Connie berates Rita, calling her "incompetent and a danger to the hospital". Howman explained that Connie is attacking Rita because she is upset following Grace's departure. Connie then reveals that she blames Rita for Grace's departure. Howman told Reilly ("What's on TV") that Connie completely blames Rita for losing her daughter, which has made her lose "all perspective". Howman and Mealing enjoyed portraying the characters' feud and wanted the audience to like it too. Outside of her feud with Rita, Connie develops a close friendship with former surgeon Alfred Maxwell (Michael Byrne), who is dying from motor neuron disease. He is later admitted to the ED and Connie does not allow anyone else to treat him. Following Alfred's death, Rita discovers that Connie asked nurse Lofty Chiltern (Lee Mead) to dispose of his blood tests, so she has the bloods tested for drugs. Mealing thought that Rita sees this as her chance to "get rid of Connie". Rita discovers a drug in Alfred's blood system and after finding out that Connie was visiting Alfred the previous night, she reports Connie to the police for euthanasia. Hospital staff are questioned by the police as part of the investigation and Rita is pleased with Connie's absence. Connie confesses to stealing medication, but states that she only gave Alfred two tablets, which could not kill him. She tells the police that the remaining drugs are in her office. Before the police can arrive, Rita steals the drugs from Connie's office. Mealing called Rita's actions "malicious". Connie is then charged with Alfred's murder. Senior nurse Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson) soon realises that Rita has framed Connie and pressures her into letting him return the drugs to the police without incriminating her. Mealing observed that Charlie "puts the moral thumbscrews on Rita". Following her darker storylines, producers romantically paired Rita with paramedic Iain Dean (Michael Stevenson) to provide the characters with lighter stories. Hossington told Kilkelly ("Digital Spy") that the coupling would be surprising and dissimilar to other pairings on the drama. While remembering Jeff on the one-year anniversary of his death, Iain makes sexual advances towards Rita and asks if she would like a one-night stand, which she agrees to. Reilly ("What's on TV") wondered if the couple could become ""Casualty" new favourite couple". Howman later told the reporter that Iain is the first person that Rita has loved since Mark, which is important to her following her trauma with Mark.