Chapter One
"Hello? Phryne?"
"Yes, Jack?"
"I need to ask a favour."
"Oh good!"
"I was afraid you would say that. Is there any possibility that you won't hold this over me at some point in the future when you want sight of confidential information that I am absolutely not allowed to let you see?"
"No, Jack, no possibility whatsoever. Now, what is it you need me to do?"
"I need you to pretend to be able to shoot."
"But Jack, I can shoot. I don't need to pretend."
"Not your little pearl-handled .38 – I need you to join a target rifle team. Have you ever fired a Lee Enfield?"
"Oh. No. Well, how different can it be? Why do you need me to do it, anyway?"
"Because one of the State of Victoria Ladies' Team has just had an accident."
"I'm so sorry to hear it, though I confess I didn't know we had a State of Victoria Ladies' Team. Has she strained her trigger finger?"
"No, she's had her brains blown out during a training session."
"Oh."
"Quite. I need you to go to Williamstown and get people to talk to you. I'll drive down with you and explain on the way."
"Righty-ho."
"I'm asking you because there's no other way, you do understand? Please don't get shot, Phryne."
"Don't be silly, Jack. I'm going to be the one holding the gun, surely?"
"I think you'll find they have more than one gun at Williamstown."
"Oh well. I'll just have to stay on everyone's good side."
"That's what I'm afraid of. I'll be there in half an hour."