anyone asks, we just bumped into each other."

"Something that happens to me quite often." Ciara grinned. "Thank you."

"I think I should go downstairs my ride should be here soon." She got up and Ciara rose with her, Bronwyn leaned in and kissed her waiting lips. "See you later." She froze as she realised what she had just said.

"See you later." Ciara smiled.

It was a quarter to three when Bronwyn sat down in the small café. She had seen it last night and remembered the bright interior, something she hoped Ciara would appreciate. She looked around and chose a sunny spot, a small table by the window. That way she would see her when she arrived. No sooner had she sat down than she saw Ciara approaching. The woman she had met less than 48 hours ago and who already had taken her to bed.

It was the first time she had seen her in an unfamiliar environment. Once again, she was struck by the poise with which she moved. Head held high, she moved her white cane in front of her, occasionally tapping the kerb or negotiating an obstacle. Suddenly it was impossible to forget that she was blind. She saw her stop at the cafe, a waitress opened the door, and they spoke. As the waitress looked around, Bronwyn gestured to her, she nodded and held out her elbow for Ciara to grasp. Holding on to the waitress's elbow, her cane motionless in front of her, they made their way towards Bronwyn.

"There you are," the waitress's tone was friendly as she placed Ciara's hand on the back of the empty chair in front of Bronwyn.

"Fancy meeting you here!" The Sergeant grinned.

"Oh, what a coincidence!" Ciara smiled as she folded her cane. "Thanks for choosing the only brightly coloured cafe around." There was a warmth in her voice that made Bronwyn shiver.

"I thought you'd appreciate it."

"I do." She pulled out the chair and sat down. Her hands touched the table in front of her for orientation. "Have you ordered yet?"

"No, I thought I'd wait for you, would you like me to read you the menu?"

"Honey, you could read me the phone book." Ciara's voice was a quiet growl.

"You mean by page two you'll have your knickers in a twist?"

"A wet twist, dear." She grinned. "Some tea would be nice, sweet and milky, and what's the sandwich of the day?"

"Bacon, egg, tomato."

"Yes please."

They ordered their food and Ciara sat back. "So how was the day?"

Bronwyn sighed. "Melody's a nice girl, she's barely 25 and could be that woman's daughter, if not her granddaughter. And I think that's how they bonded. She came in because Ruby told her to. And she was very open. Mrs Smith had taken a liking to her, and Smith regularly hired escorts to do just that, to escort her to exhibitions, concerts and sometimes a nice dinner. Always all expenses paid."

Bronwyn interrupted herself as the waitress brought their order. Ciara sat up straight with her hands in her lap until the young woman had finished placing the plates and saucers on the table. She just looked down at the arrangement on the table.

"You'll let me know if I can help in any way?" Bronwyn sounded uncertain, not sure if or how to offer help.

Ciara smiled gratefully. "If you could just describe to me where everything is on the table and on my plate so I don't make too big a mess." She pointed to the sandwich. "Take that as the centre and use a clock face. Like tea on two napkins at 9 and so on."

Bronwyn did as instructed, trying to be as detailed as possible. She watched as Ciara carefully touched various items and then finally began to eat, not without placing a napkin on her lap.

She took a bite of her own sandwich before continuing. "Like I said, they bonded over art. Melody is an art history major, and they bonded over that. She really mourns the woman, like a maternal friend. As Ruby had mentioned earlier, Melody confirmed that Mrs Smith had once opened up about being very lonely. Her children were grown and out of the house, and her husband didn't seem to enjoy her company and mostly ignored her. According to Melody, he hadn't touched her for at least a decade.

"Poor old girl." Ciara sighed. "Any news on the husband front?"

"Not much. Harrison spoke to him."

"I'm afraid I sound like Miss Marple, but something is sticking in the back of my mind. Something about Catholic girls' schools and Mrs Winter. And I can't make head or tail of it."

"Oh dear, that does sound like Miss Marple. Although I must say I'd be more than interested to hear more of your school stories. And I am raising an eyebrow, just so you know."

Ciara laughed. "Thanks for the verbal cue. Unfortunately, I have to go to work soon, and I think my night shift might interfere with your day shift."

Bronwyn sighed. "Can I take you somewhere? Tube, bus? Or will you take a taxi?"

"I would like a nice walk to the bus stop." She smiled.

Back in her office, Ciara switched on her computer and adjusted her headset. Kneading her lower lip, she tried to remember everything she had heard about Mrs Smith, trying to put the puzzle together in her mind.

The Catholic girls' school. She smiled as she remembered the events of last night. She could still smell Bronwyn on herself and the memory of her arched back as she had touched her G-spot sent a shiver down her spine.

Ciara sat up straight as another piece of the puzzle fell into place.

She switched the headset to her mobile and dialled the number she had added to her phone book this morning.

"Miss me already?"

"Yes, but that's not why I'm calling. Has Linwood checked the lubricant? I think the poison is in the lubricant. Tell him to check the vaginal swabs, he must have done some."

There was silence on the line.

"Bronwyn?"

"How do you know she had lube?"

"Did he check it?"

"It's at the forensics lab, they're supposed to test it, but I haven't heard anything from them. Anyway, I asked you, how do you know about the lubricant?"

"A middle-aged devout Catholic woman, well into or past menopause, with a bag of sex toys, of course she had lubricant!"

The silence was deafening.

"Hello?"

"I'll call you back." Bronwyn ended the call.

"You were right about the lube." The familiar Welsh voice greeted her as she left the hotel through the side entrance.

"And hello to you too, Sergeant. Evans" Ciara smiled in the direction the voice had come from. It was too dark here, Bronwyn's tall, athletic body had disappeared into the void. "Why are you still awake?"

"Because a certain someone found the murder weapon and we had to investigate."

"Sorry, not sorry." Ciara grinned. "Fancy a nightcap?"

"That's why I'm here, I've even arranged to get a car from the motor pool, and I might have brought a late-night Corma."

"You always say all the right things." Ciara held out her hand.

The taller woman's warm hand took hers and put it on her elbow. It felt surprisingly natural and safe as she led her to the car.

"Now tell me all the new developments." Ciara had sat down opposite her at the wide dining table. They both had their Corma in front of them.

"As I told you before. You were right. The poison was in the lubricant. Did I tell you it was nicotine? Good thing I never took up smoking." Bronwyn tore off a piece of naan. "Linwood checked the vaginal swabs, they had the highest readings." She spooned rice and sauce onto her bread and ate it in one big bite.

Ciara furrowed her brow. "Nicotine, no, you didn't tell me. Did she die while masturbating? I shudder to think."

"No, but shortly after. The poison got into her bloodstream much faster through the lining of her vagina. She didn't die peacefully, but at least she had an orgasm before she died." Bronwyn sighed. "At least I hope so."

Ciara took her last piece of naan and wiped her plate clean. "This may put a damper on my plans for the rest of the evening." She sighed.

"Were you planning to masturbate?" Bronwyn's smirk was audible in her voice.

Ciara sat back and licked her lips, "No, but I was going to use a lubricant."

Feeling her excitement rising, Bronwyn clenched her thighs. "I brought a phone book in case I need to get you back in the mood." She laughed.

"Now you're talking." Ciara grinned.

Bronwyn picked up another fork. "You still haven't told me what made you think the poison was in the lubricant?"

Ciara shrugged and picked up a piece of bread, "It was a sort of flash of inspiration. You had told me there was no poison in the food and drink and nothing in her stomach. Somewhere in the back of my mind I had Richard Attenborough talking about contact poisons being absorbed through the skin."

"Richard Attenborough?"

Ciara giggled. "Another one of those voices, you know..." She trailed off, gesturing with her naan.

"Okay, I can understand that. His voice is really nice. But then, from skin absorption to lube is still a big step."

She blushed. "I may have been thinking about us last night, and I remembered that no one washes the lubricant off, it is designed to be absorbed or, depending on the amount used, to simply seep out."

Bronwyn turned a deep shade of red, partly out of embarrassment, but also because the thought of what Ciara had done to her last night aroused her immensely. "Who would poison her lubricant?"

"Someone who knew she was using it?" Another fork of Corma disappeared between Ciara's full lips.

"That's a really intimate object to poison."

“Scorned lover? Envious Husband?” Ciara shrugged. "Did the interview with the husband turn up anything new?"

"He's a strange one, asked Harrison to pray with him for his wife."  Bronwyn sipped her beer, "To be honest, this guy would be high on my list of suspects, we just have to find the motive."

"Don't you think there are plenty of motives, take the divorce issue for example, such a pious Catholic couple couldn't just get divorced."

"Yes, but such a pious man could murder?" Bronwyn snorted.

"Did you do a thorough background check?"

"The first check turned up nothing unusual. We're doing a second one now. And a unit is checking pharmacies for purchases of nicotine patches and the like. The Westminster guys are a bit nervous because he's some sort of church official with the cathedral."

"I bet he's got a skeleton in his closet." Ciara reached across the table and placed her hand palm up on the tablecloth. Bronwyn slipped her hand into Ciara's and felt her fingers close around hers.

“Promise me to tell me any new developments, ok?”

“I will.” Bronwyn’s voice had dropped a note or two.

Slowly stroking her palm, she felt Ciara's index finger slip between her ring and middle fingers, moving slowly back and forth. A lustful smile formed on her lips "I see you have found your own way of non-verbal conversation.

Ciara leaned forward, "Is it working?"

Without letting go of her hand, Bronwyn stood up, "Why don't we go to bed and find out?" she stepped closer and slowly pulled her to her feet.

"Finally!" Ciara grinned.

"Your knickers in a wet twist?"

Their hands still intertwined, Ciara slid them under her waistband and slowly guided Bronwyn between her thighs, pressing her fingers between her already wet lips.

"I don't understand how I can have this effect on you." Bronwyn pressed her finger deeper into her opening. A soft moan was Ciara's only response. Pressing against her, she slowly led them towards the bedroom.

They took their time, undressing slowly, exploring each other's bodies again.

Smiling, Ciara noticed the wetness between Bronwyn's legs and took her partner's hand to feel for herself. "See how wet I make you?" She whispered, grinning against her cheek and moaning as she felt a finger rubbing her clit. "You've made me wet, now make me come, please." Bronwyn moaned.

"Shh, not so fast. I want to have some fun with you first." She kissed her way down to the taller woman's breasts and began to nibble and kiss them. "You have unbelievably beautiful breasts."

Bronwyn moaned and pressed against Ciara's hand. "And it turns you on when I play with them," she grinned and bit her nipple gently. Bronwyn whimpered. Ciara crawled closer, careful not to lose the hand between her legs that was relentlessly massaging her clit. She knew she wouldn't last long, but she also knew it would just take one twist to make Bronwyn come with her.

And she knew it would only be the first orgasm of the night. She allowed herself to let go, grinding against Bronwyn's hand as she sucked on her nipple and pushed her fingers deeper inside, curling them again to find her G-spot. They exploded together, massaging and caressing each other, savouring their orgasms to the last.

Snuggled close under Ciara's blanket, Bronwyn played with a lock of her hair. "Do you feel better now?"

"Much." She turned and crawled up a little to get closer to the taller woman's face. Blinking, she tried to focus on her pale eyes. Bronwyn could tell by now that it was too dark. Ciara was only marginally successful.  "And you?"

Bronwyn's only response was a gentle kiss. She looked at Ciara's face in wonder. She had done some more research and found videos that simulated her lover's condition. Now she just had to work up the courage to ask.

"Can I ask you something?"

"You just did." Calmly, Ciara moved closer again.

Bronwyn let out a sigh.

"Go ahead."

"I googled again..." She pulled her arms tight around her. "I know it's progressive. If I may, I'd like to know what stage you're at."

Ciara slowly freed herself from her lover's grip and sat up beside her. Her porcelain body shimmered in the dim night light. She fumbled around until she found the remote and turned on all the lights in the room.

Evans jumped and so did Ciara, both taking a moment to adjust to the sudden brightness. She noticed it took Ciara much longer, but once she had stopped the rapid blinking, Bronwyn felt her look deep into her eyes.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Because I care about you, and I want to learn. And I need you to teach me."

Ciara grinned broadly. "There are many things I can teach you." She winked.

Bronwyn laughed. "The fact that you're clearly looking at me right now tells me that there's still a lot."

Ciara sighed and shook her head slowly. "It's very bright, we are sitting very close and by now I know you, your height, your build and the structure of your face. Right now I can see you clearly because you are sitting still.”

Slowly she touched her lover's face, her fingers tracing the jawline to the forehead. "For years I've waited for the day I would wake up in total darkness. And I cherish every day that it hasn't happened. What I have left is a little more than a pinprick in a piece of black paper. But I embrace that bit, and I am grateful to have met you before all the light goes out.  She crawled closer and kissed Bronwyn on the nose. "This close, I think I can see your freckles."

Bronwyn caught her lips in a kiss and sighed against her full lip. "And here I was, hoping the freckles would go unnoticed." She giggled.

Ciara smiled. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For not just being curious." She smiled.

"Speaking of being curious..." Bronwyn ran her hand over Ciara's porcelain chest. "What were you planning to use the lubricant for?"

Ciara had the decency to blush. "I was just wondering. Since you told me that you had never slept with a man and that you had never used a toy." She frowned. "I still can't believe it. If you want to try one or two." She trailed off.

"You really use these things?" Bronwyn's interest was piqued.

"Regularly." Ciara grinned.

"What do you have in mind?" Her voice was deep with lust.

Ciara crawled closer, leaving the light on, and carefully pushed Bronwyn back onto the pillows. "One day I want to fuck you like a man, with a rubber cock between my legs, pushing deep inside you while I can see the lust on your face."

Bronwyn shivered with lust, surprised at her reaction to that statement. She had never felt the need to try out dildos or other toys, but the way Ciara had said what she wanted to do had made her so hot.

"But I think we should start slowly. Otherwise, it might be too overwhelming for you. I've noticed how sensitive your g-spot is, so let's start slow." She stood up again and opened the drawer of her bedside table, pulling out the tub of lube and a rubber dildo, shaped and moulded like a real penis. "Would you like to try it?" She handed Bronwyn the toy.

The taller woman took it and nodded.

"That was a nod, wasn't it?"

Bronwyn rolled her eyes and laughed. "Yes." She looked around. "Leave the light on, please."

Ciara nodded, putting the lubricant and toy to one side for now she crawled back on the bed and began nibbling and kissing Bronwyn's breasts again. Working her fingers down between her legs, she began to stroke and massage her slowly. She was wet but the lubricant would make the experience so much more pleasurable for her.

Pulling away from her beautiful breasts, Ciara took the lube and coated her fingers again, warming the liquid before gently sliding two fingers inside Bronwyn. The taller woman automatically spread her legs wider and moaned as she felt her move inside.

Coating her well with the lubricant, Ciara pulled out and took another good amount of the liquid and coated the toy. Positioning herself close to the other woman's thighs she could hear Bronwyn panting and was grateful that she had asked for the lights to remain on. That way she could watch how the toy entered her.

Massaging her clit with her right hand, she slowly slid the dildo in with her left. She took her time, giving Bronwyn time to get used to the unusual sensation.

Bronwyn felt the urge to push against the unfamiliar thickness that was penetrating her. She gasped as Ciara pushed deeper. "Is this what a man feels like inside you?" She panted.

Ciara had stopped pushing, just holding the toy in place so she could get used to the size. "It's close. A real penis is still something else." She felt Bronwyn slowly start to gyrate her hips and moved the toy inside her. Bronwyn moaned and her movements became more demanding. "It feels good." She panted. Ciara smiled, her own excitement already seeping out as she resisted the desire to touch herself. This was all about Bronwyn.

Finding her rhythm, she drilled into the Welsh beauty, savouring her moans and groans as she turned the toy a little, hoping to get better access to her G-spot. She was instantly rewarded with a loud moan and a torrent of Welsh as Bronwyn's orgasm flooded through her.

"Pull it out, it's too much!" Bronwyn panted heavily. Ciara obeyed, carefully pulling at the toy and watching closely as it emerged from her lover.

Kneeling next to Bronwyn's hips, she sat upright, the dildo in her hand. Ciara could see that her head was turned towards her. The pale pools of ice that were her eyes were framed by her black curls. "You're watching me."

"Enjoying the amazing view."

"Good." Ciara spread her legs a little and slowly moved the toy between her legs, pushing it deep inside her. She sighed as the length disappeared inside her.

"I thought you preferred clitoral?"

Ciara nodded. "Yes. But now I have your juices inside me, it's a bit like you came inside me." She moaned. "And I would like to watch you eating me now. The things you do with your tongue make me even wetter just thinking about them.

Slowly she leaned forward and lay down next to Bronwyn who immediately turned to kiss her. Parting her lips with her tongue, Ciara opened her mouth with a sigh, welcoming her inside.

She felt Bronwyn's hand explore her body, slowly working its way down between her legs.

Grabbing the base of the dildo, she began to move it slowly inside her. A soft moan escaped from Ciara as she broke the kiss.

Positioning herself again, Bronwyn knelt between Ciara's already spread legs. She felt the mixture of her own juices and the lubricant seep out of her opening as she leaned down to insert her tongue between Ciara's folds. Moving the toy inside her lover, her tongue found her clit and she began to lick and flick over it. She tilted her head slightly as she cupped Ciara's clit and looked at her as she began to suck.

Ciara moaned and for a moment their eyes locked, she watched in awe as the darker woman savoured her and it brought her over the edge. There was another of Bronwyn's special tongue twists and she lost it, gasping and panting as a powerful orgasm rolled through her.